This is a collaborative post
Minimalism is a beautiful concept, bringing tranquillity into home and mind alike by avoiding clutter and making spaces open and clean. However, it can be hard to pull off without making your space look clinical, impersonal and boring. The following is a helpful guide on how to navigate minimalist design without compromising a sense of welcome or personality.
Don’t Be Afraid of Colour
When most people imagine a minimalist aesthetic, their minds immediately jump to a white and grey monochromatic space, and this feeds into the idea of minimalism as a sterile space. This need not be the case, however, as you can use practically any and all colours within a minimalist aesthetic as long as they don’t clash or appear too busy in the room as a whole. Avoid using multiple tones of the same colour and instead adopt a purposeful, direct approach to colour theory in your home.
Keep Functionality in Mind
The base of your interior decoration should be grounded in functionality. Where everything is placed and why should be a recurring thought in your mind, and if you cannot think of a suitable answer, it either doesn’t need to be in that location, or perhaps doesn’t need to be there at all. Mindful decorating like this prevents dissatisfaction building when you survey your home day in and day out.
Use Texture as Opposed to Clutter
Texture is one of the best ways to achieve a minimalist room that isn’t boring. Woven rugs and soft plush blankets are objects which create dimension and interest in a space, but don’t occupy a useless function. Layering opposing textures within the same colour palette is a great way to brighten a room without making it look too busy.
Small, Purposeful Accessories
These are great for making a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere without taking up greater amounts of space than they should. Think hanging plants to add natural colour which doesn’t feel garish, and, as plants naturally inspire positive feelings, they are also a useful component of home décor. Some home-ware brands such as Kinto specialise in gorgeous minimalist aesthetics which combine practicality with sleek luxurious design. Kinto is a stand-out homeware provider, and uses principles of minimalism in their designs to ensure enjoyment of daily living with their items.
Use Your Walls
Bare walls are an incredibly unappealing feature in homes, since they feel blank and impersonal. Many people when opting for minimalist design decide to neglect their walls, once again straying into an interior which feels almost sterile. Instead, the walls are a fantastic space for objects which would otherwise invade your space. Instead of keys being tossed in a bowl creating clutter, you can use dainty hooks to both decorate and utilise your walls. Mirrors, lights, shelves – these are all great for ensuring that you can navigate your space freely while not having to compromise on your items.
Be Smart About Storage
This is one of the most satisfying endeavours in minimalism: finding neat ways to store your items so they don’t occupy your thoughts and need constant tidying. Folding cupboards or ‘hidden storage’ are brilliant ways to achieve this. You can purchase panelling which you can seamlessly slide under couches and beds to create unique and accessible storage for a multitude of things, shoes, umbrellas, blankets and so forth. Making sure you keep most of your items which aren’t regularly used in organised drawers or subtle boxes can make a world of difference to how your home looks on the daily.
Think About Removing Handles
Many furniture units available today have a clever design which allows you to slide or push them open without the need for drawers. These types of furniture work seamlessly and look absolutely gorgeous with minimalist aesthetics.
Keep Comfort Simple
Beds and couches are key victims of being over-pillowed and over-blanketed for the sake of it, which leads to annoyance when using them and a constant need to pick up and reorganise copious items. Instead, think about what actually gives you the most comfort – three blankets can be pared down to one large one, and five cushions easily streamlined to two. This prevents the look and feel of clutter.
Make Use of Height
This is a really interesting approach to space which will avoid the build-up of objects on one level. Using shelving and contrasting matching furniture at different heights creates dimension and energy without resorting to busy-looking decorative objects. Tall or ceiling-hanging plants are great for this, as are large skinny lamps and low stools. This attention to detail is really what makes a home look put together and show a sense of style and identity.
These ideas will hopefully give you inspiration on how to navigate designing a home interior which has the clean satisfaction and functionality of a minimalist space, but doesn’t confine you to a stark and uncomfortable space.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post