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5 Must-Knows of Minimalist Interior Design

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Minimalism does not necessarily mean plain and simple. In essence, it means to live in a home that optimises functionality and unclutteredness, where every aspect serves a purpose and function. 

Today we will delve into the essential aspects of minimalist interior design, applying the principle ‘less is more, where simplicity can often be more visually impactful, than excessive approaches. 

1. Neutral Colour Palette

Let us start with the base of your minimalist home–Colour.

Colours set the overall tone and have been shown to affect your mood. 

Minimalist interior design favours neutral tones and monochromatic hues like beige, taupe, white, grey, and black. When used thoughtfully, these muted tones and shades serve as subtle accents, enhancing the peacefulness of minimalist interior design and building a tranquil living space.

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Minimalist Colour Schemes

Taupe and White

The classic minimalistic interior design colour, this colour combination creates a soft touch that gently cradles you and endows the home with a cool and cosy feeling.

Monochrome

White, Grey & Black create a simple, stylish and sophisticated look as the milky whites are intentionally contrasted with the ashen greys and deep blacks.

allow more natural light to flow into deeper areas of the home which brightens up the overall space and is known to help increase work productivity too.

Beige and Sage

Bringing nature vibes to your home, the soothing light brown tones with the pale green create a calm and serene space that welcomes you home right as you step in the door.

Oak and Pale Brown

A mix of earthy shades and gentle tones brings balance and harmony between the different colours, When complemented with the glow from natural and ambient lighting, it brings forth a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

2. Colour Schemes For Focus Or Serenity

In minimalist interior design, embracing the ‘less is more’ philosophy is crucial. To achieve this, a clutter-free environment is key. Utilise storage containers to discreetly stow away items or clear non-essential items (new-year spring cleaning is coming soon!)

As Marie Kondo said, “A messy room equals a messy mind”. Building this healthy habit not only keeps your home neat and tidy but improves mental health and reduces stress levels.

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When shopping for your minimalist home, prioritise furniture with built-in or hidden storage areas that are good for storing items away from sight or retractable tables and chairs that can be stowed away when not in use to maintain the minimalist look.


Minimalist furniture often features simple geometrical patterns with little to no detailing. Arranging your furniture in an orderly manner is also important, as it helps minimise visual clutter, and prevents overcrowding of the living space.

3. Organising Your Study Room

Ambient lighting remains a favoured option among minimalist interior designs for its ability to set a cosy and welcoming ambience.

While it may not offer the same brightness as other lighting alternatives, incorporating ample daylight through wide and expansive windows can effectively complement the warm tones of ambient lighting without overwhelming it.

Down Lights

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Down lights or spotlights are designed to be installed into the ceiling or wall and be flush against the surface to provide a sleek and unobstructed look. Down lighting creates a spotlight effect and is commonly used in living rooms or bedrooms. 

Pendant Lights

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Types Of Pendant Light

Dome Shaped – Shaped like an inverted bowl, pointed downwards and is commonly used in areas that require bright and directional lighting.

Cylindrical Shaped – This type of pendant light envelops the bulb in fabric to cast a soft and gentle glow. It is commonly used as a mood setter to add texture and warmth to the room.

Abstract Shaped – On the more stylish and artistic side. Abstract pendant lights come in a variety of designs. These lights are not merely only for lighting but also serve a decorative function to add life and an interesting visual element to the room.

Task Lighting

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Task lighting is used to provide strong concentrated lighting to illuminate areas where work is commonly done, such as kitchen counters, study rooms or toilets.

4. Incorporating Patterns & Textures

The art of minimalism focuses on letting individual design elements shine on their own, which is the type of simplistic beauty that minimalism is built on.

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89 Tanglin Halt Road, 4 Room HDB, Minimalist Interior Design Living Room

The use of distinct lines or curves to add symmetry and structure is one simple way to incorporate patterns to create this visually appealing effect. These detailings create depth and visual interest but are also subtle enough to not overwhelm the minimalist aesthetic.

Examples Include:

Wood 
Wood is a classic among minimalist interior designs which can be incorporated in a multitude of ways to achieve a level of sophistication and warmth to the room.

Glass
Glass enables natural light to shine through and illuminate the home, creating a bright and airy feel. In addition, it eliminates any visual barriers giving the illusion of an open and spacious environment.

Metal
The sleek look and modern charm of metal finishes offer a contemporary allure. With its clean lines and diverse metallic options, they stand as an excellent fit for minimalist interior designs.

5. Subtle Decor

Contrary to popular belief, a minimalist home does not mean empty plain rooms with little to no decor. Instead, decor should be used sparingly to not overpower the other aspects of a minimalist home.

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89 Tanglin Halt Road, 4 Room HDB, Minimalist Interior Design  Bedroom

When it comes to decorative centrepieces, rather than displaying a ton of artwork or collector items, you should decide on only one or two favourite pieces. This highlights the significance of those pieces but also contrasts beautifully with the unity and uniformity that come naturally with minimalist interior design to strike a visual balance.

Other decor ideas include plants, throw pillows, books and carpets that subtly add character to your home to give a “lived-in” vibe. 

The key to your minimalist interior design home is all about the “less is more” approach not just for the renovation process, but adopting it as a lifestyle & mindset. 

It is about understanding that every element has been carefully chosen to serve a purpose and learning to minimise clutter and visual chaos.

Choose Reno Loft For Your Minimalist Home Today! 

If you are looking to build your dream home, then look no further than us!

With 10 years of experience under our belts, our designers are here to realise your dream home. 

Start your stress-free renovation journey with Reno Loft today.

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