The principle “Less is More” has been fundamental to many different philosophies through time and permeates aesthetics and interior design today. Equated with a sense of a simple life and spirituality, there are reasons why having fewer possessions can be linked with more positive mental states. Studies demonstrate that low-consumption lifestyles lead to increased life satisfaction. In concord with self-determination theory, human motivation rests on relatedness, competence, and autonomy. These motivations provide a sense of freedom and authenticity, self-sufficiency and satisfaction, and community and compassion. With these needs met, happiness is attained and with a level of consistency. Associated with the terms, voluntary simplicity, and psychological hygiene, minimalism is more than just an aesthetic choice.
Minimalism and increased psychological well-being
How does minimalism meet fundamental psychological needs? Well, in a society where we are bombarded with consumer stimulus, controlling desires to consume returns to us a sense of personal autonomy. Freedom from conforming to impulses to acquire more to secure happiness allows people to find satisfaction outside the loop of consumerism. Without pursuing consumer goals people have more time to engage in activities that are better for their psychological health and well-being. Plus, living and working in an uncluttered space is better for productivity and competence. Being able to focus and carry out consecutive tasks is also difficult with many distractions that come with technology and social media. However, minimalism is an approach that covers all sectors of life, aiming to eliminate the unnecessary wherever possible.
Minimalism in interior design
Japandi is a new aesthetic minimalist style in interior design. Combining Scandinavian functionality with Japanese rustic minimalism Japandi accents intelligent form within a context of effortless simplicity. Expressing eco styles that celebrate natural materials and sustainability, the emphasis is on minimal quality pieces of second-hand furniture. Space is nurtured with a minimal attitude and clean lines and light colours. Rustic textures offset the smooth empty space that the Japandi aesthetic curates. Resources online advise, on how to attain this look as you blend wabi-sabi and hygge in the unlikely city of London. Gentleman & a Van work with interior designers in London as part of our affiliated business services. As London´s specialist removals and storage service, we appreciate the importance of a minimalist interior space for designers to work with and we often assist them when installing a new interior.
10 steps you can take to become more minimalist at home
Consider the process of minimalism in the home as intentionally living within only the things you really need. To adapt your domestic habits and consumer habits to this ideal there are a few steps you can take:
- Discard the duplicates. Where you have more than one of a particular item you are free to give it away or dispose of it.
- Establish clutter-free zones. If you don´t have clutter-free zones, begin to establish them. Giving every object a fixed place in your home means it is easy to organize and tidy. When you introduce a new object into the home, you will have to find it a specific location.
- Digitalize books and movies and paperwork. While digitalizing books may seem a step too far, paperwork and DVD cases are candidates for dead space. Start with the paperwork and work your way toward the book collection.
- Use reusable cups, flasks, plastic bags, and so on. Refill, buy bulk. All those things.
- Capsule wardrobe – the capsule wardrobe is a concept that works on minimizing the number of clothes you keep in your wardrobe. Be More with Less promotes Project 33 a minimalist fashion challenge to reduce the number of items in your collection to 33.
- Travel Light. Next time you travel on a small trip, experiment with taking the bare minimum necessities. It´s amazing how little we actually need, and this kind of experiment can highlight what is really necessary, and what items you only think you need.
- One in One out Policy. This can apply to everything. New pair of trainers, well time for an old pair to find a new home. Monthly magazine subscription? It is time for the previous edition to leave the premises. New condiment for the refrigerator? Make sure you don’t neglect the others in the excitement over the flavour.
- Simplify your meals. Yes, speaking of condiments, the clutter culprits in the refrigerator. A minimalist lifestyle can entail having the same meal for breakfast and circling a few favourite meals throughout the week. This drastically reduces the amount of food in the fridge. Plus, your decision-making around food is less complicated, and it is easier to budget.
- Digital de-clutter. Yes, you may have smooth minimal interiors with hidden storage units, but your desktop and downloads are harbouring all kinds of outdated material. This can be one of the hardest areas to find time to declutter, but it is worth it to streamline productivity.
- Buy nothing new challenge. You can adopt this policy for a month, to see how your consumer drives are adapting to the new minimalist lifestyle you are living. While exploring what is available in the second-hand market, there are lots of treasures to be found.
Storage and Minimalism
While accumulating and consuming has been the general trend since the 50s, houses have become depositories of stuff. As the minimalism movement is popular with the younger generations, who do not have the same security on the housing ladder, this trend is changing. In tandem, the storage industry has also grown, and become an indispensable aspect of the removals and storage trade. Many people now use storage when tackling a large move, downsizing, or when they are renovating. Storage services have grown more flexible in accordance with demand, making them even more useful to people for domestic and business reasons. A storage unit can be a great way of minimizing the items you are in direct contact with in your daily home life. Sometimes, we need to hold onto things for a while before they are sold or re-purposed. This is when storage really becomes an asset. Gentleman & a Van have recently increased our storage facilities in London to Battersea, as well as our original base in Wimbledon.
Gentleman & a Van – London Storage Solutions
With long-term storage units and temporary storage units in London, we can assist you in decluttering your home and office. Our team works with professionals in London every day, so we can assure you our standard of service is second to none, even when it comes to storing things out of sight and out of mind. Our Man and Van service can work as a delivery service if you require it, so it will always be easy for you to turn around the contents of your container when the time comes. Inventory systems make sure that all items are accounted for and easy to locate even remotely. For the psychological benefits of adopting a minimal lifestyle in your business and at home, you may find a storage solution that can be a great stepping-stone for you. We are happy to provide efficient, simple, and professional solutions that will maximize peace of mind while moving house, storing your possessions, or outsourcing your business requirements to us. Get in touch today to discuss your London storage needs and opportunities.
