Quality Over Quantity

The philosophy of minimalist interior design is to reduce the amount of items and possessions in a room to create a peaceful space. Minimalist rooms may have few pieces of furniture in them, but they’re anything but barren. A well-designed minimal environment combines a number of purposeful factors to design a harmonious and beautiful space.

Here are the 5 hallmarks of Minimalist Dutch Design

Designer Doorware kitchen thin drawer handles1: Simple Structures

Clean lines and focus on functionality are essential components of minimalist design. Minimalist furniture is simple and designed for daily use. There aren’t many extra bells and whistles that would take away from a streamlined appearance.

Minimalist design is centered around a streamlined, sleek appearance and ease of use. Solid colors are often favored over patterns for their simplicity.

2: Open Spaces

Open floor plans lend well to minimalist spaces. They appear brighter and allow for ease of movement through a space — a functional dream. Open spaces also help to bring balance to a room by creating an abundance of negative space, showcasing the furniture and materials without leaving a room feeling barren.

Any room can appear larger or smaller, depending on how the furniture is arranged. Creating more floor space can lend to a more minimalistic appearance, even if you have the same amount of furniture in the room. 

3: An Abundance of Natural Light

Designer Doorware beachy white bathtub with silver faucet and spout

Large windows let in bright natural light, which lifts the appearance of a room and makes it appear larger.

This is a key component of minimalism, which strives to open spaces to their full potential. 

Light and natural colors are also used to help a room appear lighter if a lack of windows is present.

An absence of curtains can lend to a more open, minimalist appearance — but white or bright-colored curtains are also acceptable to let in as much light as possible.

4: Combinations of Interesting Materials

When there aren’t many pieces in a room, the ones that are there matter more. The materials of the furniture, accessories, as well as the room itself, are chosen to work with each other. For example, a brick or wood accent wall can create a point of interest without bringing visual clutter into the room. 

On a simple couch, a knit blanket is a small touch that adds a focal point while being functional. A variety of textures in a space can help your environment appear less empty without adding more possessions. 

5: Coordinated Color Palette

Minimalism is often paired with monochromatic colors. Greyscale and wooden colors are often used because they don’t create too much visual stimulation to help your eyes relax and are easy to mix together. 

But minimalism can be compatible with saturated and bright colors, too. However, it’s best to stick to only a few colors that complement each other well. This helps keep your living space appear put together and harmonious.

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