Minimizing your belongings.

Many people have joined the community that owns less. It’s a way of life, stripping us down to what is essential, what adds value to our day-to-day, and how we can live a simple but rich life. The emphasis is on keeping only what you need, and not to go too cheap, although cost-efficiency is also important.

Some ideas on how to pursue a minimalist home life:

Make sure your furniture is multi-purpose.
The most important thing to keep in mind when browsing for furniture is: purpose. Furniture that are intentionally carved for functionality, practicality and efficiency.

Declutter.
If you haven’t used, seen or thought about it for the past 6 months, you don’t need it or want it enough. Minimalism is not just about keeping your furniture limited, it’s also about only keeping only what adds value to your life.

Strategize.
Strategically placing furniture and other items next to each other in a way that’s easy to navigate around your home results in tidiness and a generally more pleasant environment.

Recycle or reuse.
Check places like Mawakeb Al Ajer or Souk Al Haraj to bargain hunt for used or slightly used furniture, and even items with minor factory defects sold at low prices.

Have it built!
If you’re feeling creative and inspired, or have an idea to create a multi-purpose furniture item, have it built through local companies that do custom work.

Visit places like IKEA or HOMEBOX for furniture built with minimalism in mind. Here are some of our favorites:

IKEA’s SUNNERSTA
A compact kitchen inspired by travelers and people on a budget, it is built with small hooks to hang mugs, attachable cups for silverware and a simple, and a sink with a space underneath for storing dishwashing liquids and essentials.

IKEA STUVA/FRITIDS
A loft bed and a study table with drawers underneath.

HOMEBOX COUCH
A couch that doubles as a bed like is not entirely a must but it’s always nice to have multi-purpose furniture.