Living Room Minimalist Decorating Ideas

Anna Malmberg for Fantastic Frank

There's a reason why minimalism is having such a major moment in the design world (and beyond—thank you, Netflix and Marie Kondo)—when done right, it results in a clean, calming space without being boring. Minimalism calls for thoughtful curation and clutter-free spaces, both of which extend beyond the visual and actually result in more calming, livable, and nurturing environments. This is particularly appealing for a living room since it's where you, you know, live. So we gathered twenty-three minimalist living room ideas to help you bring the style to life at home. Read on for tons of designer examples and decorating ideas for minimalist living rooms, both big and small—and tips on how to make them work in your own space.

minimalist living room ideas

Jaokim Johansson for Fantastic Frank

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Pay Attention to Scale

Minimalism and small-space living get along beautifully. There are a few swaps you can make to get the most out of every usable inch. For example, opt for a settee instead of a sofa or sectional and stack nesting tables instead of getting a bulky coffee table.

minimalist living room furniture

PHOTO: Felix Forest; DESIGN: Arent & Pyke

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Use Muted Colors

If you modern minimalist design but don't want to give up on color, allow this living room designed by Arent & Pyke to guide you. The materials and finishes used are pared back to a monochrome palettes, allowing the heritage detailing and foundations to stand beautifully as they are. Then, they introduced dynamism through a muted rose carpet and inky midnight-hued arm chair.

white minimalist living room ideas

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Experiment With Texture

And on second thought, why use color when you can create design perfection with all white? This will actually make the whole process a lot easier since you won't be worrying about whether everything goes together or not. And just because it's all one color doesn't mean you can't still incorporate fun. interesting details. It's all about shape and texture. In this living room designed by Leanne Ford Interiors, for example, the designer swaps a traditional layout for semi-circle seating (perfect for entertaining, too), a brush painted IKEA rug, a custom-made rope light.

french living room ideas

Studio Razavi

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Mix Different Styles

Here's a lesson in monochromatic decorating with soul (except for that green pillow, which is the perfect pop of personality). Designed by Studio Razavi, this Parisian apartment is blends of simple modern decor with Neoclassical roots. While the bones of the space evoke a grand sort of opulence, the plush Moroccan rug and spacious white sofa feel more approachable. Proof that minimalist spaces can be dynamic and warm.

Living room, Room, Interior design, Furniture, Property, Building, Ceiling, House, Home, Floor,

PHOTO: Marcel Aucar; DESIGN: Hecker Guthrie

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Stay Grounded

One key element of minimalist is highlighting simple, organic forms. Another is staying grounded. What's more down-to-earth than a coffee table that's literally on the floor? Design firm Hecker Guthrie mixed in warm leathers, natural wooden stools, and a barely-there bookcase for an unconventional yet understated approach. Moral of the story? Ditch your table base and put that slab straight on the ground.

Room, Interior design, Property, Floor, Furniture, Tile, House, Architecture, Wall, Flooring,

PHOTO: Reid Rolls; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Feature One Vibrant Accent

As the queen of all-white interiors (she even painted the wood in the fireplace white here), Leanne Ford is always coming up with new, fresh ways to make a space standout with rich textures, surprising accents, and refurbished materials. In this minimalist living room, she choose one item to really pop in a bright color: That vibrant red Pierre Paulin Ribbon Chair.

small living room ideas

Jaokim Johansson for Fantastic Frank

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Choose Items Wisely

In a minimalist living room, each item needs to make a strong contribution—no weak links allowed. This space is the perfect example. While the only three furniture items are two seats and a small coffee table, it still makes a strong impression and communicates a sense of personal style. That's mostly thanks to the existing retro fireplace juxtaposing with the ultra-modern light fixture.

Room, Window, Interior design, Furniture, House, Home, Living room, Table, Coffee table, Couch,

PHOTO: Lauren Bamford; DESIGN: Robson Rak

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Focus On Shapes

The clean lines throughout this living room designed by Robson Rak make it hard not to feel relaxed just by looking at it. Even the detail and symmetry of the vertical window pane tracing down to the cushions of the sofa is soothing. Then the green nesting tables bring in some contrast with their rounded shape and varying heights. The white painted shiplap walls make the space feel more livable and approachable.

eclectic living room ideas

Nicole Franzen

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Display High-Impact Art

High-impact wall art is a beautiful, chic way to add personality to a minimalist living room. Though it doesn't take up any surface space, the right piece is truly transformative. In this living room, the abstract photograph of light orbs is extended into the material space through the burnt orange and marigold throw pillows. For a similar effect, use an abstract photograph like this one to dictate the colors of your throw pillows for cohesion.

Room, Furniture, Living room, Interior design, Wall, Table, Property, Coffee table, Black-and-white, Floor,

Josefin Haag for Fantastic Frank

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Stick to a Monochrome Palette

Monochrome rules when it comes to minimalist design. A clean and well-organized photo gallery will keep things interesting without creating visual chaos. Then add a metallic pendant and a simple midcentury coffee table for an easy, unpretentious and stylish living room setup.

cozy minimalist living room

PHOTO: Matthew Williams; DESIGN: Studio DB

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Don't Be Afraid to Get Weird

What it lacks in decorative details it makes up for in innovative shapes and proportions. Designed by Studio DB, this living room nook is a minimalist masterpiece. From the shape of the handsome leather lounger to the artful rice paper light sculpture and the geometric carpet, each element both complements and enriches the others.

blue living room ideas

PHOTO: Shannon McGrath; DESIGN: Robson Rak

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Pick a Tonal Palette

Who says minimalists are afraid of color? The trick is to stay within one tone, like this modern blue living room designed by Robson Rak. The soothing tones and bulbous shapes throughout, from the marble side table to the bubble pendant light and rounded sofa, make it feel like a hug in the form of a living room.

minimalist living room storage ideas

Josefin Haag for Fantastic Frank

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Find Smart Storage Solutions

As you probably already know, minimalism is a lot about keeping clutter to a minimum. And no matter how hard we try to do so, things just tend to accumulate over the years. That means storage solutions are key, especially in a tinier space like this one. The floating shelves framing the doorway make use of all the vertical space, allowing for knickknacks to stay tucked away in stylish bins and decor to shine without being in the way on the floor.

modern living room ideas

Matthew Williams

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Keep It Classic

Here's proof that minimalism doesn't equate to stark modern interiors. Elegant, simple, and right smack dab in the middle of modern and traditional, this living room designed by Studio DB is as timeless as it gets. The classic layout promotes conversation and comfort, and those big windows let plenty of natural light pour, which never hurts.

open floor plan minimalist living room

PHOTO: Trevor Mein; DESIGN: Hecker Guthrie

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Use your Surroundings as Inspiration

In true minimalist form, Hecker Guthrie "took cues from the rugged and uncompromising landscape it sits among... With references to the dark, ominous cliff and stoic elements that comprise the coast, there is a deliberate departure from the ocean, as inspiration." This helped them develop a darker color palette with many textural timbers, stones, textiles and metals, connecting the modern and minimalist home with nature.

modern living room wallpaper ideas

Studio Razavi

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Incorporate Nature-Inspired Materials

Designed by Studio Razavi this eclectic Parisian apartment is a breath of fresh air. Not only does it prove that you can use a wallpaper mural in a minimalist environment (the grayscale color palette promises not to visually overpower the room), but it's also the perfect example of fun and relaxed, sophisticated and formal interior design. The linen slipcovered sofa, rice paper pendant, rattan hoop chair, jute rug, and tree stump table base ground the room.

formal living room ideas

PHOTO: Felix Forest; DESIGN: Arent & Pyke

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Have Fun With Accents

"Downsizing from a large family home to a light-filled apartment boasting spectacular harbor views," design studio Arent & Pyke blended soft, romantic touches with minimalist design. The sheer linen drapes, for example, engender a soft, filtered glow and the jute rug promises a lack of pretension (clearly we love the power of a jute rug to chill things out). Though elegant to a T, the throw pillow, florals, and accent seating fill the room with a youthful, fun spirit.

minimalist living room ideas on a budget

Mangus Pettersson for Fantastic Frank

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Choose Modest Furniture

Minimalism and a wide open loft space (or pretty much anywhere with a high ceiling) are a match made in heaven. When it comes to decorating a minimalist loft, you can't go wrong with a clean-lined sofa and sleek and simple surfaces. Their modesty makes for easy elegance. Then add warmth with a faux hide and plenty of greenery for a livelier environment.

modern living room ideas

PHOTO: BROOKE HOLM; DESIGN: Robson Rak

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Embrace a Darker Mood

The moodier the color story, the more sophisticated the room. Well, at least that's true for living room designed by Robson Rak. The wall of semi-open storage shelves is a brilliant way to hide clutter in style and display a few decorative pieces, which is essential in a minimalist environment. The luxe green velvet throw pillow and sofa are the undeniable showstoppers, here.

eclectic living room ideas

PHOTO: Shannon McGrath; DESIGN: Hecker Guthrie

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Don't Let Architecture Stop You

If you live in a neighborhood with historic protections of simply want to maintain the original bones but also appreciate clean, modern spaces, don't worry. If there's a will, there's a way. And it doesn't hurt if . you have the help of Hecker Guthrie. In this case, they stripped back the heritage building and restored historical details, like that stunning stained glass window, but then chose minimal furniture. It all works together thanks to the color story.

pampas grass decor ideas

Fantastic Frank

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Incorporate Neutral Florals

One of the easiest ways to liven up an austere minimalist living room is by adding greenery. But no all of us are blessed with a green thumb (or patient enough to be a plant parent). Good news: Dried florals exude that signature California-cool minimalism, especially pampas grass—it's that neutral hue, wind blown look, and soft, fluffy texture.

minimalist home design ideas

PHOTO: Shannon McGrath; DESIGN: Robson Rak

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Break the Formulas

Now here's a non-formulaic living room design formula we can get behind. Designed by Robson Rak, this living room is doing something different without trying too hard. The formula: A soft color palette, ample hidden storage space, eye-catching abstract art, and comfortable, functional furniture. That's really all you need in a minimalist living room.

minimalist living room apartment

Mikael Axelsson for Fantastic Frank

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Lean Your Artwork

Industrial spaces, like an open loft or converted warehouse can be warmed up with earth tones, layers of plush throws, and laidback decorating choices. Try leaning your artwork on the floor against the wall for an edgier, bohemian vibe.