Minimalism is a growing trend, but it’s more than just getting rid of the items you haven’t touched in 15 years; it’s about clearing the clutter in your life so you can focus on what matters.
But, unlike other lists, this one is curated with a purpose. These items clutter our lives and add no value.
We won’t tell you to eradicate things like your coffee machine or your favorite book just because they’re not touched every day. This list is about eliminating things that block a simpler, more meaningful life.
Unread Books
Books are treasures, but holding onto ones you’ll never read only adds to the clutter. If a book has been sitting on your shelf for years untouched, it’s time to pass it on.
Consider adopting a one-in, one-out policy. For every new book you bring into your home, let go of one you no longer need. This keeps your collection manageable and ensures your shelves hold only books that bring you joy.
Duplicate Kitchen Tools
We’ve all been there: we buy a gadget that promises to make cooking easier, but it ends up buried in a drawer a few months later. How many spatulas or vegetable peelers do you need? If you have duplicates, they’re just taking up valuable drawer space.
Remove all the non-essential items from the kitchen. It’s more enjoyable and efficient to cook in a clutter-free kitchen, and you’ll spend less time digging through crammed drawers.
Excess Clothing
Let’s be honest: there are a ton of clothes in your closet that you haven’t worn in years. We all have those “just in case” outfits or pieces that hold sentimental value. But the truth is, if you haven’t worn something in the past year, it’s time to say goodbye.
Start by removing anything that no longer fits your style or body. It’s so freeing to open a closet filled only with your favorite pieces!
Expired Beauty Products
Your bathroom cabinet might be hiding more than a few expired beauty products. Makeup, lotions, and perfumes all have a shelf life. Keeping them not only clutters your space but could also harm your skin. It’s time to do a deep clean and only keep what you use daily.
Toss anything past its prime or that you haven’t touched in months. Use a few high-quality products that work for you and keep your skincare and makeup routine simple.
Old Electronics and Cords
We’re all guilty of hanging onto old electronics “just in case.” Outdated phones, chargers, and random cords quickly accumulate dust. It’s time to recycle or donate those old gadgets and free up some space.
Go through your electronics drawer and sort out the items you no longer need. Repurpose devices or give functional ones to those who need them.
Unused Hobby Supplies
Hobbies are an excellent way to express yourself, but sometimes they come with a lot of items you don’t really need or you only use for a short amount of time before finding another hobby to take up. Craft supplies, sports equipment, and musical instruments can take up space if unused.
Take a hard look at your hobby supplies and be honest about what you still enjoy and use. Let go of anything gathering dust and focus on the hobbies that bring you joy.
Excess Furniture
Rooms crowded with furniture can feel overwhelming and make a space feel smaller than it is. Minimalism urges you to make a functional, comfy, and clutter-free home. Start by removing furniture that doesn’t serve a purpose or that you don’t love.
Consider the flow of your space and how each piece of furniture contributes to it. Removing one or two unnecessary items can change the feeling of a room. Plus, less furniture requires less time dedicated to cleaning and maintaining, so you can spend your free time doing something you love.
Paper Clutter
Paper clutter accumulates from old bills and random receipts, overwhelming your home. While you should keep some documents, you can digitize or discard many. A clutter-free home often starts with tackling that pile of papers.
Invest in a scanner to digitize essential documents. Set up a filing system for anything you need to keep in physical form. Process mail and paperwork on time to prevent accumulation. A tidy desk or countertop can reduce stress. It can also make your space feel more organized.
Sentimental Items
It’s hard to let go of sentimental items, especially the ones that remind us of special memories and times gone by. But too many special items can crowd your home and stop you from moving on. Minimalism means keeping what matters.
One idea is to take pictures of sentimental items before disposing of them. This way, you still have the memory without the clutter. Keep a few special things that mean a lot to you, and let go of the rest. A home with only the most meaningful items will feel calmer and more intentional.
Unused Exercise Equipment
Exercise equipment like treadmills and weights can take up a lot of space, especially if you don’t use them much. If those dumbbells have sat untouched for months, consider whether you need them.
Ask yourself if your exercise habits have changed. You can get the same results with fewer things, like a yoga mat or outdoor activities. Selling or donating equipment you don’t use can free up space for things you enjoy.
Outdated Decor
Decor trends come and go; sometimes, we hang onto pieces that no longer fit our style or serve a purpose. If your home is full of decor that feels more like a burden than a joy, it’s time to declutter and refresh your space.
Start by removing items that feel outdated or no longer resonate with you. Focus on keeping decor that is meaningful and adds value to your space.
Excess Kitchenware
It’s easy to collect too many kitchen items over time. You may have dishes that don’t match, extra glasses, and gadgets that seem helpful but aren’t. A simple kitchen doesn’t mean having less, but it does mean keeping what you need.
Go through your kitchen items and keep the things you use all the time. Donate or sell the rest. This will make your kitchen easier to use and a nicer place to cook and spend time. A simple kitchen means less time cleaning and more time enjoying your meals.
Broken or Incomplete Items
We all have those items we hold onto, hoping to fix them or find the missing pieces. It can be a broken chair or an incomplete board game. These items often take up space and create unnecessary clutter. If you haven’t repaired it or found the missing parts in months, it might be time to let go.
Letting go of broken or incomplete items can free up space for valuable things and bring you joy.
Excessive Linens
Linen closets can get packed with too many sheets, towels, and blankets you hardly ever use. While having some extras is good, you don’t need a lot. It’s better to keep what you use often and maybe one or two spares.
Go through your linen closet and give away anything you don’t need that’s still in good shape. Keep only the best and most helpful bedding items. This will ensure you have comfortable, good-quality linens to use.
Unused Gift Cards
How many times have you received a gift card and forgotten about it? Unused gift cards can pile up and clutter your wallet or drawer. It’s time to use them or lose them.
Go through your gift cards and make a plan to use them. If you don’t use them, consider regifting or donating them to someone who will. This simple act can clear up clutter and potentially bring joy to someone else.
Old Magazines and Newspapers
Piles of old magazines and newspapers can build up, taking space and gathering dust. While it’s nice to keep a few for inspiration or reference, most of these items lose their relevance over time.
Go through your collection and recycle anything outdated or no longer of interest. Keep only the most valuable issues, or consider going digital to reduce paper clutter. This will free up space and make your home more open and organized.
College T-shirts and Trophies
It’s easy to collect many college t-shirts or trophies from our glory days over the years. But if they are taking up space in your closet or on shelves, it might be time to rethink keeping them.
Try keeping one or two t-shirts that mean the most to you and donate the rest. For trophies, you can take a photo to remember them without needing to keep the actual trophy. This way, you can place your college days without letting them clutter your life. By clearing out these items, you make room for new memories and experiences.
Unused Office Supplies
Office supplies can multiply, especially if you work from home. Too many pens, notebooks, and supplies can crowd your workspace and make it hard to focus. A minimalist office setup helps you stay organized and productive.
Go through your supplies and keep what you use regularly. Donate the rest to a school or community center. A clutter-free desk can help clear your mind, leading to a more efficient workday.
Excessive Accessories
Jewelry, scarves, belts — accessories can quickly pile up and become a source of clutter. While it’s fun to have options, too many accessories can make it harder to find what you want to wear.
Sort your accessories and keep only the pieces you love and wear often. Donate or sell what you don’t need. As a result, your daily routine will become easier, and dressing will be more fun.
Unused Sporting Goods
Is your garage or storage room full of sporting goods you haven’t used in years? If so, it’s time to reassess your needs. From skis to tennis rackets, these items can take up a lot of space and gather dust.
Consider whether you’re likely to use the items soon. If not, sell or donate them. This will free up space and ensure that your storage areas are full of things that add value to your life.
Outdated Technology
Old laptops, outdated software, and other tech relics can become a source of clutter. While it’s tempting to hold onto these items “just in case,” they often serve no real purpose.
Get rid of old tech by recycling or donating it. Keep only the devices and software you still use. This will make your home more organized and ensure your tech is always up-to-date and functional.
Unused Toys and Games
If you have kids, you know how toys and games can easily pile up. Yet, many of these items go unused and take up valuable space in your home.
Go through your children’s toys and games and donate or sell anything they’ve outgrown or lost interest in. This clears your home and helps your kids find and enjoy their favorite things.
Extra Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies can occupy excess space, especially if you have too many of one product or some you don’t use anymore. A simple approach means using just a few good products that work well.
Check your cleaning products and keep what you use often. Throw away anything that’s expired. Practice some organizational skills and only use safe and effective products.