Not sure how to work a minimalist lifestyle into your home design? With a little creativity—and regular home decluttering—you can have the ultimate minimalist home that’s both inviting and practical! Check out these design ideas and minimalist decorating trends for creating a cozy minimalist space.
Focus on Function
Photo via @bethany.backhaus.home
Before you begin your minimalist design, it’s important to think about how you want your rooms to function. Do you have guests over often? You’ll want to make sure there’s plenty of seating. Planning to work from home? You’ll need to create a distraction-free area away from other living spaces. No matter the layout you choose, the key to a minimalist look is keeping your space open and airy.
Create Clean Lines
Photo via @brooke.abrams.design
Modern minimalist home designs are all about creating clean, visually-appealing lines. Furniture with straight edges, squared doorways instead arched ones, and geometric decor are just a few ways that you can design a room that’s easy on the eyes.
Opt for Neutral Walls
Photo via @kellikroneberger
Neutral paint colors are a major component of cool, simple designs. White, blush, beige, tan, and earth tones are all fantastic wall color options for keeping your home bright, calm, and uncluttered. Can’t seem to let color go? Give one of the rooms in your home a monochromatic color scheme.
Tone Down Floors
Photo via @moncerflooring
Much like your walls, the floors in your home can also help brighten and open up your space. Flooring like light hardwood, polished concrete, and white tile will give your space a modern minimalist feel. If you enjoy the appearance of wood floors but don’t want to break the bank, install light-colored vinyl planks for an affordable alternative.
Let in Natural Light
Photo via @ashleytstark
Large windows that allow lots of natural light will make any minimalist room appear larger and warmer. Not to mention, windows are great for acting as a focal point in any room, especially if you have amazing views. Just add thin, floor-length curtains that go with your color theme for privacy.
Use Mirrors to Open Up Space
Photo via @thehouseonhillsidelane
If installing windows aren’t in your budget or you’re renting your home, mirrors are a perfect substitute for costly window renovations. Not only can mirrors help open up a small space, but they’re also excellent for minimalist decor because they’re simple, functional, and stylish.
Install Simple Lighting
Photo via @tamaramageldesign
Light fixtures in a minimalist home need to be simple while also providing maximum illumination. Opt for pendant lights, track lighting, or wall sconces that come in neutral colors and sharp-angled designs to give rooms an artistic feel. You can also pick out lighting that has gold or copper finishes for some extra flair.
Customize Your Staircase
Photo via @admonteraustralia
Up your minimalist design game with custom stairs! Floating stairs, stairs with glass panels, and stairs with open backs are all popular trends found in minimalist homes because they’re simple ways to open up any floor plan.
Pick Furniture that Saves Space
Photo via @lily.bohush
Whether you need design ideas for a large or small minimalist home, space-saving furniture is a must! Add nesting tables or benches to a living room to get more seating or surface areas that can be easily stored when they’re not in use.
Invest in Dual-Purpose Furniture
Photo via @minimalistbible
Furniture that serves many functions prevents your home from looking visually cluttered. Repurpose an old dresser and turn it into a desk for a bedroom, or put a wooden tray on a bench and use it as both a console table and a place to sit when entertaining guests.
Use Furniture as Decoration
Photo via @keyaiira
Take your furniture or storage one step further and make it a part of your minimalist decor! Storage hutches with decorative doors, coffee tables with colored legs, and foot stools in geometric shapes are all awesome ways to keep your home design simple yet funky.
Select Quality Pieces
Photo via @monicawangphoto
One of the most important minimalist living tips is “quality over quantity,” and it goes hand in hand with how you design your home. Rather than purchasing cheap, trendy furniture that’ll wear out faster, consider investing in one or two high-quality pieces that will last for many years.
Go Vertical with Shelving
Photo via @vivandtim.home
Effectively utilize vertical wall space and keep your home from getting cluttered with floating shelves. Use these shelves to store your favorite books, or add a few succulents to brighten up the room.
Incorporate Recessed Shelves
Photo via @thehabitatcollective
Whether you need extra space in a bathroom or somewhere to hide TV cords in a living room, recessed shelves are a great design option for keeping a minimalist room organized. They’re also easy to install yourself!
Add Warmth with Textured Fabrics
Photo via @manifesto.design.inspo
An awesome minimalist interior design tip is to experiment with various textured fabrics. Mix and match beaded throw pillows, wool or fur blankets, and velvet decor to soften up the harsh starkness of a minimalist room—just be sure the items match the neutral color scheme you’ve set!
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Patterns
Photo via @homesweethorton
You don’t have to give up fun patterns to have a clean minimalist aesthetic! Choose patterned rugs, wall art, or pillows with neutral or monochromatic colors to give your room some flair without being too loud.
Go Green with Minimalist Decor
Photo via @puff.pad
Plants are an easy way to soften a room and add some color while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Arrange a bouquet of your favorite flowers for a centerpiece on your kitchen counter, position a tall fern in the corner of a room, or decorate a coffee table with small succulents.
Combine Decoration with Storage
Photo via @onceupona1912
Maximize space in your home by taking items you’d normally store and use them as wall decor instead! For example, rather than letting a hat collection take up precious closet space, you can hang your hats on a wall in an entryway or bedroom to get both storage and decoration.
Eliminate Hardware
Photo via @jutrufelliarq
Embrace modern minimalism by eliminating hardware throughout your home. This will help create clean lines and give kitchens and bathrooms a sleek appearance.
From opening up your living room with large windows to adding warmth with patterns and textures, there are tons of simple home design ideas to create a beautiful minimalist space! Looking for minimalist lifestyle tips? Here are some ways to declutter your home and life!
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