Houzz Mid-Century Living Room by Niki Jones
Author: Cheryl Freedman
It’s a brand new year, so why not detox your home, not just your body, and join the movement for living with less? Living with fewer possessions can help you to feel happier and less psychologically weighed down, yet many of us are ‘stuffocated’, existing with a backdrop of clutter that subtly puts us on edge (not least because of the vague nagging feeling that we ought to do something about it).
The Zen-inspired trend for living with 100 or fewer items is too hardcore for most of us, but lots of us could pare back our homes by around 10% and still be comfortable. Here are a few ideas for allowing your home – and yourself – to breathe.
Stick to one theme or era
Having fewer possessions doesn’t mean you have to embrace faceless minimalism or have a plain white interior. In the mid-century-style room above, a few well chosen vintage design pieces create a space that has plenty of warmth and personality. However, by not crowding the items, each one stands out beautifully.
So your style is: mid-century modern
Use colour in a subtle, modern way
Having less isn’t about eliminating all colour and just living with beige and cream. In this homespun, artisan-feel kitchen, the style is pared back and simple, but the orange and jade cabinets and the green lamp add warmth to the pale wood flooring.
Similarly, the open shelves with a smattering of bottles and jars add further touches of colour to create a cosy, lived-in feel.
Pare back your bedroom
Most of us know it’s a good idea to keep our bedrooms free of technology to help encourage a relaxed night’s sleep. Similarly, having lots of storage solutions to keep our bedrooms free of clutter – and that includes that pile of books by the bed – will also help us to switch off and sleep better at the end of a busy day.
Surround yourself only with things you love
Less is more doesn’t mean having an austere home. In this dining room, chairs with ornate woodwork and a large clock with Roman numerals add a touch of the baroque, but the overall space is still very simple.
Less is more is all about surrounding yourself with the things you love in small, controlled doses, be they Art Deco prints, mid-century modern furniture or vintage 1950s collectables.
Embrace natural materials
Rustic cottage style can be the ultimate in less-is-more living, whether it be a whitewashed wall in your living room, a rough-hewn log or two by the fireplace or a simple wooden bowl or ceramic vase on display. Embrace the simple and the subtle and go back to basics, choosing items in natural materials, such as wood and stone, that will connect you to the world of forests, beaches and mountains outdoors.
Choose items that relax you
What helps us to feel calm, relaxed and happy in our own homes varies with each individual. For one person, it might be a comfy armchair and a favourite artwork; for another, it could be a luxurious bathtub. In your less-is-more home, think about what really makes you happy, then focus on these items while eliminating any objects you don’t truly love.
Pick light fittings carefully
Living with fewer objects often means there’s more focus on the basics of a room, such as the lighting, skirting boards, flooring or window dressings.
Well-planned, attractive lighting can add personality to a minimal space. In this neat dining area, three simple pendant lights create a stylish, sculptural effect. The built-in banquettes in a neutral shade also help to create a sleek, streamlined feel.
Browse a wide selection of pendant lights
Focus on the best you can afford
By being well-designed and beautiful, as well as functional, better-quality fittings can make it easier to live with less. When investing in the big stuff, such as kitchens, flooring and bathrooms, think about whether the materials will last or look shabby over time, as there will be less clutter to distract the eye. Then consider whether you can afford to go to the next level. ‘Buy cheap, buy twice’ is often a truism.
In kitchens, create a calm feel by making sure you have plenty of good-quality cabinets to store items. However, don’t just cram everything in – less is more is about organising and decluttering the hidden as well as the visible.
Choose bold, bright artworks
Living with less doesn’t mean getting rid of all artworks. In fact, with fewer possessions lying around, prints and paintings will stand out more and won’t have to fight with any general clutter. Be bold and choose one or two big pieces that will fill large areas of wall to make a confident statement.
Spring clean your wardrobe
Your wardrobe is your friend but also your enemy. It’s all too easy to stuff everything behind its closed doors and pretend it doesn’t exist, but a decluttered, organised wardrobe like this one is a must. It’s so much nicer when your clothes have room to breathe and uncrumple, plus it makes it easier to find what you want.
Embrace the 12-month rule – if you haven’t worn something within this timescale, recycle it or give it away. You can do it, honestly…
Contain and display memorabilia
Human beings are sentimental souls, but less is more doesn’t mean having to say goodbye to your treasured heirlooms, drawings, souvenirs and pictures. Think about making an ordered, contained display of favourite items that mean something to you, rather than having pieces scattered around your home or hidden away in drawers.
Alternatively, create a special keepsake box that you can easily access and enjoy when you fancy a trip down memory lane.
How to share your everyday treasures
Fit floating cabinets
Keep bathrooms uncluttered by choosing simple, effective storage that keeps shampoos and toothpaste tubes out of sight. In this simple bathroom, the wall-mounted unit creates a feeling of space, while the sleek mirrored cabinet reflects the light to brighten the room.
Follow a natural palette
Create a calming atmosphere with a scheme of light, soft colours and all belongings pared-down.
White, cream and pale natural woods teamed together look timeless – it’s a simple decorating trick that works every time.
Let your home’s features speak for themselves
Natural floorboards, exposed rafters and raw brickwork add texture and colour to a room without the need for extra details. Resist the need to fill every corner of a space with objects and instead focus on what you love and need.
Get a great filing cabinet
However much you go online with bank statements or regularly throw out junk mail, a certain amount of paperwork still invades most of our lives. A stylish filing cabinet is a great way to contain it, and avoid paperwork spilling into other areas of your home, such as the kitchen table or hallway.
Make the top drawer of your cabinet the ‘in tray’ and use it to store those things you’d normally leave out as reminders. Just remember to check it frequently!
Let the natural light flow
Natural light lifts your spirits and awakens your senses, and rivals any expensive decorative features.
Think about your window coverings – could they be simplified or pared down? Does the window glass need a good clean? And would you benefit from replacing your windows with larger ones, so you can maximise your light potential, especially in north-facing rooms?