Beauty in Simplicity: The Power of Openness
This post describes how to use the ‘less is more’ mantra to help achieve an elevated and luxurious designer look in your home.
-
Clear all surfaces - both vertical and horizontal
Emptiness vs. Openness
-
Lightening your life by intentionally letting go of excess possessions.
Curate your space with intention.
Making room for what truly enhances your daily life.
-
Clear the space completely
Categorize all objects
Determine what items are used most frequently and need to be easily accessible, versus what items can go in backstock (or contained)
Only put back the items that you use, need, and/or love
Toss or donate everything remaining*
*Digitize sentimental items, and/or box up items you’re on the fence about and give yourself a deadline to check back in on those items.
Achieving an elevated & luxurious designer look & feel
We often hear that less is more, but what does that really mean in design? Is a sparse, minimalist space truly inviting, or does it just feel empty? The distinction between emptiness and openness is subtle but powerful. When thoughtfully designed, simplicity isn’t about removing things—it’s about creating space for what truly matters.
Have you ever wondered why certain images on Instagram, Pinterest, or in magazines instantly draw you in—yet, when you try to recreate the look in your own home, it doesn’t quite feel the same? Here’s a design secret that can transform your space: it’s all about intentionality. The key to a polished, photo-worthy home isn’t just about the right furniture or decor—it’s about what you choose to display and what you choose to remove. The beauty is in the space between objects, which accentuates the most important features in your home.
If you look closely at professional photos of designer homes, you’ll notice a common thread: every visible item is either functional or visually intentional. You won’t see countertops cluttered with small appliances, tangled cords in plain sight, or furniture disrupting the natural flow of the space. Instead, you’ll find curated vignettes—a wooden cutting board, a vase of fresh flowers, a decorative bowl of fruit, or an elegant coffee station with neatly arranged essentials.
Now, close your eyes and picture a space in your home that feels overwhelming. Can you spot a few items that could be tucked away, donated, or discarded to create more breathing room? Chances are, you can—and with just a few thoughtful edits, you can bring a sense of calm and intentional beauty into your space.
There’s another design secret to reduce visual and mental clutter…but we’ll save that for a future post. For now, if you just focus on simplifying through the editing process, we’ll be in good shape for the next tip.
The Clean Slate: The Power of a Fresh Start
A clean slate is full of possibility. It allows creativity to flow, invites intention into a space, and reduces mental clutter. Whether in a classroom, a workspace, or a home, a blank canvas isn’t about sterility—it’s about opportunity.
✔ In a classroom, a clean slate could mean a flexible seating arrangement that shifts based on student needs.
✔ In an office, it might be a streamlined workflow free from unnecessary steps and distractions.
✔ In a home, it’s about choosing elements that foster calm rather than overwhelm.
A clean slate doesn’t mean stripping a space bare—it means designing with purpose and leaving room for growth. When you remove ALL items from a space, it helps you see all of the potential of that space and allows you to think more creatively about how you want to utilize the space you have available. When you thoughtfully select the few special items you’d like to have on display, and those that you’ll want to keep in the backstock (aka hidden), you’re starting to create a personalized home that is unique to you (and your family). Your home and work environment should reflect the personality of those who use it - it can help tell your story including your interests, hobbies, values, etc.
Clear Surfaces: A Space for the Mind to Breathe
We often underestimate how much clutter affects us. A cluttered space is a cluttered mind. When surfaces are crowded, they demand attention, creating visual and mental noise.
Think of the difference between:
❌ A desk covered in papers, coffee cups, and tangled cords vs.
✅ A workspace with only what you need, intentionally placed.
Clearing surfaces doesn’t mean eliminating everything—it means making space for what matters. Consider vertical surfaces such as wall art, decor, window treatments, anchor charts, posters, etc. and horizontal surfaces such as countertops, tables, furniture pieces, shelves, etc. Remember; less is more.
Another pro tip; reduce or remove the amount of print/text in your space - it adds too much visual clutter and takes away from the space. It puts more stress on your cognitive load, which makes people feel overwhelmed and saturated as opposed to comforted and at ease in a space. (No one needs 5 mugs that say ‘world’s best mom/dad/grandparent’ - if you’re having a tough time getting rid of all of them, keep just one.)
In a classroom, it means organizing materials so they are accessible, not overwhelming. It means displaying anchor charts and reference tools that are relevant to current learning.
In a home, it’s about choosing decor that enhances, not overpowers, a space. Providing a designated ‘home’ for items, such as a small tray or basket to be a catch-all for those items that typically take up countertop space like the mail, keys, items you need to return to a store, etc.
In a business setting, it's about clarity—streamlining tools and resources to create a more efficient workflow.
Emptiness vs. Openness: A Critical Distinction
Many people resist simplicity because they equate it with emptiness—but emptiness is stark and lifeless, whereas openness is inviting. I’m not suggesting that everyone goes completely minimalist, but I am encouraging you to think of ways you can be more intentional about the items you have and use so your daily habits, routines, and systems can be more manageable and enjoyable. The less items you have, the less maintenance will be required.
💡 Emptiness feels cold and unwelcoming, like a room with nothing in it.
💡 Openness is about intentional space—where every object, every element, serves a purpose or allows for flow. It provides an opportunity to highlight things that really matter to you.
When designing spaces—whether classrooms, workspaces, or homes—the goal is to strike a balance:
✅ Keep what adds value
✅ Remove what creates distraction
✅ Leave room for growth, movement, and change
Swedish Death Cleaning: A Mindful Approach to Decluttering
One of the most effective ways to embrace simplicity is through a practice known as Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning). While the name may sound morbid, it’s actually a refreshing and thoughtful approach to decluttering. Originating from Sweden, this method is about lightening your life by intentionally letting go of excess possessions—not just for yourself, but for the people who may one day have to manage what you leave behind.
Unlike traditional decluttering, which often focuses on quick purges or trendy organizing hacks, Swedish Death Cleaning is a gradual, mindful, and habit-changing process. It encourages you to ask:
Do I really need this?
Would someone else find value in this?
If I were gone tomorrow, would this be a burden for someone else to deal with?
The goal isn’t to strip your home bare, but rather to curate your space with intention, keeping only what serves you or brings you joy. When applied to home design, this philosophy aligns perfectly with creating openness rather than emptiness. It’s about choosing what to display thoughtfully, clearing surfaces, and making room for what truly enhances your daily life.
By embracing Swedish Death Cleaning, you not only free yourself from clutter but also create a home that feels lighter, more peaceful, and easier to maintain—a space that supports your well-being rather than overwhelms it.
Just because we have the space or room to store things, doesn’t mean we should. If Swedish Death Cleaning was a little too morbid for you, pretend that you might need to pack up all of our belongings to move into a new place. As of today, how long would it take you to pack everything up, move it, and then unpack it all? How many people would you need to help you? How many boxes would you need? What size truck or vehicle would you need? Or, what if a close friend or relative makes an unexpected trip to visit you - what would you need to do to make space for this friend in your home - is your guest bedroom becoming the largest ‘junk drawer’ ever? Are your off-season clothes filling that second closet? Feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it? Then, let’s get to it - you’ll appreciate the lightness you’ll feel by taking the time to do a thorough edit of your belongings.
The Editing Process
When organizing a space for more efficiency and to achieve a specific look and feel, it is essential to take time for the editing process. One of the most effective methods I’ve used to do this is to remove everything from the space, shelf, drawer, etc. Then, this next part is extremely important - only put back the items that you use, need, and/or love. It’s important to not fill the space, just because you have the room - really hold true to keeping the items that you use, need, and/or love. (It’s worth repeating.) Once you remove everything from a space, categorize the items. Determine whether or not you are planning on consuming/using all of your duplicate items, or if you’re ready to toss them. Then, consider the frequency of use or access you need to certain items - those items used more often, could be on display, while other items (seasonal, bulky, ugly, etc.) could be stored in a container like a basket or bin, or behind a closed door in back stock like in a closet or vanity.
We are so fortunate to have access to digital storage now as well - so, if you are clinging onto those free cups or souvenirs from family trips - take a photo of the item and add them to a digital photo frame so you can be reminded of these sweet memories without feeling attached to the physical object.
If you are having a difficult time parting with some items or you’re on the fence and not ready to fully commit to donating or throwing the item(s) away, box them up. Give yourself a date to check back in - it could be a month, a season, a year, etc. Anything you have not retrieved out of that box by your deadline, it’s safe to donate or discard. You’ll be surprised at how many items we hold on to, but don’t actually use, need, or love. This process feels a little more manageable, because you’re giving yourself a window of time to make the decision. Once you live with more space for a little bit, take some time to reflect on how it makes you feel, and who knows you might just want to clear more items during your next home/work edit!
Once you go through this process, think about what it would be like to move to a new place or welcome an unexpected guest to your home now - do you feel lighter, less stressed, less overwhelmed? By using this editing process, it will save you time and money (whether you’re moving, or not).
Maintenance Tip: Cutting the Cord with Bulk Order Clubs
This next comment is going to be a bit controversial - and I’m open to hearing your counter-argument in the comments below. Maintaining a streamlined home will require a shopping habit shift for some of us. Aside from keeping a few extra rolls of toilet paper and paper towels in your backstock, there is no need to buy and store items in bulk. Unless you have a family of 5+, or live more than 45 minutes from a grocery store - it is time to cut the cord with Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club.
Simplicity as a Design Choice, Not an Absence
Simplicity is about intentionality. It’s not about having less; it’s about having the right things in the right places.
When we embrace open spaces instead of fearing them, we allow for creativity, adaptability, and calm to take root. Whether designing a classroom, an office, or a home, simplicity fosters clarity—in our spaces, our minds, and our lives.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’d love to hear details about a space you’re editing, and any suggestions or struggles you’ve encountered along the way - please share in the comments below!
Want more tips on designing with inclusivity in mind? Let’s connect ~ schedule a free 30-minute consultation today!
