• Follow us:

Posts Tagged ‘minimalist living’

The Holistic Minimalist

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018

Notice the straight and simple lines of thisAmerican Leather Bedroom California King Bed MEN-BED-CK.

Minimalism is a word that is recently taking the world by storm. This carries with it a lot of ironies since it means living in a stressful world but with less stuff.

Books, documentaries, and podcasts have all been raving about minimalism and how it can actually alter the life of someone who is willing to free-fall.

A lot of minimalists swear by the philosophy of living a life that’s free from excess and worldly possessions. They testify on how having less stuff actually gave their lives more meaning.

It’s No Fad: The Benefits of Minimalism

You may think that minimalism is just a millennial fad but it is a lot more than this. When done with the right reasons, it is a means to make your life more significant.

So what are the benefits of living a minimalist life?

First, those who sign up to live a minimalist life get rid of their financial worries. They also get rid of all forms of clutter in their lives. They learn how to classify the things that they really need from the things that do not add value to their existence.

Minimalists also spend more time on experiences and less time in the acquisition of material things. Eventually, they feel a lot happier and freer. 

Minimalism Means Green

Minimalists also sign up to become green enthusiasts. In fact, sustainable living or green living is equated to minimalism. Green living means buying less and having less waste.

Minimalism also means seeing consumerism for what it is. This has contributed to the issues on earth’s climate and other such problems. If you want to live ethically, then minimalism is the best way to go.

Stanley Furniture Living Room Floating Parsons Console Table 704-45-05

Start Now

So how do you begin living a minimalist life?

First, learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle. You must say no to excessive purchases. You must also promise to decrease the amount of waste that your home produces. And you must swear to recycle and reuse stuff. Composting is something that you also say yes to.

As a minimalist, you must also unplug. Save energy and money when you unplug those electronic devices that consume electricity even when they are just plugged.

Assess your possessions. Find something that you will keep (this is typically something that you will use in the next three months). If you pick an object that you won’t use continuously in the next three months, then it’s okay to finally let go.

This 90-day test is far from easy, though. For instance, you may not use your book collection in the next three months but this does not mean that you should let throw or sell them straightaway.

Another tip here is to live in a smaller place. More probably, you won’t need a big apartment with less stuff. Plus, studio apartments and condo units are a lot cheaper than renting a huge house. Tiny homes are quite popular these days so it’s time to join the bandwagon.

Smaller units also require fewer utilities. Just compare the heating needs of a bungalow with that of a studio apartment.

Another step in minimalism is to buy fresh food weekly. Always buy in bulk so that you’d save more.

Own less furniture, clothing, and appliances, too. This means owning the pieces that are right. Always prioritize quality over quantity.

Buy a laptop that will last a number of years; this has to be a piece that won’t have you worried that it could break down any time. As for clothing, buy the pieces that will also last many years. These are the staple pieces such as a pair of jeans, a few shirts, and a pair of boots.

As for furniture, find the pieces that have multiple uses (e.g. an ottoman that is also a storage unit).

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on The Holistic Minimalist

Bare Essentials: Minimalism as a Lifestyle

Wednesday, July 19th, 2017

The bare essentials are covered in this ensemble – from the American Leather Living Room Meyer sectional to the basic table lamp, rug and the monochrome art on the wall.

Living a minimalist lifestyle is definitely not for everyone. In a busy world such as ours, a lot of people feel that need to have less as they become more and more busy. But where should you begin when you are serious about living a minimalist life?

A Beginner’s Path

You probably heard of those people who have taken the leap and have finally decided to embrace minimalism. These people agreed to spend less and even to have less. They end up needing less and living simpler lives.

The minimalist’s timeline must always be set. It is also important to define what is minimal for you. As you see, what’s minimalist for your sibling may not be exactly true with you. If there is one thing that is common among those who say yes to minimalism, it would have to be decluttering.

A whole house that was once filled with stuff can be turned into a minimalist home by removing the things that cause stress to its inhabitants. Focus on the things that you want and keep only the objects that you need.

Decluttering is one of the most painful steps in becoming a minimalist. Begin with a clear intention even if you have to progress slowly. As you slowly declutter, throw or donate the rest of your stuff which you no longer need.

This might take a few weeks or even a few months. Give it time. Forcing the whole thing might have you

Minimalism is all about doing what you are passionate about and what keeps you alive. You then begin to strip away your schedule, your home and your lifestyle of all the things that do not really matter to you.

Have a definite goal as to when you will be able to attain your minimalist home and lifestyle. You also need to define the steps towards becoming a minimalist. If you have to, create some alerts on your calendar so that you will be reminded of your goals.

Next, you have to decide now. Stop putting off your minimalist goals. You could keep your current home or, who knows, you might even go for a simplified or a much smaller home.

This is a huge step for people who are used to renting or already own big homes.

Minimalist living could also mean traveling and living off of what’s inside your backpack. This is a little extreme, though. You can just begin with having a minimalist interior design for now.

Living with less means stripping yourself of some of the comforts of life. Do this, again, ever slowly so that you won’t have cold feet in letting go of luxuries in life. The golden question to ask is always this – do I really need this?

Reusing stuff is also a good way to live a minimalist life. Repair your clothes instead of buying new ones, cook leftovers, and think before swiping your credit cards.

The Modern Minimalist Home

When it comes to interior design, be sure to invest in high quality furnishings. This is the great secret.  You could have a home filled with dreamy pieces but you have to be able to recognize which you just like and which ones you absolutely need and adore.

Characteristics of a minimalist home include having just the functional yet still decorative pieces. The number of furniture, though few, ascertains that the room still feels cozy not empty.

Minimalism could also mean having blank or bare walls. Don’t hang a lot of pictures or paintings as these will only make the place look cluttered.

Clear the floors, too. Nothing should be seen there. As to the colors in your home, keep them to a bare minimum, too. Think of pastels, beige and other neutral colors.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Bare Essentials: Minimalism as a Lifestyle

Attractive Minimalism: The Beginner’s Roadmap

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

American Leather Living Room Right Arm Chaise MYR-SCH-RA is minimalist with clean and crisp lines.

Being a minimalist is not a way of life for everyone. This is a design that’s meant for people who want to spend less, own less and who want to do less. When you’re contemplating a life of minimalism, then you get on the path to simpler lifestyle. No single practice can make you a minimalist in an instant.  There are those who actually made a dramatic leap to the extreme by giving way most of what they own and moving into an open space home. If you can imagine a life where you just have a sofa, a mattress and a notepad, then hop on to the world of minimalism.

Set a Minimalist Goal

This timeline should be able to define your minimalist life and home. You can’t have a minimalist home without altering your lifestyle. So, does minimalism automatically default to having a minimal amount of objects? Well, yes.

This means that you must learn to declutter the entire home and you must learn to live with less stuff. This also means you have to commit to no longer buy stuff that you don’t need.

There isn’t a single, correct way to being a minimalist. Every person has his or her own definition of what’s fundamental and stress-free. Take the time to define minimalism for yourself. Focus on what you need and what you’re more passionate about. As you do this, you will soon feel that you’re ready to let go of most things that you don’t actually need.

Have a clear goal, one that’s broken down to attainable steps. As much as possible, create alerts on your online calendar. These days, it’s not enough to just write down goals anymore, you have to create an alarm that will nudge you in the right direction.

It’s a Must to Declutter

This is quite obvious but it is also one of the most painful steps in truly achieving a minimalist lifestyle. Begin slow but with real intent. Donate or throw out stuff that you obviously no longer need. Next, hide every little thing that you haven’t used for months to give yourself ample time to decide whether to throw them away or not.

Keep reminding yourself that stripping yourself of things that you don’t need is the right path to a minimalist life. If you can live with just a bed and a laptop in your apartment, then go for it. You are the boss and you get to decide which minimal things give you happiness.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Minimalism also means being able to recycle most of the things that you have. You learn to segregate wastes, buy only things that are organic and use renewable materials only. Educate your home members to recycle so that it becomes a family effort.

If you have been blessed with wooden flooring, do not be pressured to cover it right away with beautiful rugs. Go minimal by showing off the bare look of your wooden floors. If cold toes worry you, then consider installing an electric heating system instead.

Minimalism needs a lot of storage and the Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Swan Room Divider w File Storage fills this need to a T.

The Go-To Furnishings

Couches pretty much are the pieces to own in a living space. If this space is going to be used for lively activities, then you should consider investing in individual chairs. If the space, however, comes with a breathtaking view, then your minimalist setting is the perfect frame for the scenery outside.

A sectional couch can be the go-to piece when you have a large space to fill. You can create a functional space using only a sectional, coffee table, one ottoman and a pair of side tables.

Do you have a rug that’s a star in its own right? Then allow this to be the focal point in your home. Keep the furniture around it all clean and simple.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Attractive Minimalism: The Beginner’s Roadmap

The Design Aha! (How to Identify a Design Epiphany)

Saturday, September 17th, 2016

FFDM Collectors' Room: This is many homeowners' dream dining room.

FFDM Collectors’ Room: This is many homeowners’ dream dining room.It is rustic, pristine, classy and sophisticated – everything that one could ask for in a room.

When you are out to choose a theme for your home, there are many styles that you could get confused over. There are period styles that could fit nicely to the interiors of the smallest apartments like Mission styling, Georgian, Art Deco, Minimalist and Retro deco. You could begin looking at these time-tested styles so that there won’t be regret in the end.

Go Georgian

If you would like to try the Georgian theme, you should look into colors that are muted such as off-whites and grays, browns, blues and olive green. Be sure to add gilding in your style. Don’t stop there – decorative molding is also a huge part of this design.

Use window treatments such as swags, drapes and tie-backs. Make good use of upholstered items for both furnishings and decorative items. The perfect backdrop would be white or cream which would depict flower arrangement or a serene pastoral scene.

Georgian furnishings include French repro, winged chairs, and roll-top office desks. Use Chippendale or Hepplewhite furniture styles as they are also appropriate.

Hooker Furniture Home Office Skyline Bunching Bookcase

Hooker Furniture Home Office Skyline Bunching Bookcase may look traditional but it sits perfectly inside this modern home office.

The Art That Is Mission

Mission style is also referred to as the Arts and Crafts style. This was a defiant style from the ornate Victorian concept. This was and is the right apartment look as it is comfortable and uncluttered.

Mission gets its inspiration from nature, therefore, it displays a monochromatic earth tone. Walls could be brown, tan, moss, or ochre. Cream is a common accent. The doors are almost always made of natural wood, a great way to be abreast with the period.

Stained glass is also a necessary décor, with stained glass lamps taking center stage.

Beautiful, Lustrous Art Deco

Art Deco is a theme that was embraced during the 1920s till the 1930s. It’s composed of simple, clean lines. Other events that could be included as inspirations to this style are jazz music, inventions, skyscrapers and discoveries.

Since this is art, go and paint your walls with colors that contrast the woodwork. Use muted gray with turquoise, bright green or deep blue. Don’t forget to bring a little black to this look. Use it on either the accessories or the furnishings.

Mirrors and chrome pieces are great accessories.

Awesome Retro

If you were born  in the 60s or 70s, you know what wonderful years those have been. Retro is a theme that’s applicable to you if you love the richness of brown and other deep tones. Use prints and wall treatments along with geometric designs.

The Scandinavian furniture pieces will also look great in this theme.

Minimalism Means Green

If you choose a minimalist theme, then you are one person who loves the uncluttered look.  This style asks you to keep everything simple, from the lines, to the furnishings to the accessories. Furniture must be constructed with materials like chrome, natural wood, glass or stainless steel. These materials offer an ultra-modern look which is why they are at the top of the list.

The Functional Layout

Sometimes, all it takes for a homeowner to decide on which style to choose is knowing what layout would be most functional for his or her home. Interior design, after all, starts with the functional layout. Figure out which one is most functional for your house structure. This is also dependent on your lifestyle, how much budget you are willing to shell out and living needs.

Keep in mind that there is no one ideal layout that’s applicable to every person on the planet.

If you are still unsure about which theme to use in your home, then look through interior design magazines or sit down and speak with an interior designer.

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

The Minimalist Home: Beauty in Simplicity

Monday, August 15th, 2016

Artistica Dining Room Delilah Side Chair 470-020

Artistica Dining Room Delilah Side Chair 470-020

An uncluttered home with but a few functional furnishings is often referred to as a minimalist space. The removal of unnecessary stuff is necessitated by this theme or, more so, a way of life.

An example of minimalism is exhibited where the kitchen and dining areas contain just the essentials – a dining table (that’s free from clutter), appropriate chairs, counter stools, step stool for children, and appliances such as a coffeemaker and a microwave.

This kind of setting may be easily devoid of fun, life and character if you lose the important elements that would make it stand out. If you’re ready to take the plunge and live with just the bare essentials then, first, learn the benefits of a minimalist setting –

Minimal Stress

Did it ever occur to you that clutter is a kind of visual distraction? Anything that presents in your line of vision can potentially catch your attention so you might as well set up a clutter-free environment.

A home with minimal to zero clutter has a calming effect, thus, you would feel less stress.

Upped Appeal

Just imagine the look of a cluttered home compared to a minimalist space. The homes with just the necessary furniture and nice artwork are the ones that are more appealing. If you want to increase the value of your home – visually at the very least – then have a minimalist theme.

Easier to Maintain

Of course, it is a lot more difficult to clean up if you have more stuff. You need to vacuum and sweep and polish more often. Just imagine how much easier your life would be if you have less furniture and appliances to clean each day.

You don’t have to be an extreme minimalist. You can have a couch, loveseat, coffee table, a TV, and some lamps in a minimalist living room. There could even be less, say, a couch, a chair or two and a coffee table to complete the setup. The bedroom, on the other hand, can have a bed, dresser and a nightstand.

 Rid of Knickknacks

A minimalist home has clean surfaces to boost. Don’t expect to find stacks of books or a collection of knickknacks in such a home. What you’d be able to find are accent decorations such as a simple flower vase. Should you ever find a desk, all you’d see there is a framed family photo and nothing else. A tasteful artwork could also hang on one wall to complete the minimalist look.

Quality Is Emphasized

A minimalist home is all about having just a few good things that you use often and also love. Keep that nice table and other essential furniture pieces such as a sofa, a pair of chairs, and a small cabinet.

Conquer One Room at a Time

It would be difficult to transition from a different theme and immediately embrace minimalism. You can begin with just one room initially then move on to the next, and so forth till you are able to conquer your entire home.

Now, more often than not, the biggest contents of a room are the furniture piece so you should always begin simplifying by checking your current furniture. The fewer large pieces you own, the more potential you have of setting up a minimalist home.

Look Up

Instead of looking for more stuff that would occupy floor space, look upwards. There is plenty of space up there to accommodate additional shelves and hanging racks.

Since you’re clearing away stuff, make sure that the ones you don’t use go inside tall, narrow cabinets and drawers. A bookshelf can double as a DVD rack.

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

Minimalism As A Way of Life

Friday, May 6th, 2016

The soft, clean lines of the Century Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Panel Side Wings 849-170W make this piece the perfect set for your minimalist dwelling.

The soft, clean lines of the Century Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Panel Side Wings 849-170W make this piece the perfect set for your minimalist dwelling.

Simplifying one’s life is not an easy task. Not a lot of people would delve into it and would go out of their way to change other people into their simpler way of living. In the process of learning minimalism, though, you will learn that the little changes you make in terms of habits, attitudes, even your environment, can have a huge impact in you as an individual.

Every Little Bit of Happiness

Minimalism can begin with these simple steps –

  • Say goodbye to your TV. You will save hundreds of hours every month if you stop watching TV every day. You will also be less exposed to commercials which only prod you to buy unnecessary stuff.
  • Read stuff online. Instead of accumulating magazines and newspapers, read them online instead. This will save lots of trees and keep your home free from clutter.
  • Keep only the simplest furniture. Say no to bulky, foamed pieces.
  • Remove excessive decor. Also, you can store stuff in cabinets, drawers and shelving units.
  • Always clean up. Daily sweeping is much better than massive weekend cleanups.
  • Get rid of stuff that you no longer need. Keeping things that you no longer have any use for is unnecessary.
  • Organize your clothes inside closets. Do this also with your watches, jewelry, scarves, and bags.
  • Buy clothing that you will really Some people buy clothes in a whim. If you don’t frequent parties, then just buy clothing that you will use at work and at home, plus some.
  • Eliminate bathroom clutter by buying multipurpose products (shampoo and conditioner in one, moisturizer with sunscreen, etc.).
  • Keep the leftovers so you can cook a different dish using it next time. Properly plan your meals and as much as you can, cook in batches.
  • Throw any gadgets that no longer have any purpose to you or your work.
  • The countertops should be kept clutter-free. Cooking food becomes a lot easier if everything is in its proper place.
  • Use the printer as little as possible. Digitize your work instead.
  • As much as you are advised to store your clothes, gadgets, jewelry and other stuff inside cabinets, you can also apply this to your files. Use an external hard drive or cloud storage for all your files.
  • Know that perfection does not exist so learn to accept things that are good enough. You can never have a pristine home all the time; having a tidy one should be good enough.
BLOG 8. Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 is a home office piece that you cannot do without.

BLOG 8. Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 is a home office piece that you cannot do without.

Minimalist Furniture

What makes a minimalist setting stand out despite its absence of frills and bulky stuff is its simple elegance. The creation of a minimalist space is not difficult. All that it requires is knowledge in balancing certain interior design ingredients.

A Good Command of Harmony

A space that does not have too many items in it requires stricter design rules. You have to be more careful of elements such as proportion, balance and harmony. The furniture that you choose should be in proportion with the rest of the room’s contents. This means that no single thing in a room should be too big or too small.

Quality First

Minimalism speaks of quality before quantity so invest in high quality furniture, lighting and accessories. Look for unique finds and take time to shop around. Plan every piece that you will include in your home. It could be as little as the frame of an artwork or the richness of the fabrics.

Calming Palette

There are, of course, minimal spaces that showed color but, as a whole, if you would review the concept of minimalism, it should be simple and down-to-earth. As much as you can, stick to neutrals and calming hues. Any color that depicts the beauty of nature is highly recommended.

The Winners Only Bar and Game Room Black Cushioned Barstool DDT245024E eats up just a portion of your dining or kitchen space.

The Winners Only Bar and Game Room Black Cushioned Barstool DDT245024E eats up just a portion of your dining or kitchen space.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

Minimalism: Power In Simplicity

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

 

American Leather Living Room Meyer-Sectional is clean, crisp and streamlined; perfect for a minimalist setting.

American Leather Living Room Meyer-Sectional is clean, crisp and streamlined; perfect for a minimalist setting.

Minimalism is a way of life that is slowly being embraced by a lot of people all over the world these days. Today, society prides in the accumulation of wealth and possessions but there are a handful of people who believe that real joy can be found with fewer of this stuff.

Less Is More

Here are some of the benefits that come with minimalism –

  • Less expenditure
  • Less stress
  • Minimalist homes are easier to clean
  • A sense of freedom from comparison
  • Environmentally good
  • Increased productivity
  • Visually appealing

A minimalist home is architecturally linear and organic. The dominant material used in building the minimalist structure is the rock. Wooden materials are also typically found but they come in fewer presentations.

An interior that is minimalist also features minimal furniture pieces. You will find only the usable pieces that are also suitable to the theme in a room.

MINIMALISM. Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424

Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 was named after a Belgian missionary who was later granted the sainthood. Saint Armand is now the patron saint of wine makers, merchants, and beer brewers. This desk has an organic appeal with a russet-colored finish and a simple rustic knob.

Minimalism also means clean surfaces with very minimal to zero engravings or ornamentation. It is easy to clean because there are no complex textures and layers, the lines are simpler and clutter-free.

Should you ever consider using the minimalist design in your home, then consider what accents you will be bringing in. Remember that minimalist settings should be simple and clean not boring. Minimalist accents, therefore, should also be used in order to neutralize the looming monotony that comes with simplicity.

An example is a home painted in gray which can be made more exciting (but on a subtle level) by hanging paintings and other kinds of artwork. Special lighting may also be used to highlight the artwork. You will have reached a different level of elegance once you are able to carry this out.

Minimalism also means prioritizing quality over quantity. The less stuff you own, the better for you. Minimalist homes may have less stuff but every one of these is in use and is guaranteed to reach their full potential.

The tendency of homeowners to choose the minimalist interior design is not only because they want to follow trends or that they are bored with the architecture of their homes. Minimalist interiors are often the representation of a person’s want to change his lifestyle.

Those who become minimalists choose to become highly mobile and practical. They are also more efficient yet their homes are not aesthetically ho-hum.

Minimalism is a philosophy that encompasses many aspects of a person’s life. In terms of home design, it should be a clean, open space that embraces simple architecture, streamlined furniture and simple materials.

In A Nutshell

Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Wall Storage Cabinet is made of light wood with three adjustable glass shelves framed in wood. It also comes with locking file drawers which are perfect for the clutter-free environment in a minimalist setting.

Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Wall Storage Cabinet is made of light wood with three adjustable glass shelves framed in wood. It also comes with locking file drawers which are perfect for the clutter-free environment in a minimalist setting.

 

To reiterate how a minimalist home should look like, always remember that you should be straightforward when it comes to the functions and form, even the general layout of your home. Uncomplicated and predictable spaces are your abode.

As to the cladding and wall finishes, your choices should be those that show a continuous line while still providing a pleasant visual appeal. A boring facade will be livened up by cedar slats and a blue-colored door.

Open and light-filled spaces especially in the living area and kitchen are a must. Light, in abundance, creates ambiance of openness.

Use light colors on your walls and be sure to remove any kind of clutter. Embrace a neutral colored palette as much as you can. If you have to use color, do not splash them liberally.

As to the furniture, be sure to use only those that have functions. Find zero frill cabinetry, uncomplicated trim details, and simple stairs. Use materials strategically so that you can achieve simplicity in texture, visual interest, even personality.

Achieve these things and your home will surely be the epitome of minimalism.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | No Comments »