#Clean minimalist home windows#

Remember: adding warmth isn’t about adding stuff. The key is editing: highlight just a few important pieces, to give them the spotlight they deserve. Stuff with meaning-like personal photos, artwork, or travel souvenirs-are so much more interesting than store-bought décor. Maybe it’s just me, but I think some of the consumable stuff in our homes-spices, beans, coffee, pasta, cotton balls, bath salts-are pretty enough to serve as décor.Ĩ. Longtime readers know I’m a big fan of mason jars. Not only are upcycled items more eco-friendly there’s just something infinitely more charming about stuff with a patina or history.ħ.

However, if (like me) you’re a devotee of white walls, you can still benefit from a splash of color-simply choose fun hues for your practical stuff, like pillows, placemats, towels, or upholstery.Ħ. A coat of paint is the easiest way to liven up a room without adding stuff even a single wall of color can have a dramatic effect. In the evening, a few candles or string of white lights can create a romantic, magical glow.ĥ.

#Clean minimalist home windows#

During the day, throw open the curtains or blinds (or consider letting your windows go naked) to maximize natural light. They’re inexpensive (or free!), and add a beautiful, organic look to your space.Ĥ. Skip the home décor stores, and decorate with a plant, vase of flowers, cluster of branches, or unusual rocks you’ve gathered on a hike. A chunky handknit throw, nubby wool upholstery, or hammered metal bowl are subtle, elegant alternatives to chintz and frills.ģ. This is a great way to add visual interest, especially with a monochromatic color scheme. For example: a reclaimed wood table, a wool area rug, beeswax candles, linen napkins.Ģ. When your furnishings and décor are few, natural materials convey a wonderful sense of warmth. Here are some ways to cozy up your space without adding more stuff:ġ. Never fear: your living room doesn’t have to look like Pottery Barn to have charm and character. We’re so focused on elimination, that we forget about our aesthetic needs-those little visual cues that make us (and our families) feel comfortable in our homes. However, sometimes our decluttering efforts can suck the warmth out of our space.

Of course, such criticisms usually come from people who aren’t minimalists and in the end, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about your home but you. The most frequent criticism I hear about minimalist homes is that they’re “cold,” “sterile,” or “uninviting.”