When it comes to home decor of the moment, no style is more widespread than minimalism. While the experts have been predicting the end of this trend for a few seasons now, Pinterest reveals that we’re still very much caught up by this stripped back style. And, that should come as no surprise when you consider how stylish this sparse decor can look. With seemingly little effort, people can make their homes look like the trendiest hotels. All by taking away rather than adding.
Undeniably, minimalism is one of the easiest decor trends to follow. You shouldn’t need to invest in endless ornaments or decorative expenses. At the very most, you’ll need to pay for that iconic white paint. But, the decluttering process could more than cover that cost for you. By the end of the process, then, you’ll have a beautiful looking room.
But, to assume that getting minimalism right is easy would be to oversimplify the issue. While the initial effort might be less than, say, a chintzy redesign, minimalism is all about the details. Far from decorating and being done with it, this is a trend which needs constant attention. Before you jump in, then, ask yourself whether you have the following crucial skills.
The ability to keep clutter at bay
It’s no secret that minimalist living centers on your ability to declutter your home. Any room undergoing a transformation like this needs a complete clear out if you’re to make it work. But, the effort doesn’t end there. You could clear everything and soon ruin your decor attempts by letting clutter build.
Though you might not see it on your Instagram feed, plenty of people make this mistake. Be sure that you aren’t one of them by considering this ahead of time. Address any buying habits you have before making the change. Instead, rely on critical pieces which provide everything you need.
Aside from that, consider inventive storage methods such as furniture that doubles as storage as well as seating like in this storage ottoman. There are plenty of guides out there to help you with minimalist storage ideas.
In general, though, options which can slide under furniture are your best bet. Invest in boxes which fit under your sofa, or cabinets to slip under your coffee table. These may seem like simple options, but they can become a huge help.
This way, you’ll be able to put everything away neatly every time you use the space. Once you get into that habit, you can keep minimalist living on track without a second thought.
Caring for cleaning prowess
Let us not forget that much of minimalism is also about your ability to clean. This is especially important when you consider those white walls and features. Let them get grey and grubby, and you can bet the image won’t be half as impactful.
Of course, cleaning can also come in handy from a keeping clutter clear standpoint. If you’re a clean person, you’re less likely to let things build. If you don’t have a decent supply of cleaning tools already, then, it’s past time you built up a decent supply.
By turning to companies like Clean Happens, you can stock up on everything you might need in one easy place. Even better, natural options like these allow you to clean often without exposing yourself or your rooms to chemicals. That alone could increase the time you dedicate to this pursuit.
Bear in mind that you need to take care of everything from washing whites to mopping wooden floors. You may even find that you want to get handy with polish and a duster to keep that image perfect. Either way, anybody embarking on minimalist design needs to take care of this. Otherwise, your efforts will soon start to look more shabby that stylish.
Harnessing the power of house plants
Though white is often the main color when it comes to minimalism, the palette doesn’t end there. A little research should show you that the majority of people choose to add color through the use of plants.
A few pops of green can look fantastic against that otherwise stark background. You could say that this is a determining factor in how well any minimalist room works. Which is why you could soon find yourself in trouble if you neglect to take care of those houseplants.
The best chance you have of avoiding issues here is to do your research. There are plenty of easy-care options which even you should be able to keep flourishing. Lucky for you, succulents, which are also right on trend at the moment. Their natural desert habitats mean that these plants need very little care.
You may also want to turn to something like a spider plant. These hanging options would look fantastic dangling from some minimalist shelving. Again, they’re pretty difficult to damage. If even that seems a push for you, why not invest in fake plants? There are some fantastically realistic options on the market now. These could look as good as real options would, all without the worry of watering. That should be enough to keep your minimalist decor looking on-point for a long time to come.
And what about your art knowledge?
In the majority of cases, minimalists rooms include an art print or two. With all other distractions gone, these become focal points and bring a room together. That can be both a positive and a negative.
If those pictures are a focus, after all, picking the wrong prints could undo all your efforts. We aren’t saying you need to be some art curator but, you could benefit from following the art world at least a little. At the very least, look for minimalist inspiration, and buy pieces which you think look best.
As you can see, successful minimalism can be deceptively complex. If you think you have what it takes, though, this could be what your home has been waiting for.
Good luck and enjoy the new look for your home.
