10 Ways to Give Your Home a Warm, Yet Elegantly Minimalist Look
Mix a clutter-free space with warm neutrals and dark hues to create a look that's both minimal and cosy
Ever heard of the term warm minimalism? It’s a good way to describe a simple style that combines a pared-back scheme with natural elements and deep tones. Here are a few thoughts on how it can be achieved.
2. Choose natural materials
The key to this style is that the pared-back aesthetic is quite contemporary but the details are well-worn. In this simple sitting room, it’s the earthy, natural, tactile materials – wood, stone, jute – that are the details that set off the space.
For a similar effect, collect interesting logs, branches and stones while you’re out in the countryside or at the seaside.
The key to this style is that the pared-back aesthetic is quite contemporary but the details are well-worn. In this simple sitting room, it’s the earthy, natural, tactile materials – wood, stone, jute – that are the details that set off the space.
For a similar effect, collect interesting logs, branches and stones while you’re out in the countryside or at the seaside.
3. Pay attention to how a space feels
Add a combination of old and new items, but make sure the room feels simple and comfortable. In this simple dining room the linen table cloth and seat pads, as well as the woods and natural accessories give the pared back space a feeling of warmth and comfort.
Add a combination of old and new items, but make sure the room feels simple and comfortable. In this simple dining room the linen table cloth and seat pads, as well as the woods and natural accessories give the pared back space a feeling of warmth and comfort.
4. Keep sight lines clear
Warm minimalism is an intrinsically simple style, but is anything but austere – perfect if you like to keep things simple but cosy. In this guest bedroom, the use of soft colour, clever built-in furniture and natural-fibre flooring result in a clean-lined but also welcoming space.
Warm minimalism is an intrinsically simple style, but is anything but austere – perfect if you like to keep things simple but cosy. In this guest bedroom, the use of soft colour, clever built-in furniture and natural-fibre flooring result in a clean-lined but also welcoming space.
5. Organise brilliant storage
A simple, clutter-free home can be warm, elegant and inviting, but how do you make it compatible with children and real life? The answer is storage. Think hard about your storage needs and commit to some careful planning. Before you do this have a good declutter of all your things and be honest about what you really need.
A simple, clutter-free home can be warm, elegant and inviting, but how do you make it compatible with children and real life? The answer is storage. Think hard about your storage needs and commit to some careful planning. Before you do this have a good declutter of all your things and be honest about what you really need.
6. Choose fewer, better things
Simplify rooms to their essential elements, so that they almost become as much about what you leave out as what you put in. This elegant sitting room incorporates many familiar details, such as tactile wood flooring, a pair of armchairs, dark wood furniture pieces, a dramatic pendant light and beautiful pictures. By leaving out any attendant decorative noise, these elements can really sing.
Simplify rooms to their essential elements, so that they almost become as much about what you leave out as what you put in. This elegant sitting room incorporates many familiar details, such as tactile wood flooring, a pair of armchairs, dark wood furniture pieces, a dramatic pendant light and beautiful pictures. By leaving out any attendant decorative noise, these elements can really sing.
7. Add tactile textures
Taken individually, each decorative element in this clean-lined bedroom – from the contemporary lighting to the bare, whitewashed wall – is quite cool and minimal. However, the oversized jute rug, upholstered bed frame and soft fur throw bring a warmth that makes it a cosy sleep spot.
Taken individually, each decorative element in this clean-lined bedroom – from the contemporary lighting to the bare, whitewashed wall – is quite cool and minimal. However, the oversized jute rug, upholstered bed frame and soft fur throw bring a warmth that makes it a cosy sleep spot.
8. Use wood panelling
Wood is the perfect material to focus on when recreating this look in your home. It instantly gives the space a warm, practical and cosseting feel. This entrance hall is practical, stylish and inviting, but the wooden panelling makes it cosy.
If you don’t have the budget to panel a whole room like this, add a similar feel with wooden furniture and shelves instead. You could also search online for veneer sheets to recreate the look on a smaller surface.
Wood is the perfect material to focus on when recreating this look in your home. It instantly gives the space a warm, practical and cosseting feel. This entrance hall is practical, stylish and inviting, but the wooden panelling makes it cosy.
If you don’t have the budget to panel a whole room like this, add a similar feel with wooden furniture and shelves instead. You could also search online for veneer sheets to recreate the look on a smaller surface.
9. Add industrial elements
In this beautiful open-plan space, black metal chairs combine with a rough wooden table. On their own the chairs would have been bold, yet stark, but the knotted texture of the table surface ensures the room feels warm and natural. The black pendant is softened with a corrugated finish and the dark objects on display are arranged on wooden shelves.
In your own home, keep your colour palette simple, but choose furniture and accessories in a mix of finishes, ensuring warm wood is the main element.
In this beautiful open-plan space, black metal chairs combine with a rough wooden table. On their own the chairs would have been bold, yet stark, but the knotted texture of the table surface ensures the room feels warm and natural. The black pendant is softened with a corrugated finish and the dark objects on display are arranged on wooden shelves.
In your own home, keep your colour palette simple, but choose furniture and accessories in a mix of finishes, ensuring warm wood is the main element.
10. Allow things the space to breathe
You can bet that somewhere in this bathroom there is a capacious cupboard holding all things necessary for bathing and pampering. By keeping the clutter out of sight, the focus can be on the elegant sanitaryware, mirrors and decorative wall hangings.
Tell us
What do you think of this natural, pared-back look? Have you used warm minimalism in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
You can bet that somewhere in this bathroom there is a capacious cupboard holding all things necessary for bathing and pampering. By keeping the clutter out of sight, the focus can be on the elegant sanitaryware, mirrors and decorative wall hangings.
Tell us
What do you think of this natural, pared-back look? Have you used warm minimalism in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Team an uncluttered scheme with a canvas of deep tones. In part, it’s this decorative detail that tempers the minimalism with something altogether warmer and more liveable. In this simple, elegant kitchen, the rich, moody walls prevent the simple cabinetry and lack of clutter from feeling stark; the warm, wood tones feel robust and comforting.