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Balancing Stuff and Space: 12 Inspiring “Minimal Plus” Rooms

publishedMar 23, 2016
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(图片credit:Katy Cartland)

Total minimalism can be hard to achieve for many of us who have a love of art, accessories, furniture andstuff.But often, many of us crave the peacefulness that homes described as “minimal” can offer. I think there’s a type of room design that still exudes calm while celebratingsomestuff. I call it:minimalplus.”

Minimalplusis what it sounds like:It embraces the idea of stripping away unnecessary items in the home to craft rooms that are stylish assemblages of just the essentials. There’s a celebration of negative space, a love of clean white walls, a delight in clear surfaces and a reverence of craftsmanship.

But the “plus” part is what stands between a stark (perhaps too empty, too cold?) minimal room and a warm, cozy minimalplus空间。

Minimalplus是一种设计风格with restraint…but has quirky bonus details to create really interesting spaces (despite less “stuff”). Below, find an array of rooms that are minimal…plus a little something extra. I call out what I think that something extra is to inspire anyone hoping to marry the desire for minimalism with a little more stuff.

(图片credit:Katy Cartland)

What makes it minimal:Clean white walls, simple materials and furniture choices

What makes it minimalplus:The vintage detail of the old phone, the bold contrast between the warm wood of the dining table and the white dining chairs

(图片credit:Katy Cartland)

What makes it minimal:A lack of clutter

What makes it minimalplus:The quirky, graphic shower curtain that shows off a sense of humor

(图片credit:Anik Polo)

What makes it minimal:Lots of white, not a lot of stuff

What makes it minimalplus:The embrace of truly modern, well-made furniture that become statement pieces, as well as a wall finish that has a lot of interest and variation

(图片credit:Cathy Pyle)

What makes it minimal:Clean lines, lots of white and a simple crisp bed covering

What makes it minimalplus:Allowing the architecture of the window (as well as the view) create a beautiful, calming mood

(图片credit:Adrienne Breaux)

What makes it minimal:No art on the clean white walls, furniture with simple lines

What makes it minimalplus:Two small spots of bright color and an unexpected hanging art piece

(图片credit:Marie-Lyne Quirion)

What makes it minimal:Fresh white walls, no rug, little clutter

What makes it minimalplus:Small vignettes that fill the space without overwhelming it. Simple patterns that add depth to the room (without being too busy)

(图片credit:Marie-Lyne Quirion)

What makes it minimal:Not a lot of “stuff,” allowing even a small space to feel airy

What makes it minimalplus:Pairing simple furniture with a bold and colorful modern art piece and accessorizing with nature

(图片credit:Esteban Cortez)

What makes it minimal:Not a lot of design elements and clean white walls

What makes it minimalplus:Layering of earthy, natural textures and a well-placed hanging plant

(图片credit:Kathryn Bacalis)

What makes it minimal:Not a lot of stuff or pattern in a small space and all the art pieces having a simple color palette

What makes it minimalplus:Creating an accent wall out of wood creates texture and architectural interest and allows the few elements that are in the space really stand out

(图片credit:Lauren Kolyn)

What makes it minimal:Just the essentials when it comes to furniture

What makes it minimalplus:The addition of a small, asymmetrically hung piece of art that creates interest in an otherwise symmetrically arranged space

(图片credit:Jessica Isaac)

What makes it minimal:Simple furniture and a simple color palette

What makes it minimalplus:Including a colorful collection of small items, but arranged minimally on two sleek shelves against a crisp white wall

(图片credit:Breanne Johnsen)

What makes it minimal:没有地毯,很多艺术和简单的线条

What makes it minimalplus:The use of very interesting chairs and the visual rhythm their arrangement makes in the room, paired with a simple but intriguing tabletop item