How to Create a Stylish, Comfortable, Minimalist Home

A minimalist home is more than a neutral color scheme, modern furniture, and perfect organization.  It starts with looking inward and thinking about what you love so those things can be reflected in your surroundings.  As Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist says, "Minimalism is the intentional promotion of what we most value by removing anything that distracts from it."

That's a good thing, because even though I'm a minimalist, and my home has neutral, warm white walls, my color scheme includes navy blue, apple green, and sunflower yellow.  I use my parents' 60-year-old Early American maple dresser every day, and decorate with vintage blue and white English ironstone.

Be intentional.

Minimalism isn't about owning the fewest things or about adopting a severe, utilitarian aesthetic.  It's about knowing what you need and letting go of things you don't.  You're rewarded with a more open space that leaves room for people instead of things, allowing you to focus better and relax more completely.

Get started by grabbing a box or a bag, walking through your home room by room, and removing what you don't need.  Consider duplicates, things that are broken or obsolete, and items that have sat dormant in one space for a year or more.

You can also experiment with less to see whether you really need something or not.  For example, box up your extra set of dishes or some neglected hobby supplies and store them away for a while to see if you actually miss them.  If they're still in storage after one to six months, it may be time to let them go.

As you start to get a sense of what's necessary and what isn't, you can organize what you've chosen to keep.  Simple and attractive storage solutions, such as drawers, baskets, trays, and jars, can corral items and reduce visual clutter.*

* This blog is reader-supported, with no ads.  If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission.

Consider colors and textures.

After you've pared down – even if it's just a little – you can start thinking about the colors and textures you want.  And you don't have to stick with black, white, and gray, either!  If certain colors appeal to you and bring you life and inspiration, use them.

However, there is some benefit to sticking with a certain palette of hues.  If you use two or three colors that look good together, you'll create a cohesive look that's still focused and streamlined.  It's like building a minimalist, mix-and-match wardrobe.  Pieces pair well and allow for both ease and variety.  In fact, a home palette lets you swap décor, such as wall art, lamps, side chairs, and throw pillows, whenever you want a refreshing change, without spending money or creating clutter with new purchases.

Incorporating different textures into your home is another way to add variety and depth.  Sleek wooden tables, velvety toss pillows, woven rattan chair seats, shiny brass lamps, or a tray of spiky succulents are different ways to enhance visual and tactile interest.  Without adding more items, your textural choices can influence the way your home feels, whether cool and airy or warm, soft, and cozy.

Embrace the minimalist mindset.

A minimalist approach can let you focus on the things you love, even those that aren't practical household objects.  My favorite pieces of blue and white English ironstone are displayed on a wooden shelf painted apple green, the focal point on one wall of my living room.  Instead of scattering pieces of a beloved collection throughout a room, or "hiding" bits here and there on a cluttered bookshelf, minimalism lets you create a clearer, less-crowded space – one that lets your favorites shine.

My friend likes the Ralph Lauren look but wanted a lighter, minimalist approach in her neutral living room.  She added several throw pillows (made from a thrift store leather vest and plaid flannel shirts) to her oatmeal couch and wingback chairs, which sit on an old Oriental rug gifted by her mother-in-law when she was downsizing.  She displayed a thrifted collection of brass figurines on a rustic tray, elevating a few on a couple of leatherbound books.  Finally, she hung an arrangement of vintage-inspired equestrian prints in ornate thrift store frames sprayed with Rustoleum's Gilded Brass paint.  These few items created the cozy, classic look she craved.

"Minimalism isn't about removing beauty," says Joshua Becker.  "It's about removing distraction."  It's the way to let your decorative pieces inspire you and elevate your home.

This might mean getting rid of knickknacks that aren't meaningful, especially cheap or mass-produced items.  Things you bought on a whim or to use once for a holiday can't compare to personal items you actually love, so consider donating them in favor of truly cherished pieces.

Peaceful and personal

Minimalism frees up time, money, and energy, and reduces stress and decision fatigue.  But it can also help you refine and personalize your home, making it more comfortable and supportive for your life.

If you liked this article, you may also enjoy my book Goodbye, Clutter.  Decluttering isn't about stripping down to a bleak existence, but about finding the just-right mix of ease, comfort, and beauty.  The true beauty of a decluttered home is that what remains will reflect the best parts of you.  The things you choose to keep will be the most useful, suitable, and highest quality items – your treasures.

Goodbye, Clutter includes chapters to help you declutter your kitchen, wardrobe, office, sentimental items, kids' toys, and more, plus an appendix filled with information on how to responsibly sell, donate, upcycle, and recycle unwanted items.