This 1 minimalism tip from a professional organizer is the key to a streamlined home – and success starts in your cart

When it comes to having a polished yet practical, minimalistic home, the hard work starts even before any new item enters it. Experts say your shopping choices are the underpinning key to success in the longer term.

Our professional organizers urge you to prioritize functionality and remain highly selective about bringing anything unnecessary into your home in the first place. Staying in control of your cart will either make or break your efforts.

For those searching for organizing tips for perfectly minimal living, this easy-to-adopt mindset shift will be a game-changer.

Streamlined minimalism starts in your cart

Many people looking to declutter a home room by room will delve into their 'clutter coffins', the areas that are most packed with items.

However, the true key to streamlined minimalism starts long before any single item enters your home. That's why it's important to be mindful of what you’re buying and why you’re buying as this curbs the clutter minimalists strive to avoid, before it even begins to build.

Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, ‘Many people enjoy retail therapy and the act of shopping relaxes or de-stresses them. While there is nothing wrong with that, shopping as a hobby lends itself to creating clutter because we are drifting into collecting instead of acquiring items we will use.

‘For instance, when a typically expensive item is on a massive sale, that alone can inspire a purchase.’ However, Ben explains that this item might not be attractive or something that fits well in your space.

If you are shopping for a particular space, be sure to take a picture of it and pull it up to help you visualize if any new purchases will fit it. This goes for both decor and storage solutions which will work in tandem to give a minamalist look.

Adopting a critical eye when shopping online or in store will mean over time, as you use decluttering tips to tackle problem areas in your home, the clear spaces left behind won't quickly fill up with new things you don't truly need.

Dana Reed, organizing expert and founder of Winnow and Bloom, says, ‘Minimalists work to ensure that surfaces are clutter-free but not bare. Your surfaces should be clear of clutter with systems in place to keep them so.’

Small woven baskets with lids on (such as the Birch Lane boxes from Wayfair) are clever ways to keep clutter hidden.

Dana continues, ‘However, displaying items you love or that bring you a sense of joy and calm (i.e. flowers, candles, decorative books, a personal item) will keep the space feeling warm and shows your personality and style.’

You could even combine decor and practicality together – for example, the Trendy Deco Books from Amazon will add a touch of luxe and are perfect for concealing away vital small items you need to keep such as remotes, jewelry, and stationery.

Minimalism is all about calmness and cohesion, which is why stashing belongins in simple storage solutions is a brilliant way to embrace a streamlined approach.

‘While the home does not need to be all white or barren, it can also be helpful to aim for a neutral look in each of your spaces,’ explains Dana. 'Reducing visual noise with a streamlined color palette, coordinated containers, and clean lines is a good way to start.’

The most uncomplicated boxes are the most effective. Joy Ramos, cleaning expert at Bear Brothers Cleaning, says, ‘Clear containers are ideal for keeping food, toiletries, and creative supplies.’

She adds, ‘They make it easy to see what you have and keep everything looking neat and consistent.’ For example, the Sterilite boxes from Walmart have on-trend sage green lids and clear bases.

You can even make these more practical by adding on labels – using a label maker such as the Phomemo machine from Amazon will make this process more efficient.

Shopping smartly for streamlined minimalism

When introducing new items into your home, use the One-In-One-Out rule to make sure you aren’t filling your home with clutter.

‘This easy practice can help you maintain a clutter-free house without feeling overburdened,’ says Joy. 'Make it a rule that something else must leave if something new enters the house – be it kitchen appliances, garments, or toys.’

She suggests placing a donation bin in a prominent location, such as the laundry room or hallway closet, to make it simple for people to donate things they no longer need.

Smart storage

Meet our experts

Dana Reed

Dana is an organizing expert and the founder of Winnow & Bloom. She has spent the past over 20 years working with children and families to assess their needs and address their challenges. Dana has created organizational systems for busy clients seeking to streamline their lives.

Joy Ramos

Joy is a cleaning expert and the operations manager at Bear Brothers Cleaning, which is a cleaning service in Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama. She is passionate about helping people find ways to make their home pristine and practical.

Ben Soreff

Ben is a professional organizer at House to Home Organizing. He believes in embracing minimalism and clearing away any unnecessary clutter. This is something he helps families with busy households do frequently.

Once you’ve fully embraced streamlined minimalism in your home, you can learn how to encourage your family to declutter and keep a decluttering schedule in order to stay on top of your new, luxe look.