Minimalism has been growing in popularity as a living choice in recent years. Particularly in urban centres, living space is becoming increasingly hard to come by, so a bit of decluttering is called for. Minimalism can help you not only create more space in your home, but also bring clarity and calm into your life!
 

Clear up with the KonMari method

Japanese lifestyle and tidying expert Marie Kondo has developed a clearing-up method that’s found enthusiastic followers around the world. The strategy is: you only keep things that really bring you joy and make you happy. Before you begin your clear-up, you should imagine how your life is going to look afterwards. Visualise your minimalist home, overflowing with space and light. Isn’t it fantastic? The more clearly you envisage your new tidy home in advance, the easier it will be to get the result you want.

At the beginning of your tidying campaign, you should gather your things: books with other books, household objects all together, clothes with other clothes, all your paperwork and so on. Everything that doesn’t fill you with joy or isn’t absolutely necessary has to go. You can give objects to friends, donate them, sell them or throw them away. Caution: when it comes to paperwork, you should be aware that you’re obliged by the tax authorities to keep documents for 10 years.

It’s best to start with things that aren’t so personally important to you (saucepans, tools) and work up to personal items (clothes, books). Stick to a set order and finish working on one category before you start on the next. When you’re finished with your clear-out, you’ll already have followed the first principle of minimalism: you only possess the absolute essentials. How much that is, exactly, is different for each person!

Concentrate on the essentials

When redesigning your home for minimalist living, you should concentrate on the essentials. Maybe you’ve disposed of old furniture and now want to buy new, functional furniture items. Multifunctional furniture is great; fold-out tables, stools that also contain storage space and extendable shelving units are practical, save space and can be adapted to your needs. In a studio apartment it’s particularly important to use the available space sensibly; a shelf as a dividing wall between living and sleeping areas, or a fold-out sofa with built-in storage space, allow for better organisation and give you room to breathe.

Purist forms and timeless designs ensure clarity

Make sure that the style of the furniture also sticks to the essentials. Instead of a chi-chi ornamental look, go for a more conservative design. That way the individual pieces of furniture are not the focus, making the ensemble as a whole more effective. You can create clarity and structure by using geometric shapes for the furniture in your minimalist space. Just take the motto “form follows function” to heart and choose furnishings that prioritise quality and functionality.

Consider a harmonious colour scheme

Colours also play a big role in a minimalist lifestyle. Black and white, as well as different shades of grey and cream, are the staples of minimalist living. You can add some accents with, for example, colourful pillowcases, rugs or curtains. One brightly-coloured wall is also a good idea. Choose one colour that you don’t want to live without and integrate it into your lifestyle and colour scheme. Since the minimalist colours themselves are neutral, you’ve got free rein: a warm earth shade is just as suitable as an intense turquoise. In minimalism, single-colour surfaces are king, so it’s better to avoid cheerful patterns or unusual prints.

Choose premium materials for long-term quality

Another aspect of minimalism is sustainability. It’s better to choose items of furniture, accessories and decorative objects that are of high quality, instead of opting for cheaper products that you’ll quickly have to replace. In this way, you’ll create a sustainable living space in which you feel comfortable, and which will bring you long-term happiness. Alongside timeless designs, premium materials are also key. Choose warm, natural woods, ceramics, concrete or even marble. Functional minimalism also uses cool materials like glass and stainless steel. Depending on which furnishing style you choose, select your materials and design your minimalist home exactly to your taste.

Minimalist lifestyles from Sweden to Japan

A purist lifestyle makes it easier for you to design your own living space according to the rules of minimalism. The Bauhaus style is based on renouncing the superfluous. Hallmarks of this style are clear lines and geometric shapes, high functionality and futuristic materials. The Scandinavian living style is becoming more and more popular. It’s modern and flexible, uncluttered and at the same time very homely. Organic shapes and natural materials are used to ensure that the furnishing doesn’t appear too subdued. The classic Japanese style also avoids fuss, impressing through its reserved simplicity without becoming uncomfortable. Wood, paper, straw and ceramics are must-haves for this style, and create a warm mood even amongst stripped-back simplicity.

Don’t forget the personal touch

However much you love purism and minimalism, your home needs your personal touch, or it will feel like the showroom of a minimalist furniture store. You need to feel comfortable when you get home after a stressful day at work, so give some thought to your interior decor. How can you arrange personal keepsakes so that they inspire you, without disrupting your living style? A display case is a great idea: you can gather several objects together, and ensure they have appropriate space. Pictures can also make a minimalist home cosier, but instead of hanging up lots of little photos, you can choose your favourite and let it work as a solo piece. We can frame your favourite photo, or you can turn your photos into canvas prints, aluminium prints or place them behind acrylic glass.