Minimalist decor means different things to different people and is often misinterpreted as spaces that feel cold or sterile. But the reality is quite different because when done right, minimalist homes can and should be warm, welcoming and unique to you.
I like to think of warm minimalism as having a curated home where everything you own is beautiful (to you) and serves a purpose. And I’d add that it’s also about having just enough — not too much or too little.
Many of us aspire to more minimalist homes because they feel more calming and there are many benefits of living more minimally, both physical and mental benefits. Creating a warm minimalist home can feel a bit tricky though because it’s all about balance — go too far one way and it can feel cold and empty or go the other way and it can feel cluttered and chaotic!
So these ideas below will help as they are little habits that you can develop over time that will lead to a more minimalist home that embraces warmth and calm.
ideas to create a warm minimalist home
1.Be intentional
Think about how each space in your home will be used and what you need in there. List down the essentials for each room — this will come down to your lifestyle and needs. There is no one size fits all so do what works for you and your family.
The same is true for rooms which are used for more than one function like a bedroom with a home office. Create zones so that each space functions as it needs to and has all the essentials for that space.
You can do this before you decorate a room but if you’ve already decorated, it’s equally important to look at each room and see what the essentials are. In fact it’s easier to do once you’ve decorated as you’ll know exactly how you use the room and what you need or don’t need.
2. Less is more
This is a simple idea that all minimalist homes embrace. Each room should have just enough to make it functional and comfortable and nothing more. No room should be filled up or look busy. This is also true for flat surfaces like tables, counters and shelves where essentials and few chosen favourites are displayed but they’re never full or crowded.
It’s also worth mentioning that multi-purpose furniture is always a good idea — things like a coffee table with storage or a table that doubles as seating. Double-duty furniture is key in smaller homes but also very handy in larger homes that lean minimalist. If in doubt always err on the side of less!
3. Declutter and edit
This one is obvious but is likely the biggest barrier to having a minimalist home. It’s not about decluttering once and being done, but instead it’s about making decluttering a habit so the clutter never builds up. It’s also about editing what you own whether thats clothes or decor or books or anything. If something no longer serves a purpose or you don’t love it anymore, remove it from your home.
4. Avoid impulse buys
If you’re leaning towards creating a more minimalist home, you’ll naturally buy less. But there’s always temptation and bargains out there that can trip us up. I tend to wait a good few days before making any new purchase for my home and see if I still want it — and usually the answer is no. I can’t tell you how many impulse purchases I’ve avoided by simply waiting for a few days before hitting the buy button.
5. Choose timeless, not trendy
Buy quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Classic, timeless pieces with simple silhouettes mean that you won’t tire of them and they will last for years. Jumping on trends will mean that you’re more likely to get bored of the piece quickly which will lead to temptation to buy more.
6. Embrace negative space
Negative space — the space that’s left empty in a room whether that’s floor space or space around furniture and objects — is a such an important design element, especially in a minimalist home. These empty in-between spaces allow breathing room and create a sense of balance and calm. You don’t notice them (which is the idea) but if you didn’t have them, your room would look busy. Negative space also allows your chosen few pieces to standout and become focal pieces.
This underrated design concept of leaving both floor space and space around furniture and objects empty will go a long way to making a room look and feel more minimalist.
image credits: 1 & 2 alvhem | fastighetsbyrån | residence | your diy family | rina lovko
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