Last week, Beth left the following lovely comment on my post about The Joy of Less:
Thank you! I read your book last week and loved it! There is so much valuable information in it! I started today with my bedroom closet. I kept remembering your words and kept going. I did it and the bedroom (which I am going to use as a yoga room too–don’t have a mattress and box spring–just a futon) is next! My closet looks so good! I can’t believe it but I am only using half of the rods to hang clothes on. I feel like a real minimalist–ok maybe a beginner but I’m into it now. ( :
I was immediately intrigued by her closet makeover (what minimalist wouldn’t be?), and invited her to send me some “before” and “after” photos. I also asked her which advice from my book she found to be most valuable, or inspirational, in her decluttering process. Here was her reply:
What really helped me:
Your advice to take everything out, everything! I didn’t want to do it at first–just as you wrote–there were some things I thought I’d be putting back anyway, why take them out? I did as you suggested though and you know what, many of those items never made it back into the closet!
Also your suggestion about using modules for projects or like items. This really helped me. I make jewelry and knit. Now I have jewelry supply, knitting supply and even technology supply modules instead of having these things all over the table surface or on the closet floor! That box on the shelf with the bike helmet is my jewelry making supply module.
For the kitchen–your strong advice (I love it) to have a place for everything. I realized if my drawers and cabinets were not cluttered then I’d have room for the kitchen items I use but don’t need to have cluttering the counter.
Also–invaluable–your idea of Trash, Treasure or Transfer. This made it fun and easy to do the initial sort through the stuff. I would always get stuck right at the beginning obsessing over items or paperwork and just quitting. This time I just made piles. In trash I had recycle or shred. I’m shredding some of it myself but am going to a community shredding event for the bulk of it. That gave me the idea to post links on my blog to shredding events.
So without further ado, here are the photos of Beth’s closet transformation (before on the left, after on the right):
Beth’s closet
Notice the clear floor, the nice amount of breathing room between clothes, and the color coding of the bottom rack. She also removed the jumble of boxes from her top shelf, leaving just one box and her bike helmet (what a difference!). I’m sure this serene and streamlined space makes it a pleasure to get dressed each morning!
Beth was also kind enough to send me a snap of her gorgeous, decluttered kitchen:
Beth’s kitchen
Those empty countertops are a minimalist’s dream! Keeping all surfaces clear is an important step in my STREAMLINE method (my strategy for achieving, and maintaining, a decluttered home). As I mentioned to Beth, this photo would have made a great illustration for my book. :-)
Many thanks to Beth for sharing these inspirational photos! If you’d like to learn more about her minimalist journey (and see more of her decluttering pics), please visit her blog, Staying True. You can also read her full review of my book while you’re there.
I really enjoyed this, and would love to make “Minimalist Makeovers” a regular feature on the blog. If you have one to share (whether it’s your garage, your living room, or simply your sock drawer), email it to me at:
ct09 AT missminimalist.com (remove the spaces and replace the AT with @, of course!)
Please include a photo of your newly-decluttered space (and a “before” pic, if you have one!). Also, let me know what decluttering advice (from my book, or otherwise) inspired you most.
{If you’d like to read more about minimalist living, please consider buying my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
Well done, Beth! Your closet is beautiful! And that kitchen is just immaculate!
Thanks HK! I am enjoying them!
Well done for the closet !
But I would like to know what you had for dinner. I can’t imagine such a kitchen except in a shop.
I also use the “move everything out of the room” method. It is the only method I’ve used where I actually saw a dramatic difference. (Well, that and the episode 20 years ago when I got rid of almost everything I owned and moved to a new city.) It’s interesting how things can look so different when you take them out of their usual surroundings and see them in a new light. You see all that stuff as what it really is– mostly just stuff.
P.S. That kitchen looks like a dream!
Hi nicole–thank you! I eat vegetables, fruit, some whole grains–it’s just that I’ve started a new habit–I make myself clean up right after–it’s all new for me!
Well done Beth! Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos. Adore your kitchen. Mine hasn’t looked that good since I first moved into my apartment. My next kitchen will definitely be different, as I’ve learned so much over the past few months. I’ll be sure to check out your blog.
Mrs. M.–thank you! Exactly! I’m seeing that now.
Betty Jo–thank you! Isn’t this a wonderful website! I am learning so much here from Miss Minimalist!
I really like seeing the before and after pictures. I wish I had that much space between my clothes, sometimes it’s a struggle to take them in and out. I think I will work on my closet this weekend. Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi Ella–have fun working on your closet!
Thanks for sharing your photos, Beth! I’ve bookmarked your website, and look forward to following your journey into minimalism. I really enjoyed your review of Francine’s book.
Thanks so much jenna. I really appreciate your support. It’s wonderful to be able share my experience.
Thanks again for all of your kind comments and support and thank you Miss Minimalist!
Francine, great idea to let readers show how The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide can create a sustainable method for keeping the home organized and filled with essentials.
@Beth – I really liked the second picture (obviously lol). The difference is so clear and it truly looks great. I know you must be enjoying the extra space and functionality now.
Nice photos. My closet is pretty spare, but my wife’s could use a makeover. :)
I like your red kettle. It’s a great pop of color in your simple, minimalist kitchen.
In one word: INSPIRING!
Thanks for the photos too- that really motivates me to tackle some of my “sticky” areas!
Reggie–the extra space feels wonderful!
MarieinVA–on the right you can just see the tip of a metal fruit bowl and there is one piece of pottery there that really stands out too.
Thanks–A simple guy and Deidre!
I can’t wait to see some of your pics here! ( :
Your kitchen counters look fabulous Beth. You have inspired me to clear even more off of mine. I look forward to following your blog and your journey.
Thank you Paige! I’m still keeping them clear. Sometimes I find myself wanting to put something on them, especially when I first get in but then I catch myself and put the item away where it belongs. I’m retraining myself.
i am a minimalist, too, but I think there’s a difference between minimalism and stripping a room of all objects! The kitchen just looks bare, devoid of any character or personal objects that might tell one about the occupant’s style or character.
If that is the goal of minimalism in your mind, I think the kitchen’s owner achieved it, but I prefer a FEW items that add color and life to a room.
Hi fern–I understand what you are saying. I do have a piece of pottery around the right corner. But yes, I do like it pretty sparse. ( :
And Fern, that’s the beauty of Minimalism. Personally, I have a few objects in my den, but if someone wants no decore at all, more power to them.
I’m glad that we have the freedom to choose the minimalist style that suits each of us. I’m extremely happy that minimalism does not embrace a “one size fits all” philosophy.
The comment about keeping the kitchen surfaces clean and uncluttered inspired me to go home yesterday and unclutter the bathroom surfaces… then cleaned out all the junk in my bathroom in one giant clean sweep. Thanks for the inspiration!
I would love it if my kitchen island and countertops were that clear. I have a 4 & 6 year old that often bring artwork home from school. Any recommendations on how to convince them to purge it (my son likes to hold onto everything)? And any recommendations on tracking all the paperwork from school? Thanks!
Julia, check out this blog for ideas on what to with kids artworks: http://simplemom.net/what-to-do-with-kids-artwork/
I used to hang artwork until the next great piece came along. Each year, I’d save the really outstanding art,awards,essays,etc. in a shirt box. Then the kids and I would further sort. Now they are 40,38 and 34 and I have 1box for each. My oldest has his biggest trophies down his basement. I framed an award my youngest got from the Navy, when he has a place he can take it with him. My daughter puts things on Facebook periodically.
I loved the kitchen picture with the empty counters. So spacious. I try every day to keep surfaces clear. I am down to 4 pots and some storage items. I seldom cook so there is no reason to have full cupboards. I am still getting rid of old china we don’t need.
It seems impossible to keep my kitchen counters this clear with as many living in my home as there are right now. Plus, oranges abound from our trees, so I am continually juicing them for use in berry-coconut-spinach smoothies. Then there’s my Omega juicer. Those appliances are heavy, so even though I like clear counters, I made the choice to keep out the Vita Mix, the Omega, and the Citrus Juicer instead of moving them in and out of cupboards daily. Then there’s all the fruit…oranges, apples, kiwi, bananas, pomegranates, pineapple, etc, not to mention all the persimmons laid out to ripen. I think I just need a bigger kitchen. Plus, what do minimalists do for emergency food storage? I live in an earthquake zone, so part of my kitchen cupboards contain dry beans and grains to escape can storage. This might be a good topic for Miss Minimalist to cover!
When we owned a house, food could be on shelves in the basement. In our condo, food or paper goods could be under beds or in a store room. Bottom cupboards are also good places for extra water or other heavy goods. If you clear out your linen closet, extra paper goods could go there.