Guest Blog from Modernize.com

Minimalism is the New Black: Why Homeowners are Choosing to Minimize

By: Danielle Hegedus

Via Modernize

Choosing a more minimalist lifestyle requires a change in mindset. Throughout most of our lives, we have been taught that if we work hard, putting in long hours throughout the year, we can earn the money necessary to buy possessions that will make us happy—fancy cars, designer furniture and clothes, state-of-the-art electronics. Just the fact that you own something can also create a sense of security. Maybe you even see your possessions as a defining element of your personality and style. For instance, I’m an intellectual so I collect books on every subject under the sun or I’m a movie buff so I have an elaborate tv setup and a library of hundreds of movies.

More and more though, homeowners are beginning to realize that possessions, whether acquiring them or keeping up with them, don’t seem to bring actual joy to their lives. We know that your life is far more significant and unique than your possessions. We encourage you to build a home that reflects your own personal style, as well as your values. Read on to learn about the benefits of adopting a minimalist philosophy when it comes to your home decor.

Embracing Minimalism Makes Keeping Your Home Clean Simple

Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down kitchen counters—unfortunately you still have to do all of these things even if your decor is minimalist. The difference is that it’s a lot easier! Remove all of the kitchen appliances that you never use (for me it’s a waffle iron, salad spinner, and a juicer) or tchotchkes and you eliminate areas where dust can build up or mold can develop. Same goes for bookshelves full of CDs. Sure, they may be sentimental—you listened to that Fleetwood Mac Reunion Tour album all summer many years ago, but let’s be honest, if it’s really important to you, you probably have it on your phone or computer already.

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Also, as you downsize your possessions, you also remove the hassle of having to store them. No more digging through kitchen cabinets full of lovely but severely underused serving trays just to get to the kitchenware that you actually use on a daily basis. You may even be able to eliminate the need for large items of furniture like bookshelves or an armoire, making your home more spacious.

Minimalism is Budget and Eco-Friendly

When you make the choice to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, one of the most liberating parts is letting go of your possessions. You can do this through a yard sale or by listing your items on Craigslist or eBay to make some extra money. Also consider dropping off gently used items to a local charity like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Either way, you’ll be freeing yourself of possessions that you don’t regularly use, while giving new life to your items by passing them on to others (perhaps less fortunate than you) who can make better use of them. You’ll also prevent your possessions from ending up in a landfill.

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A Minimalist Mindset Frees You to Spend Money on Experiences

Try this experiment. Track your spending for one month to determine approximately how much you spend on items like clothing, books, electronics, and decorations for your home. It probably wouldn’t be a stretch to find out that you spend at least $100 on what are essentially disposable possessions—and that’s a conservative estimate. What could you do with $1,200 extra dollars a year? Could you take your family on a camping trip to Algonquin Park? Would that $1,200 pay for a plane ticket for your first trip to Europe? According to CNN, “in the long run, experiences make people happier than possessions. That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day, experts said. Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred.”

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Minimalism Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

Don’t think of minimalism as stark. Instead, think of it as uncluttered—which can also bring good feng shui into your home! Get creative with minimalist decor. Maximize natural light instead of harsh overhead lights and you’ll not only create a bright, welcoming space, but you’ll also get a healthy dose of Vitamin D, while aligning your circadian rhythm so that you are more productive during the day and sleep easier at night. Instead of purchasing knickknacks to decorate your home, bring in plants that will remove the toxins from cleaning products, wall paint, and carpets from your indoor air. When you do decide to display something in your home, make sure that it is something that is significant to you. Perhaps a keepsake from a cherished vacation or photographs of your loved ones. When your decor is minimal, it really showcases what is important to you.

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Danielle Hegedus is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, GA who writes for Modernize.

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