Marked by simple clean lines and muted colour palette, minimalist design is often misunderstood as cold, bare and impersonal, but in fact, its streamlined aesthetic embodies a timeless charm that will draw you in every time.
Let’s explore some practical tips to achieving a sensational minimalist home without sacrificing personality.
Playing with Varying Tones of Neutral Palette and Textures
A monochromatic colour scheme consisting of whites, beiges and greys are characteristic of minimalist-designed spaces. Neutral colour tones have an amazing calming effects. To create a cosy and intimate space, incorporate varying shades of the neutral colour palette, with textural contrast of an artwork and soft furnishings like soft wool fabrics, rugs and lightweight curtain.
With the right dose of application, hues like blue, green or blush pink can subtly serve as muted accent colours to amp up a space with unique personality.
In this apartment in Cherry Crest, a light-toned palette of beige, cream and white and an abundance of natural wood was used to create a calm and relaxing family ambience. To give the apartment an accent highlight, slate grey was incorporated – a universal colour to maintain the minimalist and modern look.
Create Spatial Fluidity
Layout with an open-ended continuity between different hub spaces is of prime importance. The natural flow enriches a minimalist design with a sense of aesthetic lightness and depth as we travel through the space.
“Floating” curved cabinets offset the rigidness of clean lines and sharp edges in this home at The Masterpiece.
Lighting is Everything
From natural light to ambient softer light, a good lighting design can accentuate the space with various moods. Get as much natural light into the space as possible. To retain the clean lines of the space, recessed spotlights, trough lighting and LED strip lighting are fabulous way to keep overbearing lighting fixtures out of sight, such as the lounge space at this apartment in Providence Bay. The key is to strike a balance between aesthetic and function.
In this apartment in Woodland Gardens, the dining room strikes a distinct Scandinavian note, highlighted by a pair of Louis Poulsen pendant lights.
Plan Ahead for a Fuss Free Space
Cutting the clutter is one of the greatest challenges for a minimalist design, especially in the space-starved Hong Kong homes.
There are plenty of innovative use of space and discreet storage solutions, but it pays to think ahead to incorporate thoughtful design during the spatial planning process.
The platform, the defining feature in this apartment in The Richmond, solves several design problems at once. Visually, the podium adds dimension and elevation and makes the room more interesting, while the steps create additional seating without the clutter of extra chairs.
Unconventional design and layout create an extraordinary space for a study in a challenging trapezoid-shaped living room in this apartment in One Robinson Place.
Smart sandwich blinds block excessive solar heat and remain dust-free and fuss-free in this apartment in La Clare Mansion!