From green marble streaks to dark brown living rooms to curved kitchen islands, the trend peaking in interiors right now is minimalism. It pervades every design, and the trend is being felt in more and more homes around the world. And now you can think more calmly about the interior.
But what is minimalism in interior design? It's not about ignoring things completely, as many people think. It's not an empty house, or completely transparent surfaces and rooms devoid of character.
If anything, it's the opposite. It's a loving celebration of the homeowner's personality and favorite things. You can see them because they are unencumbered by everything else you have accumulated.
“You need certain things to make your life run smoothly,” says John Pawson, a designer often hailed as the mastermind of modern minimalism. “I think it gets in the way when you have more than you need.”
His theory is that if you continually self-edit, you'll truly appreciate the items you've carefully chosen, and you'll end up with a space you love and feel like you.
These are 10 of the best modern homes that embody this sense of warm minimalism. They are gentle and selective, but never cold.
1. John Pawson's Neuendorf in Mallorca, Spain
(Image credit: Neus Pastor)
Designed by John Pawson in the 1980s, this Mallorcan home is airy, bright, pink, and has an inviting pool. It determines the current minimalist vibe: warm tones, plenty of space, and an inviting atmosphere.
The modern kitchen is particularly stunning, with a platform overlooking just the dining table and an almost mountainous view of the space.
Check out the complete tour of Neuendorf here.
2. Jonas Bjer Poulsen's apartment in Copenhagen, Denmark
(Image credit: Christoffer Regild/Living Inside)
Star architect Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, founder of Norm Architects and product design brand Menu, has created a minimalist haven on the outskirts of Copenhagen.
Despite being a pioneer in current architectural trends, it's not entirely empty. Objects are displayed on the surface, books are placed on tables inviting you to read them, and this is clearly a home where real people live real lives. But the color palette has been stripped down and the idea of minimalist décor comes from the way items are placed next to each other, allowing them to breathe and sing. wonderful.
Click here for a complete tour of Jonas Bjerre Poulsen's apartment.
3. Grant Stragan's warm-colored home in London, England
(Image credit: Nick Dearden)
DEDRAFT architect Grant Stragan realized all of his minimalist fantasies when designing his own home. Again, this work is not characterized by a lack of things, but by extracting what is actually necessary to live.
In her home office, Grant realized that all a successful space really needs is something to sit on, something to sit on, and light.
Take a complete tour of Grant Stragan's home here.
4. Small house at llabb studio in Italy
(Image credit: Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo)
More of a retreat than a home, this small house by llabb studio overlooks the Italian mountains, with nothing in the way of the view.
But it's not Sparta. Instead, The Hermitage has everything you really need, including a desk and work lighting, and can be used as a work space, meditation space, or even a tea room. Small, actually small, but perfectly formed.
Click here for a complete tour of the Hermitage.
5. i29 Decorative House in Amsterdam, Netherlands
(Image credit: i29 Interior Architects)
This ultra-modern family home in Amsterdam, Netherlands, doesn't have much, but that doesn't stop what's there from being surprisingly decorative.
But instead of hanging art or layering fabrics and rugs, architect i29 created a cut-out piece of modern kitchen cabinetry. The result is a pattern that looks like a cloud of butterflies, a reminder that sometimes fixtures can be decorations themselves.
Take a complete tour of i29's design here.
6. Cabin at Studio Paolo Ferrari in Muskoska, Canada
(Image credit: Joel Esposito)
Nestled in the mountains of Muskoska, Canada, this luxurious cabin is the pinnacle of the warm minimalism trend. Materials are sourced from right outside the door, and you have to give credit to the kitchen island, which is made of local granite, but like the tiny house above, it lets the view take center stage.
Designed by Studio Paolo Ferrari, this is another great example of arranging the necessities in your home so that you can live comfortably but ultimately peacefully. Speaking of calm, the Dogas fir is as calming as mountain life.
Click here for a complete tour of Studio Paolo Ferrari's cabins.
7. Cherry Lee's luxurious mansion in London, UK
(Image credit: Future/Mary Wadsworth)
Who would have thought that minimalism could feel so luxurious? Designer Shelly Lee intentionally kept this London home clean, and her choices are sleek, sophisticated, and high-end.
The result is a minimalist living room with a pink sofa, a dining room with plush chairs in nectar color, and a minimalist living room with a round table from Bonaldo. Minimalism is something you make yourself.
Take a complete tour of Cherie Lee's project here.
8. A project by Kingston Rafferty Design in Cork, Ireland
(Image credit: Ruth Maria Murphy /Living inside)
This project is a fascinating example of minimalism. This is because pallets are by no means wasteful. Overall, the house is an exciting kaleidoscope of greens, blues and reds, with deep stripes flickering on the walls and surfaces.
But it's significant because the whole place is stripped of decoration. Luxurious materials such as marble, velvet and wood shine undisturbed. Kingston Rafferty Design has been pushing the boundaries of minimalism in surprising ways.
Take a complete tour of Kingston Lafferty Design's projects here.
9. Dean Pool Hut in New Zealand
(Image credit: Future)
Dean Poole, a surfer and artist, wanted nothing more than to own an aesthetically pleasing beachfront home. But his hut in Karekare is wonderfully finished. Blonde wood is used seamlessly throughout, creating a space that moves the eye from zone to zone.
And waking up in a sun-filled minimalist bedroom must be heavenly. surfers' Paradise? This is it.
Take a complete tour of Dean Pool's beachside cabins here.
10. Sleeve House in Hudson Valley, New York
(Image credit: Sarah Elliott)
This home in upstate New York is thoroughly minimalist in its choice of materials. Exposed concrete and dark wood draw the eye from the outside and are also used inside.
There is comfort and softness here in the form of comfortable living room furniture, but its elegance contrasts with the austerity of the architecture and minimalist approach to design.
Check out the complete tour of Sleeve House here.
References
(Image credit: Phaidon)
If this inspires you to embrace more minimalism, designer John Pawson's book Anatomy of Minimum is a great place to start. This shows the best of his work and helps us understand his principles that we can all incorporate into a more gentle way of living.
Purchase “Minimal Anatomy'' by John Pawson on Amazon.