Interior Design: Minimalist

The first rule of interior design: minimalist style is form follows function. In a minimalist interior, furniture and objects should serve a purpose. Following this rule will help you create a beautiful and functional minimalist interior.

Think clean lines when designing a minimalist room. The minimalist look is a pared down look. Furniture can be bold and beautiful but not ornate. Some classic minimalist pieces include the S chair by Verner Panton and the Noguchi coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi. Beautiful modern pieces can be found at Herman Miller. Minimalism shouldn't mean boring. In order to bring visual interest and excitement to your interior choose furnishings in a mix of materials such as chrome, steel, glass wood and stainless steel. Design Within Reach is another great resource for sleek furnishings as is Ikea.

Surfaces such as mantles and countertops are another place where you can add texture and shine. Choose hammered metal countertops, glass backsplashes and stainless steel appliances in your [Minimalist Home Design|minimalist interior]]. Of course, the largest surface in any interior is the floor. For safety reasons you don't want a high gloss floor – it could be slippery. Instead choose a simple finish such as wide wood planks or bamboo. Stained concrete floors are increasing in popularity. Concrete has a cool. Industrial look plus it is slow to heat up and cool off, which can help moderate indoor climate. Diamond plate is also an interesting flooring choice. This metal flooring is often used in warehouses. Its high metal sheen and raised pattern make it a sleek and safe flooring choice. You can shop for diamond plate at Metals Depot.

With all this metal, stone and glass, you need to add some warmth to your interior. Area rugs can bring some warmth and texture to a room. Sisal is a clean, simple choice. If durability is a concern, consider a sisal-look in a woven vinyl. Woven vinyl rugs from companies like Chilewich come in a variety of colors and are easy to maintain.

Speaking of color, keep your interior design: minimalist color palette soft and neutral. White is a classic minimalist choice. An all white interior can be sleek and beautiful. However it may not be practical. Branch out with earth tones such as taupe, beige, stone, slate and even sage green. Monochromatic color schemes work really well with clean furniture and a mix of textures and finishes.

Paint three walls in a room a neutral or earth tone and then paint the fourth wall in a deeper hue of the same color. For example, taupe walls with one dark chocolate wall can be very striking, especially when the furniture in the room is simple and sleek.

Or consider using a bold splash of color with a very neutral palette. Red is a popular accent color. You can introduce it in throw pillows, vases, lamp shades and appliances. Bright yellow is a bold choice that can give a minimalist interior an industrial feel.

Like any well designed interior, minimalist rooms should have a focal point. This can be a large undressed window with a stunning view or a beautiful fireplace. If you are not lucky enough to have these, hang a large mirror or an interesting piece of art. You can also group mirrors or pictures together to create an interesting display.

The final step in creating a beautiful minimalist interior is keeping your rooms clutter free. Minimalism doesn't have to mean museum-like but nor should it scream lived-in. Strike a balance with form and function and you will create a beautiful interior.

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