Minimalism in Interior Design
By: Anna Popov
Minimalism in Interior Design
By: Anna Popov
Minimalism – that is a word we have been hearing a lot more in recent years. Its popularity has seemed to skyrocket in recent years, and it has started to appear in books, new Netflix documentaries, podcasts and even Ted Talks. It is an intriguing idea to many, including us at IBP.
At IBP, we often use the term minimalism around a lot on our website or in our blogs, so let’s take a closer look at what it means and how we use it in our design work.
MINIMALISM – WHAT DOES IT MEAN
There are varying definitions of minimalism out there, but they all generally come back to the same idea – cultivate what is important to you and get rid of excess so you have the freedom for more of what you love. It is all about priorities and uncluttering your life. By being selective in what we spend our time on, what items we own, or the company we keep, we are curating a lifestyle that gives us the freedom to focus on what is important.
Minimalism can look very different for everyone as it is more of a lifestyle choice than anything. For some people, it is deciding to own less things, for others it is being happy to own many things as long as they are useful and regularly used. Minimalism, as a concept is not exclusive and not based on how much you own, but attainable for many people; a mindset to help us prioritize the important things in life.
APPLICATION IN THE DESIGN WORLD
“Less is more” – Mies Van Der Rohe, architect.
Minimalism in interior design means stripping a room or space down to its core function and prioritizing its essential uses. It pushes for good and useful design, rather than only a pretty, aesthetic one. Here at IBP, we love to use our proven design principles and European influences in our projects, but we also value simplicity, craftsmanship, and a thoughtfully considered design scheme. Placing value on creating a home that supports its inhabitants in their daily lives is a big focus for us and we find that utilizing minimalist values lends itself beautifully to that philosophy.
By having less items in a space, you are creating the opportunity to increase its functionality and purpose. You have what you need to make the room useful and beautiful, and little extra. Done well, minimalistic design can negate the need for extra furniture or décor, saving money, time and our impact on the environment.
In addition, Minimalism can often provide the opportunity to experiment with design and create focal points within a space when there are less things to distract from the big statement. Here are a few ways you can create a unique space:
SCULPTURAL FORMS
With more open space and less visual clutter, sculptural shapes, forms and patterns can be there to make that big statement. Minimalism is not about straight lines and a neutral color palette. You have the opportunity to administer a considered design.
LIGHTING
We love to play with lighting in our projects. There are so many beautiful lamps, pendants and chandeliers that are perfect for a minimalistic room. In fact, sometimes lighting can be the main point of visual impact in a space – the quintessential minimalist item.
MATERIALITY
Minimalism, contrary to popular belief, does not equal cold, bland, harsh interiors that no one can actually live in. Textures, fabrics, finishes and even color are great ways to make a space feel comfortable and homely without filling it with lots of things. Unique materials can also make beautiful focal points that draw the eye for that wow factor and become an interesting conversation starter in your home.
Despite everything we love about minimalism at IBP, there are times to deviate from it. It is not for everyone, and it is absolutely ok to enjoy more things in your home, especially if they are important or meaningful to you. Minimalism isn’t about having less, but less of the unimportant and more of what is valuable to you. As designers, it is our job to listen to you and bring you the best solution, minimalism is just one of the many ways we can do that.
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