What do you picture when you think about the perfect minimalist home? You probably know it when you see it, but actually designing a minimalist space isn’t always easy. It helps to know the basic elements of minimalist decorating, what your personal design goals are, and where minimalism came from in the first place.
What Is Minimalism?
The artistic movement known as Minimalism began in New York in the 1960s with the idea that “a work of art should not refer to anything other than itself,” according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Unlike typical portraits and landscapes, which depict people or places, minimalist art was intended to only depict itself. It was often characterized by simple shapes, usually squares and rectangles.
Minimalism took hold in other mediums, including music, architecture, and interior design, which tends to feature clean lines, elegant simplicity, and a feeling of openness.
More Than One Way to Be Minimalist?
According to Apartment Therapy, there are six different ways to be minimalist! If you’re interested in minimalist home decorating, you probably like the style’s clean, relaxing aesthetic, but you might or might not feel connected to ideas like:
- A back-to-basics quality-over-quantity approach
- Freeing yourself from “stuff” by paring down what you own
- Reducing waste and living sustainably
- Saving money
- Becoming more mindful
If you have a particular philosophy or lifestyle that led you to minimalist decorating, consider giving it a voice in your decor. Now let’s get to some practical minimalism-inspired decorating tips.
1. Use Minimalist Art
Incorporating the same basic elements of minimalist art is a sure way to transform your home into a minimalist haven. Aim for simple, elegant pieces with:
- Straight lines
- Geometric shapes
- Clean looking materials, like glass and concrete
If you love minimalist art, why not source minimalist artwork as part of your decor? Famous minimalist painters include: Frank Stella, Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt, Agnes Martin, and Robert Morris.
2. Minimize Clutter
Nothing wrecks a minimalist aesthetic faster than clutter. Many people assume that an organized lifestyle is the only way to keep clutter at bay, but the setup of your home can go a long way.
Assess what you own and pay special attention to items that tend to get left around, like shoes, jackets, keys, phone cords, sunglasses, books, etc. Make sure each one has a designated, easy-to-access home. For the sleekest, most elegant aesthetic, store as much as you can out of sight.
Make good use of bins, baskets, and organizers, especially on shelves and near surfaces that tend to accumulate clutter (like the dining table, coffee table, and entryway).
3. Stick to Simple Colors
Minimalists gravitate towards calming, understated colors (usually light colors) and steer clear of excessive patterns. Patterns are even more distracting and busy than bright colors. But if you really love patterned pieces, look for ones that match your minimalist color scheme.
If you love a good splash of color, choose your accent pieces wisely. A subdued color palette allows you to add pops of color in a few intentional places, while still retaining a minimalist feel overall. A bold backsplash or a brightly patterned throw blanket can add just the right amount of interest to an otherwise plain room.
4. Maximize Empty Space
The one thing you want lots of is empty space. That means you want only as much furniture as you need, and the pieces you choose shouldn’t be too bulky.
Focus on function, and ask yourself:
- How much seating do I need?
- How much kitchen storage do I need?
- How much dresser space do my clothes require?
- How many shoes do I want to keep near the front door?
Many people take this opportunity to get rid of unnecessary or unwanted items. Less stuff, less storage, more empty space. It makes sense! But you don’t necessarily have to purge your belongings to have minimalist home decor; you just have to be smart about the storage options you choose.
5. Invest in Quality Pieces
When you have fewer design pieces in your home, each item is a bigger deal, and it becomes that much more obvious if something is of poor quality.
Paring back what you display makes room in your budget to invest in quality pieces that are built to look beautiful and last a lifetime.
6. Add Some Cozy Elements
Even the most austere minimalist paradise should still feel like a home. Scandinavian design is a great place for inspiration here! Mostly because of how well Scandinavian-inspired rooms incorporate comfy, homey textures. Consider throwing in a few different elements with contrasting textures. Here are some ideas:
- Upholstered furniture
- Comfortable rugs
- Soft throw blankets — chunky cable knit ones are great
- Light wood
- Warm lamps
- Natural light from windows
- House plants
- The fireplace as a focal point
- Cozy candles
7. Write Down Your Purpose
What made you fall in love with minimalism in the first place? As you start browsing minimalist decorating photos and articles, it’s easy to get caught up in someone else’s idea of what minimalism should look like. So write down your purpose and keep coming back to it. If you come across advice that doesn’t align with what you truly want (including any of the advice in this post), don’t be afraid to go your own way!
Ready to design your minimalist paradise?
If you’re planning a home renovation project, Square Deal Remodeling can help! We take a practical approach to minimalist decorating that prioritizes both your aesthetic goals and your functional lifestyle needs.
Ready to tell us how we can help make your minimalist dreams come true? Contact us online or call us at (503) 254-4156.