Okikiko.com – Most individuals are familiar with the idea of minimalist interior design, which entails simply stripping things down to their basic, foundational form. For many people, this means reducing every element to its barest form, including furniture, cabinetry, and paint. For others, it refers to reducing almost everything to a bare wall or bare floor. Regardless of how one defines minimalist interior design, it has become very popular in homes across the nation. Minimalist interior design essentially involves using only the bare essentials to produce a clean and uncluttered room.
Advantages of Minimalist Interior Design
A lot of people think that minimalist interior design has a negative connotation. However, it can actually work in almost every situation. For instance, a bedroom is the ultimate, barebones room design for a person who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. By eliminating any excess furniture and cabinets, the room can look uncluttered and open. On the other hand, a kitchen or bathroom can benefit from minimalist interiors because it can reduce the amount of clutter present in the room while providing functionality.
Some people wonder if minimalist interior designs are actually a form of clutter trap. While clutter can be minimized in most situations, minimalist interior designs are not always cluttered. If an individual truly eliminates all clutter from their space, there will still be some items present that serve a purpose. This is true whether or not the items are placed in plain view.
Creating Functional Simplicity
There are different approaches that can be taken when minimizing clutter. One method is to simply remove everything from the room and replace it with one or two meaningful pieces. Another approach is to use simplicity to create balance. In a kitchen, for instance, it is common to remove every pot and pan in order to bring in a sink and countertop. Simplicity can help achieve this goal by removing or replacing too many items with functional pieces.
In order to create minimalist spaces, it is important to choose furniture pieces that are simple in their design as well as in their color. One way to achieve this is to choose clean lines. A clean line will result in items that are free of ornamentation or extra embellishments. Clean lines can be created by choosing plain metal tables or by using a singular color for the paint on pieces of furniture.
Tips for Choosing Minimalist Interior Colors
Another way to create a minimalist interior is to choose neutral colors such as brown, gray or black. These colors will make even the most complex or seemingly unimportant objects visible. For instance, it would be extremely easy to locate a vase or ceramic tile in these neutral colors. The key to creating a minimalist space is to use a single item as the focal point of the space. This focal point can then be complemented by a few other equally important accent pieces. As long as the item used as the focal point is not distracting, you will have achieved minimalism.
One way to achieve minimalism is to use very simple patterns or textures when decorating. A good example would be adding one or two texture variations such as using one color for the floor and another for the wall to give the impression that there are three layers of material. Alternatively, the use of very different textures can also work well. By adding textures that are similar in size or in texture, a space that appears to have no form can actually be made very attractive.
A third way to create minimalistic interior spaces is to install natural light. Natural light will dramatically increase the level of functionality of the room. In addition, installing blinds or curtains over windows can also help to keep sunlight from directly shining into the eyes. Blinds can also serve to block out other ambient light that could cause the room to feel cold or unfriendly. Minimalist interiors may seem more sterile, but when done right, they can be perfect for any home.
