Minimalist decor involves clean, sleek lines, without frills, and is designed on the principles of ‘less is more’. It’s quite a contrast to the traditional Indian style of creating the interiors, where the focus is on colours, embellishments and opulence. Minimalist decor is rather stark, in comparison, and can be perceived as lacking warm vibes. However, when done right, the minimalist living room is visually appealing—it is simple in design, and the uncluttered, open spaces enhance and add to the appeal of the home.
Minimalist Declutter Ideas For Your Home
Let’s walk you through some exciting design aspects that can be incorporated while planning a minimalist living room interior.
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Choose the right furniture
Minimalist furniture is practical and useful with flat, clean lines and smooth, strong surfaces that create bold statements. Each piece of furniture seamlessly blends into the rest while maintaining its identity and accentuating its purpose.
There is no room for large pieces of furniture in this design theme. Opt for contemporary furniture pieces that are sleek and functional instead of choosing large, ornate units that take up space and are difficult to clean. Also, keep the furniture down to only what is required and avoid unnecessary accessories. The appeal lies in the bare look. A centre table with just a glass bowl with fresh flowers or a stack of coffee table books is all that you would need to adorn the place. Remember not too much clutter.
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Strip the room
Keep the walls and the floors naked. Do away with wall-to-wall carpeting, instead invest in a dhurrie or rug. And avoid too many paintings and decor pieces on the walls. You may worry that this would make your living room appear plain and austere, but that is not so. The smart way of going about it is to use congruous displays to create a focal point that makes the room look stylish. A couple of coffee tables with lamps, for instance, could be all that the place needs, for that touch of chic elegance. This simple trick works because with the right placement of furniture; you can produce a natural, pronounced sense of symmetry, which distracts from the simple look.
If you prefer your living room to look bigger and make a bold statement, then try geometric patterns on a wall. The accent creates dramatic effects. Keep it bold yet simple. Consider wave patterns or just broad stripes or maybe a chequered wall. Textured surfaces also enhance the look, as does a wood-panelled accent wall.
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Create wall niches
Display curios in wall niches, if you must. Rectangular slots in the wall with spotlights concealed within the cavity add a modern and classy touch to the interiors. It also keeps the room clutter-free. Consult your living room interior designer for finding more options in wall niches that you can make use of.
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Choose the right colour schemes
Minimalistic living rooms are generally white, but that’s not a rule. You can indulge in colours, but keep the tones earthy and neutral—shades of beiges, browns and greys and even black. Use these colours as accent features.
However, if these colour tones don’t appeal to your sensibilities, then you could always introduce colour to your room, but keep it subtle. Use colour in your soft furnishings, but avoid going over the top. Bright, sparkly colours should be given a miss, instead use colours that complement the earthy shades. For instance, brown, dark beige, rust and burnished red cushions can add a pop of colour and offset a sandy beige sofa.
You can always accommodate a vibrant look if you so desire, but choose the colour palette keeping aesthetics in mind. A white room with aqua colour pops would give it a refreshingly calm appeal.
Another option is to have the walls painted in saturated neutrals or darker shades and introduce colour through soft furnishings and table lamps perhaps. Maintain the same colour scheme to create a visually soothing ambience. You just want a hint of colour; you don’t want too many colours in a minimalist interior, be mindful of that.
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How to accessorise
We mentioned keeping the walls bare, but you can dress up the walls with select items. A large, horizontal mirror facing the garden can reflect the vegetation outside into your living room. Alternatively, use a painting as a focal point to give the room a new dimension or create a wall collage of a group of black and white photographs, either portraits or landscapes—they go nicely with this theme.
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Invest in natural plants
Plants perk up the interiors like nothing else. They add a touch of greenery and freshness and look fantastic indoors. The Ficus Elastica and the Fiddle Leaf Fig plants are quite a rage these days, and it seems they were created for minimalist interiors for the living room, as they add a touch of drama to the living room space and bring it alive. If big, tree-like indoor plants aren’t your interest then there are other choices that you could consider—monstera, philodendron, ZZ or the humble pothos. You could never go wrong with plants.
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Embrace texture
We mentioned textured walls; they have a rich appeal, but introducing textures in furnishings is another great way of breaking the monotony. While you might prefer blinds over drapes, as they are low maintenance, we suggest textured throws, rugs and cushions. A plain couch with textured accessories gives the room a luxurious look and brings depth into the setting.
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Couch it right
An L-shaped couch will blend perfectly into a minimalist living room. Add it to your space—its stylish, clean lines and no-fuss feel will make it a statement piece.
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Let there be light
Lighting is crucial, especially in a minimalist home. Allow natural light to filter in and wield magic. Natural light brightens up space, and the shadows that are cast create depth. Light and shadow give form and definition to the interiors and make it look beautiful.
Lighting after sunset is essential too. The right light will accentuate and set the mood. Choose light fixtures with care. Floor lamps and table lamps come in a variety of styles and are an excellent addition to the home.
Recessed light fixtures can highlight a false ceiling. Alternatively, use cove lights to illuminate the ceiling and adjacent walls. Use pendant lights in a small room and a chandelier if yours is a large living room.
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Build a modern room
Add a touch of sophisticated elegance to a modern minimalist living room with a flat-screen television or a home theatre system. These modern electronic gadgets sync well with the minimalist setting.
Still confused about doing minimalistic decor for you home, you need expert help. Contact Lemon Interior Designers, the expert home interior designers to build your home in a minimalistic and budget-friendly way.
