Last Updated on December 8, 2023 by Erin
Looking for an easy guide to create a cozy minimalist home? I’m sharing all about minimalism, how to make minimalist feel cozy, and how you can get started in just a few days.
Do you ever get that feeling where you’ve just finished cleaning up your place, but you still feel like you’re drowning in clutter? Yeah, I know the feeling – raises hand – been there, done that! It’s like no matter how much you tidy up, there’s still so much stuff around that it makes your head spin.
But guess what? I’ve figured out the solution to this problem – it’s called minimalism! By simplifying your space and getting rid of unnecessary things, you can create a cozy and peaceful home that’s a real haven after a hectic day.
Trust me, it’s made a huge difference in my life and I’m sure it will in yours too.
Say goodbye to stress and hello to serenity!
In this post, I’m going to share some easy steps you can take to create a cozy minimalist home. I was able to transform my house in just one weekend!
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What Is Minimalism?
In short, minimalism is about creating a life that’s full of what you love and free of what you don’t need. Who doesn’t want that?
I read the book Your Money or Your Life and it was honestly life changing. I HIGHLY recommend everyone read this book. While it’s technically a personal finance book, it also encourages us to prioritize values over material possessions.
Here is a particular quote that sticks with me and motivates me to continue on my minimalist journey:
Waste lies not in the number of possessions, but in the failure to enjoy them.
-Vicki Robin, Your Money or Your Life
Going through all of our possessions has revealed a lot of extraneous things that we (1) don’t use and (2) don’t even remember we own. It’s such a waste of space and adds to the unnecessary clutter in our home. The more you have, the more useless everything becomes.
Have you ever noticed that despite having a room full of toys, your kids probably only play with about 10% of them? The same is true with my closet. I typically return to the same outfits that I feel confident and comfortable wearing.
It’s been refreshing to sit down and take inventory of what we own, give away the things we don’t need so others can enjoy them, and give new life to items we have rediscovered.
Can a Minimalist Home Be Cozy?
The idea of a minimalist home might conjure up images of cold, sterile spaces with nothing but a lone chair in the middle of an empty room.
And if you were to type “minimalist home” into your search engine you would probably see a lot of modern and empty spaces or see words like “Scandinavian.”
That’s not really what a minimalist home is, though. A minimalist home prescribes to a certain lifestyle and doesn’t necessarily to try to achieve a certain aesthetic.
In your cozy minimalist home, you are content with having just enough.
That might look different from one family to the next. Some homes might have very empty rooms and others might have a cozier feel. As long as it’s a Goldilocks “just right” space for you, that’s all that matters.
For my family, our minimalist home is:
- easy to pick up and clean
- calm and inviting
- warm and cozy
- function over fashion
For example, in our kitchen, there is very little on the counters. The only things you will see out are a few plants, the coffee maker, and our set of knives. As the day progresses you might see more items out on the counter such as schoolwork, a toaster, or a diffuser, but those items have their own “home” tucked away in drawers and cabinets.
It makes clean up a breeze. Mother-in-law stopping by? I can get it tidied up and wiped down in just a few minutes.
In our living room, we have a couch, two chairs, a rug, and lamp. The TV is up above the mantle. The mantle also holds a few battery-operated candles to create a cozy environment for our evening wind-down activities. There isn’t a ton of stuff on the walls. It’s our favorite spot in the house because it’s such a calm and inviting space.
How Do You Warm Up a Minimalist Home?
Minimalist homes can be cozy with some simple touches that add warmth and comfort to the space. The key is not adding more than what you need. Here are a few elements that can create a cozy minimalist home:
- Soft textiles: Add cozy blankets, throw pillows, and soft rugs to your minimalist space. Look for natural materials such as wool or cotton for a warm and inviting feel.
- Warm lighting: Choose warm-toned light bulbs or add some lamps with warm light to create a cozy atmosphere. Consider adding dimmer switches to your main lights to control the brightness.
- Natural elements: Bring nature indoors by adding plants, flowers, or natural wood furniture. These elements can add warmth and texture to a minimalist space.
- Wall art: Choose art that speaks to you and adds personality to your home. It can be a simple painting, a print, or even a tapestry. Make sure the colors and style match the overall minimalist aesthetic of your home.
- Books: A small collection of books can add warmth and interest to a cozy minimalist home. Consider adding a bookshelf or incorporating a few books into your decor.
The Steps to a Cozy Minimalist Home
These steps are the exact steps I took after visiting a variety of blog posts and reading books. It’s not an overwhelming list and it’s something you could absolutely complete in a weekend. So, my friends, read on to find out how to create a cozy minimalist home.
1. Ruthlessly Declutter
Go room to room and box up anything you haven’t used in the last 6-12 months. Right now, we are storing those boxes for our summer garage sale, but you could try selling online or donate to get them out of your house ASAP. I’m always SHOCKED by how much clutter we amass in a year. Somehow, we are able to have a giant garage sale every. single. year.
It also helps to get rid of any duplicates. We had a ridiculous number of mixing bowls and cooking utensils in our kitchen. Unless you are an amazing baker (definitely not me), you only need one set. Remember, the key is to have only what you need. Nothing more, nothing less.
I was able to get my kids on board by telling them we needed to make room for new items, and we wanted to find new homes for the toys so they would get played with more often. They liked that idea.
2. Organize the Things You Still Have
Whatever is left and is deemed purposeful for the space, find a way to easily organize. Drawer dividers and organizing bins are New Year purchases I have not regretted. Not only is it visually pleasing, but it makes it heck of a lot easier to find items.
I’ve been able to clear up some cabinets and drawer spaces, which then allows me to clear countertops. This leads me to my next point.
3. Clear the Counter Tops
I have moved a lot of things off of our counter tops which means less visual clutter and cleaner-looking space. It’s refreshing. Does it look like nobody lives there? Maybe. Is it easier for me to manage? Absolutely. I’m a full-time working mom of 3. I despise having to devote my evenings and weekends to cleaning. Clearing off surfaces has been an absolute game-changer.
I’m able to wipe down our kitchen and bathrooms lickety-split. Love that for me!
To make it cozier, I get the essential oil diffuser going or put out a vase with simple flower arrangement.
4. Pare Down Your Home Decor
I have a confession to make. I am sentimental when it comes to home decor. My husband gifted me a gigantic World Market print when we were dating, and it was taking me forever to let it go. It was just too “loud” for the space, though. Lots of bright reds and blues that didn’t really match well with the rest of the house.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to fully let go of it but it’s in our basement for the time being. What I have now are emptier walls and lots of clean, neutral colors throughout our home. It feels good. I realize that’s not for everyone, but if you are feeling overwhelmed by “stuff,” taking things of walls and surfaces can help- even if it’s temporary while you figure out better placements for your items.
There are only a couple pictures of family sprinkled throughout the house. Maybe this is harsh but- I know what they look like! I don’t need to see pictures of them all over the place.
Make sure you’ve added in some of the cozy elements mentioned earlier. That could be a cozy blanket, some candles, and a coffee table book. Do what feels comfy to you, as long as you don’t overdo it!
5. Read Books About Minimalism
2022 was the year I realized I can check out library books and read them on my old Kindle. I started out hoping to just read few books here and there but ended up reading 86 books!!!
Once I decided I wanted to try out minimalism and see if it could help me regain some semblance of peace in my life, I started reading. Here are some of the books I would recommend:
- The Minimalist Home, by Joshua Becker
- Your Money or Your Life, by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
- Zero Waste Home, by Bea Johnson
- Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
- Goodbye, Things, by Fumio Sasaki
Final Thoughts
To summarize, these are five things you could try this weekend to get started on your cozy minimalist home and feel content with less. It’s a great feeling and one I hope to continue chasing.
- Declutter
- Organize
- Clear Surfaces
- Pare Down Decor
- Read Books to Educate Yourself
Have you tried any of these already or read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!
If you’d like to read a bit more about minimalism and being content with less, check out these posts:
Why You Should Embrace Minimalism in Midlife
The Best Minimalist Makeup for Moms
Why You Should Try a Low Buy Year
Sincerely,
Erin
