In today’s high-paced, technologically-fraught world, it’s easy to see why the minimalist interior design trend come roaring back into fashion for both commercial and residential properties.
The trend’s clean lines and muted palettes are the perfect antidote for all the bright, blinking images that fly across smartphone screens daily. By emptying a space of clutter and any extraneous ornamentation, designers and architects can create a calming space that’s perfect for decompressing from all the stresses of life in the fast lane. But how should you go about creating a clean space that’s still livable? Try these five best practices for a look that showcases the fundamental truth of the old adage “less is more.”
1. Create Breathing Room
One of the hallmarks of minimalist design is open space. Try removing furniture you don’t use regularly and clearing off the surfaces of tables, counters and dressers to get rid of some of the distractions competing for your attention. Undressed windows will also create the illusion of more space because the eye is drawn outwards to nature, and you also get the bonus of extra natural daylight.
2. Pare Down the Palette
Minimalism applies to the number of colors in your room, too, so choose no more than three to streamline your color scheme. You can choose a vivid, modern palette of white, black and red, or you can take a more restful approach that includes three complementary neutral shades instead. Tan, gray and beige are a classic choice; you can also trade out one of the neutrals for a calming aqua or sky blue.
3. Tamp Down the Textures
In addition to limiting the colors in your design, you should also use restraint with textures; keep the rule of three in mind here as well. For instance, polished chrome can be the featured metal throughout the home by choosing Sereno fixtures in the bathroom, chrome hardware in the kitchen and a coffee table with high-shine legs in the living area. Unifying the metals and other architectural materials will create a cohesive look across the design.
4. Focus on Function
Without extra accessories to grab the eye, function becomes the focus. The decorative items of a minimalist room are the useful parts of the home: the kitchen cabinets, the seating, and hard-working accessories like light fixtures and faucets. Because there’s nothing to draw the eye away from the functional pieces of the house, it’s important to choose high-quality fixtures that stand up to scrutiny; these items need to be beautiful in their own right.
5. Embrace Clean Lines
Minimalism strips away many of the curves and added decoration that don’t add to a piece’s overall utility. Often this means a focus on clean lines and geometric forms. Even fixtures that traditionally incorporate curves can be squared off to fit the overall aesthetic. The Museo Collection is a great example of geometry in action with its cheekily geometric lines.
Stick to these five key principles, and your space will be looking clean and sharp.