Minimalism in interior design is all about emphasizing utility.
A minimalist home is intentional, with muted colors and limited objects. The end goal is to showcase the essentials in a chic and organized atmosphere.
1. Start with Furniture
Look for items that are timeless and interesting. Simplistic furniture with clean, hard lines is ideal for minimalist homes.
2. Experiment with Negative Space
Not every inch of your home needs furnishing. Leaving empty spaces in a room can make it breathable, airy, and light, generating an overall sense of tranquility. Try this on for size by starting with one large clear flat surface (such as your kitchen countertop), one bare wall, and clean floors. Sit in the space and see how it feels.
3. Add Accent Decorations
As the name implies, an accent is anything that stands out against the rest of the décor. Switching to a minimalist décor does not mean you cannot have fun with colors. Using accent shades, furniture, or artwork can help you keep the place dynamic without overwhelming your home. For example, a brightly colored table in the middle of an all-white living room is an accent piece. When picking accents for your home, try sticking to one or two pieces per room. You want to draw attention to the space without jeopardizing its serenity. From a minimalist point of view, a single large item is far better than multiple smaller pieces.
4. Play with Neutral Colors
Although you may have a splash of color in a minimalist room, a major part of the space should still be plain and muted. But why are minimalists so obsessed with light colors? For starters, pastel/neutral hues can make any space look bigger. They also reflect more light, creating a brighter environment. While white is by far the color of choice for most minimalists, you also have shades like grey and beige to pick from. A smart way to make the colors in your room flow is to pick a solid base color and build on it. Make sure that all other colors complement the base shade. For example, for elegant white walls, you can go with marble countertops and pearl-white upholstery, among other things.
5. Mind the Lighting
There's a fine line between an elegant minimalist home and a bleak, uncharacteristic one. You can avoid falling into the second category by paying attention to your lighting choices. Fortunately, modern light fixtures come in a ton of fun shapes and sizes. Get hold of a statement chandelier or pendant lamp to jazz up the place. Don't be afraid to select something a little more out-of-the-ordinary for your dining room or kitchen area.For concrete ceilings, use drop-down lighting panels for that all-around soft, natural glow. LED cover lights should do the trick just as well.
6. Add Patterns Wisely
Most minimalists do away with patterns altogether. In case you decide on keeping them, go with something that's tone-to-tone, unobtrusive, and simple. Also, try to use patterns on a smaller scale. A few patterned throw pillows and curtains can break the monotony of your room, but be sure to balance them out with a lot of empty space. Moreover, you can hardly go wrong with a patterned carpet for the center of your room.
7. Commit to Decluttering
Decluttering is probably the most important step to achieving a minimalist home. Since minimalism advocates the ‘less is more' mindset, you need to get rid of items that don't serve a purpose. If you have two of the same things, toss one out. If there's an outfit you haven't worn in years, give it away. Sure, it's tough to let go of stuff, but the whole point of minimalism is to live with less.
Hopefully, these seven tips will help you bring your dream minimalist home alive in no time!
With no minimal amount of gratitude,
Miriam
Miriam Odegard
Real Estate Broker/Owner, Odegard Real Estate Group
United Realty Indianapolis
1425 East 82nd Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46240
text/mobile: (317) 220-5397
email: miriam@miriamodegardhomes.com
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