Living in a small space naturally requires some minimalism, but when you have room to spread out, it gets harder to keep the amount of stuff you own under control. Consider these practical tips for living minimally no matter the size of your home.
1. Clear the clutter.
Removing clutter is the first step in preparing for your minimalist decor. First tackle your surfaces. Get rid of junk mail piling up on the kitchen counter. Kids' toys all over the great room? Designate a play-bin in a hall-way closet and toss old stuff every six months. All surfaces should be free of stuff, this way you see the room, the shapes and lighting. Allow your mind to be peaceful and uninterrupted when you step into the room.
2. Embrace clean simple lines.
The minimalistic style in regards to a home interior fundamentally has two important characteristics: clean and simple. Namely, by living by these two characteristics, you can really create a very elegant, subtle, and modest atmosphere in your home. You can do this by avoiding complicated patterns and distracting motifs. Go with simple, straight lines in your interior.
3. Limit storage when you can.
If a room already has built-in storage, don't add dressers, cabinets, drawers, or shelves that encourage collecting more stuff. advises Cary Fortin, co-founder of the decluttering and design company New Minimalism. You can also consider removing storage spaces that you don't really need such as hard-to-reach upper cabinets.
4. Redefine "full."
Fortin says "full" should be the amount of stuff that allows a space to function optimally. Don't be afraid to leave some closets and drawers sparse or empty. It's not about being austere-- it's about choosing the amount of stuff you keep instead of letting your space decide for you.
5. Decorate intentionally.
Myquillyn Smith, author of Cozy Minimalist Home, recommends "editing out" decorations and letting walls or surfaces sit empty for a while instead of rushing to fill them back up. Next, add a few large decorations instead of lots of small pieces, which Smith says will help you get "more style with less stuff".