Minimalist living is absolutely on trend. But did you know that this interior style is much more than a temporary fashion trend?
Minimalism is a way of life that extends across every area of life. True to the motto “Less is more”, it's about creating space for a meaningful life in which you can freely develop.
Minimalist living forms the foundation for this. After all, life is definitely too short to spend it searching for things.
Minimalist living: What's behind the concept?
Minimalism is not a modern invention, but a proven value system that was first mentioned in the 1960s.
However, the philosophy of life behind it has existed for much longer. At the beginning of the 20th century, Mies van der Rohe already inspired people with his famous quote “Less is more” and paved the way for minimalist design.
This is a central element of minimalism. Put simply, it's about focusing on what matters most. By deliberately decluttering unnecessary things and making a conscious decision in favor of what is essential, you create the basis for a minimalist apartment.
But don't worry, a minimalist interior style is not bare or lifeless. Quite the opposite! By choosing aesthetically appealing and functional furniture combined with an open room concept, an unexpected sense of lightness enters your life.
Because when you live minimally, you're not distracted by unnecessary things. At home, you can fully relax and recharge your batteries so you can shape your life according to your wishes.
Order and simplicity: The minimalist philosophies of Yamashita and Kondo
Japanese author Hideko Yamashita demonstrated the enormous impact minimalism can have on all areas of life in her bestseller DAN-SHA-RI. In it, she describes step by step the successful method of the same name for creating space for what really matters.
Interestingly, according to the expert, decluttering unnecessary possessions also affects emotional well-being. Actually, that assumption isn't so far-fetched, is it?
After all, it can be quite stressful to constantly be confronted with old baggage, even if it's just the blender you might need again one day.
But is that really true? Or do some material possessions instead keep you trapped in the past? Hideko Yamashita is convinced: The more we own, the less satisfied we are.
That's why her decluttering philosophy is mainly about one thing: DAN (things) SHA (throw away) RI (enjoy freedom).
Japanese organizing expert Marie Kondo is also a true expert in minimalist living. She developed a method called KonMari to make minimalism tangible. KonMari consists of three elements, which we'd now like to introduce in more detail:
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Less is more
When tidying and decluttering, we're used to working our way from room to room. But the KonMari method completely turns this system on its head. You start by gathering all (!) of the clothing in your home and piling it into one big heap. We bet that adds up to quite a lot?
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Keep nothing you don't use
Once you've recovered from the sheer size of your clothing collection, the second step follows: sorting it out. Take a close look at each item of clothing and try it on. Ask yourself: “Does this item make me happy and do I really need it?” Anything that doesn't immediately win your heart or perhaps no longer fits is rigorously removed.
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Everything has a fixed place
In the final step, you assign each item of clothing a fixed place that will always belong to it from now on. Of course, this is especially easy with an aesthetic and functional wardrobe system, which is one of the most important elements of minimalist interior design.
Expert tip: By the way, this method doesn't only work with clothing. Marie Kondo recommends this approach for all your belongings. Tidying and decluttering should always be done by category. The order also plays an important role: clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items, sentimental items.
Minimalist living: A practical guide for your home
You're probably eager to redesign your home already. We'll now show you how to furnish your apartment in a minimalist way. We'll explain what you need to pay attention to and how even the process of minimalist furnishing can become an absolute highlight. Ready?
What defines minimalist furniture?
In minimalism, furniture plays a central role. It reflects the concept of the interior style and is therefore functional, elegant and timeless.
Minimalist furniture should therefore meet certain criteria to express your lifestyle. Above all, clean lines without unnecessary embellishments are key.
They create a clear definition of the space and should ideally be made of metal and/or wood. In the bedroom, an open wardrobe has proven particularly suitable. But other wardrobe alternatives are also possible.
Only a bulky wall unit tends to look out of place in a minimalist apartment. In the living area, unusual bookcases and stylish shelving systems work particularly well.
They provide enough storage space and emphasize the open living concept that plays a central role in minimalist furnishing.
Would you like to learn more about minimalist furniture? Then take a look here.
Designing minimalist rooms: Principles and design ideas for greater clarity
Minimalist living focuses on a reduced and functional interior style that radiates clarity and freedom. Wondering what that actually looks like? Then take a look at our minimalist living ideas now.
They give you specific design ideas for your home. Whether living room, bedroom, kitchen or hallway: the possibilities for minimalist living are endless. This trend can be perfectly combined with other interior styles such as industrial style or Wabi-Sabi.
How to design a minimalist living room: Interior tips
The living room is the most important room in any home. A cozy and inviting sofa, pipe furniture and carefully selected decoration – that's all you need if you want to live minimally.
As in all other rooms, you should choose neutral colors that radiate as much calm as possible. White, beige, gray and natural shades have proven especially suitable. Interior professionals also rely exclusively on minimalist furniture in black, such as clothes rails and shelves.
You can find more specific tips in our blog post “Living Room Minimalism: How to Achieve the Style."
Designing a minimalist bedroom: Tips & ideas
You don't need much for a stylish minimalist bedroom either. A cozy bed, a bedside rug for a relaxed start to the day and a wardrobe system for your clothes.
That's all you need. If you remember the DAN-SHA-RI method, it quickly becomes clear why minimalism is particularly important in the bedroom. This is THE place for regeneration and rest.
Unnecessary distractions are especially counterproductive here. A floor with a warm wood look, relaxing wall colors and subtle curtains create a peaceful atmosphere. Black curtain rods add individual accents and complete the minimalist interior.
Other rooms: Interior ideas for your entire home
Of course, a minimalist apartment doesn't only consist of a living room and bedroom. To truly live minimally, the interior concept should naturally run through every room. We don't want to keep what that can look like from you:
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Minimalist interior design in the hallway
Even though we often neglect the hallway when furnishing our homes, it plays a central role in minimalism. After all, minimalist living goes beyond a normal interior concept and is more of an all-encompassing way of life. Order and space should therefore also be present in the entrance area.
A stylish hallway coat rack therefore forms the basis of a minimalist apartment. It gives you plenty of space and ensures that everything stays organized.
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The minimalist kitchen
The kitchen can present a real challenge when furnishing minimally. After all, you can't do without dishes and cooking utensils here. Be honest: Do you really need 5 different kitchen knives when you only have one free hand anyway? And are countless pots and bowls really necessary? If you apply the KonMari method here, you'll realize that less can indeed be more.
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The minimalist bathroom
German bathrooms are filled with countless personal care products. But are they really necessary? Especially in minimalism, inner values matter on the way to greater lightness and genuine joy. And even if you don't believe it: true beauty really does come from within. So take a closer look at all those creams and makeup products. Do you really need them?
Conclusion
It's no coincidence that minimalist living is absolutely on trend. The philosophy behind it and a minimalist interior style can definitely make a difference in the world.
And let's be honest: hasn't our old value system with its focus on consumption had its day? Does accumulating more and more possessions really make you happy, or does choosing quality over quantity correspond much more closely to your true values?
Humanity would probably benefit greatly from embracing minimalism. After all, it definitely paves the way for greater appreciation and respectful coexistence.
But instead of looking outward and getting upset about the world, we should start with ourselves. As Gandhi put it so beautifully: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
FAQ
Does minimalism have a color concept?
There is no specific color concept in minimalism. Instead, in keeping with reduction and focusing on what matters, it's about choosing subtle colors. Light and muted colors are particularly important.
What are the benefits of minimalist living?
A lot! Minimalist living reconnects you with yourself. By consciously stepping away from consumer society, you return to your own strength and freedom.
What belongs in a minimalist wardrobe?
Of course, there is no general answer to this question. There are also no fixed rules in minimalism. Instead, it's about consciously considering which clothes you actually need.
