Minimalists prioritize simplicity and elegance in their home design. Every element, from furniture to wall art, should work in concert to create a clean and harmonious aesthetic.

Paint is a crucial part of any space; the right shade can make or break the overall look, and painters can help you select the best color options for your minimalist home.

Minimalism focuses on embracing natural textures to create a fresh, clean aesthetic. Neutrals like white, blush, beige, and tan are key in these minimalist designs because they allow you to play with texture without overwhelming the space.

Light-colored paint makes rooms feel larger, essential for a minimal look. Opt for a cool white shade, such as Pure White, to maximize the openness of your home. To create a soft, airy color palette, combine this bright white with trim and ceiling colors in Balsam 567 or other neutral shades with warm undertones. It also offers a wide array of sheen options, so be sure to test a sample on your walls or trim to see how the finish looks in your space.

The lines in furniture and decor are another important element in minimalist design. Straighter lines are more visually appealing, and squared doorways instead of arched ones can give a room a clean, uncluttered appearance. Furniture with a modern or contemporary look is ideal for a minimalist home, and it’s important to avoid overly stuffed sofas and dated carved tables.

Minimalist design is about choosing only the things you truly love and need. Minimalists often decorate their homes with heirlooms, art, and other items that have meaning to them. However, it’s essential to keep the number of these items down so that your minimalist home doesn’t feel sterile or clinical.

Decorative accessories, such as lamps, throw pillows, and artwork, should all be kept to a minimum so your spaces feel comfortable. However, if you have a favorite painting that speaks to you, consider hanging it on one wall as a statement piece that adds personality to your minimalist home.

Another way to bring a touch of color into a minimalist home is through plants. Whether you place a single flower on a kitchen table or arrange a fern in the corner of your living room, plants are an easy way to add color while maintaining a minimalist style.

If you’re going for a minimalist home look, neutral colors are the way to go. Neutral shades like white, gray, beige, tan, and earth tones are the foundation of cool, simple designs that keep rooms looking spacious, uncluttered, and modern. Neutral colors can also be a great backdrop for pops of color and serve as a canvas for textural accents, such as wood furniture or woven baskets.

Light, soft neutrals like Agreeable Gray and Gray Owl can be the ideal backdrop for your minimalist decor. Both colors have warm undertones and can complement various coastal, contemporary, and traditional styles. However, they may look different depending on the lighting in your space and the flooring you choose. That’s why it’s important to see the paint colors in your home before committing. A quick and easy way to do this is with peel-and-stick samples. 

Darker gray paint colors can also work well in a minimalist home but must be used carefully. Too much darkness can quickly overwhelm a room and make you feel claustrophobic. A good rule of thumb is one in, two out. For example, if you add a new piece of furniture with a darker finish, plan to remove an equal amount of more minimal items.

Lilac gray is another neutral that can work for a minimalist design. It’s a feminine color that adds warmth and balance to a room. It also pairs beautifully with wooden furniture and woven materials, creating a cozy, inviting space.

Adding texture to your minimalist design is a great way to elevate your decor and bring it to life. Rugs, blankets, pillows, and wooden surfaces are a few of my favorite ways to do this. But you can even use textural oil paintings to create an impactful statement. Whatever you do, be sure to avoid patterns and other busy elements that can detract from the clean lines of your design.

Modern minimalism emphasizes clean lines and crisp shapes, so beige paint options are great. Sand tones, tans, and shades of beige make for gorgeous wall colors that work well with minimalist home design. Like white, beige paints provide a neutral backdrop that makes accents and furniture pop, whether using the color in a monochromatic scheme or as a foundation for a colorful palette.

Beige paints also pair well with warm, earthy colors like rich reds, apricots, and browns. The key is to use these hues sparingly, as many colors can overwhelm a minimal space if used overzealously. Incorporate a few touches of these colors in a small area or on an accent wall, and be sure to balance them with plenty of white and gray tones throughout the rest of the room.

To find the perfect shade of beige, consider looking at a painted sample under different lighting conditions. The light in a store can be much different from the light in your home, impacting how each paint color looks. For example, a beige paint shade may look golden under certain lights and more yellow in another. Examine the paint sample at all times of day to see how the undertones change.

While beige is a neutral color, it still has unique undertones that give each shade personality. Some beige paints are softer and creamy, while others are earthy and sandy. Macrame beige is a soothing paint option that works best with bohemian decor, while beige has a slight hint of peach and can create a spa-like feel in any room.

Unlike white, beige paints can have warmer and cooler undertones, depending on their formula’s amount of yellow, blue, and red colorants. The same is true of every paint color, so analyzing the undertones and determining if they’re compatible with your design goals before purchasing is important.

When choosing paint colors for a minimalist space, it’s best to stick with soft, muted shades with a warm undertone. A few light coats of beige can make any room look bigger, which is ideal for a small or compact apartment or condo. Light colors can also help rooms feel more open and airy, a major component of minimalist style.

With the resurgence of all things retro, pastel pink is a beautiful and versatile color for minimalist homes. However, it is a challenging color to use in a large space or across all furniture, so it is best used as an accent element such as a pillow, lighting fixture, or living room carpet. These smaller elements are easy to swap out, allowing you to change your decor or even switch out the wall paint without making any permanent changes.

Minimalists prefer to work with neutral colors, but that doesn’t mean their homes need to be sterile and boring. Introducing a few focal points of decor, like eye-catching wall art or lush greenery, helps keep a minimal home feeling fresh and interesting. Minimalists also appreciate working with texture. Adding fabrics with different textures, such as faux fur, leather, wicker, and exposed wood grain, can help add interest to a neutral color palette.

Another way to keep a minimalist home from getting cluttered is to focus on multifunctional furniture and storage solutions. For example, a dining table that doubles as a console for entertainment gear or a bench with hidden storage underneath for items such as spare blankets and knick-knacks is an ideal way to keep your space clean and organized.

Lastly, minimalism is about eliminating unnecessary clutter and only keeping useful or sentimental pieces. Stacks of magazines, chewing gum packs, empty coffee cups, and old paintbrushes do not belong in a minimal home, so tuck these items in pretty bins and baskets, concealed in a storage cabinet or tucked into a closet.

Minimalists love to work with whites and soft grays, but they can also use deeper hues such as black, navy blue, or forest green to create a cocoon-like vibe in their spaces. They’re also comfortable using a monochromatic color scheme to add visual interest, as seen in this kitchen with rich Balsam 567 and a soft sheen on the cabinets. In addition, minimalists often utilize sheen selection to bring texture and depth to their rooms, as seen here with a matte finish on the walls and a satin sheen on the ceiling.