Minimalism is ... What is minimalism in design?

Do you want to know what minimalism is? This direction in art, design, architecture, characterized by the use of simple forms, monochrome, limiting the transformation and the number of art materials. Now it is quite popular concept of interior design. However, it is worth studying the specific features of the style, to understand whether it is suitable for the chosen room, whether your character and the rhythm of life.

A bit of history

Minimalism is a style that came into architecture and design after the First World War. Modernity with its luxurious designs and decor was now associated with the past, with those people who brought society to war. The new concept assumed the maximum functionality of each part, the use of simple forms, the absence of a lush decor both in the architecture of buildings and in the interior. In Russia, the style began to enter into fashion in the 20's. XX century, in Europe it happened only in the sixties. Generally, fashion is not a static concept, it is constantly changing, being in motion, cyclically returns to certain laws. The style that we are considering becomes again relevant when society is tired of the pretentiousness of forms, excessive pomposity and decorativeness.

Minimalism in interior design

The living room, made in this style, resembles a studio. There are no partitions in it, and one part of the house smoothly passes into the other. There is only a clear division of space into a service area and a resting place. Minimalism is a way of life, a worldview. He describes rather lonely creative people, poets, architects, editors of glossy magazines, who spend most of their time working.

It is difficult to imagine a family with children living in an apartment with a limited number of things. When there is a child, there are many toys and other accessories in the house. In a minimalist interior everything is organic and concise. Unambiguously there are no corners and caves, in which unnecessary things accumulate . This method of organizing space is traditional for the Japanese and corresponds to the principles of Feng Shui, where it is said that all superfluous objects, partitioning rooms, interfere with the movement of beneficial energy. Minimalism is an excellent option for organizing a recreation area.

Planning space is often done not by means of walls, but by dividing the surface of the floor into areas covered with different finishing materials. Semi-transparent and sliding partitions made of fabric and glass are also used.

The special role of windows

In such an interior, the abundance of light is compulsory, so the windows should be large. In standard houses, of course, you have to be content with standard sizes, but in this case you should not hang heavy curtains. If the window is a beautiful landscape, you do not live on the first floor, and there are no other houses close, you can do without curtains at all. If you still need to hide privacy from prying eyes or hide from too bright sun, it is better to use Roman curtains, roll or Japanese, light pastel shades.

Rolls are a decorative, more often non-woven material with textured patterns, which with the help of a special roller mechanism gathers at the top of the window. The drive can be either mechanical or electrical. Roller blinds are made of opaque fabric, which in expanded form looks like a flat cloth, but rising upwards, is collected in the correct horizontal folds. Japanese curtains resemble screens where a large rectangular cloth moves along the guides. In each room you can use a different kind of "clothes" for windows, if it harmoniously fits into the overall concept of the interior.

Furniture

It should be maximally functional, not cluttering up space. The use of various variants of transformations is welcomed, when in a sofa there are capacious boxes for storing things or the bed turns into an inconspicuous podium. The table is hidden in a closet and unfolded as necessary. The computer is behind the sliding door of the cabinet. Advantage is given to all possible modular and built-in designs that allow maximum unloading of space. The necessary furniture elements are put forward, laid out as necessary.

Upholstered furniture can have both a monophonic upholstery and a fabric combining several shades. Despite the austerity of the interior, it is quite acceptable to use several contrasting pillows.

Interior decoration

How can I decorate the walls of the house? Minimalism involves the use of natural, sometimes even coarse materials. The following options are common:

• brick;
• Relief plaster;
• a rock;
• tree;
• bung.

If the walls are pasted with wallpaper, then, as a rule, the canvases intended for painting are chosen. As a floor covering use a parquet board without a bright, motley pattern.

Of the decorative elements are admissible pictures in simple frames, black and white photographs, geometric sculptures. You can not get carried away using souvenirs and decor elements. Minimalism is a sense of proportion in everything. To create this interior on your own, you need to have an impeccable sense of harmony and taste.

Color spectrum

The minimalism style uses light muted tones. Required are:

• white;
• lactic;
• ashen;
• gray;
• the black.

The latter two in combination with the first emphasize the severity, graphic interior. Usually, two dominant chromatic or achromatic hues are chosen, and contrasting tones are chosen in a small amount.

How to create minimalism style in the living room

Gone are the days when people just pasted wallpaper with wallpaper, painted the ceiling and floor - in a word, used what they could buy. Now the choice of finishing materials is huge. This greatly expands the range of design possibilities. Now everyone tries to find colors, textures, furniture, decor and accessories in accordance with any idea. It is the guarantee of harmony and beauty.

If you chose the minimalist style, studio apartment is the best option for this concept. In this room, you will feel the freedom of the surrounding space. The main emphasis should be put on the living room. You can make this room in a minimalist style, even in a traditional apartment with traditional walls and partitions.

Materials, color and light

The central place of the apartment is usually the living room. Minimalism for it is suitable in any case. To withstand the interior in the strict framework of the concept, it is important to choose the right finish. For a floor it is better to use a laminate, but also linoleum of brown or gray tone will approach. Pay special attention to the ceiling. It is better to use cozy caramel, peach or coffee shades. The color of bitter chocolate, of course, surprise the guests, but you get the impression of a significant reduction in the height of the room. This option is suitable in case of high ceiling position. Light sources do several to use a stylish ceiling design during the reception of guests, and in the evening - for reading or watching TV - sconces.

Furniture and decor of the living room

Buy a modular sofa transformer, which can be turned into a sleeper if necessary. Particularly good angular models. They make it possible to make maximum use of the space of the room, have large built-in storage compartments, and also are combined with book shelves, bars, small coffee tables. All the necessary kit in one set, taking up little space. You will have a cozy living room. Minimalism in everything and comfort are things that are uniquely compatible.

Choose colors of light. Dark is worth using in small amounts, especially in a small room. Remember, you can not get involved in decor. You can hang on the walls of several paintings in simple frames or even without them, put an outdoor vase or decorate the sofa with three contrasting pillows. It will look good a large mirror, only without an ornate frame. It visually expands the space, adds light, succinctly fits into the style of minimalism. This is a fairly common technique used in this concept.

Other rooms

In addition to the living room, there are certainly many other places in the house where you can also use the design in the same style: a kitchen, a dining room, a bedroom, an entrance hall, a bathroom and even a toilet. All worth thinking about to the smallest detail. It is better, when all premises are sustained in the uniform concept though it is absolutely unessential.

The place where the mistress of the house spends the most time is a kitchen. Minimalism here implies the absence of unnecessary decor, traditional for some of the numerous souvenirs, potholders, vases, containers with bulk products, put on public display. Everything should be as neat, discreet and elegant as possible.

Minimalism in interior design involves the division of space into zones using semi-transparent light screens and partitions at half height. This is how the kitchen can be designed. It is made as a whole with a dining room or living room, visually separating with a bar counter, backlight, a design of decorative glass blocks, a shelf with room colors.

The kitchen set should be as functional as possible. You can use retractable or folding table options, bar counter. The color of the facades choose white, cream, gray - without ornaments and relief. Good looking reflective light glossy surfaces. As a decor, choose a beautiful apron with an original design.

So, at home minimalism is a combination of functionality, laconism and harmony. If in your view the coziness looks like this, try to organize the space of the apartment according to the principles of this style. However, it is worth remembering that it is not easy to create a minimalist interior on its own. You need to constantly monitor yourself, do not overload the floor, ceiling, walls with color and decor.