Interior trends: what is minimaluxe design?
What is minimaluxe?
A blend of minimalism and Japandi design, ‘minimaluxe’ is the term coined by Pip Rich to describe the pared-back design style that has been making waves since the pandemic. A move away from luxury being shiny surfaces, plush velvets and gold-plated handles, minimaluxe embodies a new wave of luxury - one that celebrates the natural, the durable, the comfortable, and the less-is-more approach as the ultimate form of luxe living. When applied to interiors, minimaluxe translates to owning fewer, yet higher quality and more valued material items. Glossy finishes are swapped with antique woods and natural linens. Elevated but approachable, minimaluxe encourages us to pare back visual clutter in order to celebrate colours and materials that bring us physical comfort, peace, and a sense of calm.
How to get the minimaluxe look at home
Opt for a natural, soothing colour palette
A minimaluxe colour palette takes its inspiration from nature. On your walls, go light and airy with whites or earthy and grounding with beiges, taupes, and greiges. Bring in warmth through richer wood tones, textured stones, and ceramic finishes. The key is to keep things neutral and tonal.
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Create a tactile space
The key with minimaluxe is to create a tactile space. Layering natural materials adds texture, warmth and depth to rooms with neutral colour schemes. Opt for soft textures like bouclé and linen in your upholstery, untreated wooden tables with a rugged appearance, and durable materials like marble to elevate and ground your space.
Incorporate curved, organic lines
Minimaluxe spaces are softened by curved lines and fluid organic shapes. Think sinuous branches that stretch out of round ceramic vases, oversized lampshades, circular tables, wavy headboards, and seats that envelop you in their curves.
Play with contrast
Minimaluxe is characterised by a subtle contrast of colours, shapes and materials. Balance lighter tones with darker accents, smooth surfaces with naturally rough textures. Think rugged wood set against marble, or soft sheepskin rugs on exposed floors.
Embrace imperfection
The Japanese philosophy of ‘wabi-sabi’ holds true in minimaluxe design. This ethos encourages us to see the beauty in imperfection, embrace asymmetry and roughness, appreciate simplicity, and accept the transient nature of all things. Unlike minimalism, which enjoys the streamlined and smooth aesthetic, minimaluxe celebrates the knots in the wood and the wrinkle in the linen. In a minimaluxe space, you’ll find untreated tables with live edges, a curation of weathered antique finds, and a layering of organic materials.
Give your furnishings room to breathe
Although ‘minimal’ may trigger associations of restrictive living or extremely dull decor, minimaluxe in practice offers the complete opposite – it gives furnishings room to breathe, and shine. In minimaluxe spaces, every item is chosen based on its level of usefulness, beauty and the amount of joy you get from it, giving your space a curated feel.
Maximise light
A must in minimaluxe decor is to take advantage of natural light. If you're doing a complete home renovation, this could mean installing floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors or skylights. If you're working with existing architectural elements, this means leaving windows bare. Add more light to a room by placing a large mirror close to a natural source of light. It's one of the oldest tricks in the book for making a room appear bigger and light-filled.
If you love the look of these spaces, then maybe minimaluxe is for you!