When it comes to enduring design trends, minimalism ranks as one of the most popular movements that designers return to year after year. One reason for this is that our homes are one of the few refuges from our fast-paced daily lives, and designers play an important role in creating tranquility in our environments. I am.
But another reason minimalism remains so appealing is that designers are always finding new ways to approach it. Top creators brought us exciting new interpretations of trends by experimenting with texture, color, scale and shape, all while staying true to the principles of the movement. Danish studio Norm Architects states succinctly: “We strive to create minimalist designs that whisper rather than scream.”
From new furniture silhouettes to innovative ways to texture, the ideas below are some of the best new trends to emerge from this enduring interior design trend.
1. Low furniture
Open plan apartment space with low bench seat/daybed
Furniture placed low to the ground has a casual feel, perfect for minimalist spaces. This allows these plans to feel a little less formal and a little more lived-in. Sofas, beds and shelves are prime candidates for this discreet approach. It also has the effect of emphasizing the room, which is a kind of optical illusion, which is especially useful in minimalist planning.
For stylist Colin King, low-slung furniture like this daybed was part of a larger effort to make his New York apartment as pared-back as possible, letting the building take center stage. “The more we scraped the apartment, the more beautiful original features like windows, moldings, and flooring came back,” he told me when we toured his home.
2. Rock bath
Warm white bathroom with freestanding stone bathtub
Recently, bathroom design has taken an exciting new turn with the growing popularity of more unusual bathroom materials, but thanks to their ability to bring instant texture and rusticity to a space, minimalist designers are The most popular stone is stone. The key is to create a harmonious combination of materials and soft forms. “It's important to create balance and bring out the qualities of each material, either visually or functionally. And playing with contrasts (cold and warm, smooth and textured) elevates materials and spaces. “, said Danish architect Daniel Sigerrud. .
I've seen stone used in sinks and vanities, and I'm particularly fascinated by the stone bath concept. This echoes Sigerd's comment about contrast. The interplay between the tub's smooth shape and the rough look of the stone (but don't worry, it's smooth to the touch!) is the key to this minimalist look. Unsurprisingly, Noah Santos is at the forefront of this trend. He uses stone in several bathrooms, including this one, which features a travertine design over a smooth pebble bed.
3.Paper lamp
A warm beige living room with a beige modular sofa, a black glossy coffee table, and an oversized paper lantern.
Paper lamps have a strong association with Japanese design, and over the past few years we've been seeing them appear more frequently in projects. Noguchi's work has become a staple in many design-savvy homes. However, this lighting trend is especially suitable for minimalist plans.
“Traditional Japanese lanterns, made from natural materials and intended to illuminate their surroundings from all directions, are a great example of integrating traditional Japanese design into a minimalist Scandinavian home.” Custom Lamps Emma Jo Eischar of Noam Architects in Copenhagen, who created the project, explains: Above, we have told you the story of the collaboration between Karimoku, one of Japan's leading wooden furniture manufacturers, and Kojima Shoten, a 220-year-old lantern manufacturer headquartered in Kyoto. “By utilizing the natural properties of paper to diffuse light, we can create a warm and attractive paper that expresses the tactility of paper itself.”
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4. Straight line
Dining area with square block travertine table and black and white dining chairs
Curvy shapes have been very popular in minimalist interiors over the past few years, so it's refreshing to see graphic lines and angular pieces return as the centerpiece of a space. Curves can give a gentle, organic feel, while straight lines have a sense of order and structure that lends itself to minimalist schemes.
More daring decorators can evoke these lines through large pieces of furniture. Think a sleek, discreet but boxy sofa, a rectangular dining table, or statement dining chairs, like the ones used in this minimalist dining room plan by New York interior design practitioner Butter please. And eggs. Alternatively, you can choose a rug with a linear pattern or invest in a piece of art that plays with angular shapes.
5. Brick floor
Through a pocket door, view a bathroom with warm white walls, a wall-mounted vanity, and a pale brick floor.
You may have noticed that many of the trends on this list are materials. That's because texture is a key element of a successful minimalist scheme. Brick floors are increasingly appearing in architecture and interior design projects. Brick floors are often a way to create a warmer, fresher feel underfoot than stone.
For Brooklyn, New York design firm Studio Fauve, brick was a natural pairing with the pale woods and stone in this bathroom. Keeping the colors light will prevent small patterns on the floor from overwhelming the space.
6.Pocket door
Hallway to home office with white walls and large pocket door
Clever pocket doors are not only a space-saving solution, they're also a great way to zone a minimalist space, giving you the option to keep rooms open or closed as needed. It has an unobtrusive appearance and meets modern needs for flexibility.
These are especially useful in apartments, as this project by New York's Michael K Chen Architecture shows. In it, the studio explains that “a home office at one end of the apartment can be separated from the rest of the apartment by an oversized pocket door.” This is part of a larger bespoke design that is understated yet adds additional functionality to your home. “Light weight and subtly textured materials, as well as precisely detailed custom elements, create an elegant and casual living environment for professional couples,” the studio adds.
7. Earthy Green
Simple green kitchen with wooden bar stools
Warm neutrals may be a popular choice for minimalist schemes, but that doesn't mean color is ruled out. In fact, earth greens are becoming increasingly popular among designers who use minimalist principles in their work. “Earthy greens are our favorite colors to incorporate into our designs because they exist naturally in our outdoor environment and blend fairly seamlessly into our minimalist designs,” says the South Bay Area designer. interior designer Cathy Hong explains. “They pack a punch, but in a gentle, natural way.”
As an example of a minimalist way to use greenery, Kathy chose Benjamin Moore's Shady Lane for these kitchen units. “It felt like a perfect complement to all the greenery visible through the large floor-to-ceiling glass panels right next to the kitchen,” she says. “The architectural style of this home was midcentury modern with pitched wood ceilings and exposed rafters. So we designed a clean, linear design with natural colors and playful grooved accents. I combined it.”
shady lane
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8. Textured walls
Corridor with textured plaster walls with ribbed detail panels in the lower half
Stucco-look walls have been popular for a while and continue to be one of interior designers' favorite ways to introduce softness into minimalist plans. Now, the next iteration of this trend uses sculptures and moldings to add more interest to this blank, blank canvas.
In this Soho apartment, New York studio GACHOT created a ribbed texture in the ribbon that wraps the lower third of the hallway wall. It's an addition that feels like a new take on panels, but is discreet enough to appeal to minimalist plans. Keeping the rest of the space clean, including smooth joints between walls and ceilings, will help draw attention to this small, but effective detail.