Oonagh Turner
I'll say it, I think being a good minimalist interior designer is a tougher job than those who have more maximalist tendencies. It might sound a little counterintuitive, but minimalism is all about the art of restraint and what's not included, which requires an even more artful hand to execute brilliantly.
To master it for yourself, my best advice is to immerse yourself in the best examples of minimalist interior design, which means finding the right minimalist interior designers to follow for inspiration.
I've curated my list of some 13 that I think will serve you perfectly in your quest for a more pared-back home.
1. Axel Vervoordt
Axel Vervoordt embraces wabi-sabi as part of his take on minimalism.
If there was ever a 'design superstar' in the world of minimalism, it would be Belgian architect Axel Vervoordt. Known for his textural, rustic approach to the design style, he's collaborated with the likes of Kim Kardashian on interiors and architecture, and designed notable projects such as the penthouse suite at The Greenwich Hotel in New York.
Axel's designs eschew the idea that minimalism has to be stark — both timeless and deeply soulful, the designer balances raw and natural materials with sculptural furniture and curated decor, with pared-back color schemes and negative space playing a starring role.
Often, and especially in projects such as the Tribeca Suite at the Greenwich Hotel, pictured, he draws on wabi sabi principles to embrace the aesthetic quality of imperfection.
2. Jessy Van Gorp
Super minimalist architecture and decor within is the calling card of Jessy Van Gorp.
Another Belgian architect and designer (there must be something in the water there), Jessy Van Gorp is a recent discovery of mine, but one that really nails the more sleek, minimalist style in a very modern way. It's minimalist with warmth and tactility, but still that sense of strong negative space in the interior design that really qualifies the work as examples of true minimalism.
Unnecessary trims and architectural adornments are pared back, kitchens become invisible factions within the space, and color palettes are bright, dreamy, but understated. Still, there's plenty of romance and interest in these spaces, with interesting and unique furniture that brings a tactile element and still a sense of fun to the designs.
3. Vellum Studio
Drenched in limewash, this room is a minimalist backdrop for some creative furniture choices.
Minimalist interior designer Ronit Lee of Vellum Studio wants the homes she creates to feel tranquil, and have a sense of quietude — places for introspection. It's something that you can feel through her small but perfectly formed portfolio of projects. The Brooklyn pied-a-terre, pictured above, is washed in warm limewash and furniture with life and soul, but a reduced materiality that lands it firmly in the land of minimalism.
The designer hasn't got a huge amount of projects under her belt in the guise of this design studio, but she's one to watch if minimalism is your thing.
Follow Vellum Studio.
4. Mandy Graham
In this Los Angeles project, a bold pink marble is a surprise in a house that otherwise incorporates a very pared back palette.
White-walled minimalism is perhaps the hardest style to get right in this day and age, but it's something that Los Angeles interior designer Mandy Graham does with ease. Less reliant on the likes of a limewash wall to bring the warmth modern minimalism depends, Mandy's spaces often start with art gallery-esque white boxes, but end up feeling distinctly luxurious, despite the streamlined approach to decor.
In one of the studio's spaces, you're likely to see a bright, white backdrop, but with elegant materials, bold artwork, and clever custom design that always ensures these designs feel 'rich'.
5. Norm Architects
This Japandi inspired project by Norm Architects hints at the studio's global inspirations.
Norm are pioneers in minimalist design. Based in the homeland of minimalist design that is Copenhagen, Norm Architects was founded in 2008, and today work across interior design, residential architecture and commercial interiors. Norm's spaces are beautiful and focus on the simplicity of Scandinavian design, natural materials and thoughtful architecture. 'Our work is sharp and crisp and exudes, tacitly, our focus on quality, details, and durability,' explains founder, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, founder.
'Our approach to minimalism is about eliminating the irrelevant in order to emphasize what is important in life through tactile designs and interiors that invite you to engage with them. By working with natural forms, materials and colors we can create spaces and objects that engage with our ancient aesthetic preferences – that feel good, look good, and that last.'
A beautiful coffee table book exhibiting the works of Norm Architects that have made them key figures of Nordic design. It shows residential projects throughout Scandinavia, Italy and Japan.
6. Noa Santos
Noa Santos' take on minimalism is elegant and ethereal.
Noa Santos's style of interiors is luxurious minimalism. The neutral color palette, smooth curves, and simple lines combine with high-end minimalist decorative embellishments and a contemporary look that makes it really stand out. The founder of architecture and design studio NAINO is also about raw and textured materials, and a scroll through his Instagram feed makes for a soothing experience, awash with creams, greys, and muted tones.
7. House of Grey
'We design creative places that allow your mind and body to be calm and focused by reducing visual noise and distractions – maximizing space and minimizing clutter.'
For the founder of House of Grey, minimalist interiors are all about how our homes can be holistic spaces through salutogenic design. These principals dictate that what is essential in the home is the ambiance, ergonomic design, products, and a feeling of calm from nature. In this way, what we bring into our home is crucial to impacting our everyday lives, and must be sustainable. Scent-scaping is also an important layer of interiors for Louisa, so much so that she did the interiors for the Soho-based fragrance shop, Ffern, which opened recently. This minimalist living room features calming colors, shapes and texture. There is always a wonderful rhythm in interior design when it comes to her work.
"In positive surroundings, we can truly live in the moment," says founder, Louisa Grey, "bringing us into a state of contentment which supports our personal evolution, helping us to become a person who is wanting and needing less."
"This is not an innovation, this is the innate way of living and the future of modern living – where we elevate ourselves to a state of health and happiness."
8. Pella Hedeby
Scale is one of the tools of a good minimalist interior designer.
Another Scandi designer who will give you a dose of wanderlust, as well as interior design envy, is Pella Hedeby, whose feed includes scenic, vast, and cold-looking landscapes mixed with her latest design projects. The landscape surrounding Sweden is so intertwined with Pella's work, from the color palettes used - whites, dark browns, creams, and greys, to the sustainable practices she preaches, as seen in this minimalist bedroom.
'For me, an minimalistic interior gives a sense of peace and harmony,' says Pella. 'With less distraction and more focus on what’s really important.
'And it is quite a simple recipe: A few handpicked furniture and objects, in materials and textures that add a natural warmth. A mix of wood furniture, stone, and linen is included in every work I do.'
'When it comes to a minimalist interior, you need the architecture to provide you with a base, that will live with the light through the day. And then simply add textures in subtle layers.'
9. Heju Studio
Parisian Heju Studio bring a sense of joy to their take on minimalism.
Under Heju Studio, minimalism is inspired by a real culture clash. Scandi meets Japanese design - or Japandi - all coming from a small studio in Paris. We like the account for its comforting curves, which helps detract from any starkness that emanates from a cold color scheme. This form of minimalism proves that minimalism can be playful, and friendly, and while might sit at odds with the traditional definition of minimalism, it is accessible and welcoming to those who are new to the discipline.
Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann meet at the National School of Architecture in Strasbourg, founding the Heju studio in 2015. 'We work around straight lines and minimalist volumes to create timeless spaces. Our sensitive and spontaneous approach allows us to optimize spaces as well as possible, to challenge codes and customs and to advocate a return to emotion. We try to breathe poetry into the daily lives of our customers,' they say.
10. John Pawson
John Pawson's home in Oxfordshire, UK
A quick scroll of architect and minimalist interior designer, John Pawson's Instagram will reveal how the design style is so entwined with the way light plays with our interiors, how shadows at different moments of the day cast a different hue, and how light, contrast, and shadow work as minimalist elements of interior design. John's Instagram flies the flag for why minimalism is a better way of life.
John's ethos is all about keeping the space clean, simple, and pure and how that helps us feel happy, and says that he noticed his fascination with interiors and architecture spike as a young child when he was aware of how architecture could make him feel and what spaces he felt good in. It's this direct correlation between architecture and one's well-being and feelings that makes John a minimalist.
11. Nune
Classic, pared back interiors also qualify as a minimalist design look.
Another interior design studio that prioritizes well-being in interiors is nune. nune is a small design studio based in New York and London, working globally on residential and commercial properties, with a focus on the planet and working to create comfortable and approachable spaces from kitchens to coffee shops.
"We are driven by the simple belief that thoughtful design contributes to well-being," says founder, Sheena Murphy. "We work as a collaborative team with our clients, architects, construction teams, craftspeople, and artists to create environments that allow their inhabitants to feel good. We design with consideration for both the planet and for human health, and we strive to support small businesses doing interesting work."
Sheena's advice for living in a minimalist home is all about being ruthless with what you really need, being realistic, and buying what you love. 'Also, try to think about your design choices with a strong sense of function in mind so you're always making decisions that are both smart and aligned with your aesthetic preferences. '
12. llaab
Minimalism can mean less stuff, but more stuff that means something to you.
At the heart of minimalism and one of the most well-known principles of the style is the practice of reduction and decluttering. "Minimalism, to us, means to get to the core of materials," says Luca Scardulla, co-founder of architecture practice, llaab.
"Reducing the substance and getting to the core doesn't mean losing character,” says Luca Scardulla. "Rather than renouncing the soul, it’s about enhancing it: reducing to empower."
"Spaces can be minimal, yet they should be personal, responding to specific needs and personalities. We need spaces where we can feel at home and embraced. Homes are our nest."
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13. Studio Zung
14k people follow Studio Zung for daily inspiration on design, architecture, interiors and lifestyle, A modern design studio integrating architecture, interiors & the artistry of living. The team define themselves as architects, thinkers, designers and makers inspired by a holistic lifestyle and sensuous, luxurious design, celebrating the pillars of minimalism.
"We want people to connect with something in our spaces that touches an intimate moment within themselves," explains principal Tommy Zung. "True luxury is when something takes an incredible amount of detail, thought, materiality and structure just to get something simple and purposeful."
