Minimalism is an architectural concept of the 20th century that is alive and kicking in our time. In the crowded world of today, it has become both a need and a luxury. Whatever the reason is behind the wish to apply it, it does have certain rules. Strict minimalist outlines can be attained through adherence to these 5 easy steps that will transform your living quarters into a minimalist paradise.
The Furniture
The best starting point would definitely be the furniture which is at the very heart of minimalistic thought. The credo you have to stay faithful to is: “as less as possible.” Try to furnish each room with only the essential pieces of furniture. The living room should, therefore, contain only the couch, a small coffee table, two chairs at the most, a TV set, lamps, and a shelf. An ideal bedroom would have a bed, a miniature nightstand, and a dresser. When shopping for beds and mattresses, learn to skip all the ads offering anything “king-sized” no matter the amount of money you might save. Another issue is the size of the furniture itself. You might have one table, but if it’s for ten people, then you are drifting away from minimalism. If there are two people living in the house, then the table should be big enough for two, and not an inch longer. Custom made furniture can come in handy here.
Clear Surfaces
The second important detail in any house is making sure that the surfaces stretching between the pieces of furniture are clear. Firstly, the floors should be kept clean at all times. Many people tend to pile up stuff next to armchairs or under tables, but this is wrong. Floors should be clear and clean in order to give out the sense of spaciousness and airiness. Secondly, the walls should be cleared as well. Hanging up charts, pictures, or goblets might seem appealing, but it doesn’t really go with the minimalistic concept. Ideally, the wall should be bare and not contain any hang-ups of any kind. In fact, the entire apartment should contain a picture or two at the very most, and even that should be done if you have a really strong attachment to them.
Gradual Changes
All the changes you plan to introduce to your home should be gradual. Make baby steps and if you are unsure at first, designate an area of a single room of the house you wish to “minimalize”. If the experiment proves successful, then expand the area to that entire room. From there advance to the entire house, finishing up with the balcony or the patio, which are on the outside. Of course, the best time to apply all the alterations would be during a home renovation when you have a chance to ask the builders and the handymen to customize the space.
Out of Sight
There is only one way to clear all the surfaces as recommended, and that is to hide away all the stuff. Well, not literally hide it, but place it out of plain sight. Use every inch of storage space your drawers, wardrobes, and cabinets have to offer. If you have recently decided to create a minimalist home, you would be surprised by how much free space all closable units in your house have left. Using it wisely, you won’t have to throw anything away and still be able to enjoy clear surfaces. Additionally, visitors will be under the impression that you are not messy, which will be positive to the way they perceive you as a person.
Simplicity
Full minimalism is truly attainable only when you look around your home and be able to describe each item as “simple.” This applies far beyond the thing listed here. The artwork, if any, should have simple contours and be of a solid color. All the decorations, or better to say both of them, should be as simple as possible. One vase or a flower pot with a single plant species will be more than suffice.
As we have seen, creating a minimalist home is easier than it might seem at first. It is all about the fine touches really, but ones that add to the grandeur of the room, which lies at the very heart of minimalism.
What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments below. I really would love to know.
Until next time, shine amongst the stars!
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My home is NOT a minimalist home at all. I love the look of them, but I have way too much stuff.
I hear you, the more I purge the more I buy, lol ❤ Thanks for reading & sharing your thoughts!
What a cozy and homey feeling by just looking at your photos. I personally prefer a minimalist and clean looking house.