7 Minimalist Family Blogs About Living Clutter-Free and Happy With Kids
Have you ever looked around your clutter-filled living room and dreamt about living in a more minimalist home with your family?
It’s actually less of a fantasy than you might think!
Before you dismiss the idea of adopting a minimalist lifestyle as impractical with kids, take a tour with me into the world of families who’ve made it happen.
And no, they’re not all barefoot, dreadlocked, and tie-dyed to the hilt.
These are regular people with regular lives who’ve decided to cut down on the amount of stuff they own and focus on living intentionally instead.
While not quite as commonplace as their child-free counterparts, embracing minimalism as a family is definitely becoming more mainstream.
And with good reason.
According to a report by LA Times, there are 300,000 items in the average American home. When you factor in children, this amount escalates significantly.
UCLA claims that despite making up only 3.1% of the world’s children, American children own 40% of the toys consumed globally. These overwhelming statistics highlight a stark reality: Americans, and Westerners in general, consume way too much.
This wave of consumerism doesn’t have to wash over your family. Our roundup of minimalist family blogs is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories, proving there’s light at the end of the clutter tunnel.
Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in.
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Minimalism With a Family (No, Really)
Maybe you’ve heard about minimalism but always assumed the lifestyle was just for hipsters, hippies, and couples with too many cats. After all, how can you possibly live with less when you have kids?
I mean, they’re like little clutter magnets, aren’t they? Sort of. You see, the children themselves aren’t the problem. It’s the well-intentioned adults who ply them with stuff from day one.
We’re conditioned to show our love for someone by getting them gifts. Plus, we’re bombarded with adverts insisting that we buy our kids whatever they’re selling or risk being labeled a terrible person.
As a result, our offspring are already drowning in clutter by the time they arrive. A couple of years down the line and even Marie Kondo is at a loss.
Children need minimalism just as much as we do. They might not be able to articulate it, but having so much stuff is overwhelming for them, too.
Speak to any minimalist parent and they’ll tell you the same thing. Their kids are happier with fewer belongings. They’ve seen firsthand the benefits being a minimalist family has had on their lives.
Take a look at the blogs below to see how to go about getting rid of the extraneous to create a family home your family is happy to live in.
If none of them resonate or if you find yourself in need of additional inspiration, search for ‘minimalism with a family’ and see what else Google has to offer on the subject.
Minimalist Family Blogs Doing It for Themselves
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the kid clutter in your house, grab a coffee or some wine (nobody’s judging) and keep reading. It’s time to reclaim your sanity.
These minimalist families will show you that having children doesn’t have to result in a clutter ‘splosion. And if your house already looks like Amazon and Walmart had triplets, don’t worry. It can be remedied.
Trust me on this, it can be remedied.
1. The Minimalist Mom
Rachel aka The Minimalist Mom advocates a rich life with less stuff. Her journey into the joys of living with less kicked off in the fall of 2010. As a stressed-out new mom, Rachel was fed up with her family’s constant accumulation of stuff.
She embarked on a decluttering spree to find a little peace and space, selling as much as she could to tame the mountain of debt she and her husband had racked up over the years.
Fast-forward to today, Rachel has added a few more kids to the equation, moved houses a couple of times, and finally taken that leap of faith and left the city for a slower life in the country.
The one thing that hasn’t changed is that she still loves sharing the benefits of minimalist family living along with the joy to be found in wanting and owning less.
Rachel has written three books:
Check out these articles on her blog:
Note: Rachel hasn’t posted anything new since February 2020. Her minimalist parenting blog archives are packed with goodness though, so be sure to check them out.
2. Slow Your Home
After being diagnosed with severe post-natal depression in 2011, Brooke embarked on a one-woman mission to cut out the excess in her life and reconnect with what was really important.
She learned about minimalism and simplicity, immersed herself in the slow living philosophy and discovered the benefits of living with less. Over the course of two years, Brooke has decluttered more than 25,000 items, created a slow home, and rediscovered her health.
Brooke’s mission with Slow Your Home is to help people understand more about simple living. She also hosts The Slow Home Podcast to help spread the idea of a slower pace of life to an even wider audience. Brooke lives in Australia with her husband and two kids.
Brooke has written two books:
Check out these articles on her blog:
The Tortoise
More recently, Brooke started a bloggish newsletter on Substack aptly named The Tortoise. In a world made for hares, she’s advocating that we spend some time feeding our inner tortoise.
3. Raising Simple
Becoming a mother drove Zoë to become more minimalist. In 2010 she and her husband moved from Hawaii to Florida with their two children. The move prompted her to quit ‘the busy life.’
Zoë decided she’d had enough of caring for and maintaining things in her life that were defeating her passion for living an intentional life. Over the last seven years, her minimalist family has significantly reduced their possessions, keeping only what they feel adds value to the season they’re in.
As a mom of four kids, Zoë knows how complicated and cluttered life can be. She says we all want to feel connected and live a meaningful life. Raising Simple shows you how living simpler is better, inside and out.
Zoë has written one book:
Check out these articles on her blog:
- 7 Tips to Help Your Kids Let Go of Their Excess Clutter
- How to Create a Sustainable and Ethical Wardrobe for Kids
4. The Life on Purpose Movement
Like so many of us, Erica’s journey to a more minimalist lifestyle was prompted by a profound sense of overwhelm, of, as she put it, too much. At that moment she knew it was time to start a new chapter.
Erica found herself being tugged toward a simpler life and she embraced it, arms wide open. The Life on Purpose Movement was born out of a desire for others to enjoy something similar.
The Life On Purpose Movement is about ditching a life on autopilot for a life on purpose. Erica believes in living at a pace that feels right for you and your family.
Erica has written one book:
Check out these articles on her blog:
5. Shannon Torrens
Shannon lives with her husband Grant and their two boys, Emmett and Calvin, in California. For this happy family, striving to live a simple life is definitely the key.
With a long-term goal to downsize their stuff and enjoy more experiences, Shannon is currently on a mission to declutter both home and life.
She documents her minimalist family journey on her YouTube channel. You can also find plenty of decluttering and simple living inspiration on her minimalist parenting blog Shannon Torrens.
Shannon has written one book:
Check out these articles on her blog:
6. A to Zen Life
A few years ago, Marissa was a self-confessed hoarder. Along with a whopping $25,000 in debt, she also had a large pile of clutter from lost loved ones.
Fast forward to today and Marissa has a beautiful (uncluttered) home in Europe, a happy family, and no debt whatsoever. She says minimalism changed her life and makes the bold claim that it can change yours too.
I totally agree with that, btw.
Marissa’s start here page is a great jumping-off point into the content on her blog and her YouTube channel is full of fun videos that are equal part helpful and entertaining. Make yourself a cup of coffee or pour another glass of wine (we’re still not judging) and go hang out there for a while.
Check out these articles on her blog:
- 10 Minimalism with Kids Tips That Can Save Your Motherhood
- 50+ Ways to Get Rid of Stuff After Decluttering
- 30 Life-Changing Minimalist Blogs to Follow in 2023 (we’re featured in it!)
7. Making Life Simple
Erica Love calls herself minimalish. In case you’re wondering, that’s somewhere between maximalist and minimalist. Erica says minimalish is cozy, comfy, and isn’t dictated by a number.
Rather than a race to zero, Erica views minimalism as a way to explore what is simple, healthy, and essential in her life. Using a ‘grow with me’ approach, she inspires people to make positive changes along with her.
Whether you want to be more productive, get organized, live with less stuff, or simply sleep better, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for on Erica’s YouTube channel.
Bring snacks, ‘cos you’ll be there for a while.
She also shares her wisdom on Instagram, Facebook and through her weekly emails. If you need support decluttering, join Erica’s free Facebook group, Decluttering One Day at a Time.
Check out these articles on her blog:
Note: While Erica does have some content on her blog, the bulk of what she shares can be found on her YouTube channel. Don’t forget snacks!
I’m not the only one who believes snacks should be a food group, right?
What Is a Minimalist Family: A Helpful Definition
Okay, so you’ve ‘met’ some families who’ve opted to live a simpler life with less stuff. But they’re all on their own journeys. Here’s my explanation of what a minimalist family is.
Imagine a family that’s chosen to live life a bit differently. They’ve said goodbye to unnecessary stuff, cleared out the clutter from their homes, and decided to step back from the buy-buy-buy culture that seems to be everywhere.
A minimalist family isn’t about living in an ultra-modern, empty home or giving up all their worldly possessions. Far from it. They’re all about focusing on what really matters—those priceless experiences, relationships, and passions that fill your heart, not just your house.
In creating room for what’s truly valuable, they’re choosing to live a life that’s less about stress and more about fulfillment. Keep in mind though, minimalism isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. It’s a philosophy that can adapt to different lifestyles and families.
How Can Adopting a Minimalist Lifestyle Benefit Your Family?
Taking the leap into a minimalist lifestyle with your family has huge benefits. It’s also not as daunting as you might think. Firstly, decluttering your house can declutter your mind too. Less stuff to manage equals less stress and more time and energy for each other and the activities you love.
This way of life also encourages a shift in mindset. Instead of constantly buying and acquiring new things, you start valuing the items you have more. Which helps curb impulsive shopping, reduces waste, and keeps your wallet fuller!
One of the biggest takeaway lessons for your kids? Learning to treasure experiences over material possessions. This can instill a sense of contentment not tied to the latest toys or gadgets. Instead of always wanting more, they’ll learn to appreciate what they have and seek fulfillment in shared joyful moments.
Last but not least, minimalism is about creating space—in your home, heart, and mind. It’s about decluttering not just your surroundings, but your life and relationships as well. It’s a journey towards a simpler, more peaceful, and mindful way of living, where the focus is on ‘being’ rather than ‘having’.
Ready to Give Minimalist Family Living a Try?
Ready to give it a shot? Remember, every minimalist journey starts with recognizing what really matters and then consciously reducing the excess. So whether it’s an unused gadget, a toxic relationship, or a time-wasting habit, start letting go.
As Joshua Becker highlights in the video above, integrating minimalism into family life is super beneficial for kids. Children learn by example. Show them from the get-go how to value experiences over stuff.
Joshua has written a few books on minimalism that you may find helpful on your journey towards a happier life with less stuff. His 12-week Uncluttered course (which runs a few times a year) is also worth checking out.
They may not always see it as a positive at the moment (especially when their friend has the latest [whatever] and they don’t), but in the long run, they’ll appreciate the fact that you opted instead to spend time with them.
Consider gifting your kids an experience rather than the latest toy or gadget. The latter is by far the easier, but it doesn’t make for good memories. And if there are grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other doting adults in the mix, ask them to do the same.
A camping trip, for example, has all the necessary ingredients for creating lasting memories. If you hate the idea of sleeping in a tent, you could go to the theatre, spend the day at the skate park or explore the city on a red bus.
It’s really up to you and your kid (and your budget, of course).
There you have it. A blog post full of declutter inspiration to get you started. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up joining the ranks of minimalist family blogs and motivating others on their journey.
Minimalist Family FAQs
How do you become a minimalist family?
To become a minimalist family, it’s best to start small and take the minimalist journey one step at a time. Some families begin by decluttering room by room, while others adopt a minimalist mindset towards shopping and consumerism first.
It’s important to involve the entire family and make decluttering a regular part of your lives. Remember, minimalism is not about depriving yourself but about finding happiness in fewer things.
How do you live a minimalist life?
Living a minimalist life first begins with a shift in mindset. You need to understand and appreciate that owning more stuff does not necessarily equate to more happiness. Once this mindset is established, start decluttering your space by donating or selling things you no longer need or use.
Simplify your routines and commitments, focusing on what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Be mindful of your consumption habits and aim to reduce waste, whether it’s by shopping consciously or adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.
How do I become a minimalist with a large family?
Becoming a minimalist with a large family requires a collective effort and understanding from all members. Start by discussing the benefits of minimalism and get everyone on board. Set decluttering goals together, establish rules about purchases, and teach your kids the value of experiences over material possessions.
Each family member could have a say in what they feel is essential, cultivating a sense of ownership and responsibility toward the family’s minimalist journey. Remember, the process might seem overwhelming with a large family, but the key is to start small and be consistent.
What is a minimalist home?
A minimalist home is one that is intentionally kept simple and clutter-free. It’s not about living in an extra small space or having bare walls and empty rooms, but rather about only keeping items that are truly necessary and bring joy.
Each piece of furniture, every decoration, and all daily items serve a purpose, and nothing is kept just for the sake of owning it. This results in a clean, organized, and calming environment that is easy to maintain and promotes a peaceful and focused lifestyle.
