Main features of minimalist style
Each style has its own individual features. In the pure form they are rare, much more often when repairing apartments designers combine them.
The following features are characteristic of minimalism:
- maximum functionality in the interior;
- minimum of decorative objects, or their complete absence;
- abundance of light;
- one color – the main, in combination with one or two dilution for the accent;
- geometric lines and forms;
- prohibition of the use of drawing and ornament (in some cases it is allowed).
All interior elements should be connected and complement each other, the general idea, the chosen image should be traced. In this case, restrained minimalism gives the owners of the apartment a state of calm, harmony with the environment, comfortable contemplation.
Interior Functionality
You should not think that a minimum of items means limiting the use of familiar furniture or appliances. On the contrary, everything in an apartment should be designed for the maximum comfort of the occupants and thought over in detail. This style is characterized by active use of furniture-transformers and built-in appliances.
The tables should be clean. Everything is hidden from prying eyes, complete absence of household items “in plain sight”. The use of built-in wardrobes, dressing rooms, niches with shelves, sofa beds – an important detail of minimalism. The color of furniture is identical to that of walls. It needs to “merge” with the rest of the interior and be almost invisible.
Minimalism decoration
The basic principle of style is to expand the space and almost no small details. Therefore, interior design begins with a particularly careful selection of decor, as it sets the tone for the whole environment. The texture is exactly what you can play on in minimalism. When repairing an apartment in minimalism style, it is best to make the ceiling perfectly smooth: plaster is used, stretch ceilings, less often – it is done in two levels.
Strict lines, the repetition of geometric inclusions present in the interior, backlighting is often used. The ceiling can be glossy or matt, but always only light. For walls choose: plaster, including the texture; wallpaper (allowed with a strict pattern of the same color as an accent on a particular area); painting; brickwork; concrete; panels; kitchen and bathroom tiles. The floor is an important component of the style.
It should emphasize the light color in the design and be without drawing. Playing contrasts is very important! That is why it is almost always dark. Sometimes, on the contrary, a very light tone with dark walls.
The materials chosen are: natural stone, parquet, tiles, filler floor, laminate. Objects of decoration are used rarely and in minimal quantities, no more than one or three per room; do it only in a discreet tone. Bright elements are allowed, or the use of ornaments as an accent and create coziness, echoing the interior: sofa cushions, flower pots, paintings, wall clocks, original floor vases, photographs within, flowers, sconces, local lamps.
Game of light and shadows in design
A lot of natural and diffuse artificial light is another “horse” of minimalism. It is very important for it to have spacious windows that fill the room with natural light. Curtains and tulle are used in the simplest, without decor. Even more often – blinds, Roman curtains. Lamps and fixtures, local illumination are obligatory with minimalism. Sometimes artificial lighting is made everyday and parade.
Backlighting can add warmth and comfort to the interior, making it warmer and more homely. Luminaires and wall lights are selected according to the chosen style: geometric shapes and colours used in the interior are preserved.
Choice of color scheme
Always at minimalism one basic color is chosen, which is prevailing and no more than two others, which help to emphasize the basic color and play on the contrast. Most commonly used: shades of beige and gray, graphite, black. White color must necessarily be present in the minimalistic design.
The choice of color depends on the ideological component of the project and the side of the light on which the windows look. If the windows face the north side, white, light grey or light beige should be used as the main colour. If the floor is dark, the walls will still have a cold effect. Soft warm lighting comes to the aid, which will make the interior play in a new way – more cosy.
The southern, western and eastern sides are less painful to “react” to cold shades in the interior, so it is acceptable to use gray and graphite as the predominant. The use of backlighting in this case is simply necessary!
Simple geometry in minimalist design
The main figures of any interior items for the design of an apartment in this style should have the correct geometric shape: square, rectangle, circle. Furniture should be chosen without finishing elements, laconic, in the color scheme chosen by the project. It is desirable in all interior to repeat elements of one certain figure.
Clear lines in everything, no deviations: a rectangular carpet, a coffee table, pouffe, strict outlines of chairs. It is allowed to use elements of furniture in a modern style. As materials for furniture it is preferable to use: wood, chrome metal, glass transparent and matte, leather, natural materials. Furniture should be without a pattern, with a smooth and smooth surface.
Drawing and ornamentation: sometimes you can still
It is considered that minimalism does not use any figure in principle. But if it is presented as a textured ornament or made in several shades of the main color, such a drawing can be used as an accent on a separate part of the interior.
For example, wallpaper with a pattern of one color, but different shades on one of the walls of the room or tiles on the working wall of the kitchen. The drawing can be repeated in the objects of decor: paintings, flower cushions, cushions on the sofa. It is important to save at least in the form of individual elements of the color scheme selected in the interior.
Who is suitable for this style
Style minimalism understands and accepts not everyone. For some it is too cold and boring. However, this is not the case: if you add lighting, fluffy carpet and interior items correctly, the room will be transformed: it becomes more cosy. Minimalism is chosen by people who prefer comfort and order in everything.
They do not like the clutter of furniture in their apartment, they like the feeling of space and a lot of lighting. Minimalism will perfectly cope with the task of comfortable arrangement of a small studio apartment and equally successfully help to create a cozy country house in a few floors. The main thing in his choice is to realize that this specific interior design should correspond to the character of the owners of the house, otherwise it will not make sense.