Are you looking to incorporate a minimalist aesthetic into your home?
In plain terms, minimalism is all about living with less. The design aesthetic of minimalism combines sharp lines and clean edges with a reduced display of furniture and decor. In other words, only the most essential elements of the home are showcased.
While many naysayers believe that a minimalist look feels empty and cold, this is far from the truth. In fact, there are plenty of ways to achieve a minimalist look that is clean and contemporary whilst also being warm and inviting.
If you’re interested in achieving a minimalist home you’re going to want to read this. We’re sharing seven of our best secrets on how to transition your home to a minimalist’s dream!
1. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Of course, the first and most important step in achieving a minimalist look is to declutter.
The act of decluttering involves reducing the furniture, decor and general items that make up each and every room in your house.
One common mistake that many homeowners make when decluttering is feeling the need to get rid of everything. The truth, however, is the opposite. It’s important to keep accessories and decor that’s important to yourself and the overall aesthetic of the room.
A general rule of thumb to follow? Only display the essentials and items that truly bring you joy on a daily basis. As for everything else, either set it aside into storage or bid a final farewell.
2. Opt for a Neutral Color Palette
When it comes to your minimalist color palette, the general idea is to opt for a color that is clean and simple. For this reason, many minimalist designers select a white or off-white color for the walls.
Remember, white walls don’t have to mean boring. Instead, you can enhance your walls with anything from artwork to wall decals. Check out this helpful article if you’re in need of some wall art inspiration.
From here, you can incorporate other colors in terms of a secondary color as well as accent colors. In the world of design, this is commonly referred to as the “sixty, thirty, ten” rule.
This design rule commences with choosing one neutral base to dominate the room. From here, choose a second shade to act as the secondary color -this color is typically more bright than the primary color. To finish, a third color is reserved for accents throughout the room.
3. Clear All Surfaces
One of the most simple means of achieving a minimalist tone is to eliminate clutter from the surfaces of your home.
This could be anything from your kitchen and bathroom countertops to your tabletops and display shelves.
Let’s take your display shelf, for example. While it may be tempting to cram this shelf with your favorite keepsakes, it’s more aesthetically pleasing to minimize that decor and showpiece one or two statement keepsakes.
4. Invest in Quality Furniture
Remember the old saying “quality over quantity”?
It’s safe to say that this certainly reigns true when it comes to achieving a minimalist tone within the home.
In a minimalist home, the quality of the furniture is incredibly important. This is because the furniture that is being displayed is making up the large majority of the structures within the room.
When we consider this fact, it’s simple to understand why furniture within a minimalist home is such a key focus. The best decision you can make is to invest in quality furniture that going to make a statement.
Because there will be far less furniture than with a traditional aesthetic, it’s important for each piece to have a story.
5. Don’t Shy Away from Textures
Too often, the art of minimalism is mistaken for a lack of texture within a home.
In reality, some of the most stunning modern aesthetics in the world showcase immense texture. The reason that texture is so easily incorporated into any interior is because of a lacking of furniture and a subdued color pattern allows for it.
That being said, don’t be afraid to incorporate texture into your minimalist interior. Opt for accent carpets, heavier materials such as velvet and even a bold-print wallpaper. These bold textures in combination with sharp lines and a clean palette make for a stunning visual combination.
6. Embrace Hidden Storage
At this point, we’ve established that minimalism is largely based upon decluttering your possessions and striving for clean lines.
One major aspect of doing so lies in hiding your storage that would otherwise be on display. This could be anything from a vinyl collection and dishware to excess pillows and blankets in your living room.
Rather than having these items on display, opt for storage that is hidden from the eye. In doing so, the option for storage still remains. The difference is this storage is no longer visible to yourself and your guests.
7. Opt for Subdued Window Coverings
It’s safe to say that one of the most important features of a home is the natural light it possesses. As it turns out, a minimalist’s home achieves just that.
Ridding your home of heavy, outdated drapery will automatically open your home to not only more natural light, but also more clean lines. Opting for natural fabrics, automatic blinds, or even shutters will help to achieve the look you’re going for.
Our best advice? Stick with a neutral color palette that will help to transition your window coverings into your walls.
Achieving a Minimalist Home
In today’s day and age, it’s common for a homeowner’s possessions to outweigh their usable space.
Whether it’s holding onto old possessions for sentimental reasons or downsizing from a larger space, the art of having too much stuff is certainly a reality in America. In fact, 10 percent of households report having so much stuff that they pay for an extra storage facility.
This is where the art of minimalism comes into play. In achieving a minimalist home, you’re sure to feel more balanced in both your mind and within your home. Not only does minimalism reject the inclination to overbuy, but it’s also a design aesthetic that is oh-so-visually pleasing.
If you’re interested in learning about more furniture and decor, check out the rest of our blog!
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