“Less is more.” This is the words of Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, one of the major pioneers of modern architecture. It’s said to be the guiding principle in minimalist interior design.
A common mistake done by many homeowners in trying to create a visually appealing room is to stuff a space with too many detailed pieces of furniture and trinkets. Instead of creating a cohesively designed living room space, what results is a distorted, trashy, and stressful area within a home. The average person might think that minimalism is “boring”, “lifeless” or “bland” but in the viewpoint of an interior designer, it may just be the perfect recipe for a “balanced room” without the frills.
Basically and conceivably, the only elements that are expressed in minimalist interior design are the fine lines, smooth planes, and rhythmic geometric shapes. Elements are only used for purpose and quality but not solely for beautification.
In some other sense, there is another essential furniture that serves more than one purpose. For example, the bathroom may accommodate the fireplace, and the study room can also serve as both an entertainment area or a sound-proof studio.
Experts in minimalist interior design focus on the relationship between eye-friendly colours, regular patterns of basic shape, and natural lighting. The only time it uses shocking colours is in the small details of certain elements within a room. Thematic choices for minimalist design include polished woods, natural stones, glass and metal. For the individual components, a homeowner or an interior designer may opt for the following:
Lighting
Keep in mind that minimalist interior design relies on natural lighting. Small light sources that are strategically placed in a room may also be suitable for creating a cosy and softer effect at night.
Furniture
When choosing a coffee table, shelf or love seat aim for modern and classy looking pieces. Materials like natural wood, faux leather, transparent glass and stainless steel give out a non-bulky and crisp ambience to the whole room. It’s also necessary to situate furniture nearer to the floor to maximize their minimalist appeal.
Floors and walls
In minimalist interior designs, white has always been “the black”. It creates an illusion of a cleaner, bigger space and adds smoother details to everything else. Natural colours such as green, taupe and beige are other alternatives for room colours other than only white. For an accent colour, red is a tasteful choice. If you have different colours in mind, make sure that you choose one colour scheme for the entire space.
Windows
Don’t fuss overdecorating windows. They need to be kept simple to allow the optimal entry of light. If you would like to have a little privacy, consider installing straight window panels, blinds and white drapes.
Accessories
You won’t require a lot of accessories placed on show. Choose candles, a photo album and two vases in the room and keep the rest hidden in a nice storage compartment. “Tidy” and “spacious” should be your goal.
When it comes to Maximalist interior designing, it’s not uncommon, it still works perfectly but depends heavily on your budget. This is because a lot of effort and materials are needed. Not all of us have that kind of budget or want to spend it on an interior design scheme.
Many expensive interior designs are reminiscent of a smart hotel that can look fantastic but doesn’t create a unique and cosy look. Though this can be achieved by minimalist interior design. The minimalist design allows for a personal memento ( whether they fit in colour scheme and style or not) and a more electric choice of fittings and furnishings.
But whether you crave for a more original or a highly-designed look for your home, there are some basic tips that you can steal from professional interior designers that are relatively inexpensive and simple to implement.
Final thoughts
When designing your home with a minimalist look, it’s crucial that you use natural colours, and enhance the feeling of cleanliness and space. The design enhances the feeling of relaxation and calmness. Rooms are designed using the principle of minimalism and are a joy to have because of their low maintenance costs.