Decorating & Design
September 8, 2017
20 Minimalist Spaces That Are Anything But Cold
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wide, well-worn floor boards and a vintage bench bring charming patina to Kelvin Browne’s minimally decorated principal bedroom.
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.
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.