Timeless Minimalism

Minimalism and maximalism are opposite ends of a spectrum, with most of us falling closer to one end than the other. 

Whilst some of us feel comfortable with lots of objects and accessories on surfaces and on the walls, and layers of bold colour, pattern and texture, others can find this a bit oppressive and maybe overwhelming. 

Minimalism is the practice of living with only the key essentials. It's about choosing to not own items you don't need and keeping only the things that are important to you. It can feel comforting to be able to have control over our ‘stuff’ and turn our home into a serene retreat from the world at large. 

Surfaces should be generally reflective or sleek, think gloss lacquer or mirrored. Don’t go for this absolutely everywhere, or it could feel too sterile. Bring in soft wood tones and neutral carpets for a more homely touch. Minimalism is seen generally as a contemporary, modern look, so opt for blonde woods, or small doses of walnut, teamed with chrome and steel for example in table or chair legs. You can certainly use wallpaper in a minimalist home, but you’ll achieve the best effect with a soft metallic sheen, or subtle small-scale pattern, rather than a more lively colourful design. 

Your colour palette will be limited, so either neutrals with small pops of a colour, or neutral and black, for punctuation. Texture is the way to add interest and depth to your scheme. Introduce textured pieces in small doses, for example a shaggy rug on a tiled or wood floor, linen or faux fur cushions on your sofa. You can certainly use colour, but avoid strong contrasts or fussy patterns. 

Storage is key, as minimalism requires simplicity and order. If you have a lot of books for example, think about having some on display, and some hidden. Play with the layout of your books, with spines arranged together by colour, and leaving plenty of ‘white space’ for small decorative items. The things you don’t actively want to display should be concealed behind sliding doors, for example in a sideboard, or media wall. 

Curate your displays, everything you have on show has to add something and make sense.
Create harmony in a small scale collection of items, for example different glass vases or
vessels or ceramics.

Furniture styles will be very contemporary, think Natuzzi or SITS for sofas and chairs, Calligaris for storage, dining tables and chairs and Stressless for ultimate comfort for reclining chairs and sofas. Avoid overstuffed chairs and sofas and look for neat modular styles with fixed covers and a low-slung shape.