Manimalist Interior Design

Minimalist design took off as a design style in the 1960s, and it has stayed consistent since then, although recent years have seen a slight broadening to the look.

Traditionally, neutral colors, clean lines, and low profile furniture marked the style. Today, this still forms the basis of the minimalist style, but some softer variations have entered the picture. Now, pastel shades occasionally enter the palette, as do softer shapes and textures.

Minimalist Defined

Minimalism is a philosophy as much as it is a design choice. Cut the clutter and noise of life to inspire calm, clarity, and serenity.

The overarching idea is that less is more. Instead of a case full of sculptures and knickknacks, a single stunning piece takes the spotlight. Instead of bold colors that bring warmth to a room, a room of cream and white with the occasional beige accent brings calm to a chaotic world.

Every item in the room is noticeable when there are fewer items to notice. A single book left on a table, or pair of shoes by the door, ruins the aesthetic of a minimalist room.

Some people consider minimalism a rejection of a possession-obsessed society. This is not exactly true. It is not a decision to eschew possessions so much as it is a choice to ensure that which you choose to possess holds real value.

Why Choose the Minimalist Style?

Minimalism incorporates shape, space, color, and texture to create a room. It draws the eyes to a single focal point, not because there is a spotlight on that focal point, but because there is nothing to draw the eyes away from that point.

A single stunning red piece in an otherwise monochromatic room guarantees you notice that piece. It needs no spotlight or other type of accent. It stands alone. Minimalists appreciate that level of simplicity, and how each piece takes on greater importance when it isn’t competing with a room filled with knickknacks and unneeded items.

This holds true for more than color. A sofa in soft, luxurious fabric stands out against an austere, cool room. A simple table and chair with clean lines, placed in front of a window with a panoramic view, focuses the eye on the view, not the furniture. Busy furniture in a room with a beautiful focal point, such as a fireplace or interesting architectural design, distracts from that focal point.

Where a maximalist might see cold sterility in this décor, a minimalist finds comfort and serenity.

Minimalism for Serenity

A cluttered home often leads to a cluttered mind. Minimalists rarely have this worry, since any sign of clutter is immediately obvious. Their homes also use abundant natural light and neutral color palettes (with the occasional single splash of color), and few accessories or accents.

In addition, most minimalist styles incorporate symmetry, such as a fireplace with a chair on either side, a table with an equal number of chairs surrounding it, or a room balanced as to the sizes, shapes, and colors of each piece. No item enters haphazardly or without careful thought.

The result is a home that feels open, comfortable, and balanced. There is nothing to overwhelm the mind, just peace.

Achieving Minimalism

Less is more is not code for cheap. Instead, it means that each item is included for its overall effect and its ability to draw the attention of everyone in a room.

Choose pieces that are stylistically simple, such as a large wall hanging of a single color, but of an interesting texture, such as gold leaf or bronze. When you hang such a piece, it resides alone. Do not place a table in front of it, or try to do draw the eye to it. The eye draws to it naturally in a minimalist room, as there is nothing to distract one’s eye.

In a similar way, place a single vibrantly colored accent table with a unique design in a room designed in shades of pale gray, white, or another neutral color.

Sometimes, simple lines and colors combine to turn a standard piece of furniture with stark lines, such as a dining room chair, into a thing of beauty. If you place this austere set at a focal point in the room, the effect becomes even greater.

Employ space generously to highlight the pieces you do include. The simple fact that not many are there lends greater importance to what is there.

Finally, incorporate small accent pieces to draw attention to a particular space, such as a vase with a small cluster of flowers. A small bouquet does not overwhelm the space, and the lack of other items again highlights this single adornment.

The Popularity of Minimalism

This is a particularly popular style among those with overly busy lifestyles, who crave simplicity and serenity in their homes. It is also popular among people who prize order and organization and find beauty in it. For many, it expresses the ideals of practicality, beauty, and order.