Less is more when it comes to minimalism — but “less” doesn’t mean dull! If you’re moving into a cozy condo or giving your home a fresh makeover, here are some tips for creating timeless, minimalist, and space-friendly interior designs.

Stick to the Essentials

First thing’s first: declutter.

By definition, minimalism is all about scaling down and focusing on the things you need. If you have an abundance of furniture and knick-knacks but don’t know where to put them (especially if you’re moving into smaller studio units), it’s time to reconsider how much you need them. 

Embody Marie Kondo and ask yourself, “Does this bring me joy?” If the answer is not an immediate “yes,” then we think it’s safe to say you can do without it — okay lang mag-let go. Charot!

Focus on Function

One of the fundamental points about minimalist homes is having plenty of room to breathe. A great way to achieve this is by finding furniture that focuses on form and function to keep things organized and tidy. You can opt for something that serves various functions, such as ottomans that open for extra storage space, and utilize space-saving furniture, such as wall-mounted shelving.

Take a cue from Kapitbahay AbbiDash, who did an excellent job making full use of the space beneath their stairs by adding cabinets for storage and shelving for displaying cute art, trinkets, and other decor. This way, they can still show off their style and personality while adding functionality to an unused space. 

Need more tips on space saving? Check out our previous article for ideas and furniture finds!

Coordinate Your Furniture

Another good tip to remember when bringing your minimalist vision to life is to keep things cohesive. Following an overarching color scheme makes your space look stylish and intentional, even if the decor is sparse and understated.

Here’s Kapitbahay Aries’ beautiful #TeamKahoy setup as an example. They created a very coordinated space using wood paneling on the ceiling to match the wooden furniture and flooring, with curtains in similar, neutral tones to accentuate the room. Even the couch and seat cushions match — lakas maka-sosyal! 

With plenty of room to move around, pops of greenery, and a clutter-free space, their home looks warm, welcoming, and charming — without being overly extravagant.

‍Kapitbahay Tin has a stunning, inspirational home for those who prefer a more industrial style.

Tin created a wow-worthy space that perfectly encapsulates the more modern end of minimalistic style by sticking to white, gray, and black tones. Everything in their home goes together marvelously, from the ceiling lights to the sleek black cabinets to a black accent wall and the geometric floor pattern. 

Play with Eye-Catching Pieces

While we’re all about ditching the unnecessary, we still need decors to spruce up the space! Whether you’d like to draw the eye to your glorious coffee table setup, a stand-out painting on your wall, a large rug, or fun collectibles on a bookshelf, it’s always good to have focal points in your home to give it a dash of personality. 

If you’re feeling particularly bongga, you can draw inspiration from Kapitbahay Diana.

Diana’s ring-cluster chandelier is beyond stunning — it catches the eye! With its unique shape, you’re not only adding a lighting fixture but also a decorative piece that’s bound to get conversations started. 

If floor space is tight, but you still want to be well-decorated, Kapitbahay Daryl’s home is a great inspiration.

You can combat the limited floor space by utilizing your walls, the little corners in your home (peep Daryl’s slim bookshelf — saktong-sakto!), and adding shelves to place plants and photo frames. The greenery does an excellent job of elevating the neutral-toned space and making everything look more lively. 

Maximize Natural Light

With minimalist homes, utilizing as much natural light as possible is essential to give the room a more expansive, breezier vibe. Making full use of your windows does wonders for making your space feel more elegant and fresh. Explore using curtains with light fabric to let the light flow in while giving yourself privacy.

Kapitbahay Myra’s picturesque, black-and-white dining area is the perfect example of how natural light helps create the illusion of space and a more welcoming feel — plus, ang linis tingnan!

Live for the Details

With minimalism, it’s all about the small details. Playing with textures and tones is a great way to make a space, no matter how big or small, pop.

Kapitbahay Rosette embodied this well by mixing wicker and wood, accompanied by furnishings in various brown hues. The fluffy rug and intricate, woven placemats add a visual dimension to the crisp space. 

Another excellent example of playing with textures comes from Kapitbahay Cindy, whose kitchen looks straight out of a TV show. 

The deep wood against the white counters and marbled backsplash, paired with industrial-style track lights, makes the kitchen look extra sleek. 

Want to see more tips? Take a look through our blog for all things home.