Modern interior design: Minimalist ideas

Interior design can have a big impact on day-to-day life and goes a long way towards making a house a home. Whether property is owned or rented, it is worth investing some time and money into making a space unique to the inhabitor. There are lots of different styles to choose from when decorating a home, from vibrant and colourful to bright and airy. The minimalist trend is one in particular that has grown in popularity, thanks in no small part to Netflix shows and books such as The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Easy to achieve and quite adaptable, the minimalist design ethic is being followed in many homes around the UK over the past decade or so.

A neutral base

The key to creating a calming, minimalist aesthetic in a house or apartment is to start with a neutral selection of colours. This goes for walls, carpets, flooring, skirting boards and furniture. Colour can be added through home accessories and wall art. Starting with a neutral base will offer the flexibility to change things up over time, while keeping everything looking chic and unified. Shades of white, cream and grey are ideal for walls in any room. It’s important to be sure to carefully select the best shade for a space based on natural light and room size. Although they are traditionally plain colours, there is a multitude of shades available on a neutral colour palette. It is worth testing paint samples in any room that’s going to be repainted and checking the shade at various times of the day as the light moves around the house.

When going for a minimalist design in a home, natural fabrics work best. Designers go for materials such as cotton, linen and rattan when choosing curtains and seating. Shades of white combined with earthy tones such as terracotta, soft green and cream work great together in creating a calming, spacious feeling.

Adding pops of colour

For those who wish to inject some colour at any stage and who feel colourful home accessories are not quite enough, there are a few quick and easy ways to do so:

• Chalk paint for some colourful furniture DIY  is ideal for adding a pop of colour to pieces, while choosing bright or patterned upholstery will also add character to any room.
• Rustic wooden furniture works very well for many styles of interior design. Rather than purchasing new furniture, it is best to repair any old or broken pieces such as side tables or stools. Using effective, powerful adhesives is the quickest and easiest way to repair damaged furniture and other household items.
• It’s worth considering adding a single signature wall in a different shade to the rest of the room. This is an easy and adaptable way to add colour. Likewise, using patterned wallpaper on a single wall can have a great effect, without committing to wallpapering an entire room.

Minimalist design on a budget

There are lots of tips and ideas available for decorating on a budget. Some creativity and a little know-how can go a long way. Wall colours have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic of any room, whether it’s the kitchen, bedroom, living room or bathroom, and repainting is one of the easiest ways to transform a room on a budget. As mentioned previously, it’s best to stick to neutral colours to achieve a minimalist look. Another way to save the pennies when redecorating is to work with furniture and items already there and upcycle where possible.

As always when planning to redecorate, it is well worth making a plan before getting started to decide on the overall design and look, as well as find inspiration and ideas online. Decorators should be sure to have all the tools and equipment to hand before starting any project. With a firm plan in place and all the essentials to hand, it will make any home revamp that bit easier.

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