Minimalist interior design is a phrase that is mentioned by many people around the world. But what is it really? It is not just a neat room with a monochrome color scheme and a few pieces of furniture, it includes much more than that. Specifically in this article, you will have more useful knowledge about its origin, characteristics and how to apply it to setting up a working corner.
What is minimalist design?
1. Design origin
No one knows exactly when minimalist design began, but it was identified as a style as early as the 1960s and 1970s. As the style took shape in the visual arts, many of its core principles were also introduced into the fields of design and architecture, and became especially popular in the 1980s.
Minimalist design emerged in the 20th century as a reaction to the elaborate decorative styles of the past, from ornate Victorian architecture to Abstract Expressionism.
When it comes to minimalist design, it is impossible not to mention a visionary like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the legendary German architect who said “less is more”. He is associated with Bauhaus and modernism, taking advantage of the availability of new materials such as glass, steel and concrete to create minimalist structures that looked fresh and modern decades ago.
The minimalist art movement has spread all over the world, from Europe to Asia. Some typical examples include Bauhaus - a German art school and style that flourished from 1919 to 1933; De Stijl - a Dutch art style that existed from 1917 to 1931 or Zen Buddhism - a minimalist lifestyle and reduction of excess from life from Japan.
2. Main features
Contrary to popular belief, minimalist design is not about living with as little stuff as possible. The core purpose of minimalist design is to create harmony between people and space, focusing on what is truly necessary, eliminating excess, and improving the quality, rationality and function of a product or space. This design includes key features such as:
- Monochromatic color palette: Minimalist design generally tends to stick to neutral colors like white, beige, black, or gray with the option of an accent color. However, the space may not be very appealing. You can break up the monotony by adding accessories while still maintaining the minimalist spirit.
- Lines and pure geometric shapes: In minimalist design, every line and shape has a purpose. They give the space a clean and tidy feel. Look for pieces with straight legs, sharp corners, and smooth surfaces as they create a clean and neat aesthetic of minimalist interior design.
- Functional furniture: Furniture in a minimalist space is not just decoration, it serves practical purposes. Each item is carefully selected to maximize both utility and aesthetics. Each item is the soul, creating harmony for the overall space.
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Natural light and open space: Minimalist design celebrates natural light as an essential element. You can use additional curtains to reduce harsh sunlight, or apply frosted glass to protect privacy!
Take advantage of natural light
- Cleanliness and Tidiness: Because minimalism focuses on what truly makes us happy, it is important to keep our workspace and mind clean and tidy. It “clears the way” for creativity and what really matters.
Benefits of setting up a minimalist workspace
Minimalist design is the choice of many people around the world. Part of this is due to the positive benefits it brings to the lives of its owners. Some of the practical benefits include:
- Increase productivity: A group of psychological scientists from George Mason University found that distractions can lead to decreased performance. Distractions come from having too many things on your desk or having too many inconsistent colors. Therefore, keeping only the necessary items will help you improve your productivity significantly.
- Health Protection: Numerous scientific studies have highlighted the negative impact of clutter on mental health, with one study finding that “Clutter can also cause physiological responses, including increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.” Furthermore, by keeping your desk clean, you help prevent bacteria, mold, and other allergens.
- Maximize space: By using only minimal furniture, you can turn your small workspace into a more spacious and bright place. The remaining space will be used for other practical purposes.
- Save money: The less you buy, the more money you’ll have in your account. Choosing what’s really important to you also helps you avoid spending money on things you don’t need.
- Increased Flexibility: The worry of changing the position or layout will ruin the overall harmony is unlikely with the minimalist style. All the items on your table are now similar in color, so you can freely move them around without affecting the aesthetics of the space as a whole.
- Protect the environment: By focusing on quality over quantity, you choose to buy items made from sustainable materials, contributing to reducing waste to the environment. You don’t need to do anything big, just that, you have contributed to protecting this “beautiful planet”!
Instructions for setting up a minimalist working corner
1. Choose the desired setup idea
Minimalism does not mean using only a few items revolving around basic colors such as beige, white, black. That will create a feeling of boredom and monotony. As I mentioned above, you can completely break the monotony by adding accents with a few colorful accessories while still maintaining the minimalist spirit. A few setup suggestions below will help you choose the minimalist atmosphere you want to aim for!
- Preserving the purest version of minimalism
Pure minimalism
- Bring clarity and freshness into your work corner
Minimalism in harmony with nature.
- A bit of warmth and rusticity from the classic style[caption
Minimalist with a touch of classic
- Bringing modernity and innovation to minimalist design[caption
Minimalist in modern style
- Express your personality with a “full black” setup
Minimalist personality
2. Temporarily empty your desk
Before you even think about what to buy, it’s a good idea to clear out your current workspace. A free space will open up new ideas about what’s possible and really help you visualize what your minimalist desk could look like.
This is an opportunity to clean the entire desk as well as address any imperfections in the setup corner. Such as:
- Is this the right place for your desk? Is there a way to make it more functional? Is this work area easy to clean regularly?
- If you place your desk near the window, will the light outside dazzle you and make you feel hot? Will it affect you when it rains?
- Is your desk neatly wired? Is there anything missing or redundant that you would like to change in this setup?
If possible, write it all down in a notebook. Problems and solutions to problems you encounter, a list of items you have and also items you need or want to buy. This will be a great start to your dream workspace!
3. Start with the basics
Work corner with necessary equipment.
What is really necessary for your work space? What is it that you cannot do your work without? Typically, a desk, chair, computer, keyboard and mouse are the most basic components when sitting down to work.
Next, think about things that are not absolutely necessary but would make your work much better if you had them. They could be a desk lamp, an office cabinet, a notebook, a speakerphone, a monitor arm, etc., depending on your needs.
But don't forget to practice minimalism as you go through these steps! Try your best to resist the urge to leave everything on your desk!
4. Decorate your work corner with accessories
This is where you should add a little bit of your own color to transform this table into a unique one. There are many groups of accessories related to different goals. For example, if you want your work corner to be not only for work but also for healing, you can decorate it with a lamp with warm yellow light or add a small potted plant to refresh your soul. And don't forget to apply minimalist thinking!
Tips for decorating a minimalist working corner
Minimalism looks so simple that we think it has no remarkable tips. But simplicity is art. Simple but contains a lot of complexity. To have such a simple setup corner, it requires the effort of the "owner" in applying the following countless tips:
- Clean, clean and clean: Every day, you only need to spend about 5 minutes cleaning and rearranging the right place to have a desk that "looks like new".
- Leave things where they belong: Get into the habit of putting things back where they belong right after you use them. This keeps your desk tidy and also puts your mind at ease because you don’t have to hunt for things every time you need them.
- Apply the “one in - one out” rule: When you buy a new item, you must get rid of an old item of the same type. This rule helps to limit our desire to shop indiscriminately very effectively! Have you tried it yet?
- Use storage boxes or drawers: Putting things in drawers doesn’t mean hiding things and then buying more. Know what you own and what purpose you’re storing them in boxes or drawers for. It helps optimize the look and organizes things for easier management.
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Use office cabinets
- Set a minimalist desktop wallpaper: It may seem unrelated, but it has an invisible impact on life. You can try choosing a simple, not too detailed, even monotonous wallpaper and see if there is any positive change!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Should everyone have a minimalist workspace?
The answer is not necessarily. Everyone has different preferences and habits. Some of you like to have everything on your desk to work effectively. Here’s an idea for you! Try a minimalist setup for a week or two and if it makes you uncomfortable, try something else.
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Does Minimalist Design Make Us Happier?
Minimalists tend to be happier because they have less material worries, less stress about life, and less chaos or clutter in their thinking. They value relationships, love, health, spirituality, emotions, and enjoying the basic and simple pleasures that life has to offer.
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How is minimalism different from Nordic style?
It’s safe to say they’re cousins. Both emphasize functionality and a lack of clutter. The main difference between the two styles lies in the materials used. Minimalism often incorporates stainless steel, chrome, and lacquered plastics, while Nordic focuses on organic materials like hemp rugs, bentwood chairs, and woven baskets.
Now, I believe you have a better understanding of the interesting things that minimalist design brings. Hopefully, the practical benefits, tips and setup ideas that Epione shares will accompany you on your journey to perfecting your dream workspace!
