30 Minimalist Living Rooms To Simplify Your Life - House Digest (2024)

Design

30 Minimalist Living Rooms To Simplify Your Life - House Digest (1)

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ByEmily Hopkins/

A minimal living room scheme is not confined solely to small spaces. A minimal approach focuses on reducing the clutter of modern consumerism by

including only the essential items in your living room. Minimalists subscribe to the mentality of less is more, where every item in your living room has a clear purpose. This design ideology is also rooted in wanting a cleaner and more sustainable way of living. There are plenty of perks that are associated with the minimalistic kind of approach, both for your living room and your life in general.

Having only a few essential items is good for your wallet and allows you to focus on the most important things in your life. While a minimalist design can be applied to every room in your house, The Spruce mentions that the living room area should come first because it is the easiest to modify and is also a common gathering space that should be high up on the priority list. Here are 30 minimal living room designs that should help inspire you to pursue simple living.

Monochromatic magic

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One classic minimal strategy is to stick witha lighter color choice and apply it all throughout. In this room, the couch almost blends into the background wall color. With a matching rug and similar-tone accents, you can clearly see the intention is to make this living room into a sanctuary for you to unwind after the chaos of a long work day.

Modern sophistication

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This ultra-modern living room achieves the perfect balance between contrasting black and white elements, for a bold statement that still meets the requirements for minimalism. The strategically placed coffee table is functional but still limits visual clutter. The natural wood accent wall that seamlessly matches the floor and natural lighting provide additional definition and some much-needed warmth to the space.

Open plan

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In an open-plan living space, simplicity is key to keeping a space from feeling overwhelming. The subdued color palette of the most prominent features provides a subtle backdrop for visitors to enjoy the view, the openness of the space, and the company of one another. A minimal coffee table with intentional accents discourages clutter and helps tie the room together.

Statement furniture

Strategically placed along a dark accent wall is a rich brown leather couch. While including colorful furniture in a minimalistic living room can be a risk, this brown couch brings the much-needed warmth and softness to an otherwise sleek space. It's quite impressive how the remaining furniture blends into the gray wall, allowing the couch to stand out.

Add an accent wall

If you're hesitant to embrace color, try starting with an accent wall rather than committing to an entire space. It can break up the monotony of a monochrome scheme, or bring attention to any area you'd like to highlight for visitors to focus on.In a minimalistic setup, you have to be thoughtful about adding accessories withoutmaking the room appear cluttered. Try just a few floating shelves for the essential ornamental pieces.

Keep wall art to a minimum

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Even if you subscribe to the "less is more" idealogy, you won't want to leave your walls completely bare. Even a minimal space can accommodate a few pieces of wall art to give your space a personal and unique feeling. With strategic planning,art can enhance a minimal space without making too bold a statement. In this space, the deliberate effort of matching the wall art to the décor in the rest of the space helps maintain simplicity and cohesion.

Rustic touches

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Break away from the sterile style typically seen in minimal design by incorporating some rustic features into your living room. The golden rule of creating a minimal living room is to keep things functional, yet simple. Warm wood and natural materials will add some character and personality to your room, proving that elements from nature can be tamed within an uncomplicated space.

Refresh with a rug

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A patterned rug is a great way to subtly incorporate color or interesting patterns into your space, without becoming the focus of the entire room. Alternatively, you can go for a plain swath of plush material that will give your floor a softer pad. Matching the rug colors to the overall color palette of the living room will undoubtedly help you achieve your desired minimalist look.

Highlight impressive architecture

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Your living room doesn't need to be a sterile white box in order to be considered minimal. Use the approach to highlight the most unique features already in your home that add character and personality.In this case, the unfinished brick wall serves as the perfect understated accent wall that brings extra style to the space. The carefully curated accessories placed at the corners of the room and the hanging lights match and enhance the existing vibe to maintain a cohesive overall effect.

Go for larger accents

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The ultimate goal for a minimalistic living room is to keep it as simple and clutter-free as possible. In this regard, you should be selective of the type and number of accents that you choose to keep. Since less is more, consider going for larger pieces instead of multiple smaller ones that might make your wall appear busy. A larger piece of art or mirror in exactly the right size will look intentional and keep the room more open.

Shapes, pattern, and color

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A minimalist approach to living might not be what you are used to. In fact, you'd likely have to adjust your habits as well as your décor.Nevertheless, this is no excuse for making your living room unappealing to the eye. While clutter is meant to be eliminated, you can still incorporate color and pattern, so long as you are thoughtful about it. Go ahead and create a bright accent wall, and add patterned art and throw pillows as demonstrated here — things can stay cohesive and simple all the same.

Eliminate electronics

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While it is common for living rooms to include various devices such as a television and gaming consoles, consider how your space might function without them. Leaving out the electronics and similar complications will leave you with a tranquil space that encourages reflection and peace of mind in line with a minimalistic type of living. Even better, you'll have all the space you need to hold your book collection, as seen in this example.

Find a unifying factor

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It goes without saying that most minimalistic living rooms have a limited number of items and thus, fewer ways to tie everything together. One way to establish cohesion is in your materials and color palette, for instance, using the same fabric texture all throughout the space for a unifying effect.This particular design achieves this with matching wood tones for all of the furniture in the living space.

Don't cower from color

Finding the right balance in a minimal design is easier said than done. In fact, many homeowners mistake this aesthetic for one entirely lacking color. This design demystifies this misconception, as it shows how you can incorporate color and still achieve a simple space. The green from the plant, bold purple rug, and multicolored wall art adds details and personality to your living room so you always feel right at home.

Maintain a magnificent view

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If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful view from the windows of your living room, it is only fair to make good of it. Too much clutter in your living room will take away the attention from the greatest asset in your living room which is the view. In such a scenario, be sure to balance the interior with minimal pieces of art and other accessories that maintain harmony. Let the beautiful backdrop from your window stand out and be the center of attraction.

Light it up

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You would be surprised how important lighting is to a minimalistic space. Right after sunset, a white, well-lit living room can feel cold and uninviting without the effect of natural light. It's important to make sure your home has ample lighting so it feels lively and inviting around the clock.This particular design features a statement pendant lamp that hangs right at the center of the living room to make the couch seem extra cozy and warm the entire space.

Feature your beautiful floor

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Even if you don't have a particularly bright floor, highlighting it can help make your living room appear more open.Go ahead and incorporate raised furniture to achieve this look. Furniture pieces raised higher above the floor provide a much better view of the surface they're set on, regardless of the material. This is also especially helpful in maintaining a lighter atmosphere in otherwise dark spaces, as is demonstrated here.

Curate a thoughtful display

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Just because a minimal design discourages clutter doesn't mean you have to miss out ondisplaying your favorite ornamental pieces. The key is to make everything look intentional.Carefully handpick your most prized accessories and arrange them on an open shelving structure in your living room. As can be seen here, the décor on the open shelving matches the rest of the room and is neatly arranged so that the space does not feel crowded.

Natural light is powerful

Take advantage of the huge windows in your living room to allow in as much natural light as possible and breathe some life into the space. You can avoid drapes altogether, or opt for sheer curtains to maintain some degree of privacy. Smaller living rooms require ample lighting to make them appear airy and spacious. This design demonstrates exactly how a smaller living room can benefit from this strategy.

Have a focal point

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In a minimalistic space with limited accessories, a focal point can help direct the eye to the most important features. There are no rules determining what you should use — anything from an odd piece you discovered at a thrift store, a passed-down family heirloom, to a unique architectural element can be your point of focus. In this case, a beautifully sleek stone fireplace serves as the focal point, rallying friends and family to gather around its warmth.

Make use of modest furniture

You don't need particularly bold or expensive pieces in order to make a statement with a minimal design. Simple, clean lines and a cohesive color palette can be more than enough to create an impactful atmosphere as soon as you step foot in the room. Here, the furniture is unremarkable, but the contrast between the white and the natural wood adds visual interest and provides a neat backdrop for relaxation.

Experiment with darker tones

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While lighter color palettes are most common in most minimalist designs, there is no rule barring you from experimenting with darker color tones. A darker palette sets a deep mood that you would not be able to achieve with a lighter scheme. In this particular example, this living room features dark walls, a rug, and furniture. The lighter color of the couch helps it stand out, and touches of pink provide a necessary uplift from what may otherwise feel gloomy. A bright table lamp gives off glowing contrast as well.

Liven up with greenery

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An all-white color palette can feel sterile, especially with limited furniture and accessories. However, one brilliant way of adding some color and life to your space is including houseplants as part of the décor — it is called a "living" room after all. The lush greenery will stand out against a white background, and including them in your living room is a brilliant way to showcase and surround yourself with things you love.

Feature your favorite accessory

Some owners may mistakenly believe thatminimalist design means you have to get rid of every accessory you love and only stick with the essentials. Thankfully, we are here to clarify that this cannot be any further from the truth, and you can find a way of incorporating your favorite throw pillow, or even a more unique piece such as a swinging chair.Keep in mind, however, that a minimal living room approach should still accommodate your functional needs above everything else.

Establish symmetry

Maintaining a minimalist design means arranging things with intentionality and order.One brilliant and easy way to achieve this is by implementing a strong sense of symmetry.This particular design features two identical couches placed opposite one another, separated by a coffee table. The two couches flank the central fireplace structure, giving the room an obvious organized flow. Twin pieces of wall art fill the remaining wall space to further the symmetrical arrangement and establish balance.

Modern organic textures

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There is something special about rich natural wood tones in an otherwise minimal space. The texture of the wood grain stands out against the uniformity of the white background, perfectly demonstrating how less can be more.Any additional décor in the space complements rather than competes with the already existing beauty.

Invest in quality

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Having fewer pieces of furniture in a space provides an opportunity to invest in higher-quality elements. The items that do make the cut should stand out not just for their decorative qualities, but also for their elegant functionality. It's also important to consider that in a room with a limited number of items, any flaw will stick out like a sore thumb without much else to distract the eye.

Urban and sleek

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This modern living room features luxurious materials but avoids feeling overdone or excessive.The accessories are few, limited to a couple of house plants and a stylish floor lamp. The neutral color scheme of browns and grays also keeps things simple despite the mix of varying materials throughout the space. The glow of stunning light features lends a sleek, urban feel that keeps things fresh.

Neutral and neat

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Can't decide between a light or dark scheme? You can never go wrong by going with gray. Not so overwhelming to make the room appear smaller, but not too bright to make your living room feel sterile, gray is an excellent compromise. Be sure to pick a warm shade that is appropriate for the amount of natural light in the space, and try incorporating houseplants to add life and warmth.

Be selective with storage

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In order to pare things down as much as possible, try to incorporate pieces of furniture that have multiple functions.This design features a multifunctional coffee table that also doubles as extra storage whenever necessary. The open shelving on the side gives you extra space to hold remotes and magazines or display your unique antiques and knick-knacks without cluttering up your living room.

30 Minimalist Living Rooms To Simplify Your Life - House Digest (2024)

FAQs

Where do minimalists put their stuff? ›

This has been mentioned in the above tips, but you should store everything you need out of sight, in drawers and cabinets. Bookshelves can be used to store books or DVDs or CDs, but shouldn't have much else except a few simple decorations (not whole collections of things).

How do you arrange a minimalist living room? ›

The colour palette simply must be made up of neutral tones, with the most common being white, black, grey and cream. Then, to help emphasise a sense of spaciousness and airiness, it is recommended that you choose hardwearing materials that are smooth to the touch as these create visual continuity throughout the space.

What is the minimal way of living? ›

Minimalist living requires a holistic approach, including decluttering, being mindful and responsible towards the environment, being satisfied with basics & much more. Minimalism brings happiness into your life through the elimination of indiscipline.

What qualifies as a minimalist? ›

A minimalist lifestyle is intentionally living with fewer possessions — focusing only on the ones you need. Living with less may be the right choice if you're feeling overwhelmed with clutter, if you're looking for fewer distractions, or if you're looking to cut back on spending.

Do The Minimalists drink? ›

No alcohol. No sugary drinks. No soda (or 'pop,' for those of us in the Midwest). I attempt to drink my body weight in ounces of water each day, which isn't always easy—so sometimes I drink only half that.

What is the 30 day rule for minimalism? ›

The duo created the “30-day minimalist game." Here's how it works: you start the first of those 30 days by getting rid of one thing, the second day two things, the third three things, and so on until you reach 30.

What does a minimalist kitchen look like? ›

What are the features of a minimalist kitchen? Per Thompson, one of the best ways to achieve the minimalist look is to prioritize concealed storage within kitchen cabinets or drawers, where you'll keep larger appliances—leaving countertops clear and maximizing your prep space.

What kind of life do minimalists try to live? ›

Minimalism is a movement with the goal of reducing physical and mental clutter on an individual basis. People who practice it own fewer items and try to find more purpose in the things they own or practice, developing enhanced organizational skills to guide day-to-day decisions more efficiently.

How to begin a minimalist lifestyle? ›

Instead, just start. Put one foot in front of another and remember—even if you have no time for decluttering, you can begin by reducing what you're bringing into your life. This is actually the easiest way to get started with minimalism, and it takes no time at all. (In fact, it actually saves you time and money!)

How to seriously declutter? ›

10 Creative Decluttering Tips
  1. Start with 5 minutes at a time. ...
  2. Give one item away each day. ...
  3. Fill an entire trash bag. ...
  4. Donate clothes you never wear. ...
  5. Create a decluttering checklist. ...
  6. Take the 12-12-12 challenge. ...
  7. View your home as a first-time visitor. ...
  8. Take before and after photos of a small area.

How many clothes is considered minimalist? ›

Minimalist wardrobes are more flexible. There is no set number of items. A minimalist closet could have 20 pieces or 200. What matters is you wear all of them – and they all bring you joy.

What do you call someone who lives a simple life? ›

When you call a person a minimalist, you're describing their interest in keeping things very simple. A minimalist prefers the minimal amount or degree of something. In art history, the minimalists were artists whose work involved extremely simple gestures and ideas.

Are minimalists happier? ›

According to a survey by the Simplicity Institute, an organization that surveyed 2,500 people across various countries who self-identified themselves as living with fewer possessions, 87 percent of respondents indicated they were happier now than when they owned more possessions.

What do minimalists do with sentimental items? ›

Holding on to stuff imprisons us; letting go is freeing. You can take pictures of items you want to remember. Old photographs can be scanned. An item that is sentimental for us can be useful for someone else.

What do minimalists do with gifts? ›

It's okay to toss the stuff if it's not adding value to your life: donate it, sell it, recycle it. Let go of it so you can focus on what's important in your life. Most people won't even notice, especially the people who care about you. Read this essay and 150 others in our new book, Essential.

How do you store minimalists? ›

If you're ready to organize a minimalist home, check out the tips below for decluttering your home and keeping things simple!
  1. Declutter One Room at a Time. ...
  2. Designate an Outbox. ...
  3. Remember Everything Needs a Home. ...
  4. Get Rid of Plastic Bags. ...
  5. Arrange a Drop Zone. ...
  6. Organize the Playroom. ...
  7. Go Through Your Wardrobe. ...
  8. Clean Out the Bathroom.
Jan 22, 2024

What is the 90 rule for minimalism? ›

Created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule is a decluttering process that requires you to ask yourself two questions about objects you're not sure about: Have you used it in the past 90 days? And if not, will you use it in the 90 days ahead?

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