Minimalist Style: Definition and Concept

Have you always dreamed of having a stylish, elegant and sophisticated interior? Then the minimalist style will be perfect for your home.

Combining simplicity and elegance, it perfectly reflects the image of refinement and modernity so coveted in today's contemporary world. Today, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about this decorating style.

At Lofty Trend , we support each of our readers in their quest for a change of decor and/or layout in terms of interior design and real estate. That's why today we're dedicating this article to the minimalist style. You'll discover:

• The meaning of minimalist style
• Characteristics of minimalist style
• The essential elements that make up the minimalist style

By the end of this article, you will have become familiar with the world of minimalism. So, let's get started without further ado...

I) Minimalist style: what is it?

In interior design, several styles can be distinguished: modern, rustic, retro, contemporary, etc. Minimalism is mainly associated with contemporary decor, although it can also be found in other styles.

As its name suggests, minimalist style is a decor that focuses solely on the essentials. It's inspired by the principle "Less is more." It therefore eschews all flashy and bulky accessories, concentrating only on the bare minimum. In other words, it's a simple, uncluttered decor with few embellishments.

Going back to its origins, the minimalist style emerged in the 1960s. During this period, society was facing excessive consumption, especially in interior design. People bought everything they could find at the market and incorporated it into their homes, creating a kind of clutter within the rooms themselves. To remedy this, it was necessary to declutter, and that's where the concept of minimalism appeared.

II) The minimalist style: how is it characterized?

Five main characteristics of minimalist style are distinguished: simplicity, functionality, elegance, cleanliness, and modernity.

1. Simplicity

While bohemian or industrial styles often involve combining a multitude of decorative objects and accessories, this isn't the case with minimalist style. Minimalist style prioritizes simplicity, and this should be reflected in its decorative elements. In this style, the focus is on the bare minimum , meaning only essential furniture and accessories are included in a room. For example, in a bedroom, the principle is to add only a bed, two bedside tables, a desk, an armchair, and some storage. Some even prefer to place the storage in a separate room to maximize space.

Similarly, keep decorative accessories as simple as possible. A few paintings, mirrors, textiles, and light fixtures are enough to decorate the room. You don't need to overdo it with decorative objects.

2. Functionality

As mentioned earlier, the minimalist style emphasizes the bare minimum. Therefore, it's essential to avoid cluttering your interior with unnecessary items. If possible, avoid placing two items with the same function in a single room, unless it's for a practical reason. For example, in the living room, you don't need two sofas. One medium-sized sofa will suffice. In short, try to stick to the essentials : ask yourself if you truly need each item when furnishing your space.

3. Elegance

It's often said that "simple is elegant!" This is absolutely true, because in minimalist style, the emphasis is on the chic and class of each element. If you want to adopt this style, you should therefore focus more on quality than quantity. Furniture must be made from solid, well-finished materials (neglect is not tolerated in this style) , and decorative items should also be sophisticated and luxurious.

4. Cleanliness

Cleanliness is certainly an important criterion in any type of decor. However, it is highly required, even essential, in a minimalist style . When we talk about cleanliness, it doesn't just refer to cleaning and sanitizing rooms. It also implies better organization and improved ventilation.

On the one hand, the arrangement of each piece of furniture and decorative accessory must follow a strict rule. These items must be placed harmoniously to minimize clutter and create more space . To arrange them effectively, numerous criteria must be considered, including the room's dimensions and layout, the size of each piece of furniture, the various angles that define the corners of each room, and so on.

On the other hand, a minimalist house is one that prioritizes airiness and natural light. If you want to adopt this style, you should therefore incorporate numerous openings, such as large windows. This will not only illuminate the room but also allow for air circulation. The house should also be spacious to facilitate movement.

5. Modernity

As it reflects contemporary style, a minimalist home must therefore be modern and urban . Vintage furniture and decorative objects are out. Instead, the latest trends are in vogue. The same applies to the materials used.

III) The minimalist style: what are the elements that compose it?

To achieve a minimalist decor , there are certain elements you absolutely must incorporate into your interior. These include graphic furniture, high-quality finishes and materials, understated and clean colors, simple yet elegant decorative elements, and optimal lighting; LEDs are an excellent option.

1. Graphic furniture

As it represents contemporary style, minimalism often reflects the image of futuristic and innovative decor. If you want to adopt this style, you should avoid furniture with many ornaments or complex details (sculptures, stickers, etc.) . Instead, stick to simplicity and understated elegance .

The furniture in a minimalist home must also be functional and practical. Just like in contemporary decor, it should incorporate the latest innovations and technologies. And if possible, opt for furniture that can serve multiple functions simultaneously (for example: a sofa bed, a storage bed, etc.) . Not only does this free up more space, but it's also very economical.

Finally, it's important that your furniture provides comfort and ease . Sofas, beds, and chairs should therefore be comfortable and sturdy enough to withstand all kinds of impacts.

2. Chic and modern floor coverings

In a minimalist house, the preferred floor coverings are tiles, laminate flooring and polished concrete.

A. The tiles

Tile has always been one of the most popular flooring options. It's refined, practical, and very durable. It also comes in a variety of shapes and patterns, ensuring there's something to suit every taste.

In minimalist decor , simple tiles are best—that is, plain and regular ones. Avoid patterned tiles. Similarly, opt for tiles with a smooth surface, unless it's a room with high humidity, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Finally, for color, stick to neutral tones like gray and black, or more understated shades like white or beige.

B. Laminate flooring

You can also choose laminate flooring for your minimalist interior. It's a resin-based floor covering made of HDF or MDF panels and a decorative layer. It's often called "parquet" because it closely resembles the look of hardwood flooring.

Why choose laminate flooring? It's a material with a modern and refined design . It also offers good thermal insulation and is more affordable compared to hardwood or tile flooring. However, it should not be installed in bathrooms, as it is not water-resistant.

How to choose your laminate flooring? To achieve a minimalist style home, you should favour laminate flooring in grey or brown colours (wood effect), arranged in planks.

C. Polished concrete

Polished concrete has gained popularity in recent years. In fact, it's highly recommended for minimalist decor, as it optimizes lighting and gives a room a chic look . As a reminder, polished concrete is a finish obtained by polishing a concrete surface. The aim is to highlight the aggregates that make up the concrete. To enhance its appearance, it can be smoothed with resin or stained.

3. High-quality materials

As for materials, the best suited to a minimalist house are: treated wood, metals, glass and artificial materials.

A. Treated wood

Wood is a robust, chic, and durable material. It would therefore be natural to incorporate it into minimalist decor. But using it in its natural state is out of the question. It must first be treated and polished for a more modern effect. You can even opt for engineered wood such as melamine or MDF for a more refined design.

B. Metals

Certain metals, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and steel, are highly valued in minimalist decor. These materials, with their inherently chromatic colors, reflect refinement and chic. They are also functional, as they can adapt to any style of decor . And like wood, they are durable and strong.

C. The glass

Glass is a luxurious and refined material , which is why it's a great choice for minimalist decor. You can use it for your furniture (glass tables, etc.) , for your decorative items (mirrors, vases, etc.) , for your windows and doors (bay windows) , and even as a material for your stair railings or partitions.

D. Artificial materials

Certain artificial materials like vinyl, PVC, or acrylic shouldn't be ruled out in minimalist decor either. They can be just as stylish and sophisticated as natural materials, yet they're more affordable.

4. Subtle and clean colors

Colors have a major impact on the overall look of a home's decor, so they shouldn't be overlooked. In a minimalist style , the colors used should be neutral, understated, and soft. White is the most popular choice, but you can also opt for other shades like gray, chrome, or beige.

You can also play with contrast by combining dark colors with lighter colors, or even white.

5. Decorative elements

When it comes to accessories, simplicity is key. This means you should only include one or two items in each room.

For your walls, for example, one or two minimalist paintings are enough for the whole room. To complement them, you can add a mirror and/or a clock, but no more. For the bed, opt for plain, simple sheets with decorative cushions.

And above all, don't neglect the lighting . The room needs to be well-lit. Opt for LED spotlights, halogen floor lamps, or incandescent bulbs.

Now you know everything!

Thanks to this article, you've gained an understanding of the principles of minimalist style, and this world holds no more secrets for you. Now, you'll have no difficulty incorporating it into your own home.

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See you soon.

The Lofty Trend Team.