Decorating like a minimalist will leave you with less stuff, less clutter and ultimately less cleaning responsibility and stress. Whether you’re a minimalist already in your heart and lifestyle or you just think being a minimalist when it comes to your home is the way to go, these tips will get you on the right track to decorating your home without fuss.

Step 1. Clear out the clutter

The first step in any decorating project, whether minimalistic or not, should always be to clear out the clutter. Do a thorough clean of your home from top to bottom, removing anything you no longer need or want. If you’re having trouble with this then you may want to invest in an expert to help you deal with your junk piles or follow the Marie Kondo method of reducing clutter. This is not a one time job. For most of us, this is something we will want to come back to over and over again, or rather need to as we accumulate more and more stuff. Of course, this is something we want to avoid doing as much as possible, but let’s be real, even if we don’t buy anything more ourselves, there will still be unwanted stuff lying around after a few months of your first decluttering.

Step 2. Let there be light

Once you’ve gotten rid of all your clutter you can start working on the base of your home. That is your colour palette. This is especially important in a minimalistic home and/or one where there is less natural light. You’ll want to pick a neutral, light colour to paint your walls and ceilings, though personally I suggest going as simple as possible and making the whole thing white. You can’t go wrong with a white base and adding pops of colour in your furnishings to liven the place up. Whatever colour palette you pick, make sure you’re consistent. You want to bring as much light and space into your home as possible so make sure you’re consistent with your style to avoid a cluttered look.

Step 3. Be Minimal

Now that you’ve chosen your colours, created your base and decluttered your space, you’ll need to bring back in certain pieces. Opt for quality used furnishings as you don’t want or need much stuff and to save your money as you redesign your space.

Opting for quality over quantity will also help you to not have to repurchase items in the not so distance future as items break or wear down over time. Again, opt for classic pieces that will stand the test of time, design-wise. Don’t choose items that may quickly go out of style or you may feel the urge to splurge and upgrade before too long.

Keep in mind throughout this entire design and decorating project that less means more. Don’t forget why you started in the first place too, whether you’re just aiming for a certain look or the entire lifestyle appeals to you for either cultural, aesthetic or environmental reasons.