We Asked Minimalists About the Home Decor Purchases They Regret Most, and They Did Not Hold Back

Many people have a strong desire to embrace more of a minimalistic lifestyle at home, yet are unsure about where to begin. One initial lifestyle shift to make is to be more mindful about the items that you’re bringing into your space—minimalists do not like to surround themselves with anything that does not serve a clear purpose.

Here, three professional organizers who are also minimalists speak to five categories of home decor that they have come to regret purchasing over the years. Make it a habit to stop falling victim to these temptations, and you’ll thank yourself later when your home is looking streamlined and clutter-free.

Oversized Furniture

Every room needs basic furniture, but do not be so quick to order the first sofa that speaks to you and call it a day. Minimalists like Michelle Parravani, the co-founder of Designing with Less, have learned to avoid purchasing oversized furniture.

“Buying furniture that’s too big for your space will always make it feel like there is too much stuff in your home,” says Parravani.

After all, she adds, less truly is more, and yes, the saying pertains to more than just small decorative items. Parravani recommends streamlining your selections in terms of both quantity and size in order to create a furniture scheme that does not overwhelm your space. A loveseat and an accent chair may be all your living room needs, and you can go ahead and skip the bulky sectional.

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Single-Use Kitchen Items

Think twice before shelling out for the latest and greatest cooking-related gadget, even if it’s all the rage among your friends and family.

Minimalists do not feel the need to fill their kitchens with all kinds of different gadgets that serve a range of purposes, Parravani explains, citing bread machines and rice cookers as examples. She suggests avoiding any appliances that you do not anticipate reaching for either once per day or per week in order to minimize clutter.

Trendy Accents

In Parravani’s experience, minimalists will often regret buying trendy accent pieces for the home in order to satisfy their impulses.

“Shopping in this way can create clutter in your home, and that is the opposite of a minimalist look,” she says.

It’s better to go into a store with a clear understanding of what exactly it is you’re looking for and leave anything that doesn’t fit that criteria on the shelf, she explains.

Vanessa Ruiz, professional organizer at Sparkly Maid San Antonio, agrees.

“These objects feel out of place and therefore never find a home or a use,” she says, noting that eventually, minimalists will learn to stop justifying these purchases.

Travel Souvenirs

Minimalists have learned over time not to be tempted by trinkets they spot on their travels, shares Millie Naor, the founder of Bella Organizers.

“At the time, you think it will add to your home, but oftentimes, it ends up in a closet because it doesn’t match your current style or you are just not excited about it anymore,” she says of art, blankets, and other items from souvenir spots.

Save your money and precious suitcase space by resisting the temptation up front.

Nonfunctional Items

Minimalists have learned to keep practicality and not just aesthetics top of mind when shopping for their homes, Ruiz states. 

“Minimalists look for furniture or accessories that have the potential to be both stunning and functional, meaning if they miss one of these benchmarks, it is likely to be recycled or stored away,” she says.

That vanity table that holds your makeup like a dream, but is too short for you to sit at comfortably, for example. Sell it to someone else and make way for a setup that enhances your day-to-day life.

The same philosophy pertains to decor items that may look cute but do not serve a clear function, Ruiz adds.

“These objects clutter the eye and create a challenge when cleaning their space,” she says.