The common belief is that a minimalist home can only be such if it’s done so without color, in black and white. That Scandinavian inspired homes are bland and boring spaces devoid of personality, cold and non-friendly. It’s absolutely not true. It’s a no-brainer that there’s a broad spectrum of muted color you can play with and still get a minimalist home. So how do you use color so that it feels easy on the eye, retaining a feeling of space?
Walls
What will you be using the room for? The color you choose will effect the way you feel in the space, so make sure it matches the purpose. What sort of light does your room get? Depending on which way it faces and how much it gets will determine the tone and brightness of the shade you choose.
Live with your swatches. Once you’ve found a few colors you like, use as much of the pot as you can on as big a piece of paper you can find. Move it around at different times of the day to see how the light plays with it. Try it with the lighting you have too as it will change in the light of a bulb.
Block it out. Color works best in a minimalist home when it’s used in block. It’s up to you whether you paint the woodwork and skirting the same shade but having the confidence to use that one color across the whole room will have a greater impact on how it feels.
Use color to frame and emphasize. Any noteworthy features in a room are immediately highlighted when you paint them – it might be coving or an intricate doorway. You can also frame the view into another room using paint.
A vintage minimalist space with chocolate brown paneled walls, dark and black furniture is a lovely way to introduce some color.
A chic minimal space with a blush wall and doorway to frame a view of the dining space.
A stylish minimal space with a mauve wall and a matching mauve table, a taupe pendant lamp and porcelain.
A minimalist kitchen done with olive green walls, sleek dark cabinetry, a black pendant lamp and light stained wood.
A minimalist room with teal walls, a matching teal chair, a hanger for clothes and potted greenery and succulents.
A minimalist space with blue walls, a black cabinet, potted greenery and a minimal bedroom with blue walls.
A minimalist living room with pale blue walls and a built-in fireplace, chic furniture and touches of black for drama.
A minimalist space with slate blue walls, built-in shelves and stained and grey furniture is chic and cool.
A minimalist Scandinavian space with blue walls, a grey sectional, mismatching tables and a round mustard ottoman.
A chic minimalist space with a bold yellow touch on the wall and door is a bright accent to cheer up the space.
A beautiful Scanndinavian home with light green walls, various chic furniture, mauve curtains, black dramatic touches.
A bold terracotta circle on the wall is a single accent in this space that gives it life and eye-catchiness.
Other Ideas
Work with what you have. If you have beautiful floors, what color can you use that will bring them out? Do you have original features? Consider the furniture you have. Unless you’re planning a full on re-model, make sure you choose a color that compliments all these elements.
Leave the color off the walls if you don’t want to get into an epic painting project. Try introducing the color through your furniture instead. A blank canvas of white always looks striking with a sofa, cupboard or lounge chair in an eye-catching shade. It immediately draws your eye, as a feature in its own right. Tie it in with the rest of the room by connecting it with something in the same palette such as a vase or piece of artwork. Get inspired!
A minimalist living room done in monochromatic greys, a terracotta couch, a potted tree in a blue planter that adds color, too.
A stylish minimalist space clad with light-stained wood, a bold green chair and a matching footrest and a small round wooden table.
A chic minimalist living room done in neutrals but accented with a light pink sofa, round tables and bold artworks.
A refined minimalist living room done in pure neutrals and accented with a lovely mauve velvet chair that adds a soft touch.
A cute ikea-like minimalist kitchen design.
An adorable minimalist living room done in neutrals, with a terracotta upholstered chair, branches in a vase and tan chandelier.
A gorgeous minimalist living room done in greys, with a tan fireplace and a light brown tufted ottoman for a sutble touch of color.
A fantastic minimalist living room done in neutrals, with a sunny yellow tufted ottoman and a bold artwork for a touch of color.
A beautiful minimalist space with silver kitchen cabinets and a mustard yellow sectional plus brass touches for elegance.
A catchy minimalist interior done in the shades of grey and with a light blue sofa and copper side tables.
A stylish minimalist space in light shades is accented with a bold green sectional that brings a touch of color here.
An all-neutral minimalist living room with a bold orange built-in sofa and potted plants looks vivacious and lively.
A minimalist neutral living room done with chic furniture, a terracotta chair, blankets and pillows for a touch of color.