4 Reasons Why a Minimalist Interior Design Is Right for You
Simplicity versus complexity – which do you prefer?
Although it may be tempting to decorate your home with an eclectic array of exotic decorations and ornaments, more and more people are beginning to discover the benefits of adopting a minimalist interior design. Simplicity in the home can have a profound positive effect on our overall mood and wellbeing, as it serves as a counterweight to balance the complexity and stress in our lives.
Picture this: you’ve just arrived home from a long and stressful day at the office, you’ve got a million and one things on your mind, and you just want to decompress for the evening. Would you prefer to come home to a busy house full of clutter or an airy space with a minimalist design? Furthermore, keeping your interior simple makes cleaning a breeze by reducing the amount of dust and grime that can accumulate in our home.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at why having a minimalist design is the best choice for you.
Colors Affect Our Mood
Numerous scientific studies have shown that color can affect our mood and wellbeing in both the short and long term.
On the whole, light and neutral tones are commonplace throughout most modern minimalist designs because they tend to enhance our happiness and reduce stress. These kinds of color schemes make our homes seem larger and more inviting, which makes us feel less claustrophobic and enclosed. A sweet and simple color scheme is also much easier for our brains to process as a whole.
On the contrary, dark and loud colors tend to compound our negative emotions, which can enhance our worries and stress. However, many homeowners might feel that a plain beige or grey paint job is dull and doesn’t reflect their vibrant personality.
The good news is that you can still splash a little color into your home. In the bedroom, for example, you could consider matching a more vibrant color such as red in the bedsheets, paintings, and pillows. Doing so adds interest to offset the plain paint job on the walls.
A Minimalist Design Can Optimize Our Mental Health
In addition to color, the lighting, space, and design of a home can affect how we feel. In fact, the phenomenon is so profound that many builders are following a new style of design called Neuro-architecture. The exciting concept combines the principals of neuroscience with architecture to optimize the occupant’s mental wellbeing.
As for the interior, Neuro-architecture can apply to a minimalist design: clutter causes anxiety; darkness equates to depression; excessive brightness leads to stress; and a lack of space makes the occupant feel cramped.
Our Brains Love Symmetry
Humans are hardwired to have a penchant for symmetrical design.
Although nobody is sure why, countless studies have shown that we equate symmetry with beauty; whether it be the facial features of a potential lover or the layout of our home. Of course, it’s much easier to create a symmetrical interior design with a minimalist approach because there are far fewer elements to balance. If you opt for a more complex interior design, you’ll have too much clutter to achieve the desired effect.
When purchasing key pieces of furniture such as lounge chairs, be sure to keep symmetry in mind. Can they be evenly arranged? Will they achieve a sense of balance in the allocated space?
Minimalism Makes Cleaning a Breeze
Nobody likes cleaning their home and some of us even call carpet cleaners, especially when there are so many other more important and entertaining things to do. Furthermore, a build-up of dust and allergens in your home creates a health hazard as it can cause all kinds of respiratory issues and illnesses.
The simple solution is to maintain a simple home. Adopting a minimalist design means there will be less clutter for the dust to settle on, so cleaning will be easier and you’ll be breathing in uncontaminated air.
However, it’s important not to overdo it with the minimalism. Some might be tempted to go overboard and throw away everything that isn’t strictly necessary to their day to day lives. Certain items such as cherished mementos and sentimental gifts make us happy and should be left in a prominent position of the home. Just be a little selective so that your home doesn’t become overrun with tacky souvenirs.
Achieving an Effective Minimalist Design
Minimalism is an excellent way to reduce the excess clutter in your life and achieve a happier existence overall. The interior design of our abode is perhaps the most effective way to incorporate this innovative approach into your everyday life.
Whether you’re designing a new space from scratch or looking to refurb your home, be sure to adopt a minimalist approach for a healthier, happier, and cleaner home.
