Thinking about incorporating minimalism into your living room design, but don’t know where to begin? Check out the minimalist living room design ideas below to create an inviting, cozy space at home!
Begin by Decluttering
Photo via @littlecitybungalow
Start your design overhaul by decluttering your living room. Evaluate everything from stacks of magazines to chunky furniture pieces that take up too much space. Determine whether these items are essential for your living room design—if not, it’s time to consider storing, donating, or trashing these items. (While you’re at it, do yourself a favor and set up a regular decluttering schedule, too!)
Find a Home for Everything
Photo via @froehlicheszuhause
Ideally, every item in your minimalist living room should have its place. Furniture, decorations, books, movies, toys, pillows, and blankets—designate a spot for everything in your living room. Not only will this help with keeping your living space clean and clutter-free, but it’ll also alleviate the headache of having to hunt for the remote control or a phone charger when you need it.
Consider Size & Scale in Layout
Photo via @boneill_athome
When it comes to minimalist design, size and scale are incredibly important. If you have a small living room, for example, a single large couch with a small coffee table may be less obtrusive than several small pieces of furniture. Don’t be afraid to play with scale in your layout either! Mix and match different sizes with your furniture and home decor to create more depth in your living room.
Pay Attention to Lines
Photo via @ahousewebuilt
Creating well-defined lines is crucial when transforming your living room into a sleek minimalist space, as the lines will help draw the eye upward and make the room feel more open. Use furniture with sharp edges and exposed legs. Opt for floor-to-ceiling curtains and rugs with subtle stripes. And incorporate home decor pieces with geometric shapes.
Choose Wall Colors Carefully
Photo via @loloirugs
When it comes to finding a paint color for your minimalist living room design, stick to neutral tones that will reflect light well and keep your space from feeling shadowy or cluttered. If you want a little pop of color, try an accent wall with a solid color that won’t detract from the cozy, inviting feeling you’re going for—think soft hues of blue, pink, green, or yellow.
Take Advantage of Natural Light
Photo via @leclairdecor
Does your living room have large windows? Use them! Allowing natural light to fill your living room will give your minimalist space life! This can also be helpful when designing a living room in a small space, as the natural light will make your room feel larger and more open.
Create a Focal Point
Photo via @cottageandsea
When creating a minimalist room, it’s good to have a focal point. Maybe it’s a large mirror. Maybe it’s a uniquely-shaped coffee table. Or maybe it’s a quirky conversation piece you picked up from an antique store. Whatever it is, arrange your living room around this focal point to balance out the room so there aren’t sides or corners with too much design weight.
Invest in Quality Items
Photo via @simply.modern.living
When it comes to minimalist home decor, less is more. Since you’ll have fewer things to buy, spend a few extra dollars on quality items that can handle the wear and tear of everyday use. For example, an area rug or couch that falls apart at the seams will obviously not be appealing if the rest of the room is in pristine condition.
Look for Multi-Purpose Furniture
Photo via @the_citizenry
Minimalism is all about simplicity and functionality. When looking for minimalist living room furniture, be aware of how you’d use each piece. In particular, if you have a small living room, you should opt for pieces that can be stacked when not in use or that can function as both seating and storage.
Bring in the Green
Photo via @nicoledianne
One of the best ways to add a small pop of color to your living room is by adding a few plants. Whether you choose to incorporate a free-standing planter in the corner of the room or just a few succulents on some shelves, a little bit of green can go a long way in terms of minimalist decorating!
Keep the Walls Clean
Photo via @leclairdecor
Though you’ll want to stick to a “less is more” approach with your minimalist design, you don’t want your living room walls to be totally bare. Try anchoring your living room design with a big photo frame or larger pieces of art that can work as a focal point for your space.
Work in Some Texture
Photo via @theblushhome
Don’t be afraid to experiment with textures in your living room design! Whether that means covering a wall in shiplap or finding fuzzy blankets and pillows for your couch, including some texture will soften the crisp lines of a minimalist living room.
Utilize Baskets & Totes for Storage
Photo via @westwingde
If you need additional living room storage but don’t want to add a chunky cabinet to the space, go with baskets and totes instead! Wicker baskets and canvas totes give you a place to keep items like books, magazines, blankets, toys, and more without cluttering your living room. You can even store them on shelves or in storage cubbies to keep them up and out the way!
Install Shelving
Photo via @designingyourhome
One easy way to get more storage space and maintain organization in your minimalist living room is to add shelves! With floating shelves or DIY recessed shelving, you’ll have a place to display knick-knacks, books, artwork, and other home decor without cluttering coffee tables and end tables!
Open Up the Room with Mirrors
Photo via @our_littlegreyhome
Is your living room short on space? Create the illusion of having a larger room by adding mirrors on your wall or a standing mirror in a corner! Because mirrors reflect light, they can add depth to even the smallest spaces.
Soften the Room with a Rug
Photo via @westelm
Especially if your living room has wood floors, it’s good to add a rug into your minimalist design. Not only can having a rug in your space help keep noise in the room down, but it also softens the starkness inherent in minimalism.
Find Your Minimalist Happy Place
Photo via @mady_mom
Designing a minimalist living room doesn’t mean you need to get rid of everything you own and have no personality whatsoever in your home. If there’s a special pillow, blanket, chair, or knick-knack that you love but that doesn’t perfectly fit into your design, it’s okay to keep it. Even if you want to give minimalism a try, make sure you create a space that fits your needs above all.
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