Mies Van de Rohe, one of the most influential architects of the 20th Century began the “less is more” movement. To this date, his aphorism continues to shape the architectural and interior design scene. A minimalist design offers an escape from the rather busy and colorful mood of our workplaces. It’s a growing trend and it is easy to see why. The peaceful ambiance and cost-savings realized from a minimalist design are game-changers.
However, there is a thin line between a minimalist design and going bare-bones. Today we look at the top 7 minimalist trends and tips taking NYC by storm.
Less Furniture, More Functionality
Getting rid of unneeded furniture in your living room is one of the simplest ways of going minimal. It could be a couch that’s never sat on, or a dining set that’s never been used, or a large wall unit that only serves as a TV cabinet.
Identifying what is functional and non-functional is key. The idea is to replace space-consuming furniture with smaller functional ones and dispose of items you no longer use. It is also about identifying spaces within your living room that creates an impression of a large space when correctly used.
Open Floor Plans
Open floor plans present the best canvas for achieving a minimalist look. The sprawling space is an excellent means of achieving continuity through color plans and form. This plan allows for the expression of a single theme in terms of furniture, carpets, and fittings for the entire space. It also creates an impression of expansive space, giving the house a minimalist feel.
Color Schemes and Themes
We cannot downplay the importance of getting the correct color scheme in achieving a minimalist look. In most cases, choosing a monochromatic color scheme will help bring out a minimalist look for your space. Natural hues, including gray and white colors, are best suited for a minimalist design.
The color of your major furnishings also plays a significant role in attaining a minimalist look. They should complement the overall color scheme of the apartment and blend into a theme. A minimalist look emphasizes having fewer items in sight, the same concept should apply to your wall hangings.
A mirror and a single painting are enough to lighten up your wall. Avoid hanging items such as wall clocks and family portraits on your wall.
Plan Your Storage
Daily use items are often found sprawled all over the house, which makes our spaces look busy and cluttered. Creating a storage space for items such as TV remotes, car keys, and kitchen items will help declutter our spaces.
Go for storage designs that seamlessly blend with the house furnishing. These spaces should be easily accessible, as it is easy to create habits when less effort is put into doing something.
Play With Textures
A minimalist design doesn’t have to translate to a boring space. Mixing different textures is a good way of creating exciting spaces while maintaining a minimalist look. Unique furniture and decorations are a nice way to liven up a place. Your focus should be on the centerpieces of your home. For example, a dining top resting on a branched tree stand is definitely eye candy.
Leave Some Empty Spaces
Empty spaces are an important element to attaining a minimalist feel. Empty spaces help in amplifying the room’s lighting. Clever use of empty spaces goes a long way in creating visual balance and giving the room a focal point. For smaller rooms, empty spaces act as visual declutter by creating an impression of an expansive space.
Find an Apartment with Minimal Design or Decorate One Yourself?
A minimalist look heavily relies on the input of the person living in that particular space. While there are many furnished apartments in NYC that have a minimalist theme, you must do some digging to find one that fully suits your taste.
If you’re hell-bent on taking full control of things, unfurnished apartments are more recommended, as they offer more flexibility in terms of design. With them, you have more freedom to choose furnishings that amplify a minimalist look. You can also choose your ideal furniture arrangement, another important factor for a minimalist look.
Conclusion
Minimalist designs are fast becoming the preferred format for most people today. Minimalist spaces are simple and offer a relaxing aura, which is exactly what you need after a busy day of car horns, blinding lights and deafening sounds.
In New York City, interior designers with a knack for minimalism have adopted procedures that cut across the board. They include minimizing the number of less functional furniture, using cool monochromatic colors, leaving empty spaces, and using a mix of textures to liven up their spaces.
