What do Minimalist Homes look like?

It’s all in the details.

Instead of having lots of everything, minimalism focuses on having fewer things, but in higher quality or with sentimental value.

It’s the quality and the subtle pattern in the of the seemingly plain white curtains or owning a dinner table handcrafted by an artisan in a deep, rich mahogany.

The 4 following principles of Minimalist Style

• Quality over quantity (Decorations and Furniture)
• Clear surfaces and blank walls
• Carefully chosen decorations on display
• Functional pieces of furniture – none just for decoration

Each of these principles are present in varying degrees: Extreme, Moderate and Light

Extreme Minimalism

• Only the basics – furniture, chairs, plates.
• No decorations to very little decorations.
• All the surfaces are extremely bare.
• The lamps and other functional pieces are small and unobtrusive.
• No rugs or extra affects that don’t serve a purpose, and simple white curtains only used if required.
• Quite bare and stark.
• Traditional Japanese homes are a good example.

Moderate Minimalism

• Simple pieces of furniture that scream a quiet quality, or personality – note the side tables being made out of crates on wheels
• Decorations are simple as well – note the vase on the decorative mantle piece or the blank canvas hanging over the bed.
• Everything has its place, but is also displayed rather than hidden in drawers and shelves.
• Small touches throughout the room add to the atmosphere such as the large hanging lamps and the rug tucked under the bed.
• All the surfaces are  fairly clear with small decorations, and usually only one of each.
• Modern Japanese homes are good examples.

Light Minimalism

• Colour scheme is still simple with pops of colour.
• Surfaces aren’t extremely clean, but also not cluttered.
• There are open spaces and allowance for blank walls.
• More groupings of decorations such as vases or lamps.
• All the pieces of furniture serve a purpose rather than just for decor.

How to create a Minimalist Home Part 2 (Saturday Project) coming up next.