Here's How to Create a Minimalist Lifestyle: A Guide to Decluttering and Organizing

• Select neutral colors for a clean look, or choose a colour and build your décor around it for a seamless finish

• Choose pastel colours for drapes, curtains and blinds for a lighter and more open feel

• Add accent pieces sparingly to create a main focal point

• A striking piece of artwork or patterned area rug can bring a room together without overwhelming it

Minimalist Bedroom

A minimalist bedroom creates a calming environment that makes it easier to wind down at the end of the day. Here’s how to make your bedroom more minimalistic:

• Choose a simple bedframe to ensure clean lines and open space

• Use closet organizers and drawer organizers to store everything efficiently

• Invest in under-the-bed storage to keep items out of sight

• Keep accent pieces and sentimental objects to a minimum

Minimalist Living Room

With a few key choices in furniture, storage and décor, you can bring minimalist style to your living room.

• Use floating or glass shelves to display cherished photos or artwork

• Select furniture with storage options to keep clutter to a minimum

• Choose furniture based on the size and scale of your living room

• Multi-purpose furniture can add functionality while opening up floor space

• Rather than accent pieces, use a simple area rug to pull the room together and add style

Minimalist Kitchen

Paring down kitchen items and improving storage can make your kitchen more of a social hub while freeing up space to work as well:

• Eliminate or donate worn-out or little used kitchen wares and small appliances

• Upgrade your fridge and pantry storage to keep things organized with interior shelving, organization bins and a spice rack

• Use drawer organizers to keep utensils neat and out of sight

Minimalist Bathroom

The best way to create a minimalist bathroom is to ensure there’s enough storage for everything you need. Here are some quick tips:

• Clear up counter space with a vanity that includes drawers for extra storage

• If your bathroom is small, try an over-the-john cabinet, medicine cabinet or under the sink storage shelving and organizers

• Use a shower organizer or caddy to keep bath essentials behind the scenes

• Install robe or towel hooks on the back of the door

Home Office

A clean, organized work environment is also essential to promoting a minimalist lifestyle. Easy home office upgrades include:

• Choose a desk with drawers or shelving built-in, or use shelving units or floating shelves to keep your desk clear

• Digitize as much as you can and use a filing cabinet for important papers

• If space is tight, use stackable storage boxes or drawers

• If your home office has a closet, use closet organizers or closet shelving to maximize storage space

Laundry Room

Keep your laundry room simple and functional by investing in space-saving storage and appliances.

• Choose a stackable washer and dryer to open up floor space

• Install floating shelves, wire shelving units or a cabinet for storage

• Baskets, bins and laundry hampers can be used as shelf organizers for laundry supplies

Clean Up Your Closets

A minimalist approach to closet storage goes beyond mere out-of-sight, out-of-mind. You want your closets to be neatly structured and organized. From your bedroom closet to your linen closet, here’s a list of ideas to get your storerooms organized:

• Stackable storage boxes can be used for anything from seasonal clothes to cleaning supplies to toy storage

• Only keep the number of hangers you need to avoid clutter

• Install closet organizers, shelves or over-the-door organizers to increase storage space

Workshop & Garage Organization

Avoid using your garage or workshop as a catchall for little used items. You want a clean space to work and unobstructed access for your vehicles. Here’s a few tips:

• Store only appropriate items like tools, car care products, outdoor gear, and lawn equipment

• Free up floor space by using overhead garage storage like hooks and hangers for tools, bikes and other unwieldy items

• Install open shelves or a shelving unit to add extra garage storage space

• A tool cabinet or chest provides an organized and dedicated workspace

Simplicity of a Smart Home

You can also take a minimalist approach to how your home functions. Smart Home automation can simplify your life while making your home safer and more efficient. Benefits include:

• Smart Lighting allows you to control the brightness and colour of lighting in every room with a simple screen touch

• Smart Locks and security cameras let you monitor your home while you’re away

• Smart thermostats and air conditioners give you a set-and-forget option of controlling your home’s environment

• Smart appliances and other devices can be operated remotely on your mobile device from anywhere

Lifestyle Minimalist Tips

• Spend less time on social media or watching TV and devote more time to cultivating relationships with family and friends

• Scale back your wardrobe by donating ill-fitting or little worn items

• Clean up your mobile device by deleting unnecessary apps and moving others into folders

• Rid your home of junk food and try to adopt a healthier diet

• Add a few small exercise items to your home because a healthy body helps promote a healthy mind