How to Create a Minimalist House

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with ads and messages telling us to buy, buy, buy. It’s easy to get caught up in the materialistic mindset and believe that we need to buy more and more stuff to be happy.

But the truth is, we don’t need to buy nearly as much as we think we do. In fact, minimalists believe that we can live happier, more fulfilling lives with less stuff.

We often buy things on impulse without thinking about whether or not we need them. And often, the things we buy end up sitting in our homes, unused and unappreciated.

This article will explore how to have a minimalist house and examine 11 things we don’t need to buy anymore. It will also discuss some healthy or eco-friendly alternatives for these items.

So, let’s get started.

11 Things We Should Stop Buying As Minimalists

Minimalists believe it’s important only to own things we truly need and will use regularly. This means getting rid of anything we don’t use or don’t bring us joy. It might seem like getting rid of all our stuff would be difficult, but it can be quite liberating.

Once we declutter our homes and get rid of the things we don’t need, we’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to keep them tidy and organized. We’ll also find that we have more time and money to focus on the truly important things to us.

There’s always something new and shiny on the market, and it can be tempting to want to keep up with the latest trends. But the truth is, most of the time, the newer products aren’t any better than the older ones. And even if they are slightly better, it’s usually not worth spending the extra money to upgrade.

Here is a list of 11 things you can easily live without. Remember, it’s not an exhaustive list; we can add much more. It was compiled to give you an idea of how much we spend on useless stuff, things that are either not used at all or are used and bring us no benefit whatsoever.

1. Skincare Routines

We are bombarded with skincare products that promise the world – perfect, flawless skin. But do we need to buy all of these products? Or are we just falling for marketing gimmicks?

Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.

Steve Jobs

Skincare products are also quite overpriced. For example, many anti-aging creams promise to reduce wrinkles but often don’t live up to their claims. And even if they do work, they are often very expensive. So, what should we do instead? Don’t take care of our skin? No!

Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are all great ways to improve your skin. Having said that, you may buy a couple of inexpensive but effective moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated and look your best.

2. Photo Albums

Well, this point doesn’t require any elaboration. We no longer need to buy photo albums because we can store our photos digitally and share them online.

Storing photos digitally is more convenient than storing them in a photo album. We can store thousands of pictures on our computers or cloud storage services and access them anytime we want. We can also edit and organize our photos more easily when stored digitally.

3. Cheap Products

One reason we shouldn’t spend money on cheap products is that they are often of poor quality. This is especially true for items made in factories overseas. The materials and construction of these products are often subpar, and they are not built to last. In addition, cheap products often break easily and must be replaced frequently. This can end up costing us more in the long run than if we had just purchased a higher-quality item to begin with.

So, instead of buying five cheap products, save money and buy only one high-quality product that will last longer and offer value for your money.

4. New Cell Phone

There is no point in buying a new cell phone every year unless you really need it. Think about it for a moment. Are you really going to use all those fancy features that new smartphone manufacturers advertise? No matter how expensive a smartphone is, we only use it for surfing the internet, using social media, calling, and texting.

So, the next time you feel tempted to buy a new smartphone, remember that we don’t need the latest and greatest features. Maybe five years down the road, it might be a good idea to replace your current cell phone, but definitely not every year!

Sure, it’s nice to have the newest phone with all the bells and whistles, but do we really need them?

5. Clearance Items

While clearance sales offer a great opportunity to save money, it is unnecessary to shop every time you see the word clearance written somewhere.

First, you may not need those items altogether. So, there’s no point in spending money on them. Second, almost all stores have a strict return policy regarding selling their items. You may not be able to return an item if you dislike it or it does not fit.

And finally, just because an item is on clearance does not mean it is a good deal. Before you make a purchase, take some time to compare prices. You can use a website like Amazon or eBay to compare prices. You can also check the clearance section of your favorite store’s website.

6. Replicas and Knockoffs

We can’t emphasize this enough. When you buy a replica, you are supporting the people who make counterfeit goods. These people often operate illegally and use child labor or forced labor. Additionally, the money you spend on replicas could be used to support legitimate businesses. Remember, these are illegal products. Stay away!

And who doesn’t know replicas are made with poor-quality materials and craftsmanship? This means they won’t last as long as the real thing and won’t look as good. Additionally, replicas are often mass-produced, so they lack the uniqueness of the real thing.

These knockoffs are often easy to spot, especially if you’re familiar with the real thing. This can be embarrassing, especially if you’re trying to pass off a replica as the real thing. Additionally, people who know you’ve bought a replica may think less of you.

7. Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Every day, newer makeup products are advertised that promise to do what they are supposed to do. Most of these products are meant only for professionals, so even if we buy them, we would have no clue how to use them.

One of the biggest arguments against spending money on cosmetics is that we don’t need to wear makeup to be beautiful. Makeup enhances our natural beauty, but it’s not necessary. We are all lovely, no matter whether we wear makeup or not.

Think about it this way: would you rather spend an hour doing your makeup every day, or would you rather spend that hour doing something else you enjoy? If you don’t enjoy wearing makeup, then there’s no point in spending money on it.

It’s true we (as women) need a few basic items, such as a foundation, an eyeliner, and maybe a couple of lipsticks. But there is a solution. Instead of spending $50 on a high-end foundation, you could buy a drugstore foundation for $15. Or, instead of spending $100 on a designer eyeshadow palette, you could buy a similar palette from a cheaper brand for $30.

Drugstore foundations can provide as much coverage as high-end foundations, and cheaper eyeshadow palettes can be as pigmented and long-lasting as more expensive ones. Just follow a few YouTube tutorials, and you will be surprised by the results of these simple and inexpensive items.

It’s no secret that the cosmetics industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Every year, women (and men) spend billions of dollars on makeup, skincare, hair care, and more. But why? Is it really worth spending so much money on products that we don’t really need?

8. Hair Gadgets

Again, would you spend hours curling and straightening your hair at home using gadgets that either don’t work or are too difficult to use? I won’t!

9. Toys

I encourage my children to spend money on board games and books instead of toys. We all know toys don’t last, and we lose interest in the ones that last. There are indeed some cool educational toys out there. However, a strict policy should be about spending a specific amount on toys every month or year.

Books are a great alternative to toys because they can help children learn to read and improve their literacy skills. In addition, books can teach children about various topics, including history, science, and math. Many different types of books are also available, so children can find ones that interest them.

10. Latest Trends

Not all the latest trends are worth spending money on. Ask yourself first if you’re actually going to use that stuff. The latest trends can be very expensive. A new designer handbag or pair of shoes can easily cost hundreds of dollars, and a new outfit can cost even more. And if you’re trying to keep up with the latest trends, you’ll spend a lot of money on new clothes every season.

The latest trends are often short-lived. What’s popular today will be out of fashion tomorrow. So if you’re spending a lot of money on the latest trends, you’re likely to waste a lot of money on clothes you’ll only wear for a few months.

11. One-Use Kitchen Gadgets

We’ve all been there. You’re in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, and you realize you don’t have the right tool for the job. So you run to the store and buy a gadget you’ll only use once or twice. Then it sits in your kitchen, taking up space and gathering dust. Sound familiar?

First, one-use kitchen gadgets are often overpriced. For example, let’s say you want to buy a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. You could buy a standalone spiralizer for $30 or a 3-in-1 vegetable peeler, corer, and slicer for $10. The standalone spiralizer is more expensive and takes up more space, but it can only be used for one thing. The 3-in-1 vegetable peeler is cheaper, more versatile, and can be used for multiple tasks.

Second, one-use kitchen gadgets take up valuable kitchen space. If your kitchen is small, you might not have room to store a gadget that you’ll only use once in a while. It’s better to use that space for something you’ll use daily, like a coffee maker or toaster oven.

Instead of buying a garlic press, you could mince garlic with a knife. Or, instead of purchasing a cherry pitter, you could use a paperclip. These alternatives might take a little bit longer to operate, but they’ll save you money in the long run.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adopting a minimalist mindset empowers us to make intentional choices about what we bring into our lives. By identifying and eliminating unnecessary items, we create space for what truly matters—be it experiences, relationships, or personal growth. Letting go of excess possessions simplifies our physical environment and cultivates a sense of freedom and clarity. As we continue our minimalist journey, may we embrace the beauty of simplicity and find fulfillment in living with less.