Minimalist Interior Design

"Less is more." - the words of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the pioneers of modern architecture, is said to be the guiding principle in minimalist interior design.

A common mistake among homeowners when attempting to create a room that's visually appealing is to stuff a space with too many trinkets and detailed furniture. Instead of creating a cohesively designed living space, what results is a trashy, distorted and stressful area within a home. The average person would probably think that minimalism is "bland", "boring" or "lifeless" but in the viewpoint of a designer, it may just be the perfect recipe for a "gracefully balanced room" without the frills.

The basic and conceivably, the only elements expressed in minimalist interior design are smooth planes, bold and fine lines and rhythmic geometric shapes. Ornaments used are for quality and purpose and not mainly for beautification.

In another sense, certain essential furniture serve more than one purpose. For example, the fireplace may also accommodate the bathroom; the study can serve as both a sound-proof studio and entertainment center.

Experts in minimalism focus on the relationship between natural lighting, the regular pattern of basic shapes and eye-friendly colors. The only time it makes use of shocking colors is in small details of elements within a room. Thematic choices for minimalist interior design include natural stones, polished wood, metal and glass. For the individual elements, a designer or homeowner may opt for the following:

Furniture

When choosing a shelf, coffee table or loveseat, aim for modern and class-looking pieces. Materials like plain leather, natural wood, stainless steel and transparent glass give out a non-bulky and crisp ambience to the entire room. It is also important to situate the furniture nearer to the floor to maximize their minimalist appeal.

Lighting

Keep in mind that the thing minimalist interior design relies on is natural lighting. Small sources of light strategically placed within the room may also be good for creating a softer, cozy effect at night. You might want to install wall-lights or small table lights and a modern chandelier for this.

Walls and Floor

In minimalist interiors, WHITE has always been "The BLACK". It creates the illusion of a bigger, cleaner space and smoother details to everything else. Neutral colors such as lime green, beige, stone and taupe are other alternatives for room color other than white. For you accent color, red is a tasteful choice. If you have other colors in mind, just make sure that you choose one or one color scheme for the entire space.

Windows

Do not fuss overdecorating windows. They should be kept simple to allow the optimal entry of light. If you'd like to have a little privacy, consider installing straight panels, white drapes and blinds.

Accessories

You won't be needing a lot of accessories to show. Choose to have a photo album, candles and two vases in the room and keep the rest hidden in good storage compartments. "Spacious" and "tidy" should be your goal.