Minimalism without austerity

From the Resene decorating blog

It is an easy task to adapt what you might think of as a classic minimalist style to meet your tastes and overcome a sense of austerity in the finish.

Minimalism is a perennially popular design ethos for many reasons.

For those of us unsure of our colour tastes it offers the safety of a pared-back, usually neutral, colour palette. For others it represents a model of simple living, unburdened by “stuff”.

However, for another group of us, classic minimalism can appear to be too ‘chilly’ or austere, opting for crisp, perfection instead of a more achievable, colourful reality.

In fact, it is an easy task to adapt what you might think of as a classic minimalist style to meet your tastes and overcome a sense of austerity in the finish.

One way to do it is to think of minimalism as a broad design approach, rather than a strictly neutral or white-on-white colour scheme.

Colour in

Resene Colour Expert Brooke Calvert says minimalism definitely does not have to be limited to a white, or monochrome colour palette.

“While white and monochrome palettes are commonly associated with minimalism for their clean and simple aesthetic, you can add colour into a minimalist scheme to add warmth and personality.’

Brooke says the key to incorporating colour into a minimalist design is to keep things simple and avoid overwhelming the space. “It doesn’t need to be all white but stick to a limited colour palette, use colour strategically to highlight certain elements, and maintain a sense of balance and harmony throughout the design.”

Here are some of Brooke’s suggested colour combinations that can work well for a minimalist finish that adds warmth and personality, while maintaining a sense of simplicity.

Neutrals

Neutrals are a classic choice for a minimalist look, but rather than chill whites look to warm neutrals, says Brooke, suggesting Resene Foundation, Resene Credence or Resene Open Sesame as a base colour palette. “These colours provide a cosy, inviting atmosphere while keeping the minimalist look intact.”

Soft pastels

Experiment with soft pastel shades like Resene Contented, Resene Duck Egg Blue or Resene Nirvana, Brooke says. “These gentler hues bring a touch of tranquillity and can add a subtle note of colour without dominating the space.”

Earthy tones

An earthy colour palette including shades like Resene Tuscany, Resene Tic Tac Toe or Resene Stepping Stone have a natural, organic feel that works well in a minimalist setting to add depth and warmth, Brooke says.

Contrasting accents

Choose a neutral colour scheme then give it a surprise punch of visual interest by adding a bold, contrasting accent colour, Brooke suggests. “For example, pair a predominantly white or light grey space with vibrant shades like deep red Resene Scoria, emerald green Resene Deep Teal or mustard yellow Resene Salted Caramel. The trick to this approach is only using your accent colour on one key piece or in a thoughtfully placed colour block, and maybe one or two other smaller pieces for a minimalist look with maximum impact.

Monochromatic palettes

When we talk about monochromatic colour schemes we typically think about all-white, or sometimes black and white palettes. In fact, monochromatic simply means one colour – any colour – not just white or black.

Brooke suggests creating a monochromatic look with added depth and visual texture by actually layering in different shades, strengths and tones of a single colour. For example, if you want to stay neutral but add extra personality try a beige-toned neutral such as Resene Sisal which comes in eighth through to triple strengths allowing you to play with different tones, while keeping to the same colour. The effect will add depth to your finish space and help the eye pick up different features of the room while keeping the finish clean and simple.

This approach is by no means limited to neutrals. Theme your minimalist look around a simple colour like green. Then take three or four different iterations of green like Resene Ottoman, Resene Willow Brook, Resene Spring Rain and Resene Green House to build out the finished look. Use the bolder version of your chosen palette as an accent note.

Top tip:  Resene Multi-finish palette cards, available at your local Resene ColorShop, are arranged by colour palettes, which makes them useful to see how different intensities and undertones of different shades will work together to build up a layered look.

Texture

One way to add to a simple minimalist look without adding clutter is to add texture. It’s another way to make it easier for the eye to pick out detail in a more monochrome palette.

Adding texture can mean playing with different materials, like adding wood finishes washed in a pale shade like Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy that allow the wood grain to show through. It can mean adding other textured materials like wicker, rope or even concrete to contrast against your paint or stain finish.

It can also mean incorporating elements with a three-dimensional finish like a textured plaster artwork or even an anaglypta wallpaper like Resene Wallpaper Collection RD819. Alternatively opt for the illusion of a three-dimensional texture with wallpapers like Resene Wallpaper Collection 38098-7 that give the appearance of a fibrous texture in their pattern. You could also try a ragged or marbled paint effect using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.

Add a small set of wood battens, running floor to ceiling against a plain wall, or bring in a large plant to add movement and layers.

Soft furnishing materials like curtains, cushions and rugs also add different visual layers that will add visual warmth to a minimalist look. Keep them to the same small colour palette as the rest of the room for that pared-back clean finish.

Texture is all about giving your eye something to grab onto against a plain or monochrome backdrop, so the space is interesting to look at without making it busy or cluttered.

Top tip:  Adding your own decor pieces to a space is another way to add visual texture and interest to a minimalist space. Lots of decorators approach minimalism from the view that there must be little to no decorative items around the room. Instead, just take a more considered, curated approach to what you want to put where. Think about how things work with your colour palette; or use your treasured items as the base for your colour palette to keep things simple and clean.

August 09, 2023

Need help layering your hues together for a minimalist inspired space? Visit your local Resene ColorShop and the staff can show you the in-store colour library that has A4 swatches of Resene paint colours. This will help you see how your colour palette will look on a larger scale. If you need extra help, use the free Ask a Resene Colour Expert service or book in a Resene Colour Consultation – virtually, in-store or at home.

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