HOW TO ADD COLOUR TO MINIMALIST INTERIORS
Do you love the clean lines and elegant simplicity of minimalist interiors? I’m right there with you, preferring light and airy spaces that help me relax and unwind. However, while the purists stick to a white, grey and taupe scheme, I believe you can extend the palette to bring warmth to the space. So, I’d like to share some thoughts on how to add colour to minimalist interiors.
Maintain Minimalist Calm With a Limited Colour Palette
Restraint is a word closely associated with minimalist design and this applies to colour as much as clutter. So, how can you retain serenity when branching out from a monotone scheme?
Interiors Inspired by Nature
Firstly, I recommend using nature for your inspiration and I don’t mean the showiest bloom in your garden! It’s widely recognised that we feel calmer when in the natural environment, so it makes sense that this can work in a tranquil interior.
When I’m joining clients for a style consultation, I often consider the view from the window. So, is there a colour in the surroundings that appeals to you? I recently completed the redesign of a coastal holiday let in Cromer and the green shades of the many trees surrounding the property made its way into the scheme. Maybe you are drawn to the subtle colour of a pebble on the beach, foliage or earthy pigments.
With a colour in mind, think about the many variations when this shade is made lighter or darker. You might like to create a moodboard to aid your explorations. Then, I recommend layering several different hues of the same colour in your interior. As an example, you might paint the walls in a light tone and add a rug or throw in a deeper version of the same colour. It’s a harmonious way of creating depth.
If you decide to paint your room, my suggestion is to commit to every wall and apply coats to the woodwork in the same colour. Consistency across the skirtings, panelling and doors ties everything together and minimises contrast.
Another way to add depth and detail is through texture. A neutral room can look flat, however, tactile elements create different plays on light and points of interest.
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Sticking to White Walls?
If you love a white wall, stick with it! An accent colour can be added in other ways. With the minimalist theme in mind, these need to serve a practical purpose. So, you might consider one of the following:
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An upholstered chair for the living room in the same colour as the weave in a blanket on the sofa
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Matching the knobs on cupboard doors to colour in a piece of artwork, a table mat and a jug on the shelf
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A pair of wooden chairs for the dining table, with the same timber used on picture frames
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Curtains in a lighter shade of houseplants that sit in glazed pots
Always remember that, with minimalism less is more, so this isn’t an excuse to buy lots of new items for the home. Keep it simple and consider whether you can reuse and upgrade items that you already own.
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What’s the 60-30-10 Interior Design Rule?
The classic 60-30-10 design rule for harmonious interiors works well in a minimalist interior. To start, 60% of the décor is in the dominant colour. This could be your neutral walls, flooring and furniture.
Then, 30% of the décor is in the secondary colour; ideally a nature-inspired hue. To create a sense of flow, I’d suggest this is achieved with items throughout the room, rather than a block of colour on one wall. The remaining 10% is the accent colour, which can be used to add a touch of contrast. You might choose to achieve this element by bringing houseplants into the space.
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Create a Sanctuary
A minimalist style favours simplicity, however, this doesn’t mean an interior devoid of colour. If you want to create a calm sanctuary but find a monotone palette clinical, I hope that this advice will help you strike a balance.
