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The space around, like a mirror, reflects our inner state, but also affects it. That is why a discreet design without an overabundance of details is so popular now: in the modern frantic pace of life at home, you want to slow down, take a break from the hustle and bustle. In the article we tell you what the minimalism style is in the interior, what are its main features and how to apply the main ideas of this trend at home.

We decorate the apartment in the style of minimalism

Peculiarities
Design principles
— Palette
– Finishing
— Furniture
— Decor

Features of the style of minimalism

Minimalism is a fairly young trend in architecture and design that originated in the West in the last century as a response to the ostentatious luxury of the middle class. Conciseness, moderation, visual simplicity were opposed to an excess of things and an inappropriately pretentious lifestyle. It was these features that later became the main postulates of the style, which gradually gained popularity all over the world, organically combined with the ideas of conscious consumption, slow living and self-care.

Minimalism does not have one specific «face» — it is not a set of visual rules, but primarily a philosophy of life. And it needs to be separated so that you feel truly comfortable in a laconic (and sometimes even ascetic) interior.

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Style rules:

• Free space. Space, light, air are very important — because of this, the popular opinion is that a minimalist interior can only be in large expensive apartments with panoramic windows without curtains. In fact, this is not so: you can create a feeling of spaciousness in a small area, using various visual techniques for this. An open layout with proper zoning will also help (without blind partitions and massive structures). A light palette, the absence of bulky furniture and an overabundance of decor will do their job even in a typical apartment.
• Naturalness. Although minimalist interiors can look completely different, they are united by the use of natural materials and colors. This is a guarantee of comfort in the absence of a large number of things in the house. Eco-friendly finishes and furniture will enhance the quality of life, while pleasant natural shades will help you relax and rejuvenate. But cheap plastic, acid colors, an abundance of gloss in a minimalist house is definitely not the place. The same goes for forms: all lines should be simple and clear.
• Refusal of excess. Minimalism does not accept clutter, and many are intimidated by the need to get rid of their favorite things. But it is not necessary to do so. It is enough to honestly answer yourself what you really need and what you should say goodbye to. In addition, regularly declutter and move from quantity to quality. Choose durable furniture, multifunctional appliances and a few but unique decor.
• Expressed textures. Minimalistic does not mean boring — the lack of bright colors or a lot of decorations in this style compensates for the use of pronounced textures. Different types of wood, metal and glass, stone, concrete, embossed plaster, soft wool, dense linen — the more different tactile and visual sensations there are in the interior, the more voluminous it will turn out.
• Smart storage systems. The main thing in minimalism is the absence of visual noise. Since in real life it is impossible to get rid of all things, leaving only a couple of paintings on the shelves, and several identical bottles in the bathroom, a well-thought-out storage system will solve the problem. And this is not about a specific closet or shelving, but about organizing order throughout the house as a whole. This style is characterized by all kinds of built-in structures, especially modular ones. Most of the storage systems should be closed — this helps a lot in everyday life, and also simplifies cleaning.

Design principles

Consider how to design any room in a minimalist style step by step.

Palette

The color scheme supports the general desire for restraint and simplicity. At the heart are neutral basic tones: white, gray, brown, beige, black. They are well combined with each other, as well as with other colors, so it is almost impossible to make a mistake with such a palette. The main thing is to observe a single color temperature and avoid monotony: use different shades of the same color or reveal the same tone on different textures.

Most often, light colors are taken as the basis: they make the space visually larger, add light and air, and help to relax. If the area of ​​​​the room and the height of the ceilings allow, you can choose a dark palette — in this case, use deep natural shades of brown, gray, black, blue.

You can use bright color accents — for example, in medium-sized furniture or decor. Also choose natural shades that do not hurt the eyes: emerald, wine, terracotta, chocolate, eggplant, indigo.

Finishing

For this direction, visual unity is important, so the decoration in all rooms should be in the same style.

This does not mean that you need to choose a specific shade of paint and paint all the walls in it, from the hallway to the nursery. It is enough to adhere to the chosen concept: the finish can overlap in colors or textures, repeat somewhere, and somewhere complement each other.

Materials must be durable and environmentally friendly. The philosophy of conscious consumption does not accept the “quick and cheap” approach — it is better to allocate a budget for good repairs so that you do not have to update the damaged finish soon. If possible, give preference to natural materials: solid wood, stone, natural fabrics. You can use quality alternatives (such as MDF) as well as recycled materials. For wet areas, ceramic tiles, quartz vinyl, porcelain stoneware, waterproof paint, glass wall paper are suitable — the latter are not only not afraid of moisture, but are also good for their anti-vandal properties.

The direction implies a minimum of decor, so that the walls do not seem empty, you can use textured finishes: for example, wall panels or decorative plaster. Less commonly used wallpaper — they should not be too colorful. It is best to choose a solid color coating or with a small non-contrasting pattern that is almost invisible. The floor with the ceiling, as a rule, is designed as simply as possible.

Furniture and appliances

Furniture should be practical, with a laconic design. Each item in the room solves some problem, in no case takes up space just like that.

Do not try to fill all the free space. Post only what you need. Try to keep within the minimum «gentleman’s set»:

• Kitchen — suite and dining area.
• Living room — soft group (pay special attention to modular sofas!), TV area, storage system.
• Bedroom — comfortable bed, wardrobe, bedside tables or shelves.
• Children’s room — a sleeping place, a study area, a small play area.
• Hallway — storage system, hanger, mirror.
• Bathroom — plumbing, cabinet or storage cabinet.

The final set of furniture depends on the capabilities of the apartment and the lifestyle of the residents: someone will need a workplace (sometimes even more than one), a corner for reading, doing hobbies or applying makeup. In a small apartment, one cannot do without multifunctional models: poufs, tables, sofa beds, etc.

From a design point of view, everything should be simple — no redundant decorative elements and unnatural ornate forms. Depending on your preferences, you can bet on straight lines and angles, or vice versa, on smooth and soft rounded silhouettes. Furniture can be in the same colors as the finish (especially if you have a monochrome interior), or brighter. The smaller the accent object, the richer its color can be. In any case, choose natural deep shades: terracotta instead of orange, cobalt instead of bright blue, etc.

The technique should be as inconspicuous as possible. Built-in models are best suited, especially if they can be hidden behind facades. Use multifunctional appliances (for example, an oven and a microwave in one bottle), as well as all kinds of «smart» systems that will make life easier and help save resources.

Decor

In a minimalist interior, it is not necessary to completely abandon any decorations — there simply should not be too much of them.

Choose decor not just to fill the void on the wall or shelves, but following some idea. Each item should be unique, organically complement the overall design, add originality to the atmosphere. One author’s picture looks brighter than a series of banal posters, a soft blanket made of natural wool is better than a pile of synthetic decorative pillows.

In addition to the quality of the products themselves, it is necessary to observe the general unity of all accessories. The decor within one room (and even better — the whole apartment) should be in the same style or color scheme, convey some kind of general mood. If you are not sure that you can harmoniously arrange different items, choose jewelry from the same brand or collections with similar themes — this will help you not to make a mistake.