You've heard the saying "less is more," and nowhere is that truer than in the home. Look around your house and give it an honest assessment. Do you sometimes feel a bit cluttered by all the stuff you've accumulated? You paid good money for all these goods, and you loved them at the time, so what a pity if they're not on display properly.

It may be time to free yourself of such thinking though. Whether you're picturing yourself in a new home from Beavercreek homes for sale, or you're just wanting to feel a little freer and lighter in your current home, it might be time to declutter and try going minimalist.

The goal of minimalism is to be neat, organized, and clutter-free. You can look around your home and breathe without the weight of all those things bearing down. Instead of filling every space with something, you make a friend of lighting and what artists call negative space, as if you're painting a landscape picture in your home.

Maybe you can't imagine how you can let go of your treasured but oh-so-cluttering possessions. Here are some tips that can help.

1. Start with one room at a time.
   Launching the minimalist look in your home can be daunting. You might want to break the job down and start with one room at a time.
   
   
2. Stick to light colors.
   Understated is the rule when it comes to color: white, paired with neutrals, pale grays, and pastels are key to the minimalist style. Light colors will reflect natural light to good effect. A dash of bright color might be added for an accent, but stick to one or two.
   
   
3. Play with empty spaces.
   This is so counterintuitive to the "fill up every space" mentality that it may take some discipline to put it into practice. But you'll get used to the way space interacts with the objects on the walls and about the room. Use empty space to balance your furnishings. You can create a couple or three focal points in a room by juxtaposing them next to an empty space.
   
   
4. Declutter.
   The clutter you've accumulated on your island, countertop, dining room table, or lamp tables will have to go. We can convince ourselves that all those things make life easier, in that we just reach for them rather than going to the cabinet or drawer, but to get that feeling we've lightened the load and are letting our homes breathe free, you have to clear the clutter and keep it out of sight. It may be a little tough to get used to, but once you're used to seeing your home clutter-free, you won't want it any other way. Aim for leaving a few well-chosen elements as the focal points of each room — such as a couple of red or hot pink pops of color in a white or pale, neutral kitchen or dining room.
   
   Another important tip for decluttering: if you haven't used it in a while, instead of stuffing it in a drawer or cabinet, donate or recycle it!
   
   
5. Go for flat surfaces and clean lines.
   Clean lines and flat furniture surfaces really complement the minimalist look. For instance, handle-free cabinets are one way to achieve this look.
   
   
6. Go minimal with window treatments.
   Bare windows would be ideal, but if that won't work, try sheerest curtains or blinds.

Whether you're selling or settling in, our REALTORS® have other tips that will give your home a bold new look. Contact us today.