Minimalist Home Ideas: Living More with Less

Minimalism, as we know it, is a design and architectural aesthetic that combines simplicity, neutral tones and clean lines for a refreshingly organized interior. It can also be considered as a lifestyle since it’s simply about freeing yourself from all of life’s extravagances to focus only on what you need or what is important. This is not only a trend. Practicing minimalism can also help you save time, space and of course, money! This design trend is all about living more with less. Follow these simple ideas to make a big improvement for your own space or future dream home!

Start by Decluttering

You can start by ditching nonessential objects in your home, like the old books, broken appliances, mail clutter, even down to your most-valued ornaments and decorations that you do not need anymore. It’s good to clean up and keep everything looking sleek and sophisticated. To easily let go of those you do not need anymore, always ask yourself these questions before selling, giving away or throwing things out:

• Is this worth keeping or buying?
• Do I need or use it most of the time?
• What else can I use if I didn’t have it?

Minimalism can take a lot of effort, but it’s good to take a look around different parts of your house first then clear out things little by little. If you truly want this design look to work for you, all your unnecessary stuff must be eliminated, ASAP.

Use a Muted Color Palette

For your walls, furniture and decorations, it’s best to go for neutral or neutral-friendly tones! Mixing neutrals such as a white-colored wall along with muted tone or pastel furniture are the key to minimalist home designing. 

If you don’t want to go totally black-white-and-gray, there are still a lot of other house painting trends to follow. You can add bright and bold colors or fun textures, but it’s still best to keep a minimal look that is easy on the eyes. Choose solid pigments that go well with neutrals like earth-tone browns, blues, tans, pastels and greens.

Mini House but Big Benefits

Along with the minimalist lifestyle, Tiny Living also became trendy. People came to discover the many benefits that downsizing offers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average mortgage on existing households hit $500,000 in 2020. Small home options are here to offer a more affordable alternative for these high housing costs. If you’re looking for your next tiny but perfect dream home in Australia, you can check out several types of relocatable homes Brisbane has to offer. 

Aside from lower mortgage payments, a downsized home can cut more than just your home loan expenses.

1. Lower sales prices – If you search for homes with less rooms, you can set your dream home budget lower than if you seek out bigger homes. Lower home prices also mean lesser closing costs, mortgage size and mortgage rate.
2. Home ownership is sooner than you think – With affordable costs and a quick construction process, you don’t have to wait too long before your dream house is finally yours.
3. Energy efficiency – Energy bills are lesser compared to larger homes. Small spaces require less energy, fewer lights and appliances.
4. Lower maintenance costs – Save up on cleaning and maintenance costs as well as the time it takes to fulfill them.

Living in a small home can actually be worth considering when you think of all the benefits you’ll be having. To know whether you’re ready for tiny living or not, reflect on your family size and your lifestyle and see if this option will fit perfectly for you.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

Refreshing, organized and clutter-free. Minimalism is all about that. You just have to pick the right furniture and decorations carefully and arrange how space, lighting and objects go together in harmony.

Try taking a look at minimalist decorating tips or your favorite furniture brands for sleek but functional furniture inspirations. Smaller furniture options that are highly functional are the best especially for tiny homes. Always think multi-purpose. Furniture that doubles as storage and other space-saving items are well-recommended especially for minimalist designs in small homes. Repurposing old household items and investing on foldable furniture are also a great idea.

More Empty Spaces

Another vital element in minimalistic design is having those empty spaces. Think clean, fresh and relaxing. Maximizing empty spaces in walls and floors will allow you to breathe and avoid feeling cramped, especially when you have a small home. Big windows will help make the room spacious, too! Bring in lots of natural light and use LED or fluorescent lighting to balance the warm light coming from the outside.