A minimal aesthetic is a method of decorating and decluttering your home or work space. Using this style can contribute to less stress, better organization, and even more peace in your life.
A minimal aesthetic is the look of “less is more” when it comes to art, clothing, decorating, and even home. Benefits include a calming environment, time saved, and less distraction. Comprised of things like neutral palettes, simple lines, natural light, and even bright colors.
Did you know that incorporating a minimalist aesthetic into your home can make a huge impact on your life and work? Minimalism isn’t confined to tiny homes-you too can benefit from a minimalist aesthetic in your wardrobe, work space, and even your home.
What Is a Minimalist Aesthetic?
A minimalist aesthetic is one defined by an uncluttered, roomy space with neutral colors and a sense of calm. But let’s break that down even further. Minimalism takes on the “less is more” approach with material possessions, wardrobes, architecture, and more. Aesthetic refers to the visual or artistic view of beauty. So it’s beauty defined by and through minimalism.
Key Elements of the Minimalist Aesthetic
Going beyond the “less is more” that defines the minimalist aesthetic, there are a few key elements that define this style of interior design:
- Neutral palette-beiges, whites, and grays are common
- Contrasting colors with white spaces
- Fresh accent pieces-artwork, pillows, light fixtures, and even plants
- No visible clutter
- Minimal distractions
- Nature-sunlight, landscape, window views
- No unnecessary elements, essentials only
What’s nice about the minimalist aesthetic is that this applies to multiple areas in life and work, which we will discuss. But first-let’s look at how you could benefit from a minimalist aesthetic.
Benefits of a Minimalist Aesthetic
There are many benefits to a minimalist aesthetic from saving money on decorative belongings to prioritizing things that really matter. When you practice a minimalist aesthetic, you can reap some of the following benefits:
- Calm environment
- Less stress
- Less time cleaning and dusting
- Easier to redecorate
- Saves money
- Decluttered space
- More guest-ready
- Less distraction
- Improved focus
Sounds great, doesn’t it? These benefits can apply to any area of your life you plan to incorporate the minimalist aesthetic, so let’s look at some possible areas of minimalist aesthetics that might interest you and how you can get started.
Areas of Minimalist Aesthetics
There are several areas of minimalist aesthetics to look at-it goes way beyond just decorating your living space! Since you’ve learned about the benefits of minimalist aesthetics, now let’s look at some specifics.
Minimalist Aesthetic Clothes and Outfits
As you can probably guess from the name, the minimalist aesthetic clothes and outfits are defined by simplicity. There’s nothing fussy, yet it’s still elegant. These clothing pieces and outfits are timeless, inspired, and won’t break the bank. It’s all about nice fabrics, textures, neutral colors and small details. There are a few essential pieces to the minimalist aesthetic clothes and outfits:
- Classic trench coat
- Basic foundation pieces (long and short-sleeved shirts)
- Sweater
- Dress (or slacks for men)
- Skirt (or slacks for men)
- Loafers
- Basic jewelry pieces (or cufflinks and tie for men)
These essential pieces of course will vary depending on where you work, the environment you live in, and what kind of look you want to portray. If you work from home-these pieces will most likely be more comfortable than professional. But all of these pieces will coordinate with multiple other pieces-making your wardrobe more functional to save you space and money!
A minimalist aesthetic is one defined by an uncluttered, roomy space with neutral colors and a sense of calm.
Minimalist Aesthetic Houses and Rooms
The same goes for the minimalist aesthetic houses and rooms-uncluttered and functional. Neutral color palettes, minimal decorations, the bare necessities and lots of space. It’s a modern look with clean lines and minimal “stuff” to optimize space. Minimalist aesthetic houses are defined by simple lines, natural materials, and prioritizing the essentials.
No bonus rooms, no hidden spaces, just the spaces that you need to live and sleep and take care of yourself and your family. No ornate finials or decorative archways-it’s all about need and function!
Minimalist Aesthetic Products
Minimalist aesthetic products are the pieces that define minimalist homes and lifestyles. These are designed to be simple and only the essential. For example-let’s look at a wristwatch. As a minimalist aesthetic product, this wristwatch will not have a great deal of detail, or jewels, or accessories across the watch face or band. It’s simplified to the point that it serves a purpose, nothing more.
In many cases these products, along with the minimalist practice, will serve more than one purpose, like the staircase in a house that has storage drawers under each stair tread and a bookcase on the side.
Minimalist Aesthetic Decorations
The minimalist aesthetic is not just about uncluttered or even blank walls, but decorations. Minimalist aesthetic decorations are simple yet beautiful pieces that work with a space to add flair and interest without being flamboyant or outspoken. It’s a clear glass vase with a single monstera leaf, or a painting with minimal colors and designs. A simple mirror without a frame can also be a minimalist aesthetic decoration.
Minimalist Aesthetic Art
Minimalist aesthetic art is a diverse category that includes paintings, photography, and more. These are truly unique pieces that are also simple yet beautiful, with clean lines and just a little bit of color. Think of simple line drawings, single figures, and sometimes abstract creations. These pieces will have the same color scheme as the rooms they adorn, sometimes a little more to add interest. It all depends on the look one is trying to achieve.
Can Minimalist be Colorful?
We’ve talked a great deal about neutral color palettes and simple color schemes, so you’re probably wondering-can minimalist be colorful? Why yes it can! When trying to achieve a minimalist aesthetic, you can bring in whatever colors you want to achieve the look you want.
It could be a single poster with nothing but a bright red circle, or it could be a line drawing of a woman’s silhouette with a couple of brightly colored leaves superimposed. If it brings you joy, if it ties in to your space, and you enjoy looking at it then it works.
How to Achieve a Minimalist Aesthetic
Achieving a minimalist aesthetic is not a difficult thing to do-the most challenging thing is getting started! It begins with decluttering your space to get a feel for what you want in this space. Whether it’s a work space or living space, think about what you need to be able to accomplish in there, what inspires you, what helps you maintain your focus. Start with some freshly painted walls in neutral colors.
Place the necessary furniture, nothing more. Decide on a color scheme. Then pick a low-maintenance plant like a pothos ivy to bring some color and freshness to the space. Find a couple of accent pieces, like a simple statue or painting, a soft blanket, or a brightly colored pillow to put in the space. Got a window? Open up those blinds or curtains and let in the natural light. Then all you have to do is enjoy your space!
Here is a great video with 10 minimalist habits to keep life simple.
How Real People Would Apply Minimalist Aesthetic
I asked a few family and/or friends what top 3 areas of life they would be eager to apply a minimalist aesthetic to. Here is what they shared and what I learned from the poll:
| Area of Application | Tally of Family/Friends |
| Master bedroom | 3 |
| Home office | 4 |
| Work | 3 |
| Kitchen | 2 |
| Living room | 3 |
| Home | 2 |
| Wardrobe | 2 |
| Dining room | 3 |
| Bathroom | 2 |
| My car | 1 |
| Yoga/meditation space | 1 |
Other Resources:
- Minimalist Design – Aesthetics and Elements of Simple Design
- Wabi-Sabi – Incorporating An Aesthetic of Imperfect Beauty
- Minimalist Nail Art – An Attractive and Beautiful Touch
- Minimalist Tattoos – Examples, Aesthetic, and Their Appeal
- Aesthetically Pleasing – Elements of Calm, Simple Visuals
The minimalist aesthetic can be a very useful tool when trying to save money, relax, focus, and even accomplish your work. Whether you’re moving into a new space or decluttering your home, utilizing the minimalist aesthetic is beautiful and inspiring in its simplicity. Where are you considering incorporating this into your life?