Minimalism has been taking over what seems to be everything within the last 5 years. Capsule wardrobes, simplistic whole food diets, and now even our living spaces. Nothing makes you take a deep breath like a clean, simple space. With minimalism on the rise, we see this trend not only being aesthetically pleasing but also functional especially for small spaces. You don’t need to be a minimalist to get this desired look.
First things first, THROW IT AWAY. Clutter is the kiss of death when creating a minimal space. If you haven’t used it in 3 months, donate it, gift it, or throw it out. Clutter is the protagonist to this story. There is no way of accomplishing a minimalistic look with a bunch of clutter in every corner. Start off by making three separate piles to divide your things in. When you decide to keep a piece of decor, make sure it has a place and fits your theme. The easiest way to do this is by clearing out the entire room that you want to redecorate. Once the room is cleared out, go through each piece one by one. Decide what to display and what to put away or donate.
Are you having trouble with your small space and finding more room to put your belongings? Instead of shoving it into a junk drawer, a small closet or even in a bin under your bed, try going vertical. Try organizing your miscellaneous things into categories like tech or household games. From there organize the things into labeled bins and place them on a simple shelf or book case. There are so many unique and interesting ways to make your vertical storage look simple and clean while still being functional. Vertical storage is also great because it draws your eye up, making the space feel taller which in turn makes the area seem bigger.
We all know furniture and home decor can be pricey. When deciding on furniture and other pieces of decor make sure it is exactly what you are looking for. Look for pieces on clearance at your favorite places. You can even find some great deals and unique vintage pieces at thrift stores or consignment shops. Incorporating furniture that is clear or reflective like an acrylic coffee table or a large full length mirror will really open up the space making it look bigger and brighter. These pieces are functional in your minimal space while seeming like they take no space at all.
Scouring Pinterest for hours can only get you so far when you realize the plant pit you want costs $400 from Anthropologie. If you can’t find it (or afford it), DIY it! You can find any kind of DIY video on YouTube, especially for home decor. Don’t be afraid to pull out your tool belt and get your hands a little dirty. Invite a couple of friends over, grab some wine (not too much), and get to the DIY! It can be a bit nerve wracking working on a big décor project. Remember that the little imperfections that happen is what brings the character to your space. DIY’ing your own décor pieces really puts that touch of you. You’ll thank yourself later once your place looks perfectly you!
Sometimes there is only so much you can do when it comes to making your space look cute and minimal. For those of you that are renting, look into damage free ways to conceal things that you may not love about your space like linoleum floor, an electricity box on the wall, or even ugly counter tops. Get creative with contact paper and wall decor to hid and bring a breath of fresh air into your place. There are a lot of affordable options when looking to spruce up your living area. Contact paper, command strips, or anything with an adhesive backing is helpful honestly. And if all else fails… get a can of white paint.
A room looks the best when your eye is drawn to one focal point in the room. Pick something that draws your eye like a magnet and build around that central piece. Whether it be a fire place, an accent wall or an amazing piece of art, deciding on the main point in the room is an important task. When picking a focal point make sure it’s something that inspires the whole room while not being too overwhelming. I suggest decorating around one focal point leaving for a few hours and then when you return, see how you react to the space when you first open the door. What is your eye drawn to first? This could take a few tries but don’t get discouraged with some trial and error.
Minimalism is not a theme, but more of a lifestyle. There are a lot of different options and ideas to work off of when creating your new minimal space. Consider the kind of impression you want to make. Mid-century, modern, boho chic, all of these design aesthetics can still be transformed into your ideal minimalist space. Pick a color scheme and a theme, and get to planning. Neutrals and even clear pieces are typically what you find in most minimal spaces. Don’t get too wrapped up in the typical style. Use it as inspiration and work on your own desired look from there. Pinterest will be your best friend as per usual.
Keeping your theme neutral and consistent will give you the best results when transitioning your space but don’t be afraid of a bold focal point to draw the eye. Also remember to keep your space clear of clutter. Keep in mind that busy prints and patters are the opposite of what is trying to be accomplished so make sure that all of your decisions on decor are intentional and consistent with the next. Every piece of décor you decide to display has a purpose. With these tips and tricks creating and maintaining a minimal space will seem like second nature.
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