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7 Tips to Design a Minimalist Bedroom

Minimalist Bedroom Design
Not at all uncomfortable: Even a few items can turn a minimally furnished bedroom into a cozy retreat. Photo: Getty Images
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June 17, 2022, 2:35 pm | Read time: 6 minutes

The bedroom should be a retreat that effectively contributes to restful sleep. To achieve this, it’s worth keeping the room’s design deliberately simple. Our 7 tips for a minimally furnished bedroom reveal how to do this.

Undoubtedly, the bedroom should be a place of peace and relaxation. After all, we ideally want to enjoy 8 hours of sleep here and start the day refreshed. To maintain this restful effect, it’s advisable not to clutter the bedroom with too many things and to keep the furnishings minimalistic. But don’t worry, minimalistic doesn’t have to mean sparse and uncomfortable; it can still create a cozy atmosphere. Our 7 tips for a minimally furnished bedroom explain exactly how to achieve this.

Tip 1: Banish Too Many (Unnecessary) Items

The first step in setting up a minimally furnished bedroom is to focus on the overall impression. If at first glance you notice a sea of items that don’t really belong here or aren’t truly needed, it’s high time to banish them for good. This includes excessive decoration, a long-read book, or old dishes that never made it back to the kitchen. The rule of thumb in minimalism is: too many things cause too much distraction. And that’s exactly what you don’t need in the bedroom. So, get rid of anything that leads to a chaotic look and unnecessary sensory overload.

Tip 2: Good Sleep in a Simple Bed

Bed in a minimally furnished bedroom
The bed in a minimalist bedroom should have a suitable mattress that ensures healthy and comfortable sleep, and not too many distracting details and functions

Once all the clutter is cleared, it’s time to focus on the essentials, the furniture. Starting with the bed, in a minimally furnished bedroom, make sure not to choose a model with too many unnecessary functions or details. The plush headboard of a box spring bed may be practical and comfortable, but does it also need the matching, equally padded frame? Hardly—a simpler model will do. The same goes for a footboard and various adjustable features that can be configured via remote control. Here, too, the real necessity in everyday life should be critically questioned. By choosing a bed with a design and function that is clearly reduced, you will also achieve full sleeping comfort. A model that is more narrow than bulky and characterized by clean lines rather than ornate details is generally a better choice for a minimalist bedroom.

Tip 3: Clothes Rack or Wardrobe? A Matter of Possessions!

Clothes rack in a minimally furnished bedroom
Clothes racks in the bedroom are currently a popular furnishing idea. According to the principle of minimalism, however, it should not be too full, which is not always easy to achieve

A bedroom inspired by minimalism cannot do without a tidy look and order. The right storage furniture is essential. Various wardrobe models offer closed, partially closed, or open solutions like a clothes rack. The latter is particularly recommended if your clothing collection has already been significantly reduced and the rack doesn’t overflow. Otherwise, the basic idea is good, but the implementation is not in line with the minimalist concept. A wardrobe or two dressers are better suited, but not too many pieces of furniture should move into the bedroom, as that would also miss the core idea. After all, the philosophy of minimalism is closely tied to the question of the amount of one’s (textile) possessions. If necessary, a thorough decluttering is required before setting up.

Tip 4: Choose Additional Furniture Carefully

When searching for additional furniture, proceed with care. A nightstand that gets lost in too many details and a bulky form and size is rather unsuitable for a minimally furnished bedroom. A simple model is advisable here. If you only need to place a few items, opt for a simple wall shelf or console. During the pandemic, many households reluctantly brought the home office into their homes. The bedroom was often chosen as a place of peace, which was a counterproductive decision. Desks, technical devices, work utensils, and countless cables are pure poison for a room of rest, as the bedroom is intended to be.

Also interesting: How to Furnish a Bedroom in Industrial Style

Tip 5: Find Storage, Create Storage

A minimally furnished bedroom thrives on order. A chaotic look has no place here. In most households, however, the bedroom stores not only clothing but also items like bed linens, jewelry, cosmetics, suitcases, and various seasonal items. Why? To keep them out of guests’ sight. Good storage solutions are needed, and despite everything, as little possession as possible. In the case of minimalism, hidden storage is recommended, such as on top of the wardrobe, on hooks behind the door, in bed boxes, or special storage systems that can easily slide under the bed. Many items can also be ideally stored in a simple chest, boxes, or baskets.

More on the topic

Tip 6: Keep Colors Simple and Neutral

Woman sitting on the floor in her bright and minimally furnished bedroom
A bright and neutral color scheme perfectly complements the simple look of a minimally furnished bedroom

The color scheme in a minimally furnished room should generally be more subdued. Neutral, calm colors like white or gray are ideal here, but they may seem cold and uninviting to some. A soft pastel shade like mint is much more lively. However, colors like cream and sand bring even more warmth into the room. The color scheme should generally be lighter rather than darker, as the latter can also quickly appear restless and chaotic. The minimalist look for the bedroom can also succeed with bold, more desaturated colors. However, the rest of the furnishings—in form and design—should be simple and understated.

Also interesting: The Best and Worst Wall Colors for the Bedroom

Tip 7: Few Patterns, Few Accessories

An enthusiasm for details is rather disadvantageous in a minimally furnished bedroom. Wild or intricate patterns on pillows, blankets, curtains, rugs, and wallpapers should be used sparingly, if at all. Instead, the more sober but no less beautiful solid-color look is recommended. Too many different materials and textures in the room are generally unnecessary. In terms of decoration, it’s advisable to choose only a small, manageable number of accessories. And those who opt for variants made of natural fibers for mirrors, lights, and storage baskets combine function and decoration optimally. Additional accessories are often hardly needed, as natural materials bring plenty of (cozy) charm and color.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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