A Quick Start Guide to Design in Minimalist Style
What is Minimalist Style Décor?
Minimalist style Follows the principle -“Less is more” and its simplicity, geometric shapes, minimal décor without ornamentation.
Minimalism implies the reduction of all elements to a minimal or to maintain them only at an essential level to achieve spaces that are clutter free. Simplifying your home and minimizing excessive decoration to your homes can create continuous flowing spaces between your rooms. Furthermore, it blurs the boundary line between one space and another.
A minimalist home strives for spatial order and harmony between rooms of distinct functions.
Minimalism helps a person to focus on the things that are more important for day-to-day activities and prominence to simplicity in life. It leaves ample open space with clean and pristine lines.
Some of the Features of Minimalist Style are –
- Follows the principle -“Less is more”.
- Simplicity, geometric shapes, minimal décor without ornamentation.
- Focus on function.
- High quality finish.
- Open and airy, large amount of natural light.
- Uncluttered spaces, concealed elements.
- Limited chosen materials: glass, steel, plastic, ceramic, artificial and natural stone, wood.
- Combination of not more than two colors-common white and grey, monochromatic.
- Flat reflective surfaces, light as décor.
- Furniture, color, open views – used as an accent.
- A harmonious blend of colors and rich textures.
- Simple line furnishings, hidden window treatments.
Main Aspects of Minimalist Style Design
Geometric shapes, reduced color Palette, Minimal Décor with almost no patterns creates a soothing minimalistic atmosphere.
1. Geometric Shapes :
Simplicity retains with the use of simple geometrical forms such as a square and rectangle. Moreover, A spatial identity lies with the geometric forms with a clear dialogue between the exterior and interiors.
2. Reduced Color Palette :
The use of a limited color palette tends to reduce the need of every other other element in design drawing towards the goal -“Less is More”. Indeed a combination of two colors works well for the minimalist style that integrates with light to form subtle shadows. Keep a monochromatic color scheme.
3. Minimal Décor :
Minimum décor with limited set of materials retaining only valued components can still produce a dramatic architecture with fine detailing.
4. Unobstructed Spaces :
Unobstructed sight lines create a sense of continuity and produce a pleasant Zen-like appearance. Restrained use of materials often depend on light to create a sense of movement.
Decorating Elements to Consider
Furniture in Minimalist Style
Furnishings are simple, streamed lines with ultra-clean lines. Most of the minimalistic style furniture are a combination of modern and contemporary style with added simplicity and technology. You can choose furniture with solid colors ,limited variety of materials and minimal designs.
Select materials such as wood, glass, metals (steel, chrome, nickel) which are aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated. Choose from high quality furniture, finishes, furnishings, and equipment. Addition of reflective and glossy surfaces also favors this style.
Examples:
- Clear tempered glass coffee table
- Luxury grey fabric sectional sofa
- Contemporary modular furniture
- Seamless glass panels
Fabrics
Bring in a little zing to the monochromatic room with colorful textures. Richly colored textured furnishings are great for white/light colored walls. Natural fibers with textured/smooth finish with neutral colors and few shades of dark colors blend elegantly with minimalistic style.
Examples:
- Chair with upholstery fabric of grey and textural finish
- Throw blankets neutral colours.
- Hand-crafted throw pillow
Walls, Flooring and Ceiling
The minimalistic design style encompasses an open floor plan with ample natural ventilation and uncluttered spaces. The planes of walls and ceilings have positive forms so that the space flows around them. It ensures better flow of circulation spaces. The larger rooms are often created without any partition walls in between them. However, if is required, then the spaces are separated by transparent elements such as glass. The ceilings, windows, doors are plain with no additional moldings or trim.
In minimalistic architecture, sometimes the components or furniture serves as both visual or functional purposes. For ex. a kitchen island/counter in between the living space functions as a dividing room for different purposes. At the same time, it also acts as an aesthetic visual break up.
Examples:
- Italian marble flooring
- Maple hardwood light grey colour flooring
- Carpet flooring
Minimalist Style Décor
Retaining only the essential and valued items is the main characteristics of this style. As the name suggests, minimalist style homes exhibit simplicity, minimal décor without ornamentation, and concealed elements. In a few homes, furniture or light fixtures create a focal point giving minimal importance to décor.
Examples:
- Minimalistic circular sculptor
- Wall decor-abstract wall art
- Canvas text art
- One or two plants/succulents
Lighting
Massive windows lets in lot of light.
Minimalist style lights feature modern and contemporary appeal with a blend of rich colors and finishes; metallic finishes, (such as brass, bronze, etc.) glass with unique designs and offering aesthetic appeal and relaxing mood.
Examples:
- Brushed nickel integrated wall sconce
- Tube top table lamp
- Light oil rubbed bronze pendant light
Re – organizing Interior spaces :
The first part to start with the style is to declutter all the rooms if it is a redevelopment project. Any unnecessary stuff that is less like to be used is to be cleaned and removed from the floors, walls, seating spaces, side tables, furniture, shelves, etc. It can be a pile of magazines, DVD’s, toys that are no longer for your kids, wall decorations that are of no meaning, or any other physical possessions that obstructs the views. One can feel a little more energized if there is open and airy atmosphere once the room gets decluttered.
Inspirational Ideas For Rooms
The Definitive guide to different interior design styles are
https://thearchspace.com/category/guides/interior-design-styles/
