Minimalist Interior Design

Enjoy a smart, relaxing, clutter-free look in your home.

Be inspired by live-able new looks. Modern minimal looks are softer, and easy to live with.

Do you wish you had a simple, soothing, relaxing home – that is clutter free?

If so, then a minimalist style could be just what you are looking for…

Is this look for you?

The new minimalist interior design look is softer, more personal and easier to live with – perhaps the rules have just relaxed a little…?

You do have to be a certain kind of person to live easily with a minimalist look, though...

How do you feel about clutter?

If you find it easy to stay tidy, hate clutter and are very organized, then this look may well be ideal for you.

If you are a little bit messy, struggle to stay tidy, and like all your knick-knacks and collectables...

...or just enjoy seeing all your stuff around you, then you will probably feel uncomfortable with a minimalist interior design look.

However much I like the look of a minimalist style – and I really do – I have come to realize that this is not the look for me.

For this style to work, you really do need to keep your home tidy, clean and totally clutter-free.

On the other hand, if you can't help but let the clutter build up, then a smart minimalist scheme, may motivate you to keep the clutter in check, maybe even permanently.

Your rewards for all this hard work keeping clutter-free will be worth it though...

...when it is done well, a minimalist interior design style is not only relaxing, soothing and tranquil, but also a super, modern, cutting-edge look...

Walls and Color

• White is the ultimate color for a minimalist interior design look.

  White should form the basis of your minimalist decorating scheme – for smooth walls, floor and furniture.

• For a modern, softer alternative to white, try neutral colors, or colors found in nature – choose pale beige, taupe, stone or even green.









• Stick to pale and neutral colors for the whole of your color scheme, but accent colors are allowed.

  I even recommend them, to make sure your minimalist scheme shows some of your personality and life, and doesn't end up bland and boring.

• Accent colors can be as much or as little as you like – from a couple of cushions or a vase, to a whole wall, or even a piece of furniture, like a sofa.
• Choose one color (or one color group) for your accent color, and only include this one color – don’t try to mix in too many colors, or you will lose the simple, stylish effect.
• Bright red is always a great accent color, as it is a very strong color and always stands out against other colors...

  ...but other bright colors are really just as good – so just go ahead and choose your favourite bright color!









• An alternative is to continue on the ‘natural neutrals' path – and pick a deeper brown or olive green for your accent color.
• Don’t pick patterns or anything too fancy.
• Although clean lines and smooth walls are a really important part of this look, you needn’t worry if you do have traditional or decorative-looking architectural features...

  ...just minimise any potential ‘fussiness’ by painting any features in the same color as the walls - and enjoy having such fantastic period features in your home.

Furniture

• Your furniture should be classy-looking but streamlined and modern, rather than decorative or traditional in style.
• Choose plain furniture in natural woods and leather, to suit a natural feel...

  ...or go for bright colors, and ultra-modern chrome, glass and stainless steel.

• Glossy textures and straight lines are a great look for the minimalist interior design style.
• Low level furniture looks less bulky, and so really enhances the minimalist feel in your room.

Flooring

• Go for clean lines and hard surfaces for minimalist flooring – concrete, tiles or wood are all ideal.









• Or go for that really natural feel with sisal matting.
• You needn’t go totally bare though (…on your floor!). Add a little texture, warmth and ‘live-ability’ with a rug.

  Look especially for modern rug styles.

Windows

• Your windows and window treatments should also be kept very simple and unfussy, for true minimalist interior design style.









• Bare windows are great – but if you like a little privacy choose simple, modern shutters or blinds.
• If you feel like your minimalist look still needs a little more softening up to suit you, choose white voiles, muslins or nets, in straight panels or simple drapes.

  As well as at windows, this idea works well for beds - just to add a bit of 'softness' and a luxury, comfortable feel to a bedroom...

Thinking about Storage and Accessories

• Accessories are not a major part of the minimalist interior design look...

  ...the whole idea is to clear out the clutter, and have as little ‘stuff’ as possible on show.

• Storage is, of course, a very big factor. Everyone does have stuff – and uses stuff all the time...

  ...so to keep this look neat and tidy (just the way it should be!) invest in plenty of roomy storage (easily accessible!) to keep it all hidden away.










• You won’t need very many accessories, but it is very important to choose the ones you do include very carefully...
• Go for something funky, striking and unusual, to suit the minimalist style, but to give the stylish and contemporary look you want...

  A great place to look is Dutchbydesign, which is my favorite online store for sensibly priced contemporary bits and pieces - they always seem to have something new, different and interesting...

  Be inspired by funky home furnishings from Dutchbydesign

  

Choosing Artwork

• One large, statement picture, in your chosen accent color, is better than a jumble of small pictures... Why not make it into your focal point?

This is a live feed, direct from eBay and is constantly updated - simply click on any product to find out more about it, or to bid or buy...

Happy Shopping!

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How to Choose and Display your Accessories & Artwork

Lighten Up the Feel

• Your lighting is a really good opportunity to include a fantastic modern, statement piece...

  Choose carefully, to find something that adds to (not detracts from!) your whole scheme.

• You might find you want one or two central pendant lights, even a modern chandelier design, plus some table lights or wall-lights.

  Having table lamps or wall lamps gives you a softer and more atmospheric lighting option than just the main central light.

  This will work very well when you want to cozy-up and warm-up your minimalist scheme for cozy, relaxing evenings in.

• Also consider the ultimate in minimalist lighting design - some simple downlighter spotlights fixed into your ceiling. If you choose directional ones you can angle the lighting to suit your tasks.

Is it for you?

If you are not naturally well-organized, or super-tidy, then the minimalist interior design look will take a little extra work to keep in order...

But in return you will get a very relaxing and tranquil oasis of calm - just right for a bit of down-time and breathing space at the end of a hectic day...

Perfect!

Where to go next?

Are you ready to start your interior design and decorating plans?

Let me guide you through the whole process - with these interior design tips and easy checklist.

What about a modern kitchen decorating theme?

Take a look at these smart, modern, decorating bathroom ideas.

Readers' minimalist interior design queries and answers

Find out how reader, Pralay, mixed ideas for minimalist and Indian styles

Want something different?

Browse for more interior design themes and inspirations.

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