Focus on identifying useful, beautiful, and necessary items to style a space without clutter, considering individual preferences and priorities.
Decluttering and simplifying possessions should be the primary method of organization, using modular and versatile containers that adapt to changing needs over time.
Deep dives
Avoiding clutter and creating an organized home
The podcast episode addresses a listener's question about how to style a space without acquiring more possessions and creating clutter. The guest, Kristen Ziegler, emphasizes authentic style and merging form and function. She advises focusing on identifying useful, beautiful, and necessary items, as well as considering the preferences and priorities of the individual. She recommends experimenting, playing, and being open to change, letting go of attachments to the way things are. Ziegler highlights that organization should go hand in hand with minimizing possessions, and she suggests asking the space what it wants to be, considering harmony and the natural elements like plants.
Choosing the right container for organization
During the lightning round segment of the episode, the podcast hosts and guest discuss how to decide on the best container for organizing possessions. They emphasize the importance of decluttering and getting rid of excess items as the primary method of organization. They caution against using storage bins as a way to hide or accumulate more things. Instead, they encourage focusing on simplifying possessions and only keeping those items that truly add value to one's life. They suggest investing in modular and versatile containers that can adapt to changing needs over the long term.
The ripple effect of letting go
The podcast episode highlights the transformative power of letting go and decluttering one's space. The hosts and guest share personal experiences of how decluttering led to positive changes in other areas of their lives, such as finances and health. By simplifying possessions and making intentional choices, individuals can create a ripple effect that extends beyond their physical space. They emphasize that each person's level of minimalism is personal and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is to find what works for each individual and facilitates a sense of freedom.
The role of questions in organizing
The episode emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions when organizing. The guest, who is a professional organizer, suggests questions like 'Do you love this thing?' and 'Does it suit your current lifestyle?' to determine what items to keep or let go. They stress that the discovery process and experimentation are key to finding authentic style and creating a harmonious space. They also encourage respecting the boundaries and desires of the space, as well as being open to feedback and considering the long-term impact of objects in the home.
The Minimalists speak with professional organizer Kristen Ziegler about adding style to one’s home without adding clutter. Watch all 2 hours of episode 390 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.
Discussed in this episode:
How do we decorate our homes without adding more? (01:51)
What do you consider “authentic style”? (03:00)
How do we appropriately enhance empty rooms? (04:57)
What can we do with cherished items that don’t fit our current design aesthetic? (09:09)
How do you determine a space’s design potential? (11:13)
What questions do you ask clients to discover their design needs and wants? (17:14)
How do you decide on the best containers for your storage needs? (19:50)
