It’s a common misconception that the minimalist décor style is cold and uninviting. Cosy minimalism is indeed possible without feeling more like an office than a home. From making the best use of space to layering your textures and lighting, here are some useful suggestions.
Organic and Natural Materials
A warm and inviting home relies on the correct use of natural and organic materials because these are the things that remind us of our place in the world. Softwoods, hardwoods, and organic weaves and blends like cotton are as interesting as they are warming. Take these from German kitchens as examples, where there are minimal man-made materials used only where necessary. And where organic materials seamlessly blend functionality with the desired form.
Space, Lots of Space
Unless you are lucky enough to have a large home, the space you have available is typically rather limited. This means you have to use space well, and this includes floor space, surface space, and space in the vertical and horizontal. This is one of the keys to good home design, but it is especially true when trying to combine minimalism and cosiness. Good use of space allows you to strategically place the things you want and need to make the space feel like a home.
Cosy Minimalism Combined with Function
Of course, your home is where you get to relax and do the things you need to do outside of work. You may work harder or a little less than others. And you may even work from home. Yet, there are common functions a home should provide. Cooking, cleaning, and recreation are among these. Recreation is essential for creating an inviting environment, and you need somewhere to take your mind off work, even if it is simply watching TV for an average of 158 minutes per day.
Layered Textures and Lighting
Layers are an important aspect of design in any art form. Music, digital imaging, and, of course, interior design all rely on correct layering. For an inviting space, layering various textures in and around your home can balance the overall design aesthetic with the feeling and level of comfort you desire. This also means practising with layered lighting. Layered lighting is complex, yet the aim is to provide an overall ambience that highlights your décor while still being able to see.
Colour and Personal Touches
A home simply isn’t a home without personal touches to make it so. If you don’t add anything to the space in which you live, it is essentially an empty box with no personality. All homes have their own personality, of course. But this is enhanced with your own. Minimalism doesn’t aim to remove personality from a space. Rather, it gives you the opportunity to strategically add your own in the way you desire, almost like a blank canvas, and you are the artiste extraordinaire.
Summary
Organic and natural materials that flow well together will help you accomplish cosy minimalism at home. Yet, you must also consider the function of a space as part of your overall design aesthetic. And, of course, it cannot be completed without touches of personal taste and décor.
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