What Holiday Houses Taught Me About Minimalism
Learn 6 simple ways to take that uncluttered, calming holiday feeling back home with you
Whenever I come home from holidays, I look around my house and see, with fresh eyes, all the ‘stuff’ that unnecessarily fills my house. The simplicity of holidays has taught me a few things about living with less. Take these simple holiday observations and apply them to your home to help create a relaxed and calm sanctuary for your whole family to enjoy.
Have a look around your home and see if there are any decorations or ornaments that you can remove to increase your sense of space. Your clutter-free home will encourage you to relax when you walk in after a busy day.
2. Limit your kitchen supplies
It took me a few years of holidaying to fully appreciate the minimal kitchen supplies provided in self-contained holiday cottages or houses. Having so few kitchen supplies forces us do the dishes after each meal. The five minutes spent washing and drying dishes several times a day was a chance for family members to connect and chat while cleaning up. It also meant that at no stage while holidaying was there a full sink of dishes putting a dampener on the holiday mood.
13 kitchen storage tips for domestic bliss
It took me a few years of holidaying to fully appreciate the minimal kitchen supplies provided in self-contained holiday cottages or houses. Having so few kitchen supplies forces us do the dishes after each meal. The five minutes spent washing and drying dishes several times a day was a chance for family members to connect and chat while cleaning up. It also meant that at no stage while holidaying was there a full sink of dishes putting a dampener on the holiday mood.
13 kitchen storage tips for domestic bliss
Consider reducing the plates, bowls, mugs and glasses in your home and get into the habit of quickly doing the dishes after each meal, even if that means immediately stacking the dishwasher. It’s so lovely to have a tidy kitchen after each meal, you’ll almost feel like you’re back on holidays.
3. Boredom is good
Our family deliberately embraces board games, going on bike rides and reading books when we’re on holidays. But holidays are also great because we slow down, and when we slow down our creative brain wakes up. Kids have their most creative moments following boredom, and I dare say adults are the same.
How can we bring some of that good holiday boredom into our normal work week? Sunday afternoons for our family are a time of ‘nothingness’. No plans, no agenda and a great space for boredom, creativity and family connection.
Our family deliberately embraces board games, going on bike rides and reading books when we’re on holidays. But holidays are also great because we slow down, and when we slow down our creative brain wakes up. Kids have their most creative moments following boredom, and I dare say adults are the same.
How can we bring some of that good holiday boredom into our normal work week? Sunday afternoons for our family are a time of ‘nothingness’. No plans, no agenda and a great space for boredom, creativity and family connection.
4. Embrace a minimal wardrobe
No matter where I’m going on holidays, no matter how long I travel for and no matter the weather I always seem to over pack. The reason I know I’ve over packed isn’t because my suitcase is bulging or weighs too much; it’s because I never seem to need everything I pack. When I’m on holidays I seem to wear the same clothes over and over again. And when I think about it, I really do the same thing when I’m home too.
The 80 per cent of my wardrobe that I didn’t bring on holidays isn’t missed while I’m away. So I ask the question – how many of the clothes in my wardrobe do I really wear and need to keep? Maybe you too could reduce the number of items in your wardrobe and live more like you’re on holidays, with just a few of your favourite pieces to pick from.
No matter where I’m going on holidays, no matter how long I travel for and no matter the weather I always seem to over pack. The reason I know I’ve over packed isn’t because my suitcase is bulging or weighs too much; it’s because I never seem to need everything I pack. When I’m on holidays I seem to wear the same clothes over and over again. And when I think about it, I really do the same thing when I’m home too.
The 80 per cent of my wardrobe that I didn’t bring on holidays isn’t missed while I’m away. So I ask the question – how many of the clothes in my wardrobe do I really wear and need to keep? Maybe you too could reduce the number of items in your wardrobe and live more like you’re on holidays, with just a few of your favourite pieces to pick from.
5. Eat meals together
Whether it’s fish and chips on the beach, a pub meal or a backyard barbecue, sharing a meal with friends or family is part of the overall holiday experience. Because we make the time for each other on holidays, our meal times are less rushed and filled with lively conversation.
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Whether it’s fish and chips on the beach, a pub meal or a backyard barbecue, sharing a meal with friends or family is part of the overall holiday experience. Because we make the time for each other on holidays, our meal times are less rushed and filled with lively conversation.
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Everyday life can be busy, but making the time to sit and enjoy a meal with those you love is important.
6. Excess is not needed
Have you ever been on an extended holiday, travelling light and experiencing the world? Then when you arrive home you’re amazed at how much ‘stuff’ you have in your home that you simply don’t need. Holidays are a great time to embrace the simplicity, but it can be quite confronting to arrive home and realise how much excess you have in your life.
What to look for in the perfect holiday rental
Have you ever been on an extended holiday, travelling light and experiencing the world? Then when you arrive home you’re amazed at how much ‘stuff’ you have in your home that you simply don’t need. Holidays are a great time to embrace the simplicity, but it can be quite confronting to arrive home and realise how much excess you have in your life.
What to look for in the perfect holiday rental
Next time you arrive back from holidays, spend some time walking around your home and seeing if you can declutter some possessions that you no longer need or love. The sense of freedom it will give you may help you to carry that holiday vibe through to your everyday life.
Tell us
What holiday wisdom have you brought home with you? Like, share or bookmark this story, and share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Tell us
What holiday wisdom have you brought home with you? Like, share or bookmark this story, and share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Browse more contemporary beach houses
The best holiday houses are the ones where you walk in and instantly feel relaxed. Often this sense of calm is created by clear uncluttered space. Beautiful holiday houses have simple and intentional decorations, usually with a serene theme to help guests unwind.