Minimalist houses can be considered as a synonym for modern houses. And it is that minimalism has become the representative architectural style of this era, taking various influences and sharing some concepts.
Minimalism in architecture seeks the liberation of everything unnecessary and what is left over. Seek the simplicity and harmony of open spaces and avoid the visual overload of excessive ornamentation.
In this way, modern architectural trends that work on the purity of lines, passable spaces and volumes – such as, for example, styles such as the Eichler, with one-story houses and flat roofs, have evolved towards the essential.
However, nowadays there are some factors that have also influenced minimalism, without losing of course its ultimate goal which is “less is more”: trends that seek to achieve greater warmth in a minimal context.
But first let’s review some concepts of minimalism.
Architectural and decorative features of minimalism
Since Ludwig Mies van der Rohe came up with the motto of less is more to choose materials and components in architecture and design, minimalism took off.
This industrial architect – who directed, to be exact, the Bauhaus school between 1930 and 1933 – devised an architectural expression that was extremely functional and at the same time simple.
Less is more means to use those elements that are truly necessary and discard the superfluous, which has no express utility.
Simplicity and simplicity of the forms
Minimalist houses, also minimalist prefabricated houses, have simple plans, generally geometric. The door and window openings are simple and the facades are more functional.
Simple coatings
The materials for both the minimalist facades and the interior are usually concrete and glass. The finishes do not include adornments.
Open spaces and bright
The minimalist style houses have spacious rooms, with large windows that introduce light to the spaces, with straight lines (curves are not usually present).
Minimal decoration
The decoration of a minimalist house is functional. It uses basic elements and wants to eliminate the visual noise produced by accessories in door handles, handles, etc. The furniture is always functional and serves a purpose, not only for its aesthetic quality.
Minimalist colors
The colors of modern minimalist houses always play with whites, to give an even brighter and more spacious feeling. The interior minimalist house and its facades will have a clean appearance, in palettes that go from white to black, always trying to be neutral.
This does not mean that other materials and colors can be used to highlight certain elements, such as a brick or stone wall.
Trends in minimalism: warmth
One of the main criticisms that have been made of minimalist houses is that, due to the use of a neutral color palette (preferably white), their interiors can be unwelcoming and even soulless.
Precisely to counteract this lack of warmth, the latest trends in minimalism include ocher colors, earth, oranges, which provide that bio and eco touch that we need so much. humans.
It is not about making a minimalist house rustic, absolutely. It is about combining large spaces with objects (few) of other styles, diverse textures, for a contemporary result, but without abandoning the minimalist principle: less is more.
In this sense, everything that you can include in minimalist houses will not always be modern, but the result will be.
Nordic and Japanese influences
It is true that one of the main sources from which minimalism drew was precisely in Japanese simplicity: spaces that invite calm, without excessive visual stimuli.
However, what is new is to incorporate wood, a material that touches the natural fiber. Both the Nordic and Japanese styles allow touches of wood (tables, door and window frames, dressers, etc.) preferably in light colors.
The wood can be stained or lacquered in matt finishes, which will add that touch of warmth to minimalist homes.
Wall tiles in the minimalist style
Since what is sought is simplicity, minimalism opts for bleached concrete floors, for example, with a neutral carpet without noisy designs.
Wood is also possible on the floors, or enriching the walls with some texture (patterned wallpapers, but without drawings or serigraphs).
Furniture in the interior style of minimalism
Simplicity and functionality are sought with the furniture of minimalist houses.
In the new trends, this continues in furniture with straight and smooth lines, no longer in chrome or shiny steels, but in light-colored wood with matte finishes. Important: no frills of any kind.
Light
Minimalism tends to enhance light. In current trends the windows are not dressed, or light fabric curtains and white blinds are placed.
As for artificial lighting, warm whites are chosen and to reproduce daylight, adjusting the lights for when we want to relax.
Minimalist textures
This is a very current trend: the wide and smooth spaces of minimalist houses are combined with other textures (no patterns, but rather patterns) to enrich the environments .
Linen, wool, cotton, enea … natural fibers that are not at all common in conventional minimalist spaces. Always, of course, respecting the sense of simplicity, that is why they should be used sparingly (a tablecloth, a lampshade …).
Minimalism, the most innovative style
As minimalism is about reducing everything to the essential, it is common for furniture to have dual functions, or for minimalist interiors to decorate various spaces, such as living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, choose furniture with hidden storage.
In practical terms, that means that every piece of furniture must have a reason for being there. If it doesn’t, it simply has no place in a minimalist home.
But functionality and practicality cannot ignore the well-being and comfort of a minimalist home: it should be simple but comfortable.
If the decoration is for a living room or dining room, focus on the furniture: the table, the sofa, the chairs. This way they will take center stage and you will be able to notice those elements considered accessories and superfluous.
As you have seen, minimalist houses have undergone a certain evolution towards warmth. The versatility of this style allows new textures and materials to be incorporated (to facades and interiors) without compromising its essential aesthetics.
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