Becoming Minimalist: Eliminating Unnecessary Furnishings
Are you working toward a minimalist way of life? Once you purge yourself of small items such as seldom worn clothing, décor, clutter and such, you may be able to eliminate the items they were stored in. Furnishings take up a ton of space in the home. Having less large items creates unobstructed paths. It gives you room to breathe. What do you really need in terms of household furniture?
What are you storing on those shelves?
If you’re a minimalist, you shouldn’t need all that much storage space. That means you can eliminate a lot of furnishings. Of course, you may have exceptions to your minimalism. I do. What’s the exception? It’s books. I have lots of them. They are put to good use. Not only do I read them, I lend them to the grand-kids. I won’t get rid of my books so I need my bookshelves. Other than that, every other piece of furniture is subject to elimination.
Coffee tables invite clutter.
So do end tables. I clean ours off at least a couple times a day. They’re handy places to set remotes, drinking glasses, books etc. Still, you could do fine with just the coffee table, couldn’t you? I know that when I get to the furniture stage of my minimalist elimination, I’ll likely keep the coffee table. That’s just because I’d rather not sit my drink on the floor for the cat or dog to spill. Otherwise, I could probably live without it.
Big and bulky furniture creates blockage.
When eliminating furniture, consider the type of furniture you own too. Does it reflect a clutter free minimalist lifestyle? If you have large bulky sofas, you might do well to go for something simpler. They’re not exactly feng shui are they? They kind of mess with the free flow of a minimalist home. You might also consider getting rid of that company couch. You know the one you have for when company comes? If you don’t have a lot of company, why bother to clutter up your house with it? Stick to furniture you use every day instead.
New or used – Which promotes minimalism?
How does tossing your old worn out furniture and buying better, smaller pieces sound? Even though minimalists buy less, there are times when a new purchase is necessary. Should you go with new or used furniture? Used furniture certainly fits the minimalist creed better. Or does it? New furniture might be more practical, since it will likely last longer. In the end, it’s a matter of weighing your own needs to find the best fit.
How much furniture does your pet own?
I’m talking about large people furniture that your pet has taken over. Are you keeping it just for their sake? Is it all scratched up and worn down? Does it smell bad? Being minimalist doesn’t mean you have to hold on to ugly, stained, smelly furniture just to save you from making a replacement purchase. Go ahead, replace that worn, torn pet-friendly chair with something more practical and long lasting. Or, just toss it and enjoy the open space. They do make pet beds, you know.
More from Jaipi:
How to Be a Minimalist with Kids
