11 Easy Ways to Create a Nice Minimalist Living Room That You’ll Love

Updated: May 23, 2024 I HOME DECORATING

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In this post, you’ll find out:

  • What is a minimalist design?
  • Is it easy to decorate with minimalist design?
  • Characteristics of a minimalist design
  • 11 easy minimalist home design ideas for the living room

WHAT IS A MINIMALIST DESIGN?

Minimalist design has clean lines, less patterns, and a simple look. This means that in a simple minimalist living room, you won’t see any floral patterns, bright pink wall colors, intricate chandeliers, a showcase of many paintings, or dramatic curtains. When you enter a minimalist room, you’ll instantly feel a sense of lightness and relaxation because of the monochromatic or neutral colors plus lots of light from the windows.

White minimalist living room
Credit: Nioby Trivett

According to Nayoka Simone, CEO/Founder of NyRai Interior Designs, “Being a minimalist does not necessarily mean ridding yourself of all your possessions, artwork, or accent pieces throughout your home. It is about creating a space that is clear of physical clutter in order to make room for more mental and physical space.”

IS IT EASY TO DECORATE WITH MINIMALIST DESIGN?

A minimalist room is relatively easier to decorate because you’ll mostly include basic items, with less decorations and artwork. It takes out the complication of decorating a room because it emphasizes the concept of “less is more”. Instead, there will be a few pieces with bold colors, interesting shapes, textures, or abstract designs. For a small space, a minimalist look is a great way to go because it’s easier on the eye with less clutter. However, the challenging part here is to identify which items will stay or not. Thus, if you want to adopt a minimalist design in your home, you need to change your mindset first.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMALISM?

Simplicity is the main characteristic of a minimalistic room. When choosing items for your space, the priority is to go with items that are basic yet still play an important function in the room. Thus, collecting many things is not recommended. With fewer items in the room, you can better maximize your space. However, a minimalist design doesn’t mean it’s boring. You can add in items that accentuate the space like a geometric lamp or a sofa with a unique shape.

EASY WAYS TO CREATE A MINIMALIST DESIGNED LIVING ROOM

So, let’s dive in to the easy decorating tips for your minimalist living room. But first, remember, the minimalist thinking is always “less is more”!

Minimalist white accent chair
Credit: Nayoka Simone – NyRai Interior Designs

1. Declutter your living room

The first thing on the list before shopping for any décor is to declutter. (Yes, sometimes we’re all guilty of a messy space!) In a minimalist design, you’ll need to get used to living with fewer but more important items so only include items in your living room that are essential for your daily use. Out-of-season items, paperwork, and unnecessary stuff must be put away or organized. Basically, whatever makes your room cluttered and gives you anxiety when you look at it shouldn’t be there. The end result should be that your living room strikes a balance between being functional and being basic.

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2. Store other items out of sight

After decluttering, store all your items in a cabinet or a storage box that has a sleek appearance and exudes a clean look. Your living room is the first area that you and your guests walk into, so everything should be in their proper place. Also, don’t let things pile up before you clean them. There are a lot of fast and easy ways to clean your space.

Open wooden console table
Credit: Nathan Oakley at Unsplash

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3. Choose neutral colors or monochromatic tones

To achieve an airy and clean look, white, light gray, and beige are easy options and go well with the smooth lines of your furniture and space. Otherwise, you can use monochromatic tones or colors in the same hue for your walls, furniture, and décor.

Monochromatic gray living room
Credit: Interior Marketing Group

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4. Choose cabinets, drawers, tables, and mirrors with clean lines

In addition, try storage cabinets with smaller knobs and handles or drawers with cutout drawer pulls because they give a smoother and more streamlined look.

5. Go minimal with minimalist home décor

Be very picky with the décor that you include in your minimalist living room as it should blend well with the simple and uncluttered look. A great tip is to choose only one or two décor pieces that you can place on your coffee table or a small ottoman.

A chest can also be used as décor and for storing items like magazines, throws, or other knick-knacks.

Credit: KARE Spain

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6. Let the light in from your window

Letting natural light in makes your living room look fresh and bright and can drastically improve your mood by bringing in feelings of positivity.

Sunlight in a minimalist living room with white and brown sofa
Credit: Sarah Ellison Studio
Sunlight in a minimalist living room with white sofa
Credit: Sarah Ellison Studio

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Lighting fixtures are an alternative for rooms with small windows or limited natural light. Try a simple pendant light or a beautiful modern Sputnik chandelier.

7. Warm up the space with texture to make it cozy

A minimalist living room can be cozy and inviting as well. Try adding some knitted, fur, velvet, or wool pillows or throws. Wooden furniture and items in earth colors also blend very well with gray tones.

Fur on a leather sofa
Credit: eon_garage_furniture; eongaragefurniture.com

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8. Buy high-quality items

Investing in high-quality items and with beautiful architecture is more practical as they will last a long time even if you use them often. Also, make sure to pick items that you’ll cherish for a long time.

Living room with beautiful architecture
Credit: Beta-Plus Publishing

9. Add a pop of color as a design

You can make your minimalist living room more lively by adding a splash of color through your furniture. This colored couch curated by Interior Marketing Group is a great architectural detail in the living room in contrast with the monochromatic colors of the room.

Minimalist living room with a bright blue sofa
Credit: Interior Marketing Group

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10. Bring in a touch of nature

We can never underestimate the effect of plants in a room as they can freshen up any space. Try different indoor plants that will grow well in your apartment such as Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant), cactus, cast-iron plant, burgundy rubber tree, spider plant, or Tradescantia zebrina (inch plant / wandering Jew).

Plant in a white pot
Credit: Rachel Claire at Pexels

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11. Mix it up with other designs

Yes! You can definitely do this! Here are some great recommendations—modern minimalist design, Scandinavian minimalist design, industrial minimalist design—or just make your space look more feminine. If it brings you happiness and it looks uncluttered, then go ahead with it.

Minimalist modern living room with a yellow accent chair
Credit: Kam Idris at Unsplash

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First Published: October 12, 2021

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