Minimalism translates to living with less: less color, less visual noise, less — well — stuff. It isn’t about sensory deprivation or totally cleaning house; it has more to do with choosing to focus on a handful of items you truly need and love rather than a glut of meaningless objects.
Minimalistic style likely attracts you for its simplicity, its restful nature and its ease of maintenance (i.e., less dusting). In a hectic, overstimulating world, it can be a treat to come home to a clean, calm space. But how can your style be minimalist if you love stuff? Minimalism doesn’t mean getting rid of everything or diminishing your dwelling’s personality–it means getting back to simple pleasures, going for quality, and living conscientiously.
Minimalism can work for us all; those who say no to clutter, and those who love to accumulate. Just look at the following photos. All photos by VHT.
It’s hard to pull off the minimalist look in a room that’s bursting with color. White is the quintessential minimalist color, but if it feels too stark or clinical to you, go for cream, beige and khaki, or barely-there hues of your favorite color.
Storage, storage, storage is key when you like your things but don’t want to see them. This kitchen offers both a plethora of storage space and a unique look that compliments the minimalist aesthetic.
Minimalism is about pruning back to the bare essentials and clearing away the superfluous. This bedroom has only the necessities with just a few pops of color thrown in via the vase of flowers and accent pillows.
Let’s talk furnishings. Think about what’s essential in your room. Do you need three cocktail tables, a pair of armoires and a hulking entertainment center? What’s the minimum amount of furniture you must have to maintain an optimum level of livability?
And remember, minimal doesn’t mean uncomfortable — there’s no need to perch on hard side chairs without a place to prop your feet. Just remember to keep cushioned furnishings tailored, such as tight-back sofas and chairs.
There are two minimalism principles at work in this bedroom. First, bare windows are key. Keep windows unadorned and let their simple architecture shine. Fussy draperies and flouncy shades make a minimalist room feel way overdressed.
Second, when you think of minimalism, you probably think of solids. If you choose to use a pattern, keep it subdued, like the chair in this photo, or simple and repeating, like the comforter.
As far as minimalist bathrooms go, this is pretty much the pinnacle. Zero clutter (flowers don’t count!), neutral color palette, and clean lines and shapes.
Open spaces and unobstructed sight lines give minimalist interiors their appeal. You can also achieve the same effect by painting all the walls, ceilings and trim the same color to create the impression of openness.
One more bedroom that shows off the minimalism’s pared down appeal. Often a minimalist look simply means thought has been given to the organization of things. Everything has a place and everything in its place. When everything has a legitimate, logical place, a room and a home will tend to iron itself out and flow properly.
Tell us, is the look of less right for you?