From Pinterest to even our own features on Qanvast, it's clear that the minimalist style has become an ‘in’ look for many local homes. But there’s more to minimalism than your standard bare wall treatment, all-white interior and basic furniture; and it’s not as simple or easy as it looks to achieve.
Before you decide to jump in on this ‘less is more’ trend, here are 4 common misconceptions about going minimal that homeowners need to be clear of.
#1. Minimalist Home = Less Personal Objects
Aiming to keep only a hundred items within your house? Unless you are a hardcore practicing minimalist, doing so is going to be impossible and impractical. Many minimal homes seem to advocate living with less to avoid ruining that coveted ‘empty’ look, but that doesn’t mean you should do a massive clean out yet. Accommodating to this style is about organising your belongings well and having smart storage solutions to keep clutter at bay.
_A sleek, wooden feature piece doubles as a door, concealing a glamourous vanity table for stowing away the homeowner's make-up stash. _
Interior Designer: Design Chapterz
Location: Skyville @ Dawson
_This integrated platform and wardrobe component is decked with many hidden storage spots, from the recessed shelving to the pull out drawers underneath. _
Interior Designer: KDOT Associates
Location: Pipit Road
#2. Minimalist Home = White
Most minimal-style homes tend to favour an all-white palette. While it’s true that it helps to invoke a capacious feel, it isn’t essential in order for a home to be considered ‘minimalist’. Your place can still look sharp and clean with a pop of colour; The trick is to keep the number of shades used to a minimum, and making sure that the main colour complements with the furniture and other decorative objects.
_The rich, navy-blue wall serves as a point of contrast against the rest of the home's pale textures. _
Interior Designer: 82
Location: Rivervale Drive
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Vibrant blues and pastel yellows complement well with one another, providing a colourful twist to an otherwise classic, minimalist room. _
Interior Designer: 82
Location: Watercolours
#3. Minimalist Home = Cheaper to Renovate
Bare wall and ceiling treatments, little to no adornments - A minimalist home should cost less, right? Not always the case. This style is actually more demanding than others, as it's exposed aesthetic leaves no room for mistakes.
As a result, the simplest details can turn costly in a renovation process. For example, wall and floor treatments often come in quality finishes in order to gain a unique, seamless look. Customised carpentry for a range of built-in features, such as hidden storage or sleek feature walls will jack up your renovation costs. Likewise, if you're considering an open plan space to create the illusion of spaciousness, a tidy sum should be kept away for hacking.
_The clean false ceilings, concrete-slab feature wall and seamless sliding glass doors all add up to this home's $53,000 renovation price tag. _
Interior Designer: Juz Interior
Location: Compassvale Mast
_Hacking of walls to create the open-plan space, alongside massive carpentry works, in the form of the custom floating tabletop, benches and concealed wooden doors ring up this home renovation's cost to about $76,000. _
Interior Designer: The Local INN.terior
Location: Bishan Street 12
#4. Minimalist Home = Big Spaces
Big homes have an advantage in being able to execute a vast-looking minimalist style well. (Of course, anything looks pared-down and clean when you have a ton of square footage to work with.) However, the same theme can still look great in a cramped, smaller home, with the right planning.
Here are three strategies you can use to incorporate the illusion of space in small homes:
- Smart configurations (e.g. implementing open concept spaces, using the space saving kitchen layouts)
- Multipurpose fittings (e.g. a bed-cum-storage area)
- Applying tricks to create an illusion of capacity (e.g. use of mirrors to lengthen a space, all-white or a predominant texture throughout).
_Almost entirely open-plan, this 65 m2 elongated home looks larger than it lets on, with the help of clear partitions that connect the main communal area to other rooms. _
Interior Designer: Faith Interior Design
Location: Aljunied Crescent
_A tiny 50 m2 home still manages to squeeze out a light, ethereal feel through the whitewashed interiors and multipurpose fittings. _
Interior Designer: The Minimalist Society
Location: Robertson Quay
Now that you've got those doubts cleared up, are you ready to create your own minimalist haven, right at home? Drop us a quote request, and we can match you up with 5 interior firms, absolutely free.
Still unsure if this style's the right one for you? Get more inspiration from our Qanvast app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Search and save your favourite local projects from over 200 interior firms, all within a single touch.
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