Minimalist Apartment Checklist: A Step-By-Step Guide for Set Up

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If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a minimalist apartment, you are definitely not alone.

Whether it’s the dream of having an immaculate home or just having more space, the idea of living in a minimalist apartment is one that many people find appealing.

Fortunately, living in a minimalist apartment doesn’t have to be difficult. If you want to live comfortably and stylishly in an apartment that is small and simple, then this post will help you get started!

Your Complete Minimalist Apartment Checklist

The minimalist lifestyle has become increasingly popular in recent years. This trend is especially common among young adults looking for affordable, sustainable living.

A minimalist apartment is about having only the essentials. You should be able to fit all your belongings into one room and still have plenty of space left over.

The key here is to eliminate clutter— everything you don’t need, love, or use regularly.

The following checklist will help you determine whether your apartment is considered minimalist in the strictest terms:

You have no more than three pieces of furniture (bed, sofa, and table).
Your kitchen is empty except for a few necessary utensils and dishes.
No pictures on the walls or shelves except a tiny painting or photograph that reminds you of someone close to you (maybe even yourself!).
You have only one bookcase with books that you use daily and nothing else!

While this is a great list to use as a jumping-off point, I think it’s a good idea to use minimalism to add value to your life and not detract from it.

For instance, essential items are going to be different for everyone. If you want family photos up then it’s totally okay to do that. Minimalist apartment designs don’t have to be completely sterile and bare.

There is room for grace here.

What is Minimalism?

Minimalism is a lifestyle that underlines the importance of living with less.

It’s not just about getting rid of things but making space for the things necessary to you and maximizing your quality of life by prioritizing what you truly need and want.

While minimalism can be applied in many areas of your life, it is most often associated with decluttering your home—and with good reason! The numerous benefits of living in a minimalist apartment include:

Increased mental clarity and focus.
A sense of calm that comes from knowing no extraneous items are taking up space.
An increased sense of freedom (because you have more time without worrying about cleaning or organizing).
Better living in a small space

Why You Should Consider Making Your New Place a Minimalist Home

The minimalist home design is not just a trend. It’s a lifestyle that is becoming more and more popular.

Many people are embracing this style of living because it allows them to live with less stuff, which is a good thing.

Here are some benefits of minimalism and some reasons why you should consider making your new place a minimalist home:

Less Stress

When you have fewer possessions, you spend less time cleaning up after them and organizing them.

No need to worry about where everything goes when guests come over for dinner because there’s nothing for them to trip over.

And there are no clutter-related arguments about where something should go because there’s nowhere it can be kept!

I don’t think we realize just how much we keep note of mentally.

Lower Bills

A minimalist home can also help lower your monthly bills by reducing how much electricity and water you use in the house.

There are fewer lights on at night and less heat during the day when nobody is at home. You’ll save money on clothing, too, since you won’t need as many clothes if they’re stored neatly instead of piled up in the closet! You could even consider creating a capsule wardrobe.

You’ll Spend Less Time Cleaning

Keeping a minimalist home clean is much easier because there’s less clutter everywhere.

You won’t have to spend as much time cleaning up after yourself due to junk collecting dust in the corner of the room. Similarly, you won’t have to take time moving things when cleaning.

Even a small space can take so much work to keep clean when you’re trying to move around a lot of clutter and stuff.

You’ll Have More Free Time

With fewer distractions around the house, you’ll have more time on your hands to do whatever makes you happy. You’ll get more time to spend with your loved ones or just relax by yourself every once in a while.

Everything You Need to Set Up Your Minimalist Apartment

As you’re about to embark on your new home, there are a few things that you should know.

It can look like it will take a lot of money to fully furnish an apartment but the great thing about minimalism is that it often goes hand in hand with conscious consumerism.

Therefore, one of the best ways to get what you need on a small budget is to look for second-hand items. The good news is that there are always people selling essential pieces of furniture for a good price or often for free!

First, remember that you don’t need much to set up a minimalist lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean you limit yourself to the basics. Here’s how to set up your new space that’s more than the basics.

Living Room

This is the first room visitors see when they walk into your apartment. It’s also where you spend most of your time. And that’s why it’s vital to make it feel like a welcoming place that’s not too cluttered or noisy.

Here are top tips for setting up a minimalist living room:

Use space wisely by placing furniture pieces near each other. This will allow you to maximize your floor space and reduce clutter.
Keep the area clean by removing anything that doesn’t serve a purpose in the room. If you have too much furniture, replace some with more minimalist pieces such as a coffee table or bookshelf.
Use light colors and white walls and floors to create an open space with plenty of light coming in through windows. Dark colors make a room appear smaller than it is, while lighter colors will make it appear bigger than it actually is!
However, bright colors aren’t something you have to shy away from. The minimalist aesthetic is often white and bright but that doesn’t mean you have to live like that. Do what makes you happy and comfortable.
Add artwork or photos on walls as decoration to liven up the area without making it look cluttered!
Remember that empty spaces are not a bad thing. There’s no need to fill every corner in every room of your home!

When it comes to a list of what you actually need in your living room, here’s a very basic list:

Sofa
A side table or coffee table
TV (or just use a smart device)
Bookshelf

To make it a little cozier I would add:

A throw blanket
Some decorative cushions
Indoor plant
Wall art

Kitchen Essentials

The kitchen is a minimalist’s best friend, as it can be one of the most rewarding areas to declutter.

It’s also among the easiest places to get started with minimalism because you can find many multi-purpose household items that don’t require much storage space (think: wooden spoons, Tupperware containers, and colanders).

If you want ideas on how to streamline your kitchen, here are the things to consider:

Eliminate everything that doesn’t serve a purpose.
Create storage solutions for everything else.
Keep your counters clear.
Keep only one set of plates and bowls in the cupboard at a time (so they’re easy to find).
Shop thrift stores for essential kitchen items. They’re often of better quality and will last!

Kitchen essentials can be a little harder to list because the way everyone cooks and uses their kitchen is different. However, here is a jumping-off point:

Cutlery
Dinner set
Wooden spoon/other cooking utensils
Can opener
Mugs
Glasses
Knives
Pots & Pans
Cutting board
Measuring cups & spoons
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Electric mixer

Again, this is just a starting point for you. You’ll have to add in items that you know you use often.

Bathroom

A minimalist bathroom might be what you need for utmost relaxation and comfort and to revolutionize your overall bathroom experience.

The checklist below will help you create a minimalist bathroom by providing suggestions that can be easily implemented in your new place. It also has design idea guides to help you decorate your minimalist bathroom.

Declutter your bathroom first. Take everything out and clean up any mess that may exist there. Once this task is done, you can start putting items back into their proper places.
Make sure everything has its place by organizing things inside cabinets or drawers, so they don’t take up too much space and become an eyesore for anyone walking into the room.
Don’t forget about the medicine cabinet! Keep only things like mouthwash and toothpaste inside so everything looks neat.
Towels and washcloths. Towels and washcloths are used for drying off after showers, baths, and even washing your hands! Ensure you have enough for every person who lives in your apartment — plus extras in case there are guests over or if someone accidentally forgets theirs at home one night!
Toiletries cabinet or vanity area. This is where all your toiletries go, so they should be easy to reach when needed (and they don’t clutter up the countertops!). Try storing things like makeup remover wipes, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and more inside small jars to avoid getting lost.
Everyday items should be easy to access but also put away and out of sight so that there’s not much clutter.

A bathroom really does not need to hold a lot. This is definitely an area where clutter can build up quickly. Here are some of the bare basics you need:

Towels
Washcloths
Bath mat
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Hair tools
Shaving tools
Medicine

Depending on your apartment set up you may also store our hair tools and products in the bathroom as well.

Bedroom

The bedroom is the most crucial room in your apartment. It’s where you sleep, relax, and spend your time alone.

Bedroom furniture should be comfortable, functional, and minimal. Here are some tips for creating a minimalist bedroom:

Choose only what you need. For example, don’t get a dresser if you have nowhere to put it or don’t need extra storage space.
Remove all unnecessary items from your bedroom. This includes photos on the walls, knick-knacks on shelves, and decorative items on display. Add back only what you really love.
Use under-bed storage.
Use folding furniture or shelving units instead of dressers and nightstands.
Buy an air mattress that can be folded up when not in use (and stored under your bed), so you don’t take up floor space when guests come over or if you have sleepovers.
Consider whether you need two night stands or if one will do the trick if you’re the only one using the bedroom.
Make your bed the statement piece. Less is more and the best thing to do is invest in good quality linen that doubles as art.

Again, your bedroom does not need to hold a lot. Here are some ideas:

Bed
Nightstand
Clothing storage

Office

Finding space for a home office can be tricky if you live in a small apartment or condo. But if you have the room, it’s a great way to get work done outside the office.

In most cases, you only need a desk and chair (or even an area rug on the floor). If your space is extra small, try these tricks:

Place your desk at an angle so it takes up less space in front and behind. This also allows more light to fill the room and makes it feel brighter.
Use open shelving instead of closed cabinets that take up wall space.
Hang shelves from the ceiling for additional storage without taking up floor space.
Get creative with small spaces by adding built-in seating areas that double as storage bins for books and files — these can be tucked away when they’re not needed, but they’ll still provide extra seating when the company comes over!

In an apartment setup it’s very likely you’ll be sharing your office space with another room or potentially the only room you have. It’s important to keep to just the basics and really utilize good storage options.

You’ll need:

A work surface (either a desk, table, or even a lap table)
Somewhere to store chargers and cables
A light for the evenings to help with eye strain
A filing cabinet or paper storage of some kind
You may also need a printer

Decor

When it comes to decorating your new apartment, minimalist decor is the way to go. It’s an easy way to get the most out of your space, and if you’re renting, it’s also a superb way to save money.

Use these tips to create a minimalist living space that will complement any decor style you choose:

Organize with baskets and bins.
Get rid of excess stuff.
Keep only what you love on display in your living room, bedroom, and kitchen.
Look for items that can be multi-functional (like bookshelves that double as seating).

Conclusion

So, if you’re looking to make your next move a minimal one, this checklist is the perfect place to start. It’s full of tips on how to go about creating a minimalist apartment in your current space or buying a new home that suits your needs better—and all at an affordable price!

Look for furniture pieces that double as storage so that you can have clear surfaces and clutter-free space.

Minimalist essentials are going to differ from person to person so make your own list and feel free to come up with the minimalist apartment of your dreams!

We hope these suggestions will give some inspiration for creating a comfortable and sustainable living environment wherever you may be.