Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

— Antoine de Saint-Exupery, French writer (1900–1944)

 

Radiant smiles, joyful anticipation and sheer excitement fills the air, as a house moulds into a home. A place of sanctuary and comfort for its inhabitants, with a unique story to tell- reflecting milestones, personalities and aesthetics. Keeping abreast with our modern tastes of home decor and our busy lifestyles, I believe that minimalism is an interior design trend that consistently resurges from time to time.

 

Clean lines. Reductive, uncluttered simplicity. Muted colours. Basic geometric forms. All are hallmarks of minimalism. As clichéd as it sounds, “less”, for minimalists, “is more”.

With roots in the early 90’s, minimalist design is eternal and versatile, the underlying ethos being that “everything needs a place and a reason”. This style of design can frame warm and nuanced enduring, or embrace modern cutting-edge interiors that lead global trends. When confronted with a resolved minimalist interior, a home is graced with serenity and elemental beauty.

 

Designed with meaning and intention, not for praise or applause, here’s how minimalism infuses ageless purity and purpose into your home.

Elegance, Never Goes Out Of Style

Tying modernity to style, is a ‘maker’ of minimalism. It’s simple and frill-free but always on top of the grid. The intention is to create a welcoming yet contemporary look, warmed up by wood accents and rich leather tones. Adding a mix of light and dark wood to your furniture against say, a bamboo wallpaper, can make the space feel more organic and closer to the rustic charm of mother earth. Mix-matched pillows, a blend of linen sheets, wool blankets, rugs, often in muted tone-on-tone hues with a bedside lamp, also make a down-to-earth statement. And as we all know, elegance and feeling grounded never goes out of style.

 

The More The Greens, The Merrier The Space.

One of the cornerstones of minimalism is sustainability. With choices radically shifting to sustainable lifestyles and responsible consumption, indoor gardening is now a bit hit. The verdant hues of house plants adds a nurturing aesthetic to your space, bringing it to life. A visual delight known to reduce stress levels, bonsai, bamboo, and hanging planters—in the right amounts—should be your go-to choices when it comes to adding greenery to your space. You can be sure that filling the air with rich fresh oxygen isn’t a style statement that will easily dwindle.

 

Contrasting Palettes, Add Dimension

Colour accentuates design. A minimalist’s juxtaposition of two-colour schemes can lend dimension to a space without the need for objects. Opt for neutral colors with pastel accents or mix and match a neutral palette with hues such as a light beige, off-white, or pale pink for the base, and incorporate rich-hued accents of blue, green, plum, brown, or black. Painted walls are easy to change without much fuss.

 

Functionality With A Punch Of Wow

Your space should have sophisticated, understated artifacts that draw attention, rather than over-ostentatious displays that occupy space. It is important to evaluate functionality with the add-ons you choose, so that they serve a purpose. Whether it’s vases, tableware, blankets or a pedestal next to the stove-top with a pretty pepper mill, you can bring character to your home without the need for clutter. Usefulness and functionality again, are aspects of design that never fade out of trend.

 

Let There Be Light (And Art)

Remember that most importantly of all, minimalism solicits a play of light. Earthen tones, slight accessories, a calm breeze of shades, on a clean white canvas—are all testament to the stylishness of architectural simplicity. Don’t forget to add character to your space with minimalist art or sculptures- it adds that signature personal touch and “lived-in” feeling your home deserves.