Less is more. That’s right. Minimalism is a lifestyle and a great Interior design trend to adopt.
I believe the reason it’s getting so popular is due to the never ending flow of information that constantly bombarding us via news, images, social media, shops, restaurants, bars, having million of options for the same product and so on. Our world has become so cluttered that when we come home we just want to wind down, and it’s important to have the right environment to do that.
Take a place like spas for example, why do we feel so calm when we go to a spa; apart from the obvious fact that a masseur rubs our body with oils and unties knots in our muscles, It is the environment and the settings of the place; clean, tidy, bright, uncluttered room, just a bed and some candles. Maybe a plant.
I used to have a lot of everything; clothes, shoes, knick knacks, jewelry and other accessories, enough kitchenware for twenty people! My minimalism process started rather organically as I moved abroad twice and couldn’t be bothered packing everything or pay for extra luggage. And to be honest, I didn’t feel like I missed anything. It felt good to have just what I need and it just became a lifestyle, from the number of clothes and accessories to the way I decorated my apartment and having only the things I really needed.
For me, the interior design was the result of my new lifestyle but you really just need to start with one part in your life and it will turn into a lifestyle. Decluttering is the first step! This step is pretty self explanatory and yet is the hardest step.
Let’s simplify it:
Eliminate knick knacks
You can have a couple of things on display for decor or sentimental reasons but that’s it. The more clear surfaces you”ll have, the better you’ll feel. I have one big Interior Design book that I keep out on display but the rest of the books are behind closed doors. I also have a clear vase that I put couple of green leaves in, a candle and a wooden box with our wedding photos. If you do have a lot of stuff around and can’t hide it anywhere, color-coding arrangement will be a great solution. It will look more organized and easy on the eyes.
Doors and Drawers
I like furniture with drawers and doors so I can’t see what’s inside, even though I keep it tidy inside as well. The point is that nothing that shouldn’t be on display is being seen at all time. Out of sight!
Multifunctional furniture
Instead of having two items, why not have one that functions as two? It’s a great space saving but it’s also less things for our eyes to register when standing in the room. And in my own opinion, it’s super awesome! A little cube that turns into 5 chairs?? A mirror that turns into a dining table?? Not to talk about all the storage some furniture features. You can tell I’m a big fan.
The Plus Two Rule
The fact that you have enough space for twenty plates in your kitchen doesn't justify having twenty plates if the number of household is one to two. The number of kitchenware should be the number of household plus two. I live with my husband and we have four plates, four bowls, four cups and so on. So far we only had one or two guests at the same time so we had just the right amount of dishes for everyone. If you are “the host” in the group, you can have more but for the rest of us that are not “the host” in the group can handle with plus two. For that once in a full moon that you host for a big group, you can buy party disposable dishes - even better, no need to clean the dishes.
Clear Surfaces
Sometimes all you need is one piece of art on your wall to make a statement in the room. Sometimes a wall with a unique texture or a different color is enough as is. Don’t be afraid to leave your walls clear nor your floors. Area rugs are great but you don’t need a rug on every inch of your floor, specially if you have wooden flooring or beautiful tiles.
Minimalism is more than a design style. It’s a way of living. The minimalists will have things that only add value to their life. They will have very little of Material possessions. They will rather live in a small space that has the right amount of space they need than a big space.
I can say from my own experience that the minimalist lifestyle had a great change on life for better. My consuming habits are much more reasonable and thoughtful, I am organized and tidier than i’ve ever been and I’m much more relaxed.
Give it a try :)
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