Few styles will give you the same fresh and contemporary look as minimalist home decor. Pieces that fall into this category have clean lines and simple design details – they won’t overwhelm a space and most are versatile. The color scheme is monochromatic, with additional colors limited to accents. That said, if not executed well, a minimalist aesthetic can come off looking cold. So, how do you pull off this design scheme if you’re not a professional designer?
Begin by checking out the August Grove Two-Piece Clear Glass Wall Vase Set. The vases, which are designed to hang on the wall, feature a metal ring stand and cylindrical glass center. You can add flowers to them or display them solo – they look great either way.
What to know before you buy minimalist home decor
Harmonize design details
The simplicity of minimalist home decor doesn’t mean you can get lazy about harmonizing design details. It’s critical to choose decorations with design details that complement each other and work well as a whole. These details include color, shape and patterns.
Create a common thread
You should avoid the urge to make each room into a theme with regards to decor. This approach to decorating is antiquated and produces a jarring effect. Instead, use complementary design elements to create a common thread that runs through every single room in your home. Paint color is a great way to connect different rooms throughout your home. If you’re taking care of the job yourself, make sure you have a good set of household paint brushes (these picks from BestReviews are a great place to start shopping).
Keep it simple
Minimalist home decor is supposed to be simple, hence the word “minimal” in its name. If you want to pull off a true minimalist look, you should resist the urge to choose items that are fussy in design, have a lot of colors or are chunky. Instead, look for streamlined decor with clean lines and one or two colors.
Minimalist home decor features
Color
Minimalist design has a monochromatic base with the accents in different colors. Don’t go overboard with colors, as this will detract from the aesthetic. Accent colors should always enhance the design scheme; they should never dominate it.
Materials
When it comes to the materials used in minimalist home decor, subtlety is key. Options include metals finished in neutral shades, wood and glass. It’s best to stick with decorations that only use one or two types of materials, to preserve the simplicity of the overall look.
Category
Home decor falls into many different categories according to type and minimalist decor is no exception. Categories include:
Wall art
Sculptures/figurines
Picture frames
Vases
Window treatments
Throw pillows
Mirrors
Artificial plants
Minimalist home decor cost
Much like decor categories, you have many options when it comes to the cost of minimalist home decor. Prices of well-made pieces range from $15 at the low end to upwards of $250 at the high end.
Minimalist home decor FAQ
What’s minimalist home decor?
A. The characteristics of minimalist home decor include a palette that’s largely monochromatic, clean lines and simple details. These elements create an aesthetic that’s fresh, pared-down and contemporary. Minimalist home decor is never fussy or heavy. Contrary to popular belief, minimalist decor isn’t necessarily industrial, although industrial is one option. Instead, minimalist home decor broadly encompasses any style that’s kept streamlined and simple.
Does minimalist home decor look “cold?”
A. Some people are resistant to the idea of minimalist home decor because they assume it’ll look cold. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Balance is the key differentiating factor between a sleek and cold effect. Warm up your minimalist decor with soft details like furniture designed with subtle curves. Color accents can also help warm up a minimalist space. Again, “soft” is the key word here.
Which minimalist home decor should you get?
Best of the best minimalist home decor
August Grove Two-Piece Clear Glass Wall Vase Set: available at Wayfair
Our take: This pair of wall vases constructed of metal and glass is striking enough to display solo or with flowers.
What we like: Due to a unique combination of the neutral charcoal metallic finish and classic design, this set looks good with virtually any type of decor, from industrial to rustic farmhouse. The wall vases feature a metal ring stand and cylindrical glass center. The numerous options for displaying this set include hanging them side-by-side at different heights and placing them on opposite sides of a fireplace mantel. Blooms on a single stem are the perfect finishing touch to these vases. You can leave them empty, if you prefer an even more minimalistic effect, and they’ll still add stylish flair to your home. These pieces are handmade, as demonstrated by the obvious craftsmanship.
What we dislike: At least one buyer reported the glass sat crooked in the holder because the metal was soldered together incorrectly.
Best bang for your buck minimalist home decor
Zauber Two-Piece Incised Double Infinity Ring Sculpture Set: available at Wayfair
Our take: Minimalist decor is anything but boring, and this sculpture set proves it, with incised details and a sleek silver finish.
What we like: Consisting of two attached infinity circles, this sculpture was handcrafted by skilled artisans. It was created through a process of pouring the mold, sanding by hand and glazing. The infinity rings were designed with a combination of smooth and incised surfaces that add interest. The silver finish adds a subtle sheen and complements a large variety of decor. This sculpture is ideal for injecting your minimalist design scheme with a bit of pizzazz, without disrupting the pared-down aesthetic.
What we dislike: Inconsistencies between the sculpture’s appearance online and in person were cited by a small number of buyers. One felt it resembled tin foil, while another thought the material looked like plastic.
Honorable mention minimalist home decor
Irena Orlov Two-Piece Black-and-White Graphic Art on Canvas: available at Wayfair
Our take: If you’re on a hunt for chic wall art that perfectly complements a minimalistic design sensibility, this black-and-white piece fits the bill.
What we like: Featuring a black abstract circling motif flowing over two canvases, this set is the epitome of a statement piece. The black-and-white palette, along with the abstract design, makes these pieces highly versatile. They’re also perfect for anchoring a contemporary decor scheme. Since the pieces are separate, you can either hang them in different areas or together. The latter placement will highlight the pair’s synchronized design.
What we dislike: The circles didn’t align when the two pieces were hung together, according to at least one buyer.
Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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