As someone living a minimalist lifestyle & living in a Scandinavian country where minimalist aesthetic style is popular, I find this trend very inspiring and calming. I am here to talk more about how to achieve a minimalist aesthetic in your own home.
What is the minimalist aesthetic style in a nutshel? The minimalist aesthetic style is based on the idea of simplicity and functionality. The goal is to strip away all unnecessary elements from a design, leaving only what is essential. This style has become popular in recent years as people have become more interested in living a minimalist lifestyle.
There are a few key elements that are often seen in minimalist designs. These include:
- clean lines – minimalist designs tend to have clean, straight lines; this gives them a sleek and modern look.
- white space – white space is an important part of the minimalist aesthetic; it helps to create a feeling of openness and allows the eye to rest.
- minimal colours – a minimalist design will usually use a limited palette of colours; this helps to create a sense of calm and simplicity.
- focus on simplicity – the focus of the minimalist aesthetic style is on simplicity and functionality; this means that there are no unnecessary elements.
- natural decor – minimalist designs often incorporate natural elements such as wood, stone, and plants; this helps to create a sense of harmony with the environment.
What exactly is a minimalist aesthetic?
In the most basic terms, a minimalist aesthetic style can be described as a clean and simple approach to design.
It is an aesthetic that is marked by minimalism, which is a style or technique that can be characterized by economy of form, simplicity of design, and the use of empty or neutral space.
While a minimalist aesthetic is often associated with a more modern look, it can also be used to create a vintage or retro feel. In fact, many popular mid-century modern designs are actually quite minimalist in nature.
Japanese minimalism and minimalist aesthetic style
Japanese minimalism, which is sometimes referred to as wabi-sabi, is a perfect example of how a minimalist aesthetic style can be used to create a unique and beautiful design. Wabi-sabi is an aesthetic that values simplicity, the transient nature of life, and the imperfections of life.
While it might seem like a minimalist aesthetic would be cold and uninviting, Japanese minimalism actually emphasizes a sense of warmth and coziness. This is achieved through the use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, and by incorporating elements of nature, such as plants and water, into the design.
What does a minimalist aesthetic home look like?
Some common features are often seen in a home with a minimalist aesthetic. These features include:
No clutter
When you enter a minimalist home, you should feel a sense of calm and tranquillity. This is because one of the key principles of minimalism is to declutter your home and get rid of anything that doesn’t serve a purpose. A minimalist home will be free of any knick-knacks or superfluous items.
Simplicity
A minimalist aesthetic style is all about keeping things simple. This means that the colours, furniture, and overall design of the home will be kept to a minimum.
You won’t see any busy patterns or loud colours in a minimalist home. Everything will be kept clean and simple.
Functionality
In a minimalist home, everything will have a purpose. There will be no useless items taking up space. Every piece of furniture will have a function, and there will be no decorative items that don’t serve a purpose.
Natural light
Minimalist homes often make use of natural light to create a bright and airy space. Large windows are common in minimalist homes, as they allow for plenty of natural light to enter the space.
Simple decor
When it comes to the decor in a minimalist home, less is more. You won’t see any elaborate paintings or sculptures. The focus will be on simple, clean lines.
The goal is to avoid any unnecessary distractions.
Furniture with clean lines
The furniture in a minimalist home will have clean lines and simple designs. There will be no frills or embellishments. The focus is on function, not form.
Neutral colour palette
A minimalist home will typically have a neutral colour palette. This means that the walls, floors, and furniture will be mostly white, light grey, and pale colours. This creates a clean and simple look.
The benefits of the minimalist aesthetic
There are some reasons why people might choose to adopt a minimalist aesthetic in their homes. Some of the benefits include:
A feeling of calmness
When you declutter your home and get rid of unnecessary items, it can help to create a feeling of calmness. This is because there are fewer distractions and you can focus on what’s important.
A sense of freedom
With a minimalist lifestyle, you can free yourself from the bondage of material possessions. This can help you to live a more simple and stress-free life.
Related: How to be happy with what you have?
More time for what’s important
Decluttering your home can help you to save time. When you have fewer possessions, there’s less to clean and organize. This gives you more time to focus on the things that are important to you.
Saves money
When you don’t have to spend money on unnecessary items, such as home decor, you can save money. This can help you to live a more financially stress-free life.
Related: No Shopping Challenges
Tips for achieving a minimalist aesthetic in your home
If you’re interested in achieving a minimalist aesthetic in your home, there are some tips that you can follow. These tips include:
1 – Start with a clean slate
If you want to achieve a minimalist look, it’s important to start with a clean slate. This means getting rid of any unnecessary items that you don’t need.
How to do that? You can start by decluttering your home and getting rid of anything that you don’t use or need.
This include:
- broken items;
- double items;
- unwanted gifts;
- items that you don’t need;
- excessive decor;
- anything, really, that doesn’t serve a purpose and doesn’t spark joy.
Also, make sure to:
- remove unused items from the floor, including unused/unwanted furniture, boxes, clothes, etc.;
- do not leave any items on the countertops and table, such as keys, mail, etc. (excluding visual appealing items, such as a vase of flowers);
- organize your space and make sure to leave little to no distractions/items that can cause visual clutter.
I actually have an entire guide on how to clutter-clear your house that you might find helpful.
2 – Choose a neutral colour palette
When it comes to the colours in your home, it’s best to stick to a neutral palette.
This means using colours such as:
- white,
- beige,
- pastel colors,
- and any light colour.
Choose a few of them that resonate with you and that will help to create a calm and serene environment.
I advise you to look for inspiration online since there are colours that don’t combine that well. I also love to use this tool to help me see what colours go well together.
3 – Choose simple designs
The minimalist aesthetic style is all about simplicity and functionality. When it comes to the furniture and decor in your home, make sure to choose pieces with simple designs.
This means avoiding any frilly details or embellishments. Instead, focus on furniture and decor with clean lines and a sleek design.
Let’s take for instance the most popular IKEA furniture, the Lack table. It has a very simple and sleek design that would be perfect for a minimalist home. It’s also quite cheap.
Not don’t stop with furniture only, also consider other items such as:
- towels;
- dishes;
- curtains;
- pillows.
These are just some examples, but you can apply this rule to any other items in your home.
4 – Use natural decor
The natural decor makes a space feel more organic and can help to create a calming environment.
Some examples of natural decor include:
- plants;
- flowers;
- wooden elements, like a wooden cutting board or a wooden bowl;
- stone decor, like a stone vase or a stone sculpture.
Adding natural decor makes a space feel more inviting and cozy.
You can also use natural materials for your furniture, such as wood.
Don’t go overboard with the decor though, as less is more. A few pieces of natural decor can go a long way in achieving a minimalist aesthetic.
Related: Minimalism and Hygge: Getting Cozy Without the Clutter
5 – Showcase your style
While the minimalist aesthetic is all about simplicity, that doesn’t mean your home has to be boring. In fact, a minimalist aesthetic style is quite stylish.
In order to showcase your style is to focus on a few key pieces that you really love and that reflect your personal style.
For instance, if you love art, you can focus on adding a few select pieces to your home. Or, if you love books, you can create a minimalist library.
The important thing is to focus on quality over quantity. A few well-curated pieces will go a long way in achieving a stylish minimalist aesthetic.
6 – Leave white space
In a minimalist home, it’s important to leave some empty space. This is what we call “white space” and it’s an essential part of achieving a minimalist aesthetic.
White space can be both physical and visual.
Even though it is called white space, it doesn’t necessarily have to be white. It can be any colour as long as it’s empty/unoccupied.
Some examples of white space include:
- an empty wall;
- an empty shelf;
- an empty corner;
- a bare countertop.
The important thing is to make sure there is some negative space in your home. This empty space is just as important as the furniture and decor you choose to fill it with.
Read about the power of white space here.
Bonus tips
- Let natural light in if possible.
- Use mirrors to create the illusion of more space.
- Keep your walls and floors neutral.
- Focus on simplicity.
- Regularly declutter.
- Keep things out of vision.
Other areas of the minimalist aesthetic
The minimalist aesthetic is all about creating a clean, simple, and uncluttered look.
This aesthetic can be applied to many different areas of design, including:
- web design,
- graphic design,
- interior design,
- and architecture.
Let’s take as an example web design. A web page with a minimalist aesthetic will typically have a clean layout with plenty of white space. The focus will be on the content, not the design. The goal is to create a user-friendly experience that is easy to navigate. No distractions.
This approach can be contrasted with busy, cluttered designs that try to pack in too much information or include too many elements. With minimalism, less is more. And in the case of web design, this can result in a more user-friendly experience that helps people find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
Final thoughts
I truly believe that the minimalist aesthetic is the way to go. It’s simple, clean, and can be easily tailored to anyone’s needs. I also think that it’s a great way to declutter your life and focus on what’s important.
On top of that, I think that the minimalist aesthetic is a great way to improve our mental health and well-being. It helps us to be less overwhelmed, more focused, and more present.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.”
And I completely agree. Simplification is key, and the minimalist aesthetic is the perfect way to achieve it.
I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Diana
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