DESIGN: Make your home clutter-free with @Johanna.marlene

Need a bit of motivation to kick the clutter? Is casual hoarding becoming a habit?

This month, we’ve teamed up with architecture student and interior influencer whiz Johanna to hear her words of wisdom on how to successfully declutter and embrace the art of minimalism.

Tip 1. It’s a matter of opinion.

Everyone defines minimalism differently and that's a good thing. So, to begin with, you should define what minimalism means to you personally. Is it just about the aesthetic? Do you want to own less stuff? Or do you want to adapt your whole lifestyle?

Have a think about you want from your space, and what you count as clutter. Following a lifestyle philosophy such as minimalism can work super well if you personalise it to your particular taste. Your home, your rules.

Tip 2. Less is more.

This is probably the guiding principle when it comes to minimalism. Of course, it's a lot easier to implement if you own less. Actively choosing to buy and own less has a domino effect – the less stuff you own, the less storage you will need and so on. Carefully considering whether an item is necessary before mindlessly throwing your money at the sales assistant is a great practice to get into.

Tip 3. Bigger can be better.

Sizable, flat elements - such as paintings, posters or tiles, slim furniture, or a statement rug - automatically make a space seem larger and calmer, as opposed to many small decorative items on one wall or a shelf, for example.

It may seem counterproductive to incorporate large decorative pieces, especially in a small room. However, as long as they are streamlined and flat - it can be the way to go if you want to elevate a room. Plus-size mirrors are fantastic for reflecting natural light and creating the illusion of space too!

Tip 4. Minimise with monochrome.

Johanna’s own living space is the epitome of successful monochromatic styling – take note! Combine decorative items and furniture in the same hue for a clean and tidy look. Then layer up different textures to add a unique dimension to your one-shade space – soft furnishings, throws and cushions, crafted from various materials will achieve depth and a cosy aesthetic.

Tip 5. Close the door on clutter.

Lots of items hold significance and function but aren’t necessarily appealing to look at – be honest with yourself about whether certain things you may be sentimental about are boosting your overall interior up or dragging it down.

Closed shelving or storage options are a great way of hiding the things you want out of sight - we all have them - the colourful spines of books, unsightly folders or that old CD collection you’re holding on to. With things tucked away, you don't have to dust as much too – bonus!

Tip 6. Perfect your palette.

Your colour choices depend wholly on what you want out of a room. Leaning towards light colours will make a room seem more spacious; dark colours have the opposite affect and can shrink a room but, at the same time, may make it feel cosier - a small reading room might be perfect in a deep royal blue or bold burgundy, for example. On the whole, light or neutral shades are a great bet!

“Spaciousness and tranquillity are not only achieved by hiding everything on shelves or painting them the same colour; the colour palette you choose also plays a decisive role in the vibe of your interior.”

Tip 7. Keep hold of key pieces.

You might be under the impression that the perfect minimalist home has to be pure white and flat from top to bottom – not necessarily! Functionality is king, but you don’t want your home to look lifeless and devoid of character. Your favourite sculpture, plants and cute personal touches are still allowed – don’t you forget it!

“Create accents but do so consciously and with care. These are usually the things that make a minimalist home cosy and unique.”

Tip 8. Trust the process!

Finally, the most important thing is that minimalism and decluttering is a process, and a lifelong one at that. You can't just clean everything out, not buy anything new for 3 weeks and think that’s it. There will always be a constant stream of things to sort through!

Allow yourself a new purchase on occasion – accept that trends and your own needs will change over time! However, for each new acquisition, try to bin one old item to prevent clutter from building up again.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you haven’t got the most perfect minimalist home and lifestyle right now. Take small steps and you will begin to form and maintain positive habits.

---

We hope you have found this guide on how to make your home clutter-free helpful. Make the minimalist movement personal to you and have fun with it. For more stunning interior shots, follow Johanna on Instagram at @johanna.marlene.