Minimalist Room Ideas: 20 Tips for Designing a Space You Love

If you think minimalist rooms are stark and white, think again!  There is so much more to the movement than hospital-grade spaces.  While the flagships of minimalist design are clean lines, neutral tones, and a notable simplicity, today’s minimalist spaces prove that there’s plenty of room for color, accessories, and pizazz! Here are 20 minimalist room ideas that are sure to help you design a space you love!

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1. Clear of clutter

A minimalist room is clean and clear of clutter, but not necessarily bare.  You can achieve a cozy, stylish room while still embracing the tenets of minimalism. If you need help decluttering your space, check out my no-nonsense guide to decluttering.

2. Create a neutral backdrop

Choose a wall color that will be a neutral background for the rest of the room elements.  While white is a common choice, the possibilities are endless. Repeat this color throughout the room to make the room feel larger and more coherent.

3. Furniture

Select furniture pieces with clean lines and multiple functions for your minimalist room.  Eliminate furniture that is unnecessary in the space.

4. Textures & Linens

Consider linens or textiles for the room that are in the same color or family as the wall color for a soothing, harmonious effect.

5.  Throw Rugs

A large rug can anchor furniture in a space, unifying the pieces. Select a color similar to the flooring or wall color for a harmonious effect.  Or, add a pop of color! If you’re looking for a more natural vibe, jute, sisal, or seagrass make great choices.

6. Layer with pillows and more textures

Consider a few key pillows or blankets to accent the furniture in your minimalist room and provide layers of comfort.

7. Open furniture

Open, airy furniture will keep the room feeling lighter.

8. Add plants

Plants such as ferns, lilies, succulents, orchids, or palms add a natural element to the room and bring the outdoors in.

9. Accent pieces

If space allows, add a small chair and side table to create a cozy reading nook.  Just be sure the chair is comfortable; otherwise, it will collect clothes and dust!

10. Accent lighting

Choose a cool chandelier or statement lighting piece for a bold impact.  We added this lamp to our reading nook and I love it!  It’s funky and interesting, which are two things I love with any accent piece!

11. Drawer organizers

Use small trays or boxes to organize miscellaneous items and cut down on clutter.  These are great for the office or your junk drawer (I’m talking to you Midwesterners!).  I’m also a huge fan of small boxes within vanity or dresser drawers to keep items contained and organized.

12. Layer Your Lighting

Add layers of light with accent lamps, sconces, or lanterns. We bought these side table lamps at Home Goods and I adore them!  I actually loved them so much the moment I saw them that I planned our entire master bedroom remodel around them! Amazon also has some great rose gold lamp choices.

13. Consider statement wall art

A minimalist room has simple, impactful wall art that makes a statement. Try a large print that draws your focus in a room.

14. Add a mirror

Consider a large mirror that can be placed on the floor or hung.  It will reflect light and help the room appear larger.

15. Consider wood details

Add wood details to bring in more natural elements to your minimalist room.  Consider wooden pictures frames, baskets, or accent pieces

16. Mind your metals

Keep metal finishes consistent throughout the space for a cohesive feel.  We chose a rose/gold accent color for our master bedroom, so I kept the metals in the room gold to add in that detail and stay consistent. We added it in with metal frames, a side table, and the floor lamp finish.

17. Accent your walls

Create an accent wall with paint or wallpaper.  It creates high visual interest without depth or sacrificing floor space. Check out an example we created in our master bedroom room tour!  Try creating your own photo gallery wall or check out this round-up of 10 gorgeous accent walls.  Find one that’s perfect for your space!

18.  Accessories

Be choosy with accessories- select pieces that fit your color scheme, serve a purpose, and spark joy! Don’t just buy stuff for the sake of setting something on horizontal spaces.

19. Think through storage

Consider what items must be in your room and how they are used.  Then, create smart storage solutions around that functionality.  I love to utilize baskets and wall shelving to keep things organized.  Utilizing vertical spaces whenever possible can make a big difference in your space because it keeps things off the floors and easily accessible.

20. Keep a pulse on your space

Find a happy place when it comes to the amount of stuff in your minimalist room- everything you have in the space should serve a purpose or bring you joy.  What feels minimized to me might feel sparse to you. Minimalism is a very personal journey.  Find what works for you and your family.

Looking for more minimalist room inspiration?

If you’d like to see these ideas in action, check out before and afters of our master bedroom remodel! Also, check out my tips for turning your lackluster bedroom into a minimalist oasis!