6 keys to minimalist interiors

Minimalism is a lifestyle in itself and interior design is one of the best ways to express it. Minimalist decoration puts the basic, necessary elements centre stage to enhance their functionality and elegance and gain a feeling of spaciousness. So how can you achieve a minimalist, magazine-worthy home?

Minimise storage

Go for simple furniture, clean lines, and remember, ornaments are out – this is the one hard-and-fast rule to avoid accumulating clutter. Your minimalist kitchen, for example, won’t have any old pieces of crockery – in fact, you can say goodbye to anything you don’t use. This may seem easier said than done, but once you’ve got the hang of only keeping things you actually use, and applied that to the whole house, you’ll be well on your way to nailing minimalism.

No dark corners

One of the basic keys to achieving the minimalist look is the lighting. Go for design elements that help attract the light and bring it into every corner of the house. Mirrors, for example, will reflect brightness and help improve light flow. Heavy curtains are a big no-no. Think light and breezy, see-through fabrics to let in as much light as possible. You’ll already create a feeling of spaciousness before you’ve even started.

Neutral colours

Brash, glossy colours are most definitely out. In a minimalist interior, white will be the gleaming star of the show along with neutral shades such as grey, beige, black, or basics that help create a calm, relaxing ambiance.

Adiós to impulse buys

Minimalism may seem like a strict exercise in self-control, but if your heart is set on achieving the look, you do need to focus on keeping what you really need and getting rid of anything that clutters the space. This could be good news for your credit card because you only need to buy the bare minimum and limit the amount of furniture. Before you buy an item, always ask yourself if you really need it, and be honest. This should keep temptation at bay.

Tidiness is not negotiable

All your clothes and shoes should be neatly stored or hanging in your wardrobe or on clothes rails. To achieve this you’ll need to be more meticulous than most and keep things nicely folded and ironed. If clothes are left strewn around the room, you risk achieving the opposite of a minimalist interior, so don’t let the mess get in the way of your dreams.

It’s all in the details

Be selective when it comes to accessories. This doesn’t mean eliminating them from your life altogether, but make some smart choices, such as choosing colours that blend perfectly into your colour scheme. It goes without saying that neutral tones work best, and aim for discreet elements that add to the sense of calm.

Take note of the winning formula – keep only what you need, infuse the space with light, decorate in neutral tones, and add discreet, basic elements.