A minimalist aesthetic can apply to many things, from creamy white homes to serene Japanese interiors. With an increasing demand for minimalist designs, it can be hard to pinpoint what exactly makes an interior minimal. For those who want to live minimally, here’s a primer on all-things-minimalism in interior design.
What does minimalism mean in terms of home living?
Image credit: @/senconcept.id
As it turns out, minimalism is not restricted to any particular design conventions, but a philosophy. The aesthetic revolves around a minimalist lifestyle; a focus on living each day with the minimum amount needed to achieve happiness.
A big part of minimalist living is the concept of “intention”: the curation of what adds value to your life, and what doesn’t. In the context of home and living, this means being intentional about every addition to your home, and using each element to their fullest potential.
What are the benefits of adopting minimalism in a tiny home setting?
Image credit: Rezt+Relax
More often than not, homes in Singapore are small—small enough that clutter is a major consideration. Instead of clean and sterile designs, the underlying appeal of minimalist interiors is the fact that the designs tend to visually have more open space, creating a calmer atmosphere.
Image credit: Rezt+Relax
When you design your home according to minimalist conventions, there’ll be less to clean, less to maintain, and less money spent on appliances and furniture. Below, we’ve outlined 5 tips to help remove visual clutter from your home, making it more minimal.
How can I achieve a minimalist lifestyle in a small living space?
1. Use a neutral colour palette
In minimalist interior design, the color palette plays a crucial role in setting the overall tone of the space. Opting for a neutral color palette is more than just a design choice; it’s about creating a calm and cohesive environment that feels open and serene.
Neutral shades like whites, grays, and beiges are staples in minimalism because they help in achieving a clean and uncluttered look that minimalist design is known for. These subdued hues have the power to make a room feel more spacious and light-filled, enhancing the minimalist aim of reducing visual clutter.
2. Opt for multi-functional furniture & built-ins
Image credit: A Little Design
A hallmark of minimalist interiors is multi-functional furniture, whether purchased or built-in. This reduces the existence of superfluous details in your home. This drop-leaf wall desk above not only saves space but also includes hidden storage compartments underneath, perfect for organising smaller knickknacks and keeping the area clutter-free.
In the same vein as multi-use furniture, functional built-ins help minimise visual clutter by keeping it out of sight. For instance, a Murphy bed optimises space by folding into the wall when not in use, eliminating the need for a bulky headboard or elaborate bed frame. By utilising spaces that would typically remain unused, you reduce the need for unnecessary elements in your home.
3. Embrace negative space
An open concept layout is one of the signature traits of a minimalist interior. In these designs, empty space is often deliberately left unoccupied, creating negative space. Beyond the aesthetic appeal of having a sparse, airy concept, negative space serves a multitude of practical purposes.
Image credit: Three Haus Works
An open concept layout is a defining feature of minimalist interiors. Some homeowners even hack down their walls to increase negative spaces within their homes, a.k.a. spaces that they leave empty intentionally to help the home feel more open and airy.
This approach not only enhances the aesthetic of a sparse and airy environment but also improves the flow of feng shui within the home.
4. Create visual continuity with cohesive materials
Image credit: Insight Out Studio
The use of cohesive materials in interior design significantly enhances a home’s minimalist approach by streamlining the visual experience and reinforcing the overall aesthetic. By using a consistent palette of materials throughout the home, designers create a seamless visual flow from room to room. This continuity minimises visual distractions, making spaces appear larger and more cohesive.
In addition, using materials that complement each other in color and texture can also enhance the natural light in a space, making a room feel brighter and more open.
5. Limit decorative elements
Image credit: Daniel Koh/The Interior Lab
Precisely because minimalism relies on harmony between simple elements to carry its aesthetic appeal, the use of decorative wall art or ornaments is typically not necessary. Given the focus on living minimally with only the essentials, decorative elements tend to be seen as unnecessary, apart from pieces with sentimental value.
In fringe cases where decorative elements are used, it tends to be plain and abstract, mainly focusing on form, and its interactions with the other pieces in the home.
How to achieve minimalism at home
“Form follows function” is the guiding principle of minimalist interior design, which explains its mass appeal among cost-savvy homeowners. Instead of focusing on flashy luxe decor, minimalist interiors uphold living with only the essentials, creating a space that allows for living to be the focus.
For more minimalist inspiration:
- This All-White, Futuristic HDB Maisonette’s Reno Cost $130K & Looks Like It Belongs in a ‘Black Mirror’ Episode
- 7 All-White Minimalist HDB Flats In Singapore That Prove Simplicity Doesn’t Need To Be Boring
- Inside Yummy Bros Co-Founder Gerald Tan’s $115K Luxe Minimalist HDB Reno
Cover image adapted from: Nitori, Three Haus Works
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