The Minimalist Home
Home organising expert Shira Gill explains, “A minimalist home is synonymous with an intentional home — it’s about surrounding yourself with items you need, use, and love, and stripping away the excess,”
Minimalism takes the phrase “less is more” very seriously. However, achieving a minimalist home is much more than ridding your life of materialistic possessions. To achieve a minimal home, you must adopt the minimal lifestyle, which is about being intentional with your actions and decor choices.
The first step is to declutter your home and eliminate any excess items you don’t need to use or love. Decluttering doesn’t only extend to furniture pieces, it includes clothes, books, and decor pieces. Anything that doesn’t serve a purpose or doesn’t bring you joy should be removed from your home.
For example, get rid of that hand-me-down furniture piece you accepted out of guilt but never actually liked. Minimalism is your chance to start fresh, so make sure you only keep the pieces that are truly special to you.
Now that you’ve decluttered your home, it’s time to start being intentional with the pieces you choose to keep and add. When it comes to a minimalist home, quality over quantity is key.
It’s better to have a small number of high-quality pieces than a bunch of cheap items that will fall apart or go out of style quickly. So, take your time when shopping for new furniture and decor pieces and choose timeless items that you know you’ll love for years to come.
Maximise Storage
An important aspect of minimalism is finding a place for everything. This means having a designated spot for your belongings, so they’re not just scattered around your home.
One of the most important aspects of minimalism is maximising storage. Consider finding creative ways to store your belongings so they’re out of sight and not taking up valuable space in your home.
For example, under-bed storage bins can store out-of-season clothes or extra bedding. Or you can use a storage ottoman to keep blankets and pillows close by but out of the way.
By utilising storage solutions, you can declutter your home and make it feel more open and spacious.
Featured product available from Harvey Norman
Living Rooms
A couch suitable for a minimalist home is one with clean lines and a simple design. Avoid couches with lots of embellishments or unnecessary details. Instead, choose a sofa that’s comfortable and stylish. Something you’ll be proud to show off in your home.
A coffee table is a must-have in any minimal home. It’s a versatile piece of furniture that can be used for both decoration and storage.
If home storage is limited, you may want to consider a storage ottoman to store blankets or other living room accessories that you’d prefer to stay out of sight to maintain that minimalist aesthetic.
A buffet or sideboard is an excellent addition to any minimal home because it provides both storage and decoration.
Featured product available from Oz Design Furniture
Dining Rooms
One could argue that a minimalist home doesn’t require a dining table. However, in our post-covid world, employees have more opportunities to work from home. Having a dining table handy could act as more than just a place to enjoy meals as it could double as an office desk.
When selecting your dining table, remember to consider the overall theme you’re working towards and be intentional with how much space you have in the home without overcrowding the rooms. Simple, clean lines are always a good choice for minimalism.
To go along with a dining table, dining chairs are necessary.
When minimalism is your goal, only purchase the amount you need for your family members who reside in your home. Minimalism isn’t about considering when guests come over or what you might need to accommodate visitors. It’s about what you and your family need to do your daily routine comfortably without the clutter of additional pieces that you only ‘might’ use.
Featured product available at Eureka Street Furniture
Timeless Pieces and a Cohesive Feel
When minimalism is your goal, it’s essential to hone in on your personal taste and be consistent with your home’s overall look and feel. This doesn’t mean every room has to match perfectly, but your entire house should have a cohesive feel.
Choosing timeless pieces that will stand the test of time is important when it comes to styling a minimalist home. This doesn’t mean you have to stick to neutral colours — you can still incorporate your favourite colours and patterns into your decor.
However, choosing pieces that won’t go out of style quickly is important, so you don’t have to replace them every few years. Stick to classic shapes and avoid trendy designs if you want your home to have a minimalistic feel.
As minimalism is all about being intentional with your purchases, it’s important to consider how much use you will get out of each piece of furniture. When possible, try to purchase multi-functional furniture that can be used for more than one purpose.
Ultimately, it’s your home, and you can do minimal your way, this is simply a guide to help you on your journey.
Happy styling!
- Aviana 2 Seater Sofa, $3,249. Eureka Street Furniture
- Habitat Galloway Natural Bedside Table, $299.95. Pillow Talk
- Gwyn Buffet, $999. Harvey Norman
- Island Sail Storage Box, $29,95. Pillow Talk
- Antoine Black Dining Armchair, $599. Eureka Street Furniture
- Eloise Storage Ottoman Medium, $649. Oz Design Furniture
Style tip:
Declutter, be intentional with your choices, and select timeless pieces