Minimalist Spaces That Aren’t Boring and Ways to Achieve Them

When you think of a minimalist space, what comes to mind? If I had to guess the mental images that began to flood your mind, they likely include neutral walls, wood floors, white linens, green plants scattered about—and not much else. This is your typical “stock image” interpretation of what a minimalist space looks like.

One thing that I have come to discover as my interest in this concept and lifestyle has grown, is that minimalism is less about the visual aspects of a space (neutral colors, specific kinds of linens, etc.) and more about the intentionality and functionality of a space. Is it free from excess and clutter? Does each item have a purpose and a home? Is there a system in place to serve you? Is it easy to maintain? How this looks is really up to each individual or household.

A common misconception about how minimalist spaces look is that they're all boring. I believe a space can be minimal while also being full of life and personality. If you read How I Became a Minimalist, I note that minimalism can be described as, “a design or style in which the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect.” To me, this means you still have all of the essentials needed for your space to function, but the foundation of the space and items within are curated to your style and personality. Our spaces are so personal to us and there’s never any right or wrong way to approach them. 

Below you will find some of my favorite spaces that fall into the minimal (or minimal-ish) category, but look nothing like the stereotype. These spaces have character and quirks. They prove that you don't have to sacrifice having personality in a space while practicing a minimalist lifestyle—you can have both. The common themes in the spaces below are the utilization of color, pattern, texture and art.

Color

Color is a great way to drench a space with mood and emotion whether it’s a pop of color or a monochrome approach. This can be in the form of paint, art or household items—sometimes all in the same space!

Texture + Pattern

Utilizing different textures and patterns in everyday items such as rugs, throw blankets or even lamp shades can create visual interest and add personality to a space without adding additional items. Consider mixing woods, metals and various materials in different patterns to create a dynamic, visual experience.

Art or Statement Pieces

Art or statement pieces can show up in the form of large scale prints, unique takes on everyday items or something that’s unexpected in a space. Perhaps you have a small collection of glass that was passed down from your grandparents, a bright red pendant light that you scored in an antique shop while on holiday or a chair you found on the curb that’s in the shape of a hand. These items typically have deep meaning to you or a good story behind them—they are what make our spaces uniquely ours.

Opening image source: Ethan Gaskill. Disclaimer: All images in this post were obtained from Pinterest and are being used for illustrative purposes only; they do not represent the views of the author of the photos.