Today the word “minimalist” is often used to describe a wide range of topics from art, fashion, architecture, interior design, and even a way of life. It’s not hard to see how one might get confused with the meaning of the frequently used buzzword, so we’re here to break down how minimalist design can be the perfect way to compliment your home.
Minimalist design is a visual style with an established history in the realms of architecture, interiors, graphics, and virtually every other type of design. The focus of minimalist design is to break away from the excessive and overly decorative, and focus on raw materials and simplicity.
If you’re looking for some inspiration to give your home a more simple, elegant look, read our breakdown of what makes minimalist design style one of the most welcoming modern interior designs.
Characteristics of Minimalist Design
The key phrase to remember when decorating with minimalistic design is very straightforward: “Less is more.” And while it may seem uncomplicated at first, keeping things minimal requires much more thought than one might think. Luckily, we've got a few basic principles that will help make your next minimalist project a breeze.
- Embrace Simplicity: From choice in furniture, to color scheme, to layout, avoiding frills is the minimalist's most primal instinct. But remember, simple doesn’t have to mean basic!
- Let Stand-out Pieces Stand Out: Including at least one bold, show-stopping piece of furniture, art, or décor is practically a prerequisite for minimalistic design. Don’t be afraid to show off an abstract painting or include an interesting piece of furniture when deciding on your layout.
- Create Visual Balance: While symmetry primarily applies to the positioning of furniture and décor, it can also apply to things like the color scheme and light source.
- Leave Some Breathing Room: By paring down your furniture and décor, you will keep your interiors from feeling crowded and will ensure that every piece has a chance to shine. Apart from prioritizing quality over quantity, another way to prevent your home from looking cluttered is to get rid of one old item for every new piece that you add.
Colors and Textures of Minimalistic Design
Now that you know the basic principles behind minimalist design, let’s get into the color schemes and textures that will really help your décor stand out. When it comes to the color palette of minimalistic design, you’re going to want to stick with solid and neutral tones. Using colors with a simple and light hue, such as ecru or ivory, will make it easier for you to spot visual clutter and clear up space.
Along with neutral colors, opt for natural materials when choosing accents and textures to go with the rest of the décor. Limited use of materials like concrete, steel, and wood, will help create space and really make your décor pop, even with using just a few pieces of furniture.
Minimalistic Design Décor and Furniture
When it comes to incorporating décor and furniture with a minimalist approach, a helpful guideline to remember is to try and select pieces that resemble the curves and shapes typically found in nature. This type of approach is largely based on the logic of combining form and function, like making the most of double-duty furniture such as sleeper sofas or ottomans.
You’re going to want to make sure that your arrangement is airy and uncluttered, often with open-play layouts and different types of seamless or integrated storage. There’s no specificity when choosing pieces of furniture with minimalistic design in mind, just make sure that there is plenty of space in between them and they are given their own light.
If you feel like adding a new piece of furniture will really help you create a more minimalistic ambiance, we offer the best selection of furnishings to match your design style. Contact us with any questions you may have!
Minimalist design is all about prioritizing the essentials. It’s not just to simply declutter our homes as an attempt to simplify our lives and help us cope with an overwhelming world, but as a way to express ourselves by using less than what we thought.
Now that you’re feeling inspired and want to create a minimalist living arrangement of your own (or add to an already peaceful setup), shop our large selection of top-rated home furniture from trusted brands to help elevate your space. Shop in-store or online today!