For most people, minimalism means plain white rooms with barely any space for decor. However, that isn’t the case for Martha Stewart, who views it completely differently. For her, it still has an element of warmth and feels inviting. So, if you’re thinking of changing up your home, here are 16 tips about how to keep your home minimal.
Start With What You Already Have
Firstly, don’t even think about going shopping. Martha’s first rule is to look at what’s already in your home. It’s easy to feel like you need to buy new furniture or trendy decor when you want to go minimal, but that’s not her approach at all.
She recommends clearing out the stuff you don’t use, then really seeing what you’ve got. You’d be surprised how great a room can look when it’s just clean and well-edited.
Keep Your Color Palette Soft and Simple
One thing she swears by is calm colors. That doesn’t mean stripping your house of all personality. Instead, she leans into muted tones that play nicely together. Think nature colors like sage green, oatmeal, soft clay, and pale blue. These tones make everything feel more connected and less chaotic.
Use Natural Materials Wherever You Can
When you think about it, this just makes sense. Martha always brings nature inside in one way or another. She’s not big on plastic or overly glossy finishes. She recommends filling your home with materials like raw wood, stone, rattan, wool, or linen. These textures add depth and richness without needing a lot of stuff.
Hide the Everyday Stuff in Pretty Storage
Honestly, this one makes a big difference fast. Everyone has clutter, and she doesn’t pretend you should get rid of everything. Her solution is to use discreet and attractive storage that blends in. She likes using neutral-toned baskets, lidded boxes, or even old furniture pieces that double as storage, like a bench with compartments inside.
Invest in Fewer, Better Things
Truthfully, this is something a lot of people overlook. Martha always leans toward quality over quantity. She encourages buying pieces that are well-made and multi-functional. If your home is filled with items that you actually love and use, there’s less need to buy filler stuff.
Let Every Room Breathe
For sure, if there’s one thing Martha’s homes always have, it’s space to breathe. She’s not afraid of empty areas. You’ll notice she often leaves a bare stretch of wall or keeps one shelf totally clear.
It gives you room to think and focus, because when every inch is packed with decor or furniture, it’s overwhelming. By giving your home space, it feels bigger and more welcoming.
Add One Thing That Makes You Smile
Here’s a tip that adds a little heart. She doesn’t believe minimalism has to feel distant or cold. Martha always adds one element to every space that’s purely joyful, something that doesn’t serve a big purpose but just makes you feel good. This little pop of warmth balances out the simplicity.
Stick to One Statement Piece Per Room
The best way to make a room feel elegant and uncluttered is to pick one standout item and let it have the spotlight. When the rest of the room is quiet, that one bold piece really sings. It’s dramatic without being chaotic. It also makes decorating easier, as you don’t need to keep adding things.
Clean Daily, Just a Little
Something a little more practical is that Martha is a big believer in short daily cleaning routines. She’s not into letting messes build up and then tackling them all at once. It might seem minor, but these little habits keep your space looking and feeling fresh. There’s no need to deep clean daily, just maintain.
Keep the Kitchen Open and Functional
So when it comes to the kitchen, Martha keeps things simple. She believes the kitchen should be a place where cooking is easy and enjoyable, not a battlefield of clutter. Her advice? Only keep the essentials out on the counter, like a cutting board, salt and pepper, maybe a bowl of fruit or a potted herb. Everything else should be stored where it belongs.
Display Things with Intention
Martha isn’t against decorating, but she does it with purpose. You can avoid filling shelves with every knick-knack by choosing a few favorite items and arranging them thoughtfully. This kind of intentional display makes your home feel curated, not cluttered. It’s all about making what you have look amazing.
Use Light to Your Advantage
You may not have thought about this, but lighting is half the mood. Natural light is free and totally underused. She suggests keeping windows uncovered when you can or using sheer curtains that let the sun in. She also likes adding mirrors across from windows to bounce light around the room.
Ditch the Theme, Keep the Vibe
If you want your home to feel a little more freeing, then Martha doesn’t believe you have to commit to one style or theme. She blends traditional with modern, rustic with elegant, as long as it feels good. Choose pieces that give you that emotion, even if they’re not all part of the same style.
Make Your Bed Every Morning
Believe it or not, this tiny habit adds up fast and is a daily must. It’s the fastest way to make your bedroom feel pulled together, even if everything else is a mess. If you don’t feel like it, then you don’t have to go overboard, just straighten the sheets and maybe toss on a throw. It’s two minutes, tops.
Edit Once a Month
Stuff has a way of piling up, even in a minimalist space. Martha recommends a once-a-month edit where you quickly walk through your home and ask, Do I use this? Or do I even notice this anymore? If the answer is no, it might be time to donate.
Let Seasons Inspire You
Last but not least, this one brings the whole idea full circle. Martha loves to reflect the season in subtle ways. This doesn’t mean you have to redecorate for every holiday, however, swapping in a cozy throw for winter or placing fresh peonies on the table in spring can change the energy in your home.
A bowl of apples in fall or a pine-scented candle in December adds warmth and relevance without clutter. It keeps your space feeling fresh and alive.
Parts of this article were developed using AI assistance.