SINGAPORE - The news story last month about the growing minimalist movement among homes in Japan caught the imagination of readers worldwide. Advocates of minimalism say it is a “conscious lifestyle choice” as they decide “less is more”; that they enjoy scaling back their possessions because they are tired of keeping up with trends. One enthusiast told reporters, “Spending less time on cleaning or shopping means I have more time to spend with friends, go out, or travel on my days off. I have become a lot more active,”

It’s no surprise that in a consumerist and stressful society like Singapore, minimalism is also a popular trend when it comes to home décor. Singaporean home ideas platform Qanvast, which connects homeowners to interior designers, revealed that stories on minimalist homes are well-received on their website as home owners want to come home to a restful, uncluttered home after a long day at work.

It’s also not true that a minimalist interior equals to less or cheaper renovation cost. “Sometimes to achieve that uncluttered look, you may need to create more storage spaces (like built-in wardrobes) to stow things out of sight,” Qanvast’s assistant marketing manager Madeline Chen said.

More than just keeping things out of sight, a true minimalist home requires discipline to organise and throw things away—to keep hoarding and unnecessary items at bay. Qanvast’s advice on maintaining a minimalist home is start with your shopping habits. For one, do not get items you don’t need, learn to reject freebies and make time to organise things at home.

For more tips, see https://qanvast.com/article/331/keeping-your-home-organised-forever.