25 Minimalist Decorating Ideas for a Calm and Clean Space (2024)

Design Styles

Minimalism

• 01 of 25

  Clear Your Walls

  

  Put down the hammer and nail. With minimalistic spaces, there's no need to fill every inch of wall space. If the thought of bare walls feels boring though, take a peek at this Joshua Smith-designed living room—it's proof that embracing white space can feel elegant and upscale.

  Tip

  Minimalism is all about allowing for a little breathing room, design-wise, so nix your gallery wall and let a few standout pieces take center stage instead.

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• 02 of 25

  Edit Your Items

  

  Make Marie Kondo proud: as you're creating minimalist spaces, seriously consider each of your possessions, from knickknacks to oversized furniture. Do you really love it? It is functional?

  Edit your items down to just your favorites, and that'll create a more meaningful and minimalist design. This can be an overwhelming process, so take it one room—or even one shelf or drawer—at a time.

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• 03 of 25

  Add Uniform Art

  

  Wonderfully wonky gallery walls have their place, but not in minimalist spaces. Instead, add art to your walls in a uniform way.

  "Balance your space with a large-scale statement piece of art or a clean vertical row of frames with curated personal images," Jenon Bailie, merchandising and design director at Room & Board, shares with us.

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• 04 of 25

  Utilize Recess Lighting

  

  Pendants and chandeliers and sconces, oh my! Lighting can be a go-to way to inject personality in any space, but for a more minimalist look, stick to recess lighting. That's what this Jill Howard-designed kitchen does, and the result is cool and calming on the eyes.

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• 05 of 25

  Play With Texture

  

  See Also

  The Difference Between Simplicity and Minimalism7 Key Principles of Minimalist Graphic Design - DesygnerThe History and Concept of Minimalism10 Principles of Minimalism in Design

  If you're sticking to neutral hues in your home, punch up the look with textures that beg to be touched. It'll add dimension and layers to the room without overwhelming the space.

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• 06 of 25

  Revisit Your Bookcases

  

  When creating a minimalist space, bookcases are the first place to start, since they can easily get overloaded. First, remove and donate books that you're sure you won't read again and allow for tidy organization of upright bookends and horizontal placement.Bailie suggests lightening up the look with vases and decorative objects (only meaningful ones though!) in odd numbers.

  "Step back to see where you want to place the decorative items and visually ‘hopscotch' where you place your décor into the shelves," Bailie says.

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• 07 of 25

  Add Wall Art

  

  If wood-paneled walls remind you of your grandparents' dingy basem*nt, smooth things out with minimalistic wall art instead. This Scandinavian home proves that less is more when it comes to decorating—keep the walls clear and decor minimal.

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• 08 of 25

  Let The Architecture Stand Out

  

  Whether your space boasts eye-catching wooden floors or bespoke built-ins (lucky you!) clear away any items that would get in the way of them shining. Think rugs, curtains, and clutter of all kinds. You want architectural gems, like crown molding and arched doorways, to really pop.

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• 09 of 25

  Bring the Outdoors In

  

  While most minimalist decorating ideas involve editing items down, there are a few pieces worthy of bringing into your space. One of those? Greenery.

  "I love the idea of taking a pair of clippers heading outside to your garden or backyard and using what you have to create a centerpiece," Lee says. "Small additions of color in a neutral setting is all you need to create a little pop."

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• 10 of 25

  Add Accent Pillows

  

  Even minimalist spaces need a spot for you to rest your head. "Accent pillows can pull together a space with your favorite color, texture, and scale," Bailie says.

  Go ahead and have some fun picking out an array of accent pillows in a variety of tones, materials, and sizes. Not only will accent pillows create a soft landing when you're in the middle of a Netflix marathon, but they're also a great way to refresh your space seasonally.

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• 11 of 25

  Clear Counter Space to Just the Essentials

  

  A minimalist must: eliminate clutter. That's especially the case for countertops, whether in a kitchen, bathroom, or elsewhere. Streamline your surfaces and display only what is necessary.

  In a bathroom, for instance, tuck your toothbrush and other daily items away in a drawer. Baskets, bins, cupboards, and storage benches will be your new best friend.

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• 12 of 25

  Let In Natural Light

  

  Minimalist spaces can (wrongly) have a reputation of feeling too cold, but there's an easy way to combat that: ample natural light. If you've lucked out with generous windows, allow as much sunshine stream in as possible. Invest in gauzy curtains that allows for privacy while still letting light filter in.

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• 13 of 25

  Play With Scale

  

  Experimenting with scale can be a delicate balance, but if you keep your decor on the minimal side, you can go wild with one standout piece. Since the walls are otherwise bare and the color palette soothing, the sofa stands out without overwhelming the room.

  See Also

  What Is Minimalism?

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• 14 of 25

  Stick to One Color

  

  Take it from Lee, who suggests choosing a theme with one color and threading it throughout your space. Think light, soothing colors like white, gray, or pastels.

  From the paint on your walls to upholstered furniture to linens, opting for different tones of the same color will give you a layered yet calm look.

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• 15 of 25

  Embrace a Shaker-Style Mindset

  

  The Shakers were onto something. Their simple lifestyle emphasized minimalism to the max, allowing only utilitarian pieces into their homes, like streamlined furniture they made themselves. When furnishing a minimalist space, invest in functional, clean-lined, and hand-crafted pieces that you know will last a lifetime.

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• 16 of 25

  Quality Over Quantity

  

  Minimalist spaces can still have a maximalist moment—just limit it to one. This streamlined bathroom in monochromatic tones allows the show-stopping tub to be the star of the show, drawing the eye up. Repeat after us: quality over quantity.

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• 17 of 25

  Embrace the Dark Side

  

  There's no minimalism rulebook that says you have to live amongst shades of white, and this black-and-white bedroom is proof. The textured walls are sophisticated (yet far from simple), while the bed full of soft textiles begs to crawl into.

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• 18 of 25

  Define a Space With an Area Rug

  

  Don't underestimate the power of a rug, which may be the final touch your minimalist space is craving.

  "Adding an area rug will define a space and help create visual breathing room as you transition from space to space, especially in open floor plans," Bailie says.

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• 19 of 25

  Play Up Your Coffee Table

  

  While minimalist spaces tend to keep surfaces clear, Bailie suggests styling one specific spot.

  "Use your coffee table as a focal point," she says. "Decorate it with a tidy stack of your favorite museum books, a minimal floral arrangement or orchid in a beautiful artisan vase, and any object of meaning."

  Those three items will reflect your style while adding a graphic element and texture too—a must for any style of home. Not sure how many pieces to add to your coffee table?

  "A grouping of odd numbers works best," Bailie says.

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• 20 of 25

  Small Details Make a Big Impact

  

  "When decorating or updating a minimalist space, consider the smallest details when making your décor choices," Bailie says.

  Every little item, from a reading lamp to a tchotchke displayed on your fireplace mantle, should be intentional—that level of thought and care is what makes for an ideal minimalist space.
  

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• 21 of 25

  Keep Open Shelves Uniform

  

  Open shelves in a kitchen are inclined to become easily cluttered. To avoid that, display a matching set of dinnerware. That streamlined look sticks to a singular color palette—much more minimalist than a hodgepodge collection of mugs and plates.

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• 22 of 25

  Employ a Streamlined Color Palette

  

  White, wood, and black are a winning color combination for any minimalist space, and M.E. Designs used that recipe for this open, airy kitchen. The white oak island strikes a warm balance between the bright white elements (the backsplash, paint color, and countertops) and doses of black, like the wovenbar stools.

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• 23 of 25

  Stick to Symmetry

  

  Symmetry is soothing for the eyes. For your living space, consider invest in matching loveseats, which you can arrange to face one another for optimal conversation and cuddling. If you can center them perpendicular to a fireplace, even better.

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• 24 of 25

  Do as a Scandinavian Would

  

  Scandinavians are skillful minimalists, so when in doubt, channel their style in your home. This bright, airy apartment is outfitted for a sleek and understated sofa, a coffee table, and not much else. Still, it's full of personality and practicality.

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• 25 of 25

  Sooth With Sepia Tones

  

  A bedroom is meant to be an escape from the wild world, so consider minimal accessories all in calming sepia tones, like creams, beiges, and mocha browns. That color palette, whichBecca Interiors utilized in this bedroom, creates a guaranteed zen zone.