Top 14 'Sanctuary-Simplifying' Minimalist Tips to Adopt in Your Home This Winter - Goh Ling Yong
As the days grow shorter and a familiar chill settles into the air, there's a natural, almost primal, urge to turn inward. We crave warmth, comfort, and a sense of peace within our own four walls. Winter invites us to hibernate, to slow down, and to create a cozy nest where we can recharge. But what happens when that nest feels more like a cluttered cage?
Let's be honest: it’s hard to feel serene when you’re surrounded by visual noise. Piles of mail, overflowing shelves, and closets bursting at the seams can create a low-level hum of stress that directly contradicts the tranquil haven we seek. This is where minimalism, often misunderstood as stark and cold, reveals its true, warming potential. It’s not about getting rid of everything; it’s about intentionally curating your space so that it’s filled only with things that serve a purpose, bring you joy, or add genuine value to your life.
This winter, let’s reframe minimalism as "sanctuary-simplifying." It’s a gentle process of peeling back the layers of excess to reveal the calm, functional, and beautiful home that’s been hiding underneath. Below are 14 actionable tips to help you transform your home into a true winter sanctuary, one simplified step at a time.
1. Curate the Ultimate Winter Capsule Wardrobe
The changing of seasons is the perfect catalyst for a wardrobe reset. Instead of just shoving summer clothes to the back of the closet, use this opportunity to perform a thoughtful edit. A minimalist capsule wardrobe for winter isn't about having only five items; it's about having a versatile collection of high-quality pieces you absolutely love to wear.
Start by pulling everything out. Everything. Create three piles: Keep, Donate/Sell, and Store. For the "Keep" pile, be ruthless. Does it fit you right now? Do you feel great in it? Is it in good condition? This process helps you see what you actually have and prevents you from buying redundant items. Store your warm-weather clothing in vacuum-sealed bags or clearly labeled bins to free up precious closet real estate.
Your goal is a curated collection of cozy sweaters, versatile pants, and essential outerwear that can be mixed and matched effortlessly. Think quality over quantity. Instead of five fast-fashion sweaters that pill after a few wears, invest in one or two well-made cashmere or wool blends that will keep you warm and stylish for years to come.
2. Designate a "Cozy Corner"
You don’t need to overhaul your entire home at once. The idea of decluttering every room can be paralyzing. Instead, start small by creating one dedicated minimalist sanctuary within your home. This "cozy corner" will be your go-to spot for reading, sipping tea, or simply unwinding.
Choose a corner with good natural light, if possible. The essential elements are simple: a comfortable chair, a soft throw blanket, a small table for a mug and a book, and a good reading lamp. The key is to keep this space intentionally sparse. Resist the urge to let it become a drop-zone for mail or magazines. This is sacred space.
By perfecting one small area, you create a tangible example of the peace that minimalism can bring. It serves as a powerful motivator, inspiring you to extend that same feeling of calm and intention to other areas of your home when you're ready.
3. Implement the "One In, Two Out" Holiday Rule
Winter often brings with it the holiday season, a time of joy, celebration, and… a whole lot of new stuff. Gifts from loved ones are wonderful, but they can quickly contribute to clutter if you don't have a plan. To combat this, adopt the "One In, Two Out" rule specifically for the holiday season.
For every new gift that comes into your home—be it a new kitchen gadget, a piece of clothing, or a decorative item—commit to letting go of two older things in the same category. Get a new coffee mug? It's time to say goodbye to the two chipped ones at the back of the cabinet. This simple-but-effective rule forces you to continually assess your belongings and prevents the slow, insidious creep of clutter.
This practice isn't about being ungrateful; it's about being a conscious steward of your space. It ensures that every item in your home is there by choice, not by default, which is a core tenet we value here on the Goh Ling Yong blog.
4. Declutter Your Digital Life
Our physical environment is only half the battle. In winter, as we spend more time indoors, our screen time often increases. A cluttered digital life—a desktop littered with icons, an inbox with thousands of unread emails, a phone filled with apps you never use—can be just as anxiety-inducing as a messy room.
Set aside a few hours for a digital deep clean. Start with your computer's desktop; sort files into clear, logical folders and delete old downloads. Next, tackle your email. Unsubscribe from all the promotional newsletters you automatically delete. Use a service like Unroll.Me to make this process faster. Archive important old emails and aim for the elusive "inbox zero."
Finally, audit your phone. Delete any apps you haven't used in the last three months. Organize your remaining apps into folders. Curate your photo library by deleting duplicates and blurry shots. A streamlined digital world leads to a clearer, more focused mind, allowing you to be more present in your cozy home.
5. Master "Hygge" Minimalism
The Danish concept of hygge—a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment—is a perfect partner for minimalism. However, it's often misinterpreted as an excuse to buy more "cozy" things. True hygge isn't about accumulation; it's about atmosphere.
Practice hygge minimalism by focusing on sensory experiences rather than stuff. Instead of buying a dozen new throw pillows, focus on the texture of the one perfect wool blanket you already own. Instead of cluttering your mantel with knick-knacks, light a single, beautifully scented candle.
The key is intentionality. Use what you have to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Dim the overhead lights and use lamps for soft, pools of light. Play a calming instrumental playlist. Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks and orange peels on the stove. These small, clutter-free acts create a powerful sense of sanctuary.
6. Execute a Purposeful Pantry Purge
Winter is the season of hearty soups, slow-cooked stews, and warm baked goods. A cluttered and disorganized pantry can make cooking feel like a chore rather than a joy. Before you start your winter baking, give your pantry and kitchen cupboards a thorough purge.
Pull everything out, just like you did with your closet. Wipe down the shelves. Check expiration dates and be honest about the specialty ingredients you bought for that one recipe and will never use again. Group like items together: all the baking supplies, all the canned goods, all the pastas and grains.
Invest in clear, uniform containers for things like flour, sugar, and rice. This is not just for aesthetics; it allows you to see exactly what you have at a glance, preventing you from buying duplicates. A clean, organized pantry makes meal planning easier and the entire cooking process more streamlined and enjoyable.
7. Curate Your Home Library
There's nothing better than curling up with a good book on a cold winter day. But a bookshelf overflowing with books you've already read or have no intention of reading can look and feel heavy. It's time to curate your collection.
Go through your books and ask yourself a few key questions. Will I realistically read this again? Does this book hold deep sentimental value? Could someone else get more joy from this book than I am? Keep your absolute favorites—the ones that feel like old friends—and the "to-be-read" pile you are genuinely excited about tackling this winter.
Donate the rest to your local library, a "little free library" in your neighborhood, or a charity. Your bookshelf will instantly feel lighter, and you'll be left with a beautiful, personal collection that truly reflects who you are as a reader.
8. Simplify Your Linens and Towels
When was the last time you went through your linen closet? For many of us, it’s a jumble of mismatched towels, old sheet sets, and blankets we never use. A minimalist approach to linens can simplify laundry day and create a spa-like sense of calm in your bedrooms and bathrooms.
Aim for two high-quality sets of sheets per bed. This way, one can be on the bed while the other is in the wash. The same logic applies to towels; two sets per person is plenty. Let go of any towels that are frayed, stained, or no longer soft.
When it comes to blankets and throws, focus on function and feel. Keep the ones that provide the right amount of warmth and feel wonderful against your skin. Donate the decorative throws that are scratchy or the bulky comforters that just take up space. A streamlined linen closet is a small luxury that makes a big difference.
9. Create a Streamlined "Entryway Edit"
The entryway is the first thing you see when you come home and the last thing you see when you leave. In winter, it can quickly become a chaotic dumping ground for bulky coats, wet boots, scarves, hats, and gloves. Taming this high-traffic zone is crucial for maintaining a sense of order.
The key is to create a specific "home" for every single item. Install a few sturdy hooks for the coats your family uses daily. Place a waterproof tray or mat for wet boots to protect your floors. Use a single, attractive basket or a set of wall-mounted pockets to corral scarves, hats, and gloves.
The trick is to store out-of-season or less-frequently-used outerwear elsewhere. Your entryway should only hold what you need for this week, not the entire season. This simple system prevents pile-ups and ensures your first step into your home is one of calm, not chaos.
10. Practice Mindful Memento Management
The end of the year is often a time of reflection, making it a great time to tackle those boxes of mementos and sentimental items. These are often the hardest things to declutter, but holding onto everything can weigh you down.
Instead of keeping every birthday card or child's art project, create a single, beautiful "memory box." Be highly selective about what makes the cut. Keep the letter that makes you cry, the drawing that perfectly captures your child's personality, a few key photos. For the rest, consider digitizing them. Take high-quality photos of the items and create a digital scrapbook.
This process allows you to honor your memories without sacrificing your physical space. You free yourself from the clutter while ensuring the most precious memories are preserved in a way that is intentional and easy to revisit.
11. Clear Your Surfaces, Clear Your Mind
This is one of the most impactful minimalist habits you can adopt. Flat surfaces—kitchen counters, coffee tables, nightstands, desks—are clutter magnets. In winter, when lower light levels can make rooms feel smaller, clear surfaces are essential for creating a sense of openness and calm.
Make it a daily habit to do a "surface sweep." Before you go to bed, take 5-10 minutes to clear off the main surfaces in your home. Put away the mail, wipe down the counters, and stack the books on your nightstand neatly.
This small ritual has a massive psychological payoff. Waking up to a clean, clear space sets a positive and peaceful tone for the entire day. It’s a visual representation of a clear mind, reinforcing the sanctuary you’re working to create. As we often discuss in the Goh Ling Yong community, your external environment profoundly impacts your internal state.
12. Take the "Hobby Box" Challenge
Winter is primetime for indoor hobbies—knitting, painting, puzzles, you name it. While these activities are wonderful for the soul, their associated supplies can quickly spiral into clutter. The "Hobby Box" Challenge is a simple way to keep them contained.
Designate one box, bin, or drawer for each specific hobby. All of your knitting supplies must fit in the knitting box. All of your painting materials must fit in the art bin. This physical boundary forces you to be realistic about the supplies you actually need and use.
If a box is overflowing, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to declutter. Before you buy more yarn, use up what you have or donate it. This simple container-based method keeps your creative pursuits from taking over your living space, ensuring they remain a source of joy, not stress.
13. Rethink Your Mug Collection
Is there anything cozier than a warm drink on a cold day? Winter is the high season for coffee, tea, and hot cocoa, which means our mugs get a lot of use. It also means we tend to accumulate far more than we need.
Open your cupboard and take an honest look at your mug collection. How many can you and your family physically use at one time? Keep your absolute favorites—the ones that feel perfect in your hand and make you smile. Donate the rest.
This might seem like a small, insignificant thing, but it’s a perfect micro-dose of minimalism. Every time you open your cupboard and see a curated collection of mugs you love, it’s a small reinforcement of your commitment to intentional living. It’s about finding joy in the everyday essentials.
14. Schedule "Do Nothing" Time
Perhaps the most profound minimalist act has nothing to do with your physical possessions. The ultimate goal of simplifying your home is to simplify your life and make space for what truly matters. This winter, make a conscious effort to declutter your calendar.
Schedule blocks of time for "doing nothing." This isn't unproductive time; it's essential time for rest, reflection, and unstructured being. It’s time to stare out the window, listen to music without multitasking, or simply sit in your newly created cozy corner and breathe.
In our culture of constant busyness, choosing to be still is a radical act of self-care. By simplifying your schedule, you give yourself the greatest gift of all: the time and mental space to truly enjoy the peaceful sanctuary you’ve so intentionally created.
Creating a minimalist sanctuary isn't a one-and-done project; it's an ongoing practice of conscious choices. It’s about shifting your mindset from one of accumulation to one of intention. Don't feel pressured to tackle all 14 of these tips at once. Start with the one that resonates most with you, the one that feels most achievable right now.
Each small step you take—every item you let go of, every surface you clear—is a vote for a calmer, more meaningful life. You are not just decluttering your home; you are making room for peace, creativity, and connection this winter.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. Which of these sanctuary-simplifying tips are you most excited to try? Share your plans and progress in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!