Take a look around your home. Look at all the furniture in each room thoroughly. Turn your head to the portraits hanging on the wall and the objects that sit on your tabletops. Does everything need to be there? Or can you do away with it? Minimalism is just that. And a lot of homes are transforming to minimalist decorating as a refreshing way of living where living becomes neat, organized, and ultimately clutter-free.
The minimalist decorating style is an exercise in restraint, where space, lighting, and objects play equally important roles. This style demands you to pare down your furnishings to the bare essentials so that you’re left with a set of curated objects that deliver maximum impact. Far from being monotonous, this style is bold, functional, and highly exceptional.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #1 Use a restrained color palette
Light colors such as white along with understated neutrals, barely-there greys, and pastels are fundamental to minimalist homes. Though you could add brighter colors, we suggest you stick to one or two and limit the dosage.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #2 Empty Spaces and Focal Points
Empty space is considered an important element in minimalist decor since space cooperates with the objects and determines the look. Visual balance is just as necessary and can be achieved only by having a focal point.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #3 Declutter & Select
Having a minimalist home means you need to say goodbye to clutter. And to do that, you’ll have to select what you display on shelves and tables. Stick to essentials only and store the remainder in cabinets.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #4 Use Accent Decorations
Designing a minimalist home doesn’t mean you need to withdraw from decorations and bright colors. The rule is to simply use decorative elements as accents and not overwhelm your home with a lot of things. Similarly, for art, choose one focal piece instead of a group of small ones.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #5 Play With Textures
You can make things interesting by trying different textures. Here’s an example room: picture an upholstered headboard with a minty hue textured wallpaper. These two perfectly complement each other and can give the room a refreshing appeal. If you selected wooden floorboards that would add to the textural story of that room. While different textures have been combined, this room’s decor would in no way be overwhelming.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #6 Let in the Light
Bare windows are your friend. If you can leave your windows unadorned and let the light pour in, it would significantly add to the minimalist style. If privacy is an issue, use the thinnest curtain materials or use blinds. In any living room, sheer curtains bring in a lot of sunlight and brighten everything in their path. Less certainly is more!
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #7 Power of Simple Objects
Decorating a minimalist home can make you rethink everyday objects. In any living room, the first thing that catches your eye would probably be the colorful throw pillows or the striking painting hanging on the wall. When it’s set against a white backdrop or a neutral tone, even simple objects can stand out. With minimalist decor, maintenance becomes easier.
Minimalist Style Decor Tip #8 Patterns Find a Place
Minimalist homes usually use a limited amount of patterns or opt to do away with it altogether. If you decide to go with patterns, use it on a small scale, tone-to-tone, or an inconspicuous pattern. When it comes to prints, use it the way you would an accent piece. Choose prints for the curtains or your throw pillows. You can have them both, but make sure you do have plenty of empty space. Also, remember, you can never go wrong with a patterned carpet that centers the room. It gives the room a much-needed break from monotony.
What we’ve given above are the ground rules of minimalist decor. However, once you have these in place, you can explore a bit with different styles of minimalism such as modern, comfortable, or industrial minimalism.
Please contact Joplin Decorating Center for more at (417) 781-8898. We look forward to hearing from you!