Nothing is more soothing than the gentle neutral hues, curated countertops, and clean coffee tables of a kitchen or living room inspired by minimalism. But having a truly minimalist home comes down to much more than design choices—it’s also about keeping each room clutter-free.
Whether you’ve recently redecorated in this style or need small ways to stay on top of decluttering, these are the items a designer (and self-confessed minimalist) clears out on a daily basis to keep her home a consistently calming space.
Old and Empty Toiletries
According to home designer and minimalist Nina Lichtenstein, having a clutter-free home can do wonders for keeping a clear mind. This is especially true in spaces like the bathroom, which can transform into a spa-like sanctuary to unwind in when maintained well.
“A tidy home isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a space where you can breathe, think, and feel at ease,” she says. “Whether it’s an empty shampoo bottle or skincare container, toss toiletries as soon as they’re used up to keep your space functional and visually appealing.”
Keeping bathtub sides and shower shelves as pared-back as possible will also make cleaning the bathroom a breeze, and help you to avoid the dreaded midshower moment of realizing the product you need has actually run out.
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Receipts and Tags
Between grocery shopping and morning coffee runs, Lichtenstein warns a pile of receipts can creep up quickly.
And although they’re important to keep during an item’s return period or to file expenses, she says addressing and clearing out each piece of paper will help keep your desk decluttered and your countertop clear—and will make finding the one you need much easier if you do end up needing to send something back.
“Once you’ve committed to keeping an item, receipts and tags no longer serve a purpose,” Lichtenstein says. “Shoving these into drawers or bags creates clutter that is far too easy to ignore until it becomes overwhelming.”
Online Shopping Packaging
Whether it’s Amazon finds, capsule clothing items, or household essentials, online orders are a staple of everyday life—even for minimalists. Nonetheless, Lichtenstein says the packaging they arrive in can be a top contributor of clutter.
“Cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap add up quickly,” she says. “Break them down, and recycle or dispose of them as soon as your orders arrive to free up space.”
To keep flattened boxes and packaging out of sight until recycling day, try keeping a lidded container in a coat closet near the front door, or a multisection garbage can and recycling bin in your kitchen.
Non-Essential Mail
Digging through a giant pile of envelopes and ads to find those few important bills can be a nightmare, which is why Lichtenstein recommends sorting through and throwing out unnecessary pieces of mail as soon as your daily delivery arrives.
“Paper clutter is one of the biggest culprits of chaos,” Lichtenstein says. “Tossing junk mail and expired coupons daily keeps counters clear and prevents a mountain of unnecessary paper from piling up.”
If you’re an avid newspaper or magazine reader, she also advises recycling each weekly and monthly edition as soon as you’re done browsing.
Broken or Damaged Items
Although we may have every intention of fixing a broken appliance, piece of kitchenwear, or clothing item with a hole in it, Lichtenstein believes if we don’t make the repair right away, it’s unlikely to get done in the future.
“That chipped mug or broken phone charger you’ve been meaning to fix? If it’s been sitting around for a while, it’s time to part ways,” she says. “These items only add guilt and visual clutter.”
Out-of-Date Food and Empty Containers
Another area of the home Lichtenstein always tells her clients to focus on keeping clear is the kitchen. Cooking can be a lot of fun when ingredients are a breeze to find, but can turn sour quickly if you stumble upon something expired or unusable hiding in your fridge or pantry.
“Nothing drags down the vibe of your kitchen faster than forgotten leftovers or wilting produce,” she says. “By doing a quick daily fridge scan, you’ll keep your kitchen fresh and avoid unpleasant odors and surprises later.”
To streamline things even more, keep the week of meals ahead in mind as you’re cooking, and compost or throw away any perishable ingredients you won’t be needing for future meals as soon as you’re done with them.
Old Cleaning Supplies
Making use of the best cleaning supplies will keep your newly decluttered home in top shape—but a collection of almost-empty spray bottles, too many products, brushes, and old cloths could end up having the opposite effect.
There’s also one item in particular Lichtenstein says to stay on top of swapping out.
“Sponges can harbor bacteria and lose their cleaning power over time,” she says. “Replacing them regularly (and tossing the old one promptly) ensures a cleaner home and healthier kitchen.”
Small Miscellaneous Items
The final clear-out category Lichtenstein recommends keeping on top of as a minimalist is broad— but it’s also one of the most important, and can impact every room in your home.
“Little odds and ends such as paperclips, loose buttons, and bent bobby pins seem insignificant, but can quickly overwhelm small spaces like drawers,” she says. “If you don’t have a use for them, toss them.”
These small, unmatched items can extend outside of your junk drawer, too, so make sure to keep an eye on your closet, bathroom, and jewelry storage for any stray socks, loose earring backings, and random lids without products to go with them.