Decluttering and Minimalism: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?

In this article I’m exploring the difference between decluttering and minimalism. Whilst connected, they’re not quite the same thing so how do you know which is right for you? I hope this article helps explain.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DECLUTTERING AND MINIMALISM?

My first decluttering project was decluttering my clothes. Little did I know at the time, that this small and standalone activity was going to lead me to become a minimalist. A minimalist that’s not extreme, rigid or interested in creating a picture-perfect home or life. Instead, a minimalist that loves a gentle, heart-centred, easier life just with much less of the excess that most people are used to.

But, whilst I was standing comparing which pair of jeans I felt most comfortable in, I’d never have guessed that I’d soon become a passionate advocate of simplicity and minimalism.

As I’ve written and learned more about the two, I realise that there’s often confusion and misinformation about the two terms.

They’re often used interchangeably, and while they’re connected, they’re not quite the same thing.

KNOWING WHICH IS RGHT FOR YOU

If you’ve ever wondered whether decluttering makes you a minimalist, or if minimalism means getting rid of everything you own, you’re not alone! The truth is, you can declutter without being a minimalist, and you can be a minimalist without having to constantly declutter. They serve different purposes, but both can help you create a home and life that feel lighter, freer, and more aligned with what truly matters to you.

In simple terms, the difference between decluttering and minimalism is that decluttering is an action, while minimalism is a mindset.

In this article I’m exploring what’s the difference between decluttering and minimalism, and how do you know which (or both) is right for you?

DECLUTTERING: CREATING SPACE AND LETTING GO

Decluttering is the process of going through your belongings and removing things that no longer serve a purpose, bring you joy, or fit the life you want to live. It’s about making space—physically, mentally, and emotionally—by letting go of excess.

Many people declutter because they feel overwhelmed by too much stuff. Maybe your home feels chaotic, your cupboards are bursting at the seams, or you’re constantly tidying but never feeling like you have control over your space. Decluttering helps restore a sense of order and ease.

Decluttering isn’t about owning a specific number of things or living with as little as possible. It’s about making conscious decisions about what stays in your life and what goes. Some people declutter just once when they realise they’ve accumulated too much, while others make it a regular habit to keep their home feeling fresh and manageable.

DECLUTTERING CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING

Decluttering can feel deeply freeing. Letting go of physical clutter often relieves mental clutter too. A clearer home leads to a clearer mind, making it easier to focus, relax, and enjoy your space.

For me, decluttering was the first step towards a more intentional life. I didn’t realise how much my home was affecting my energy until I started letting go of things that were weighing me down. The clothes I never wore, the random kitchen gadgets, the stacks of paperwork—all of it was creating unnecessary stress. As I decluttered, I felt lighter, more in control, and more at peace in my own home.

But decluttering isn’t the end of the journey—it’s just the beginning. This is where minimalism comes in.

MINIMALISM: A LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST A CLEAN-OUT

Minimalism takes decluttering a step further. It’s not just about getting rid of stuff—it’s about changing the way you think about what you own and how you live.

Minimalism is an intentional approach to life. It’s about choosing to keep only what adds value, meaning, or purpose. It’s about stepping away from consumerism and the pressure to always want more. Instead of constantly accumulating, minimalism encourages you to focus on what truly matters—experiences, relationships, creativity, personal growth, and peace of mind.

That doesn’t mean you have to live with only 100 possessions or own a perfectly neutral home with nothing but a single chair and a plant (unless that’s what makes you happy!). Minimalism looks different for everyone. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about curation. It’s about consciously designing a life that aligns with what you value most.

MINIMALISM GOES BEYOND STUFF

Minimalism isn’t just about physical possessions—it can extend to every part of your life. You can apply minimalism to:

• Your schedule – Saying no to obligations that drain you and focusing on what truly matters.
• Your digital life – Reducing screen time, unfollowing accounts that don’t inspire you, and decluttering your inbox.
• Your mindset – Letting go of perfectionism, comparison, and the pressure to always do more.

Minimalism is about simplifying in a way that allows you to live more fully and intentionally.

DECLUTTERING VS MINIMALISM: THE KEY DIFFERENCES

While they often overlap, decluttering and minimalism have some key differences:

• Decluttering focuses on reducing excess possessions, while minimalism focuses on living intentionally with less.
• Decluttering is about the physical act of sorting through and letting go, while minimalism is a lifestyle shift towards simplicity.
• Decluttering can be done once or regularly, while minimalism is a long-term approach to how you live.
• Decluttering helps clear space in your home and mind, while minimalism helps clear distractions from your life more holistically.
• Decluttering is about organisation and tidiness, while minimalism is about prioritising meaning over material things.

The main difference is that decluttering is an action, while minimalism is a mindset. You can declutter without becoming a minimalist, and you can be a minimalist without constantly needing to declutter (but decluttering will happen somewhere!).

WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The beauty of both decluttering and minimalism is that you don’t have to fit into a strict category. You can take what works for you and leave the rest.

Decluttering Might Be Right for You If…

• You feel overwhelmed by too much stuff.
• You want to create more space in your home and life.
• You’re looking for a practical way to reduce stress.
• You don’t necessarily want to live with less—you just want to be more organised.

Minimalism Might Be Right for You If…

• You want to live more intentionally.
• You feel weighed down not just by physical clutter, but by mental and emotional clutter too.
• You’re ready to shift your mindset towards valuing experiences over things.
• You want to simplify your commitments, spending, and lifestyle.

The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other! You can start with decluttering to clear your space and then explore elements of minimalism to see if they help you feel more aligned with your values.

CONCLUSION

You get to define your own version of simple living. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to decluttering or minimalism. You don’t have to get rid of everything or live with a set number of items. You don’t have to follow rules or label yourself in any way.

Both decluttering and minimalism are tools to help you create a life that feels good to you.

For some, that means keeping a cosy home filled with sentimental treasures but free from unnecessary clutter. For others, it means embracing a more minimalist approach and owning only what’s truly essential. There is no right or wrong way—only what brings you peace, clarity, and joy.

At the heart of it all, both decluttering and minimalism are about creating space—not just in our homes, but in our lives, our minds, and our hearts. They help us let go of what no longer serves us so we can focus on what truly matters.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, stressed or challenged by life in any way, both decluttering and minimalism have many benefits to offer. It just depends how far you feel you want to explore those benefits.

So, whether you’re drawn to decluttering, minimalism, or a mix of both, the most important thing is to do what feels right for you. Trust yourself, start small, and enjoy the freedom that comes from letting go of what no longer serves you.

What’s your experience with decluttering or minimalism? Have you found one more helpful than the other? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

RESOURCES FOR MINIMALIST LIVING

If you’d like to explore what a Minimalist lifestyle could mean for you, here are some resources which you might find helpful:

• What is Minimalism – and a few things it’s not.
• 12 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Became a Minimalist
• 8 Decluttering Truths I Wish I’d Understood Sooner
• 9 lessons I’ve learned from Minimalism
• 20 reasons to own less stuff – the benefits of less stuff and more life.
• 35 journal prompts for decluttering your home and life
• The life-changing benefits of decluttering your home and life