In his famous work "Walden," Henry David Thoreau declared that a major problem among humans is that our lives are "frittered away by detail." In order to live a fuller life, he suggests that people should cut down on unnecessary belongings and habits.

"Simplify, simplify," Thoreau urged. "Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion."

Anyone who has come home to a cluttered home might be inspired to take this advice to heart. After the stress of a day at work, being confronted with a mess can easily cause you dismay.

In fact, there appears to be some correlation between your personal satisfaction and how clean your home is. Shelley Little, writing for the architecture and design magazine Freshome, says clutter can cause you anxiety while rooms that feel too small can create a sense of claustrophobia. Dark rooms can make you feel more depressed, while too much light can increase your stress levels.

Minimalist home design aims to create a comfortable balance in the home by capitalizing on the available space and creating simple, functional layouts. The goal is to create a home which is both welcoming and clean.

Achieving this balance may require you to review your belongings with a discerning eye. Getting rid of unnecessary knickknacks or outdated furniture may be required to keep a room from becoming too crowded. Removing excess clutter also eliminates nooks and crannies where dust can accumulate, making it easier to keep a room clean.

However, you shouldn't scour the rooms so thoroughly that they became virtually barren. Too simple a design can give the home a sterile appearance, which is sure to have a detrimental effect on your mood. Personal items, such as family photographs, should still be included in your overall décor.

Capitalizing on your storage options can help you keep items in an accessible area without cluttering the rooms. Aside from the basement and attic, you can look for furniture with built-in storage capacity, such as chests and ottomans. Maischa Souaga, writing for the home design site Houzz, says simple cabinets and shelving can also work well in a minimalist home.

You're looking for the Goldilocks ratio in the furniture in each room. Adrienne Breaux, writing for the home design site Apartment Therapy, says no piece of furniture should seem too big or too small. In addition, furniture should be arranged in such a way that it is well balanced throughout the room, rather than concentrated at one point or another.

Symmetrical arrangements can be especially useful in achieving this balance. Look for ways you can create symmetry with your furniture or other items, such as matching end tables, lamps, or houseplants.

Souaga says natural materials are particularly useful in setting up a minimalist home. Wood, leather, and similar elements will fit well with this design.

Minimalist homes generally use neutral colors and earth tones. Little says this color scheme helps make the home seem more open and inviting, particularly when it is combined with natural light from large windows.

You don't need to eschew color or details altogether, however. Breaux says you can create a subtle highlight to a room through a detailed or textured element, such as an embroidered pillow. Little recommends using splashes of the same color throughout different rooms on elements such as vases and picture frames.