Decorating & Design
45+ Clean Minimalist Spaces That Marie Kondo Would Approve Of
Updated on January 27, 2020
If you bought her books or binged Tidying Up With Marie Kondo on Netflix, you’ll understand what organizing pro Marie Kondo means by less is more. Minimal decor offers more space, a clean slate where architecture can really shine, and as Marie acknowledges, frees up the emotional toll that’s taken by caring for all the stuff we accumulate. If you’re looking to embrace a pared-back approach to decorating in 2020, we rounded up 45+ organized minimalist spaces that will inspire you to declutter your space, stat.
A tableau of beautiful vintage pottery illustrates the principles of joy in this Toronto curator’s dining area. Simple bench seating and cuisine-themed artwork create a soothing, fuss-free spot to nosh that’s easy to keep tidy.
In the bathroom, white oak panelling gives the impression of being in nature. A bench contains drawers to stash toiletries, so the surfaces remain clutter-free.
An efficient 616-square-foot laneway house in East Vancouver is an exercise in spare functionality: when space is this compact, editing down clutter and curating what’s out on display is of prime importance.
Organized with a spot for everything, we are pretty sure this space would earn Marie’s stamp of approval. When a kitchen is open to the dining room, as this one in is a Montreal duplex, it’s especially important to think about sight lines. A striking island and ample storage make it feel warm and welcoming, as well visually calming.
This shower in Les Ensembliers’ Quebec country home breaks things down to the basic elements, and the result is simply beautiful. Recharging in nature has always sparked joy for Marie Kondo, and the view of the fields beyond creates a rejuvenating “forest bathing” effect.
Escape to the designers’ farmhouse on H&H TV.
For the ultimate in editing, look no further than this minimalist kitchen — right down to the absence of cabinet pulls and knobs. The effect is seamless and ethereal, and clean countertops free of non-essentials means plenty of room for contemplating a quiet meal (as well as cooking).
Talk about lean and clean! The adjacent dining room is made even more expansive with a large mirror. Whitewashing the floor and dining table keeps the feeling airy, but it’s the mix of sculptural chairs and pendant lights that create a sense of pristine order.
Custom flat-cut white oak cabinets and a sleek desk make this an enviable workspace in a bedroom, and it couldn’t be tidier. There’s even a floating shelf for display, if desired.
Appliances are hidden behind ebonized white oak cabinets in this artful Toronto condo. A sleek floating shelf shows off a well-edited grouping of bowls.
This formal dining room feels serene with a silvery blue grasscloth wallpaper and ombré drapery. The walls are kept free of artwork but a standout chandelier and simple sculpture inject subtle texture and personality: one of Marie’s famous edicts is that everything you own should spark joy.
There is a lot to be said for relaxed linens: they reduce the time spent making the bed (who wants to do that when the great outdoors beckons in this Muskoka cottage)? Floating nightstands are kept clutter-free with a couple of artful pieces, while wall sconces step in for table lamps. The windows skip fussy treatments in favor of hidden motorized shades.
No excuses for lateness in this graphic bathroom, everything is streamlined in a spacious vanity outfitted with multiple drawers and wall-mounted faucets to make the morning routine fly by.
Designer Brian Gluckstein is a master of subtlety, and the living room he created for the 2019 Princess Margaret Showhome exemplifies a quiet luxury that comes from a soothing palette, using high-contrast trim as an exclamation point (that doesn’t shout).
The lower level bathroom is a full service destination that’s dedicated to wellness. It also helps set a relaxing vibe with professional-grade organization. Keeping a tidy space where you can see your belongings, Marie Kondo suggests, can help avoid wasteful mistakes.
In the ensuite bathroom, order reigns supreme. When there is this ample storage in the vanity, you can skip the medicine cabinet in favor of a generous mirror that visually expands the space.
Marie Kondo is a big proponent of dividing things into containers (banish the junk drawer forever!). This glam kitchen island is a gorgeous example of dedicated storage: the divided drawers allow the owner to meticulously organize her baking supplies.
We admit it would hard for a Parisian pied-à-terre to not spark joy, but we love how Jackie Kai Ellis brought out the romantic Gallic charm in this guest bedroom, without the frou frou. This bed can be flipped up against the wall and concealed by the lace curtains, and the custom niches can hold bedding for the ultimate disappearing act.
Anyone familiar with Marie’s method of filing-cabinet rolled folding knows just how important counter space in a laundry room can be. This space keeps things efficient with long counters for precision folding, a closet rod for hanging clothes that need ironing and lots of cabinetry for supplies.
This well edited, serene lakehouse bedroom makes every morning feel like a clean slate with a focus on natural materials such as the cerused oak panelled walls and a dreamy four-poster bed.
This high-impact bathroom proves that pared-back style doesn’t have to be boring. Glossy Bianco Lasa marble floors contrast beautifully with the black marble pedestal and single artful chair.
In this ski chalet’s principal bedroom, floor-to-ceiling white cedar built-ins keep the serene space clutter-free. Simple bedding and minimal accessories let the warm wood command all of the attention.
Architect Darcie Watson masters Scandi-style serenity in her principal bedroom. This cozy reading nook offers textural interest with tufted floor cushions.
This feature wall of panelling in a soft blue hue delivers a breezy vibe to the otherwise simple cottage ensuite. Even the homeowners’ cat approves!
In this understated family bathroom, designer Alison Milne kept the aesthetic tailored, yet trendy with a standalone tub, Carrara marble hexagonal tile and brass fixtures.
A faux grasscloth backsplash and flat-front cabinetry in the same color bring a seamless look to this monochromatic kitchen.
Designer Carrie McCarthy’s interior ethos is “less is more” — and her West Coast cabin is no exception. A clean-lined fireplace sits in between two minimally-dressed nooks in the living room.
A large picture window gives this dining area a treehouse-like atmosphere. A single, striking vase commands attention, while a blonde wood table and white chairs almost fade into the background. A graphic rug grounds the space.
This sparse bedroom has a serene feel thanks to a less-is-more approach to decorating. Light walls and floors give the eye plenty of places to rest.
Despite the pared-back style of this all-white great room, sweeping views of the West Coast forest outside speak volumes.
Designer and homeowner Deb Nelson handcrafted her dining table out of reclaimed wooden planks, bringing a natural element to this dining room. Dark Wishbone-style chairs offer definition to the airy space.
“The key to the bathroom — like the rest of the house, really — was to fit in a lot of stuff without it feeling cramped,” says designer Kenny Gemmill. Recessed shelves, a clean all-white palette and an arched glass shower do just that.
Shaker-style cabinets and subway tiles with white grout offer durability and ease in this charming country kitchen. A set of open wooden shelves with culinary necessities give the space a collected feel without making it feel cluttered.
This dramatic living room — complete with the artful chaise by Olivier Mourgue and a cold-rolled steel fireplace — is a master class in modern minimalism.
In actor Yannick Bisson’s stylish space, an industrial and wood staircase with a glass enclosure has subtle impact. “We designed it in a plainer, linear fashion, so we aren’t making any crazy statements here,” says designer Eric McClelland.
This crisp all-white bathroom is far from boring thanks to the woven-inspired marble floors, whitewashed wood panel walls and vintage apothecary bottles lining the spacious window.
To keep this bright and airy dining room from feeling too sparse, homeowners Arounna Khounnoraj and John Booth added large windows and folding doors for a steady stream of natural sunlight.
Pale woods, clean lines and minimalist decor make this bathroom feel like a peaceful oasis. A towering vase of cherry blossoms draws the eye up, while a blackened steel towel rack brings a sliver of contrast.
It’s all about the envelope in this serene principal bedroom. Geometric windows are unique and quirky, while radiant concrete flooring with glass chips adds a dash of sparkle. Lavender bedding, a sculptural floor lamp and large-scale piece of art are the only pieces of decor needed.
In this breezy vacation home in San Miguel, Mexico, a spacious sofa with ample throws and woven chairs mix traditional textures with modern design.
Attention to detail makes a big impact in minimalist spaces, like in this quaint corner by House & Home‘s Designer of the Year, Nam Dang-Mitchell. Impressive panelling, chevron floors and sculptural furniture eliminates the need for wall art.
See more of Nam’s stunning spaces.
This monochrome bathroom proves that minimalism can still make a statement. Black trim around the glass shower pops against the crisp white walls.
This cozy cottage bedroom finds the perfect balance between pristine minimalism and lived-in comfort.
In this B.C. home’s guest bedroom, a low-slung sectional sofa bed, tiered coffee table and nature-inspired artwork compliment the rustic view outside.
Expansive views of the Whistler forest make this family home’s understated bathroom a covetable hideaway. The soaker tub is the perfect place to spend lazy Sunday mornings.
Rich blue hues — like the color-blocked bedspread and nautical painting — offer depth in this petite principal bedroom with slanted ceilings. A wall-mounted wooden box functions as a nightstand to free up floor space.
A vintage Danish dining set pops against the bright white walls of this spare eating area, while a George Nelson Bubble lamp’s artful design adds visual interest.
Exposed plumbing and a small utilitarian sink gives this pool house bathroom country charm. A sleek open shelf holds just the necessities.
In this minimal entryway, Alvar Aalto’s sunken bentwood Paimio armchair topped with a textured throw adds visual interest. A coat of moss green paint gives the unembellished staircase a subtle hit of personality.
Two matching white towels contrast beautifully with the rich wood stool and platter hanging on the wall. This styled bathroom corner is simplicity at its finest.