I happen to love black, white, and gray. I mean, have you seen my website? So this tip might be a little ridiculous coming from me, but here it goes.
Instagram-minimalism has associated having less stuff with living in grayscale. An image with #minimalism will feature all-white coffee mugs on a shelf, or five identical black shirts hanging in an otherwise empty closet.
Many folks look at that and feel turned off by how stark and empty it seems. They want more! They crave a feeling of abundance and variety, and fear that being very intentional with their possessions will leave them feeling like they don’t have “enough,” so they don’t give S.P.A.C.E. a try.
Before I can move on, let me just rant again about how those images are a) not even real and b) not even minimalism. At best, they showcase asceticism, which is a morally defensible philosophical approach to the world. At worst, they showcase an advertisement for a branded product or person, which is irksome.
Okay, back to the topic at hand. You can streamline your possessions and organize your home AND still feel like it’s full of variety, abundance, visual interest, and vitality by incorporating color. Lots of different colors, or lots of one or two favorite colors. As much color as you want, wherever you want. In fact, in my experience, color can help curb the compulsion to buy more stuff for your home because the stuff that is there is more interesting. One of the most streamlined, organized, and functional spaces I’ve ever seen is a veritable fiesta of teal, chartreuse, and navy blue.
A variety of clothing is required equipment for life. Choose whatever colors you want.
Dishes for yourself and your family are required equipment for life. Choose whatever colors you want.
Heck, paint takes up no space in your home. Choose whatever colors you want.
You can use one lovely, high quality teapot, and it can be bubble gum pink.
Your one vase for fresh flowers can be neon green.
You can treasure a handmade patchwork quilt that features every color under the sun.
To me, and others who prefer rooms with low visual stimulation, black, white, and gray are lovely. I live in a house painted what can only be called “landlord beige.” When I’m not dressed like a mime, I’m wearing pretty much only blue or green. BUT, I do have some scarves in many different colors, and they bring me joy and make my wardrobe feel more lively. Minimalism does not mean making your whole life look the first 20 minutes of the Wizard of Oz, y’all.