Thursday 3 January 2019

The Minimalist Movement - Decorating without Decadence in 2019!

The concept of minimalist living is something that has gained popularity at lighting speed in the last decade or so. Everywhere you go, you’ll see minimalism applied, whether it is in design, living or even photography and fashion. Minimalism is a way to introduce some peace into our otherwise hectic modern lives, and it is no wonder that so many are looking towards minimalist design when it comes to furnishing and decorating their homes. In this article, we will look at how you too can introduce the concept of minimalism into your home surroundings, so read on to find out more!

Functionality Is Key
When it comes to adopting a minimalist lifestyle or design, nothing is more important than functionality. Afterall, if you’re going to get rid of clutter and only focus on what you need, you need to ensure that what you have is not just aesthetically pleasing but also serves a functional purpose. A great way to begin your journey to minimalism is to focus on the necessities. Everything in your room should be functional - from that wall clock to your couch. Choose pieces that serve a purpose - whether that be chic looking storage furniture that helps you hide some of your mess or wooden stools that can be used as both a tabletop and a seat. In a minimalist room, even decorations serve a purpose. A good train of thought is to go for pieces that start at the basics, and only build upon them when necessary.

Clear The Clutter
Look around your space - does it look cluttered? Do you have too many things that you don’t even use? Is your lamp collecting dust from years of neglect? Minimalism is about sticking to the basics and ridding yourself of unnecessary and unsightly clutter. Always ask yourself what can be eliminated, what can be stored out of sight and what items in your home you think don’t quite serve a purpose in your space. Once you have gotten rid of clutter, you are rewarded with free space which you can use to truly maximise the efficiency of your design. A great tip is to be consistent in this process, and do a mini “clearing out” once every few months, so that you don’t let any mess accumulate over time. 

Select Neutral Bases and Colour Schemes
When it comes to minimalist design, one of the golden rules is to select neutral bases and colour schemes. If you’re someone who is more into eclectic and out there styles, minimalism may not be for you! Subdued hues are the best options for a minimalist styled room, with popular options usually being whites, greys, and beige. These colours inspire a sense of calm and bring a zen like quality to any space.

With that said, just because you’re using subdued hues doesn’t mean your room has to be boring. There are a variety of textured paints you can use, and different shades of whites and greys that you can incorporate into your interior design. You can also introduce small pops of colour with some simple artwork or decorations, but do try to keep these to a minimum, or use them more as focal pieces rather that scattering your space with too many different colours. 

Quality, Not Quantity
Going back to the point of focusing on functionality, when it comes to furniture, you’re going to want to opt for quality over quantity. Impulse buys of trendy items may turn out to be a complete waste of money, as they will not fit into your design, nor will they offer you the functionality that you’re looking for in a minimalist room.

Instead invest in quality pieces that will stand the test of time and won’t need replacement for a long time to come. Chances are, high quality furniture and fittings also tend to be the most simple looking ones. Minimalism isn’t just about design either - it plays into our lives as we try to reduce the amount of things we dispose of in a bid to conserve the environment and reduce our contributions to landfills. Purchasing quality over quantity will aid in this process, so always look out for pieces that are well made and will last you a lifetime. 

I hope that this article has inspired you in your journey towards minimalism. Decorating without decadence doesn’t have to be a dull process - it is a whole learning journey in itself that hopefully you’ll learn to absolutely love!

Till next time... start a minimalist movement in 2019!

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