Light and spacious minimalist interiors look good in photos and renderings. It seems that they breathe easily and smell cleanliness, no redundancy, no dust collectors, only simplicity, beauty, and functionality. But is it possible to keep the interior within the framework of minimalism in real life? And is minimalism as simple as it seems?
Why minimalism
Gradually, the era of interior abundance gave way to the fashion for minimalism, which also came from abroad. The world now sees happiness in a less materialistic approach so minimalism can help to reflect this approach.
Interiors in the style of minimalism can be divided into two categories: chic minimalism and Scandinavian minimalism. There is also a Japanese version.
Chic minimalism made its way into interiors in the interpretation of “white-white”: white gloss, white marble, complex lighting scenarios. It cleaned excess decor from the walls, removed chandeliers from the ceilings, and liberated kitchen sets from handles and panels.
Scandinavian minimalism looked more ascetic, suggested returning simple whitewashed ceilings to apartments, love for imperfections, and beauty of simplicity. Remember when, until recently, everyone was talking about hygge and lagom? The philosophical load of Scandinavian minimalism made it a popular phenomenon in popular culture.
Why ask for minimalism? The reasons are different for every client. It is ordered by owners of country houses and luxury apartments, it is chosen by residents of typical apartments and compact studios. Someone expects ergonomics from minimalism, putting on its shoulders the task of visually expanding the space and saving precious squares. Someone gravitates towards interior zen and the absence of visual noise. And some even choose minimalism in order to save money.
Minimalism can really do all of these things. But not everything is so simple.
Visible simplicity
Empty walls, a minimum of furniture, it would seem: what can you go broke on here? Everything is clear with the chic version, it requires expensive finishing. The texture is responsible for the aesthetics in such interiors. Now, when white gloss and marble are losing their fashionable positions, it has become popular to “warm-up” minimalist interiors due to natural wood, brass, and all the same marble, only in other shades. The play of light on expensive textures, which will actually replace the decor, requires well-thought-out lighting scenarios and perfect execution – this is also an expensive pleasure.
Add built-in appliances and sleek push-to-open storage fronts to the equation and you have one of the most expensive interior styles.
Scandinavian minimalism is not so picky about decoration. Expensive materials can be abandoned in favor of white paint, plaster, and laminate. In such an environment, furniture from the mass market and grandmother’s vintage will take root. Vig furniture can be a perfect furniture brand for these purposes. But even in the Scandinavian version of minimalism, there is a serious expense item.
The point of any minimalism is to show as few things as possible. But no matter how ascetic life you lead, the apartment will still be overgrown with signs of human life, which will have to be hidden, otherwise, no aesthetics of empty space will come out.
For this, minimalism needs thoughtful storage systems. Thoughtful and hidden. And these are made to order and require design intervention.
Choosing minimalism based on savings, you may be unpleasantly surprised.
Minimalism and life
Someone claims that cleaning in a minimalist space can be a matter of a couple of minutes because in such an interior there are no monograms, theater chandeliers, heavy curtains, and other classic dust collectors. And on white surfaces, dust is almost imperceptible.
But you need to remember that minimalism does not tolerate anything superfluous in plain sight: a salt shaker that got lost on the table, assorted jars and vials in the bathroom, spices, household chemicals, stationery – all this will have to be hidden from view. And it should be done all the time.
If you can buy identical dispensers for the bathroom, and hide kitchen utensils behind smooth facades, then what about memorabilia? With gifts, family heirlooms, souvenirs from trips, with children’s crafts. After all, they will also have to be hidden, otherwise, minimalism is not minimalism. Consider if you are ready for this. Speaking of children…
Maybe the dust on the white background is not too noticeable, but the stains from the mashed broccoli and the prints of the fingers smeared with paints are very striking. On the other hand, would you leave stains on the walls in a different interior style?
There is even an opinion that minimalism is not only a bad combination with the child but even a good solution for families with children. Because it immediately instills in the child a love of cleanliness, discipline, teaches to maintain and restore order. But to be honest, it’s hard to believe.
You can live with minimalism if it does not contradict your habits, is in tune with ideological values ??, and meets aesthetic preferences.
Minimalism has noble goals, it calls to manage with a reasonable minimum of things and, as it is fashionable to say today, to live consciously. It remains to decide whether this is really a story about you.
Sometimes minimalism is chosen as a noble alternative to excess, chosen because it is a healthy choice, like whole-grain bread versus quiche. The main thing here is to understand whether you really like empty walls and smooth facades, maybe you are actually inspired by antique lamps with stained glass shades and fringed pillows? Simplicity and functionality sound proud, but it is not at all necessary that this is your recipe for interior happiness.
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