Style Guide: The Minimalist Bedroom

Minimalist bedroom designs have been having a bit of a moment lately, haven’t they?

From beloved anti-clutter activist, Marie Kondo, to recently minted Batman himself, Robert Pattinson, an increasing number of people are eschewing busy bedrooms in favour of more… streamlined spaces.

Less is more, right?

And while that may be the undisputed heavyweight champion of clichés, in the instance of minimalist bedroom ideas, it rings true.

Defined by clean lines, neutral colour palettes, and sparse décor, a minimalist bedroom design seeks to evoke a sense of serenity in the room where it’s most important and poses legitimate benefits to your health and wellbeing – boosting happiness and reducing anxiety.

You see, minimalist bedroom designs fuse style and practicality. Everything has a space. Everything serves a purpose. And our minds find this… delightful.

So, if you’re looking to revamp your sleep space in a style that oozes elegance and tranquillity, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s explore some minimalist bedroom design ideas, shall we?

In our guide, we’re going to look at:

1.Decluttering
2.Storage
3.Colour Palettes
4.Motifs
5.Adding greenery
6.Natural Light
7.Beds

How to Design a Minimalist Bedroom

Declutter

If you stopped reading after this entry (but, y’know… don’t) you’d be armed with the key knowledge that underpins all minimalist bedroom design: declutter, declutter, declutter.

Humans are like magpies. We see things we like and we’ve just… got to have them. Doesn’t matter if our wardrobes are fit to burst or our walls are home to more artwork than the Louvre, we’re addicted to accumulation. Never happier than when overburdened with… stuff.

But stuff is clutter. And you’re cutting clutter.

So, before you move to the next entry on our list, set aside an afternoon (more likely a full day, as you’ll definitely get distracted) and begin the big declutter.

As you assess each item’s worthiness, ask yourself the following:

• Do I need it?
• Have I used it recently?
• Does it have any sentimental value?

If the object in question can’t pass these tests… let it go.

Consider Storage

So, you’ve (hopefully) decluttered, and you’re eager to get stuck into designing your minimalist bedroom. But you haven’t jettisoned everything, it isn’t possible. What now?

As mentioned earlier, minimalist bedroom design is a fusion of style and practicality. Essentially, it hinges on knowing what you need and selecting a style that compliments the aesthetic you’re aiming for.

For example, unless you’ve really committed to minimalism (and kudos, if you have), it’s unlikely you’ll be able to strip things so far back you won’t need somewhere to store your clothes. But your choice of storage should complement your bedroom’s minimalist design – whether a diminutive dresser or neat nightstand.

You could also try an ottoman bed, offering you more storage space, but in a neatly covert way that won’t diminish your minimalist design.

Perfect Your Palette

Real talk: minimalist bedrooms rely on their colour palette. That may sound overstated, but it’s true.

Even the sleekest, most neatly curated space will feel cluttered if the walls are painted neon pink or the duvet is sporting a bold flamingo print. (Not to dismiss either of those highly valid options, just… not here.)

You see, it’s a matter of contrast. You’re looking to create a sense of flow and harmony, and you’re more likely to achieve this using neutral colours like white, grey, beige, and black.

Have you ever been in a room that feels like it’s shouting at you? That’s what you’re trying to avoid.

So, strive to create gentle contrast between your fixtures and furnishings. If, for example, you’ve opted for a marl-grey duvet, consider an eggshell-white wall. And as for feature walls? They’re a non-starter, according to Catherine Seagrave, founder and creative director of online interior design company, The Living House, who’s says:

TL; DL - Don’t let your bedroom shout at people.

Decide on Motif

A common misconception in minimalist bedroom design is that it’s an absence of style; a celebration of the bland and uninspired.

And while the logical leap makes sense (minimalism is big on stripped-back designs), it couldn't be further from the truth. A bedroom being sleek and simplified doesn’t mean it has to lack character, just that it’s more… restrained in showing that character.

Basically, the design equivalent of Tommy Shelby: bold yet understated.

Your bedroom’s motif is your opportunity to inject some of your personality into a minimalist framework. So, whether you opt for the boldness of art deco, the earthy-vibes of hippy chic, or, if you’re feeling brave, the hazy honey-tones of the American 60s, the key is to fuse your design choices with the principles of minimalist design.

Also: everything stands out more in a minimalist space, so choose your artwork wisely.

Try Fake Foliage

Fact: minimalist bedrooms benefit from a hit of greenery. Set against the restricted colour palette, plants just… pop.

Follow-up fact: Plants can be notoriously difficult to care for, and a forlorn Ficus or a pathetic-looking peace lily is going to put a dent in your carefully curated aesthetic.

Fortunately, there’s a hassle-free option for glorious greenery – fake plants! A few carefully selected evergreens will add to your room’s quietude and serve as a secondary point of contrast to your existing décor.

And you don’t need to ask a friend/co-worker/delivery driver to water them for you, should you jet off to sunnier climes.

Letting in Natural Light

Our bodies crave natural light. Aside from being important to our sleep patterns, it boosts our health and wellbeing - dosing us with vitamin D and subtly improving our focus. In fact, a recent study revealed that staff get better sleep when they get more natural light at work.

And because it’s the gift that keeps on giving, natural light also supports minimalist bedroom design. (It’s heroic like that.)

So, if you’re looking to give your bedroom a literal glow-up, pull back the curtains, mount some strategically placed mirrors, and bask in the soft ambient glimmer of the afternoon sun.

Your bedroom will look great; and you’ll feel amazing.

And if you’re looking to bolster your room’s glow with some ambient lighting, Catherine Seagrave of The Living House advises:

Build Everything Around your Bed

It should go without saying, but let’s say it anyway: the bed is the main event of your bedroom. Not the nightstand. Not the dressing table. Not the mirror.

It’s the largest object of furniture in the room (unless your dressing table is gigantic). So important the room is named for it. After all, whoever heard of a couch-room, or a microwave-room?

But if you’re cultivating a minimalist bedroom…? The bed’s role is amplified tenfold. It needs to be a statement piece; able to do the heavy lifting from a design standpoint, in terms of both space and aesthetic. Too big and it’ll dwarf the room, making it feel crowded, too small and the room will feel cavernous.

As such, it’s important that you choose the right bed for your space. Whether snagging a stylish new Divan bed or bolstering an existing bed with a chic headboard, you’ll want to consider the space you have, and the interplay between your bed’s design and the other style choices you’ve made in the room.

And there it is: a user-friendly guide to a minimalist bedroom. For something a little different, check out our "Cosy Bedroom" style guide!