What do you think of when you hear the word “minimalism”?
A cold, lifeless home with bare white walls and zero personality? That’s what I used to think, too. But let me tell you—minimalism doesn’t have to be boring, sterile, or void of warmth. You can have a cozy, inviting home that reflects your family’s style while embracing minimalism to make your home work for you, not against you.
I used to feel like I was constantly cleaning, yet my house never looked clean. It was frustrating, exhausting, and never-ending. No matter how much I organized, the clutter kept creeping back. Then, I stumbled upon a whole movement of people saying, “You don’t need all this stuff!” and “Less is more!” Intrigued, I decided to give this “minimalism” thing a shot.
Fast forward a few years, and we’ve transformed our home. We went from drowning in toys and random stuff to embracing a simpler, tidier, and more peaceful way of living. And the best part? We love it. We’re still on this journey, but I can confidently say minimalism has been one of the best changes for our family.
Our Minimalism Journey: Why We Chose Less
We are a large family living in a small house, and let me tell you—space constraints make clutter feel overwhelming. Every inch of our home needs to be intentional. That’s when I started viewing every item as inventory. How much inventory was I willing to manage successfully? This shift in perspective changed everything.
Kids’ Toys: Quality Over Quantity
Our small home is full of love, but keeping it clean was a constant battle. Instead of enjoying our home, I felt like I was spending all my time managing stuff. The biggest culprit? Toys. They seemed to multiply overnight.
So, we minimized. We chose open-ended toys that encouraged creativity, kept only their favorites, and started a toy rotation system. They still have plenty to play with, but our home feels much lighter!
The Trap of Free Stuff
Saying yes to every hand-me-down and freebie adds a constant stream of clutter. Just because something is free doesn’t mean it’s beneficial. I still struggle with saying no, but I’ve realized that free clutter is still clutter.
Decluttering is a Process, Not an Event
We didn’t declutter overnight—it’s been a years-long process. The more we declutter, the better our home feels, which motivates us to keep going.
Now, I do two large declutters a year and smaller ones monthly. Systems help me stay on top of things so our home never feels overwhelming.
The Benefits of Embracing Minimalism
Less Stuff = Less Mess
Is our house spotless? Nope. I have five little kids. Keeping the house clean during the day is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos!
But now, our cleaning routines are simpler. We do quick pick-ups during the day and a nightly reset. Everything has a place, making cleaning up so much faster.
The 10-Minute Rule
Our goal isn’t perfection—it’s maintainability. We aim for a home where a 10-minute tidy-up can make it look presentable.
We set a timer, put on fun music, and make it a game for the kids. In just 10 minutes, the house looks so much better. It’s not about making it perfect—it’s about containing the chaos.
A Mindset Shift: Being Intentional with What We Own
Happiness doesn’t come from more things—but it’s easy to fall into that trap. “If I just had this one item, everything would be easier…”
Before buying something, I let it sit in my online cart for a few days. If I still need it, I get it. But most of the time? I realize we’re fine without it.
It’s also an excellent lesson for our kids to appreciate what we have instead of constantly wanting more.
How You Can Embrace Minimalism Too
- Start Small – Don’t try to declutter your whole house at once! Start with one area (the kitchen counter, a toy bin, or a single drawer). Small wins build momentum.
- Set Limits – Use the One-In, One-Out rule for toys, clothes, and sentimental items. Keep only what truly matters. For sentimental items, take photos instead of keeping everything.
- Be Mindful of What You Bring In. – Say no to unnecessary freebies and impulse buys. Focus on quality over quantity.
- Make Decluttering a Habit – Keep a donation box handy and drop things off monthly. The freedom of letting go is addicting!
- Enjoy the Freedom of Less – With less inventory to manage, you can spend more quality time with your family or enjoy hobbies. When I spend more time managing stuff than enjoying life with my kids, that’s my sign to declutter again.
Final Thoughts
Minimalism is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Every family has to find the level of simplicity that works best for them. But I know one thing: the more we simplify, the more we love our home and lives.
If clutter overwhelms you, start today—one small step at a time. You’ve got this!
