Overtime, our homes can end up overwhelming us. Where once an interior was restful and welcoming, it can become suffocating thanks to a build-up of clutter and stuff you feel you can never part with. Our homes are filled with little treasures of memories and everyday objects we’ve acquired over time. From Tupperware and kitchen gadgets to photos and kid’s toys, the stuff in our interiors greatly dictate how we live and can have a habit of taking over.
It’s no wonder the clean-lined and bare walled minimalist interiors are populating our Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards, as more people choose to live a life of simplicity. People are saying good-bye to their clutter and embracing clean living. They’re investing in beautiful pieces that will last a lifetime, rather than filling an interior with meaningless stuff.
There is however an art to designing a minimalist home as simplifying too much leaves you at risk of creating a space that’s cold and uninviting. In this guide, we share with you how to create that a home that’s free of clutter, but still embodies character and warmth.
Why minimalism has taken the world by storm
Source: decoholic.org , Photographer: Chris Warnes
Minimalism isn’t taking the interior design world by storm simply because it’s trendy and spaces can look beautiful. Letting go of your stuff and living in an uncluttered home comes with many benefits including:
• Improved health
Living in a minimalist home gives you the time to concentrate on your health like improving your diet, exercising more, reducing your stress or getting a good night’s sleep. Living in an uncluttered environment also reducing the toxins and dust building up in and around your stuff.
• Visual appeal
Creating space in your interior allows you to show off your beautiful furniture, artwork and most prized possessions. A minimalist home can improve the visual appeal of your space as well as your decorative elements.
• Financial freedom
Minimalism gives you the opportunity to get out of debt. Instead of spending your pay check on disposable objects, you can invest in things that are going to last a lifetime or create memories.
• Easy upkeep
Spending an entire day on the weekend cleaning isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. A minimalist home is easier to clean and maintain. Simply put, the less stuff you have in your home, the less you have to clean!
The rules of minimalist styling in a home
Source: decoholic.org, Photographer: Chris Warnes
While every home is different, there are several rules that every minimalist interior embrace.
• Less is more
The foundation of any minimalist interior is less is more. Spaces are kept in their simple state and every piece is curated in each room with intent. If you’re going to adopt the minimalist style, you’ll need to put more thought into the arrangement of your interiors and be always willing to remove pieces until it feels just right.
• Make it personal
A minimalist space doesn’t need to be void of personality. Most successful minimalist homes reflect their owner’s taste and the way they like to live in the space. Whether it’s in the layout of the interior or the choice of furniture, the homes need to accommodate how you live. For you to love your home, you’ll also need to include items that are personal to you whether that’s a wall of large photographs or a carefully curated collection of items you’ve picked up on your travels.
• Maximise storage
Minimalists may have less out on show, but that doesn’t mean they give up all their belongings and necessities. Instead, their homes are jammed packed with cleaver storage that allows the rooms to appear almost empty.
Source: homedeco.nl
• Embrace clean lines
Clear bench tops, furniture with clean lines and bare walls are essential to a minimalist home. Clutter is gone and instead, objects and furniture are allowed to breath. Walls are kept clean with minimal artwork and surfaces are clear of piles of paper, stacks of magazines and an uncontrolled collection of knick-knacks.
• Invest in quality
Minimalist interiors evoke quality over quantity. The occupants decorate with classic pieces that will stand the test of time even with daily use. From the large furniture pieces to the bedding and cushions, buying quality will only enhance the pared-back aesthetic.
• Create a neutral base
A classic minimalist home always starts with a neutral base. This creates a calm, fresh environment and the palette is easily built upon with similar colour tones and texture. A white base allows you to mix in natural tones of greys, tans and beiges without overwhelming the space.
• Play with texture
To avoid the neutral interior feeling cold or bland, texture is added through materials and fabrics. This helps to add warmth and enrich the space.
Tips to simplifying your space
Source: life1nmotion.com
If you’re thinking of ditching the clutter to create a minimalist home, here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Get personal
Observe how you live. What do you use day to day? How do you interact and move around your space? What are the things you can eliminate from your interior? Understanding how you live within your home will give you insight into the adjustments you can make to achieve the minimalist style.
2. Be inspired
Collect a few images of minimalist homes that you are inspired by. Take note of the textures, colour palette, style of furniture and overall feel of the home to give you a starting point.
3. Address one room at a time
Decluttering an entire house is a massive job so instead of overhauling every room, pick one to start with. Progress throughout the home, finishing one room after the other.
4. Edit your furniture
Furniture takes up a large portion of your interior, so start with editing the pieces in each room. Are there items that are just gathering dust? Can you replace a piece to give you more storage, like a coffee table or credenza? Does your current furniture suit your neutral colour palette?
5. Clear your surfaces
If you’ve hung things on the wall simply because the hook was there, take it down and carefully curate your artwork. Same goes for all your surfaces – remove that stack of magazines on the floor, find a place for your pile of bills on the bench and reduce the clutter of decorations on your mantle or sideboard.
6. Find a place for everything
Nothing is out of place in a minimalist interior. Everything has a home and is put back after use. If you can’t find a place for a particular item, it’s worth asking yourself whether you actually need it. Remember think quality over quantity and ensure you have ample storage for those things you can’t bear to part ways with!
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