Minimalism, today, has come a long way from how it used to look. It was once associated with a starkness, a coldness, an exacting approach to home decor which left spaces clear - sure - but also devoid of character. Now, however, it's one of the warmest and most personality-filled ways to decorate your home, creating a scheme that cocoons you and even has the power to make you happy. Yes, minimalism in interior design has evolved. Take, for example, the soothing tactility of the best minimalist homes. From deDraft the subtle joy of architect Grant Straghan’s home to the inviting, "pinky-white" walls of John Pawson’s home in the Cotswolds, or the elevation of nature in Norm Archietct’s ‘soft minimal’ approach to interior design, they have all moved the doctrine on.
1. IT HELPS YOU FIND CLARITY
At the heart of minimalism is the practice of reduction. “Minimalism, to us, means to get to the core of materials,” says Luca Scardulla, Co-Founder of architecture practice llaab. "We believe projects should be easy to read, defined. This means leaving only the necessary behind.”
2. IT CREATES WARMTH IN YOUR HOME
Soft minimalism emphasises and embraces the mood-enhancing effects of nature. “As our lives become more sterile, we want to surround ourselves with things that remind us of nature,” says Daisy Brown, Co-Founder of contemporary furniture brand Six the Residence. “Using natural materials adds a warmth which is both calming and inviting. A huge interiors trend, which I don’t think is going anywhere, is bringing nature into your home, with lovely natural-toned teak, real-sheepskin and marble.”
3. MINIMALISM HELPS YOU PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE
The original minimalist is thought to have been Diogenes of Sinope, a Greek philosopher who lived around 2,500 years ago. Choosing to live in a rain barrel rather than a house, the philosopher claimed he found happiness through abandoning his drive to gain possessions and social status.
4. IT IS BETTER FOR THE PLANET
Minimalism does not just benefit our personal wellbeing - it’s also better for the planet. “The push to environmental recovery should hopefully provide the impetus to strive for a simpler life in which the accumulation of possessions becomes less of an obsession,” says Grant Straghan. “The emphasis is on living with less, reducing waste and eliminating those unnecessary items one fails to use as much as you think.” So far from leading to homes that feel cold and punishingly bare minimalist living rooms or decor schemes can help us create highly personal and cozy spaces, encouraging us to cherish and remember the things that really matter.