With home decor, the word “simplicity” may conjure images of starkly modern interiors with hard, polished surfaces and not much in the way of color. But simplicity can be a part of any design aesthetic—it’s just about the idea that “less is more.”

First–clear the clutter. Clutter makes it difficult to focus, as your attention bounces around and can actually make you fell stressed.

Next–ask yourself what the purpose of the room is. If it’s to relax in front of the TV, start removing items that don’t add to that purpose. If it’s to sleep, maybe remove the TV and any other distracting items.

Keep editing! Look at each item and remove any that don’t have a purpose. This clears floor space for ease of movement and helps you choose a few statement pieces that don’t compete with one another.

So why choose simplicity?  Rooms that incorporate simplicity feel more open, which can reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Spaces that are less cluttered are easier to clean, too, which means you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the room. An organized home also means sudden house guests don’t cause cleaning anxiety.