Minimalist design is often misunderstood as cold, boring, or impersonal, but in fact, this streamlined aesthetic is simply efficient and purposeful. By avoiding unnecessary clutter and ornamentation, minimalist homes emphasize what's most important to the homeowner, using simple forms, pared-back colors, and sleek materials to achieve functional, elegant spaces.
Although it's designed to appear effortless, decorating in minimalist style is highly deliberate and can be difficult to pull off. Learn more about its key characteristics and discover tricks to achieving a clean, minimalist look without sacrificing personality.
History of Minimalist Design
Influenced by Germany's utilitarian Bauhaus movement and the simplicity of Scandinavian and Japanese design styles, minimalism provides a quieter alternative to over-accessorized interiors. Minimalism creates a tranquil atmosphere in living rooms or bedrooms and gives kitchens and bathrooms a clean, modern look. This minimalist design style stems from and takes inspiration from the art movement of the same name. The minimalism art style began in the 1960s as a reaction to the bold abstract expressionism that was popular at the time, according to The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa).
The mantra of minimalism is "less is more," often attributed to architect and furniture designer Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. Each element in a room should have a place and a purpose, which means you won't often find many superfluous items or needless decorative details in minimalist homes.
Minimalist design is distinguished by its simplicity, clean lines, and neutral color palette. Smart organization is essential, and storage is typically streamlined or hidden away to avoid visual clutter. On furniture and accessories, clean lines and simple shapes help maintain a streamlined look. The overall effect of a minimalist room is generally open and airy, with an emphasis on natural light and plenty of breathing room.
Minimalist color schemes often start with a neutral foundation, but they're not limited to shades of white. Neutrals including gray, taupe, black, and wood tones are commonly used in minimalist designs. With the right application, hues including blush pink, green, and blue can serve as muted accent colors.
The key to using color in a minimalist design aesthetic is to keep the color palette mostly monochromatic with only slight variations in shade and tone.
How to Decorate in Minimalist Style
To embrace a minimalist aesthetic, start with a clean, uncluttered foundation. Then, try incorporating one of these elements of minimalism:
Remove or store any unnecessary items, and consider painting your walls in a neutral hue.
Using your wall color as the basis for your color scheme, incorporate an accent color or other neutrals in varying intensities to create subtle visual interest.
When choosing decor, opt for solid colors and subdued prints over bold, statement-making patterns on rugs, upholstery, and other surfaces.
Minimalist living is all about consistent design and as few varying elements as possible. Many people opt for white walls, as it is the most neutral color, but grey or light blue will do just fine. Avoid darker shades and unusual combinations, as they can make your rooms feel cluttered without a lot of items.
Minimalist interior design is very similar to modern interior design and involves using the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. It's characterised by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with colour used as an accent.
Minimalist color schemes often start with a neutral foundation, but they're not limited to shades of white. Neutrals including gray, taupe, black, and wood tones are commonly used in minimalist designs. With the right application, hues including blush pink, green, and blue can serve as muted accent colors.
One of the easiest ways to add color to a minimalist space is through accessories. Think throw pillows, vases, or artwork that can serve as focal points or subtle pops of color against a neutral backdrop.
You can decorate on a budget by painting your room a new color, switching out your lamps and light fixtures, and using new accessories, such as throw pillows and artwork. You can also take the DIY approach and refinish wood furniture or reupholster chairs and sofas.
So, while the minimalist doctrine is evolving to address our modern needs, its three most important qualities—functionality, simplicity and honesty—can continue to guide minimalist practices in our own homes.
Simply, a minimalist wears their favorite clothes every day. Most days I wear jeans, a teeshirt, and a pair of boots. Or, when I feel like it, I wear a crisp white button-up shirt, jeans, a blazer, colorful socks, and a clean pair of dress shoes. (I avoid logos because I refuse to be a walking billboard.)
Minimalist Art uses hard edges, repeating geometric shapes, blocks of color, precise lines, and limited color choices. Minimalist art reflects truth and simplicity by using only the basics to create different art pieces.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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