It’s easy to fill your home with stuff – from bulky couches that have followed you since your college dorm days to trinkets collected from past travels around the world. While some pieces have sentimental value, your home reaches a point where the space loses its natural aesthetic, feels cluttered and lacks cohesive design. Adopting a minimalist design keeps your home streamlined and brings a feeling of cleanliness, organization and openness. Here are my five recommendations to achieve that minimalist look and feel. 

Stick to a neutral color scheme

Minimalism centers on simplicity and coziness. Furniture and accessories with busy patterns and bright colors can create a lack of uniformity and can feel a bit chaotic. Choose a neutral scheme of up to three colors – like navy, brown or white, and avoid busy patterns for your large pieces of furniture. You can add depth to the space by incorporating pieces with differing textures, like throw blankets, pillows and an area rug. Then, add a statement piece like wall art for a pop of color or an accent chair to tie all the elements together. 

Downsize your furniture

Swap out the bulky recliners and large tables for furniture with soft, straight edges. This will create a more sleek, streamlined appearance and help make even the smallest rooms feel more open and spacious.

Declutter accessories

Minimalist styles emphasize function. If an item doesn’t serve a purpose, then it’s time to toss it in the donation bin. Remove clutter like knickknacks, old magazines and other items you either cannot use or have not used in the past year. Not only will your space feel more open, but it will also prevent dust and allergen buildup. 

Invest in an organizational piece

For items that you use regularly, invest in organizational pieces that help you maintain order and prevent clutter. Every item you use should have a space to call “home.” In the kitchen, put all utensils in drawers and glasses in cabinets. Books and picture frames can line a bookshelf or built-in shelves. Keep your TV remote in a tray on your coffee table and place other everyday items in decorative storage bins.

Add natural accents

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, don’t be intimidated to add fresh plants to a room. It makes the air feel cleaner and it adds an extra pop of accent to the space. Choose something that’s low maintenance but has height and texture, like a Chinese evergreen, a mother-in-law’s tongue or a spider plant. 

As we approach the warmer months, get a head start on your spring cleaning and achieve a minimalist design in your home. By removing clutter and choosing streamlined pieces, you will create a unique combination of openness and coziness.