Some people claim that minimalist interior design is on the way out. For many, the pandemic era meant adding to the furnishings in their homes, not subtracting. However, minimalism as a design philosophy has been around for over 50 years and has always had its promoters. It may not be the dominant design style, but it has never gone away, and it isn’t going to!

What Is Minimalist Style Interior Design?

A minimalist interior features clean lines, an uncluttered look and a subdued color scheme. Every piece in a minimalist room has a function and adds something to the room. There is no more furniture and décor than necessary!

The color scheme is monochromatic and usually features white, beige and gray. There is plenty of light and lots of open space. Furniture has clean lines and avoids curves, patterning and ornamentation. The items must be comfortable and well-built. Quality trumps quantity.

When it’s done right, a minimalist home is inviting and calming and has a timeless feel to it. However, there’s more to creating a minimalist room than taking out most of the furniture! Today’s best minimalist looks feel warm and lived-in rather than cold and off-putting. There are techniques to help you achieve the desired effect.

Why Choose Minimalist Design?

In many ways, minimalism is as much a philosophy as a design style. Most people have more things in their homes and in their lives than they really need! There can be a sense of serenity in a room that contains only what’s most important. And an effective minimalist room is timelessly beautiful.

Also, a simple and uncluttered space allows you to plan a clear focal point in a room. The design might accentuate a view through a window or an interesting architectural feature of the home itself. A sleek and modern sofa with a few thoughtful details can also be the heart of a minimalist living space. When your family and friends are socializing on simple but classic sofas and chairs, you might even say that the focus is on the people rather than what they’re sitting on!

How to Design a Minimalist Home

A minimalist space has smooth surfaces and strong clean lines. It emphasizes monochromatic solids rather than patterns or stripes. The challenge it to make such a room warm and inviting.

The best ways to do that include shading, texture and lighting. Monochromatic doesn’t necessarily mean stark or boring! Using multiple tones of gray, beige or off-white takes the edge off of a room and gives it depth.

Even when the room and its furnishings are about the same color, varying the textures makes it feel homier. Drapery and bedding are candidates for textural contrast, as is an area rug. In kitchens and bathroom, countertops and floors offer a chance for a different flavor with subtle graining and patterning.

A monochrome look doesn’t mean you can’t have any color at all. A single piece of brightly contrasting decor or a few green plants in a corner basket or on a simple plant stand put an accent on the minimalist scheme without disrupting it.

Living Rooms

The minimalist sofa should have solid-colored upholstery and distinct lines. Avoid curves and embellishments on the woodwork. It’s the chairs that often set the tone. In most styles mix-in-match chairs are fine, but in minimalism the chairs ought to be all the same. There shouldn’t be any more side or coffee tables than are functionally necessary.

Lighting is important, but rather than table lamps, you could have a simple elegant floor lamp. Rather than multiple wall hangings, a minimalist living room might have a single large artwork on one wall only.

Dining Rooms and Kitchens

If the kitchen is small, it might not even have a table. People could eat on stools pulled up to a countertop. That countertop, of course, would be free of small appliances and storage jars; all such items should be stored out of sight.

A dining room table would ideally be rectangular, not rounded, with straight legs and matching chairs. Overhead lighting might be a straightforward pendant or two as opposed to a fancy chandelier.

Bedrooms

Minimalism and bedrooms go together because of the relaxing attitude that simplicity promotes. A well-organized closet is key to keeping the visible room uncluttered. A storage bed is good if the design is not too elaborate, as it may allow you to eliminate a dresser. Some minimalist folks choose to use a platform bed rather than a traditional frame.

Minimalism usually accompanies a modern or contemporary style, but it can work well in a more classic or traditional setting as well. Not everyone will embrace the minimalist look, but often people are surprised by how comforting they find it. If you’re curious but not sure, you might try it out in one room and see where the concept takes you.