How to Create a Cozy & Clutter-Free Home With Warm Minimalism

Warm minimalism

One of the biggest myths about minimalism has to do with its aesthetic. People are likely thinking about the industrial, man-made, clean-line spaces that minimalism was known for when the lifestyle was first introduced.

Now though, with more people recognizing the benefits of minimalism and wanting a simple, intentional life, the style and aesthetic of minimalism have evolved. People are starting to add in more of a human element.

There is a recent interior design trend that is popular now called warm minimalism.

I don’t follow the trends. I just use cozy home decor and decorate in a way that feels natural to me. I try to create a clutter-free home that is comfortable and relaxing for myself and my family.

Even though you could consider my home to be decorated with warm minimalism, I didn’t set out to make it that way. Here are seven ways we add comfort and style without clutter.

Strive for a collected look

Minimalism teaches you to be intentional and thoughtful about what you surround yourself with. It allows you to slow down instead of rushing out to find decor because you feel like a wall looks bare or your couch needs something.

Your space and home overall are going to be much more personal and more reflective of your style and tastes. It’s okay to take your time and add things into your home as you are able to and as your finances allow.

There’s no rule that says your home needs to be perfectly polished all at once. It’s okay to let it evolve over time.

Incorporate curved and rounded materials

Most homes have very straight lines. We’ve got flat walls and sharp corners. This angular look goes against our human nature. We are a very curvy being, so having items in our home that reflect this makes it more personal and inviting.

These forms could be added in a variety of ways, like a sculpture, furniture, or a round rug. And while curves add a comforting feeling they can also be quite stylish as well.

Focus on good lighting

Natural lighting reigns supreme in my book. We designed our living room to have an entire wall of windows. There’s something about daylight that speaks to our souls and adds comfort.

There are going to be times when you have a space without many windows, or it’s in the corner of the house and doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. In those cases, focus on getting high-quality lighting. Adding candles is another way to add comfort.

I think our souls crave light. We crave the feeling of the warm glow surrounding us. Adding light will elevate your home’s comfort and style.

Add warm, earthy tones

The playbook for warm minimalism would tell you that warm, earthy tones are favorable for comfort and style.

Traditional minimalism focused on man-made materials, like metal, glass, and concrete blacks with grays, cool whites, and blacks. Warm minimalism tends to focus more on natural colors — brown, green, black and tan.

We honestly have a variety of colors in our home. I prefer white walls and ceilings to allow natural daylight to bounce around and fill the space. But, we have an earthy, dark brown floor color that grounds the space and makes it feel more permanent.

You can play around with colors inexpensively by adding paint, accessories, or textiles.

Use real and natural elements

Along with earthy neutral tones, natural elements can add comfort and style. This can also be achieved in a variety of ways, like opting for true natural hardwood flooring instead of a peel-and-stick, or choosing between a wool rug and a synthetic one.

House plants are another big one. People love house plants. They bring light and energy. They come in a variety of styles. They help the air quality. They’re just all around great.

Bringing in fresh flowers, when the season is right can add a spark of color to your space. Even in the winter adding pine cones or branches can make the house feel less dreary.

There’s something about these elements that helps us feel connected to nature. We can feel them, touch them, and interact with them.

Accent with textures

Textures have really interesting qualities. Up close they seem busy, but they don’t add a lot of visual clutter to a space, so you can get away with adding a lot of it in a small room.

The other thing about textures is that they can be a backdrop or accent depending on how you use them.

Shiplap is a really popular texture right now that is common in many homes. It’s simple. It’s in a straight line. But, it does add visual interest to a space.

We can find textures in objects like baskets, baskets and pillows, and even chippy paints.

The element of surprise

This is my favorite way to add style and comfort in a clutter-free home. People are concerned that minimalist homes can be boring and uninteresting. I wholeheartedly disagree. We feel like our home is fun. It has many surprises that we incorporated without the clutter.

We display art in a curated, gallery-type format. We even change up the art by the season and decor style. Every time we change the art, it brings us new excitement and variety.

There are pieces we love and have collected throughout the years. We also have pops of color to add visual interest and excitement.

Warm minimalism

The great thing about minimalism is that it allows you room for things you love. You can keep your quirky collections of things, as a minimalist, and even display them. You have room for them because you got rid of the stuff you didn’t love.

Warm minimalism has room for items that we want and love. Not everything has to be functional. What are some items that you love and that make your home more cozy and inviting. Let us know in the comments.