There's potentially a part of all of us that wishes we could be more minimalist – unless you love maximalism of course, because let's face it, no one likes unintentional clutter. It makes our homes feel untidy, chaotic and often stressful.
Minimalism is about creating functional solutions that look stylish and are clutter free. But it's easier said than done, and it does require a good amount of decluttering and the right storage solution that bring function without cluttering up your space.
Here, our organz pros share how to create a home that has minimal things in view but is neat and tidy, with seven brilliant minimalist-approved storage solutions to get your home looking streamlined and stylish.
Home storage solutions minimalists love
1. Opt for modular storage
Modular storage is a fabulous option when it comes to clever solutions that suit a minimalist scheme as you can choose the best elements to suit your needs, means by every square inch of space is put to great use.
'Modular, open shelving provides a great way to fit storage into small spaces,' explains Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture. Bo says that the beauty of modular shelving is that it can be installed anywhere, and we agree, it's incredibly versatile.
He continues, 'There are only two things you need to consider. The first is making sure your shelving is deep and tall enough to store your belongings but narrow enough that it doesn’t compromise your precious square-footage. The second is making sure you use a mix of open shelving and cabinet styles to create a display unit that is flexible enough to hide the things you don’t want on show.'
Wayfair has a host of modular storage options available.
2. Floor to ceiling cabinetry is space saving
Where possible, well crafted cabinetry that has a clean aesthetic will not only give you copious amounts of storage but will fit the minimalist style too.
Tony Ditzler, president of ShelfGenie, explains, 'Creating a minimalist feel to your home is not done simply by purging your items or adding more storage – it’s done by cleverly integrating storage solutions into your existing layout, creating an open and organized space that makes your home seem expansive and welcoming, no matter the size.'
Floor to ceiling custom designs are a great investment, but it's not as simple as hiding items away, the interior needs to be organized too. For an back entry way such as this that doubles as a pantry, consider clever techniques for organizing it too, especially if you use this space for storing cleaning supplies. We like Amazon's wall mounted mop and broom holder in stainless steel, it's stylish and will keep these items hidden away perfectly.
Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, bought a 950 square foot newly built home and had floor to ceiling closets custom built and fit for her primary bedroom. She says, ‘We had limited space and wanted to make the best use of what we had. I asked a carpenter to build us a three-door wardrobe that used all the vertical space and gave my husband and a single closet each with customized inside storage to suit each of our needs, with a shared shelving section in the middle. It’s worked out perfectly for us and remains one of the most streamlined areas of our home. It was worth every cent.’
3. Use smart drawer dividers
Choose storage tools like dividers that are minimalist, or have a minimalist style. We don't want to have a sleek exterior while the inside is the opposite. So looking for essentially beautiful storage is key to this look.
For kitchen drawers for example, choose contemporary additions. Liz Bacon, professional organizer and principal at ClutterFree says, 'Consider drawer dividers to maximize space while keeping a minimalist aesthetic, I love these Acacia designs from Neat Method, and they're sold in short, long, shallow and deep options.'
4. Pull-out storage
Minimal storage in a bathroom can be tricky, all those lotions, potions, make up and towels to keep neat and tidy! Enter pull-out storage.
'Pull-out shelving provides a 50% increase in storage space while blending seamlessly with your home,' says Tony Ditzler. 'These types of shelves free up valuable space such as counter tops and keep items organized and easily within reach, and are useful in every room of the home, from organizing cosmetic products under the bathroom sink, to neatly stacking cans or spices in the kitchen, to easily accessing cleaning tools in the broom closet.'
But can pull out storage look great as well as being practical? We think so, have a look at our top buys below.
Shatterproof, rust-proof and BPA free, these versatile clear bathroom organizers are perfect for a minimalist cabinet. With removable dividers in each sliding drawer, these designs will keep your toiletries ship shape. You can move around the shelving to suit various heights and they'll keep everything out of sight.
Yes, this does say 'kitchen' but it could be used in a bathroom too, and we love the minimalist design of this organizer with its white powder coated finish. Made from steel, it's two tiered with pull out drawers and stoppers to keep them secure. You could double up and have two next to each other.
If you want keep your items dust free then these are for you. You get two drawers and the clear plastic allows you to see what's where. The drawers slide out for ease and they look great in a minimalist bathroom.
5. Consider a storage bed
Have you ever considered a storage bed? They are ideal if your bedroom is small, storage is limited, or if you love a minimalist aesthetic. You can literally fill them with clothes, bedding and spare items like towels and vacation pieces without visibly adding clutter to your bedroom.
'A storage bed is an excellent investment for minimalist bedrooms (I particularly like Saatva's Halle storage platform design), allowing practicality and beauty to coexist seamlessly,' says Lori Miller, owner, LGC Interior Design. 'They maximize space by incorporating drawers or compartments beneath the mattress and reduce the need for additional furniture like dressers or nightstands.'
If a storage bed isn't for you, one of our favorite underbed storage solutions might be just the one for you.
Stylish and practical, this pack of two under bed storage bags has removable inserts for separated sections and is made from a high-quality, thick, breathable fabric. There's a transparent window for viewing and a built in label holder. The reinforced leather handles ensure you can move them around easily.
Coming with two bins, this sturdy under bed storage solution has detachable dividers that can be moved to suit and clear windows for viewing. Crafted from 100% polyester, they're wipeable too. Zippers make for easy closure and they come in four other colors.
Who doesn't love the ease of a wheeled storage solution? This zippered under bed storage bin slots will smoothly fit and can be pulled back out without stress. It has two side handles and a clear top, use for clothing, bedding and spare pillows.
6. Add stackables to tall cupboards
When you're opting for a minimalist look, the items that you do have need to be stored away out of sight, and this is where you need to be clever with making the most of every inch to avoid visual clutter.
If your home is older, it might have awkwardly shaped original cabinetry that you need to utilize, this is where stackable storage comes into play. Tony agrees, 'For tall cabinet space where the space is essentially an open box, use stackable containers, independent risers or pull-out shelves to optimize all that unused vertical space.'
We love the wooden bins below, super stylish and very functional.
Beautifully crafted and sustainable too, these stackable bins are made from paulownia wood. Use them in any room of the house, they can be used for linens, underwear, gloves and hats, craft supplies or pantry items. Even when in view they're uber stylish and contemporary in design.
7. Furniture with a double use
One sure fire way to use furniture cleverly in a minimalist living room is to choose designs that are multifunctional.
'For a minimalist, a perfectly organized and clean aesthetic is paramount and there are plenty of elegant solutions that will add to your aesthetic rather than take away from it,' says Sue Jones, co-founder of OKA. 'I’d suggest choosing multifunctional pieces as this will mean you require fewer large items cluttering up space, for example, a contemporary sideboard that provides ample storage inside but also plenty of surface space for a pile of books, a tray of drinks, or a storage ottoman that also acts as a coffee table.'
Amazon's Manhattan comfort Viennese gloss finished long buffet cabinet is sleek, large enough to contain all of your storage and the contemporary design perfectly fits the minimalist look.
Meet the experts
Incorporating minimalist approved storage solutions is easy enough if you pick the right pieces that complement a streamlined scheme. Decluttering is key for minimalists because you don't want your storage filled with things you don't need, instead, pick inner storage that is both practical and beautiful to look at.
