Minimalism is on the rise with the younger generations as it joins the race for sustainability, and hops on the de-cluttering trend. Although when talking about interior design, a minimalist home goes in line with living your life with the necessities, things that bring you joy and not bringing in unnecessary objects to the home.
To reach this aesthetic, you need to evaluate your own relationship with material objects and commit to being an intentional shopper in terms of being active in what you bring into the home. Not even in terms of home decor, but clothes and gadgets as well. You can't have a minimalist home if there are many things laying around.
Other than the clutter aspect, here are 10 ways to reach the true minimalist home aesthetic. Remember to keep the colors neutral or light, maximize natural light and always think form and function.
10 Simple Colors
Unlike a bohemian or Scandinavian style home, minimalism keeps the colors to neutrals and maybe pastels. Pick an accent color for a throw pillow or chair, but don't overdo it.
Sticking with whites or creams for furniture will optimize the natural light as well as light-colored wood surfaces. You can add a pop with black or gold metallics and plants.
Neutral colors create the clean effect that minimalism reaches for, and avoiding busy colors can also create a simple atmosphere in terms of vibe and how you feel at home.
9 Multi-Use Furniture
Multiuse furniture or furniture that has more than one use is a major plus for a minimalist house. It will help you keep less furniture and less clutter so you can move it around.
Think about desks that go from sitting to standing, couches that fold into beds, footstools or tables that double as storage space and tables that can fold out to be longer.
8 Empty Spaces
Minimalists' best friends are empty spaces because they make the room look fresh, clean, decluttered and even bigger.
To get the empty space vibe, keep furniture to a minimum. Remember the furniture should have a purpose, and be something you use every day. Less furniture, fewer spaces to leave clutter. Make sure to have a good storage system for things that don't get used every day.
7 Maximize Surfaces
Surfaces are for use, but don't let them become hubs for clutter. Since minimalist homes don't have that much furniture, surfaces can become problem areas if you aren't in the habit of putting things in their place.
Let surfaces be places to use for cooking, eating, working, but little more. Look for furniture that has nice surface space, and with light-colored paneling to maximize the light.
6 Green Plants
For a minimalist home, stay away from flowers and look to green plants. The green will be a major color pop against the neutral-colored palette giving it just the right amount of color and life.
Minimalist homes should be maximizing natural light, making them a great breeding ground for indoor green plants. Add some hanging plants which has leaves that drape over surfaces as well as larger floor pot plants to have green diversity.
5 Textured Elements
For those who love a color pop or something more exciting along with their minimalist home, try to incorporate textures. Think velvet couches or wicker floor poufs to give the room something exciting.
As you go along, you will begin to appreciate the power of texture in creating exciting and beautiful home decor.
4 Maximize The Natural Light
Whenever possible think of ways to maximize the natural light. If you have the luxury to be doing home renovations, consider glass doors instead of windows that go to the balcony or patio.
For renters, look for whites and creams which will make the room feel brighter. Avoid darker colors which will just absorb the light and dampen the room.
3 Declutter
Decluttering should be a one-time thing for folks who had a lot of things, but creating habits and having an organization system that reinforces itself is more difficult than it sounds.
The good thing is, in a minimalist home everything has a form and function. There should be a place for everything from your shoes and keys for easy access to your workout gear and current book. Make your home decor part of the organization system to build habits that avoid clutter.
2 Metal Lamps
Against a white and light wood-paneled room, black or gold metal lamps will add a texture and color pop to the room in an unexpected way. Similar to how velvet and wicker add texture, metal does as well.
Consider metal standing lamps, bedside lamps, and even overhead lighting fixtures.
1 Light Wood, Black Metal Lines
When choosing furniture, for all surface pieces choose light brown wood to maximize the light, and for framed objects go with black metal. The two colors will look quite striking together yet create a clean and comfortable vibe.
If in doubt, go with light-colored wood and black metal for your furniture.
