You know that feeling when you walk into someone’s house and immediately feel… calm? Like you can actually breathe? That’s what happened to me about two years ago when I stumbled into this whole minimalist thing, and honestly, I never expected it to change my life the way it has.
I mean, three years ago my apartment was chaos. Pure chaos. We’re talking toys everywhere, papers covering every surface, that weird collection of kitchen gadgets I never used taking up half my counter space. Emma and Lucas would lose homework in the mess, I’d spend twenty minutes looking for my keys every morning, and don’t even get me started on trying to clean with two kids and a full-time job. It was exhausting.
The thing is, I didn’t choose minimalism because it was trendy or because I saw some perfect Instagram photo. I chose it because I was drowning. After the divorce, cramming a house worth of stuff into 900 square feet, something had to give. And thank God it did, because what I discovered accidentally has made everything so much easier.
When people hear “minimalist interior design,” they picture these stark white rooms that look like nobody lives there. But that’s not what this is about, at least not for families like mine. It’s about keeping what matters and getting rid of what doesn’t. It’s about being able to find things, clean quickly, and actually enjoy your home instead of constantly managing it.
The whole “less is more” thing isn’t just some designer phrase – it’s actually practical when you’re a single mom working full-time. Every item in my apartment either serves a purpose or brings us genuine joy. Nothing else makes the cut. And surprisingly, the kids adapted way faster than I expected. Kids are resilient like that.
I started in the living room because that’s where the chaos was most obvious. Went through everything with brutal honesty. That decorative bowl I never liked but kept because my ex-mother-in-law gave it to us? Gone. The stack of magazines I was definitely going to read someday? Recycled. Toys the kids hadn’t touched in months? Donated. It was liberating, honestly.
What I learned is that minimalism isn’t about having nothing – it’s about having less of what you don’t need so you can appreciate what you do have. Our apartment isn’t empty or cold. We still have books and art supplies and games. But everything has a place, and more importantly, everything gets used.
The color thing was probably the biggest change for me. I used to think rooms needed lots of color to feel warm and welcoming. But using mostly whites, soft grays, and natural wood tones actually made our small apartment feel bigger and more peaceful. The kids’ artwork stands out more against clean walls. Natural light from our windows – which aren’t covered with heavy curtains anymore – makes everything feel brighter.
I kept a few pops of color through plants (because even I’m not going full sterile laboratory here) and some throw pillows that Emma picked out. But the overall palette is calm, which translates to me feeling calmer. There’s actually research backing this up – cluttered spaces increase stress hormones. I didn’t need a study to tell me that, but it’s nice to know I wasn’t imagining things.
Furniture was the hardest part, budget-wise. I couldn’t just throw everything out and start over. But I got strategic about it. Found a coffee table with hidden storage at a thrift store, which was perfect because it looks clean but hides the kids’ random stuff. Our dining table is simple wood – nothing fancy, but it’s sturdy and fits our space without overwhelming it.
The best investment was floating shelves in the living room. They hold books and a few meaningful items without taking up floor space. Lucas loves reorganizing them, which is an unexpected bonus. Everything looks intentional instead of like we just shoved stuff wherever it would fit.
Lighting made a huge difference too. I replaced the overhead fixture with softer lamps, and it completely changed the mood of our main room. During the day, we rely on natural light, which means keeping windows uncluttered. At night, warm lamp light makes everything cozy without being overwhelming.
Storage was honestly the make-or-break factor. With kids, you need places for stuff – there’s no way around it. But instead of random bins everywhere, I found solutions that don’t scream “chaos lives here.” Under-bed storage for seasonal clothes, baskets that actually look good for toys, hooks by the door for backpacks. Everything has a designated spot, which means cleanup takes fifteen minutes instead of an hour.
The kitchen transformation surprised me most. I got rid of so many gadgets I’d used once, duplicate items, dishes we never used. Now I can actually see my counters, cooking is easier because I can find what I need, and cleaning up after dinner doesn’t feel like an impossible task. We eat at the table now instead of in front of the TV because the space actually invites it.
My bedroom became this peaceful retreat I never thought was possible in an apartment this size. Neutral colors, minimal furniture, nothing on the nightstand except a lamp and one book. The kids used to dump stuff on my bed constantly, but now there’s a clear boundary. This space is for rest, not storage.
The kids’ rooms were trickier because, let’s be honest, children accumulate stuff like magnets. But we made it work. Each kid has designated bins for current toys, and we rotate things out every few months. Clothes that fit and get worn, not everything that might fit someday. Art supplies organized in ways they can actually access. Their rooms aren’t showroom perfect, but they’re functional and calm.
What really shocked me was how this affected our daily routine. Mornings are smoother because everything has a place. Cleaning is manageable because there’s less to clean. The kids invite friends over more often because our space feels welcoming instead of chaotic. Even homework time is better because we can clear the dining table in two minutes.
I won’t lie – maintaining this takes effort. Birthdays and holidays bring influxes of new stuff. School sends home approximately seventeen papers per child per day. Family members still buy gifts we don’t have room for. But I’ve gotten better at setting boundaries and teaching Emma and Lucas to evaluate whether they actually want something or just want it in the moment.
The financial benefits were unexpected but significant. When you have less stuff, you buy less stuff. I’m not impulse shopping to fill empty spaces or buying organizers for things I don’t need. The kids are learning to appreciate what they have instead of constantly wanting more. My utility bills are even lower because the apartment stays cleaner and feels more comfortable.
People sometimes comment that our place looks “empty” or ask if we just moved in. But empty feels peaceful when you’re used to chaos. My stress levels are way down. The kids are more independent because they can find their own things. We spend time together instead of managing belongings. These practical benefits matter more than having rooms that look like magazine spreads.
What I’ve realized is that minimalism with kids isn’t about perfection – it’s about function. We’re not living in some pristine showcase. There are still days when toys end up everywhere or school papers pile up on the counter. But the baseline is manageable instead of overwhelming, which makes all the difference.
The best part is watching Emma and Lucas adapt to this way of thinking. They’re more careful about what they ask for, more appreciative of what they have, more willing to help maintain our space. They’re learning that happiness doesn’t come from accumulating stuff, which I hope serves them better than the constant consumption mindset I grew up with.
Three years later, I can’t imagine going back to the chaos we used to live in. This isn’t about deprivation or living like monks – it’s about creating a home that supports our actual life instead of adding stress to it. The simplicity gives us space to breathe, both literally and figuratively. And honestly, that’s worth more than any amount of stuff we used to own.
Theresa’s a single mom in Denver who turned chaos into calm through minimalism. She writes candidly about raising kids with less stuff and more sanity—proof that simple living isn’t just possible, it’s necessary
