Can you be a minimalist and own furniture? The short answer is, it depends.
Minimalism exists on a spectrum. Some minimalists choose to take a more extreme approach to the lifestyle while others are more relaxed.
Considering how varied the minimalist lifestyle can be, it makes sense that every minimalist might not feel the same way about owning material possessions. Specifically, owning furniture!
Extreme minimalists may choose to live completely furniture-free whilst less strict minimalists are typically comfortable owning furniture so long as they are using each piece regularly.
There are benefits to both approaches.
In this post I’ll be diving into the benefits of furniture free living as well as the benefits of simply living with less furniture. We will also discuss what furniture minimalists should and should not own if they decide to own any.
Think of this post as your complete guide to owning furniture as a minimalist.
Let’s get into it!
What is Furniture-Free Living?
Furniture-free living is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the practice of living in a space that is completely unfurnished.
Furniture-free living has gained popularity over the last few years, especially in the extreme minimalist community. I mean, how could it not?! There’s nothing more extreme and minimal than sleeping on the ground.
Extreme minimalists might argue that to be a true minimalist, your home needs to be furniture free. I have to disagree. Embracing the minimalist lifestyle shouldn’t come at the cost of comfort. And for many of us, the thought of coming home and not having a comfortable couch to relax on sounds absolutely insane!
With that being said, people do it. Why, you might ask? Because there are plenty of benefits to furniture free living.
Here are just a few.
Benefits of Furniture-Free Living
Minimalists generally agree that you should only own items that bring value to your life. As valuable as owning a bed and couch may seem on the surface, there are plenty of reasons why going furniture-free may be more valuable.
Here’s why.
1. Health Benefits
Most homes have SO MANY lounging spots. Couches, chairs, beanbags, daybeds, the list goes on and on.
The goal is to ditch these furniture pieces so that you live a more active lifestyle. Instead of coming home and relaxing on the couch, you will be forced to find other, more active ways to wind down.
When you are sitting, you’ll be sitting on the ground which is way more physically engaging than being slumped on the couch. Keeping your body upright (without the support of a couch) engages the core and getting up off of the ground constantly increases mobility. Many people have found back pain relief and better posture by sleeping on the ground as well!
Having no furniture also means that there aren’t as many places for dust and dirt to collect. This can be a life saver for people who struggle with allergies!
2. space saving benefits
The most obvious benefit to furniture-free living is MORE SPACE. More space to move around, less clutter and a general feeling of spaciousness.
A clutter free home translates into a clutter free mind!
3. ENvironmental Benefits
Most people fill their homes with inexpensive and trendy furniture that isn’t made to last.
Cheap furniture is typically made with toxic and synthetic materials. Since it isn’t durable, it’ll quickly fall apart and end up in a landfill. By going furniture-free you are significantly reducing your environmental footprint.
With that being said, many people find that these benefits don’t outweigh the benefits of owning furniture. If you feel the same way, but want to take a more minimalist approach to owning furniture, keep reading!
Owning Furniture as a Minimalist
When furnishing your minimalist home, keep the following principles in mind.
✓ Durability
Minimalist furniture should be built to last. If you want to avoid buying new furniture every season, invest in a few high quality pieces instead. It’ll cost more up front, but you’ll never have to worry about your furniture falling apart on you.
✓ necessity
Only fill your home with furniture pieces that are ESSENTIAL to you.
Everyones needs are different so don’t worry about what other minimalists are doing. If you need to a couch to be comfortable, have a couch! It’s that simple.
✓ Flexibility
Furnish your home with pieces that have multiple uses. There is no need to have a desk and a dining room table. Instead, own one table and use it for all of your ‘table-ing’ needs.
✓ Mobility
If you move around a lot, make sure that you can easily transport your furniture. Look for pieces that are lightweight yet durable.
What Furniture Should a Minimalist Own?
1. Mattress
Some people enjoy sleeping on the ground, some do not. If you’re the latter, invest in a good quality mattress that will last you a lifetime. If mobility is important to you, opt for a portable mattress instead of a traditional, bulky one.
Airweave is by far the most revolutionary company designing high quality, portable mattresses. Their New airweave Mattress is portable, sustainably made and made to last!
2. Bed Frame
Is there anything more minimalist than a mattress tossed directly on the floor? I don’t think so. That’s why the fact that I own a bed frame might come as a shock.
A bed frame is technically non-essential but it is essential to the longevity of your mattress.
Bed frames provide support for your mattress. Over the years, the weight of your body will start to wear down your mattress. When your mattress has the added support of a bed frame, it is able to transfer your weight evenly so it lasts longer.
If you’re going to invest in a high quality mattress (which you should!), don’t let it wear down prematurely by putting it on the ground.
3. Table
As a minimalist, I only own one table. I just don’t see the point in having different tables designated for different activities. Why not just work and eat at the same one?!
4. Chairs
I own a couple of nice quality, wooden chairs and two fold up chairs for when I have guests over. I don’t see the point in having chairs out that never get used. So long as every member of the household has one, that’s plenty.
5. Couch or Futon
If you’re going to own furniture, you might as well own a couch (or futon!)
Owning a futon is a great option if you value mobility and flexibility. Futons can double as a guest bed and are more portable than a traditional couch.
However, if you prefer the look and feel of a traditional couch, make sure to get a good quality one.
I made the mistake of buying a couch from an estate sale that was made in the 70’s. The print and color is stunning, but the couch itself, SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Don’t make the same mistake I made. If you’re going to buy a couch, prioritize comfort over style.
What Furniture Should a Minimalist Not Own?
1. Coffee Table
Let’s be honest, coffee tables are pretty useless. Besides housing a few books (which are usually purely decorative anyway) they’re not very practical. Ditch yours! I promise you, you won’t miss it.
2. Bookcase
I don’t own a bookcase. I just keep my books on the ground instead.
Grimacing at the thought of putting your books on the ground? Built in cabinets are a great option if you want to give your books a better home.
3. Extra Dining Chairs
There’s no point in owning dining chairs that never gets used.
Instead, just own one nice chair per household member and keep a few fold up chairs on hand for guests.
4. Nightstands
Having nightstands makes it really easy to collect things because you can easily store them away (out of site out of mind, right?)
Ditch the nightstands and simply put your bedtime essentials on the ground.
5. Desk
I only own one table and that’s where I eat and work at. Desks are overrated 😉
6. TV Stand
This one’s easy. Most minimalists don’t own a TV so owning a stand is basically useless.
However, if you do own a TV, just mount it on the wall instead! It’s such an easy way to save space in your home.
7. Dresser
I hate dressers. They’re super heavy and usually fall apart from overuse regardless of the quality.
Opt for a built in closet system like this one instead!
The Container Store has so many convenient closet solutions that are customizable to fit your needs!
In Conclusion
There isn’t a definitive, simple answer to the question of whether or not minimalists should own furniture.
Minimalism exists on a spectrum. Some minimalists are comfortable owning furniture that they find essential while others are completely furniture free. Both are acceptable approaches to owning furniture as a minimalist.
Just find what works best for you! and remember, only own what adds value to your life!
Linda Sand says
When we stopped living in an RV traveling around the USA and moved into an apartment we only owned a wooden TV tray and a folding ottoman. We bought all our furniture from IKEA, which is contraindicated by your post. However we are already old; our furniture does not have to last a long time. (Our daughter is certainly not going to move it cross country into her already furnished home.) But it does have to keep us and our stuff up off the ground (remember we are old) so we bought a bed frame, Poang chairs and a few pieces to keep our lamps and beverages in reach. $2000 furnished our entire apartment; saving our money for health care.
barefootminimalists says
Hi Linda! You’re totally right, I appreciate your perspective. What works for one person may not work for another. For me, owning less furniture keeps me active and healthy 🙂