Living Large with Less: How to Approach Large Appliances from a Minimalist Perspective
As the minimalist lifestyle continues to gain popularity, many people are looking for ways to declutter their homes and simplify their lives. One area where this can be particularly challenging is with large appliances. Refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers – these are all essential items that take up a lot of space in our homes.
So, how can we approach large appliances from a minimalist perspective? In this panel discussion-style post, we’ll explore some tips and advice from experts on how to choose the right appliances for your needs, maintain them efficiently, and ultimately live with less while still having everything you need.
Choosing the Right Appliances
The first step in minimizing your large appliance footprint is to choose the right products when you’re shopping. We spoke with Chris Ticehurst from Best Buy Canada about what customers should look for when selecting new appliances.
“One thing I always recommend is thinking about what features you truly need,” says Ticehurst. “Often times consumers get caught up in all the bells and whistles but end up paying more money than they really need to.”
Instead of opting for high-end models with lots of extra features, consider choosing basic models that will do what you need them to do without any frills. This will not only save you money upfront but also reduce maintenance costs down the road since there will be fewer parts that could break or malfunction.
Another consideration when choosing large appliances is energy efficiency. According to Energy Star Canada, household appliances account for about 13% of an average home’s energy use. By selecting products with high-efficiency ratings like those labeled as Energy Star certified products or ones within a higher EnerGuide rating range (upwards of 80), homeowners can save money on utility bills over time while reducing their carbon footprint.
Finally, think about size when it comes to choosing large appliances- larger isn’t always better! Consider your family size or living situation before purchasing an appliance; if you’re a single person or living in a small apartment, a smaller refrigerator or compact washer-dryer combo might be more appropriate than their larger counterparts.
Maintenance Tips
Once you’ve chosen the right appliances for your needs, it’s important to keep them running efficiently. Proper maintenance can help extend the life of your appliances while also reducing energy consumption and costs. We spoke with Alex Wilson from Reliable Home Comfort about some tips for maintaining large appliances:
“Proper cleaning is key,” says Wilson. “Make sure to clean out your refrigerator regularly, keeping it free from food debris and spills that could lead to bacteria growth, odors or spoiled products.”
Additionally, make sure to check air filters on dryers regularly- they should be cleaned after every use and replaced when necessary. This will ensure that your dryer runs efficiently and prevents overheating risks which could cause damage over time.
Another way to maintain large appliances is by scheduling regular tune-ups with licensed technicians who can inspect all parts of an appliance for wear & tear damages like fraying wires or rusting components before they become bigger problems down the line.
Living with Less
Finally, let’s talk about how to live with less when it comes to large appliances. Just because you need certain items doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your minimalist lifestyle! Here are some expert tips on how to approach this challenge:
“Think outside the box,” suggests Emily Wight from The Minimalist Kitchen blog. “For example, instead of having both an oven and microwave taking up space on your countertop why not consider investing in a toaster oven? It may seem like a small change but these decisions add up over time.”
Other ways Wight suggests reducing clutter include using multi-purpose kitchen tools (like an Instant Pot), air-drying clothes instead of using dryers when possible which also saves electricity costs too!
Another way homeowners can reduce their appliance footprint is by opting for rental services where appliances can be leased instead of purchased outright. This works especially well for those who may not need an appliance year-round or want to try out a product before committing to the purchase. Companies like RentoMojo and Appliance Rental Depot offer rental services across Canada with flexible plans that suit your needs.
In conclusion, large appliances are essential items in our homes but they don’t have to take over our living spaces entirely! By choosing the right products, maintaining them efficiently, and adopting a less-is-more mindset when it comes to how we live with these necessary items, homeowners can still enjoy all the benefits of modern-day technology while embracing minimalism and decluttering their homes.