Uncovered Joy

21 Practical Tips to Organize Your Home for Hospitality

Filed Under: Organization and Cleaning //

This post is all about you can organize you home for hospitality and fellowship.

Here, I will show you why it is important to create an inviting home, how you can maximize your space for your needs, and give realistic tips for hosting.

home for hospitality
Here is how you can create a home made for hospitality

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

A home for hospitality (an introduction and story)

For the first two years of my husband’s medical school, we lived in a very cramped, 700 square foot apartment. The kitchen, dining room, living room, and study were all thrown together in a 12 foot by 40 foot room. To say that it was embarrassing would be an understatement. When we had company, we would crowd 10-15 people around a table meant to fit 6. We used the windowsill for seating and everyone had to step over each other.

Yet, despite the inadequacy of our tiny apartment, we chose to make hosting Sunday brunch a priority.

It was amazing how our friends would say they looked forward to it each week. It was a time for everyone to laugh and de-stress from a chaotic week. Often, one or two people would stay later than everyone else for a deep conversation or prayer.

No one seemed to notice or care about the cramped space. They didn’t want a perfectly timed meal or aesthetic dining room, they simply wanted connection.

You don’t need a perfect home for hospitality

Often, the thing that stops us from taking the first step into opening our home for hospitality is that we are embarrassed by our house because it isn’t instagram worthy. We are worried about what people may think if they see our small, or messy, or imperfect living arrangement.

But the truth is: you don’t need a perfect home to practice biblical hospitality. You need an open heart and a little bit of intentional preparation.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. – Romans 12:13

Keep reading if you are looking for practical tips on how you can open up your home for hospitality. This post will help you think through why hospitality matters, the truth that your space doesn’t need to be perfect, and 21 intentional ways to organize your space to make hosting simple and joyful.

What is hospitality?

Hospitality is the art of being welcoming to friends and even strangers, inviting them to partake in a meal or embrace fellowship. The Bible exhorts us to be hospitable as an outpouring of love for God and others. 1 Peter 4:9-10 tells us to offer hospitality and use the gifts we have received to serve others without grumbling. Romans 12:13 commands us to share with the Lord’s people who are in need by practicing hospitality. And Hebrews 13:12 tells us to show hospitality to strangers.

From these verses, it is clear that hospitality is not just about having close friends and family over. But it is about getting slightly uncomfortable to have acquaintances or maybe even people you don’t know over. It is about welcoming everyone for the sake of the gospel.

Hospitality doesn’t require fancy meals or a perfectly styled home.

But it does require a welcoming spirit and a caring heart.

How often should you open your home for hospitality?

Although there is no “one size fits all” answer to how often you should open your home for hospitality, there are a few guidelines that the Bible gives.

We know that the early church was characterized by breaking bread and fellowship (Acts 2:42), and Hebrews 10:25 warns us to not give up meeting together. So hospitality should occur on a regular basis, but the specifics will look different for each family, depending on your circumstances and the season of life you are in.

Remember: hospitality is about creating space for connection, comfort, and fellowship. Those things are not one-and-done. Rather, they require continual, intentional acts of hospitality.

Why it is important to create an inviting home

As we have seen above, Christians are called to be hospitable. The main reason for this is because Jesus Himself was hospitable (he did feed a crowd of five thousand). The second reason is that we can share and live out the gospel with others when we are hospitable.

A home for hospitality reflects God’s heart

Opening your home for hospitality is a reflection of God’s heart. It mirrors his invitation to us. Jesus called us to “come to Him when we are weary and burdened, and He would provide rest” (Matthew 11:28). When we are hospitable to others, it gives a chance for them to rest as they throw off their burdens. Here they can fellowship, be encouraged, and share a meal with friends.

A home open to hospitality builds community

Although our culture claims to be more connected than ever, social media has inadvertently disconnected us. Everyone is stuck scrolling on thier phones, looking at posts of friends seemingly happy lives, thinking they they are connected with a curated view. However, when we take the time to open our home for hospitality, we see that life is not the same as portrayed online. There are so many nuances to our friends and acquaintances that we only get to know when we get offline.

In a world connected only through social media, opening our home for hospitality matters more than ever.

A home open to hospitality blesses everyone involved

The old saying that says “it is more blessed to give than to receive” is especially true when it comes to hospitality. Not only does opening your home to others bless them by providing friendship, good food, and community, but it also blesses the host by providing those same things as well as a chance to serve.

Remember: small acts of welcome can have an eternal impact.

21 ways to organize your home for hospitality

Here are 21 ways to practically organize your home for hospitality. This list will help you get over the fear and trepidation of hosting, enabling you to enjoy serving others in your home.

tips to prepare your home
Here are the best tips for hosting

Entryway tips to create a warm first impression

One of the key’s to hosting is to make your guest feel at home. The entryway is such an important part of hosting because it is the first thing your guests will see when they enter your house.

1. Declutter and clear the entryway

Nothing is more awkward than entering a home and being bombarded with clutter. If you have a formal entryway, consider spending some time sprucing it up to make it welcoming. If your entryway leads directly into the kitchen or living room, consider how you can make a cozy welcoming nook for your guests.

2. Have a place for your guests

One of the best ways to make your guest feel immediately welcome is by having a designated and easy to see place for their belongings. Consider adding a table, hooks, or a basket for your guests’ coats and bags.

3. Create a landing pad

If you like for your guests to remove shoes when they enter, place a small bench or stool next to the door for easy removal.

Living areas: create conversation spaces

A living room is a great place to encourage conversation because of its comfortable and cozy atmosphere. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your living room.

4. Encourage genuine conversation

When bring guests into your living room, the placement of your furniture matters for heartfelt conversation. If your chairs are centered around the TV, it sends a message that you are more focused on what is going on in the world than in your own home.

Instead, arrange your seating to encourage conversation by creating a circle or semi-circle. The furniture should be far enough apart to walk between, yet close enough to hear whoever is talking across from you.

5. Remove distractions

The biggest distraction in a living room is the TV, so make sure it is off when guests are over to facilitate conversation. Other distractions are found in excess clutter that limit the space from feeling peaceful.

Some distractions for guests are less obvious, and include things that take focus off of the conversations. This could include a guest feeling chilly or not having a place to put their cup. Try to anticipate your guests’ needs by placing a throw blanket within arms reach or coasters on the coffee table.

6. Make use of decorative storage

Homes are meant to be lived in and not museums. Because of this, they will not always be company ready. In order to reduce the amount of effort needed to exert before friends arrive, use baskets to quickly corral kids’ toys or other stray items in. This is a system that reduces clutter and saves time.

Dining area: preparing for gathering

When having guests over for a meal, the dining room is typically the most used area. Consider implementing these tips to help your company feel welcome.

7. Clear surfaces

Always keep your dining room table clear of clutter, not only for your families sake, but also to make your guest feel at ease when it is time to eat. There is nothing more awkward than arriving at a friends home and watching as they frantically try to find a home for the 5011 items that are piled on the table.

As much as it is possible, have all surfaces cleared and wiped down so they are ready to be used.

8. Use simple centerpieces and decor

Although a centerpiece may be beautiful, it quickly becomes a nuisance if it blocks you from seeing the person sitting across the table. Use simple centerpiece that can be removed or easily seen over when serving food. Likewise, keep the decor to a classy minimum to keep your meal from feeling like a child’s birthday party (unless it is, of course, a birthday party).

9. Keep extra seating nearby

Undoubtedly, you do not regularly have more seating that what you regularly use around your table. Because of this, consider keeping extra chairs on hand for when you have larger gatherings. Make sure you pull out any seating you many need before guests arrive and have the chairs placed around the table ready to go.

Kitchen: simplify and streamline

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and as such, it has a lot of work pumping through it at all times. Here are some ways to reduce the burden.

10. Declutter countertops

Consider decluttering your kitchen countertops so that you have space to prep and serve food. Many of the items that we keep on countertops are only used a few times a week and would be better stored in a cabinet to free up space.

11. Keep essentials easily accessible

As you get more comfortable hosting guests, you will notice there are serving pieces you reach for more regularly than others. Consider keeping these items in the same, easy-to-access location to save you time.

12. Designate spots for guests

One way to make company feel at home is to have clearly designated spots for common things such as drinks or plates and utensils. If you are not setting the table in advance, consider having a place to put everything guests will need, such as a drink cart. Putting all of the drinks in an easy to reach area will help guests feel at home since they don’t have to ask to be served.

Guest comforts: thoughtful touches

Have you ever been a guest somewhere and felt immediately at home but didn’t know why? These tips will help you achieve that feeling for your company.

13. Have comfort items within reach

Depending on the season and where you live, consider keeping out comfort items to help your guests feel at home. These include blankets or throws within reach of the couch, coasters for drinks on the coffee table, or a small fidget toy to keep hands busy.

14. Keep toiletries stocked and obvious

One of the most awkward things is going to someones house and using the bathroom when there is no toilet paper anywhere in sight. Don’t be that house. Keep an extra roll or two of toilet paper in an easily seen location within the bathroom for guests to replace if necessary. Along with other basic toiletries, consider keeping a bottle of lotion out during dry seasons to help your guests feel comfortable.

15. Create a welcoming scent

The smell of your home is an important part of making your company feel welcome when opening your home for hospitably. Ensure you take out all of the garbage and remove anything that may have odor (i.e. a cat littler box). Lighting a candle might be a nice touch, or if you are a non-toxic home or just unsure of your guests’ scent tolerance, consider baking some cookies or other easy desert right before your guests are set to arrive.

The welcoming aromas of baking are sure to make anyone feel at home.

Flexibility for kids and families

It can be difficult for parents with young children to be guests in someone’s home because of the effort required to keep the children in line. Here are some tips to put kids and families at ease.

16. Keep toys or books on hand

If you do not have any children currently in your home, consider going out of your way to have a small basket of toys or books for when little ones are around. It is especially thoughtful if you have things that could work for a variety of ages, as sometimes older kids may be left out of the fun.

17. Have simple snacks available

Whether you are cooking a five course dinner or just hosting a simple get-together, place some simple kid-friendly snacks within easy reach for parents to choose from. This will help put parents at ease if they have picky eaters or their littles are just extra hungry.

18. Child-proof your home

If you have your great-grandmothers 18th century vase as the center point of your living room, consider removing it before families arrive so that you can enjoy getting to know them without worrying about the vase. Likewise, if you have rooms with especially nice furniture that you would prefer to keep pristine, close off that room. Not only will you be more relaxed, but the parents will also feel more at home since they are not worrying about all of the expensive nicknacks their children may accidentally knock over.

Overall home readiness

Here are some tips you can implement in order to make hosting more of a second nature instead of a panic-inducing one time event.

19. Establish a weekly routine

One of the least enjoyable parts of hosting is the “panic cleaning” 10 minutes before company is set to arrive. Establish a weekly cleaning routine that hits the important areas of your home and reduces the panic.

20. Keep a checklist

Keep a go-to checklist of tasks to quickly refresh your home when guests are coming, and update the list regularly as you develop your hosting rhythm.

21. Focus on progress

Remember that an organized, welcoming home is one where people feel loved, not impressed. Because of this, focus on progress and not perfection when it comes to the organization and flow of your home. Instead, spend time working on yourself and preparing your heart and attitude to be a hospitable host.

Hospitable home
A home for hospitality is about showing the love of Christ.

Maximizing your home for hospitality

No matter what your home looks like or its location, there will always be an excuse of why it isn’t good enough to open for hospitality. Instead of letting little details get in the way of hosting, embrace your space. Remember, whether it is large or small, it can be used for God’s glory if you let it.

You don’t need to have a big budget for hospitality. Rather, work with what you have. Get creative with multipurpose furniture and involve your family in preparing the home and practicing hospitality.

Final tips for hosting

Opening your home for hospitality can feel like a lot. But it doesn’t have to. Start by focusing on people and not performance. Relationships will always be more important and more valuable than instagram-worthy table settings or the perfect meal. Speaking of which, don’t stress about throwing together a five-course dinner. Instead, have a couple signature dishes and make them on repeat.

If you want to become good at hosting, then you will need to host often. Like anything, hosting is not a skill you can learn overnight. It takes time, dedication, and even a few mishaps along the way. But don’t let one burnt lasagna stop you from opening your home again and again.

Closing thoughs to open your home for hospitality

Hospitality is an act of love and obedience, not a competition. Your guests will be able to feel if you are more dedicated to creating a post for instagram or concerned about loving them well. Take some time to consider your motives for hosting and them practice one or two ideas from this list this week.

Invite someone over soon – even if it’s just for coffee. Enjoy the friendship that occurs when you open your home for hospitality.

Minimalist cleaning tips to save you time and money

Filed Under: Minimalism //

This post is all about the best minimalist cleaning tips to save you time and money.

Here, you will learn about the minimalist cleaning essentials and supplies that you need to have on hand. You will also find out the best minimalist cleaning routine for every situation.

minimalist cleaning
Here are the best tips and tricks to help you clean your home like a minimalist.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Are you tried of spending all your time cleaning, yet never having a clean home? The best solution to help you free up your time and give you the aesthetic home you are looking for is a minimalist cleaning routine, complete with all the supplies and essentials you need.

Declutter

If you’ve come across minimalism at all, you’ve already heard the declutter spiel. So I’ll keep it brief. The easiest way to keep your home clean is to keep it free of clutter.

Think of the time that you spend sweeping or vacuuming. How much of that time is cleaning the floors, and how much of that time is just removing or rearranging the things on the floor? If you find that clutter on your floors prevents you from getting a quick clean in, then it is time to remove some of it.

The same thing is true for any flat surface in your home. How much excess does your T.V. stand have on it? How many extra nicknacks do your bookshelves contain? Do you have too many kitchen appliances out that you don’t regularly use? Or maybe your nightstand has a months worth of clutter collecting on it.

Spend some dedicated time to declutter your floors and the flat surfaces of your home, and you’ll be surprised with how much time you save while cleaning.

Minimalist Cleaning routine

A good cleaning routine can save you so much time cleaning in the long run, while also leaving your home constantly fresh and organized. I like to break my cleaning routine up into 3 different parts: daily tasks, weekly tasks, and seasonal tasks.

Daily tasks

For a minimalist daily cleaning routine, consider what MUST be done everyday. For me, this includes: making the bed, doing the dishes and laundry, vacuuming the floors, wiping down the bathroom, and clearing off surfaces.

Although this may sound like a huge list that would take all day to complete, I can finish it in under 30 minutes (or an hour with my toddler helping). The reason I am able to get through this list so quickly is because I have a relatively clean and organized home to begin with, so none of the counterparts take more than 5 minutes.

For you, this list will likely look different. Just as it has for me during different seasons. When I am freshly postpartum and looking after a newborn, I know that it would be unrealistic for me to get all of this done, so I change the expectations for my home’s cleanliness during this time. Instead of including these 5 things in my daily clean, I drop it down to only doing the dishes and sweeping the floors. This is because I have found these two things to be the most impactful for everyday living.

Weekly tasks

On top of my daily cleaning routine, I also have weekly tasks that I like to complete on a rotating basis. For these, I usually set aside about 30 minutes per task and try to get to one a day, but I don’t stress if I miss a day. This is because instead of assigning each task to a specific day of the week, I simply complete all my tasks on a rotating basis, and I’m not afraid to change up the order if I find my home needing it.

For my weekly tasks, I do a deeper clean on rooms of the house or areas that I notice get especially dirty. So on a rotating basis, I deep clean mine and my toddlers bedrooms, the bathroom, the kitchen, and the living room. I will also do a deep clean of the pantry and storage closet when I need to. Again, my weekly tasks are minimal because I’ve downsized my home to a manageable level where I don’t have too much upkeep.

I also don’t do a complete house deep cleaning every week. My weekly tasks are much more relaxed and it takes about 2 weeks to get through them before starting over. I also typically pick a special project within these tasks, such as organizing the closet in the bedroom or cleaning out under the bed. I simply do whatever I notice needs to be done so that I stay on top of everything.

Seasonal minimalist cleaning routine

I have very little seasonal cleaning needs because my daily and weekly routines cover most everything within my home and I don’t have a yard. However, these seasonal activities should be expected to take more time to tackle, and typically include things like gardening and lawn care, winterizing outside toys or tools, and whatever else may come up during different seasons.

minimalist clean
Give minimalist cleaning a try to save yourself time today.

minimalist cleaning checklist

In order to make the most out of your cleaning time, consider creating a minimalist cleaning checklist to guide you. Doing so will ensure that you don’t miss any area in your home and you’ll always know what is coming up and needs to be done. Here are some things you may want to include in your checklist:

  • Laundry
  • Dishes
  • Make bed
  • Floors (Sweep, Vacuum, Mop)
  • Clear Surfaces
  • Bathrooms
  • Clean windows
  • Dust (Blinds, baseboards)
  • Deep clean rooms
  • Clean out cars

Minimalist cleaning essentials

Although you do not need any extra tools or storage bins, they can help you organize to save time while cleaning. Here are a few popular minimalist cleaning essentials to consider.

Cleaning organization

Having a cleaning caddy can be very beneficial for storing all of your cleaning products in one place. Before running out and purchasing one, consider what cleaning products you currently have and use, and find a caddy that works for those products.

There are two main styles of caddy’s to choose from. You can either get a traveling caddy that you can take with you throughout the house. Or, if you have a small home or only use products in one room, a cupboard door caddy may be perfect for you.

Storage organization ideas

If the idea of cleaning your floors daily seems daunging to you because there is always too much to pick up, consider getting some storage solutions to help keep your home tidy.

Big floor baskets are lifesavers for quickly tossing in throw blankets when not in use. And storage ottomans work wonders for kids toys, games, or electronics.

Minimalist Cleaning supplies (Minimalist cleaning products)

When it comes to finding the perfect cleaning products, the options are endless. If you are new to the minimalism journey, I would encourage you to use up the products that you already have before adding any new ones to your collection. As you use up products and are in need of new ones that can have multiple functions and are low toxin, here are a few of my favorite options.

Dishwasher pods

Molly’s Suds is my go-to brand for dishwasher pods. They work well no matter if you are dealing with hard or soft water and they are free of many of the common toxins. I love the simplicity of plopping in a pod at night and waking up to clean dishes.

Dish soap

Mrs. Meyers dish soap comes in many great scents and is free of common toxins, while still working as good as dawn dish soap. I personally love the fresh scent of the lemon, but there is also lavender, compassion flower, mint, and others to choose from.

Laundry soap

Molly’s suds also has a laundry detergent, but I opt for ECOS because of the price. With only seven easy to understand ingredients, this was the perfect detergent for my newborn with sensitive skin and I’ve continued to use it ever since.

Instead of a fabric softener with harsh chemicals and toxic scents, I’ve opted to use inexpensive vinegar. This keeps my clothes in beautiful condition, even while having to use less-than-optimal coin operated machines.

For the dryer, I use wool laundry balls with a few drops of essential oil. This keeps the static away from my clothes while giving them a light and fresh scent. Once again, this has been a great option for my sensitive newborn and toddler.

Multipurpose cleaner

I love using branch basics for my multipurpose cleaner because I can just use their concentrate to fill three different glass bottles – a streak-free mirror cleaner, an all-purpose cleaner, and a bathroom cleaner. You simply fill the bottles with water to the line and then add the concentrate. This system allows me to only need three cleaning bottles and the concentrate which I only replace about every 9 months.

minimalist cleaning essentials
Minimalist cleaning is for everyone – even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a minimalist

Cleaning tools

There are very few cleaning tools that you’ll need in a minimalist approach. This is partly because you’ll be keeping your house cleaner on a regular basis, so you won’t have a grime buildup in need of special tools. Another reason you won’t find yourself reaching for various tools is that you’ll be able to find what you need in your home already.

Most people have an abundance of washcloths in their home, so instead of buying a specific type for cleaning, I’d recommend using up what you have.

Old toothbrushes work great if you want something small the reach into cracks, or consider using your old dish scrubber for cleaning the grout in your tiles.

When it comes to the heavy duty cleaning tools, I have found that I only need three – a broom, vacuum, and mop. And honestly, depending on your home, you could easily get away with only having a mop and vacuum or broom.

For a mop, I use the swifter wet-jet and simply reuse the container. I also use these re-usable mop pads which save a ton of money and are a great environmentally friendly option.

One last Minimalist cleaning method and tip: Assign a home to everything

One of the best minimalist cleaning tips is to assign a home for every object. Think about how you have a specific spot for putting your plates and bowls. Anytime you unload the dishwasher, you simply put the plates and bowls away without thinking about it because they have a home. It is a quick and efficient process that doesn’t leave you feeling drained.

Now think about the random assortment of things currently sitting on your entry table or entertainment center. These things most likely don’t have an assigned home and that is why they’ve ended up left out for good.

In order to keep a clean and tidy home, assign a place for everything you own. Chances are, if you are having trouble finding a home for something, it means you need to declutter some more.

This post was all about minimalist cleaning tips and tricks, including minimalist cleaning routines and essential supplies.

Where will you begin your minimalist cleaning journey today?

How to curate a minimalist wardrobe on a budget

Filed Under: Minimalism //

This post is all about how you can curate a minimalist wardrobe while on a tight budget that fits all of your needs!

Did you know that the Average American spends almost 20 minutes each day deciding what to wear? And they typically only wear 20% of their clothing, 80% of the time. If either of those sound like you, it might be time for a drastic change. Creating a minimalist wardrobe may be exactly what you need to feel confident in your closet, while reducing your consumption and time spent figuring out what to wear.

Minimalist wardrobe
Here are all my tips and tricks for creating a minimalist wardrobe on a budget.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

What is a minimalist wardrobe?

Simply put, a minimalist wardrobe is a carefully curated closet set to fit your personal needs. Although people often insist that their “capsule wardrobe” needs to fit specific criteria and design (and, let’s face it, price), it can be any closet that is paired down to only the pieces you love and feel good in.

There are quite a few different varieties of the capsule closet. So here, I will introduce you to some of the more popular ones. This will help you get a feel for what kind of capsule wardrobe you would like to implement for yourself.

Capsule Wardrobe

The capsule wardrobe is the most basic type of minimalist closet, with the least amount of “rules” surrounding it. This wardrobe prioritizes your personal style and lets you be the mastermind behind how many pieces you want to keep. It also tends to group clothes seasonally, so you would have a different capsule wardrobe for winter, spring, summer, and fall – although some of the articles can overlap.

This wardrobe is perfect for anyone who wants a simplified closet without giving up their creative license.

Project 333

Project 333 was made popular by Courtney Carver in her book: Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More. The rules for this capsule wardrobe include only wearing 33 articles of clothing over a 3 month period. Although accessories, outerwear, and shoes count toward your total count, a wedding ring, underwear, workout clothes, and pajamas do not. You can choose any assortment of items that you want, as long as they add up to only 33.

This wardrobe is perfect for anyone who wants to give minimalism a try for a season.

The 10 item wardrobe

The 10 item wardrobe is another seasonal option which is made up of only 10 core pieces. This wardrobe includes only tops, bottoms, and dresses, while shoes, layers, and accessories are excluded from the count (but still kept very minimal). Although this option is the most extreme, Jennifer L. Scott from the Daily Connoisseur and author of Lessons From Madame Chic, argues that most french women live this way naturally.

This wardrobe is perfect for anyone who wants an extreme minimalist wardrobe.

Related Post: Minimalism For Small Spaces | Creating A Peaceful Home

When to create a minimalist wardrobe?

There are many reasons to create a minimalist wardrobe. Whether you are going through a life change or you just want to simplify your life. Here are a few reasons people choose to have a capsule wardrobe:

  • New job
  • Pregnant/postpartum/breastfeeding
  • Weight-loss journey

New Job

If you find yourself in a new career where you have to dress a certain way that you didn’t need to before, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, a capsule wardrobe is perfect. Consider going with the very minimalistic 10 item wardrobe and use versatile pieces you can mix and match for more looks.

Pregnancy, Postpartum, and breastfeeding

There is no season in a mother’s life where her body will change more than having a baby. I love using a capsule wardrobe to help me feel my best during this time by sorting through and changing out my clothes every three or so months. This is because each trimester of pregnancy brings different sizing needs and clothing styles, not to mention the change in weather drastically impacts a pregnant body. Postpartum is also a difficult time to learn how to dress as your body changes again, and may never return to pre-pregnancy shape. There is added difficulty in dressing if you choose to breastfeed as well.

capsule wardrobe
Don’t be afraid to pair down your wardrobe for a season.

Because of the major changes that your body (and lifestyle) go through during these stages, I recommend trying a capsule wardrobe and changing it out every three months. Keep any clothes that don’t fit during your current season in easy to access storage, because you might find that your favorite pair of jeans will fit again in a year.

Weight-loss journey

A capsule wardrobe is perfect for anyone who finds themselves on a weight-loss journey. When you are putting in so much work to be healthy and lose weight (whether for health or personal reasons) you deserve to feel good in the clothes you wear. It can be pricy to purchase a new wardrobe in every size that you go through, so consider keeping it minimal and only purchasing a few pieces you love.

How to create a minimalist wardrobe on a budget

Creating a minimalist wardrobe does not have to break the bank. In fact, it can often help you save money as you discover your style and finally feel good in your clothes. Here are the steps to creating a capsule wardrobe on a budget:

  • Set a monetary goal
  • Decide how big you want your minimalist wardrobe
  • Decide on if your minimalist wardrobe is seasonal or long-term
  • Declutter your closet
  • Fill in any gaps you have

Following these steps will ensure that you gain a closet you love without breaking the bank.

Set a monetary goal for your minimalist wardrobe

Before you even begin the process for going through your closet and designing your perfect capsule wardrobe, it is important to first set a budget. Consider how much money you have to spend in total to get your wardrobe where you want it. Whether it is $5, $100, or $1000, having a goal in mind will help clarify decisions when forming your wardrobe.

Decide on how big you want your minimalist wardrobe to be

The next thing you will need to consider is how big you want your capsule wardrobe to be. Think about your lifestyle. Do you need professional clothing for work, casual clothes for the weekends, and workout clothes for hot yoga? Maybe you are a stay-at-home mom who wants to dress more preppy or a world-class traveler who loves comfort. Whatever your lifestyle is, you will want to take it into account when you decide on how big you want your closet.

Another deciding factor for determining the size of you closet may be how often you do laundry. You may need a large capsule wardrobe if you hate laundry and only do it every two weeks. While you could go with the minimalist 10 item wardrobe if you don’t mind doing laundry every couple of days.

Finally, consider how big your current closet is and the main reason for wanting to go minimal. If you are already starting with a small wardrobe, it may be easier to pair down to a 10-item wardrobe. Whereas if your closet is quite substantial, you may find a capsule wardrobe more to your liking.

Decide on if your minimalist wardrobe is seasonal or long-term

The last thing you will need to think through before beginning your wardrobe journey is the length of time you want your closet to serve. If you live in an area that experiences all four seasons, you will probably do best with having a seasonal capsule wardrobe. However, if you live somewhere that does not experience too much change in the weather, you could probably make do with one long-term closet.

You may also decide to do a short-term minimalist wardrobe if you are experiencing drastic body changes (pregnancy or weight-loss). Or if you just want to try a capsule wardrobe for the fun of it.

Declutter your closet

Now that you have thought through what kind of closet would suit you best, come up with a budget, and decided on how long your wardrobe would last, it is time to declutter your closet.

There are many ways to do this, but my favorite is to start by pulling everything out of your closet. Once it is all out and in a pile, begin by picking up each piece and asking yourself how it makes you feel. Does it fit in with the style you are going for? How does it make you feel when you wear it? Is it worn out or still in good condition?

As you go through each article asking yourself these questions, hang up the pieces that you want to incorporate back into your closet. Make a donation pile of the ones you are ready to let go of. And start a “maybe” box for any you are not sure of or do not fit with your current season.

After you have done this initial declutter of your closet, you may find that you have more clothes that you wanted for your capsule wardrobe. This would be a good time to go back through the clothes in your closet and pair down so you only leave the number in your closet that you wanted. You can decide to donate the others or place them in your “maybe” box for later.

minimalist closet
Where will you begin with a minimalist wardrobe?

Fill in any gaps you have in your minimalist wardrobe

If you notice that you have some gaps in your minimalist wardrobe, take note of what they might be. Then, whenever you go shopping, look for only those specific items. If you already have in mind the things that you need, you will be less tempted to spend money on excess clothes.

Don’t feel like you have to go out and purchase new clothes right away, part of the joy of a minimalist wardrobe is making do with what you have. However, if you need to buy a few pieces, you can do so without guilt because you have already thought through what you truly need to fill out your closet.

Related Post: Christian Minimalism | How A Popular Concept Points to God

Additional tips for building a minimalist wardrobe

Now that you have the steps to get started on your very own capsule wardrobe, here are some additional tips to help you complete your goal.

Be intentional with your style

One of my favorite things about a minimalist closet is that it allows you to be intentional with your style. Don’t feel like you have to have a certain aesthetic just because you are going for a minimalist wardrobe. Instead, feel free to embrace your style and find joy in your unique individuality.

Consider the 70/30 rule

When deciding what pieces to keep in order to mix and match the most outfits, consider the 70/30 rule. This states that your wardrobe should consist of 70% basics – the neutral pieces you wear everyday that go with everything, and 30% accessory or fun pieces. This will help you put together different outfits the easiest.

Building your own minimalist wardrobe

The most important thing to remember when starting your minimalist wardrobe is this: it isn’t about just owning less clothes. Rather, the goal is to curate a collection of clothing that fits your individual needs and lifestyle while boosting your confidence and saving you time and money. Whether you decide to try a capsule wardrobe, challenge yourself to Project 333, or dive into the simplicity of a 10-item wardrobe, enjoy making it your own.

Focus on your needs. Be intentional with your style. And stick to a budge. By doing these things, you’ll create a closet that truly works for you. So start today! Simplify your closet and unlock the many benefits it will bring.

13 of the Best Minimalist Books to Help You Begin Your Journey

Filed Under: Minimalism //

This post is all about the best minimalist books to help you begin your journey toward a simpler life.

Minimalism is a trending topic as more and more people become aware of the over consumption culture rampant today. If you are one of the many who find yourself discontent with your current consumerism and wishing to add more intentionality back into your life, this list of the best minimalist books will help give you a place to start.

minimalist books
Here are the 13 best minimalist books to inspire you.

Whether you need help changing your mindset towards clutter and consumerism, a practical guide for decluttering, or help living waste-free, there is a book for you.

Minimalist books to Change your mindset

1. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself And Your Family From a Lifetime of Clutter

In The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning, Margareta Magnusson explains that the Swedish undertake a “death cleaning” of sorts, often all throughout their lives. This concept shows that life is more important than things, and minimalism can help put both in order. Through her humor and wit, Magnusson helps readers navigate which things can easily be let go of and which possessions may need more contemplation. This is the perfect book for anyone who is looking for inspiration to let go so their children don’t have to, while enjoying every moment of the life they have left.

Perfect for: Anyone seeking inspiration to declutter while embracing the beauty of life

2. Hello, Habits: A minimalists Guide To A Better Life

If you are tired of the relentless cycle of buying more things and then decluttering them a few months later, consider making minimalism a habit with Fumio Sasaki. In his book, Sasaki explores the habits easily formed by everyone, such as waking up in the morning, exercise, a weekly phone call with loved ones, and the food you regularly eat. Expounding from this idea that life is made up of habits, Sasaki explains how anyone can acquire new habits and get rid of less desirable ones. This step-by-step guide to success is perfect for anyone looking to change their mindset about the habits that make up their lives.

Perfect for: Anyone who is tired of the consumerism and decluttering cycle

3. The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store

Imagine a year of only buying consumable goods – groceries, a few toiletries, and gas for your car. How would this change impact your wallet? How would this change impact your environment? These are some of the questions that Cait Flanders found herself asking in her late 20’s. Being sick of the endless consumerism wheel and having nearly $30,000 in debt, she knew she needed to make a drastic change.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, have been thinking about doing a no-buy year, or just want a new perspective on consumerism, Flanders relatable memoir will be an inspiration to you. Not only was she able to live for a year without adding to the consumerism cycle, but she also discovered how to stop shopping when bored. She decluttered her apartment, getting rid of over 70% of her possessions, and she learned how to fix things when they broke.

Perfect for: Anyone who needs inspiration to quit shopping and be content with what they have

4. Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living

Society likes to preach a gospel that life and purpose is centered around accumulation wealth and possessions here on earth. This should be the driving factor in your life because it promotes power and prestige. However, as Christians, we hear the message that Jesus spoke of selling everything your have to give to the poor so you can follow Him wholeheartedly.

If you find yourself struggling to reconcile your consumeristic habits and desires with the message Jesus taught, Christian Minimalism will help you navigate those intricacies. Becca Ehrlich takes you along with her as she explores how to live a purpose driven life in the grace of God. Although this is not a book that gives practical steps for decluttering your home, Ehrlich teaches how to simplify in other areas of your life by removing spiritual clutter.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to align how they live with their Christian beliefs

best books on minimalism
These books can help you understand how simplifying can change your life.

5. Decluttering At The Speed Of Life: Winning Your Never-ending Battle With Stuff

Known mainly for her energetic personality on her YouTube channel, Dana White brings you years of experience helping others declutter their homes. In her book, White explores different emotional challenges that may arise for anyone trying to declutter, and helps you work through them. This helps to not only complete your decluttering process, but also reach the minimalist level you desire quickly and efficiently. If you want to begin decluttering step-by-step, but get hung up by feelings of overwhelm anytime you try, this book is for you.

Perfect for: Anyone who struggles with decision making during the decluttering process

Minimalist books to help you declutter room by room

6. The More Of Less: Finding The Life You Want Under Everything You Own

Joshua Becker is considered one of the early pioneers of American minimalism, even staring in his own Netflix documentary “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things.” Although he has written many helpful decluttering and minimalist books, The More Of Less stands out in my mind because of it’s emphasis on helping you see the joy of owning less, rather than more.

Becker points out that the American dream has become synonymous with owning as much as you can. He himself was on this hamster wheel of earning more money so he could buy more things until one day when he was cleaning out his garage. Feeling defeated at moving things around instead of playing ball with his son, he was taken aback when a neighbor commented that he didn’t have to own everything he did. That simple interaction was the start of his minimalist journey, and he now dedicates his life to helping others find freedom through the simplicity of minimalism.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to embrace minimalism as a lifestyle, not a project

7. Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism

Another classic of the minimalist books, Goodbye, Things is a practical step-by-step guide to help you declutter your whole home. As an extreme Minimalist, Fumio Sasaki lives in a tiny Tokyo apartment with only the bare minimum. (His closet consists of only three shirts, four pairs of pants, four socks). Although this lifestyle is not for everyone (or even most minimalists), Sasaki provides great insight to help your decluttering journey. If you are looking for minimalist inspiration to help your say goodbye to absolutely everything you don’t need, give Goodbye, Things a try today.

Perfect for: Anyone who needs help detaching from their possessions

8. Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life

If you are looking for a beautifully designed, coffee-table type book that also provides minimalist inspiration, look no further! Minimalista is the perfect book to demonstrate through pictures, the simplicity and aesthetic of minimalism. In her book, Gill promises to help you find and elevate your personal style by getting rid of excess belongings. She does this in a unique and visually appealing way, helping you find new motivation in each and every room.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants an aesthetic guide toward minimalism

Minimalist books for Parents

9. Clutter-free with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home

Anyone with kids knows that things pile up quickly. Whether it be sentimental nursery decor, too-small clothes, or an endless array of toys, there is always a mess to be organized. Joshua Becker was no stranger to the cluttered chaos that his kids brought into his home, but through his own minimalism journey, he discovered his kid’s delight over owning less stuff. Here, Becker outlines the 10 most common clutter problems for parents – and gives you the tools you need to solve them in your home.

Perfect for: Any parent struggling with the chaos kids bring

best minimalist books
These 13 minimalist books will be sure to inspire you.

Minimalist books to help you declutter by category

10. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up

Do you know the things you own that spark joy when you hold them? These are the things that are worth keeping because they add value to your life and fill you with pleasure. So often, we hold on to things “just because,” even though we don’t enjoy having them around.

This is the entire concept of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up. Learning what sparks joy in your ilfe and letting everything else go. This revolutionary book will walk you through your entire home, category-by-category, helping you declutter and love the space you’re in.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to embrace the joy of their belongings

Minimalist books to help you declutter your closet

11. Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really is So Much More

If you’ve looked into minimalism at all, chances are, you’ve come across the concept presented in Project 333. Here, Courtney Carver starts you on a minimalist journey in your wardrobe, giving you tangible rules to follow so you don’t become overwhelmed. These rules are simple: you have 3 months to live with only 33 articles of clothing in your wardrobe. If this sounds impossible to you, consider embracing this challenge and reading through Carver’s insightful book.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to start their minimalist journey in their closet

Minimalist books to help free you from Technology

12. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focus Life in a Noisy World

Minimalism is not just about owning less stuff. It is also about simplifying every aspect of you life so that you can live intentionally with more purpose and value. If you are tired of letting your technology dictate how you live, Cal Newport shows how you can take back your life. Here, Newport explains that technology is neither good nor bad, and it can be used to support your goals and values if you have the right tools. Pulling inspiration from tech giants in Silicon Valley to Amish Farmers in Pensilvania, he shows that everyone can take steps to become free from the pull of modern tech.

Perfect for: Anyone who is tired of letting technology dictate their life

Minimalist books for taking it a step further

13. Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste

How much garbage do you produce each year? If you find yourself disgusted at the thought of taking out yet another bag of garbage to the dump, consider gaining wisdom from Zero Waste Home. Author Bea Johnson shares how she, her husband, and her two sons are able to produce a mere one quart of annual garbage. This zero waste life has had more of an impact that she originally thought, including gaining more family time and reducing their spending by 40%. Here, Johnson share her best advise, tips, and secrets to help you live a more purposeful and less waste-filled life.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to take minimalism to the next level by living consciously

Which minimalist books will you pick up first?

There are so many amazing options out there when it comes to giving you inspiration for decluttering.

As you begin your journey toward a simpler, more intentional life, the wisdom found in these minimalist books can guide and inspire you every step of the way. Whether you’re tackling a cluttered closet, reevaluating your habits, or seeking to align your faith and lifestyle, there’s a book here that can help you meet your needs.

Ready to take the first step? Start with one book that resonates most with your current goals. Then, share your progress in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your journey and favorite takeaways! Let’s embrace simplicity together!

This post was all about the best minimalist books to help you begin your journey toward a decluttered and waste-free home.

9 Ways to incorporate slow living principles into your life

Filed Under: Slow Living //

This post is about how you can incorporate slow-living principles into your day to live a more meaningful and purposeful life.

Slow living is all about living intentionally – deciding who and what you want to spend your time on instead of letting others decide for you. Often, we get so wrapped up in the busyness of life that we forget to take a step back and reflect on what it is we truly want. We come to the end of a long day, week, month, or even year, feeling discouraged and discontent. But unable to pinpoint why.

slow living principles
Here are my tried and true tips for slow living.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

If you are tired of being pushed around by the chaotic world around you, then these slow-living principles will help guide you to a more intentional life.

Incorporate Slow Living principles by Prioritizing people who matter

Imagine lying on your deathbed (depressing, I know). What do you wish you had done more of? For most people, the answer isn’t building up their career more, buying more things, or even going on more vacations. Instead, almost everyone says they wish they had spent more time with family and close friends. They wish they had prioritized the people who matter.

Instead of waiting until the end of your life to realize that people matter, how would your life look different if you started making people a priority today? Take a look at your life and how you spend your time. How many hours do you spend scrolling on social media, wishing you could be the mom who does those fun crafts, be the wife who plans those fun dates, or be the daughter who has weekly brunches with her mom? Although social media tends to give us a false impression of reality, it can also encourage us to take steps to being that very person. This week, see how you can prioritize people who matter to you by spending real, quality time with them.

Sit and watch your kids play for 10 minutes

One of the easiest (and hardest, if I’m being honest) ways to prioritize people is to sit with your kids. Turn off all distractions and enjoy joining in with them as they play. Do not take over their creative imagination, but immerse yourself in their world. See how long you can last before you move on to your next task.

Related Post: Slow Living Toddler | Easy Steps to a More Peaceful Life Together

Plan a weekly at-home coffee date with your husband

In a busy and expensive world, planning elaborate dates isn’t always possible. Whether your limitation be money, time, or both, there are plenty of ways to practice the principles of slow living by taking time to sit down with your spouse over a cup of home-brewed coffee. You can try waking up 20 minutes earlier to chat before you head off to work. Or make time on the weekend to reflect on each other’s weeks. As you practice making people a priority, you’ll be surprised at the different ideas that pop up.

Incorporate slow living principles by Building a community

Prioritizing individual relationships with people who matter is extremely important. But it isn’t everything. To truly slow down and experience the joy that people can bring, you need to immerse yourself in community.

This may sound daunting to some. I get it – I’m an introvert who was always the “shy kid” growing up. You couldn’t force me to go to an event with more than two people, and I could have entire conversations by just answering: “yup, nope,” and “I don’t know.”

However, since implementing different slow-living principles and practices into my life, I have realized the value of community. Now, one of my favorite parts of the week is inviting as many people as possible to our Sunday “Chicken and Waffles.” Not only is this a great and meaningful time for my husband and I, but we also have found that our friends request it if we happen to miss a week.

Start small

Building a community doesn’t have to be a big production. In fact, that would defeat the purpose of slowing down. Instead of trying to plan something completely new for you, see if there is a regular rhythm in your life that you can add community to. My husband and I had originally started doing chicken and waffles as an easy after-church meal. Once we discussed it with a few friends, we realized that they would love to join in! Because it was something that we already did, it made sense to expand it a bit so we could facilitate a growing community.

How to slow down
What do you prioritize?

Incorporate slow living principles by Taking time for gratitude

We live in a fast-paced, consumeristic world. Brands are always trying to sell you the next best thing, and influencers are more than happy to promote it. Instagram is full of curated lives that are often unrealistic. Facebook has post after post of discontented individuals looking for a safe place to rant.

In this chaotic world, take time to practice gratitude. Instead of longing for more, focus on being thankful for what you already have. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to intentionally work this slow living principle into your daily life.

Don’t wait for special occasions

How many items do you have that you wait to break out until the “right” occasion? Do you have special dishes that can only be used a couple of times a year? Or maybe you have some dresses that feel too fancy for everyday use. Instead of pushing your best to the back of a cupboard or closet, bring it out and use it daily. Often, when we wait, the right time never comes. So enjoy the things that you’ve told yourself are just for special occasions. Don’t hesitate. Realize that everyday is worthy of a little more joy.

Incorporate slow living principles by doing a No buy month

If you struggle with figuring out how to slow down, especially when it comes to finances, consider a no-buy month. This is about as simple as it sounds! Take a look at your monthly income, pay all of your bills and allocate funds to necessities such as food. Then, see how long you can last without buying anything that isn’t a necessity. You may be surprised at how much you were consuming just for the sake of consumerism.

Related Post: Christian Minimalism | How a Popular Concept Points to God

Incorporate slow living principles by taking a look at your schedule

If you are feeling overwhelmed in your daily life, take a look at your schedule. Chances are, there are things on there that aren’t adding value to you. When planning out your schedule, it may be helpful to first make a list of the things that are important to your that you want to prioritize, as well as the things that you must do. Allocate how much time per week you will spend doing those things, and then try to fill in your schedule around that. This is an especially helpful method if you find yourself burnt-out by the commitments you have made. Stopping to take intentional inventory of where your time is spent is one of the most beneficial slow living principles.

Prioritize the things that matter

Often, we let our calendar tell us what we must spend time on, rather than us telling our calendar. If that is where you find yourself, try to cancel or move anything on your schedule over the next couple of weeks that is not necessary and brings no benefit or enjoyment to your life.

Once you have lived through a week with your unhurried lifestyle, ask yourself what else you can change on your calendar to make slow living more possible.

Incorporate slow living principles by Creating rhythms in your life

If you spend any amount of time researching slow living practices, you will find that many people choose to have intentional rhythms built into their lives. This can take on many forms, but usually consists of daily, weekly, and monthly rhythms.

Daily Rhythms

Often, people choose to live intentionally but implement some form of a daily rhythm in their lives. This can help you center your day by allowing you to slow down and enjoy the moment. These rituals look different for everyone, but here are a few examples to help you get started with your own rhythms.

Related Post: Simplifying Life Biblically | How to Focus on What Matters

A morning ritual

Think of what a peaceful morning would look like for you. Perhaps it is waking up 30 minutes earlier so you can read a book and enjoy a cup of coffee before moving on with your day. Maybe it is incorporating some house chores before the kids wake up so you have more time to focus on them. Or, possibly, you would enjoy adding exercise to your day. No matter what activity you find peace-giving, this principle can aid you in your slow living journey.

Midday break

If you notice that you tend to get tired or overwhelmed in the middle of the day, that could be a sign that you need to implement a midday break. Setting a 30-minute timer to do a life-giving activity may be the key to reinvigorating your whole day.

Evening ritual

The end of the evening tends to be a time-waster that does not add value. Most people find themselves vegging out in front of the T.V., only to find themselves going to bed more tired than when they sat down. To build an evening ritual, start by giving yourself a consistent bedtime. Then, unwind from the day an hour before you’ve decided to be in bed. Turn off all screens and read a book, do a puzzle, pick up a hobby, or write in a journal. Taking this time before bed will help you to wake up each morning feeling more refreshed.

Weekly rhythms

There are many weekly rhythms you can start to help you slow down. Consider doing a Sunday reset where you reflect on your past week and plan out your upcoming one. You can also set aside a few hours to ensure you get to do something you love each week.

Monthly Rhythms

If you find joy in opening up a new planner each year and starting the new year with fresh goals, consider implementing a monthly rhythm. Use this time to reflect on the last month and set attainable goals for the upcoming season. Plan any activities that add value to your life and schedule those in. Make time for the people you love.

slow living principles
Where do you need to prioritize slow living today?

Incorporate slow living principles by Doing a digital detox

One of the best slow-living principles everyone should embrace is a digital detox. This can look different for each individual, and may even look different for you depending on the season of life you are in. But no matter the form your digital detox takes, you will experience the many benefits of slow-living.

If you are feeling overwhelmed in your daily life, consider removing all social media apps from your phone or setting a time limit for them. The average American spends around three hours a day staring at their screen, mindlessly scrolling through other people’s curated lives. Instead of living vicariously through everyone else, give yourself the time to do the things you dream of by removing the temptation of scrolling.

Another way to practice a digital detox is to limit passive forms of entertainment. This includes Netflix and other streaming services such as YouTube. Take a moment to consider how many hours each week you spend watching various shows. If you were given that amount of time added on to your week, what would you choose to do with it?

Over the next week, make time for the people and hobbies that matter to you by cutting down on your screen time.

Don’t be afraid of leisure time

if you aren’t using your phone to endlessly scroll and fill time, you’ll notice that you are bored and have a lot of downtime. Don’t be afraid of this leisure time. Rather, embrace it. Take time to discover new hobbies or remember old ones. Allow yourself to do those “useless” activities that you enjoy and add value to your life.

Incorporate slow living principles by Learning how to tidy

If you are tired of constantly cleaning your home without it ever feeling clean, learn how to tidy. Cleaning involves sweeping, wiping down counters, and doing the dishes. While this is important for making your home feel livable, tidying is the key to having it feel homey. Tidying means finding a designated place for everything in your home and decluttering anything that does not add value to your day. It also involves keeping floors and surfaces clear of clutter to help you achieve a clean feel – even if you haven’t cleaned. Take time each day to spend a few minutes tidying and decluttering. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your home.

Not everyday needs to be slow

The person who live a slow, intentional life knows that there are seasons for everything. This means that not every moment of every day will be “slow”. In fact, there may be some months where you need to prioritize picking up the pace, abandoning some of your rhythms, and getting things done. But when that season is over, don’t be afraid to jump right back into slow living practices in the way that serves you best.

What slow-living principles will you implement in your life this week to live more intentionally?

15 simple steps to begin decluttering your home today

Filed Under: Organization and Cleaning //

This post is all about giving you the right steps so you can begin decluttering your home today.

It can be easy to look around your home and feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter and not know where to start. Here are 15 tried-and-true tips to help you declutter by minimizing the overwhelm you feel.

Decluttering your home
Here are 15 of the best tips to help you begin decluttering your home today.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Are you someone who has tried decluttering before, only to give up when you feel overwhelmed? Or maybe you are new to this whole “decluttering” idea and have no idea where to start. Perhaps you’ve already done a successful full-house declutter, but are looking for ways to continue pairing down more.

No matter where you find yourself in your decluttering process, these 15 simple steps are sure to give you the inspiration you need to create your dream home.

15 simple steps to begin decluttering your home

If you are looking to easy-to-follow steps to help you declutter your home today, you’ve come to the right place! Here are my tried-and-true steps to decluttering and maintaining a clean home.

  1. Set a clear goal
  2. Begin with a small decluttering project
  3. Start with the trash
  4. Tackle one thing at a time
  5. Declutter anything you find on the floors
  6. Declutter anything you find on surfaces
  7. Try a no-spend month
  8. Try the “one-in, one-out” rule
  9. Declutter a problem area you see daily
  10. Create drop-zones
  11. Don’t keep decluttered possessions in your home
  12. Adopt the “joy-test”
  13. Set a daily timer
  14. Ask for help
  15. Celebrate small victories

Set a clear goal

Before decluttering your home, you must set a clear goal. Otherwise, as soon as the going gets tough, you’ll want to give up.

When setting your goal, think about what you want your home to feel like when you are done. Do you want an Instagram-worthy minimalist aesthetic, a clean but cozy home for welcoming company, or a fun yet organized playroom for your children?

No matter what your final vision is, write it down and be as specific as possible. This will help keep you motivated when you become overwhelmed by the decluttering process.

Begin with a small project when decluttering your home

If this is your first time decluttering, or if you tend to get overwhelmed whenever you clean, start with a small and manageable project. Instead of trying to declutter your entire bathroom, just pick one drawer or cabinet and see how much you can get done in five minutes. Instead of doing the entire closet (which could take hours), start with only your shoes and keep the ones you truly love.

No matter where you choose to begin your decluttering process, starting with a small project is the best way to keep you motivated. It does not require large amounts of time, and you get a feeling of accomplishment when you complete your task.

Ask yourself “what do I need to keep”

If you still find yourself getting stuck when working on a small project, ask yourself “What do I need to keep?” instead of “What can I get rid of?”. This important question shift can help you clearly see the things that are important to you because you will pull out the few items that you know you cannot part with. Then you can sort through whatever is left and either throw it away or place it in the donate pile.

Moving on to bigger projects when decluttering your home

Once you have mastered working through small projects, feel free to move on to a bigger project. Consider completing the whole bathroom or closet, being confident that you now have the skillset necessary to conquer it.

If the thought of working through an entire room or category still feels daunting, don’t be afraid to break it into smaller, more manageable projects. As soon as you finish one small section, simply move on to the next until you finish the whole area.

Start each home decluttering project by removing the trash first

It is easy to feel paralyzed when you look at a decluttering project in your home and are confronted by all of your possessions. That is why Danna K White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life, suggests starting with the trash. She says that when you look at a space, the very first thing you should do is remove all of the trash. This is a very easy first step because it only takes a few second to remove the things that are clearly trash. But it is also enough of a forward momentum that you now have enough motivation to continue in the decluttering process.

cleaning and organization
How can you create your dream home today?

Tackle one thing at a time

If you have started decluttering in the past but given up because you’ve felt overwhelmed, consider tackling just one thing at a time. So, instead of taking out all the clothes in your closet, only handle one piece at a time and decide immediately if it is trash, donate, or keep. This way, you can keep everythign hanging up in your closet and simply work you way from one end to the next. Then, even if you get stopped mid-closet, you will have completed at least a portion and you won’t find yourself with a mess to clean up.

Declutter anything you find on the floors of your home

One of the main reasons your home looks messy and cluttered is because of the things on your floor. If you are looking for a quick project that will bring about a lot of rewards, consider starting with the floors. Only furniture should be touching the floor – a simple rule that makes removing anything else easy.

If there are clothes on the floor, decide if they are worth keeping or donating and then put them in their correct location (donation bin, hanging in the closet, or dirty clothes basket). If there are kids’ toys, put them away or create a home for them by utilizing a large basket or storage bin.

Pick up anything that does not belong on the floor and put it away or toss it in the donate bin (or trash can).

Declutter anything you find on surfaces in your home

Although this will take more time than decluttering the floors, removing excess clutter from surfaces will have a profound impact on how you view your home.

Things tend to accumulate anywhere there is a flat surface, and most of the time, it is because those things have no home. When sorting through these things, decide what must be kept and immediately put them away or assign them a home so that they don’t clutter your surfaces again.

Try a no-spend month

Although there are so many great steps to take when decluttering your home, perhaps the best one to try is a no-spend month. This is exactly as it sounds. Looking at a calendar month, you will decide to only spend money on bills and necessities such as food.

A no-spend month is great for two reasons. First, it allows you to pause the incoming clutter so that you have less in your home to continuously declutter. And second, it shows you how many useless purchases you typically make, saving you money.

Use the “One-in, One-out” rule when decluttering your home

If a no-spend month sounds too extreme for you right now, try the “One-in, One-out” rule instead. This rule states that anytime you bring something into the house, something else (in the same category) must go.

For instance, if you buy a new sweater, one of your existing sweaters either needs to be donated or trashed. Ideally, this rule is used as a general rule of thumb that you are replacing things in your home that have been used and are past their prime or no longer serve you.

Declutter a problem area in your home that you see daily

If you are looking for a small decluttering project that will have a big impact on your home, declutter a problem area that you are affronted with daily. This could be your entry table as you come into your home, or your nightstand that no longer has room for your cup of water while you sleep.

By decluttering an area that you see and use daily, you will reap the benefits of a calm space in a short time, motivating you to continue on your journey.

Use this as a clutter-free zone

Once you have spent time decluttering your problem area, use it as a clutter-free zone. Be relentless in your quest to not let any clutter find its way back into this area. This will ensure that your space can stay clean with minimal effort on your end.

Create drop zones in your home

Maybe you have already spent some time decluttering, but you notice one place tends to accumulate clutter. Or maybe you find yourself always misplacing something because it does not have a designated space.

Consider creating drop zones throughout your home to help contain clutter. These are spaces that are specifically designed for you to “drop” certain things quickly. One example of a drop zone that I use is a drawer on my entry table for keys, wallet, and name badge. This ensures that I always know where these important items are and I don’t forget them on my way out the door.

Another example of a drop zone is a basket in your kitchen to catch your mail and other paper items before you get the chance to sort through them. Or a basket in your living room for the dog or kids’ toys.

Don’t keep decluttered possessions in your home

Although this one seems like a no-brainer, remember not to keep decluttered possessions in your home. When you are going through a room or category and removing all the trash, take it out to the dump as soon as you finish before moving on to the next step. If you fill a donation box while working through a category, immediately take it to your car to go to your local thrift shop. And if you finish decluttering a section of your home, but have not filled up a complete bag, don’t wait until it is full to take it to your donation center.

By removing your decluttered possessions from your home as soon as they are ready to go, you ensure that you can enjoy your newly cleaned space without feeling the need to rummage through your hard work and keep something you’ve already made the decision to let go.

Adopt the “joy-test”

Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up, uses the “joy test” for every possession in her home. In this method, you will hold every item in your decluttering category and, one by one, ask yourself, “Does this item spark joy for me?”. If the answer is “yes” then you can be confident in your decision to keep it. Likewise, if the answer is “no” then it is probably something that you can let go of.

Set a daily timer to keep the momentum for decluttering and maintaining your home

If you, like most of us, find yourself short on time and do not have an extended period of uninterrupted time to devote to decluttering your home, consider setting a daily timer. To do this, choose a specific time that you can set aside every day. This can be early in the morning, before your children wake up, when you get home from work in the afternoon, or before you wind down for the evening. The onyl thing that matters is that this can be a consistent time in your daily routine.

Then, choose how much time you can dedicate to the cleaning process. Anywhere from 5-30 minutes will make a huge difference in your home if you keep up with it.

Finally, when the time of day comes for decluttering, set a timer with whatever time you have chosen and see how much you can get done. Chances are, you will surprise yourself with your progress.

15 simple steps for decluttering
Here are the best steps to help you begin decluttering your home today.

Ask for help when decluttering your home

If you have tried decluttering, but always find yourself overwhelmed and discouraged, consider asking a friend for help. Sometimes it is nice to just have someone you can talk to and bounce ideas off of while you are sorting through your things and deciding what to keep.

Celebrate small victories when decluttering your home

No matter where you find yourself on your decluttering journey, remember to always celebrate the small victories. You do not have to complete a huge project to celebrate. Rather, congratulate yourself on each step of your journey. Be proud of yourself when you declutter a kitchen drawer. And celebrate when you clear out a box from your basement.

Allow the process of decluttering your home to be imperfect

In a world of Instagram aesthetics, it can be difficult not to compare your home or decluttering journey to another. Take a moment to instead look around your home and appreciate the hard work you put in. Remember, your first round of decluttering does not need to be perfect. Don’t get discouraged if you only declutter a few things from a drawer. Realize that decluttering is a process that takes time to learn.

It may not be perfect on your first pass-through, and that’s okay. All that matters when decluttering your home is that you are moving towards your end goal.

What will you start decluttering today? Let me know in the comments below!

This post was all about 15 simple steps to decluttering your home to give yourself your dream space.

Minimalism for small spaces | Creating a peaceful home

Filed Under: Minimalism //

This post is all about creating a peaceful home using concepts from minimalism for your small spaces.

Living in a small space can be frustrating as it feels like a constant struggle for control – control over clutter, storage, and the never-ending accumulation of things (especially if you have children). However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Minimalism offers the ability to live in a space you truly love, no matter the size. By prioritizing simplicity and intentionality, minimalism allows you to create a functional and peaceful home that you are always glad to come home to.

minimalism for small spaces
This post show you how to make minimalism work for your small spaces.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

My home is by no means minimalist. But it is tiny(ish). At 750sqft for three people and a puppy, it can get cluttered fast. Not to mention, there is no built-in storage. Below, I share some inspiration that helped make my home feel peaceful and functional, so you can, too. Whether you live in a tight apartment, a tiny house, or a trailer, embracing minimalism through these tips can help you make the most of your space.

Why minimalism works for small spaces

When most people think of minimalism, they picture an empty dining room with only one chair and place setting. Or they see a bedroom with the mattress directly on the floor and a small duvet covering it. Everything is black and white, and let’s face it, boring.

Thankfully, that is not the reality for most people who practice minimalism! Minimalism isn’t about depriving yourself from everything you enjoy and living without modern comforts. Instead, it is about being intentional with choosing what adds value to your life and removing the excess. This frees up the space in your home allowing you more mental clarity and peace of mind, giving you more time and energy to do what you enjoy.

The thing about small spaces is: they require this kind of intentionality. Every square foot matters when you live in a tiny apartment, making the minimalist approach the perfect choice.

Benefits of practicing minimalism for small spaces

Reducing the number of things in your home makes it open and inviting. Instead of being a space you dread returning to, it becomes a welcome environment that provides rest and relaxation. Here are some of the simple benefits of practicing minimalism in small spaces.

  • Less time spent cleaning | When you eliminate excess clutter in your home, you no longer need to spend time and energy caring for it. Instead of spending all weekend moving your clutter to clean around it, you can have a clean space in less than an hour, giving you time to enjoy your hobbies.
  • Brings more joy | Minimalism allows you to let go of anything that does not serve a purpose or bring you joy. When you only have things you use and love, you will experience more joy when walking through your home.
  • Facilitates more community | One of my favorite benefits of having a minimalist(ish) home is the community that comes from opening my house up to guests every week. Because I do not feel like I have to spend all day cleaning, I can focus on building community with family and friends.

What minimalism looks like in small spaces

Small spaces can get cluttered so quickly, which is why minimalism is such a valuable tool. Here is an example of some things you would find (or not find) in a minimalist home.

  • Clear the Clutter | Minimalist homes are usually clutter-free, with only one or two sentimental pieces on display.
  • Create storage where you can | Minimalists are great at making spaces out of nothing as part of their efforts to keep their houses open.
  • Consider less furniture | If you look at a minimalist home, you might notice less furniture. This is because minimalists keep only what they truly need and opt to let go of any furniture they do not use.

How to create your dream minimalist home

Before you can begin your journey towards minimalism, you must start with a mindset shift. Minimalism is not a one-time project but a lifestyle change that encourages using and loving what you have. Ask yourself what you value in life, and make changes so your home reflects that. Keep the things you use regularly, and consider donating whatever you haven’t touched (or thought about) in years.

minimalism tips
Small spaces don’t have to be a bad thing – Use these Minimalism tips to help you achieve your dream home.

Start with one room or category

Decluttering is key to minimalism, but it can feel overwhelming at times. So start with one room or category and work through your house. Don’t worry if there are days that you are feeling extra overwhelmed or you only have 20 minutes to declutter. Choose a small project for those days, such as cleaning out one shelf in your closet or a small section of a room you know you can get done.

One of the best areas to start your minimalism journey is in your closet. Clothes are something that everyone has in excess these days, and because you regularly wear your clothes, you know what you love and what can go.

Keep only the essentials

No matter what space you decide to declutter, you must make some tough choices. Consider following the “keep, discard, donate” method to help you in the process. If you come across something you love or use often, place it in the keep pile. When you find something you don’t love or use, feel free to put it in the donate pile or discard pile, depending on if the item is still good quality. Following this process will help you clear out your home quickly because you can take the discard directly to the trash and the donate can go straight to your local thrift store.

Another useful pile to have is the “time will tell” bin. Grab a large tote or garbage bag, and place anything you are unsure of inside. If, over the next 3-6 months, you decide you need something from that bin, you can easily retrieve it. Otherwise, don’t open it for 3-6 months and then go through it again. Now you should be able to tell if any of those items are worth keeping or if you can donate the box.

Clear the floors

If you’ve ever seen a picture of a minimalist house, one of the first things you will notice is the clear, open floors. This isn’t by accident – anything left on the floor tends to look like clutter, making the room feel smaller than it is. In small spaces, this effect is even more pronounced because there is no room to spare. Make it you goal in every room to only have furniture touching the floors and everything else picked up.
If you need some extra floor storage, consider a large basket for blankets or kids toys. This over-the-door hanging basket would be perfect to add to a closet to keep things out of sight. And a storage bench is the perfect addition to keep shoes concealed in the entryway.

clean off surfaces

Similar to having clear floors, having surfaces clear of clutter will free up brain space and save you from unwanted anxiety. Although those nicknacks were cute when you bought them, they tend to accumulate and overcrowd each other, making it so you don’t enjoy any of them. Kitchen appliances are also famous for stealing the joy out of cooking because you have to work around them. Declutter anything that is on open surfaces and see if you can find a home for anything that remains.

Related post: Christian Minimalism | How a Popular Concept Points To God

Take minimalism to the extreme in small spaces

Another thing to consider when it comes to decluttering is that we tend to only use 20% of our possessions 80% of the time. This is known as the Pareto Principle and can be helpful when making those tough decisions. If you want to make an extreme declutter, consider setting yourself a goal of getting rid of 80% of your possessions. You may surprise yourself by how much excess you have in your home.

minimalism for beginners
Where will you start minimizing your home?

Minimalism design tips for small spaces

Decluttering is the first step to gaining your minimalist home, but sometimes it isn’t enough to create the cozy space you dream of. A minimalist design promotes a home where you can relax and be comfortable, which is particularly beneficial in small spaces. Consider using some of these tried and true tips to create your dream minimalist space.

Use the same color palette

Typically, minimalists stick to a neutral color palette featuring whites, grays, and earthy tones. Although these colors do promote a calming aesthetic, don’t feel the need to get rid of color completely. Simply stick to one or two colors within your color palette while leaving the rest more neutral and cohesive.

use plain colors or simple patterns

Too many patterns can be overwhelming to the eyes, so try to stick to clean lines for furniture and decor. Although there is nothing wrong with having some pattern in your home, less is more when it comes to a minimalist design.

Use decor sparingly

Instead of displaying an entire row of Target finds on your shelves, consider choosing just a few meaningful pieces that bring you joy when you see them. A minimalist approach to decor allows your home to feel relaxed and uncluttered while emphasizing what is important to you.

Keeping it minimal

It can feel amazing to finally have your house decluttered and set just the way you like it. However, if you aren’t careful, over time things will accumulate back up and crowd your perfect home. In order to stop the chaos from erupting, consider implementing the “one in, one out” rule. This is as simple as it sounds. Anytime you bring something into your home, let it replace something you already own. For example, if you find the perfect cozy sweater, take a look inside your closet and evaluate if you have a sweater you no longer care for.

Another great way to keep your home clutter-free is to keep a donate box in a closet and anytime you come across something you no longer use or love, simply add it to the box. When the box becomes full, take it to your local thrift store with no regrets!

This post gave you tips and tricks on how to practice minimalism to keep your small spaces peaceful and functional.

Feel the calm: beneficial ways to declutter before Christmas

Filed Under: Minimalism //

This post shares the best list of things to declutter before Christmas to help you have a peaceful, relaxing, slow Holiday.

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed in your own house? Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time of the year. Instead, you find yourself in a rut, consumed with being unable to find what you want when you want it.

This year, choose to be proactive in making your home a peaceful holiday sanctuary by decluttering extra possessions that leave you feeling burnt out.

Here is a room-by-room list to help you declutter your home before Christmas. Now you can unlock the secret to a more restful season.

declutter before Christmas
Here are my best tips to help you declutter your home before Christmas

Before you begin: taking the stress out of decluttering

I get it, the thought of decluttering your entire home before Christmas sounds impossible. But let me assure you, it isn’t. Once you begin on this journey, you will find yourself moving quicker and quicker through the process as you gain confidence in your new skill.

If this is your first time doing a full home declutter, take a deep breath and enjoy the process. Check in with yourself regularly and reflect on how it feels to let things go. Consider taking before and after pictures to help encourage yourself when you need motivation.

If you have already done a full house declutter and are only looking for a few helpful tips, this may just be the place for you! As a self-proclaimed minimalist for the past five years, I have a lot of insight for keeping your house neat and tidy – even while adding a husband and a toddler!

A note to those who feel overwhelmed and guilty

Decluttering can be an overwhelming process, filled with feelings of shame or guilt. Maybe you look around and feel shame for not keeping your home in tip-top shape. Or maybe you feel guilty for getting rid of things that cost money or were gifts.

It’s okay to feel these feelings. However, please don’t give in to them. Use them to spur you on to greatness. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about making room for peace, joy, and the people you love. Letting go of the unnecessary makes space for moments that truly matter this holiday season.

Decluttering home decor

The first thing you will want to do to declutter before Christmas is to take a look at that pesky home decor. For this section, you will mainly be concerned about your living room and dining room, and maybe a multi-purpose room or home office if you have one. Here, you will focus on getting rid of any unwanted clutter to help your home feel more relaxed and ready for Christmas fun.

Follow this list to get started!

Clear the floors

If you want the quickest way to make your home feel less cluttered, look no further than cleaning those floors. For some reason, it is so easy for everyone in the family to leave things everywhere! Take a few minute to pick everything up off the floors. Make sure you are putting things where they belong; or, better yet, start a donate pile and get ready to let go of some things. Once your floors are cleared, give them a good vacuum or mop.

refresh your home
Give your home a quick refresh by clearing those floors!

Anything on surfaces must go!

You know how fast things can pile up if you have a coffee table, bookshelf, end table, entertainment center, or anything else with a flat surface. Set a timer and ruthlessly go through everything that sits on your surfaces. Chances are, if something is resting on a surface, it doesn’t have a home. Either find a permanent place for your item to belong, or add it to your donate pile.

Related Post: The Ultimate Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist You Need

Extra throw pillows, blankets, and knickknacks

I don’t know of a single Christmas where I haven’t received a blanket or some other form of “cozy” home decor. So, before Christmas even has a chance to roll around, consider a big declutter of any extra blankets, throw pillows, or random knickknacks you may have.

Once you have finished with these three steps, take a deep breath and look around. Is your home feeling more peaceful?

Now let’s continue.

Declutter Old Christmas Decorations before you put them out

Every year, we tend to accumulate new Christmas decor. This is normal as styles change and you find new decorations you love and can’t live without. But instead of keeping everything from the last 20 years, consider going through and donating any decoration you own, but wouldn’t buy today.

Once you have paired down on your decorations, have a blast putting them out! You may notice that your home reflects your style more than in years past because you are only putting up what you truly love.

Declutter the garage and storage areas before Christmas

Now that you have some space cleared from where your Christmas decorations once sat, you may feel motivated to clean out some other storage as well. Consider getting rid of any bikes your family has outgrown, or camping gear from that one trip you took 10 years ago.

full house declutter
You can create a peaceful home by only keeping what you love.

Feel free to be ruthless when it comes to clearing out your storage areas. For most people, things stored are things forgotten. These are things that are likely to never be used again, so you might as well donate them so they can enjoy a new life with someone else.

Declutter the bedrooms before Christmas

Clear the closets

Christmas is the perfect time to clean out your closet because it falls in the middle of a season. Instead of waiting until the season is over to decide whether you wore something, you can clear up some space in your closet by deciding now. Go through all of your “winter” clothes and ask yourself which ones you truly love and would buy again today if you saw them in a store. Go ahead and let everything else go.

Clean out the kids toys

Kids accumulate so many toys so quickly! Before you have an influx of new toys come into your home, go through and get rid of anything your children have outgrown. If there are any broken toys, you can also let those go. And if there are toys you never see your kids play with, you can donate those with confidence.

Declutter the bathrooms before Christmas

Although you may not think you need to declutter your bathroom before Christmas, I’m here to show you why it’s a necessity.

Clutter tends to accumulate so quickly in the bathroom. Anything from skincare to razors to styling tools and so much more are constantly brought in. Take some time to go through each of these following categories and declutter anything that no longer serves you.

  • Makeup – throw out any expired products and only keep ones you love
  • Hair care – only keep the items you regularly use
  • Feminine products – don’t feel compelled to keep products you loved five years ago but no longer use
clean your bathroom
Make you bathroom a sanctuary for getting ready in the morning.

Declutter the Kitchen the week before Christmas

One thing you can count on with Christmas is lots of yummy food in your tummy. Whether you are a baking fanatic or tend to burn everything you touch, chances are, your kitchen requires a good declutter.

Cupboards and drawers

Now is a good time to go through all of your cupboards and drawers and declutter anything that you haven’t used in a while.

Pantry

Before you bring in a bunch of new baking ingredients and savory snacks, consider doing a full pantry declutter. Throw out anything that is past the date. Consider donating non-perishable goods to your local food pantry if you know you won’t use them. Finally, get rid of any ingredients that were a one-off purchase that you don’t know how to use.

declutter before Christmas
Make room for new ingredients and create lasting memories by clearing out your pantry.

Once you’ve cleared everything out, take some time to organize it when putting it back. Make a note of what ingredients you have and what you still need before doing any more Christmas shopping.

Fridge

Right before Christmas, you’ll want to declutter and clean out your fridge so that you’ll have room for all those tasty leftovers. Look through everything and throw out anything that is expired. I’m always surprised by my condiments’ short expiration dates. Make a plan to eat up anything perishable before Christmas so that you have maximum storage for pre-Christmas ingredients and after-Christmas delights.

Related post: Christian Minimalism: How a Popular Concept Points to God

Well, there you have it: a complete guide to help you declutter your house before Christmas! Comment below on where you plan to start!

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist You Need

Filed Under: Organization and Cleaning //

This post provides the best Thanksgiving cleaning checklist to get your home in tip-top shape!

Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on your blessings, sharing laughter and conversation with family and friends, and eating delicious food. But if you are hosting the big meal this year, you may be more focused on how your house looks than counting your blessings. This ultimate Thanksgiving checklist will help you be prepared for your company, so you can truly enjoy them and not worry about forgetting anything.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist
This is the best Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist to turn your house into a home!

Before you Get started with the Thanksgiving cleaning checklist

Undertaking Thanksgiving cleaning can be a big task, and this checklist is meant to help you get though it in one piece. Before you get started, here are a few popular questions to help you begin.

Who is this checklist for?

This checklist is for anyone with a home (or an apartment) whether or not you are hosting the main meal. If you are hosting, this checklist will help you get everything clean and ready to go. But even if you do not find yourself in that role, this list is a great tool to help you do a full house clean and get all those places you usually forget.

How long will it take?

Well, it depends! First, is your house relatively clean or dirty to start? Is your home large or small? And how many people (if any) do you need to prepare for? Do you have all day, or only evenings after work to get ready? All of your answers will play a role in how long it will take to clean.

For most people, you can expect to take anywhere between 1-3 days, although some will need upwards of a week.

Do I need to follow the checklist in order?

No! The great news is, you can do this checklist in any order. If you are very limited on time, then start at the top. I’ve placed the most common cleaning needs at the beginning of the list.

If you are starting a week early, you may want to jump around and even start at the bottom of the list. That way you can be sure the things everyone will see are fresh and clean for the big day.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist: The Kitchen

The kitchen will become a very busy place on Thanksgiving day (and even the day before), so making sure it is clean should be a top priority.

Floors and Counters

Before you begin tackling anything in the kitchen, take a look around. Is there anything on the floor that does not belong? Pick it up and put it away. You’ll be surprised at how much that simple act does for making your kitchen look clean.

The same thing applies to your countertops. Anything that does not belong needs to go. With the remaining appliances, ask yourself how many need to remain on the counters for Thanksgiving. You probably don’t need the toaster or the air fryer out, so put those in a cabinet to clear precious countertop space.

Holiday cleaning checklist

Clean stinky appliances

The oven is an appliance that most of us use every day, yet we rarely ever give it a deep clean. Most ovens have a self-cleaning cycle, so if you have that, go ahead and get it done. If not, you’ll have to use a little elbow grease. Scrub the inside until it shines (or doesn’t have burnt bits of food everywhere). Moving on to the outside of the oven, wipe down all the surfaces. Then take off the grates and give those a good scrub too.

Depending on your dishwasher, it also might need a good scrub. Living in an apartment, my dishwasher is probably older than I am, so I like to use a strong detergent and run it through a cycle. I also take a washcloth and wipe down its surfaces til they shine.

The sink always seems to accumulate gross smells. If you have a garbage disposal, you can throw in some ice cubes and lemon and turn it on. This freshens it up immediately. Otherwise baking soda and vinegar (or lemon juice) down the drain does the trick. Don’t forget to scrub the sink and surrounding surfaces.

The garbage can may not be an appliance, but boy does it tend to stink. Take a few minutes to clean it out. You may have to scrub the sides or let the bottom soak to get all the grime off it.

Extra dishes

If you plan on using dishes that you don’t regularly use, chances are they’ll need a good scrubbing. Go ahead and get those out and cleaned now so you’re not rushing to do it the day of.

Fridge and pantry

Because Thanksgiving deals with so much food, no cleaning checklist would be complete without a fridge and pantry makeover.

For the fridge, throw out any expired food or leftovers. You’ll have plenty of new delicacies to add after your tummy is full. It might also be a good ideas to group any ingredients you’ll need for a dish together. That way you won’t have to search for them when you’re preparing everything.

Organize your pantry so that you know what you have before you go shopping. This will save you money from buying duplicates and will also help you make sure you get everything on your list so you don’t have to go back to the store.

Floors

Once your kitchen is clean and put together, you’ll want to sweep and mop your floors. This should always be the final step so they don’t get dirty as soon as you finish.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist: The entryway

First impressions tend to be a big deal. That’s why making sure your entryway is in tip-top shape is important. If you have a shoe rack, could you make some room on it for your guests? If you have a coat closet, maybe room could be made there? Or maybe you have an entryway table. Does it need to be cleaned off? No matter how big or small your entryway may be, ensure that it is free of clutter and the floors are clean before your guests arrive.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist: The Dining Room

Other than the entryway and the kitchen, you can be sure the dining room will be the most popular room in the house come Thanksgiving.

Floors

Once again, start with the floors and pick up anything that doesn’t belong. You should ideally only have the table and chair legs touching the floor, and maybe a hutch if you have one. You will also want to end your dining room portion of the Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist by scrubbing the floors until they gleam.

Holiday cleaning checklist

Table and Chairs

Make sure all of your chairs are wiped down. This is especially important if you have tiny toddlers who love to through their food at every meal. You may want to have a decorative tablecloth on the table for the big day. Or you may even want to set out dishes early so you aren’t stressing the day of. Choose whatever works best for you and do it with confidence!

Hutch and extra storage

If you have a hutch or extra storage in your dining room, then you may want to clean them out and organize them before you have company. For most people, this step is unnecessary, but if you have the extra time, this is a good way to downsize.

Related Post: Christian Minimalism: How a Popular Concept Points to God

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist: The Bathrooms

Chances are, if you’re having company, they’ll need to use the bathroom. And this space might need to be a priority since no one likes using a dirty bathroom.

Again, start by making sure there is nothing unnecessary on the floors or counters. Then, begin by going top to bottom. Start with the mirror and then the bathroom counter. Do you have soap for your guests to wash their hands and a hand towel to dry? Make sure you give the toilet a good scrub before moving on to the floors. If you have a bath or shower, clean that up. Before you are finished, double check your supply of anything your guests will use? Is there enough toilet paper? Will they be staying overnight and need towels for their shower? Make sure everything is visible so they don’t have to awkwardly search for it.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist: The Living Room

Most people like to continue the dinnertime conversation in the living room, or kick back and watch the game after the meal. If you are planning on using your living room to host, here is some more tasks to check off on your thanksgiving cleaning checklist.

Floors

The floors are a catch-all for random possessions, especially in the living room, so pick up anything that doesn’t belong. Then, you can give them a good vacuum or sweep and mop to get them ready for company.

Coffee Tables and Bookshelves

Clear off the top of your coffee table and wipe it down. Then be very intentional about what you put back on it. Take a look at your book selves. Do they need to be dusted and maybe even decluttered? Go ahead and get those looking fresh. Your T.V. may also benefit from a good dusting, and your entertainment center may thank you if you clean it off.

Couches

Couches tend to accumulate a lot of crumbs and pet hair. Take off the cushions and vacuum all around them. If your cushions themselves are looking a little worse for wear, consider giving them a good scrub to freshen them up as well.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist: The Bedrooms

While cleaning bedrooms may not be essential for everyone’s Thanksgiving cleaning checklist, you may consider it if you have guests spending the night or children playing in the kids rooms.

Bed and nightstands

Make sure the guest bed is all ready to go with clean sheets. The nightstands may need a good dusting if it’s been a while since you last had guests, and the inside drawers may need to be cleaned out.

Dresser and closets

It can be so easy to turn a guest room into extra storage. If this is the case, consider using this opportunity to declutter. Remove anything from the dresser and closets that your guest won’t need and decide if it is really worth keeping. With whatever remains, see if there is a better home for it. You’ll want your guest room to be cozy and inviting to make your company feel at home.

What do you need to do on your Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist?

Is there anything on the Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist that I missed? Let me know in the comments below! Otherwise, what do you need to tackle to get your home in ready for the Holiday?

©Uncoveredjoy About - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Disclaimer - Contact - Copyright