The evolution of modern minimalism in room design ideas
Less is more. Those three words are often used to describe minimalist style but, surprisingly, minimalism is more than that.
Minimalist ethos revolves around simplicity, functionality, and intentional living. It encourages decluttering, prioritising quality over quantity, and creating serene spaces that enhance well-being. While many may fear that minimalism means things look sparse or dull, minimalist design has proven for decades to be beautiful, refined, and can be quite warm and soothing.
Despite misconceptions, the modern minimalist design doesn’t lack character. It focuses on open spaces, clean lines, and minimal clutter, while also incorporating textures and high-quality materials for depth and interest. The result is a serene, elegant aesthetic that communicates volumes through subtle simplicity.
Getting modern minimalism right
Key elements of modern minimalism are:
Neutral colours
Simple forms
Quality over quantity
Natural materials
Functionality
Bringing the elements together can be quite creative and inspiring once you know what to look for. It’s also possible to find all these elements in items that fit naturally into the modern minimalist aesthetic. A great example is Zorora, the furniture brand that had Instagram buzzing. This local enterprise produces classic styles with a fresh, contemporary look. All Zorora’s furniture boasts all the elements of modern minimalist design and they look and feel inviting. It exemplifies the warmth and comfort of the modern look without compromising on quality, which is a value the Zorora brand holds dear.
By choosing well designed pieces, it’s possible to create a modern minimalist interior scheme that can be clean yet cosy, true to the minimalist philosophy and yet fresh at the same time. It’s also important for decor choices to work well together to achieve a cohesive look that provides a feeling of peace and serenity.
Texture in modern minimalist interiors
Texture is the game changer in a modern minimalist look. It is possible to use a monochrome palette or stick to a fairly simple design in terms of furniture and other decor, but texture gives it depth. The trick is to layer texture, adding different visual and tactile elements so the senses gently acknowledge the effect.
For example, large items of furniture can carry the subtle surface texture of an upholstery fabric such as Cubo or Casual by FibreGuard. Cubo is an elegant flat weave while Casual has a woven linen look with a gentle slub. In either fabric, the gentle texture adds an air of elegance but they also allow for additional textures such as faux fur, chunky wool, wood or metal to harmonise within a space.
For a little more impact without going over the top, the Proposition and Rocco collections by FibreGuard offer a chic alternative. Proposition has a variety of fabric textures in the collection, notably a chenille, velvet or linen feel. Rocco is a chunky basket weave with a raw texture so it’s a bit more visual and certainly offers great tactility. Now, when there’s a bit more texture in the upholstery, softer elements can be layered such as cashmere, velvet in accents or even a little boucle.
Creating an inviting space
The modern minimalist design will always have one piece in the room that is the central focus. In a living room, this would be the sofa. The lounge or living room is often the heart of an abode - a gathering place, a relaxing space so, it needs a really great sofa. Following modern minimalist ethos, it’s choosing quality over quantity so that sofa has to be great.
Sofaworx believes that a sofa is a statement of personal style, comfort and quality. Their range of styles means you can choose the shape and look you wish to have and even customise it further. The importance is that the high quality of the furniture is guaranteed and it’s possible to express a unique style personality, perhaps fusing modern minimalist with a little Japandi, traditional or even mid-century modern looks.
Imagine a room where a warm glow washes over a sofa where the ecru colour upholstery evokes thoughts of vanilla and candlelight. Gentle touches of soft grey, mint green, or even a pale blue bring the eye towards the cushions where the light iridescence of velvet or perhaps the old-world look of tweed calls for a hand to touch. To the side, is a throw - perfect for some reading with a cup of tea. And to add gravitas, a beautiful wood coffee table where the natural grain hints at the connection to the outdoors and perfectly complements the softer elements of the space. This is modern minimalism at its finest!
What’s important to remember is that modern minimalism in interiors invites people in. It’s meant to be a haven, an atmosphere that people want to be a part of and feel soothed. Natural light, some plants, and other natural elements such as wood, ceramics, glass and metal should create a space where anyone can feel relaxed.
Interiors that reduce stress
If the goal of modern minimalism in interiors is to support a life with less worry, then easy cleaning upholstery is vital. The FibreGuard range of upholstery fabrics all have stain-free technology that makes spills very easy to clean up. The fabrics are also durable yet soft to touch which is well suited to the modern minimalist design style or any other decor style thanks to the wide selection of colours, designs, and textures to choose from. Visit us at Home Fabrics to learn more about this incredible fabric brand.
Shop the look
Here are some of our favourite fabrics featured in this article, and where you can buy them.
