I’m working with a client to specifically help her find storage pieces. Some friends also recently moved into a new rental. The common theme is how much stuff we all seem to have. But how to we reduce the stuff in our homes? I don’t like the idea of minimalism. It has a scarcity feel rather than the less is more approach. The less is more approach is easier to implement when managing the stuff and clutter in your home. It offers a simpler strategy than minimalism.
What is minimalism?
Minimalism was popularised recently through The Minimalist blog. Their blog talks about living without clutter and living meaningful lives with less.
But…and there’s a big but, less goes against everything we’ve been trained to behave in a capitalist world.
We all know that we are subject to advertising messages to tell us to buy more stuff all the time. These messages are constant and allow us easily to buy more through our devices at any time.
It’s one thing if you’re single but if you have kids it’s even more difficult to manage stuff. Stuff you need for school, activities as well as stuff you don’t need like broken toys.
Essentially the minimalist approach is an uphill battle. It also makes us feel like we’re missing out.
Why less is more is better?
In interior design, the approach of less is more is a guiding principle. This principle also applies to other design disciplines like architecture and furniture design.
The idea of less is more actually comes for the design centre of the Bauhaus design school. Specifically, the less is more approach was made well know by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
In architecture the idea of less is more aims to ensure that simplicity and clarity leads to good design. From an interior design perspective I like this approach when thinking about stuff. Stuff like furniture, furnishings and decor.
To use a space as functionally intended, we need certain things. For example in a kitchen we need a cutlery set. So, why not buy the best quality cutlery set you can afford in your style. Use it, enjoy it, and treasure it.
There’s no need to buy more than one cutlery set if you’re one person. It is not necessary because there is a sale. It is also not necessary because you might entertain a large group of people some time in the future. Obviously if you’re a family you might need two cutlery sets.
I use the less is more approach with my bed linen for example. I love 100% linen bedding. But I have a dog who sleeps with me. Previously, I would have linen for everyday that wasn’t such good quality that I didn’t mind the dog sleeping on.
Now I’m happy to have just two sets of linen bedding. Both the dog and I enjoy this little piece of everyday luxury. Just two sets of bedding, no more, no less.
Another example is that I have two jugs. One glass and one black ceramic French Provincial jug. I don’t need anymore jugs. One I use for water when I have guests. The other I use as a everyday as vase with dried eucalyptus.
My preference to dealing with stuff, rather than minimalism is to have the best quality things I can buy. And enjoy them. This is an abundant mindset rather than a minimalist mindset. Which is easier to get your head around.
I also declutter regularly because I like to know what I have and find it easily when I need it. In general, the less is more approach to stuff suits me. It means my house is full of good quality things I love.
