There’s something to be said for kitting out your home with as many luxury items as you can get your hands on, but it’s not the only way to go. One of the increasingly popular decor options is ‘minimalism’, a movement that prioritises the ethos of ‘less is more’. Incorporating this style into your home won’t just make it look cool (though it will); it’ll also improve your mental well being and allow you to do your bit for the environment. And the best part about it? You won’t need to hire anybody else to do it for you.

Natural minimalist

I always say I'm a natural minimalist.  I never knew there was such a trend as minimalism, I've just naturally lived this way for a fair number of years.  It probably started when I moved no less than 10 times in 10 years!  Everyone knows moving is a stress and chore, so every time I moved I reduced my belongings so I'd have less things to shift.  This started me on my minimal journey.  Then I lived in a bedsit for over four years.  It was smaller than my living room is now.  A dinky room with a double bed, rug, sofa and kitchenette in which I had to squeeze all my belongings.  Living in such a small space meant I really had to be ruthless with my things and only keep what I needed.  This definitely had a huge impact on my minimialism journey.  Now I am obsessed with space, cleanliness and only having what I need.  One visitor once commented 'where's all your stuff?' when in a previous home of mine!

Whilst I believe minimalism is a different journey for everyone and it is what you make of it, there is a trend beginning.  Below, I take a look at fifteen simple DIY ideas that’ll bring your home into the minimalist age.  

1. As Simple as Black and White

You’ll want to top up on paint brushes and paint because you’re going to need them. Minimalism isn’t just about having less stuff; it’s also about having a ‘look’ that is as clean and clear as simplicity itself. White walls mixed with black (or dark) furniture touches will do the trick. Of course, you can’t do everything with a tin of paint. When it comes to your kitchen, look at getting white tiles. It’s the white that does all the work, as it’ll make your home look bright and airy, a staple in minimalist homes.

2. One Piece, Multiple Uses

There is no limit to the human imagination, and if you don’t believe us, just take a look at some of the creative ways people are using their furniture to make sure that do more than just their original job. Remember, you won’t have too many items in your home once you’ve incorporated this design philosophy, so you’ll need to make sure that every thing does its job and then some more! There are boxes you can buy that are genuinely game-changing; depending on how you arrange them, you might have a desk, dinner table, or storage unit. When you need them to fill another purpose, just rearrange and hey presto: you have a different piece of furniture.

3. Creative Storage Solutions

Minimalism doesn’t mean you don’t get to own stuff. It’s just the stuff you do own needs to have value, and a continued place in your life. Still, you’ll need to get those items out the way if you’re 'going minimalist'. So what options do you have? You can’t have them all in plain view, so instead look at adding some creative storage solutions to your home. Take a look around your rooms: how much dead space is there in corners, below tables, or under the stairs? That’s where you’ll need to (neatly) store your belongings when not in use.

4. Bringing the Outdoors In

It doesn’t get much more straightforward than nature, so why not bring some of it into your home? Buying a few plants and dotting around them home isn’t so much a DIY job, but it will make a big difference to your home. As well as bringing with it all the benefits of having a plant in the house, you’ll also help break up the monotony of your black and white decoration. The best thing is that plants just can’t detract from the minimalist vibe of your home; get one, get ten. Your home will always look great.

5. In the Garden

And talking of nature: it’s not just within your four walls that you can become minimalist. Why not also take a look at your garden, too? Summer is made for sitting outside under a setting sun, and it’ll be all the sweeter if your outdoor furniture matches what’s happening inside your home. All you need is some pallet furniture & outdoor seating foam, and you’ll be able to create your own minimalist seating area. Easy to put together, beautiful to look at, fun to sit on: it’s a no-brainer.

6. Let there be Light

If you don’t know just how important lighting is to the overall look and feel of your home, then where have you been all this time? With minimalism, your lighting takes on even greater appearance, because it can make or break the whole aesthetic. It’s all about having bright, but not harsh lights. Make the most of floor lamps, and avoid lampshades on your overhead lighting; a soft light bulb will make it look much better.

7. Let Your Culture Be Your Decoration

There’s no correlation between having a minimalist home and having a boring home. Do not make the mistake of believing that you need to leave anything fun at the door! However, the type of things you have in your home will be influenced by your decor choice. A well-stocked bookshelf could be all the entertainment you need, while a painting that hangs in an otherwise bare room will always get attention.

8. Essential Kitchen Items

Take a wander into the average home, walk into their kitchen, and open a random drawer. What do you see? It’s usually a scene of chaos, with an odd and extensive assortment of kitchen items throw around with no order in mind. This will not be the case in your house. Instead, buy only the essential kitchen items, and then organise them well. There’s a lot of creative storage options you can find online, so take a look and begin your project.

9. Get Rid of the Stuff You Don’t Need

OK, it’s time to make some tough decisions, because you’re going to need to get rid of a lot of the junk you’ve accumulated over the years. Minimalism is about only having the items that add value to your life, and for most people, that’s only a few key items. Everything else must go! As a hard and fast rule, you should donate anything that you haven’t used in the past year (or sixi f you’re feeling extra committed).

10. The Big Stuff

Of course, you won’t be able to get rid of everything. Some things will have value, sentimental or financial, and you won’t want to take them to a charity shop. There’s an easy solution: put in storage. That way you can keep your home minimalist without having to part with something you value.

11. Wires, Wires, Wires

You can’t have a simple home if there are wires all over the place. Aside from detracting from the overall beauty of your home because there’s nowhere for them to hide, you need to remember that technology isn’t always good for you; the sheer presence can disrupt your mind, which is the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve! For your tech, go wireless. A laptop and speaker is all you need anyway.

12. Quality over Quantity

Moving forward, when it comes to buying items for your home (or anything else), you should keep in the back of your mind that it’s better to buy one quality item over five average items. A high-end product will naturally cost you more, but it’ll look better, and will last much longer. Your home doesn’t have to look cheap; by buying a great item, you’ll just be outlying the money you would end up spending on replacing the average goods over the years anyway.

13. Mixing Rustic with Contemporary

It’s not always easy trying to achieve the minimalist look. But there is one handy rule you can keep in the back of your mind as you’re creating your look: that mixing rustic with contemporary will always result in a good look. That means having exposed, untreated woods and trendy electrical items mixed together to create a vibrant living space.

14. Tonal Similarities

Every home needs to have accessories, and yours won’t be any different. When it comes to buying your pillows, throws, and other odd sorts that every comfortable home needs, opt for items with tonal similarities. It’ll create a cohesive, uniformed look. However, you should also take steps to mix up your tones, too, by adding a splash of colour here and there. A touch of gold, for instance, will help focus the eyes and bring the room together.

15. To the Future

The last task is ongoing. Its aim is to keep the minimalist vibe of your home here for the long term, and it goes like this: when you buy a new item, you have to get rid of something else you own. This might sound strict, but it’s the only way to ensure that your home doesn’t become cluttered!

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of advantages to having a minimalist home. You’ll be happier, less stressed, and - perhaps best of all - your home will look amazing. It’s the cutting edge of home decor, so take the tips we’ve outlined above and begin the process of simplifying your house - and your life. You won’t regret it, especially when you have a house that you love to spend time in.