How to adopt minimalist style in interior design?

Minimalism in interior design: a guide to adopting this minimalist style at home 

More and more of us are choosing minimalism in interior decoration. This refined style emphasises the simplicity and functionality of furniture and decorative objects in the home. 

Before giving you some tips for adopting this ultra-trendy look, we will present the principles of minimalism and see how to choose versatile furniture and designer decorative objects that help create a modern ambience in all the rooms of the house.

Understanding the principles of minimalism

Minimalism is a state of mind or even a way of life that aims to prioritise quality over quantity. In terms of interior decoration, this style translates into uncluttered rooms where each element has a reason to exist and adds value to the overall design. Clean lines, the absence of frills or unnecessary decorative objects, quality materials and a restrained colour palette are all elements that characterise minimalism.

Origins and philosophy of this decorative trend

Minimalism draws its inspiration from Japanese philosophy and particularly from Zen aesthetics which values sobriety and simplicity as a source of inner peace. This approach took shape in the mid-20th century, when Art Deco artists and designers began to question traditional ornamental styles and emphasised sobriety and functionalism in decoration.

Why choose simple designs in decoration?

The minimalist style chooses to return to essentials and prioritise functionality over appearances. Simple designs are therefore a reflection of this search for authenticity and efficiency. Refined forms highlight the beauty and natural colours of materials used in creating furniture and interior decorating accessories. The home becomes a place of serenity, a space where each fitting is functional and designer.

Minimalist aesthetics in interior decoration

The minimalist style in decoration seeks to create harmonious spaces, a pleasant living environment imbued with serenity. To achieve this, several essential principles must be respected:

• Simplicity: achieved through refined furniture, without unnecessary frills, in simple geometric shapes;
• Functionality: each element must have a real use, the aim is not to clutter the living room with superfluous fittings or furniture; leave free space
• Clean lines: furniture and fittings feature aesthetically pleasing lines that are very fluid and uncluttered;
• The colour palette: to preserve the visual coherence of the whole, it is advisable to limit the chromatic range and favour neutral and soft tones; colours with natural or pastel shades (beige, grey, white, etc.) dominate. A small accessory (midnight blue cushion, checked tablecloth or modern lamp in dark wood) in bright colours will create decorative contrast;
• Brightness: Let the light in, the source of life in the home! Clarity amplifies the sense of space and enhances materials and colours. With large windows or patio doors opening onto the outside garden, if possible left bare, you benefit from a zen ambience enhanced by a few green plants inside the living room or, conversely, the industrial and stark style created by the aluminium or wooden window frame on the white wall.
• Materials: quality natural materials such as raw wood or marble or even polished concrete can be combined with industrial materials such as chrome steel, bronze or gilded brass to create a modern décor.
• Space balance: well-balanced full and empty spaces, which allow the eye to breathe.

Tips for minimalist furnishing

To easily adopt the minimalist style in your interior, here are some useful tips to put into practice.

Choose versatile furniture

To save space, opt for furniture that can serve multiple purposes. For example, a living room sofa bed will advantageously replace a spare bed in the bedroom, or a modular wooden table can adapt to the number of guests, avoiding taking up too much space in the dining room. In this way, you rationalise space whilst maintaining great flexibility.

Favour clean lines 

The minimalist style loves flat and smooth surfaces. A low dining room unit with pure geometric lines, without visible handles on the white lacquered finish surface, gives a sense of purity. 

A natural wood bathroom unit with clean lines featuring a central basin in white or black marble fits perfectly into the minimalist trend.

modern bathroom with a refined style combining wood and marble

Furniture and accessories must offer functionality and design. The simplicity of forms, the quality of materials and the sobriety of colours are the pillars of the refined style.

Follow the rule of "less is more" for modern décor

This motto, well known to minimalists, should be your credo when choosing the objects that will make up your interior space. Learn to part with unnecessary objects and only buy what is necessary and durable.

The aim is to declutter the rooms in the home: in the kitchen with white lacquered units, the large monochrome worktop accommodates a few rare chrome steel electrical appliances (coffee machine, modern food processor, etc.) or a colourful vase placed on the glass table in the living room will accentuate the refined look whilst bringing the home to life.

Wall decoration is harmoniously balanced: a large mirror with a dark frame on pastel-toned wallpaper, a modern painting on a white wall are sufficient...

Light colours such as white with discreet neutrals, pale greys and pastels are colours intimately linked to the minimalist style. The combination of black and white also creates a refined ambience.

It simply involves reducing home decoration to the bare minimum whilst focusing on the design and style of furniture, decorative accessories and practical equipment!

The refined style focuses on essential elements: light, form and natural materials, usually in an open plan, to create a sense of space and relaxation. Forget trinkets and excessive decoration. 

Decorative accessory ideas to enhance your interior décor

The minimalist style is refined but not completely devoid of decorative objects! 

Here are some decorative accessories that boost the refined ambience of the home: 

• Lighting: a designer lamp on the bedside table with sober lines, a designer pendant light in the contemporary kitchen or a modern floor lamp in the corner of the dining room to complement natural light;
• Textiles: a few brightly coloured cushions to contrast with the beige or light grey of the living room sofa; velvet curtains with printed patterns (or stripes if preferred) to contrast with the white walls of the bedroom;
• White candles on the glass coffee table
• A planter of green plants or a colourful vase on the glass shelf in the modern kitchen creates a contrast with the immaculate whiteness of the room;
• Wall decoration: a mirror outlined in gilded brass, a modern painting, a section of wall in coloured wallpaper will contrast with the whiteness of the space.

A few decorative accessories are enough to bring warmth and life to the room without overloading the decoration.

Details that add style: Minimalist door handles and knobs

The minimalist style often lies in the details. To perfect your refined decoration, consider decorating the doors of your living spaces and furniture with designer handles. Here are some ideas to enhance your décor.

A discreet door handle  

Opt for discreet interior handles and knobs that correspond to the minimalist style you're seeking. A wide choice is available to you.

A fine and discreet furniture handle reinforces the clean lines of kitchen units. Profiled handles without visible fixings, discreet and contemporary, are particularly suited to this refined style. Their ultra-modern look contributes to the home's décor.

Your choice can focus on integrated handles: invisible on the surface, they are concealed within the furniture structure itself and only appear once the door or drawer is opened. You can also use Push&Pull systems that allow you to open and close drawers and cupboards without requiring visible handles.

A handle with refined design

A door handle is a practical accessory, essential to everyday life but also highly decorative. Certain models of door handles and knobs, with a very modern style, become decorative objects in their own right!  

Artistically cut-out handles revealing empty space clearly display the codes of the refined style. Ideal for living room doors, this futuristic design handle brings modernity and ease of use.

Models of brushed metal handles: sober and modern, this original handle adds a contemporary touch to living room, kitchen and even bathroom doors. The chrome finish adds to the zen ambience of the home.

Natural or painted wooden handles or knobs: perfect for adding a warm and organic touch to your decoration, wood is the zen material par excellence.

Minimalist ceramic door knobs: elegant and designer, they can be plain or coloured to add a small decorative touch to your doors and windows.

Modern door hardware offers increasingly decorative functional fittings. Certain models of door handles or furniture knobs are ambassadors of the refined style. You can also extend the decoration to designer window handles to decorate the sliding door of your patio door opening onto the garden. 

Minimalism in interior decoration is based on simple principles that invite serenity, well-being and better organisation of interior space. It's a true way of life! Simple lines, quality materials, understated colours and the ultra-modern design of furniture and accessories create a modern ambience in the home. Adopting this refined style will allow you to create a sober, peaceful and cosy environment in which it's good to live. How can you not fall for this ultra-trendy style?

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