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Minimalism remains a buzzword in home décor circles and among wellness advocates. But what exactly is it, why is it so popular, and how do you achieve the aesthetic at home? In this article, let’s get to the bottom of this enduring home design trend.
To start, let’s define minimalism. It’s a slippery term that is used in several applications to mean various things.
To Zen Buddhists, the concept of minimalism is inextricably tied to attachment; Buddhists believe that suffering comes from clinging to objects, so they attempt to eschew all but the most necessary, functional belongings. To Mid-Century industrial designers, minimalism was an opportunity to streamline home décor by using clean lines and negative space.
And for contemporary wellness influencers, minimalism is tied into stress relief and satisfaction – the underlying ethos being that a clear, clean home promotes relaxation and mindfulness.
These various approaches and definitions share a common theme. They all value cleanliness and clearness to promote spiritual, mental and aesthetical harmony.
Here are a few ways you can achieve minimalism in your home.
Hire Home Organizers
The first, perhaps the best piece of advice for aspiring minimalists is to start on the right foot. Applying minimalist principles to an existing home is challenging since most people’s homes contain excess items and unideal organizational systems. To start right, hire home organizers to help you edit your belongings, propose storage solutions and implement easy-to-follow organizing systems.
Declutter Your Home
Many people hold onto items that are no longer necessary, which can create issues around misplaced sentimental attachment. Further, psychologists have found that clutter around the home increases stress by overwhelming our brain’s stimuli response mechanisms. In short, to reap the mental and spiritual benefits of minimalism, you need to declutter.
The home organizing service you hire should also be able to help you declutter. Consult with them in advance about your project, and state your intention to declutter. They will work with you to sort through belongings; together, you will decide what to keep and what to sell, donate or throw away.
Keep It Neutral and Natural
It isn’t just the contents of your home that should be kept clean and clear – it’s also the home itself. A core component of minimalist design is aesthetic cleanliness, a focus on neutral colours and natural elements.
As Elle Décor points out, this doesn’t mean making your home dull. Instead, applying minimalist décor ideas requires working with neutral colours, light, shapes and natural textures to create a dynamic yet serene environment. Select soothing paint shades like light grey, off-white or cream. Add natural elements in the form of wool fabrics, light wood furniture, linen and houseplants. And ensure the whole thing is amply lit with a mixture of natural light and tasteful lighting.
Finally, don’t neglect functionality and comfort. Remember, your home still needs to be liveable – for you and your family. Hire a home organizer to start, declutter your space of unnecessary belongings, and embrace the dynamic interplay between neutral colours and natural elements. If all goes according to plan, your home should feel calming, functional and spiritually uplifting.
