10 Ways to Mix Minimalism and Dopamine Decor by Keeping Color and Joy

Minimalism ≠ bleak

I'm a minimalist, but I have a bright navy couch. My toss pillows are embroidered in multiple colors. My side tables are painted apple green. The books on my shelf are not color-coordinated, so there's a happy mix of red, blue, green, black, burgundy and more from the gilt-titled spines. There's a large Impressionist-style watercolor on the wall. My bedroom is more understated, but in the entry there's a dresser painted sky blue and another favorite watercolor featuring sunflowers. (I remember buying it from the artist back in the 90s.)

You know what I try to keep out of my home? It's not color. Not texture. Not art or personal possessions. What I try to keep at bay is stuff I don't need. When I have too much stuff, it not only clutters my home – it clutters my head.

Plenty of research shows that when we look at or hear something we consider beautiful, such as art, music, or the natural world, we experience pleasure and feel uplifted. Colors themselves affect our moods, and we all feel happier, friendlier, and more alert in well-lit spaces. But there's also a lot of research showing that a chaotic space can make us feel anxious and unable to concentrate. Cluttered rooms are even associated with depression and obesity.

The most comfortable, joy-filled home is the one where everything you have is needed and loved. By getting rid of the heavy baggage of clutter, you make space to use the tools and supplies that support your life, and for your favorite possessions to shine.

That's not bleak at all!

10 ideas for feel-good decluttering

Decluttering can be a lot of work, both physically and emotionally taxing. But it's possible to add a bit of fun, inspiration, and challenge that will keep you going until you reach the uncluttered state that feels right for you.

1. Time travel.

Recall the things you loved as a child. The things you kept in your room were probably all things you loved. I'm not saying you have to hang posters of superheroes or Disney princesses. Just recall your freer, more playful self as you choose what to keep in your home today.

2. Set the stage.

A darkened room might make you want to curl up with a book, binge watch Game of Thrones, or even take a nap. Lamps, open curtains, and fresh air will tell your brain that it's time to get moving and get things done.

3. Play a game.

Try a scavenger hunt, five-minute decluttering, a one hour Declutter Dare, or the Mins Game.

4. Add entertainment.

Upbeat music is a great accompaniment to decluttering because it adds rhythm, energy, and movement. You can create a playlist or turn on a favorite radio station. But if music isn't what you're craving, listen to a podcast or audio book. Just be sure to choose something that won't distract you so much that you don't get anything done.

5. Beat the clock.

If you're competitive, set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can accomplish before it goes off. This is a great technique because it keeps you motivated and focused instead of spiraling into worry, guilt, or overthinking.

You could also have a race with your family to see who can find the most things to declutter within a time period (try 10-15 minutes). Then take a family bike ride, go out for ice cream, or settle down for popcorn and family movie night.

6. Pick a starting point.

Choose a color you love, something that brings you joy. Now choose the items you own in that color, whether bedding, dishware, art, rugs, painted furniture, or something else. Build your rooms around those items, adding a few favorite things in analogous (adjacent on the color wheel) or contrasting colors. Let go of the rest.

7. Focus on better living.

If you want to have more fun family dinners, start by choosing your favorite dinnerware and linens and removing what merely sits in a cupboard or drawer. Do the same with cookware – find the perfect storage spot for your wok if you love to experiment with stir-fries, or put your favorite cookie cutters in a glass jar that's easy to grab out of the cupboard when you're ready to bake with your kids.

On the other hand, you might want to "tone down" areas where you have trouble setting healthy limits. If you're trying to cut back on alcohol, for example, keep fewer (or no) items that belong on a bar cart. If you tend to binge-watch, a colorful, super-comfortable TV room might keep you there longer. Put the focus on a reading nook or game table instead.

8. Ask a question.

If you're truly stuck, these questions may help you remove more:

• Does this item spark joy? (Thanks, Marie Kondo!) If your answer is anything other than a hearty "Yes!" remove the item. Iffy answers are not acceptable: "Well, it used to" or "It would if I fixed it/lost weight/got back in shape" or "But I should read that/cook with that/do that project even though I haven't and it's been three years." Be honest and brave.

• Would I buy this item today if I saw it in a store? Would it appeal to who I am now?

• Does this item have a specific place to belong in my home? If you don't have a designated home for something, you either don't need or use it, or you have too much stuff. If this thing is important, give it a home. If it's just taking space, get rid of it.

• Have I used this item in the past year? Have I gone 365 or more days without needing it (or even thinking about it)? If I donated it, could someone else use it right now? (Remember, the longer you hang on to something you're not using, the more outdated and less valuable it becomes.)

• How difficult would it be to replace this item if I wound up needing it after all? Could I borrow it? Is there something else I could use instead?

• Am I keeping this item purely out of guilt, obligation, or fear? Just because you spent money for it or were given it is not a reason to keep it. The money is gone forever, whether you keep the thing or not. And giving is an act of love, but expecting you to keep something you don't like or use is a burden. Guilt, obligation, and fear are the opposite of joy.

9. Get support.

Ask a friend to work with you, and then you can return the favor. This strategy is great when you need someone who has no emotional attachment to your stuff. Your dear friend will have no trouble telling you – kindly and sweetly, of course – that you'd be crazy to hang on to that whatever-it-is for another minute.

10. Celebrate your progress.

Be sure to take before-and-after photos to remind yourself of how far you've come. And when you complete a category or a room, reward yourself! Get a massage, take yourself out to dinner, enjoy a soak in the tub, get outside and enjoy the sunset or the stars, or simply relax with a loved one or your pet in your beautifully uncluttered space.

The joy of minimalism

Keep reminding yourself that decluttering is about designing your best life. You're not depriving yourself – you're making room for what truly matters. The process might be messy, emotional, and even overwhelming at times, but it's also incredibly rewarding. It's all about creating a home that you love.

Want even more inspiration and ideas for living clutter-free? Don't strip down to a bleak existence. Instead, find your just-right mix of ease, comfort, and beauty.

My book, Goodbye, Clutter: Say Hello to the Freedom of Minimalism,* will give you the practical advice you need to create and maintain a home that reflects the best parts of you.

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