5 surprising storage essentials minimalists avoid – and what they use instead

When we think of minimalism, we think of everything being hidden away to give the illusion of having next to no clutter – so they must have some seriously smart storage, right?

It turns out that devout minimalists will often use minimal storage to really encourage living without excess, and it certainly works to get rid of clutter and create a more streamlined life.

We talked to some professional home organizers who revealed the five types of storage you will (surprisingly) never find in an organized minimalist home, and what they use instead to stop clutter before it starts.

5 types of storage you never find in a minimalist’s home

How you plan your storage ideas will play a huge part in encouraging minimalism at home. The general gist of it is the more storage you have available, the more likely you are to fill it with ‘stuff’.

Audra George, professional organizer, owner, and CEO of Pretty Neat: An Organizational Solution explains, ‘People that live in a minimal way tend to avoid clutter and unnecessary accumulation of items in their space. They want to keep things as simple and functional as possible.’

Here’s what minimalists avoid:

1. Hidden storage

The last thing minimalists want to do is conceal clutter in plain sight. While most of us would rejoice at hidden storage ideas, minimalists have no place for it in their homes.

Audra George, professional organizer, explains, ‘Under-bed storage, things stored behind doors, or in attic spaces are a no-no for true minimalists. They only keep what they need and don't overcrowd the space. This stop minimalists having items they forget they have.’

Similarly, extreme minimalists will avoid opaque storage baskets, says Brenda Scott, professional home organizer and owner of Tidy My Space. ‘Avoid storage bins that are not clear. Not being able to see what's in a tote or bin can lead to overbuying or duplicate purchasing. Opt for clear bins that are washable and sturdy.’

This is certainly one way to be more ruthless when decluttering.

2. ‘Transition’ storage

Minimalists are usually masters of the ‘one touch’ rule, mainly because they avoid any storage solutions that could allow them to put items down and forget about them, or keeping items 'just in case'.

Marine André, home organizer and founder at En route to Joy explains, ‘The ultimate objective is to steer clear of storage solutions that will allow you to place an item down as a 'transition'. Instead, you want to actively find a home for each category of items you own, from scarves to credit cards.

'This means you reduce the cognitive overload: each time you need to make a decision, you're asking your brain to ponder and reach a conclusion – this is not helping when you get home at the end of a long day.’

Veronica Hanson, minimalist coach and owner of Nomad Veronica adds, ‘Hanging on to items just in case is not a habit for minimalists. Therefore the storage boxes and junk drawers that exist in typical homes are just non-existent. It would not be rare to find empty drawers if they are built into the home or shelves left bare.’

3. Off-site storage

A popular storage lesson from small-space living is utilizing rented external storage for lesser-used items – but it is not for minimalists. Audra George, a professional organizer says, ‘Minimalists keep what they have room for and do not typically store belongings in other places.’

This also means not storing items with friends and family.

4. Bulky storage solutions

While there are certainly ways to maximize storage in every room and make use of deep cabinets and drawers, minimalists don't bother.

Audra George, professional organizer points out that ‘big shelving, over-sized cabinets, or large chests or bins are of no use to minimalists. Bulky pieces can take up space and make the room feel smaller with less usable space all while making it more difficult to find your items.’

5. Storage Furniture

While storage furniture is typically one of the things every room should have to stay organized (it is one of the storage products professional organizers can’t live without, after all), it is another storage category minimalists tend to avoid.

Veronica Hanson, minimalist coach explains, ‘Minimalists tend to avoid furniture intended for storage. You won't find hutches, sideboards, TV stands with drawers, bookcases, or curios in a minimalist home. People tend to expand to fill spaces if they exist. A minimalist is more likely to feel comfortable with that empty corner or underutilized wall.

‘Instead, they simply have fewer kitchen items, a wall-mounted TV, audio books or Kindle, and fewer items requiring a flat space to display.’

What they use instead

So, with all the major contenders ruled out, what minimalist-approved storage solutions are left for your home?

Marine André, home organizer reveals that true minimalists like to keep things out in the open. She says, ‘Open shelving encourages you to be selective about what you keep and display. Wall-mounted solutions and furniture with minimal, clean lines also help create a sense of space and intentionality, you're going from a passive receptacle to maintaining a mindful, clutter-free environment

‘For smaller spaces, wire mesh baskets [available at Walmart] also make it impossible to hide excess or unused items, which helps you regularly assess your belongings, discard or keep them with confidence.’

The real secret is minimalists have honed in on the best decluttering methods and live intentionally with far less. The less you have, the less you need to store, and the less storage you need. Everything from the Project 333 challenge to find a capsule wardrobe to the one-in, one-out decluttering rule comes into play to help maintain their spaces from day to day. They don’t have to worry about being stressed by the visual clutter of open storage because they have so little to display.

If diving in at the deep end and ripping out all of your home storage is not quite your idea of fun, consider organizing a home for quiet luxury instead. This helps to reduce visual clutter and make a home look more inviting without having to sacrifice half your belongings.