The emergence of the contemporary minimalist style can be traced back to the 1960s, closely linked to the aesthetic and social changes that occurred in the years following World War II. Minimalism had numerous roots and influences and appeared in various art and design movements.
Contemporary minimalist style interior mix
Minimalism, as a trend within contemporary interior design, is characterized by a focus on purity, simplicity, and clean forms. In minimalist design, both arrangement and decoration are minimized, with an emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and the use of space.
Main Characteristics of Minimalist Style:
- Color Scheme: The minimalist color scheme generally focuses on neutrality and simplicity. Common colors include white, gray, beige, wenge, and other neutral shades.
- Form: Straight lines, clean forms, and minimal decorations characterize the minimalist style. The essence is to avoid unnecessary ornaments and embellishments. Furniture tends to be flat and expansive rather than narrow and tall, reflecting a Japanese influence.
- Use of Patterns: Patterns in minimalist style are often absent or minimal. When used, they are usually simple geometric shapes.
- Material Properties: Minimalist design emphasizes clean and natural materials such as wood, steel, leather, glass, and concrete.
- Furniture Characteristics: Furniture is simple, clean, and functional. The layout and use of space are the most important aspects.
Contemporary minimalist style light-toned living room
Key Factors Contributing to the Development of Minimalist Style:
- Modernism and Functionalism: After World War I, the ideas of modernism and functionalism began to come to the forefront in architecture and design. These ideas advocated for simplicity, functionality, and practicality in design and architecture.
- Bauhaus Movement: The Bauhaus school, founded in Germany in 1919, strongly contributed to the development of minimalist style. The school promoted functionality, simplicity, and the honest presentation of materials in design.
- This shows that minimalist style did not exist solely from the 1960s but is specific to contemporary minimalism.
- Originally, minimalist style also appeared within the frameworks of classical modernism or Scandinavian modernism. The classification of styles and their categories is often subjective and depends on how designers and industry professionals interpret and systematize them.
- The essence is that minimalism always represents simplicity, clarity, and functional design, regardless of which style or era it appears within. Thus, it can also appear within other styles, depending on how the designer or style adopter interprets and applies the principles of minimalism.
- Japanese Culture: Japanese culture and design also had a significant impact on the development of minimalist style. Zen Buddhism, calligraphy, and Japanese architectural concepts all inspired minimalist thinking.
- The 1960s and Conceptual Art: In the 1960s, American conceptual art and minimal art movements emphasized pure form, simplicity, and the inherent qualities of materials in the artworks.
The minimalist style became truly popular in the 1960s and 1970s and continually influenced architecture, design, art, and interior design in the latter half of the 20th century. One of the iconic figures of the style was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who adhered to the principle “Less is more.”
Contemporary minimalist white living room
Contemporary minimalist anthracite living-dining interior
Contemporary minimalist white living room interior
Minimalist style remains popular and relevant to this day, as many appreciate simplicity, cleanliness, and functionality in spatial design and home decor.
Contemporary minimalist style with light wood kitchen furniture
Contemporary minimalist anthracite kitchen interior
Contemporary minimalist white and light wood-toned bedroom
Contemporary minimalist white and gray-toned bedroom
Contemporary minimalist gray-toned bedroom
Contemporary minimalist bedroom with light wood furniture
… and to make it a bit more complex:
Contemporary minimalist style with dynamic color schemes:
The principles of minimalism include simplicity, clean lines, and functionality, but this does not exclude the use of vibrant or dynamic colors. The flexibility of this contemporary style allows for unique expression, including the application of bold colors. The color palette continues to emphasize simplicity, modern art, and the use of natural materials, typical features of this contemporary style. The use of red dynamically and prominently in the examples shown does not exclude minimalism. In contemporary styles, high-quality and strong color usage often appears, while maintaining the principles of simplicity and functionality.
Contemporary minimalist gray-toned living room with dynamic red accents
Contemporary minimalist style can include dynamic colors. The principles of minimalism do not exclude the use of vibrant or dynamic colors; they are simply not fundamental elements. Contemporary style is more flexible, allowing for unique expression, including the use of bold colors. A dynamic and energetic color can highlight and enliven a minimalist interior without losing the sense of simplicity and clarity. Such color usage allows for a creative and personal approach within the minimalist style.
Contemporary minimalist red, gray, and light wood-toned living room. An interior can remain contemporary minimalist even if it is dynamically enhanced with red color.
Looking at numerous “colorful” minimal style interiors, it is observed that red is the dynamic color.
- Firstly, because red is the most dynamic, most energizing color. Using a small amount can achieve the greatest impact.
- Another perspective: as noted earlier, Japanese culture and design significantly influenced the development of the minimalist style.
- Although Japanese interiors traditionally emphasize calm, harmony, and naturalness, dynamic colors may occasionally be incorporated into the design. Red is indeed a dynamic and prominent color, and if a dynamic effect is desired in an interior, red may be a preferred choice.
- Red has a role in Japanese interiors and generally in Eastern cultures. In Japanese culture and Buddhism, red holds numerous meanings and is associated with important symbolic values.
- Red carries various interpretations in Japanese culture, expressing not only dynamism but also passion, love, and happiness. It is often used during holidays, ceremonies, and significant events, lending dynamism and significance to the occasion.
- Red symbolizes protection from evil: Red is sometimes used to represent protection from evil spirits and misfortunes. Shades of red are often applied in homes and temples to ward off negative energies.
Contemporary minimalist red, gray, and light wood-toned living room with wooden slats. Since the wooden slats are a retro element characteristic of the 1970s, now back in fashion, we could say they have a retro touch.
This type of wall covering is called “slat paneling,” but recently it has also been available in “wall panel slat” form, providing quicker installation. This style was popular in the past, especially in the 1970s, and often appears in modern contemporary interior design. The slats leave gaps between them, creating a unique, textured effect on the wall.
The color red generally carries positive, lively meanings in Japanese interiors and Eastern cultures.
It is important to understand that the use of colors in design is subjective and depends on cultural specifics. While red can be a color of dynamism and passion, other colors can be used depending on the designer's intention. Interior designers often experiment with different color combinations to create expressive and unique atmospheres in the given space.
… since the colorful or dynamic color-schemed minimalist style has already been highlighted, let’s complicate it a bit further.
Classic modernist, Bauhaus, or tubular contemporary minimalist style:
It can be said that we have been using tubular furniture for 100 years, and it always has a place in a minimalist style. However, if we observe minimalist sofas, we notice that the backrests are relatively low, and the seats are thick and bulky. As a result, many pieces of furniture almost have no legs, or they only have small wooden knobs as feet. If this minimalist furniture becomes more airy, i.e., the seat becomes thinner and starts to grow legs, these can be wooden legs, but most often, they are metal frames. These can be black, chrome, or gold brass. The more significant this leg structure is, possibly with the backrest and armrest structure also getting a tubular character like Le Corbusier’s timeless style, the more it refers to classic modernism or, if you prefer, more Bauhaus-like. Especially if we support this character with coffee tables, small furniture, and shelving systems. The term “tubular” requires some explanation, as it is true that this frame originally spread and was only made of tubes, but in a contemporary style, minimalist approach, it is made from rectangular tubes (square tubes :)), which provide an extra touch of modernity with their angularity.
Contemporary minimalist white living room with Bauhaus tubular furniture
The Bauhaus style originally emerged in the early 20th century and then influenced modernism and contemporary design. If someone creates in a contemporary style inspired by Bauhaus, they can create a kind of Contemporary-Bauhaus style. However, it is entirely debatable whether it is justified to create such a subgroup. Categorizing styles and creating subgroups can sometimes be subjective, and individual professionals and designers may interpret and categorize styles differently based on artistic creativity and aesthetic preferences.
Contemporary minimalist black and white living room with Bauhaus tubular furniture
If we can differentiate a Contemporary-Bauhaus style, we could say, for example, that the sofas resemble the minimalist style, and the legs and structural elements use the Bauhaus black tubular solutions. If we apply these in a modern context, they can be called Contemporary-Bauhaus style.
The Contemporary-Bauhaus style can be defined by combining elements of minimalism and functionalism with Bauhaus design elements. Some possible characteristics might include:
- Material Use: For minimalist aspects, simple, clean materials such as glass, steel, and white surfaces. For Bauhaus influences, black tubular frames and steel elements.
- Color Use: In minimalist parts, simple, neutral colors like white, black, and gray. In Bauhaus parts, strong contrasts, vibrant colors, and geometric shapes.
- Form Language: For minimalist aspects, simple, clean lines and shapes. For Bauhaus influences, geometric shapes, clean lines, and the principles of functionalism.
And now, let’s see the result:
Contemporary minimalist white living room with Bauhaus tubular furniture and a touch of transitional influence
Contemporary minimalist white living interior with Bauhaus tubular furniture and a touch of transitional influence
Some might gasp at these pictures, suggesting that this could be considered a transitional style as it combines modern and traditional elements. Given 100 years, the tubular frame could indeed be seen as a traditional element. It could be – but we still consider the tubular frame a modernist element, and what’s modernist is less likely to fit into the traditional category.
Different designers may interpret and apply style categories differently, so it is always advisable to consider individual solutions and creative freedom in the expression of style.