We’re here to set the record straight: Pared-down style doesn’t have to be stark. In fact, the best minimalist spaces are both calming and inviting. The secret is focusing on the essentials; the things that work and the things you find most beautiful. Need proof that clean, scaled-back spaces can still feel warm? Here are 20 stunning examples that will have you rethinking minimalism.
Museum executive Kelvin Browne’s dining space is expertly curated to highlight the beauty of his contemporary artwork — and let the room’s charming architectural details enjoy the spotlight.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Kelvin Browne
With its clean-lined fireplace and edited selection of furniture, this bedroom — belonging to rug and fabric showroom owner Ali Yaphe — makes a striking impression. Plush textiles and leather help soften the space’s hard edges.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home January 2014
Designer: Ali Yaphe, Mazen El-Abdallah
This rustic dining area demonstrates the power of holding back. An artful arrangement of leaves and a pair of simple trays keep the scene from looking bare, but don’t detract from the table’s attractive grain.
Photographer: Philippe Kress
Source: House & Home October 2012
Designer: Ray Camano, Don Howell
Homeowners John Baker and Juli Daoust-Baker display a mix of essential tools and meaningful art in their warm-meets-minimal living space. A sleek black fireplace adds even more coziness to the room.
Photographer: Ashley Capp
Source: House & Home July 2015
Designer: John Baker, Juli Daoust-Baker
While this kitchen by Blazysgérard boasts plenty of texture, flat-front cabinets, sleek appliances and subtle hardware strike a decidedly minimalist note, keeping the deep-toned room from feeling heavy.
Photographer: Jean Longpré
Source: House & Home September 2013
Designer: Alexandre Blazys and Benoit Gérard
Designer Sophie Burke embraced natural finishes in this mountain home , but kept the decorating simple for a laid-back ambience. In the hall, a series of round wooden hooks are equal parts functional and whimsical.
Photographer: Heather Ross
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Sophie Burke
Pared-back but seriously inviting, this cottage dining area designed by Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam encourages guests to gather around for casual meals. A palette of wood and white keeps things serene.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home October 2011
Designer: Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam
Suzanne and Arriz’s organic vignettes also offer a lesson in warm minimalism. A shed antler grounds a simple arrangement on their living room coffee table, drawing the eye to a couple conversation-starting pieces.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home October 2011
Designer: Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam
In this sun-drenched cabin bathroom, an oversize log print makes an appropriately woodsy statement, while charming horizontal wall paneling adds another layer of texture to the space.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Erin Chow
Leggy furniture, simple sconces and limited decoration make this bedroom a minimalist’s dream, while layered blue linens and an upholstered bed frame ensure the vibe is plush and comfortable.
Photographer: Heather Ross
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Sophie Burke
Meg Graham and Andre D’Elia kept this vaulted dining space from skewing too stark with mid-toned wood railings and chairs, a towering vase of branches and soft fabric table runner.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home October 2011
Designer: Architecture, Meg Graham and Andre D'Elia
To warm up these edited displays, House & Home publisher and designer Lynda Reeves layered in wooden cutting boards and natural woven vessels. The end result is both rustic and refined.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home October 2012
Designer: Design, Lynda Reeves; architectural design, Ray Murakami
This double-height living space could have felt cavernous with minimalist decor, but warm-toned wood, cane-back chairs and hits of graphic pattern nicely balance out the scales.
Photographer: Shai Gil
Source: House & Home September 2015
Designer: Meg Graham and Andre D'Elia
Designer J Gibson gave his country home’s guestroom a cozy but calming aesthetic by draping a single statement blanket over crisp white linens. He kept the rest of the room unadorned to showcase the space’s rustic log walls and outdoor views.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home February 2017
Designer: J Gibson
Clean and gallery-like, this white-painted space still feels inviting thanks to a more traditional wood and cane dining set and richly stained floors. A vase of fresh-cut flowers adds a pop of lively color.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home November 2011
Designer: Bonnie Brooks
To temper the spare look of her clean-lined principal bathroom, homeowner Pheona Wright layered in a handsome framed sketch, pink and burnt orange soaps and textured navy bath linens.
Photographer: Kim Christie
Source: House & Home December 2015
Designer: Pheona Wright
Honey-toned wood cabinetry and a rich walnut dining set offset the sharp lines of this uncluttered dining area designed by Toronto architecture firm Superkül .
Tour this space on H&H TV.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2014
Designer: Project lead, Deborah Wang
Wide, well-worn floor boards and a vintage bench bring charming patina to Kelvin Browne’s minimally decorated principal bedroom.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Kelvin Browne
Set on the top floor of a contemporary weekend house, an arrangement of dark wood furniture and vintage finds adds a welcome touch of character.
Photographer: Shai Gil
Source: House & Home September 2015
Designer: Meg Graham and Andre D'Elia
This minimal yet eye-catching display comes courtesy of H&H editor Joel Bray. He combined graphic, modern-framed art with a textured stool and stylish wood canes for a perfectly balanced vignette.
Photographer: John Cullen
Source: House & Home March 2011
Designer: Joel Bray