Minimal Surroundings?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-25-2007, 01:54 PM

Does anyone else prefer a 'minimalist' lifestyle? Like not a lot of nicknack's, or racks of clothes, or piles of shoes?

Dh and I are really purging our home (which wasn't overly cluttered to begin with) and we're really liking it better and better as we get more and more out of the house. It's a simpler, cleaner look. It's less to dust, put away, and just keep up with in general.

Any other Frugal folks out there who feel the same?

**tbs727** · 07-25-2007, 01:56 PM

yep, thats me. I don't like clutter and I don't keep decorative items that I don't love. If I look at something and I don't like it, I put it in a basket to give away. It feels good to be surrounded by things you love, not things you feel guilty about not liking. KWIM?

**DixieJ** · 07-25-2007, 02:08 PM

This is something I really need to work on. I've got way too much "stuff" that I need to get rid of. I'm going to start taking it one room at a time to get organized and purge things.

Dixie Jean

**watchingpennies** · 07-25-2007, 04:10 PM

Something I need to work on too. I find it hard with kids....they get gifts (a lot of junk) from relatives all the time. DH and I say they don't need anything but relatives keep giving!!! I also should only keep things I really love...that is a good way to look at it. Maybe a purge is coming on!!!

**pammy** · 07-25-2007, 04:18 PM

I'm that way, as well. Feel less stressed in general when the house doesn't feel all cluttered.

**JustJoy** · 07-25-2007, 04:23 PM

Me! Me! Me! I hate clutter, be it on shelves, counter tops, closets, etc... I am constantly going thru all of the above mentioned and packing it up for Goodwill!

**many houseapes** · 07-25-2007, 04:24 PM

I'm that way too

don't like all the "martha stewart frills" when it comes to what is decorating my house. Its much less cleaning,much less stress....the house just looks so much cleaner without the extras

now with dh's & the kid's personal stuff...that's a different story. I can pretty much limit the toys with the younger ones, but the ones 15 & up & dh....I can only "advise" them about getting rid of unnecessary things....sometimes they'll agree....sometimes they don't lol.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-25-2007, 07:34 PM

Good to know I'm not alone!

I'm going to go home and sort out some more stuff and put it on craigslist!

**lullaby80** · 07-25-2007, 08:45 PM

Me! I absolutely hate clutter and stuff that is not used. No decorative stuff here, just a few paintings on the wall. Our bookshelves are only cluttered with books, lol. Books are the only thing I don't mind having a lot of but all the extra clothes, shoes and stuff I give away once I'm done with them. We don't buy unnecessary stuff either so the house stays clutter free this way.

**dcompton** · 07-25-2007, 09:44 PM

Yes. The less the better. It's a constant battle to keep it that way, but I really think I'm gradually winning. Every time I cull it seems I find less and less that can go. But I keep looking! Surely SOMETHING else can be moved on!

**DJ1972** · 07-25-2007, 10:07 PM

My mom was a nick-nack fanatic.......so I am just the opposite. I own none. My tables in the living room only have a lamp on them. My kitchen counter only has a utensil holder and a small wine rack, everything else has a home in the cabinets. To me, no matter how much you clean, if you have alot of collectibles and such it still looks messy, just my personal OCD opinion lol. I like the "sterile" look according to my dh.

**Siebrie** · 07-26-2007, 08:13 AM

I make sure that my furniture, lights and cupboards are nice to look at and make you feel welcome. I hate dusting, so all books, clothes and tableware is behind doors. There are a few big plants in my living room, because they are good for freshening the air and give the room something 'extra'.

**santoria** · 07-26-2007, 08:46 AM

My dh is like that. His mom is a packrat in the extreme. so our house has no knickknacks stuff on the walls, or clutter. I have a few little piles but for the most part its really clutter free.

it never bothered me growing up but then 10 years of marriage and I am a clutterphobe....

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-26-2007, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by DJ1972

My mom was a nick-nack fanatic.......so I am just the opposite. I own none. My tables in the living room only have a lamp on them. My kitchen counter only has a utensil holder and a small wine rack, everything else has a home in the cabinets. To me, no matter how much you clean, if you have alot of collectibles and such it still looks messy, just my personal OCD opinion lol. I like the "sterile" look according to my dh.

I'm in the exact same place! My mom has more STUFF than should fit within the walls of their home!! She's overwhelmed with it all!! My Gramma was the same! I watched how much they were "burdened" over the years with all their stuff and I think I developed some sort of phobia in the process. I cannot stand clutter! And she kinda picks at me cause I don't want to keep anything.

Does that make sense? I mean really...you're overwhelmed and you want me to get more stuff?

Go figure.

**GMA21** · 07-26-2007, 01:25 PM

My mom also liked a lot of things & I'm the opposite, less IS better in my book. I rather spend my time doing more important things then cleaning & puting things away. I will be so happy when ARC comes by & picks up these 2 big bags of items I have to give away