With the rising cost of living, soaring house prices and most lenders employing even stricter approval criteria on mortgage applications, it's becoming harder than ever for people to buy a traditional two or three-bedroom home. So, for these reasons, tiny homes have become a viable option for many people, particularly those wanting to take their first step onto the property ladder.
The tiny home lifestyle celebrates simplicity, sustainability and mindful living. It also saves you hundreds of thousands of dollars in terms of the cost of a home and a significant amount of money for utilities.
However, if you are looking to purchase a tiny home, whether that be your first property as a couple or seniors downsizing for freedom, it can present a few challenges. Not least when it comes to decluttering.
So, in this post, we'll show you how to prepare for moving into a tiny home by embracing minimalism and mastering the art of decluttering.
What is Minimalism?
Before you can embrace minimalism, you need to understand what it is all about.
The concept of minimalism originated in the art world of New York City in the late 1950s. It later found its way into the world of architecture in the mid-to-late 1980s, when fashion stores were created that embodied large spaces with white elements, very few pieces of furniture and cold lighting.
Essentially, the concept of minimalism is about simplifying life to focus on what truly matters. It is about making a deliberate choice to lead a life that derives fulfilment from experiences and relationships rather than accumulating material possessions.
In terms of tiny homes, a minimalist philosophy helps to make the most out of limited space to create a clutter-free environment that is homely, cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable. It is about being happy with simpler and smarter living.
Audit Your Belongings
You can't fit a full pint of beer into a half-pint glass. Likewise, if you currently live in a bigger property than the tiny home you intend to move into, you won't be able to fit all your possessions into it. Subsequently, you are going to need to declutter.
The best way to do this is to audit what you currently own. Take the time to sort through all of your possessions and categorize them into piles of items that you want to keep, donate, recycle and discard. If you have the space - for instance, a back garden - it is a good idea to do this outside to start the mental process of removing these items from your home.
When sorting through your possessions, the chances are you will soon put aside lots of things for recycling and rubbish. To save you the time and hassle of getting rid of them it is worth enlisting the service of professional companies like 1300 rubbish removalists who will dispose of it responsibly in an eco-friendly way.
Despite one's best intentions to follow minimalist principles, some people struggle initially to let go of their possessions - placing too many things into the 'keep' pile. To avoid this, it is worth adopting the KonMari Method. Popularized by Marie Kondo, this systematic approach to decluttering involves only keeping items that 'spark joy'. As it encourages a mindful and intentional approach to material possessions, this reasoning process is a good tool to adopt for anyone moving into a tiny home.
Practical Tips for Decluttering
In a tiny home, every square inch counts. So, it is important to choose a handful of adaptable furniture pieces that can serve multiple purposes. Typically this could take the form of a dining table that doubles as a workspace or a sofa that can turn into a bed - essentially anything that maximizes limited space while reducing the need for excess furniture.
At the same time, whilst you should be aiming to reduce the number of furniture pieces you need, you should also aim to reduce what you put inside them. This is especially true for your kitchen cupboards, where it is better to have fewer pots, pans and crockery at your disposal. It is also true for your wardrobe where you should embrace the concept of creating a capsule - a minimalist approach to clothing that involves curating a small collection of pieces that are timeless and versatile.
Emotional Challenges
When it comes to decluttering, some people find it very difficult to overcome the emotional attachment they have with their possessions. However, it is important to recognize that any memories they have are tied to the experiences themselves, not a specific object - which was a single part of it. Therefore, you should try and let go of items which no longer bring you happiness or serve a useful purpose.
That said, if any of your possessions have sentimental value - particularly to a friend or loved one that is no longer with you - it can be much more difficult to part with them. If you find yourself facing this situation you should consider creating a memory box. Doing this means you'll be able to store all your small mementos in one central space, instead of keeping all of them on display and cluttering your living space.
You may also want to rotate some of your trinkets, photographs, artworks, cushions, rugs and other display items on a regular basis, putting the rest in boxes which you can keep in storage until it's their turn to bring them out.
Storage Solutions
Talking of storage, just because you are moving into a tiny home doesn't mean you won't have any. There are plenty of innovative ways you can incorporate it within the layout.
For instance, you can take advantage of vertical space by putting in tall shelves, wall-mounted storage units and vertical organizers, which will enable you to store items without sacrificing floor space.
At the same time, you should also pick furniture pieces like bed frames with drawers, coffee tables with lift-up tops and ottomans with hidden storage. They offer clever solutions to maintain a minimalist aesthetic while hiding away items that are not in constant use.
Mental Preparation
As well as the physical preparation for moving into a tiny home, you will also need to mentally prepare for it too, particularly if you have been living in a bigger property. To successfully do this, it is wise to embrace simplicity and be both flexible and adaptable.
When living in a tiny home you should be prepared to let go of any baggage you have, whether that be physical or emotional. At the same time, you should adjust your mindset and routines to really commit to living in a smaller space.
Ultimately, tiny home living is a lifestyle that embraces simplicity, so you need to shift your focus firmly away from pursuing material possessions towards experiences, relationships and personal growth. In short, you should appreciate the little things in life and find joy in the essentials.
Practice Sustainable Consumption
As you prepare for tiny home living, you need to jump on board with sustainable consumption. Essentially, this requires you to prioritize quality over quantity in all aspects of your life, but especially in what you own. So, opt for high quality, durable and long-lasting items that have been made through eco-friendly materials and practices.
Moreover, if you find yourself in a position where you no longer need something, instead of discarding it for landfill, make sure you donate what you don't want to charity or send it to a recycling center where it will be disposed of responsibly.
Final Thoughts
Thanks to TV shows like Tiny House World, Tiny House Nation, Tiny House Hunting and Tiny House Mansions, more people than ever are embracing the idea of moving into a tiny house of their own.
Don't be fooled though, if you currently live in a regular two or three-bedroom property, organizing your move - and in particular the process of decluttering - can be a huge undertaking and adjustment, which frankly is not for everyone.
However, if you adopt a positive mindset and are a resilient person, the financial benefits of moving into a tiny home (especially if you own it) and the dream of living a more intentional and fulfilling life, make the whole endeavor very much worthwhile.
