Keep your sleeping quarters sleek, chic, and streamlined with our roundup of inspo and advice from interiors experts. Designing a minimalist bedroom may seem simple, but curating the perfect, pared-down space can quickly become overwhelming. These days, the sleek style is ubiquitous: Minimalist design ideas pop up all over Pinterest and Instagram, they’re promoted by furniture giants like IKEA, and many of the most innovative designers are weaving the aesthetic into their projects—but how can a DIY’er achieve the same luxe look on their own?

Start by looking to the past. The philosophy of minimalist interior design and architecture can be found around the world and throughout history. Way before hygge—the Scandinavian concept of cozy interior design—there was feng shui, a Chinese philosophy applied in design to create zen homes with simple elements and good energy. And although hygge is a Danish phenomenon, lagom (from Sweden) and hodo-hodo (from Japan) share a similar conceit: Simplicity is the way to a content and functional home. Lagom translates to “just the right amount,” a reminder to focus on quality over quantity. Hodo-hodo is nearly the same principle, translating to “just enough.”

New York–based interior designer Rushda Hakim is a pro at minimalist bedroom design and shares a similar philosophy to these time-honored ideas. “Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a place to unwind and declutter your mind at the end of the day,” she says. “A calm, serene, minimalist space fosters that sense of peace.”

Achieving the coveted yet elusive minimalist bedroom look is easier said than done. When experimenting with minimalism in your home, aim for a blend of hygge, lagom, and hodo-hodo for the optimal calm factor. At the end of the day, as Calgary-based designer Krista Hermanson says, the most important part of minimalist bedroom design is creating “snuggle spots”—places that are “perfect for a cup of tea.”

Achieving the coveted yet elusive minimalist bedroom look is easier said than done. Here are hacks on how you can achieve a calm retreat effect in your bedroom, Image: Pexels

When you’re ready for your next project, here are 13 streamlined minimalist bedroom ideas.

1. Try limewash paint

Creating texture without adding too many elements in your minimalist bedroom can be a tricky game, but Elisa Baran—designer of this bedroom for influencer Alisha Marie—found the perfect solution in limewash paint. One of the original house paints, limewash is a Belgian design staple, made of crushed lime, water, and pigments. The result is an aged-looking and textured paint perfect for bringing depth into a minimalist bedroom. “The limewash allows [Alisha Marie] to avoid using artwork as the textural paint is art in itself,” Baran says. “It feels calming and cool, a space filled with necessities only.” Ready to paint your walls with limewash? Baran recommends a block brush, painters tape, and JH Wall Paints.

2. Match nightstands to floor finish

Seattle-based interior designer Jessica Nelson was tasked with creating a sanctuary in this client’s bedroom and delivered with an almost unnoticeable choice: matching the nightstands to the floor. “We focused on a neutral palette with texture over pops of color here, creating a really cohesive, calming feel that is quite restful for your brain,” Nelson says. Sticking with the same material and color scheme is key for a minimalist bedroom because they create clean lines and unity in the room.

3. Implement a subtle accent wall

If you’re looking for comforting vibes but still have a maximalist streak, express it with an accent wall. With the right design, the room will still maintain a minimalist energy while the centerpiece gets to shine. Laurence Beysecker, of Maison Amarande in Lisbon, designed this wood-paneled accent wall that she describes as “defining a cozy alcove for the bed area.” Keep everything else in the room simple and symmetrical, like the matching lamps and closets, so the accent wall can do all the talking.

4. Go for statement lighting

Designer Victoria Ninette was looking for “something special that wasn’t too loud” for the lighting in this minimalist bedroom. “It had to make a subtle statement during the day and be something soft and calming in the evening,” Ninette says. This frosted glass chandelier with a dimmer met these needs perfectly and fit seamlessly into the room, which features curves in the bed frame, mirror, and lights. To get the same look when using a blend of lighting sources, Ninette recommends keeping all the finishes the same, like the blackened brass seen here.

5. Don’t be afraid of bold colors

Minimalist bedrooms are more than just monochromatic beige sleeping quarters. Coziness, simplicity, and the right amount of design features can make for an elevated look with complementary color schemes and a little bit of symmetry, as evidenced by this room designed by Anita Dawson of Dawson Design Group in San Diego. Focusing on the use of diverse hues, Dawson built out this room from the colors found in her clients’ Japanese box prints. “Both midcentury and Japanese designs work with pops of strong color as well as black accents; and keeping the bed wall symmetrical and clutter behind drawers keeps the space minimal and chaos-free,” Dawson says. This is a great DIY on a budget. To achieve the same look, follow Dawson’s approach and curate your palette based on the art you already have.

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6. Mix shapes and textures

“Minimalism doesn’t mean boring,” says Jin Chen, director at Ecru Studio, located in Taipei, Taiwan. His team curated this bedroom design with an eye for diverse lines and feels. The curving lamp, the round wool cushions, and the silk rectangular pillows create interest for the eye without complicating things. These blended elements “enrich the space and make it more artistic and vivid,” the perfect compliment to a minimalist, monochromatic palette.

7. Embellish with simple florals

Looking for an easy way to polish your minimalist bedroom? Rely on simple florals and greenery, or “accessorize with natural materials,” as the Falls Village, Connecticut, designer Abigail M. Horace describes of this design choice. Not only will bouquets and plants bring the natural world inside during any season, they will also enhance any palette. For example, the Casa Marcelo designer says, “The pampas chosen here were intentional, to add softness to the space, while not taking away from the oak elements and natural colors.”

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8. Lean on natural materials

“Bringing nature indoors,” as DIY’er and author Reena Simon says, is a great way to build a minimalist style for a bedroom. In her space Simon wanted to echo the nature that surrounds her house. “Our bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows and is surrounded by trees, so it feels like we are cocooned in amongst them.” The wood light fixture with dimmable bulb, the pillows and bedding made from natural materials, and the rough sawn wood flooring bring Simon’s room together as the perfect hygge hideaway.

9. Add depth with a big bed frame

Have a lot of space to fill but still want to keep your room simple? Head designer Luis Laplace of Paris-based studio Laplace, recommends a big minimalist bed frame, like this stained oak bed that fits perfectly in a client’s baroque-style home and embraces a sleek aesthetic. “It is a good opportunity to use such a bed where the ceilings were quite high. It added highness to the space, almost like a shelf,” Laplace says. Although the bed is big, it isn’t imposing; it adds depth to the minimalist bedroom as opposed to tacking on an unneeded layer.

10. Embrace warm tones

Minimalist design is one way to adore quality furniture and accessories for longer, according to Ezz Wilson, designer and influencer in Portland. The clear desk lets the eyes focus on other more artsy elements of her room, and the simple sconce draws attention and works with any bedding Wilson picks. In this way, a strong color scheme can become the main character of the room. By mixing soft and sharp whites with this rusty orange, Wilson creates a warm and minimalist space, which she dubs “restful on the eyes.”

11. Hang floor-to-ceiling drapery

Focusing on simple elements and textiles like window treatments can quickly pull a minimalist bedroom together with a very cozy feel. To create an environment of comfort, the designers at Krista Hermanson Design & Construction in Calgary, Canada, hung long, cream-hued curtains. “Running the drapery from floor to ceiling increases the sense of volume and white space in the room. Selecting a gorgeous subtle neutral in a warm texture creates a cozy nighttime space,” Krista Hermanson says.

12. Try textured wallpaper

One fun way to add a low-key pop of personality to your minimalist bedroom? Try using textured wallpaper. Hakim is a “big fan” of this design idea and recommends those looking to weave some subtle visual interest into their minimalist bedrooms look into silk, grasscloth, and vinyl options. In this minimalist bedroom design from a project in the Battery Park neighborhood of Manhattan, the textured wallpaper brings in a cozy vibe and balances the other cream and white tones in the room. “Wrapping all the walls in wallpaper adds a luxurious warmth that can counterbalance the potential coldness of a minimalist room,” Hakim says.

13. Edit down visual noise

When designing your minimalist bedroom, Hakim says the best thing you can do is edit down the amount of objects you keep visible in the room, as shown in this Olympia Dumbo bedroom, featuring simply adorned bedside tables. “I’d strongly encourage them to pare down their belongings to only those that ‘spark joy,’” she says, referencing Marie Kondo’s iconic catchphrase. But how can you go about editing what you have and display? “Starting with a strong foundation of beautiful, curated pieces helps avoid distractions and naturally lends itself to a minimalist aesthetic,” Hakim says.

Frequently asked questions

What is a minimalist bedroom?

A minimalist bedroom is a living space that follows the principles of simple design. Most minimalist bedrooms feature cream and white furniture, monochromatic palettes, curated accessories and varying textures to achieve a cozy, pared-back vibe. Minimalist bedrooms have become very popular over the last five years and are touted for bringing calmness, serenity, and relaxation to those who invest in designing one.

How can I decorate a minimalist bedroom?

Decorating a minimalist bedroom is all about picking a few key elements to highlight, like textured wallpaper or long drapes, and letting the rest of the room be simple. Hakim says one pitfall to avoid in designing your minimalist bedroom is “going all-white with everything.” She says, “Homes should feel warm and inviting, not like sterile museums. People often mistake minimalism for starkness.” To avoid oversimplifying, make sure you design with warm tones and objects that bring you joy. “Even the slightest hint of warmth in the paint color makes a huge difference,” Hakim says. Some minimalist bedroom ideas? Find a few objects that you think are beautiful and simple and play around with where they fit best in the room, from the bedside table to a chair in the corner to atop your dresser. There are many ways to achieve minimalist style in your bedroom. The factor-into-your-decor approach is to always use less and edit all of your choices.

How can I make my bedroom aesthetic minimalist?

To give your bedroom a minimalist edit remove anything that adds clutter, stick to a palette of warm, neutral tones, and use natural materials. Start by clearing away the objects that feel messy, then center the room around a comfortable, simple bed frame and adorn the surrounding area with two to three items that pull the room together. Look for complementary tones, rich textures and greenery that make the bedroom feel cozy and serene. There’s no need to buy all new furniture or change the whole flow of your room to use these minimalist bedroom ideas; simply focusing on paring down what you have and highlighting well-made, simple features will make for the perfect minimalist bedroom for you.

Original article appeared on Architectural Digest

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