Minimalist Apartment Design Ideas for Your Living Space

Declutter First

As you organize your space, focus on the items you don’t need. Evaluate whether your possessions serve a purpose or hold a memory. If a knick-knack doesn’t fall into either category, it may be time to get rid of it.

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Focus on one room or area at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
• Create keep, donate/sell and discard piles.
• Discard items that are worn out or broken.
• Ask yourself, “Have I used this in the last six months?”
• Digitize paper clutter and consolidate files.

Choose a Neutral Color Palette

An assault of vibrant colors on your walls doesn’t exactly scream soothing. That’s why it’s important to incorporate neutral colors if you’re aiming for a minimalist aesthetic. Soft tones like gray, beige, white, brown and taupe create a blank canvas upon which you can build your home design.

Use varying shades of a single color to add depth and dimension to different elements of your apartment. Painting an accent wall in a slate blue or sage green is an effective way to bring subtle variety into a monochromatic scheme. If you want to add color, opt for muted tones in small areas or black to add stark contrast.

Select Functional, Space-Saving Furniture

Ornate embellishments, hardware and finishes take over a space, so look for furniture with clean lines, simple fabrics and neutral colors. Optimize the square footage in your apartment with simplistic, functional furniture that serves multiple purposes. That way, you can keep your home stylish and clutter-free.

Add any of the following items to simplify your décor:

• Storage ottomans
• Foldable and nesting tables
• Floating and corner shelves
• Bookshelves
• Blanket racks and ladders

Maximize Storage

Minimalism is about simplicity and functionality, which is why storage is crucial. Maintain your aesthetic by finding a place for your possessions and storing unnecessary items out of sight.

Here are some ideas:

Under-bed storage: Keep clothes, shoes and seasonal items stored under your bed in rolling drawers or bins. Some bed platforms even have built-in drawers and shelves to help you organize your belongings.

Hidden compartments: There are a variety of coffee tables, ottomans and benches that come with room to stow items. That frees up surfaces and eliminates visual clutter.

Vertical storage: Skinny shelves, over-door organizers and hooks allow you to elevate your knick-knacks, clear the floor and create the illusion of height.

Drawer dividers and organizers: Keep your dresser, kitchen and bathroom drawers neat with dividers and bins. Doing so allows you to optimize those spaces so you can keep unnecessary items out of sight.

Incorporate Minimalist Décor

Minimalism doesn’t mean boring. Add warmth and personality to your home by incorporating plants, textured fabrics and strategic lighting elements.

Adding natural greenery is an effective way to create aesthetic interest without collecting “stuff.” Include plants of different sizes and shapes for more variety. Fake plants have the same effect and are easy to clean and adjust.

Look for pillows, rugs, lampshades and blankets in the same color but with different textures such as linen, cotton, silk and fur. That prevents your furniture and décor from becoming too bold or overwhelming. Enjoy the subtlety of a neutral color scheme while embracing the dynamism of different materials.

Lighting influences the vibe of your apartment. Stick with sheer window treatments and move furniture away from windows to avoid blocking natural light. Layer artificial lighting by including a variety of simple standing, table and mounted lamps. You can also use recessed lighting or spotlights to highlight negative space between decorations.

Embrace Simplicity in Apartment Living

Create a serene environment that’s all your own at Ardent Communities. We offer a variety of apartments in and around Columbus, Ohio, that feature neutral colors and aesthetics, so you can customize them to your liking. View our locations and contact us to schedule a tour.