Welcome to the course on minimalist interior design: simple ideas for a clear and beautiful home. We are living in times when clutter seems to be accumulating all around us and distractions are everywhere. The need for simplicity and clarity in our daily lives, and especially in our homes, is becoming urgent for so many of us. Welcome to minimalist interior design that speaks it all with simplicity and functionality using decluttered spaces and clean lines. Whether you have walked into a room and realised that it was really calm and serene or that it exhibited some of the principles of simple interior design, let’s find out how you can do the same by building your own oasis of tranquillity with a couple of basic interior design ideas.
What is minimalist interior design?
Before discussing how to achieve a minimalist look, let us define what truly is minimalist interior design. In its basic form, this design philosophy keeps the unnecessary at bay and depends on what it cannot do without. It builds an open area that is airy while being distraction-free. It should be considered that less is more, whereby every piece in the room should stand out and not compete for attention.
While this may seem like a style where one has to forsake comfort in favour of aesthetics, with a well-articulated minimalist approach, both can be beautiful and functional spaces. Usually, minimalist spaces have been defined by neutral colours, simple forms, and functionality furniture that can let the beauty of space shine through.
Advantages of a Minimalist Approach
Before getting deeper into the basics of interior design, here are some of the benefits associated with living a minimalist lifestyle:
Clarity and Calm: When the space is clutter-free, so is your mind. When the unwanted is taken out, peace come in to replace them to make you unwind and be more productive.
Ease of Maintenance: There is less to clean and organise in a minimalist home, and that automatically means it takes less time and effort to maintain.
Timeless Appeal: A minimalist design will more often than not transcend trends; as such, it automatically becomes timeless. Simple pieces can easily be adapted into a different style or trend, and that allows you to do updates as your taste changes.
You might feel like you are living a more sustainable life. You choose fewer items, but they’re higher quality. This benefits the environment and your wallet in equal measure.
Tips toward Minimalist Interior Design
Now that we have the why, let’s get down to business and discuss exactly how you achieve such a clear interior decoration—a clear representation of your persona—yet at the same time maintaining things so darn simple. Below are some easy tips and basic interior design ideas to get you rolling.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter!The process for minimalist interior design is to clean up the clutter first. You go into each room, take a hard look at what’s in it, and question whether or not you really need it. Those things that bring you joy or have some practical use, you keep. Everything else, you could give away or sell. It is a very freeing process.
Interactive Tip: Just set the timer for 15 minutes a day and tackle one small area at a time. You will be amazed at how much you will get accomplished in such a little bit of time!
Use a neutral colour scheme.A neutral colour palette is one of the major signatures of minimalist interior design. Whites, greys, beiges, and soft earth tones create a soothing background in your room. Lighter colours reflect the light and make rooms look bigger and more inviting.
Quick Idea: Not ready to paint those walls? Add some neutral accessories. Cushions, throws, or rugs in muted tones may work magic!
Opt for Quality Over QuantityThat’s the beauty of minimalism; everything counts. Instead of having your house full of decorative pieces, it would be great to invest your money in buying a few striking, very fine, and beautiful pieces. That way, it would look sleek and sophisticated, while every single piece that you choose adds worth to your space.
Pro Tip: Consider multi-functional furniture pieces, such as a stylish ottoman that allows storage to keep the space clutter-free.
Edit Your Furniture OptionsIrrespective of the purpose, the furniture selected should be in simple lines and plain shapes. This would avoid furniture pieces with complex designs cramping the space with planes that are clutter-free. An example could be that a sleek sofa featuring a minimalist design would look great without cluttering the room.
Design Challenge: Try rearranging your existing furniture to create an open layout. You will be shocked at how a new configuration can change the feel of the room!
Create Open SpacesOpen spaces help in creating minimalistic interior design. For that, you should not overfurnish a room; rather, leave some space with no furniture so that flow and movement are possible in that particular area.
Space Planner: Painter’s tape laid on the floor can plan out furniture placement prior to moving heavy pieces. It gives a good enough view as to what works best.
Make Use of Natural LightAnd the most appreciated is the natural light that can be quite a minimalist’s best friend. Maximise it with the use of sheer curtains or blinds that are easily drawable. Sunlight not only creates an illusion of space being large but also brings in much-needed warmth and life into a house.
DIY Tip: The other perfect way to project light inside a home is by using mirrors, which in fact create an illusion of space so much greater in size than it actually stands.
Curate Your DecorWhen it comes to decor, less is truly more. Whittle it down to just a few statement pieces that really speak to your style—be it a gorgeous work of art, a stunning vase, or an intriguing sculpture—omit scattering a tonne of little things across every surface.
Personal Touches: Of course, display personal items—travelling trinkets or pictures of the family—but balance those out to maintain a clean look and feel in your space.
How to Apply Minimalist Design to Each Room
Living RoomOpt for a neutral-coloured sofa and match it with a simple coffee table. Sprinkle a few well-chosen cushions with a soft throw to make it comfortable without cluttering the space. Keep the display area of your entertainment zone pretty basic with mounted shelves or a minimalist media console.
BedroomThe minimalist bedroom would contain a very simple, high-quality bed frame with quality bedding. The bedside tables would have drawers for ease of surface maintenance. It may be centred on one piece of artwork or one catching piece of greenery.
KitchenThe kitchen should display only the necessary appliances for it to have a clutter-less counter top. Utensils and crockery are to be kept in fashionably designed storage devices. A clean-lined dining table, if possible, is provided to assist in keeping the minimalistic appearance.
BathroomThe bathroom can be fitted out with a sleek vanity and some simple storage. The room will look even better with the addition of some soft towels and a few decorative touches without cluttering it.
ConclusionThere really isn’t a need to sacrifice comfort or personality when creating a minimalist space. Rather, it’s about embracing the essential and giving your space room to breathe. Here are a few basic interior design ideas that will easily turn your home into a serene retreat: declutter your space, invest in neutral colours, and purchase quality pieces.
Never be afraid when overwhelming feelings strike and one seeks that little guidance. At Oraanj Interior Design, we pride ourselves on how we help our clients bring their vision into a nicely simple yet luxurious home. The team is committed to providing bespoke solutions that reflect personal style while embracing the minimalist style.
What’s holding you back? Let us take our journey in design on the road! Approach Oraanj Interior Design today and find out just how to make your space feel home-like: clear, calm, and gorgeously minimalist.
