Going Minimal, or Simply Simplifying to Declutter

Going Minimal, or Simply Simplifying to Declutter

Life in chaos? Can’t speak until you’ve had your venti latte but then can’t seem to find an empty surface on which to put that steaming cup of liquid gold? It sounds like you’ve got serious of Cramitis (Cram-I-tus). 

Cramitis is a serious condition in which the sufferer experiences strong feelings of claustrophobia in their surroundings, paired with feelings of angst and a deep need to purchase unnecessary items because they were on sale. Putting these items into closets, garages, shelves, and creating a junk-drawer are also behaviors connected with this illness. Persons diagnosed with Cramitis use words like chachki, knick-knack, and collectible when referring to items of décor in their homes. These individuals have no rhyme or reason to their home decorating and find they are overwhelmed and stressed due to having too much unrelated, unnecessary “stuff.” The only known cure for this disease is decluttering, clearing poorly-used space, and taking pointers from survivors, also known as Minimalists. 

The science of stress.

There are studies that suggest that messy people are smarter, yet wouldn’t an orderly environment make even a member of Mensa, a better performer? If we are going to look at science as it relates to clutter, it also needs to be noted that studies also suggest that people who live in cluttered environments have higher stress levels, thanks to that pesky hormone, cortisol. 

The solution.

Perhaps doing a little decluttering is the most logical and cost-effective solution, and it will do wonders for your sanity. The first step to getting rid of clutter, as it is in most programs with steps, is to admit you have a problem. Take a look at your home like a stranger might see it. Do you even notice the sofa sitting there under all of the laundry, backpacks, and Frito bags? This might be a good place to start. The saying “A place for everything and everything in its place” is now your motto. 

Making the space.

Creating a designated space for everyday life will ease the clutter and disarray immediately. Simply putting hooks by your entry door for your handbag, dog leash, backpacks, or coat, forces thought when shedding these items and may prevent you from ever again hearing, “Where is my….?” When family members get used to putting keys in a particular space or shoes in the nook by the door, good habits form, less time is wasted, and of course, that cortisol level goes right down. 

The paper chase.

Don’t forget the paper trail that is likely all over your house. Mail on the counter, magazines in the bathroom, and bills on the kitchen table are all simply anxiety-inducers. Bills should be looked at when you are in the mindset and timeframe of paying them, not when you are dishing out mac-and-cheese to your hungry toddler. This takes your mind and attention to a place that is not sharing a meal with someone you love. So what’s the solution? Create a mail station. Even if it’s a cardboard box, at least you will know where to put and look for important mail. (Hopefully, you will soon upgrade that cardboard box to a lovely reclaimed-wood box, but we will get to that later.)

A bin for this a pin for that.

If you have school-aged children, endless papers are coming and going. The test that needs to be signed, the permission slip that needs to be returned, that note from the teacher about your son bringing the puppy to school in his backpack. (This wouldn’t have happened if the backpack was on that hook where everyone could see it.) All of these papers need a place too. A red file for incoming-papers and a blue file for outgoing, a bin for each child with their name on it, even a bulletin board to group them all together, is helpful. Once your kids learn the system, they become responsible for a part of the process, and who doesn’t love a more responsible kid?

The stuff.

Now that you’ve got your everyday-life organized, it’s time to look at all of the stuff you’ve acquired, which can be a bit…astonishing? All of the drawers, cupboards, and closets that were empty when you moved in are now overflowing with unused products, things that don’t fit, and generally, the stuff didn’t make it into the “everyday life” category. There’s a reason for that: You don’t use it, and if you don’t use it, you don’t need it. All of this needless stuff is taking up valuable real estate in your home and also cluttering your headspace. 

New rules to live by.

You may have heard of the “one in, one out” rule. The thought is basically for every one item that comes into your home, one item should go out. If you buy that new blouse, those pants you bought on sale that will fit ‘someday’, are on their way out. This is an excellent way to help others while you help yourself. There are many organizations that will gladly take your unwanted items, and some will even organize a pickup! Consider every item in your closet. Have you worn it in the last six months? Year? Better yet, if your best friend stole it from you, would you notice? If you found you haven’t worn something in ages, there must be a reason, and those items can serve someone else in need. 

Getting minimal.

Hopefully, by now, that hoarder-mindset is gone and in its place is a person who loves order, enjoys a serene environment, and can finally find a place to put that cup of coffee. Let’s make sure that the place is super-cool, clean-lined, and feels like a classic minimalistic interior. Where do we start, you ask? Color, color, color…kinda.

When going Minimalist, it’s all about restraint, and that means subdued colors. Neutrals don’t have to be boring; in fact, minimalism at its finest is the opposite. Fresh muted colors inspire a sense of calm. Heard of the paint color Greige? It’s a color somewhere between gray and beige. A handy name and handy paint color for the indecisive painter. 

Blinded by the white.

Of course, the classic white room is always a great look. According to the local paint-guy, there are approximately 448 choices of white paint at his store. This includes a paint called Whiteish White! Being that your choices are not limited, know that white paint with yellow undertones gives a warmer creamier appearance, and white paint with blue undertones creates a crisper, cleaner look. 

Rooms lit with LED, or fluorescent lighting may look cool; in that case, lean toward a paint with yellow undertones. If you want to induce some color, choose colors that mix well with neutrals. Shades found in nature are always a good bet. Earth-tones, browns, blues, tans, and greens all work well for this look. 

I’ve got to ask myself.

The minimalist interior does come with its own set of challenges. These challenges are in direct contrast to those we had when we were still stressed-out hoarders. We’ve gone from having far too much stuff in our space to now having a limited amount to work with. Remember that pared-back aesthetic we are aiming for? Every single piece you put in your home should be carefully considered. Is it useful? Is it beautiful? Does it make me want to spend time in this room? 

Another essential question to ask yourself: “Is this a piece that is well-made that I will keep for a long time?” In this case, it pays to choose quality over quantity. Investing in a classic, well-made piece of furniture from our Tampa showroom that will stand the test of time is a much better choice than an impulse-buy of a trendy piece of furniture that you will likely tire of quickly. Choosing a quality piece ensures that you can and will keep it for a long time, and that helps the environment too. 

Your way is definitely the right way.

There are no rules for minimalist design. Taking the time to make space your own and creating a place you truly enjoy is the goal. The most difficult part is giving yourself a clean slate to work with, and removing all of the unnecessary clutter in your life is giving yourself room to breathe and room to grow. 

So are you ready to take the next step? We are ready to help! From entertainment centers, to chests and cabinets we’ve got plenty of options for paring down all of that clutter! Simply visit one of our 5 convenient locations throughout Florida or contact us online.