There’s an undeniable serenity to contemporary minimalist interiors. Free of clutter and unnecessary decoration, a contemporary minimalist home draws attention to the space and the carefully chosen pieces within it. Despite its seeming simplicity, achieving and maintaining this style can be deceptively difficult. It requires careful planning to create a space that’s minimal and livable, without feeling too stark. Though the colour palette is usually monochromatic, colour is often used as an accent, helping to direct the eye strategically around the room. Below we have the tips and information you need to achieve the contemporary minimalist style in your own home.
Bold lines and simple shapes
A contemporary minimalist home takes the rooms into consideration first, looking at their size and the way light plays within. The chosen furniture should then work as an enhancing statement. Minimalist furniture and accessories focus on practicality and simplicity. Choose solid pieces with bold lines, forgoing curves and ornamentation. Look for pieces that are sleek, strong, and have clean lines. Bold design pieces are very welcome, like a uniqueusual dining table or a statement sofa. Think about incorporating non-obvious storage solutions - built-in storage painted to match the walls will help with keeping the room clutter-free, without overwhelming it visually with obvious furniture items.
When shopping, look out for:
- Smart storage solutions
- Bold furniture pieces
- Furniture with clean, sleek lines
A juxtaposition of natural and industrial element
Good minimalist design cleverly mixes natural and industrial elements to create a sense of dimension in a contemporary context. Materials like wood are often paired with chrome, iron, and different types of stone. This also lends texture to rooms. It’s important to not stick to one kind of texture when designing a contemporary minimalist home as it can end up looking too clinical. Mix and match glass with marble, or wood with metal. For example, a contemporary kitchen could have high-gloss cabinet doors with a marble island while the dining room has a concrete-top table with leather and wood chairs.
When shopping, look out for:
- Industrial materials like concrete, iron, chrome, glass
- High-gloss furniture
- Natural materials like marble and wood
- Furniture in complementary shapes in different materials
Statement light fixtures or wall art
While a contemporary house might be light on typical decoration and accessories, it’s far from boring. It’s true that you won’t find too many accessories or knick-knacks, instead interest and flair is added through the use of wall art, statement light fixtures, and sculptural elements. Lights play a hugely important role, from chandeliers to table and floor lamps. Think of them as more than lights, since contemporary minimalist styles often take inspiration from art and come in unusual shapes and materials. They can be expensive, but because they’re doubling up as decoration, you’re getting two for the price of one. When choosing your lights, look for the right size, staying away from anything too small or detailed. If you have space for a chandelier, make it a statement one, or group multiple lights for a light/art hybrid feature.
Likewise when it comes to art, go for one big canvas over many smaller ones, and pick art that’s more abstract and non-figurative; geometric shapes work well too. If you’re missing colour, then this is your chance to inject some - make it bold and graphic.
When shopping, look out for:
- Lights that look like art
- Statement lamps
- Sculptural light and lamps
- Bold, abstract art
Drawing attention to open space
Less is really more when it comes to a modern home. As we discussed, it’s important to resist the urge to clutter any room with too much furniture, too many accessories, and generally too much stuff. This might mean that to achieve the contemporary minimalist style you want, you might need to start by decluttering and taking things away, before adding anything new in. Minimalism is a design philosophy that asks its followers to consider function and form, without owning unnecessary possessions. Think about ways you can open up your space where possible, letting in light, and then using carefully chosen furniture and accessories to accentuate it.
Touches of metal, stone and glass
There’s a difference between a modern minimalist home and a bare one. Being restrained with accessories and decoration doesn’t mean forgoing them entirely. Glass is a great material for minimalist accessories because it’s transparent and gives objects the appearance of weightlessness. You could group a few tall vases of varying heights on the floor as decoration, adding singular long stems to each one. Stone and metal can likewise often be found in minimalist modern homes. Stone is a great material for planters, while metal fixtures and fittings will always lend a modern feel. Look out for black and gunmetal finishes if you’d like a change from the chrome ones.
When shopping, look out for:
- Glass accessories like vases
- Stone planters
- Stone decorations
- Metal fixtures and fittings
Bring a timeless style to your home
A modern home starts with less, not more. Using this principle, you could try converting one room to see whether you like the style. A minimalist living room is usually a good place to start and it’ll give you an idea of whether you want the rest of your home to follow suit. Remember to pick pieces that are bold and full of clean lines when shopping, but avoid anything too clinical - you’re striving for a space that’s functional too. Aim for balance and shop slowly, you can always add more at a future date.
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