Warm Minimalism

Making a Simple Space Feel Human

Even for those of us who are not architects and designers, minimalism is a style of design that everyone has heard of and likely seen in the last decade.  While minimalism is not a new concept, with origins of the minimalism movement starting back in the 1960s and 70s, it has had a recent spike in popularity following the COVID-19 pandemic.  This has largely been attributed to minimalism being a generally more affordable design choice with less furniture and decorations, but also because minimalism has been described as a way for people to create their own simplicity and peace in their otherwise chaotic and messy lives.

         One of the things that tends to put people off of minimalism is the color scheme.  Minimalism is almost always defined by neutral colors and colors found in nature.  This includes a lot of greys, tans, and earthy browns, but a lot of minimalist interior designers end up relying heavily on whites or off-white colors.  Simply looking up the word minimalism in an image search leads to a plethora of bare, white interiors that many people would find unappealing in their home.

         This is where the newer concept of warm minimalism comes in.  Warm minimalism is about creating a space that still follows the idea of being less cluttered and chaotic, but also still feels human and inviting to live in.  This style of design still incorporates the sleek design associated with minimalism while adding softer earthy accent colors such as terra cotta, burnt orange, mauve, or soft sage green.  Warm minimalism will also use rounded shapes in its furniture and decor that will often be blended into the straight lines of typical minimalism.  The resulting effect still has the clean look of minimalism, but it has been tempered slightly with softer items that help create a feeling of comfort.

         One of the best ways to add warmth to a minimalist space is to add texture and variety.  Furniture can often be minimalist in form, but will be upholstered with a warmer fabric, such as linen or boucle.  Stepping away from furniture, even layering textures can help make a space feel more alive than typical minimalism would encourage.  When layering textures, textiles are most often used.  Think linen or cotton curtains, throw pillows, blankets, and natural rugs.

         Minimalism does not have to be a death sentence to the homeowner’s creativity and self-expression.  It is possible to keep an area clean and clutter free, with each object in it deliberately placed for a purpose, without having to rely on whites and greys.  Our homes are an extension of ourselves, and being able to personalize the space you live in makes your home more welcoming and human.  Warm minimalism is a great way to move past the sterile environments of the past to instead mix serenity with comfort.

Marcus Dodson

Editor & Publisher