Minimalism Made Simple: 5 Ways to Calm Your Space
Stripping things down to the basics and ditching the superfluous can do wonders for your sanity — not to mention it looks super sophisticated and sleek. From monochromatic minimalism to laid-back luxury, the simple approach to a minimalist interior design is one of our favorites. But, similar to the no-makeup trend, it's not as simple as it looks. If you've been a longtime fan of the look but aren't sure how to get started, keep reading for five simple ways to help calm your space.
Stow Away The Clutter
Minimalism is about the lack of excessive things, trinkets and unnecessary decor objects. Think about the objects you use or especially enjoy on a regular basis.
Keep the closets full, but without sacrificing organization. For the most part, everything should have its place in a bin or a drawer which makes maintaining a clean home much easier. We all aspire to a more streamlined life, but getting rid of clutter might be a little harder than it sounds.
Find 4 boxes and label them with these 4 categories:
Make sure to work room by room, sort items into these appropriate boxes and be sure to work with one item at a time.
Control The Light
Light should be most abundant in minimalism. This is one of the most overlooked things you can do to make a minimalist room soothing and more attractive. In the morning, be sure you pull back any shades or custom window treatments to let maximum light flood the room. If your window has a less than desirable view, hang a sheer drape to allow light to pass through while still maintaining your privacy.
Your Compass Is Your Color Palette
Its been said a million times, but we’ll say it once more. Color has a big impact on your home decor. For a home that is both cohesive and calm, It’s important that you define a color palette and only consider purchases within those hues. Following this unspoken rule will not only embellish a home that flows from room-to-room and space-to-space, but also helps act as a preventative measure against impulse buys! Does that highlighter yellow couch fit in your color palette? If not, lets just move right along.
We all know color choice is highly personal. Some people love bright and bold hues, while others might prefer a more muted shade or neutral tone. Most people have a preference on what colors they like, but the difficult part is putting together a cohesive color scheme that rhymes. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Choose colors that make you happy.
- Try light, dark and bold.
- Think contrasting colors.
- Consider the size and shape of your space.
- Start in the middle.
- Consider the color affect of natural light and lighting within the room.
Always test your color palette first. Do this by gathering samples of fabric and paint options, comparing them side-by-side to ensure the result is what you're intending.
Investing Where It Matters
We prefer investing in large, quality pieces as another way of not letting your objects pile up and cause clutter.
A quality sofa that can survive a busy household pays off in the end as you won't need to replace it. It's always a good idea to keep these larger pieces neutral. This allows you to bring in more color and experiment elsewhere.
Clear Space, Clear Mind
Self-care has never been more top of mind or even been considered as important as it is today. For Alva, a minimalist home creates room for comfort and peace.
If you're keeping your home organized and utilizing neutral colors you are well on your way to achieving that minimalistic feel.
Always invest where it matters. For example, when purchasing large pieces make sure they're going to last you awhile, this will keep you from constantly buying new items. Lastly, keep your space well lit with natural light, open up your windows and let the flight flood the room.
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Feature Photo by tpw
