Going Clutter Free

There are a few reasons you might be trying to cut the clutter. Maybe you’re downsizing, tired of consumerist society, and want to combat throw-away culture. Or maybe you’ve been feeling stressed and anxious lately, decided to live a more intentional life, or just really like the minimalist aesthetic.

No matter your reasoning or desires, going clutter free can improve your life. Get back to what you love, put your unused belongings to good use in homes and lives that need them, and build a space that supports your mental health and creates the life you love.

Tips for Clearing Your Mind and Home

Because we’re humans, it’s often hard to get rid of things, but sometimes clarity comes and clutter leaves when we simply organize and design our homes with intention and discipline.

1. Start by getting rid of the unused and trash. The easiest items to pass on or throw out are the ones we no longer use and the things that are truly trash. There is no shame in giving an older item new life by donating it and certainly nothing wrong with ensuring trash items are recycled and disposed of.
2. Find good storage. Every home is different, but there is definitely a storage solution out there for your home and needs. If you just need everything to have a home, consider shelving systems and boxes or baskets. If you need more of an overhaul, look for credenzas and cabinets. When everything has a set place, it’s easier to reset your home if it gets a little out of order at times.
3. Create defined zones. The open-concept home has jumbled things a bit. For some, it works beautifully, for others, some clear boundaries are needed to create peace of mind. To prevent your home from feeling like things have just been thrown together, establish well-defined zones. Your large living can be split using the formation of sofas, area rugs, and plenty of open walking areas. A bedroom can clearly be set with a bed flanked by bedside tables, and then a lounge chair in the corner and storage space set off to the side. Don’t overthink it, but give every area a clear purpose anchored by functional furniture.
4. Start small. Whether you’re redesigning or paring down, start small and simple. Clear everything and reintroduce the most basic items first, then slowly build in other pieces and keep in mind that less is more. The principle remains the same if you’re starting with a blank canvas and selecting furniture for the first time; start with the basics, you can always add more as you need it.
5. Stick with what you love. This final note is just to say that what you love matters most. Your home will not feel comfortable and livable unless what you love—whether in aesthetics, heirlooms, art, color, etc.—is found in everything.

Defining Minimalism

When we talk about a lack of clutter, Minimalism comes to mind immediately. The Minimalist movement started in the 1960s, seeking inspiration from earlier movements like Bauhaus and De Stijl. All three sought constraint and simplicity through more controlled details, modest forms and silhouettes, and a focus on function.

Minimalism quickly became the style of the future, experiencing a number of resurgences throughout the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Today, original Minimalist principles can be found in everything from city skylines to office blocks, homes, and even technology interfaces.

But in your home, it will look a little more warm. Contemporary designers and iconic designers from the mid-century took the beloved concept of Minimalism and combined it with a number of other cultural and traditional practices. They then distilled them into pieces that held comfort and functionality in equal balance while also showcasing beautiful materials and working in harmony with natural environments.

Today, you should approach minimalism as a focused effort to bring what matters in, leaving excess behind, and curating a home that enhances daily routines. As minimalist influencer and author Francine Jay says: “Minimalism is asking why before you buy.”

Modern Home Furnishings that Cut Down on Clutter

When selecting pieces for this list, we focused on light items that embraced negative space and felt simple and approachable. Nothing is sacrificed with any of these pieces; style, character, warmth, and functionality are all preserved.

Pedrera Lounge Table

Named for the iconic Barcelona landmark it was designed to decorate, the Pedrera Lounge Table is a composition of fine lines, lightness, and sleek contemporary elegance. This fluid and refreshing modern glass coffee table hit the interior design scene 1955. The modern table’s organic shape adds character and charm to this otherwise quiet piece. What’s more, the minimalist expressions are perfectly suited to slipping in amongst almost any décor aesthetic and elevating the entire room’s composition.

Mr. Jones 200 Sofa

The award-winning Mr. Jones Sofa is inspired by the British Howard sofa, adapting the classically elegant design to include more formal lines. Equipped with front casters and viscoelastic foam core cushions, the Mr. Jones 200 Sofa is comfortable and easy to move where it is wanted most. Beyond its practicality, the Mr. Jones Sofa has the added benefit of an undeniably engrossing and timeless form.

The Ethel Side Chair

Bend Goods has been turning simple, recycled metal into sculptural masterpieces for nearly two decades. Their twist on the class bistro chair resulted in the compact form of the Ethel Side Chair. Hand-crafted iron is shaped into the mesmerizing lines of the backrest and seat, ergonomically formed to create a comfortable seat. Use this chair inside or out as a dining chair or side chair.

Side Table 606 by Aino Aalto

Aino Aalto was an icon of the Mid-Century Modern era and the sophisticated Side Table 606 is straight from the history books. The half-circle base is complemented by the round tabletop, and the end result is a compact and charming side table that answers all of your needs. The open space below creates a sense of weightlessness while the birch veneer materials are a modest nod to the Nordic love of nature.

Buur Lounge Chair

One of Ferm Living’s coziest designs, the Buur Lounge Chair is warmth incarnate. The luxurious, deep cushions are flanked by sweeping, smooth, FSC™-certified oak armrests that add the perfect richness to this otherwise humble lounge chair. We chose this piece because of its innate simplicity: two cushions, two armrests. Nothing fancy, nothing extra, yet still an irresistible and passionate expressiveness.

TS Console - 1 Marble Plate And 1 Metal Tray

Building on the initial TS concept, the TS Marble and Metal Console carries the marble table concept into yet another room. The original GamFratesi design which utilized two simple materials, was originally produced for The Standard restaurant in Copenhagen. Today, this exquisitely simple, yet profoundly enchanting, composition has a dynamic tabletop of Marquina, Guatemala, or Carrara marble which hovers above a metal tray, forming a two-tier shelving system, all supported by thin, crosshatched legs. The silhouette, though modest, achieves movement within the overall indomitable presence of this modern Gubi console table.

Daystak Desk

Clutter in the space where you’re supposed to do your best work is unacceptable. The Daystak Desk brings that breath of clarity into your work day along with two drawers so necessities can be kept out of sight. A light (in both weight and color) beech wood is used to create the trestle-style silhouette, achieving a calming, architectural, and distinctly retro piece you’ll love to have with you throughout your day.

Rugosa Bookshelf

The Rugosa Bookshelf is as simple and minimalistic as it gets. Thick planks of ash wood are cut and joined to create a ten-shelf unit. Without a back, there is plenty of negative space and openness to the composition, while the many, deep shelves offer plenty of space to store everything you need as well as some beloved décor.

Console Table

Another piece that brings nothing but honesty and simplicity to your home, the Console Table is a must for Scandinavian spaces and minimalist retreats. Made from HI-MACS—and mix of acrylics, minerals, and natural pigments—the Console Table is durable, has a seamless look, and offers a smooth surface that easily complements more natural surroundings. The single tabletop also encourages fewer items, limiting you to just a table lamp, some décor, and the essentials.

Plug-In Pendant

Perhaps one of the most minimalist lights in our collection, Tala’s Plug-In Pendant is as pared down as it gets. A single wire, attached where you want it to be with small brass fixtures, and a single bulb. This light can be dramatically draped across the ceiling or crawl along the wall or floor for a more subtle presence. However you use this light, it will surely be a great source of task lighting and ambiance while never posing a disturbance or creating clutter.

Banish Clutter, Design with Intention

At the end of the day, a clutter free house starts with intention. Not only in what you choose to have in your home, but in the way you style those items, and in the way you preserve a lifestyle guided by a less is more mindset. Remove what’s unnecessary, choose what is needed, incorporate what you love, and prioritize furniture that help banish the clutter while effortlessly helping you design with intention.

Find everything you need for a minimalist, clutter-free home at HORNE.

Explore related collections, including Wall Sconces, Wall Lights, and Lighting, and visit our design guides for a broader point of view.