How to create a minimalist bedroom

If you have an appreciation for modern design, simplicity and clean lines, you might be interested in applying these minimalist principles to your home interiors.  Minimalism is a popular trend at the moment but far beyond trend following, there are real benefits to seeking a simpler, less cluttered existence, not least of which is a sense of peace and far less to clean.  Minimalism at its core is about doing more with less, because simplifying your surroundings simplifies your life – and what better place to start than your bedroom.

Minimalist bedroom design focuses more on what you can take away rather than add, it’s the editing of your belongings to remove the excess and retain only the things which are useful or mean something to you, ideally both.  As the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery said: "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away".  Although it certainly doesn't mean paring down to a single mattress on the floor or a sterile black and white colour scheme. But if that’s your style, go for it!  Less is definitely more, but we like to soften minimalism’s hard edges a little to allow you to remove a lot of what’s unnecessary while retaining the warmth, personality and above all – comfort, that your bedroom should have.  And rest assured, it’s easier than you think and best of all you do not need to spend bucketloads of cash to achieve a calm, serene bedroom, free of clutter and distractions.

Here are our top 8 tips for a minimal bedroom:

1. Take away the clutter

It goes without saying that removing clutter is an essential first step on the road to simplicity.  Take stock of everything your bedroom currently contains and decide what needs to go to so you can make space for the things that matter.  Take your cue from Marie Kondo and ask yourself “does it spark joy?”.  If the answer is no, do you really need to keep it?  Remove the random assortment of pictures, that third quilt you have ‘just in case’ but never use, the scatter cushions that seem to perpetually live on the floor perfectly positioned to strike during a midnight loo run.  For me – it also means removing four giant space bags full of my elder son’s clothes which have been living under the bed for years waiting for my younger son to grow into them.  Don’t forget to look at the contents of your wardrobe.  Is it full to the brim of items of clothing you haven’t worn in years?  Take stock of anything that no longer fits, or that you haven’t worn in over 6 months and discard or donate.

2. Simple bed frame

Your bed is usually the biggest single piece of furniture in your bedroom, and as such forms the focal point.  Minimalist bed frames such as a platform bed, or a simple mattress ensemble without a headboard, or even simple metal or wooden frames would simplify the look of your room greatly.  However minimalism is not about spending more money to acquire a look, it’s about making the most of what you already own.  So don’t despair if, like me, you somehow came to own a country style bed complete with fiddly decorative detail and a strangely orange tint.  There’s always Bunnings – nothing a hacksaw and some wood stain can’t fix, right?

3. Neutral colour scheme

A feature of minimalist bedrooms is their neutral colour scheme.  Although you do not have to stick to the sometimes sterile looking black and white, you should restrict your colour palette to two colours, and use texture to add interest and warmth.  Walls are typically white, but other neutral colours will work well – try grey, the most versatile of neutrals, it can make your room look cool or warm depending on the chosen shade.  If all white is not your thing, you could try a muted colour on an accent wall to break up the starkness.  Using wood in the floor, headboard, dresser, or even an accent wall, brings warmth without losing the minimal feel of the room.

4. Simple, basic bed linen

Your bed is where you will spend a large portion of your life, so this is where you should focus on quality first.  Invest in sheets which will promote a restful sleep, natural fibres are your best options so go for cotton sheets or linen.  White, grey, and stripes are all good choices for minimalist sheets and bedding to create a calming visual environment.  Navy bedding also looks amazing in an otherwise white room.  Avoiding trends and using neutral colours for your bedding also means you don’t have to worry about anything not matching, and you do not need to own many sets as you can mix pieces without them clashing.  Buy less but better should be your motto both for minimalist bedding and throughout your home.

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5. Let there be light

Create more visual space by opening up the windows to let more light in – if possible, remove curtains or blinds.  If bare windows are not an option because your view consists of your neighbour’s undies on the clothes line, use sheers – minimalism is all about bringing as much light indoors as you can.

6. Limit wall hangings

Try to confine yourself to no more than one stand out art piece which you absolutely love.  If you must hang several, try to stick to monochrome frame colours to make it look less busy.  An art piece is also a good way to add a pop of colour if you find the muted colour scheme too restrictive.

7. Use greenery

Adding greenery injects the perfect breath of life and colour to your space.  Potted plants work well – if you’re like me you’ll need to choose ones that are easy to keep and seem to thrive on neglect.  Good examples are philodendron, aloe vera, snake plant, rubber plant or fiddle leaf fig.  Not only will they look good, they help purify the air in your room, contributing to a better quality of sleep.

8. Remove excess furniture

Keep only essential pieces of furniture.  If you’ve edited your wardrobe, hopefully you can fit what you still own into one dresser.  Add interest with side tables – you can get a little creative with a wooden crate or an old suitcase. Try using a beautiful chair by your bed side, it has the added benefit of being usable when extra guests come over.

Once you’ve followed all our tips, leave it a few days and cast your eye over your bedroom again one more time to see if you can simplify even more.  Just remember, there’s no point in striving for the minimalist ideal if it’s not practical or liveable and doesn’t suit your lifestyle.  Break rules if you have to, after all it’s your bedroom and you need to make it warm and inviting, not a minimalist showroom.  Once you’re done it’s time for the most rewarding part of the job.  Sit back and admire your hard work, take the time to enjoy the new sense of peace and satisfaction.  Use this room as your inspiration to expand your minimalism efforts to the rest of the house.