Quality over quantity: 8 Minimalist Lifestyle Tips
Have you ever heard the phrase, “quality is better than quantity?” or “quality over quantity?”
Choosing quality over quantity in the items you purchase for your home allows for more sustainable living.
When the things you own are long-lasting it allows you to have less clutter, as the items won’t be breaking and need replacement as often.
It allows you to practice intentional living with fewer things to worry about replacing down the road, which in turn will save time and will save more money.
And hopefully, those little benefits make your space and life feel overwhelming less of the time.
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Minimalist living tips for your kitchen
The kitchen can be one of the most gadget-centric places in your home.
Its a room for cooking and congregating with loved ones. And somehow, many of us end up with a lot of stuff in this particular one room.
One of the most useful minimalist tips for this room is to keep counters as clutter-free as possible, leaving out only what is absolutely necessary.
But at the same time, you also don’t want to overwhelm your cabinets with stuff.
So if you’re trying to live a more minimalist lifestyle, perhaps you could consider which items are taking up space in your kitchen that aren’t really necessary.
Are there any items that you have that are multi-purpose? For example, if you have a crock-pot, rice cooker and an instant pot you could consider getting rid of the crock-pot and rice cooker, since the instant pot has both functionalities.
Perhaps you can take stock of the cookware that you own. Do any of these things serve multiple purposes? Or, if some of your cookware is in need of replacement, it may be time to weigh your options and decide if your financial situation will permit you to invest in more durable, multi-purpose items (such as a La Creuset pot you could use on the stove as well as in the oven).
Keep in mind that minimalist living is not about replacing what you have simply so that you can have less stuff. Instead, some of the core values are living simply and practicing gratitude and mindfulness.
Embracing minimalism does not mean that you need to throw out all of your items, but when you’re in the market to replace some of your items, consider more enduring items/ items that can be multi-use.
A couple of staple multi-use items include:
- La Creuset pot
- Instant Pot
- Strainer/steamer
- Mixer/blender
- Coffee maker/espresso/hot water
A place to rest – tips for a sustainable bedroom
One of perks of shifting to a minimalist mindset is providing yourself with a sense of peace and contentment in your own home.
It’s why one of the places you’ll find people making over into their bedrooms when they start shifting to minimalist living.
Here, it is popular to make the items in your bedroom intentional.
For example, selecting a bed frame that is simple, but durable. And bedding that is inviting and cozy.
Capsule wardrobes and choosing clothing that lasts
One of the most popular minimalist lifestyle options that involves clothing is the capsule wardrobe.
The basis for a capsule wardrobe is minimizing your daily choices and giving yourself a simpler morning routine.
A capsule wardrobe essentially boils down to have a set number of clothing and accessories you choose from for a given amount of time, for example, 3 months.
In most circumstances, these clothes and pieces are all able to be mixed and matched, creating a much larger number of outfit choices.
Sound like something worth exploring? Project 333 is a great minimalist wardrobe challenge to help get you started.
If the capsule wardrobe, or something similar, isn’t quiet your pace, investing in a couple of well made pieces may be another option for choosing quality over quantity.
Owning some simple, durable items of clothing may perhaps cut down on the clutter of worn out clothing with short shelf lives.
An added bonus: spending less time on clothes, means you can focus on other things.
Some brands that offer sustainable, durable clothing options:
Sentimental items
If you’re used to having lots of knick knacks, one thing you may focus on as you begin to think like a minimalist is evaluating which of these items are sentimental and which are taking away from your goal of living a more intentional life.
If everything you look at is sentimental, you may need to reevaluate which of these items are quality, and which are just taking up space.
One of the most popular ways those living the minimalist lifestyle choose to sort through these items is to start by weaning out duplicates. For example, if you have multiple photographs that look similar, perhaps you hold on to only the best.
Or if you have a mounting stack of artwork from your children, keep a handful of your favorites and/or scan some of the art onto your computer so that you don’t lose items with significant value to you.
A minimalist mindset on kid’s items
It seems as though, as soon as the word “baby” is uttered, prices go up and everything is suddenly a “must have” item.
But part of the minimalist lifestyle is NOT giving in and purchasing every single baby item the world says you need.
Instead of putting every little item on your baby registry, for example, focus on the necessities for your family.
But just because you’re living minimally with children, it doesn’t mean you have to forgo the amenities many of these children’s items.
Things like dressers can double as a dresser and diaper changing table. Convertible cribs can be purchased which can be turned into a toddler bed and subsequent “big kid” bed. Strollers can be purchased that convert to accommodate as many as 3 children.
Look for lifetime guarantees
When you choose to spend your money on items for their quality, one of the most important parts is keeping an eye out for lifetime guarantees.
Minimalist living often includes sustainable living, which means generating less trash and saving more money! Win-win.
Get rid of stuff on a regular basis
Minimalism is not a destination, but it is absolutely a process.
Keeping tabs on items as they come into your house and getting rid of items on a regular basis gives you more time.
One good rule some people choose to abide by is to get rid of one item for everything that comes in. It lessens the amount of energy you need to put into your house as time progresses.
But remember, minimalism isn’t a numbers game. You get to create your own rules that fit your own minimalist lifestyle.
Remember that its a process
Minimalism isn’t an all-or-nothing game.
You and the members of your family will likely all have different tips for making your minimalist living work for you.
Practicing mindfulness with the items brought into your home and spending more energy on making your items quality takes time and energy. It’s a lifestyle change and not something that happens overnight.
So give yourself time — time to make sure the items you are replacing are worth the money so that they make your minimalist living process easier; time to adjust to having less stuff; and time to practice gratitude for the items you do have.
