Minimalism is a trend for design, decoration, architecture, and even lifestyle. The term has been so used that when we think of a minimalist space, we already imagine a contemporary environment, with white walls and few pieces of furniture – but it doesn’t stop there. People who live in the minimalist style say goodbye to excess furniture, clothes, and even cell phone notifications.
History
Minimalism emerged from a series of artistic and cultural movements in the early 20th century, and designers adhered to the style around 1980. Its primary influence came from Japanese culture, and this trend came against the formal and chromatic variation of previous artistic movements.
The idea is to subtract everything unnecessary. Following the style, the buildings are now designed with straight lines and simple geometric shapes. The environments are decorated with few objects, neutral colors, and the products have the cleanest and most functional layout possible.
Comfort and warmth are the most important points for our home to be, in fact, a place for us to relax after work or rest after a long trip.
What You Should Know About Minimalist Style
The minimalist style house (บ้าน สไตล์ มิ นิ มอ ล which is the term in Thai) also borrows some elements from Industrial and Scandinavian Design – that is why it is common to find items of these styles in a minimalist environment, such as colors only in the decorative elements and the presence of natural materials such as wood and leather.
Furniture
The minimalist design proposes that the environments are light, airy, and decorated with few pieces of furniture, giving preference to wood as a material. So, when incorporating style at home, invest in durable furniture with simple design, few textures, and neutral colors.
In light-colored environments, it is easier to notice objects in the place – in this way, any unnecessary mess or object can cause visual pollution that will be uncomfortable for those who live there.
Walls
Minimalism values clear environments. Therefore, the walls should be white or in lighter tones, such as off-white and beige. In addition to helping with lighting, this makes space appear larger and even more ventilated. To not leave the house looking like a hospital, the insertion of colors and elements is due to posters and pictures in black and white. Pastel tones or again in neutral colors.
Lighting
To create well-distributed lighting throughout the house, give preference to LED lamps. As for the design, opt for light fixtures and pendants in light colors and without elaborate contours to enhance the aesthetics of the environment. In materials, choose wood, copper, concrete, or metal.
Lifestyle
The minimalist lifestyle may seem simple to adhere to, but it requires dedication and a lot of effort. The idea here is also to get rid of excess and live with only what is necessary – but the process of letting go is the biggest obstacle to achieving that feat. As developing minimalist habits is slow and difficult, people already adept at lifestyle pose small challenges to help those interested in the idea to, every day, take some action that makes them walk towards the goal of having a simpler life.
Having fewer objects helps us keep the house in order and optimizes our time, as it becomes easier to know where each item is stored. Minimalists believe that the accumulation of belongings acts as an anchor – it limits our freedom and reinforces our fear of losing our things. Therefore, this trend goes beyond just getting rid of unnecessary objects.
