In today’s consumerist society in which one of the most important new epidemies in the modern world is stress, it is not strange that minimalism as a decorative style – even as a lifestyle philosophy – has become so popular. Let’s get rid of those stressful rooms filled with unnecessary furniture, horrendous wall papers, extravagant lamps and pictures covering the rest of space on the walls. Minimalism arrived in the 60’s and 70’s to stay.
After a long stressful day at work, we arrive home and all we want to do is forget about stress and problems. Minimalism is an artistic trend that consists on reducing to the minimum any kind of expression – to eliminate or get rid of what is superfluous and excessive. This minimalism, applied to decoration, may be simplified with the famous ‘less is more’.
This ‘less is more’ means straight lines, spacious and well illuminated rooms and the use of soft colours, being white the more popular. We are looking to preserve the space instead of using it.
The fabrics used must always add freshness and be plain or with geometric designs which fit the architecture of the place – avoiding excessively ornate prints.
Minimalism is the ideal decoration style for very organised people who love sobriety and simplicity. It is the perfect excuse to organize and get rid of unnecessary things and keep the absolutely necessary.
However, there is a ‘danger’ to take into account if we choose this style for our home – sterility, the possibility of it to feel cold and impersonal. In order to not reach this extreme, it is advisable to use elements that give a sense of warmth such as wooden details or decorative personal objects, as for example a photograph or even including a touch of colour which stands out, functioning as well as a focal point.
As mentioned before, this decorative style, which was very popular in America on the 60’s and 70’s, came to stay. Remember: less is more.
