6 Keys to Living a Minimalistic Lifestyle

You’ve likely heard people within your circle say they are switching to a minimalistic lifestyle. It sounds like a good thing, right?

But, what exactly does it mean?

The concept of minimalism was rocketed to the forefront of everyone’s psyche thanks to Marie Kondo, organising consultant extraordinaire and host of the wildly popular 2019 Netflix series “Tidying Up” where she helps the world keep only the items that bring them joy and while organising their homes beautifully.

If you’re looking around your space and thinking to yourself it could use a little Kondo-ing, fear not. As one of Sydney’s most trusted storage facilities, we know a thing or two about making space in a home. That’s why we’re sharing 6 keys that will allow you to make more space feel better in your home.

1. Start Small

It may be tempting to try to tackle a whole-home minimalist overhaul in a single weekend, but take our advice and don’t do it. Decluttering and downsizing can be an arduous task, and one that is both physically and emotionally taxing. So, do yourself a favor and pick a single room to start your decluttering process. Once you have completed that room, you’ll have a better idea of how long it takes you to complete the process and can block off time for future rooms accordingly.

2. Begin with the Visible

Once you’ve designated which room is first to receive your minimalism makeover, start by tackling the items that are obviously out of place. This might be a pile of laundry on your bedroom floor, a stack of books in the kids’ room, or a collection of shoes near the backdoor of your home.

By starting with the clutter you can see (instead of starting with closed cabinets or closets), you’ll be able to enjoy the obvious difference you’ve made in the room by returning clutter to its appropriate space.

3. Cut Non-Essentials

Go through your belongings and cut out any duplicate items and things you no longer need, want, or wear. It may be helpful to have labeled in the room for the following categories—items to keep, items to sell or donate, and items to trash.

Sort the non-essentials accordingly and enjoy the feeling of freedom that grows as you get rid of things you don’t really need.

4. Set Limits

This is where going minimal can get tricky…and, sometimes, a little painful. Try setting a limit on items you keep in the home. How many pairs of shoes do you really need? If this feels too general, divide shoes into smaller subcategories. How many pairs of sneakers should you have? How many pairs of heels or sandals?

Once you’ve gotten rid of non-essentials, it’s time to set limits on how much of what you want really needs to stay. You can do the same thing for clothing, setting a limit for the number of t-shirts, jeans, and shorts you keep.

The kitchen is another location that often benefits from limits. How many sets of drinkware do you really need? How many serving bowls are too much?

We often hang onto things we don’t really use or need out of fear of missing out…we don’t know when we’ll need that casserole dish we’ve never used, but when we do we’ll be glad to have it. The truth is the casserole dish will likely never be missed. As Ms. Kondo is fond of saying, if it doesn’t spark joy, let it go.

5. Organise What’s Left

Once you’ve completed the painful process of decluttering and eliminating, it’s time to decide where the remainder will live.

Consider using lidded storage bins to make more space for seasonal clothing and shoes. Your winter boots can be safely stored in the summer then brought out in cooler weather while your summer shoes and sandals take their turn in the box.

The same goes with seasonal apparel, keep clothing used during the current season within easy reach while other items are stored until it’s time to switch things out. You’ll be amazed how much room this can free up in your home.

6. Consider Self-Storage

There are certain items that one cannot get rid of, but may not have the room to use or display. If you are the beneficiary of family antiques, heirlooms, artwork, or photographs, eliminating such treasures simply isn’t an option. Consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit where you can safely store these heirlooms until you have the space to display them in your home.

And if you’re looking for a state-of-the-art storage facility that will care for your items as if they were their own, we hope you’ll contact us at Holloway Storage. We’ll keep your belongings safe and secure until ready for them.