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So Your Style Is: Minimalist
Leaving chaos and clutter to the world outside, minimalist interiors convey absolute calm. Find out if the look of less is right for you
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
What it is: Minimalism translates to living with less: less color, less frippery, less visual noise, less — well — stuff. It isn't about sensory deprivation or ruthlessly cleaning house; it has more to do with choosing to focus on a handful of items you truly need and love rather than a glut of meaningless objects.
Why it works: People tend either to crave minimalist style or loathe it. If you're in the former camp, it most likely attracts you for its simplicity, its restful air and its ease of maintenance (read: less dusting). In a hectic, overstimulating world, it can be a treat to come home to a soothing oasis of calm.
You'll love it if ... You'd rather listen to a solo a cappella performance than a full chorus. You have a dozen versions of the little black dress. You're drawn to barren landscapes. You've mastered the art of the five-ingredient recipe. Nothing makes your heart beat faster than the thought of holding a garage sale.
Why it works: People tend either to crave minimalist style or loathe it. If you're in the former camp, it most likely attracts you for its simplicity, its restful air and its ease of maintenance (read: less dusting). In a hectic, overstimulating world, it can be a treat to come home to a soothing oasis of calm.
You'll love it if ... You'd rather listen to a solo a cappella performance than a full chorus. You have a dozen versions of the little black dress. You're drawn to barren landscapes. You've mastered the art of the five-ingredient recipe. Nothing makes your heart beat faster than the thought of holding a garage sale.
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Style Secret: Clutter Control
Minimalism is about pruning back to the bare essentials, and that starts with clearing away the clutter. If the pared-down look appeals to you, you probably don't have excess paraphernalia to begin with. But look for opportunities to scale down further. Sweep flotsam off tables, clear the mantel, roll up rugs and swap the gallery wall for one standout piece of art.
Softer side: It's perfectly acceptable — some purists might even say desirable — to have a minimalist space without a single superfluous object in it. A room that lacks so much as a book on the coffee table or a painting on the wall, however, can feel chilly and sterile. Consider adding just a few accents to give it some personality: a bold-color tray topped with a sleek vase, a single sculpture in the corner, a dramatic pendant light or chandelier.
Minimalism is about pruning back to the bare essentials, and that starts with clearing away the clutter. If the pared-down look appeals to you, you probably don't have excess paraphernalia to begin with. But look for opportunities to scale down further. Sweep flotsam off tables, clear the mantel, roll up rugs and swap the gallery wall for one standout piece of art.
Softer side: It's perfectly acceptable — some purists might even say desirable — to have a minimalist space without a single superfluous object in it. A room that lacks so much as a book on the coffee table or a painting on the wall, however, can feel chilly and sterile. Consider adding just a few accents to give it some personality: a bold-color tray topped with a sleek vase, a single sculpture in the corner, a dramatic pendant light or chandelier.
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| Style Secret: Clean Furnishings Furnishings drive a minimalist space and provide most of its visual appeal. Think about what's essential in your room. Do you need three cocktail tables, a pair of armoires and a hulking credenza? What's the minimum amount of furniture you must have to maintain an optimum level of livability? Once you decide what to keep and what to skip, look for seating, tables, case goods and other pieces that have sleek, stripped-down profiles and lack ornamentation. Softer side: Minimal doesn't mean uncomfortable — there's no need to perch on hard side chairs without a place to prop your feet. Just remember to keep cushioned furnishings tailored, such as tight-back sofas and chairs. And by all means add a sleek ottoman or hassock that will allow you and your guests to kick back with ease. |
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Style Secret: Limited Palettes
It's hard to pull off the minimalist look in a room that's bursting with color, which creates a lot of visual activity even in the absence of bric-a-brac. Instead, select restrained neutrals that are gentle on the eye. White is the quintessential minimalist color, but if it feels too stark or clinical to you, go for cream, beige and khaki, or barely-there greens, blues or lavenders. Ground the space with a touch of black or espresso brown.
Softer side: If you long for a more emphatic stroke of color, find a way to bring it in without disturbing the room's serene vibe — if you overdo it, the space will feel as though it's wearing too much makeup. Hang a single painting above the fireplace, or paint one skinny accent wall or narrow hallway with a saturated hue. Even better, infuse a hint of color through accents that are easy to change if you tire of them: a few throw pillows, a bright tray, a handful of books.
It's hard to pull off the minimalist look in a room that's bursting with color, which creates a lot of visual activity even in the absence of bric-a-brac. Instead, select restrained neutrals that are gentle on the eye. White is the quintessential minimalist color, but if it feels too stark or clinical to you, go for cream, beige and khaki, or barely-there greens, blues or lavenders. Ground the space with a touch of black or espresso brown.
Softer side: If you long for a more emphatic stroke of color, find a way to bring it in without disturbing the room's serene vibe — if you overdo it, the space will feel as though it's wearing too much makeup. Hang a single painting above the fireplace, or paint one skinny accent wall or narrow hallway with a saturated hue. Even better, infuse a hint of color through accents that are easy to change if you tire of them: a few throw pillows, a bright tray, a handful of books.
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| Style Secret: Storage and Organization Repeat after me: a place for everything and everything in its place. Committing to the minimal look means committing to order, and it's easiest to eliminate clutter when every item has its own designated home. Whereas another kitchen might display cooking utensils on the countertop and dishware in the cupboards, this one tucks everything behind a solid wall of cabinetry for a clear, uniform appearance. If you're really ambitious, you can even winnow down what you've stashed in drawers and cabinets for a home that's minimalist to the core. Softer side: You don't have to hide open shelving behind doors and screens or leave it unfilled. Just edit judiciously. Wrap a small stack of books in white paper covers, remove all but one or two blown-glass vessels from your collection and display a single family photo rather than a cluster of framed snapshots. |
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Style Secret: Bare Windows
We hardly even need to say this, but fussy draperies and flouncy shades make a minimalist room feel way overdressed. Keep windows unadorned and let their simple architecture shine. If privacy is a concern, consider textured glass or apply a translucent film to screen out curious gazes.
Softer side: Can't bear to leave your windows totally naked? If you must add a window treatment of some sort, make it as elemental as possible, such as matchstick blinds or a sleek roller shade. If the rest of your space is very streamlined, you might be able to pull off plain curtain panels, but be sure they're made of a solid fabric in a color that won't stop the eye.
We hardly even need to say this, but fussy draperies and flouncy shades make a minimalist room feel way overdressed. Keep windows unadorned and let their simple architecture shine. If privacy is a concern, consider textured glass or apply a translucent film to screen out curious gazes.
Softer side: Can't bear to leave your windows totally naked? If you must add a window treatment of some sort, make it as elemental as possible, such as matchstick blinds or a sleek roller shade. If the rest of your space is very streamlined, you might be able to pull off plain curtain panels, but be sure they're made of a solid fabric in a color that won't stop the eye.
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by Habachy Designs
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| Style Secret: Subtle Pattern When you think of minimalism, you probably think of solids. If you choose to use pattern, keep it unobtrusive. Even something as simple as a striped quilt or houndstooth throw can upset the carefully orchestrated balance of a minimalist space. If you use pattern at all, it should be small scale and tone on tone. Softer side: Here's an alternative: Opt for texture. This bedroom builds a tactile foundation with hardly any texture at all. White-painted bricks, a rug with a deep pile, a matelassé coverlet and a quilted blanket combine to create depth, anchored by the extreme sleekness of the bed frame. |
| Style Secret: Quality Design is a lot like cooking: The simpler the dish, the more integrity the ingredients should have. By the same token, a minimalist room has so few distractions that every object in it will attract heightened attention. Invest in the best quality of furniture and accessories your budget can stand — and because you won't be buying in great quantity, you might have a little extra wiggle room to upgrade. Softer side: Classic, well-crafted pieces such as Shaker armoires, Windsor chairs and French campaign beds not only hold their own in quality, but their simple, timeless design means they'll never fall out of fashion. Furnishings such as these prove that minimalism doesn't always translate to modernism; it's a broad approach rather than a prescribed set of style rules. |
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Style Secret: Open Space
Wide swaths of space and unobstructed sight lines give minimalist interiors their restful appeal. If your architecture doesn't follow this pattern, and if your time and budget allow, consider minor (or major) remodeling to streamline the flow of your space. Or you can fake it with a little sleight of hand: Paint all the walls, ceilings and trim the same color to create the impression of openness, or look for opportunities to create visual echoes, such as a progression of identical light fixtures or a trio of overscale, simply framed black and white photos.
Softer side: Open space doesn't have to feel cavernous and hollow. Warm it, if you like, by breaking up a few surfaces. In this corridor and living area, for example, a neutral rug, a few artfully positioned furnishings, a mirror and pendant lights help to make the setting seem more intimate.
More decorating styles
Wide swaths of space and unobstructed sight lines give minimalist interiors their restful appeal. If your architecture doesn't follow this pattern, and if your time and budget allow, consider minor (or major) remodeling to streamline the flow of your space. Or you can fake it with a little sleight of hand: Paint all the walls, ceilings and trim the same color to create the impression of openness, or look for opportunities to create visual echoes, such as a progression of identical light fixtures or a trio of overscale, simply framed black and white photos.
Softer side: Open space doesn't have to feel cavernous and hollow. Warm it, if you like, by breaking up a few surfaces. In this corridor and living area, for example, a neutral rug, a few artfully positioned furnishings, a mirror and pendant lights help to make the setting seem more intimate.
More decorating styles
Ideabook published on May 19, 2012.
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Gray, gray, gray, when will the blahness go away?
No need to mix and match beautiful fabrics and furniture-Just throw everything away and paint the walls?
This is at the extreme spectrum of Minimalism!
UGH!
End of story-Too busy for this-I simply expressed my opinion-BLAH!
No one lives her!