The concept of minimalism requires a “less is more” mentality. We live in a society that encourages excesses; buy more, buy large. There’s more to minimalism than having a few things in your home. It’s a lifestyle based on being intentional with your style and decorations.
It’s all about being intentional about surrounding yourself with things you need and letting go of things you don’t. One of the biggest myths about this lifestyle is that it doesn’t require much thought. On the contrary, minimalism forces you to think about choosing a few meaningful things that serve a purpose in both function and design. Here are a few tips for achieving such a lifestyle.
Tips To Achieving Minimalism in Your Texas Home
Use a Restrained Color Scheme
Using different colors is one sure way of making your house look busy and cluttered. Minimalism requires picking a simple color scheme consisting of two or three tones in the same color family and sticking to them throughout the house.
Whites and grays are currently the in-thing. However, this doesn’t mean you should restrict yourself to the monochrome look everyone is obsessed with. You can use bold colors, just ensuring that you remain consistent with the selection; otherwise, you risk reintroducing unnecessary distractions.
Texturize
Just because you can’t play around with as many colors as you want doesn’t mean you have to deter yourself from making your home more interesting. Play with different textures around your home. Use varying fabrics and woven elements to add dimension to your space to make it appear more comfortable and less dull.
Remember to stick with materials that feel airy and light, such as bleached oak. Texturizing helps bring additional warmth to your home without it seeming overwhelming.
Maximize the Use of Natural Light
Seeing as you’ll be using neutral colors to decorate your San Antonio, Texas home, lighting lets you play with tones and shades to make your space feel warm and cozy and not too unwelcoming. The best way to do that is by embracing and maximizing the use of natural light.
Leave your windows without decorations to let the light pour in, and use the thinnest materials for curtains. It’s advisable to use sheer curtains or blinds to let the light in and allow the sunlight to brighten everything on its way.
If your house doesn’t get as much light as you’d want, you can think of creative ways to bounce off light. A mirror is a good way of helping spread as much natural light around your home as possible.
Use Patterns Wisely
If not done well, a minimalist home can look too dull. This is because it uses a limited number of patterns, with some people opting to do away with designs entirely. If you decide on a pattern, ensure you use it on a small scale or use a discreet pattern. Select prints for your throw pillows or curtains.
While you can use prints on both, ensure the space you have isn’t tiny to prevent the room from looking overwhelmed. You can also use a patterned carpet at the center of the room. Not only is it appealing to look at, but it also gives your home a well-deserved break from monotony.
Decorate With Accent Pieces
Having a minimalist home doesn’t mean you let go of the decorations. The rule is to use decorative elements like accents while avoiding overwhelming your house with several things at once. The same goes for art. Choose one piece of striking art instead of having several small ones.
A sizable striking piece of art on your wall makes that point a focal area and declutters your walls. It’s also a good conversation starter.
Invest in Timeless Pieces
Adopting a minimalist lifestyle lets you invest in fewer, better items that are sure to serve you for a long time. When choosing furniture for your minimalist home, go for timeless, well-made pieces that will stand the test of time. Experts advise opting for clean lines and well-constructed furniture pieces as they never go out of style.
Also, go for larger items as opposed to small ones. Large items have more of an impact on the eye and give your space a simple yet stunning look.
Declutter and Maximize Storage
One of the main reasons many people decide to embrace the minimalist home decor is due to the clutter accumulated in their homes over time. While you may feel overwhelmed when reducing the clutter and redesigning your home, starting small is advisable.
Break down the task by handling each room at a time. Categorize your items starting with books, papers, clothing, and other miscellaneous items. Using the KonMari Method by Marie Kondo helps you declutter, starting from the easiest items to get rid of to the hardest while making you sensitive to the things that spark joy.
If you aren’t ready to get rid of some of your items, especially those that hold sentimental value, you should have optimal storage. This will enable you to store those items you don’t need but can’t let go of to prevent them from overflowing into your space.
Having concealed storage helps keep all the mess hidden away. Tuck your household utility items like batteries, baskets, or paper files into pretty baskets or hide them in a credenza. You can also purchase a built-in storage unit to streamline your home and make it airier.
Leave Surfaces Clean at All Times
One of the most significant challenges when it comes to minimalism is keeping all surfaces clean. You’ll find it more difficult, especially if you have children or in areas such as the kitchen, which quickly fill up with items.
Ensure your countertops are not full of appliances. Limit the items to only those you need and store the rest in the cupboard. Also, ensure all your surfaces are always free of dirt. Other problem areas include the coffee table, kitchen table, and other hard surfaces, especially the entryways.
Conclusion
Decluttering your physical environment helps you think clearly. You don’t have to do it all at once for your minimalist vision to come to life. Always start slow adjusting areas you feel require changes. Minimalism is sustainable and helps you save money in the long run. If you plan on adopting a minimalist lifestyle, consider the above tips, and you should be fine.
