A messy, cluttered space will cause you to constantly feel stressed. While a minimalist space will make you feel calm and relaxed. Where do you want to feel this most? In your bedroom, of course. So, if you want to give the minimalist life a go, start in this room. Remember – minimalist doesn’t mean a cold, empty room – it can still be pretty as well as being practical.
Here’s what you need to do:
Have a clear out: Getting rid of the clutter is the best place to start. You really need to cut back to create a minimalist space so think back to Marie Kondo’s advice and go through everything and consider whether it “sparks joy”. Do you really want it and will it work in your minimalist room? Remember, you don’t need to get rid of everything, there is a way to store it out of sight.
Furniture: The furniture is going to be the focal point of the room, especially the bed, so this is a great place to start. Choose one like these from Divan Beds Centre. Then consider what you really need alongside it – bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe – keep it simple. However, this is where you can think about making it pretty by looking for pieces that are subtly unique or quirky.
Hidden Storage: This is a great way to clear the clutter from your space. This might be in your furniture – such as choosing an ottoman bed or by adding hooks to the back of your wardrobe door to maximise the space. But you don’t want the storage to be cluttered either. Use dividers and vacuum pack bags to keep it tidy and organised.
Soft colours – Colour is important in a minimalist space – you want to start with a neutral base. This means picking earth tones such as beige, brown, white, black or grey. Once you have your base you can then add splashes of colour on top of it. When choosing the colours make sure they are soft – think pastels. Blue is ideal as it is the most calming and relaxing colour, which is perfect for this space. This can be incorporated via pillows or lampshades, for example.
Pick a few feature pieces: This might be a rug or cushions on the bed – but just a couple of feature pieces will add your personality to the room and ensure it is as pretty as it is practical.
Add artwork: Frame your favourite print – something calming, perhaps, such as the view of the waves lapping against sugar-white sand or lush green foliage. Ensure soft colours are used to form an image that will add to the stillness of the room and help provide the tranquil space you are after.
Choose a few plants: A couple of plants can bring life to the room and add a splash of green to your bedroom. A hanging planter cascading from the ceiling, a small succulent on the chest of drawers or large pot plant in the corner of the room. Whatever you choose it will help to ensure the space looks pretty.
Keep surfaces clear: It’s easy for surfaces in your room to become cluttered. Think carefully about what you want on them. Your bedside table, for example, should be simple. You need little more than a lamp – soft lighting is important in a minimalist room. A shelf is a great way to display your favourite framed photo, a carefully selected ornament and perhaps a potted plant – without all the other surfaces becoming covered in ornaments.
So do you fancy a minimalist room? Start with the bedroom and you might find that you continue it into other rooms around the house when you discover how calming it is.
