Essentials for a Minimalist Home

What image do you conjure up in mind upon hearing the word minimalism? Most people take minimalism as synonymous with boring and monotonous. If you hear someone expressing an interest in converting their home into a minimalistic setting, you would think they are probably low on finance or have a very small space available. These are some of the common misconceptions that people have about minimalistic living. Let us clear things out as we go. Also, make sure to hire expert professionals to help you sell a house fast in Syracuse.

What is Minimalism?

Minimalism is not defined by the color white or clinical spaces that are bare. The whole point of minimalism is to create calmness and peace in our otherwise cluttered and chaotic life. Have you ever experienced an unsettling feeling that just would not go away if your wardrobe is overflowing with things you do not need or when your house is full of decorative stuff and furniture that is too bold and flashy?

Minimalism is what is used to calm these unsettling feelings. It is to bring peace to your life. It might not be everybody’s calling, but if you intend to channel your calmness into decluttering your home and keeping the stuff to the bare minimum but with great quality things, this article is just for you. 

For more information, check out our blog on Introduction to Minimalism.

Creating a Minimalist Home 

Minimalism does not have a defined set of things you should own. There is not a standardized checklist for this. The key is to declutter and sort through things you do not need in your home. Keep things that are useful and are of good quality, so they last you long and get rid of everything that just sits idle! Choose comfort over the display and have your home decorated as you desire. 

Essentials of a Minimalist Home 

Firstly, it cannot be stressed enough that once you sort your things out and declutter, remember to make a list of what you need next. Also, keep in mind the things you just got rid of so that you do not end up buying them again on an impulse. Following are some suggestions for a minimalist home.

1. Bedroom

Interior of bedroom
Interior of a cozy and bright bedroom with beautiful plants
  • A Super Comfy Bed with Storage

We all know the importance of a comfy bed. The most essential piece of bedroom furniture is a comfortable bed so inviting that you would want to go to sleep immediately. But have you heard of how much a bed can store if you have it built properly? There are endless options of bed with storage – there are drawers built beneath the bed, or the mattresses can be lifted to view a complete built-in storage space! 

This type of bed is ideal for minimalist living – it incorporates a fundamental piece of furniture into a storage idea that probably cuts down on big and heavy cupboards or dressers in the bedroom. 

  • Bedside Table

A bedside table is to allow your bed to be kept clean and uncluttered. A bedside table with long-legs and deep drawers is essential for a minimalist home that attempts to soothe your senses instead of overwhelming them. The long legs give a sense of open space, while the drawers should be big enough to hold all your bedtime essentials.

2. Kitchen 

Grey and white luxury kitchen in modern style
Grey and white contemporary classic kitchen interior with dining table designed in modern style, front view
  • Coffee Table

If your kitchen is big enough, you should definitely think about getting a small coffee table. A small white or gray round table with comfortable chairs is good for recollecting your thoughts for the day while you sip on your morning coffee. Also, the point of a minimalist home is to soothe you with appearance, and that is why having clean countertops is so important to give off a calming vibe. 

A good quality coffee table can be used to place the fruit bowl, glasses, salt and pepper shakers, sugar container, and other essentials that would otherwise take up space on the kitchen counter.

  • An Open Kitchen Plan

An open kitchen floor plan is one of the best things to have happened to a minimalist. They are so easy to navigate and do not overwhelm the onlooker. They appear serene and peaceful if kept properly. This is not something people can redo so easily, so it might not be essential. 

However, an open kitchen layout supports the idea of minimalist living a lot. You can have a lot of storage options built above the counters that would help hide the mess. 

3. Living Room 

Living room in beige tones with a stylish sofa, a glass table on marble legs
The interior of the living room in the mid-century modern style in off-white colors with a stylish sofa, a glass table on marble legs, a pouf and a floor lamp / 3D illustration, 3d render
  • A Comfortable Couch or Sofa

Nothing looks more inviting than a plush and comfortable sofa. You better have one good quality stylish sofa than having a room full of gaudy ones. Minimalist home has to be simple with things you actually need and just for decorative purposes. Prop up some stuffy cushions and a comfortable woven throw on the couch to give a perfect touch to your living room. Place the sofa at an angle where you can use this piece of furniture to watch TV, peek in the kitchen, or catch some sunlight while you finish a book.

  • A Chest of Drawers 

If a TV or gaming console is not what you are looking for, your living room needs a good and stylish storage option. A small dresser beside your couch can serve more than a single purpose. It can serve as a bookshelf a DVD holder, or you can also place potted plants on top of it.

4. Entryway or Passage

Front entryway with partially carpeted stairs
Hardwood floor with console table
  • Hallway Table

A minimalist home is where you can have a proper place for everything you own. By the same principle, you should not have many things that you cannot find storage for, while you should also not have big bulky furniture that has no use. 

Upon entering a minimalist home, you should feel a sense of order while appreciating the quality. An entryway or hallway table is necessary to place your keys, wallet, or other essentials. This serves for the ease of finding important things when needed. 

  • Shoe Shelf 

To keep your house as spick and span you can, a proper shoe storage place is needed right at the entrance. You can use it to keep the comfortable sandals or flip-flops that you wear at home. Not trotting along with your outside shoes through the living room is one thing that is going to help you worry less about cleanliness.

5. Home Office

Successful freelancer working on computer while staying at home
Successful freelancer working on computer while staying at home

It doesn’t matter whether or not you have a home office, you’ll still need a few items to help you with day-to-day tasks like paying bills and keeping in touch with family and friends.

You can keep your office storage to a minimum by sticking to the following necessities:

  • Computer/Laptop

Having a computer at home has become an essential requirement these days as we all need it for working online, paying bills, keeping up with emails, etc. 

  • Phone

It is essential to have a phone to contact your family and friends. It doesn’t have to be fancy, as you need to make and receive calls.

6. Basic Office Supplies

Colorful pen shelves in office supply
Colorful beautiful pen shelves in office supply store

It is important to take care of the primary task at home, like writing down a message. That’s why having a few basic office supplies on hand, such as writing utensils, paper, and scissors, is a good idea.

7. Other Home Essentials

Top view of woman hands neatly organizing bathroom amenities and toiletries in drawer in bathroom
Top view of woman hands neatly organizing bathroom amenities and toiletries in drawer or cupboard in bathroom. Concept of tidying up a bathroom storage by using Marie Kondo’s method.

While keeping it is an essential aspect of minimalism to keep your home clutter-free, there are a few essential items that you will need to keep on hand. From keeping the home clean to preparing for an emergency, there are many other things that every minimalist home needs, including:

  • Tools

It isn’t easy to keep your house maintained all the time without using tools. Even though you don’t need a complete toolbox for most home repairs, there are several essential tools to have in your hand. Every homeowner must have the essential tools: hammer, wrench, screwdriver, pliers, and an Allen wrench set.

  • Emergency Supplies

It would be best to keep emergency supplies at home to keep your family protected in case of an emergency. The kit should include a first aid kit, flashlight and batteries, matches or a lighter, and a candle at the primary level.

  • Cleaning Supplies

You don’t need a lot of different tools and cleaners to keep your home clean. Instead, you only need a few simple tools like a broom and dustpan, a cleaning cloth, a mop, a bucket, and a trash can. You can also use a microfiber cloth to clean every surface as it is soft, absorbent, and doesn’t scratch surfaces.

  • Laundry Supplies

Besides keeping your home clean, you also need to keep your room clean. A washer and a dryer are great to have at home as they help with laundry, but you will also need a hamper or laundry basket and an iron.

  • Lawn Care Supplies

If you have a yard or a lawn at home, it is essential to maintain the exterior and landscaping of your home, meaning that you will require a few tools for the outdoor work. A shovel, rake, water hose, and lawn mower are all essential tools to have on hand for outdoor work.

  • Personal Care Items

You also need a few personal care items to keep yourself clean and cared for. The items you keep in your home will depend on your self-care routine, but you will need a toothbrush, razor, washcloth, towel, and soap at the very least.

  • Interest-Based Equipment

You can have fun even if you want to live a minimalist lifestyle. It is acceptable to keep a small number of supplies related to a hobby, especially if you can store those items away when not in use.

Minimalist Living at its Core 

As there is no setlist or standardized checklist for a minimalist home, the above list is not complete. It gives you an idea of starting a life that leaves behind everything that does not have usage value. Sort through your home and see which things have been sitting idle for long. 

Get rid of those things and get good-quality items that serve you a purpose. It is best to cut down to a minimal so that your mind is at peace. Mental peace is affected by a hoard of external factors in addition to our thoughts and feelings. Therefore, align your living space with your mental health, and you will never be dissatisfied.

Besides all the benefits of being a minimalist, there are some drawbacks as well. Read them here.