How to Apply the Art of Minimalism to Your Home

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If you’ve ever watched any home renovation show, you’re sure to have seen many designers use minimalism to create the wow effect of a room. The popularity of minimally designed homes has become more prominent as older homes are being remodeled.

What is Minimalism?

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A minimal home has only the things that are necessary; a few pieces of artwork, a little bit of natural life, furniture that is absolutely needed, and natural colors. But how and why do designers create the effect of minimal design and what really is the art of minimalism?

Benefits of Minimalism

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1. Naturally Beautiful

What’s better than something that is naturally beautiful? A minimalist home is much more appealing and naturally beautiful because it is clutter free, has more open space, and no distractions, which all adds up to a nice, clean house.

2. Easier to Clean

When you have a room full of objects, there is more to clean and it’s harder to get everything truly clean. When you have just the necessities in a room, it makes cleaning easier. No vacuuming around too much furniture, moving objects around, and no spending unwanted time cleaning.

Minimalist Outdoor Sofa

3. Reduces Stress

Creating a minimalist designed home is visually pleasing and creates a relaxing and stress-free place to live. Clutter is a form of distraction and living clutter-free produces a stressless environment.

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4. Boosts Your Mood

Without the stress of clutter being everywhere, not having to always worry about cleaning, and just having a naturally beautiful place, coming home at the end of the day becomes an enjoyable experience. When you have somewhere you forward to being at the end of the day, it makes your whole day better!

How to Create a Minimal Home

Minimalist Throw Pillows

1. Simplify Your Home

Decluttering is a big step in creating your minimalist home. By decluttering, you simplify your space. When removing things, keep only what you need, even if it means putting some items in storage. Be sure you aren’t just adding clutter to clutter – take time to declutter your storage and make sure your storage is out of sight. Keep bookshelves to a limited amount of items. You don’t have to get rid of all your books. Choose your favorites or a set that is appealing to the eye.

2. Choose the Right Furniture

The largest thing in any room is furniture, so just simplifying your furniture can make a huge impact. The fewer pieces of furniture, the better. Remove any furniture that isn’t used on a regular basis or furniture that won’t be missed or doesn’t sacrifice comfort. If you’re in the market for new furniture, opt for pieces that aren’t bulky. Remember to think quality over of quantity. Instead of a couch and a couple of oversized chairs, try two couches with a simple coffee table. When trying to create a minimalist style, less is always more.

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3. Find the Right Decor

A room with minimal design doesn’t mean that it has to be clear of everything. You want a room that is sophisticated and enjoyable, not boring. Larger items within a room should be neutral, think furniture and walls, while small accents can add color, think decor elements. Since the design of minimalism pulls from nature, add live plants throughout the room, like adding succulents on a coffee table.. Give your windows a boost with curtains in a lighter shade of blue, such as Sunbrella Spa Blue, and add throw pillows to your couch to complement the windows without overpowering the entire room. Be careful when adding patterns to the room. Stick to plain patterns, such as larger geometrics instead of small checks or florals. Keep wall art to a minimum with one large tasteful piece instead of having an empty wall or one that’s overcrowded with multiple pieces.

CushionSource_ArtofMinimalism_94. Make a Statement

Within a room, you want to make a statement. Whether it is a piece of furniture, throw pillows, artwork, an area rug, or an oversized floor lamp, choose an item in each room as a statement peice. To create a statement, you need to select an item that will standout. This can be achieved through color, textiles, or size. Color is the easiest way to produce a statement in a minimalistic design. With most items already in a neutral tone, any color, even white, will stand out. Adding an item with a textile will also call attention to that area of the room because of the uniqueness of the textile, think faux bear skin as an area rug. Size is another easy addition. You can take what would normally be a secondary piece in a room, like a floor lamp, and replace it with a much larger version of itself to create that dramatic, standout effect in the room.

5. Keep it Clean

After all the work of putting your minimalist room together, be sure to keep it clean. Make sure that everything has a place. With fewer pieces around, the less deep cleaning you have to do. Just remember that and keep it that way, and you will continuously enjoy your home!