How to Fake Extra Cleanliness With Minimalist Interior Design?

Did you know that design gurus predict that 45% of homes will have a minimalist interior design by 2035? That means soon, your maximalist room of mismatched furniture and patterns will look about as trendy as dial-up internet! (it’s bad, seriously)

But worry not! This blog is your cheat code to minimalist interior design, even if your current “style” resembles a maximalist den!

We’ll spill the tea on storage hacks, furniture, and decluttering stuff all by yourself.  So embrace the calm, and join the minimalist movement (even if it’s just for the pics).  Dive in! Don’t worry, we won’t judge your sock drawer (probably).

Top Insights

What is Minimalist Interior Design? 

Minimalist interior design is an upcoming interior trend that prioritizes clean lines, simplicity and functionality over clutter and ornamentation. It’s like stripping things to their basic form with neutral colours, bright lights and built-in furniture.

However, many designers (and also clients) argue that a minimalist interior design doesn’t feel personal nor does it give more storage. Some say it isn’t visually exciting, while others find it too plain and monotonous, making them sleepy!

But hey! Isn’t what we need nowadays? I mean, your eyes might get too tired dodging the visual stimulus of laptops, your brain is already worn out from work and minimalism is just a perfect break! 

And it’s not that you can’t add any other colours in a minimalist interior design; just keep them as accents so they don’t take over. Feel free to hang up your own paintings and photos, but limit them to one statement wall instead of putting them everywhere. 

That’s the essence of minimalism!

Why You’ll Love the Minimalist Interior Design Style? 

If you are a modern minimalist interior design buff, you’ll love this style for its clean, calming and spacious vibes. But that’s not all! Here are some more minimalist interior design benefits you can’t miss out on: 

• Reduces stress by removing visual noise, mental overload and clutter
• Minimalist interior design makes a small room appear big and spacious
• Helps concentration and focus by reducing distractions
• Minimalist room ideas are easy to clean, upkeep and maintain
• Reduces your monthly budget on furniture and artefacts
• Promotes sounder sleep and overall high sleep hygiene
• Reduced waste and a smaller carbon footprint

Top 5 Minimalist Interior Design Challenges & How to Solve Them? 

Lately, I’ve come across many clients and interior lovers who aren’t really into minimalism. Some find it dull and too basic, while others just can’t deal with all the white. So, let’s figure out some solutions to these common minimalist room issues:

#1. “Feels Too Dry & Impersonal for Me!” says Rohit

Hey Rohit, we hear you! While we see where you’re coming from, there are plenty of ways to make even a minimalist interior design living room your own.

For example, you can get creative with unique accent pieces, fun printed rugs, gallery walls or textured wall panels. Don’t be afraid to add some pops of colour to showcase your funky side!

Quick Tip: Incorporate natural plants and wood or woven textures to create a more calm & inviting atmosphere.

#2. “Doesn’t Have Any Storage for Everyday Items!” complains Shraddha

Well, I get it that a minimalist living room doesn’t really leave space for all those extra shelves or cabinets you might want. But you can totally sneak in some hidden storage in your beds, Ottomans, lofts, and stuff. Or just go for those simple shaker cabinets.

#3. “It’s Difficult to Save It From the Clutter in the Long Run!” argues Anay

So, I have the same issue in my minimalist bedroom. Stuff just keeps stacking up with no real organization. What I do is follow the ‘one-touch‘ rule. I touch the extra things and decide if I want to keep, donate, toss, or move them.

If I keep something, I stash it under my bed or in my drawers to keep things looking neat. And sometimes, I use hidden hanging organizers to make things even more organized.

#4. “It Doesn’t Let My Self-Expression & Creativity Flow!” adds Rajashree

So, to tackle this problem, I suggest using minimalist interior design as a foundation, and not as a limitation. I mean, you can still express yourself with creative paintings, artwork, accent pieces and stuff, but limit those to a feature wall for a clean look.

If comfortable, you can also swap your artwork periodically, say once a month or year, to keep the space fresh and revolving around your interests.

#5. “But What About the Lack of Visual Stimulation?” questions Riddhi

Did you know that simple 2D wall designs like textures, colours, patterns, and embossments can stimulate your eye just like 3D objects? Hence, add some vibrant colours, textiles, and accent lighting to your room to make it pop. 

Trust me, you’ll achieve a complete stylish look with just a few minimalist accessories.

What Are the Elements Found in Minimalist Interior Design? 

Though minimalism is all about the concept of ‘Less is More‘ by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, but it also has some key principles and design elements to keep in mind.

Let’s dive into those!

• Clean Lines & Uncluttered Spaces: A modern minimalist interior design is all about keeping things simple – less furniture & elements, and of course, no clutter!
• Neutral Colour Palette: Minimalist interior design ideas often go for gray, beige, white, and pastel colours to create a chill and peaceful vibe.
• Emphasis on Natural Light: Minimalism is all about brightening the space, either by huge clerestory windows, doors, roof wells or skylights.
• Functionality over Form: Each and every accessory in a minimalist interior design must be functional; either for seating, storage or work.
• Storage Solutions: Use built-in or hidden storages or baskets to keep a modern minimalist interior design clutter-free.
• Geometric Shapes: Try to go with geometric shapes – either rectangular furniture, round lights or wall panels for more balance and symmetry.
• Try to Go With an Open-Plan Layout: Eliminate the walls, partitions and jalis in your room; Instead, go for a continuous, joint connectivity span to create more openness.
• Use Simpler Patterns: If you can skip patterns altogether, that’s awesome! But if you have to use them, go for simple, geometric, lattice, or monochrome patterns.

How Do You Create a Minimalist Interior Design for a Clean Aesthetic? 

You can create your own minimalist design by decluttering the space, going for monochromatic palettes, using flat & smooth wall finishes, prioritizing functional furniture, maintaining consistency and going for built-in storage.

But yes, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Let me clear a few doubts and questions first! 

1. Can You Mix Different Shades & Textures in a Minimalist Interior Design Style? 

Yes, you can totally blend different shades and textures in a minimalist room, just make sure to balance their contrast and depth properly. 

For example, you could mix linen and wool rugs, plain tiles with textured accents, or plain metal with frosted glass details to really capture that minimalist feel. 

2. Where Can You Incorporate Different Textiles in Your Minimalist Interior Design? 

You can mix and match various minimalist fabrics like linen, wool, polyester, or cotton on your pillows, rugs, curtains, upholstery, and bedding. Just remember to keep them simple or slightly patterned to prevent a cluttered or conflicting look with ethnic vibes.

3. Which Lights Can I Use in My Minimalist Living Room? 

A minimalist living room usually goes well with bright, but indirect cool white lights. But, you can also try using recessed (single or double) spotlights, string lights, industrial pendant lamps, floor lamps or concealed track lights for more brightness. 

4. Which Colours Are the Best Suited for a Minimalist Interior Design? 

Neutral and slightly monochrome wall colours like Beige, Gray, Greige, White, Taupe, Cream and Navy Blue work the best in minimal rooms. However, you can also use some lighter accent colours like Peach, Azure, Lilac or Mint Green to break the monotony.

5. Which Type of Minimalist Furniture Can I Use in My Room? 

You can usually go for simple, sectional sofas, Ottomans, and headboards with metal or wood accents in a minimalist room. But, if you need extra storage, opt for folding or floating shelves, futons, and platform beds to stash some things away.

6. What Materials Are Used in a Minimalist Interior Design? 

A modern minimalist interior design looks great with materials like stainless steel, black iron, or brushed bronze accents, glass shelves, leather upholsteries, bare concrete walls, and warm stone or wood furniture. It really helps bring everything together!

7. How Do I Create a Scandinavian Minimalist Interior Design? 

To create a Scandinavian minimalist vibe, just stick to those clean, neutral colours, throw in some natural wood and wool furniture, mix in some woven jute textiles, lay down a few rugs, and add some warm lighting.

The key here is finding that sweet spot between sleek lines and a bright, airy feel, all while drawing inspiration from that cosy Nordic style.

8. What Are the Elements of a Japanese Minimalist Interior Design? 

Japanese minimalist interior design, also known as wabi-sabi, works on open space layouts with features like glass sliding doors, screens, and clerestory windows. 

You’ll often see Shoji screens, tatami mats, simple calligraphy or print frames, and the usual white and beige walls that give off that minimalist vibe.

Now, let’s talk about how you can tweak some key areas in your household using the above minimalist design principles:

How to Create a Minimalist Interior Design Living Room? 

Minimalist living rooms are simple to style; just go on with simple, cubical couches, sofas, seats and paint your walls in beige, gray or cream for warmth. Next, move on to layering some solid-coloured rugs and use sheer curtains or louvres to bring in light.

You can also invest in glass screens, tables, polished metal stools, pendant lights and mirrors to bring in more light. An abstract or feature art wall is also a good choice! 

How to Decorate a Minimalist Interior Design Bedroom? 

Minimalist bedrooms these days are all about platform beds, light-coloured bedding, built-in night stands, and decks. Don’t forget to add some calming wood, linen, or woollen headboards to make them pop. 

Also spice it up with smart lighting (colour-changing) and artwork. After all, minimalism can be pretty cool, right?

How to Style a Minimalist Kitchen? 

One of the most cluttered and overburdened spaces in any household is the kitchen. So, it’s really a task if you want to declutter it! 

We suggest you categorize and organize all your appliances and stuff in built-in drawers, shelves and containers. Also, try to use flat black, gray or beige shaker cabinets with pull-out shelves and cutting boards for clean countertops.

At Archwhispers, we also suggest using task lights in minimal kitchen. Those add a nice, industrial vibe while providing the right lighting for all your tasks.

Conclusion

So as you saw, minimalism isn’t only about decluttering; It needs a wholesome approach as to organizing everything in built-in storages, minimizing maximalist material palettes, letting in light and embracing neutral or monochrome colours.

So, take a deep breath, let go of the unnecessary, and welcome the minimalist interior design into your life!

But if you still want to maintain a funky, balanced look, maybe you’ll get some inspiration from the ‘100+ Wall Decoration Ideas’ or over ‘16+ Balcony Tiles Ideas’ we’ve curated for you! 

External Resources

• Learn about the history, application and characteristics of minimalist interior design from Rithish K. (Vellore Institute of Technology)
• Explore some minimalist design mood boards & components from IILM.
• Learn about Minimalist Architecture and Interior Design in America from Erin Lee