How to Inject Some Warmth Into a Minimalist Interior
Try these subtle ways to style up pared-back living spaces
Decluttering is all the rage at the moment, and for good reason: a visually simple, ordered space is soothing, especially for those of us who have busy lives. But it’s possible to have a pared-back home without it being austere – minimalism-lite, if you like. Adding a little colour here or a touch of texture there can breathe life into a minimal space, so you can have the best of both worlds – a calm home with a warm heart. Check out these ideas for inspiration.
Juxtapose old and new
Think minimalist living, and a white box will most likely come to mind, with very few furnishings or design details. But this kitchen is a wonderful example of how it’s possible to let the original features shine and add warmth while still maintaining a crisp, clean aesthetic.
If you’re in a newer build rather than a period property, maybe think about introducing some Victorian-style elements to add a little texture to the room. Try decorative skirting boards and architraves, or build up to investing in plaster mouldings or even beautiful ornate glazing, as here.
Think minimalist living, and a white box will most likely come to mind, with very few furnishings or design details. But this kitchen is a wonderful example of how it’s possible to let the original features shine and add warmth while still maintaining a crisp, clean aesthetic.
If you’re in a newer build rather than a period property, maybe think about introducing some Victorian-style elements to add a little texture to the room. Try decorative skirting boards and architraves, or build up to investing in plaster mouldings or even beautiful ornate glazing, as here.
Add a statement piece
An easy way to venture into creating more interest in your home is to invest in a statement lamp, artwork or decorative accessory, such as a mirror, to grab the spotlight in your room. Just one item can make all the difference, such as this cool cluster of pendant lights in a dining room, alongside a subtle painting on the wall.
A beginner’s guide to creating layers of light
An easy way to venture into creating more interest in your home is to invest in a statement lamp, artwork or decorative accessory, such as a mirror, to grab the spotlight in your room. Just one item can make all the difference, such as this cool cluster of pendant lights in a dining room, alongside a subtle painting on the wall.
A beginner’s guide to creating layers of light
Style up things you love
Whether it’s reading, fashion or sports, your favourite hobbies have associated paraphernalia, so get one or two pieces up on the wall or on show somewhere you’ll use and enjoy them.
Love skateboarding? Get hold of some heavy-duty brackets and hang your board near the front door. If you like illustration, display a maquette, beautiful pencils and paintbrushes on a shelf by your best view or scribbling spot.
The geometric bookshelves shown here are in keeping with the style of the crisp space, but add just the right touch of colour and character.
Whether it’s reading, fashion or sports, your favourite hobbies have associated paraphernalia, so get one or two pieces up on the wall or on show somewhere you’ll use and enjoy them.
Love skateboarding? Get hold of some heavy-duty brackets and hang your board near the front door. If you like illustration, display a maquette, beautiful pencils and paintbrushes on a shelf by your best view or scribbling spot.
The geometric bookshelves shown here are in keeping with the style of the crisp space, but add just the right touch of colour and character.
Make a feature of tools
Inject a little warmth into a slick space by displaying functional items you use in your office, bathroom or kitchen, nicely demonstrated here by the assorted cooking utensils on a rail behind the benchtop.
In your office, it’s surprising how orderly folders, files, pens and paperclips can look lined up on shelves. If having these on display is a step too far for your minimalist space, buy (or paint) boxes in a single colour and use them to keep your paraphernalia neat but interesting.
In your bathroom, beautifully packaged toiletries can be artfully arranged (while the dingier, more bog-standard stuff can still be hidden away).
Inject a little warmth into a slick space by displaying functional items you use in your office, bathroom or kitchen, nicely demonstrated here by the assorted cooking utensils on a rail behind the benchtop.
In your office, it’s surprising how orderly folders, files, pens and paperclips can look lined up on shelves. If having these on display is a step too far for your minimalist space, buy (or paint) boxes in a single colour and use them to keep your paraphernalia neat but interesting.
In your bathroom, beautifully packaged toiletries can be artfully arranged (while the dingier, more bog-standard stuff can still be hidden away).
Adorn with a little art
The first thing you can do to feel at home when you move house is get some art on the walls. A clean white space lends itself perfectly to a gallery, so put up some favourite pieces.
You can keep it simple with line drawings and black and white photos, and choosing similar frames for each piece, like these slim black ones, helps prevent visual overload.
The first thing you can do to feel at home when you move house is get some art on the walls. A clean white space lends itself perfectly to a gallery, so put up some favourite pieces.
You can keep it simple with line drawings and black and white photos, and choosing similar frames for each piece, like these slim black ones, helps prevent visual overload.
Introduce a plant or two
Give a room life by bringing in some greenery. It’s amazing how much of a difference, how much warmer and friendlier, a space can look when you add plants or flowers.
If you’re not good at keeping things alive, go for cacti and succulents, potted in grit or sand and soil for plenty of aeration. Try a few potted herbs in the kitchen, and a bunch of fresh blooms on your sideboard or coffee table.
Find lots more green inspiration
Give a room life by bringing in some greenery. It’s amazing how much of a difference, how much warmer and friendlier, a space can look when you add plants or flowers.
If you’re not good at keeping things alive, go for cacti and succulents, potted in grit or sand and soil for plenty of aeration. Try a few potted herbs in the kitchen, and a bunch of fresh blooms on your sideboard or coffee table.
Find lots more green inspiration
Take on a bit of texture
Here’s a good example of a few added details that help this simple monochrome kitchen soften up a bit. The copper sheen of a row of pendant lights well placed above the worktop, slightly battered wooden chairs and a couple of plants add tactile touches that create a more inviting feel.
Here’s a good example of a few added details that help this simple monochrome kitchen soften up a bit. The copper sheen of a row of pendant lights well placed above the worktop, slightly battered wooden chairs and a couple of plants add tactile touches that create a more inviting feel.
Bring in a bright accent
Feeling brave? Introduce a bold accent colour. Choose one shade only and add it in one or two solid blocks rather than bitty pieces dotted around to maintain a crisp look. A sunny yellow like this can’t fail to raise a smile and will help your pristine place feel more lived in.
Feeling brave? Introduce a bold accent colour. Choose one shade only and add it in one or two solid blocks rather than bitty pieces dotted around to maintain a crisp look. A sunny yellow like this can’t fail to raise a smile and will help your pristine place feel more lived in.
Welcome warmth
If you still aren’t convinced that a little more is more, probably the easiest way to create a homely vibe is through moveable rugs, cushions and blankets. This room shows how tiny a textile touch you need to add depth to a crisp white backdrop.
TELL US
How have you added personality to pared-back rooms? Let us know in the Comments below.
MORE
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If you still aren’t convinced that a little more is more, probably the easiest way to create a homely vibe is through moveable rugs, cushions and blankets. This room shows how tiny a textile touch you need to add depth to a crisp white backdrop.
TELL US
How have you added personality to pared-back rooms? Let us know in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Ways to Keep Your Home Clutter-Free Yet Full of Character
Houzz Tour: Playful Scandinavian Design in a 4-Room HDB Flat
Japanese Houzz: Living Simply in a Minimalist Family ‘Nest’
You can keep your surfaces fairly clear in the kitchen while still adding colour and personality by having worktop workhorses – a quality coffee machine, KitchenAid, vintage scales or beautiful ceramics – out on display.
Balance this by hiding unsightly counter clutter, such as a standard toaster, in a cupboard when not in use, and having your microwave built into a wall unit.
How to create a focal point in your kitchen