‘Less is more’ is the motto minimalists live by. Minimalism is a growing trend that promotes simplicity, prudence, and sustainability. Millions of people are living greener and more meaningful lives after adopting the minimalist lifestyle. If you think about it, excess of anything leads to chaos. Limited options make life easier, whereas managing too much of something is always burdensome. Letting go of possessions that serve no fundamental role in your life is a key component of minimalism.
If lately your home feels too ostentatious and overcrowded, a minimalist makeover is exactly what it needs. The following tips can help you transform your living space from a potential junkyard to a place where you feel at ease:
1. Exclude the Extras
Eliminating the unwanted items is the first step to making your place look practical and decent. Organize a backyard sale if you have a lot of stuff that doesn’t have a place in your home anymore; your trash could be someone else’s treasure. Not to mention, auctioning old stuff can earn you some good cash that may contribute to renovation ideas.
2. Rely more on Sustainable Resources
Since minimalism was built on the principles of sustainability, it makes sense to use renewable energy and refrain from wasteful practices. For instance, you can cut down electric power consumption by utilizing natural sunlight as much as possible. Installing wider windows and glass ceilings can help illuminate the home without artificial lighting during the day. It also helps to use energy-efficient appliances and prefer recyclables.
3. Prefer warm or neutral pigments
White and other pale colors are frequently employed in minimalist home décor, as they enable a clean and spacious look. Neutral and warm color screams exhibit elegance, which matches the minimalist aesthetic. Implementing colors that are too pigmented, bright, and contrasting give rise to the ‘caving in’ effect, i.e. the space looks congested and convoluted. Mild and earthy tones are easy on the eyes, and project calmness onto the atmosphere.
4. More Texture, Less Pattern
Once you’ve mastered the color palette, you can move onto textures and patterns. There is no restriction to textures by the minimalism approach, but patterns are a different story. Minimalist designs tend to create diversity with few colors and a variety of textures, but complex patterns rarely fit into the concept. If you are not satisfied by keeping everything plain and understated, introducing some pattern is totally acceptable. However, make sure that this pattern blends with the solid colors employed in the room and complements the overall décor. Using a range of conflicting patterns in one room is a big ‘NO’.
5. Try Compact and Lightweight Furniture
Outdated furniture, such as couches, chairs, beds, and tables have a common flaw - they are unnecessarily huge and heavy. Modern furniture is designed to occupy less space and enhance functionality; it is also surprisingly more sleek and affordable, so a few replacements won’t drive you to Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
6. Learn to Accessorize with Logic
Once you’ve successfully de-cluttered your living space, do the same with walls, counters, table tops, and other surfaces. Too many things on a vertical or horizontal surface create haphazardness, which is against the principles of minimalism. When you accessorize with purpose, you refrain from exhibiting objects that have no connection with primary elements in the room.
7. Implement Smart Storage
We all have several storage spaces around the house, and sometimes these spaces interfere with our interior décor. Cabinets, racks, and shelves must be installed in a way that doesn’t compromise our free living space. A few examples of smart storage spaces are cupboards under the stairs, drawers under the bed, or shelves built inside walls rather than protruding from them.
8. Let there be room to stretch
If stubbed toes, bumped elbows, and knocked knees are too relatable, this is proof that your living space lacks enough room to move freely. Perhaps you have too much furniture, but insufficient square feet to house it. Many of us cannot let go of old stuff because of its sentimental value, and thus we sacrifice our comfort instead. Minimalists do not keep things they don’t need and this drill allows maximum vacant space around the house; the purpose is to improve day-to-day functionality and create ease of access.
9. Choose Quality over Quantity
Minimalism is not about roughing it out or living a life of poverty; in fact, minimalists are people of high standards who only want the best. They invest in quality pieces, i.e. things that provide good value for their price. Even though a minimalist’s home has lesser material objects, you can bet that each of them is way more refined and classy than all the stuff most of us hoard.
10. Welcome Change
Change is always good, as it help us grow and learn. Minimalist décor is all about innovation, modernization, and creativity. Do not live in the same setup for decades, as this can lead to a monotonous and stagnant life. Never hesitate to redecorate your home every now and then; following latest trends in interior design and updating your place regularly is a good thing. Just remember that when you buy something new, give away something old.
Author Bio
John Adams is a paralegal and lifestyle blogger who concentrates on health/fitness, self-development, family law, and home-improvement. He inspires readers to live the life of their dreams, but at the same time encourages realistic and practical thinking. He loves to share his experiences, and contributes on various online platforms in the same niche.
