Living in Colorado

Because if it doesn't spark joy, then what's the point?

If you love Marie Kondo as much as we do, then you're probably already a little inspired to declutter and simplify your home.

A cluttered home often leads to a cluttered mind and life, and we don't have time for that in 2019. Here are a few ways to organize your home:

Commit to timeless materials

Part of the trick to perfecting minimalism is getting it right the first time. While most of us already tend to think of our furniture as a monetary investment, it’s also important to view big-ticket items as an aesthetic investment.

“I’ve found that natural furnishings and materials are timeless,” says Gosia Piatek, New Zealand–based fashion designer and founder of sustainable clothing brand Kowtow. In her 700-square-foot family home, for instance, you’ll find a sofa made from local wool and a pine-and-steel dining table. “You’ll rarely have to update those pieces because they wear beautifully over time.”

Before you buy more, ask: “Does this inspire me?”

If a once-a-year walk-through isn’t enough, catch yourself regularly while you’re shopping. “I think it is important to check in with your space often and make sure that there are not things that have accumulated that are not functional or bring you supreme inspiration,” says self-professed minimalist and clothing designer Jesse Kamm.

Lesson learned? Before you walk to the checkout line, ask yourself, Is this cheap Ikea coffee table really worth it? When I look at it, does it feel like me? If it’s not something you’d brag about to friends at a dinner party, wait for the real deal.

Shop vintage

Not everything in your home has to be clean, crisp, and new. Incorporating aged pieces sourced from local vintage and antique shops is a great way to tell a story within your space. Without veering from her pared-down aesthetic, photographer Amy Harrity’s zen San Francisco home is the perfect blend of flea market finds and modern pieces. Her word of advice? “Wait to find the pieces you love!” shares Harrity.

Schedule an annual purge

On January 1, whip out your agenda and mark down a day (or an entire weekend) to dedicate to clutter. We’re not talking spring-cleaning or tossing a few throwaway items in a donation bin: We’re talking a thorough purge. “It’ll help you stay organized and [ensure] everything in your home has a home,” adds Harrity.

Do a nightly sweep through

“It is easy to keep a neat space when there is very little to clutter it up,” suggests Kamm. Her hot tip? “Spend about 10 minutes each day putting things back in their place. When you do a bit each day, you’re more likely to stay on top of the organization. Plus, the OCD helps.”

It’s easy to forget what you own when you don’t see or touch it on a daily basis. Going around to each room—even if you’re just looking—will help you out when it’s time for your annual purge and you’re trying to prioritize what needs to go and what can stay.

For more ideas + inspiration, visit Domino.