My minimum
for sheets and towels is two sets per bed /per person because we don't have a dryer and line dry laundry. (We have two sets for each)
for plates, small plates, bowls, mugs and glasses.. I think for our family of three, six of each would be minimum. We have 6 of each mugs, large glasses and small glasses with a thick stem (they work for wine and champagne too but are used as regular drinking glasses). We have 8-10 each of plates and bowls. If one breaks we don't need to run out to replace it, but we don't have excess either.
We do have a dish washer and this amount is just right but if we washed by hand then six of each would be good. That would allow us to have some guests over too :)
Pots and pans.. One cast iron skillet and dutch oven. Three kettles of different sizes but two would be enough, one small and one bigger.
For appliances, we have a microwave and a stick blender. We used to have a standing blender but it broke and we couldn't get a replacement part. I went without for six months and finally decided to get a stick blender instead as I thought it could be used to make soups easier, and also as a small food processor, and it takes way less space. I think I made the right decision!!!
A couple of wooden spoons, one spatula, one grater. A few enamel and porcelain bowls of different sizes to use as baking bowls, salad bowls and serving bowls.. or even storing leftovers. I use the same bowls for serving at DD's birthday party too. Oh, and I use our eating bowls as serving bowls too :)
I have one porcelain pie baking plate (also used as a serving plate) and two cake forms, a big round one and a smaller one.
This is not a full list of course (it would be fun to make one) but you get the gist -we like the bare minimum. I'm always looking at my stuff with a critical eye and if I notice I haven't used something in a long time I question whether we need to keep it at all. If something breaks (like the blender) I think about whether we really need to replace it.
We keep two bottles of shampoo, one kiddie shampoo and one for DH's oilier hair. I use whichever I think my hair needs :) One conditioner.
For clothing I think my minimum is two pairs jeans/cords and two pairs of lounge-y type pants, but not too sporty. Pair of bamboo leggings and pair of wool leggings.
Seven jersey tops, two cardigans, two nicer blouses, three tunic dresses, one nicer dress. Two sets of pajamas. Three bras and ten panties. No socks except three pairs of wool socks. One dressy jacket. Again, we line dry our clothes so I really need at least a week's worth and a couple of extra. In reality I have few more pieces than this, but not much. And I really don't wear socks. In the winter I wear thick knitted wool socks (they don't need to be washed every day) and in the warm season I just wear sandals and I'm barefoot at home.
My summer wardrobe is smaller, I think it is between 10-15 pieces in total.
DD's clothes fit in one shelf in my closet, and she doesn't even wear all of them, so from now on I'm going even more minimal with her clothing.
We have one large wool blanket in the bed and one wool throw blanket in the living room. A vintage crochet bed spread and quilt for DD to play with as well as some pillows.
Decorations.. hmm. DD's toys. :) An antique telephone from the 1800's, from my grandpa. A few small b&w photos of passed away loved ones. Antique wooden jewelry box. An orchid in the kitchen window sill plus a tiny money tree. Some children's art (it changes). I sewed a bunting of calico fabrics for DD's birthday and she wanted to keep it up so it's still hanging in the kitchen window...
In the bedroom there is one simple wooden cross, and next to DD's bed two posters and animal wall stickers (a few of them are also in the kitchen and living room for fun). She also has a cat night lamp next to her bed.
In the hallway we have a handmade wall hanging rug made by my grandparents. I adore it, it's my favorite decorative thing in our home.
Also in the hallway there is a pastel painting with an antique frame, from my grandparents.
One shoe box size box of Christmas decorations and a set of "snowball" lights, no other holiday decor (at least yet..)
When we move I will go over everything again. But there really isn't much to begin with.. I want to have enough so that our home feels cozy, but being so small we only need a few decorative items to make the place feel lived-in and home-y.
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