Minimalist House – The Keys to a Calm and Inviting Space

Living in a minimalist house can be very fulfilling in that one prioritizes quality over quantity.  Regardless of the size of the actual home, minimalist housing can give you the greatest return.

Minimalist housing is an uncluttered, simple living style that delivers what you really need without all of the stress of standard living.  There are multiple benefits of minimalist housing from less cleaning and stress to living with more purpose.

Do you ever tire of cleaning and decluttering your house?  Have you ever wondered what a minimalist house might be able to do for you and your lifestyle?

What Is a Minimalist House?

A minimalist house is one that is uncluttered, simply decorated, and contains all of the necessities.  There’s a simple and efficient floor plan, lots of space, open floor plans, and lots of natural light.  It’s not about blank white walls or a lack of furniture, it’s a house that meets all of the basic needs of the family living within.  There’s no one definition for what meets minimalist in a house-it’s different for every family.

Minimalist houses also prioritize a strong connection with the outdoors. Large windows, sliding glass doors, and skylights are commonly used to bring in natural light and provide views of the surrounding landscape. Outdoor spaces, such as gardens or courtyards, are often found around minimalist houses.

Design Elements of a Minimalist House

A minimalist house is usually pretty simple when it comes to the design elements.  It’s not fancy, intricate, or ornate in its setup.  It provides shelter, safety, warmth, and all of the basics.  Size can vary from recycled shipping containers to tiny homes, as well as standard houses that are just kept simple in terms of decoration and furniture.  There’s even lots of windows to let in natural light.  It’s all about “less is more”, clean lines, optimal use of space and storage, and efficiency. 

Benefits of a Minimalist House

There are many benefits of living in a minimalist house from less clutter and cleaning to more affordable living.  Less possessions also mean more savings as well as less stress.  Open floor plans mean communal spaces for family time as well as entertaining.  Simplicity of function keeps room setups uncomplicated and spacious.  Living in a minimalist house helps the resident(s) prioritize quality over quantity and focus on the things that really matter.  Here are some other benefits of living in a minimalist house:

• More money saved by spending less on “stuff”
• Cleaning is easier and quicker
• Less complexity with redecorating
• Calm, stress-free environment
• Saved time
• Less furniture and stuff means less maintenance
• Better for the environment
• More efficiency in heating and cooling
• More open space

These all sound pretty great compared to your standard house, right?  Let’s look at some different types of minimalist house design:

Modern Minimalist House Design

The modern minimalist house is a little different in that it is still open and simple, with modest storage spaces, less interior walls, and lots of natural light but it doesn’t have a great deal of decorations.  The focus is on unique wall textures and colors as well as modern architecture.  These homes often feel like museum structures where the windows and wall finishes provide a simple, modern beauty.  These houses are often marked by unique structural elements that not only provide shelter and protection but also are eye-catching in their simplicity.

Contemporary Minimalist House Design

The contemporary minimalist house design is similar to the modern design as it utilizes bare essentials, uncluttered and open spaces, with simple and usually monochromatic palettes for decoration as well as wall colors.  There’s a little more focus on the details with the contemporary minimalist house design, so there’s a bit more personal touches and decorations added to each space.  Think of it as creature comforts-the things you like to have around to make you feel at home.  There’s still a feeling of clean and simple, but with a more comfortable feel. 

Minimalist House Decor

The minimalist house is generally pretty simple in terms of its décor.  Minimalists don’t accumulate a great deal of possessions or clutter, including décor, so you won’t find a large amount of pictures or sculptures or even furniture in some cases.  Families living in minimalist houses will have different variations of level of décor based on their own values and definitions of minimalism.  These can include monochromatic palettes, minimal decorations, and even blank walls focused on texture rather than paintings or pictures.  It’s more about function so if it doesn’t serve a purpose, you probably won’t find it in these houses!

Tiny Minimalist Houses

Tiny minimalist houses are usually about 400 square feet or less, and there are multiple variations of tiny houses.  There are tiny houses on wheels, similar to recreational vehicles.  There are converted school buses or “skoolies”.  There are even converted vans and even shipping containers!  Some tiny minimalist houses are built on foundations, much like standard houses. 

These tiny houses meet all of the basic needs of minimalists for safe living.  Due to their small size, every space is optimized for function as well as all of the tools and appliances.  One perk for some of these tiny houses is that you can travel just about anywhere in the world with (or in) your home!

Japanese Minimalist Houses

Japanese minimalist houses are much like modern minimalist houses, with a focus on architectural innovation on lighting, materials, and an interesting use of space.  This design also focuses on “micro-living”, which is use of limited space in an urban environment.  In some cases the minimalism is so strong in the Japanese design that there isn’t much in the way of furniture! 

Here is an inside look of a minimal Japanese house organized with Mari Kondo’s method in mind.

There are design challenges with the Japanese minimalist style in that there are narrow land plots, highly-populated areas, yet there is priority placed on maximizing natural light and views of the sky while maintaining privacy.  Every available space is utilized to provide luxury views, open living spaces, and organic flow between structure and the local environment.

Other Resources:

• Material Things – Things that Benefit Us and Things to Let Go
• Minimalist Room – The Benefits and Joys of a Simple Space

Minimalist houses can deliver a great deal of life without a whole lot of cleaning and decluttering.  With varied options in size and design, it’s worth checking out this lifestyle to prioritize the things that really matter.  Here’s a hint-it’s not stuff!  From tiny houses to Japanese minimalist houses, these homes are optimized for comfort, function, and a fulfilling life!  Would you consider living in a minimalist house?