Minimalist interiors – rooms from homes and studios

Minimalist interiors are rarely about owning very little. They are about making sure that what is visible has been chosen, and that everything else has somewhere to go.

The feeling

The calm comes from order and clean lines. Floor space is kept clear, storage is built in and surfaces remain uncluttered. As the number of objects falls, proportion becomes crucial — a piece of furniture that is ten centimetres too large is immediately noticeable.

The colours

White, off-white and grey dominate. Black is used as an accent in hardware, frames and lighting. The room gets its variation from the movement of light throughout the day, not from colour.

The materials

Light oak, concrete, glass and tile. Smooth surfaces need a counterpoint: wool, linen or an unpolished stone that breaks the perfection.

How to get started

• Build in storage before buying more furniture.
• Choose one material combination and carry it through the room.
• Use fewer but larger objects on open surfaces.
• Check proportions with masking tape on the floor before buying.