5 Things Minimalists Never Buy in Winter to Avoid Clutter Buildup in Their Homes
Think minimalist without committing to the lifestyle
When the days get shorter, and we spend more time at home fighting off the cold, retail therapy can feel like the perfect solution. While a little treat on occasion is not a bad thing, it is vital that you avoid going overboard on seasonal shopping, experts say.
Not only are these items locked into use for only part of the year, but they are also rarely timeless and end up quickly looking dated, quickly contributing to clutter and wasted money.
5 Things Minimalists Never Buy in Winter
1. Winter Themed Decor
Seasonal decor should be limited to the main holidays.
Seasonal accessories can add a lovely, timely touch to your home, but experts say erring on the side of caution when shopping for decor in winter will help you avoid clutter buildup and wasting your money.
Cathy Orr, professional organizer and co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, says, 'These items just take up space the rest of the year, and storage becomes bulky. If it costs more to store an item (space or monetarily) then it’s not worth the purchase.'
Rather than picking up specific themed decor with winter motifs, you can opt for more classic pieces to create a feeling, rather than a theme. For instance, this year winter is all about cozy nostalgia, leaning into layering to make a home look cozy without it becoming a winter-theme park.
2. Extra Throws and Pillows
Stick with good quality pieces you can rely on year round.
On the topic of layering, just because it is winter doesn't mean you need to go overboard, stocking up on new throws and pillows for the season.
Aaron Traub, owner and professional organizer of The Organizer Directory, shares, 'Minimalists avoid buying additional holiday pillows, throw blankets, or full bedding sets simply to swap them out for the holidays to decorate. They know that these items take up a significant amount of storage space, are only used for a short period of time, and are often forgotten about in bins or closets.
'So, instead, minimalists tend to keep their current high-quality linens year-round, even for the holidays, so things can be simpler, they can save storage space in their home, and they have less cleanup to deal with.'
When investing in the best bed sheets, consider what kind of sleeper you are, whether you sleep hot or cold year-round, or if you need a few timeless sets that can be switched out depending on the temperature outside. As for the best throw blankets, pick high-quality natural fiber pieces such as the West Elm 100% Cotton Knit Throw, which can be used year-round and will stand up to frequent usage.
3. Seasonal Bakeware
Seasonal bakeware offers nothing different to regular bakeware besides adding to storage clutter.
Storing bakeware can be awkward at the best of times, and adding seasonal pieces you only use at certain times of the year makes it infinitely harder. For this reason, minimalists will stick with their high-quality dishes no matter what the event.
Aaron says, 'Minimalists typically skip buying holiday-themed mugs, platters, baking dishes, or specialty kitchen tools that are only pulled out for a few weeks each year. These items often crowd cabinets and drawers in your kitchenand can make everyday kitchen items harder to reach or even find.
'Instead, minimalists stick with mainly keeping everyday kitchen items they can use all year, so they don't have to store, swap out, or reorganize their seasonal pieces, and can keep a decluttered, more minimal kitchen all year round.' The classic Staub ceramic baking dish set, from Wayfair, is a good example of this.
The same rules apply to their dining table styling, too.
4. Seasonal Candles & Scents
Selecting a signature scent to year use round can elevate your home.
One of the most tempting displays when shopping in winter consists of home fragrances. With all the cozy winter scents to choose from, it can be tempting to pick up some cookie-scented candles to make your home smell nice.
However, Ottilie Blackhall, Solved's sleep editor and home fragrance expert, points out that it's a pitfall minimalists typically avoid, opting instead to find a signature scent for their homes and stick with it year-round.
'While I do love seasonal scenting and switch out my fragrances throughout the year, I use what I already have in my inventory before stocking up on anything new to avoid waste.
'There is something so elevated about choosing a signature scent and sticking to it. Not only does doing so help define what your home fragrance says about you, but it also serves to reduce clutter, cut spending, and curb overconsumption.
'In turn, this also leads to less household waste, and also means when you return home and smell that chosen signature scent, your body will know you're home. For example, I always use my Diptyque Ambre Reed Diffuser in my bedroom, though it's typically a more autumnal or wintery scent, I now associate it with relaxation year-round.'
5. Excess Winter Accessories
Pick quality over quantity, and repair where you can.
Winter is the most chaotic season for our entryways. An influx of bulky coats, shoes, and winter gear makes them tricky to keep organized. That's why minimalists avoid adding to the mess by limiting their winter garment shopping.
Unless your coats, gloves, and scarves are physically worse for wear and no longer keep you warm or dry, there is rarely a reason to add more to your collection. Doing so is one of the main pitfalls that make an entryway look cluttered.
If you decide you want a different style, follow the one in, one out method to avoid a serious buildup of mess by your front door. Keep the items you do have organized neatly in storage baskets from Target to keep them together.
What to Shop
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Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for drop zones, shelves, and cabinets. They can make tidying up and hiding clutter quick and simple, while the cut-out handles make it easy to carry several items at once.
After testing, we can confirm that Kris Jenner, Oprah, and the nearly 9,000 five-star reviewers weren’t bluffing. These really are that good. They somehow feel even softer than silk, are never too hot, naturally moisture-wicking, and surprisingly breathable.
Made from 100% cotton, these sumptuous knitted yarn blankets offer comforting weight and cozy texturing for any home, year-round.
Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life, by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, recounts how the authors found happiness and a meaningful life after rejecting the “American dream” of wealth and success, and instead embracing minimalism.
This sleek and understated glass vessel matches the fragrance it exudes perfectly – refined, fresh, and unique. These reed diffusers are authentically made in Japan. Strength: 4/5. Read our fuller review.
Meet the Expert
Cathy is a cofounder of The Uncluttered Life and the Declutter Deck. She is also a certified master in the KonMari method.
Aaron Traub is a professional organizer in New Orleans, LA, and the owner of The Organizer Directory. He set up The Organizer Directory to help people find trusted, verified professional organizers in their area.
Looking for more ways to cut clutter and stress without downsizing everything you own? There are some great ways to own less without being a minimalist that can help you with your goals.
