The Minimal Mom's Tips For Decluttering Your Family Life

If your home is starting to feel more like a whirlwind than a sanctuary, you're not alone. Between school runs, snack time, and the endless pile of laundry, even the thought of organizing can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: minimalism doesn’t have to mean getting rid of everything you love. It’s not about adding more rules to your already full plate—it’s about removing what’s getting in your way.

That’s where Dawn Madsen, better known as The Minimal Mom, comes in. Since 2018, her YouTube channel has been a trusted resource full of clever decluttering hacks for busy families craving a calmer, simpler home. Her approach isn’t about perfection or pristine, Pinterest-worthy spaces—it’s about building habits and systems that transform your home environment and, ultimately, your mindset.

Thinking about clearing the clutter? Let’s take a closer look at The Minimal Mom’s approach and discover why it could be the game-changer your home (and your headspace) needs.

Who is The Minimal Mom?

If you haven’t yet come across Dawn Madsen and her YouTube channel, "The Minimal Mom," you might find her approach refreshingly down-to-earth. Since 2018, Madsen has shared more than 800 videos, offering practical advice and tips for anyone interested in "family minimalism." Instead of Marie Kondo's Konmari method of organization (which is exhaustive and exhausting), she emphasizes making spaces livable rather than bare.

"The Minimal Mom" channel covers a variety of approachable topics, from building a simple, versatile wardrobe to easy tips for decluttering the kitchen. It also offers guided sessions to help ease you into the process. With millions of views on some of her videos, it’s clear that Madsen has struck a chord with parents and anyone looking to bring more calm into their homes.

How did The Minimal Mom YouTube channel start?

Madsen’s foray into minimalism began with a feeling familiar to many: Total overwhelm and the sense that you can never truly clean your house because of all the stuff.

Her turning point came after listening to a podcast episode featuring Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist and one of the leading voices in the modern minimalism movement. Known for his practical, family-focused approach, Becker encourages people to live more by owning less. Inspired by his message, Madsen decided it was time for a reset and gave minimalism a try.

"The Minimal Mom" quickly struck a chord with parents everywhere, offering real-talk solutions for the everyday mess that comes with family life. Since launching her minimalist mission, Madsen has written a bestselling workbook, “Declutter Your Home in 15 Minutes a Day,” and built a thriving online community with courses to help others reclaim their homes—and their time.

Minimalism born from life’s messy moments

Madsen's personal life experiences, including the challenge of motherhood and the transformative experience of divorce, have shaped her approach to minimalism.

She’s not alone in this. Parenting coach and author Christopher Mannino knows the feeling.

“Big life changes make you question everything,” he says. For his family, an international move was the wake-up call. “When you have to ship every single thing you own across an ocean, you realize how little of it actually matters.”

Now, Mannino swears by the freedom that comes with owning less. “It’s more powerful than I ever expected,” he says. “I’m the sentimental one in my family—the keeper of every childhood yearbook, every art project, every travel souvenir. But once we started letting go, it felt like we finally had space to make new memories, without losing the old ones.”

Key principles of the minimal mom's approach to decluttering

Start with decluttering, not organizing

Madsen’s approach to decluttering is rooted in a few compelling principles. According to Dr. Lilit Ayrapetyan, a Los Angeles–based licensed clinical psychologist, the very first step is always to declutter before attempting to organize.

Ayrapetyan explains, "Dawn encourages us to keep only what is truly useful or brings joy, using the philosophy: 'If it’s not a clear yes, it’s a no.' Her strategies involve simplifying life to reduce stress and make room for what matters most."

She also praises Masden's simple decluttering strategies: "These techniques are brilliant for reducing decision fatigue and making the process feel less daunting,” she notes.

Start small, build momentum

Rather than tackling everything at once, Madsen advises starting with small, manageable tasks.

"Like with any goal, it's always a good idea to start small, so that you can build discipline and trust in yourself," she verifies. "Starting small gives you a psychological win and taps into our dopamine reward system, which ultimately builds motivation and reduces overwhelm."

Try the “one in, one out” rule to keep clutter from creeping back

One of Madsen’s most effective strategies is the “one in, one out” rule. The concept is simple: for every new item that enters your home, something else has to go. Whether it’s a toy, a sweater, or a kitchen utensil, this rule helps keep your space in balance and discourages mindless accumulation.

It’s especially useful for parents who manage the constant stream of kids’ stuff—birthday gifts, school crafts, and seasonal clothes—by providing a clear, easy-to-follow boundary.

Use a timer to make decluttering feel doable

Another go-to technique is setting a time limit for your decluttering sessions. Instead of waiting for a free weekend that may never come, just set a timer for 10, 15, or 30 minutes and tackle one small space. This approach reduces decision fatigue and makes the process feel less overwhelming.

Over time, these quick sessions add up to meaningful progress—and they’re often easier to commit to when you’ve only got a sliver of time between school pickups or bedtime routines. As Ayrapetyan puts it, “Setting a timer, for instance, can make you look forward to your next session.”

Letting go with love

Madsen’s philosophy goes beyond simply discarding items—it’s about releasing what no longer serves you.

"Letting go isn’t about being cold or forgetting the past,” says Ayrapetyan. "It’s an act of self-compassion, making room for clarity and emotional energy. Clutter from the past can keep parents feeling stuck or burdened with too many emotions. By clearing out old clutter, parents can move forward with a lighter heart and a clearer mind.”

Maintain the magic with simple systems

Finally, Ayrapetyan highlights the importance of creating simple systems to keep your space organized.

"This reduces cognitive load and decision fatigue, which is so important for busy parents," she says.  "By building small habits, like returning items to their designated spots, families can maintain a calm, organized environment that supports everyone's well-being."

Applying minimalism to family clutter

Minimalist coach Julia Ubbenga reveals that Madsen often refers to our possessions as the daily “inventory” mothers must manage.

She points out that each object we own quietly claims a portion of our time, energy, and attention. “To preserve our sanity and space,” Ubbenga advises, “it’s essential to ensure our ‘inventory’ aligns with what we can realistically handle, which almost always means scaling back.”

If you’re looking to simplify your child’s toy collection, Ubbenga recommends starting with boundaries. "Set a boundary for how many toys your kids can have in the home at a time (e.g., one basket) and in storage (e.g., one bin)," she recommends.

For clothes, Ubbenga suggests pretending you’re packing for a vacation at home. "Grab the suitcase and put your child’s favourite five to six outfits in it," she suggests. "Box up the remaining clothes, put them in storage space for a bit, then donate them if you don’t need them (you likely won’t)."

Dr. Aerial Cetnar, a licensed therapist and mother in Boulder, Colorado, also encourages you to savour quality over quantity, especially with books and art supplies. "A small, rotating collection of books encourages kids to re-read and absorb stories more deeply," she explains. "For gear—especially bulky items like strollers or sports equipment—set a boundary like 'one item per category' and donate or sell what’s not being used."

The benefits of a minimalist home for family well-being

One of the best benefits of a minimalist home is the family well-being it provides. According to Ubbenga, involving children (in an age-appropriate manner) in the decluttering process teaches them valuable lessons.

"Making decluttering part of your family’s culture instills the value of generosity in children," she says. "This helps them realize that their actions can help others and that they need less than they think to be happy."

Cory Reid-Vanas, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who says that involving the family also teaches teamwork and decision-making skills (e.g., "What do I want to keep versus what can I let go?").

"De-cluttering is about taking care of things in our lives, so it is a positive thing that can be framed that way," he adds. "Work together as a team to manage things. It is an important conversation for parents and caregivers to have with their young people."

Practical tips inspired by the minimal mom for busy parents

Identify clutter hotspots

Cetnar suggests that parents should take a cue from the minimal mom’s approach by pinpointing sneaky clutter hotspots that tend to disrupt daily routines.

"One of her core principles—“less stuff, more life”—can be translated into parenting by identifying the clutter hotspots that consistently create friction in your day-to-day life," she says. "Ask yourself: What items are constantly being picked up, argued over or forgotten? Then, use that awareness to guide small, consistent changes."

Create a drop zone

Martha Hayes, a professional organizer based in Los Angeles who is the founder and operator of Rework The Room, a home organizing business, says that Masden’s strategy of implementing a drop zone in your home can help keep incoming items (like mail and bags) from getting out of hand.

“This could be a console in the entryway or simply a few hooks and a basket by the back door—especially if that door is used more often,” Hayes explains. “These look different in every home, depending on the space you have, but the goal and purpose are the same: It’s essentially a place to put things—a ‘dumping ground,’ as I often call it!—to sort through when you get a moment in preparation for the next day.”

Do daily "tidy-up" routines

Another Masden trick that Hayes likes is using daily “tidy-up” routines, which take only a few minutes.

“Daily ‘tidy-up’ routines are a game-changer,” explains Hayes. “Being proactive with tidying prevents things from ever spiralling out of control; it means you won’t get overwhelmed the way you would during a marathon decluttering session. Essentially, clutter never has a chance to build up!”

Set boundaries on new items entering your house

"I firmly believe in 'one in, one out,'" Hayes shares. "I do this with my own closet and kitchen—if I buy something new, it is generally an upgrade of what I already own, so I tend to donate the old one. It's never too early to teach kids this principle with their toys."

Finding your family's version of enough

Thanks to the Minimal Mom, more and more people are discussing family minimalism and its benefits. But it isn’t just about taming clutter. Cetnar believes minimalism is less about deprivation and more about curating space for what truly nourishes us and continues to spark joy in our daily lives: Meaningful connections, restorative rest and emotional balance.

Don’t feel pressured to overhaul your entire home overnight. Cetnar suggests easing into minimalism by taking it one step at a time. “Start in whatever area is easiest for you—it could be the closet, the pantry, or your entryway,” she says. “Set a timer for 30 minutes, an hour, or a few hours to begin editing what no longer serves you and your family.”

Most importantly, she reminds us that the heart of minimalism is about simplifying your life. “This can mean creating more time and energy to spend doing what you love or eliminating financial debt,” she says. “Everything has a home, and you don’t have to spend hours cleaning up every time a neighbour or family member drops by. You’re proud of your home and live in alignment with your values.”

Experts

• Christopher Mannino is a parenting coach and author.
• Julia Ubbenga is a minimalist coach and founder of the online community Rich in What Matters.
• Dr. Aerial Cetnar is a licensed therapist and mother in Boulder, Colorado.
• Cory Reid-Vanas, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
• Martha Hayes is a professional organizer based in Los Angeles and the founder and operator of Rework The Room, a home-organizing business.