Setting up a Simple Living Home
Setting up a simple living home is a great way to create a space that is efficient, less cluttered, and more organized. By letting go of what is unnecessary and using tools to streamline items in each space, you will transform your home, bringing a bit of simplicity to your days.
Living a simple life by setting up an creating a space that helps you reduce the overwhelm and be more efficient with your time each day.
In a world that seems to always be running at high speed, the idea of simple living has grown in popularity. For many, our days are crammed full of tasks, chores, and commitments, and it seems there is no end in sight. Each day is busier than the last, and in our want of more things, we keep working to earn a salary that supports our hectic lifestyle. It’s a vicious circle that can make us miserable if we are not careful.
Whether you are an empty nester like me and long for quieter more relaxed days or a young homesteader that wants to be more self-sufficient, this guide will help you get there.
Understanding Simple Living
To set up a true simple living home it’s important to understand what simplicity means. At its core, simple living is about removing the unnecessary from your life to make room for what truly matters.
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When it comes to your home, it means keeping the things you need, use and love, and letting go of the rest.
Simple living isn’t just a trend; it’s a way of life. By clearing the clutter, you’re not just tidying up — you’re actively choosing what brings value to your life. Decluttering your space and your schedule will free up time that you can now fill with memories and more intentional living.
Even though many people are drawn to simple living, they tend to turn away from any mention of minimalism. Let’s talk about the differences so you can better understand the role that each word plays.
Simple living is removing the struggle and hardness of a busy and hectic life.
Minimalism is reducing the amount of stuff you own and have in your home to free up space.
In order to set up a simple living home, you will need to incorporate minimalism because you can’t have one without the other. Now, I am not saying you need to start chucking everything you own out the door. What I am suggesting is you open yourself up to the idea of decreasing the amount of things that you have.
The bottom line is that minimalism is about focusing on what truly brings joy and purpose, and that means the absence of things can be far more enjoyable than their presence.
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Setting Up Your Simple Living Home
Creating a home centered on living simply is a step-by-step process. Each day you will make decisions about what is essential and what you can let go of.
Step #1. Remove the Excess
The first step to setting up a simple living home is getting rid of what you don’t need. This sounds easy, but it can be difficult if you let it because we tend to develop emotional attachments to our belongings. Instead, take the emotion out of it and treat this like any task on a to-do list.
Take it one room at a time and sort your items into three categories:
- Essentials things you need and use.
- Items that are sentimental and you really love.
- Things that are excess, duplicates, no longer needed or used.
Declutter may seem hard at first, but after a while, you will find it liberating and even enjoyable.
Step #2. Simplify Every Room
Once you’ve decluttered the excess in a room, it’s time to organize and optimize that space.
Simple Living Room
A simple living room is uncluttered but cozy, with furniture arranged for comfort.
Simple Kitchen
The kitchen is functional, with every item having its place with enough tools to do the job without having too much stored in each cabinet and drawer.
The pantry is stocked with simple yet healthy ingredients so meal prep is delicious and better for you.
Simple Bedroom
Your bedroom is a sanctuary, with a pleasant and calm color on the walls and simple minimal decor. Your clothes are all things you love to wear that fits comfortably and feels good when on.
Simple Bathroom
The bathroom should hold only the necessary items for self care that are just the essentials needed for grooming.
Simple Home Office
Your home office is a space that is set up so you can be productive with minimal distractions. It is organized with a home for important papers and financial documents.
Step #3. Prioritize self care
Protect your time like a valuable resource and prioritize what’s truly important. Taking care of yourself should be a top priority and there are specific things you can do.
- Eat better foods
- Practice gratitude
- Get enough sleep
- Take time to relax
- Pursue activities you enjoy
Step #4. Streamline daily tasks and chores
Find ways to do your normal tasks in a more efficient way to free up time.
Streamline Your Cleaning Routine
A clean home is more enjoyable, but this doesn’t have to mean spending hours every day cleaning up. Have a routine where you focus on one room each day, spending just 20 minutes cleaning. This is less stressful than spending a full Saturday cleaning your entire home. Here is how I have my cleaning routine setup:
- Monday – The Bedrooms
- Tuesday – Bathrooms
- Wednesday – Laundry
- Thursday – Kitchen/Mudroom
- Friday – Family Room/Office
- Saturday – Outside
- Sunday – Planning/Bills
Another tip is to transition over to natural cleaning products. You can DIY just about any cleaner you need without using dangerous toxins or expensive options.
Read: DIY Cleaners for Your Home
Simplify Your Meal Planning
Meal planning not only reduces your stress around dinnertime, but it can also lead to healthier eating and less food waste. Plan meals that use similar ingredients to keep your grocery list manageable, and consider doubling up on recipes to save time and effort. Another simple tip is to have a meal theme for each day of the week making meal planning much easier.
- Monday – Chicken
- Tuesday – Pasta
- Wednesday – Fish
- Thursday – Beef
- Friday – Pizza
- Saturday – Soup/Sandwhiches
- Sunday – Pot Luck
Reduce Your Monthly Chores
Certain chores don’t need to be done every day or even every week. By reducing the frequency of tasks like washing your car, mopping the floors, or cleaning windows, you free up time and energy for activities that make you happy.
Opt for Multi-Purpose
Look for multi-functional items that serve double or triple duty. This could be a piece of furniture with built-in storage, beauty products that work for multiple uses, or a tablet that acts as your e-reader, television, and journal.
Choose Simplicity in Every Area of Life
While the focus here has been on setting up a simple living home, the truth is that integrating simplicity into every part of your life leads to a more fulfilled and happy life. Pare down on your stuff, streamline each room in your home, simplify your schedule, and choose a health and wellness routine that is easy to keep up with.
Setting up a simple living home is a great way to create a life that is more enjoyable and less stressful. By taking these tips and putting them into action, you can transform your living space into a sanctuary that is easy to relax and laugh in.
