At some point, whether you were cleaning your closet or considering redecorating your home, you’ve probably thought about getting rid of everything and starting fresh. This thought is especially true now that people have spent so much time at home. Being constantly surrounded by clutter or unnecessary belongings has put people in the purging mindset. Enter extreme minimalism. This design style is growing in popularity and with reason. But what is it?
Here is your guide to extreme minimalism in the home:
What is Extreme Minimalism?
Extreme minimalism is about paring down our furnishings and rooms to the absolute essentials. It’s about pushing boundaries on what is genuinely needed or crucial in our lives.
An East Lyme, CT, interior decorator says, “One of the things that is so appealing about the style is also what makes achieving it so difficult. And that’s because you must rid yourself of clutter. No piles of papers, no knick-knacks; just clean surfaces, clean lines, an open floor plan, monochrome color, and functional furniture.”
While extreme minimalism follows the less is more motto, it doesn’t have to be void of personality either. Instead of piling many items together, you can focus on light, form, and beautiful materials. Visual calm and a decluttered environment can create a welcoming and relaxing space.
Five Design Elements of Extreme Minimalism
1. Furnishings
In the extreme minimalism style, furniture is pure and simple in design and function. Instead of highly patterned and ornate designs, you’ll see clean and polished multifunctional pieces. In a living room, you may find a couch with storage in the chaise or ottoman. While in the bedroom, the bedframe may feature drawers for clothes and extra sheets. It’s all about investing in high-quality furniture with dual purposes as opposed to staging a room with different accent chairs and other pieces.
2. Color Palette
Monochromatic color palettes are prominently featured in extreme minimalism. Think white, beige, and gray. These neutrals are so popular in the design style because they create airy, bright, and elegant spaces, and they come in warm and cool shades. If you’re thinking about adding color, you must subtly do it. For example, you could add green into the space by incorporating plants. With real plants, you can help improve the room’s air quality and create a calm, natural environment.
3. Lighting
Lighting is another hallmark feature of extreme minimalism. If possible, capitalize on natural lighting wherever you can. Big windows that let in a lot of sunlight do wonders for an extreme minimalist. But if your space lacks natural light, you can look for modern light fixtures, like pendant lights and floor lamps. Another lighting option is indirect backlit LED lights. These, in true minimalist style, provide lighting while staying out of sight.
4. Accents
Accents aren’t entirely done away with in extreme minimalism. On the contrary, they provide much needed contrast to the space. However, the difference is that you choose one accent piece, not several. Instead of creating a gallery wall, hang one oversized piece of artwork. In the dining room, set out one lone vase as your centerpiece instead of a complete tablescape. A desk may feature one picture frame in your office, not several. Having fewer items on display makes you more thoughtful about what you’re choosing, and therefore the pieces usually turn out more personal and meaningful.
5. Textures
Textures are a great way to add warmth to a space with limited color and furnishings. However, you’ll want to make sure you choose textures in the same color palette as the rest of the room to keep the monochromatic scheme and visual flow going. Some of the best textures for an extreme minimalist home include wool, linen, and cotton. You can use linen wallpaper to add warmth to a space or wool area rugs to soften up a room.
Embrace Extreme Minimalism in Your Home
Now that you know the features of extreme minimalism in the home, you can start incorporating these tips into your own house. Whether you want to pare down some of your décor or rid your house of clutter, an extreme minimalist style can free up your space while still having personal touches that make it unique.