What is Minimalism?
“Minimalism is not a lack of something. It's simply the perfect amount of something.” - Nicholas Burroughs
The concept of minimalism is one that seems to be associated with many misconceptions. Though we have our own idea of what minimalism should look like, rest assured this is not a post about what you can and cannot have in your home. Minimalism can be customized and applied to your own individual lifestyle. The unifying principle of minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things you value the most.
Naturally, the promotion of your most valued items cannot occur until something of lesser value is demoted. This is often the challenge in adopting a minimalist mindset as most of us develop attachments to the things in our home. Detaching yourself from the possessions you own takes practice, but the good news is with the right approach - organizing the things you value the most can be a simple and easy process. We'll show you the best approach for organizing your things in a future blog post, but for now - let's take a further look at what minimalism is and isn't.
Deconstructing the Aesthetic of Minimalism
Minimalism is often seen in luxury interiors. The soothing and awe inspiring look stems from the orchestrated placement of the most valued items. The color palette is never overwhelming and there is an effortless elegance to the space.
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| Regina Sturrock Design |
In this kitchen designed by Regina Sturrock, the blue suede chairs and contemporary chandeliers act as the most valued items in the space.While the marriage of the granite counter to the movement in the backsplash certainly make a statement, they add the effortless touch to the space as they are neutral in color and provide the platform needed for the chandeliers and chairs to capture the eye.
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| Regina Sturrock Design |
It is important to note that minimalism does not prevent the addition of color. The distinction is that the items of color should not overpower the room. In this space, the neutral walls and furniture provide a blank slate that effortlessly compliment the items of color.
The addition of furniture should be appropriate to the proportions of the room. In this space, the tall ceilings make the room feel open and grand. A welcoming conversation piece was created through the furniture layout and simple but impactful accessories such as rugs and pillows bring warmth to the space. The subtle earthy tones combined with grey create a soothing color palette that does not overpower the space.
Minimalism is where function follows form. Physical clutter in your home competes for your attention, resulting in a stressful and less efficient environment. There is a fascinating amount of science behind the health benefits of minimalism, and we'll go over that in a future blog post as well. For now, we'll leave you with the basics. Everything you own you must take care of. Therefore, the best way to increase your quality of life is to decrease the amount of ‘stuff’ you keep in your home. We hope this helps give you a better idea of what minimalism is and is not. Like all things creative, it can be customized to fit your unique wants and needs.
“Minimalism is not about having less. It's about making room for more of what matters."
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