The Principles Of A Minimalist Style of Interior Design

The Minimalist style of interior design needs no introduction even to those who are remotely not into the subject.

That is your first clue about the popularity of this style. Clean lines, uncluttered spaces and the idea of less is more.

This is the mantra for anyone who wants to turn their home minimalist. And might we compliment you on the choice!

This style of design is serene, beautiful and elegant. It doesn’t need to be boring. Nor does it mean you have no possessions and no clutter. It’s all about living life simply and with more meaning.

But truth be told, it’s a bit difficult to achieve it unless you do a careful amount of planning. But that’s what we are here for.

It can be difficult to make white, empty spaces with barebones furniture look good. If not done well, they can end up with a cold and hospital-y vibe. But if you understand the philosophy behind this style, it can be conquered after all. So let’s hit it.

The Main Traits of Minimalist Decor

The first thing to know is that minimalism and functionality are Siamese twins. The idea is to build a soothing space with a timeless aesthetic. This is a great pick for those who want a warm and nuanced home. It is practical and will probably never go out of style. So let’s see how to get there.

• Look for an open floor plan, simple furnishings and lots of light. Don’t twist yourself into knots. Look for something that is comfortable for you.

• This is all about making a small space look bigger. It is all about refined beauty achieved through thought-out furnishings and removing features you don’t need.

• Focus on the details while designing a barebones space. Celebrate the structural details of the house and use them to your advantage.

• Don’t let one space dominate the other. It’s not a competition. Find a way for all the elements in a room to coexist without clutter. But you have to be firm about removing stuff.

• Invest in smart storage options and find easy ways to keep them clean on a daily basis.

About Form and Function

Form and function are at the heart of minimalist designs. Every object you bring into the house needs to have a job and add value to the space. Let the pieces of a room (like tables and chairs in the dining room) speak to each other in terms of color and lines. Their basic shapes must be clearly defined.

Minimalism doesn’t mean getting rid of comfortable items or not having the essentials. The chairs must be comfortable, there must be a table for drinks and things, windows must be treated well and maybe even a fireplace for warmth. You can even have a little art if that pleases the eye. The idea is to be a place of rest when you come home after a rough day.

Initially, a lot of glass and steel were used to create an unembellished space. That combined with clear-cut lines and rectangle shapes gave it a semblance of order. Stay focussed on the purpose of the room and why a certain object is being introduced into it.

Using a Minimalist Color Palette

The best thing to do with this style is to keep the color combinations to a minimum. A lot of times, this does the trick and gives the room a serene and balanced vibe. But you don’t have to stay monochromatic for that reason. A dash of color here and there can be introduced very creatively. Layers of textures also do wonders to a place with a white backdrop. Wood and wool can be put to use sometimes for this reason.

Some designers like to use three hues of the same color that are just a few shades apart to create a stark contrast. This keeps the design tight and gives the room a certain amount of consistency too. This creates a palette for the room and gives you better direction in terms of what kind of neutrals to work with. Whites, blacks, grays and creams are generally fantastic choices.

How Should You Use Furniture in Minimalism Interior Design?

The first order of business with furniture is to remember that this is supposed to be well balanced. You should aim for whoever enters the space to stay in for as long as possible. The way to do it is to get a few high-quality pieces that provide multiple functions. Inferior materials attract a lot of negative attention.

Trendy stuff that you will get bored of soon needs to go. Heirlooms that won’t last for a long time must also be challenged. You need to judge the value of each piece you bring home.

Using Light and Materials

Now, light is a very important part of creating a certain kind of mood. To get it right is to make the most out of existing structural materials. That’s where using light and good materials becomes really important.

Some designers suggest avoiding curtains to make sure there is an abundance of light. But you can try lighter colors for the sake of privacy. You must also use artificial light carefully. Make sure they bounce off of the light-colored walls and ceilings. This will also make the rooms feel larger.

Using Textiles in Minimalist Decor

An array of tonal textiles is the key to doing this well. Pick fabrics that add warmth and richness to the room. A lot of minimalist bedrooms have just a quilted duvet and a dotted throw. This catches the eye and is in keeping with the theme at the same time.

Using complementary hues is one way to do it. But if you think about it, using furs and hides also works in terms of adding depth. Textured area rugs are a great way to introduce color and depth into the room. Graphic extras like a geometric patterned rug are a great way of using color. And don’t worry about the negative spaces. They keep the room light and cool.

Using Accessories

You would think that this design does not involve thinking about accessories. Some folks find it off putting for the same reason. But all of that is wrong. Like every other design, minimalist style also has a bunch of accessories that work for it. This, of course, varies from person to person and room to room. But isn’t wanting to be unique the dream?

The best way to do this is to get pieces that can be swapped out every season. But stay away from heavy, overstuffed pieces. They can be overstimulating. A lot of designers still prefer the gallery look on the walls. Imagine a set of oversized vases for that purpose. But you could argue about the functionality in it. And you’d be right. Well done.

About the Windows

Windows are usually kept bare in this style. But since that is not always an option, universally appealing curtain designs can be picked for any room. They also add a touch of sophistication so it is a win-win.

You must look for semi-sheer curtains that dramatically extend from floor to ceiling. If you can find them in a neutral color, that is great. But if you have an accent-colored wall away from the windows, you can get the same shade for curtains too. It is simple with fluid lines and is central to the idea of this design.

Let’s Fix up Your Home, Shall We?

We have looked at minimalistic designs in theory. Now let’s look at what works for each room in the house. After all, you’re not here for a lecture on design.

The Minimalist Living Room

This is the first room you see when you enter your house. It pretty much defines the idea of home for you. So this part of the house needs to feel laid back and luxurious. For this, you need to turn into an expert curator of decor and furnishings. Invest in smart storage options that will not go out of style any time soon. Be minimal but don’t avoid the essentials. The way to do it is to avoid backups and spare pieces of furniture.

The trick is to create layers in the room which leaves no space without decor. This makes it functional and avoids negative spaces. For example, there is no reason to leave space behind the couch. Now, let the objects in the room be conversation starters. That way, you will have something interesting in the room and it will be utilitarian too.

The Minimalist Bedroom

The idea to follow in a bedroom is symmetry and clean lines. Keep the design simple with the use of silhouettes. A luxe bedding is a great start because you should not be clinical. That leaves the place looking quite sterile and unpleasant.

Experiment a little so that the room looks unique and reflects your personality. Don’t get heavy furniture but play a little with the design of the bedside table. Match it with an accent color in the room. Align the furniture in a way that the room has parallel lines and rectangular shapes. Keep them in sync with each other. Now, a dash of color is all you need. Use playful pieces of art for that. And you’re done.

The Minimalist Kitchen

This is a place in the house that can handle a little bit of quirk, right? But maybe in smaller doses. So keep the design subtle with a couple of simple pieces of art. Now, when we say art, think color. A few colorful seats will also work well. Typically, this style sees a lot of entirely white or black cabinets. You can mix that up. Think luxe stone, sleek appliances and monochromatic finishes. Pair the color of the countertop with the backsplash.

Use pop-up plugs inside the cabinets and on the countertops to avoid using  unattractive sockets. The kitchen will automatically look sleek and clean. A low profile cooktop will keep the balance. See if you can add an extra island for a clean and modern look. Cabinetry and sink fittings must be aligned with the look too.

The idea is to make clever statements with alternative ideas for seating and accessories. Keep the dining table and the buffet set up out of the kitchen if you can help it. Swap the smaller items with decor from another room if it works.

The Minimalist Dining Room

This is a place that looks very sophisticated when styled in the minimalist fashion. The dining room is like a plus one to the kitchen. So let’s try to keep the same color theme going. Avoid blue since it is supposed to be an unappetizing color. Our brains do not associate blue with food so unless your level of quirk is that high, don’t try blue for utensils. This room also needs a good amount set aside in your budget. This is not a common room and it is a bit difficult to get the styling of the dining room right.

Simplicity is key but it can look dull in the dining room if you leave it empty. You need the best possible cabinetry and hardware that your budget allows you. Cheap stuff makes the space look poor, not minimalist. Once you get those out of the way, think about the decorative touches of the room. The idea is to create depth and warmth.

You want to keep this place bright and a simple black and white color scheme actually goes a long way in doing that. But before you exit, make sure to add a dash of color in the form of appliances or dishes. You can also try the same with solid-colored mats on the dining table. Once again, smart storage solutions will keep the space organized and all the good in boxes.

Wrapping Up

It could be stark and cold and boring if you get it wrong. But if you want sleek and sexy, there is a way to do that too. Whatever your idea of minimalist interior design, it is a lot more popular than you can imagine. And the simple reason behind the super hit slogan “less is more” is that it is functional while looking gorgeous.

Minimalism is more than a bunch of white (or black) boxes where you can stuff all your things so as to fool your guests. It is about creating an ultra modern space that presents your artistic abilities without trying too hard.

It is also a simplified way of living which works when you think about the cluttered and stressful lives we all lead. Strip it down to the bare minimum by removing all the unnecessary objects on your path to zen.

Whilst Minimalism is a great style to try and emulate it isn’t for everyone in terms of practicality and lifestyle. Why not check our comprehensive list of Interior Design Styles and see if another style catches your eye.