Minimalism
is the New Black: Why Homeowners are Choosing to Minimize
By: Danielle Hegedus
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| 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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| Via Modernize |
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.
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.”
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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| Via Modernize |
Danielle Hegedus is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, GA who writes for Modernize.
Disclaimer: The views & opinions expressed in any guest blog
featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions & views of the Options Group of Companies community as
a whole.
