10 Types of Clutter You'll Never Find in a Minimalist's Home

You might not consider yourself a minimalist, but certain aspects of the minimalist lifestyle may appeal to most of us. A big one is not having clutter everywhere and being able to easily find things in your home. Even if you love to shop and have an abundance of decor, there are some minimalist habits that we can all embrace, such as regularly decluttering. Here are ten types of clutter minimalists never keep in their homes.

Unnecessary Paper

Unnecessary paper comes in many forms. According to Emily Preciado-Fonseca, professional organizer and founder of MommyAssist, it can be old mail, magazines, coupons, calendars, and kids' drawings.

However, one of the bigger things that might not be top of mind is manuals. “It’s easy to understand the need to keep an instruction manual for, say, your new washing machine," says Angela O'Brien, professional organizer and founder of Your Space Reclaimed. "You want to have that information at your fingertips in case you suddenly forget how to do laundry."

But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck if your oven breaks or you can’t figure out how to change the clock on your microwave. Most product manuals and instruction books are available for free online.

Anything Broken

Preciado-Fonseca shares that holding on to broken things that can’t be used leaves less space for things you really want or need. “Some cultures even believe broken things are bad luck!" she says. "If you love a broken item but can’t repair or replace it, take a photo to remember it.”

Expired Items

Whether it’s that box of macaroni and cheese you bought too many of on sale or that giant bottle of ibuprofen you got from a warehouse store, we all hold on to things past their expiration date. “Think sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, lotions, old condiment packages, old makeup, and old nail polish,” says Preciado-Fonseca.

Bags

Whether they are plastic, paper, or cloth totes, Preciado-Fonseca says that most homes she visits have too many bags. “Designate an area for them, and once that area is full, recycle the rest. Keep some in the car to actually use them.”

Multiple Kitchen Tools

While most of us need more than one frying pan and different kinds of knives, there are lots of things in the kitchen that don't necessitate multiples. “No one needs four can openers or three sets of measuring cups” says Preciado-Fonseca. “It can be overwhelming to figure out where it all goes.”

Kids’ Toys

Of course, your kids need toys to play with, but one of each category should suffice. “Even if your child loves fire trucks, resist the urge to buy them different versions," advises Preciado-Fonseca. "Not only do too many toys overwhelm kids, but they can also stifle imagination and create an increased need for things versus valuing emotional connections and memorable experiences."

“Someday” Items

Minimalists always avoid keeping unnecessary "someday items" in their homes. “Did you host a beer-tasting party seven years ago and still have an abundance of mini-plastic beer mugs that you might use someday?” says Preciado-Fonseca. “Chances are, you won’t use those, or the shoes you got for a great price but never wore.”

She lives by the "$20 or less" rule. “If it is worth $20 or less and hasn’t been used in a year, let it go.”

Florist Vases

Do you have one or two vases you absolutely love? Keep those, and get rid of the rest. Preciado-Fonseca says that just because something was free doesn’t mean you need to keep it. Feeling guilty about getting rid of those vases? “Fill them with low-cost flowers and drop them off at a senior center to make someone’s day," she suggests.

Extra Utensils and Packaging

“I always get rid of the extras in any package I receive in the mail or at my door, including the napkins and utensils I don't use that day when I DoorDash, the styrofoam and plastic air pockets that keep my package safe in transit (though I do thank them for doing their job), and of course, the box it all comes in,” says O’Brien.

“Unless I have any planned mailings going out that would perfectly fit these containers or I’m questioning my purchase and think it's likely I’ll return it, these boxes get broken down and recycled right away," she adds.

Excess Food Containers

Of course, we all need a few containers, even if we don’t cook a lot. But minimalists rarely keep those plastic ones that often come with prepared foods or take-out and are meant to be used only once. Even quality plastic containers don’t last forever. Old, warped, and cracked food containers are unlikely to keep your food fresh anyway. So, if your containers have seen better days or are missing lids, it’s time for them to go.