8 Essential Decluttering Tips Minimalists Wish Everybody Knew

While spring cleaning gets all the glory, we believe in consistent decluttering sessions here at The Spruce. It’s much easier to keep on top of clutter with regular cleanouts, and this is especially true if your primary goal is to maintain a minimalist aesthetic at home.

Even if you’re not creating a wholly minimalist space, there’s much to be learned from the people who do. We turned to a few of our favorite designers and home decor pros to find out which minimalism principles are best for anyone looking to do a major declutter.

Turns out, their top tip was the same across the board.

Minimalist’s Top Tip: Have a Plan

As it turns out, the overwhelming advice can be boiled down to one key phrase: have a plan. Decluttering can feel like a huge task without one, but if you follow a few key minimalism tips, it’s much more manageable.

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Don’t Get Overwhelmed

If you’re looking around your space and already feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of decluttering, we completely understand. Luckily, Laura Mountford, the cleaning, laundry, and home organization expert behind Laura Cleanaholic, knows exactly how to combat this: by facing it head-on.

“Be realistic about the challenge of decluttering so as not to get overwhelmed,” she says. “Focus on one area at a time rather than the whole home.” 

One way to tackle this potential issue is to make a list. According to Mountford, you should start at the top of the house and work down. As you go, tick each space off your checklist.

Save Select Seasonal Items

As most of our clearing out and decluttering seems to happen during the shoulder seasons, Artem Kropovinsky of Arsight gave us a great tip. Rather than shop with the trends and only add to your future clutter problems, Kropovinsky suggests keeping a small but select rotation of well-curated seasonal items in storage. 

“This refreshes the space without adding permanent clutter and keeps design elements in tune with the seasons,” he says.

If you’re not sure what to display and what to store, Kropovinsky says to pick a few statement pieces that are bold and also hold some kind of meaning.

“This not only declutters but also lets you genuinely appreciate what’s on display,” he says.

Create Your Own Rules

There’s a lot of advice on what to clear out and how, but Mountford suggests creating a list of your own rules. Of course, there’s the most famous rule from the Marie Kondo method (only keep things that bring you joy) but there are plenty of other options. 

According to Montford, one is to assess the last time you used certain items. “If an item was not used last year, then does it truly deserve to have space in my home this year?” she asks.

Another approach is to ask yourself some key questions before bringing anything new home. For example, Mountford says she only buys new items of clothing if she can think of three different ways or events where it can be worn.

Similarly, she follows the 2-for-1 approach whenever she’s considering buying something new for her home.

“If I buy an item, I pledge to recycle at least two others by either donating to charity or selling it,” she says. “I then save any money made from selling items to treat myself to experiences rather than any material items.” 

Consider Multi-Use Pieces

Another way to minimize your clutter is to buy furniture and decor pieces that serve multiple purposes, says Kropovinsky. By going for things that can adapt to various needs, you’ll need less, which automatically results in a cleaner, more simplistic overall aesthetic.

Kropovinsky specifically recommends considering things like extendable dining tables and beds with storage underneath. Often, these items also exemplify quality over quantity—another tenet of minimalism.

“Investing in fewer, high-quality pieces means your spaces remain uncluttered and the items you do have will stand the test of time,” he says. 

Invest in Great Storage Solutions

Of course, how your home is designed and decorated will convey a sense of minimalism—but as Mountford points out, how you store and stash your items is just as important.

She suggests using slimline hangers in your closet and dividers in everything from your dressers to your kitchen drawers. 

Storage boxes also make it much easier to maximize your space, and Mountford is a big fan of adding hooks inside cabinets and making the most of hidden areas as storage spots. 

“Under-bed storage is ideal for organizing bulky items like bedding and towels,” she says. “Vacuum bags are ideal for storing bulky items like winter duvets, blankets, and coats as they take up less space.” 

Use Color Intentionally

If you’ve shied away from identifying yourself as a minimalist because you love color, we get it. Often, the aesthetic is shown using only whites or neutrals. But according to Kropovinsky, you can still have a love of color while maintaining a minimalist, clutter-free home. 

“It’s about choosing colors with purpose and ensuring they harmonize with the space and each other,” he says.

Create Visual Interest Without Clutter

One major thing that can cause a ton of clutter is a plethora of tiny accents and decor pieces. If you get rid of them all, though, you run the risk of a sterile, boring space.

That’s why Kropovinsky suggests incorporating more textures instead. “Think a plush rug, linen curtains, or a smooth wooden bench,” he says. “They add depth without clutter.”