Minimalism for Your Home Decor

Is less better when it comes to decorating your home? Minimalism is a new theme in my life. The goal of owning and wanting less is a new thought process in my life. Especially when it comes to my home decor. As an interior designers I am always want to have the latest trends in home accessories and furniture.

However is that really necessary for a beautiful home?

Last year I probably would have answered yes to that question. As we started 2014, Lynn and I started looking what we really need in our life to do be happy and reach our goals. Many of our goals centered around lifestyle changes. For instance, working less to spend more time with our kids and living a more simply rooted life.

We can’t just up and quit our jobs and stay home with our children. Due to large amounts of student loans, credit cards, and other debts; there was no way for us to get to the lifestyle we most wanted and desired. It wasn’t until we began reevaluating our needs and eliminating our wants that we realized that our wants and spending were preventing us from any hope of the living the lifestyle goals.

Then We Discovered Minimalism 

Whether you realize it or not, your possessions cost you time and money. The more home accessories you have the more time it takes to clean and maintain those items. The more accessories you have in your home the more cluttered your home looks. Also knit-knacks attract dust and require cleaning on a regular basis. It doesn’t take much to decorate your home to make it look right. 3 to 6 items on your mantle is more than enough to add style.

As Maya Angelou said, “We need much less than we think we need.”

Less is More

When decorating your home less is more. Decorating with less will save you money too. Buying new home accessories throughout the year to fit the season or the latest trend is expensive. Instead limit your home decor items a few versatile items that you switch around throughout the year to create new looks whenever you feel the urge for change. Through decorating with less I have can reduce my budget for home decor, which helps my wife be able to more time at home with our children.

The Benefits of Decorating with Less

In the short time that my family has taken on a minimalist lifestyle, I purged through my home decor to only the items I need, have personal means and are most versatile. I have seen great benefits that help us on our journey to to achieve the desired lifestyle goal.

Here are the benefits of minimalism for your home:

Spend Less Time Clean – It takes a lot of time to dust and vacuum a room that is over accessorized and too much furniture. By reducing the amount of furniture and object you have in a room you will make it easier and less time consuming to clean. Think how easy it would be to clean a room with just a sofa and a few accessories.

I am not suggesting you go that extreme, however consider eliminating 25% items from a room. Then clean the room and see how much quicker you can clean the room. You can always add some of those back in after, but this may help you see the potential of a minimalist decorating.

Less Visual Clutter – A minimalistic home has less distractions. Clutter pulls your attention and reduces your focus. Think of clutter as phone notifications, each time a new notification pops up you glance at your phone. Less decor equals less clutter and a more calming environment to live.

More Appealing – Over doing it on accessories is not visually appealing. Looking through home decor magazines you never this photos of interiors with over-crowded furniture or decor. The rooms with beautiful furniture, well placed artwork and limited home accessories are the most appealing to the majority of us.

Less Expensive – By taking up a minimalist style it will cost you less to furnish your home. If you are like me you have limited budget when it comes to accessorizing your home. Having a less is more philosophy with decor I need and spend less buying furniture, artwork and decor.

Is a Minimalistic Decorating Style for You?

I believe the above quote from Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist is so true when it comes to decorating our homes. I don’t expect everyone to live a minimalist lifestyle. However I do believe simplifying the amount of home decor you have will bring you more freedom, balance and joy in your home.

I encourage you to test a out simplifying your home accessories in one room in house. Remove 5 items from the room and  see what you think. After a week see if you miss the removed items. My hope is you find the results for visually appealing.

Share Your Thoughts & Results

Does simplifying your home’s decor sound like a good idea?

Share your thoughts, questions and results about minimalism and simplifying home decor. You comments and questions are give me such joy and will help me for you future posts.

Cheers,
Matthew