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Wednesday 19 February 2025
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Believe It or Not, Minimalist Designs Aren’t So Perfect

Minimalist designs are the unprecedented champions of the home makeover world, and even though there exist a plethora of combinations and iterations that we’d consider unique, every last one of them traces back to the principle of minimalism. You see, the idea of living simple and keeping only the essentials has managed to blend well with the current circumstances and situations faced today, empowering homeowners and households from across the globe to focus on what’s important and be content.

However, despite being strong advocates of valuing needs over wants and supporting the underlying values of minimalism, most homeowners often get the wrong idea that minimalist designs are inherently untouchable when, in fact, they also experience plenty of shortfalls. And while many would argue that minimalism is the path to the future of design and renovations, we think it’s time to grasp the drawbacks this style of rearranging and reimagining your space can cause.

An Empty And Negative Space May Feel Hollow

Although all the extra space may seem like a plus, especially if you’re pretty active with exercise and need the room, the emptiness does tend to exude the feeling of being hollow. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s the exact opposite of dynamic harmony, which might not jive well with most people who are used to traditional and classic approaches to aesthetics. As a result, you will feel the (1) lack of explicit creativity and the (2) emphasis on centerpieces weigh on your artistic process.

  • Lack Of Explicit Creativity: Unlike more conventional design methods that balance extravagance and vibrancy to achieve its desired look, minimalist outlooks on makeovers don’t place much importance over explicit creativity. Instead, they focus more on the form and organization, which flows more toward the beauty of brevity and exactness. And given the nature of the design, you won’t get the opportunity to dabble in expansive color palettes or more outlandish takes for your renovation.
  • Emphasis Falls To The Wayside: Besides the contrasting perspectives on creativity, the need for “emphasis” in your layouts and room makeovers might not bode well with your artistic preferences because you don’t want the design to stand on one item alone. Unlike more traditional approaches to home design that allow different parts of the room to come together and unite as a whole, minimalism leans on a centerpiece to carry the entire appeal. As a result, you might see this more as a restraint on your expression and an unnecessary challenge to your plans.

Unexpected Cost Constraints For Function And Design

While minimalism, in general, often boasts the ability to be frugal and conservative with your design choices, there are unexpected cost constraints you run into when managing furniture and fixtures in terms of function and design. Unlike a more classic approach that will allow for multiple cost-efficient pieces, a minimalist design will require items that take up less space and achieve more, often at a hefty price tag. Namely, you’ll be balancing your budget between (1) expensive multi-functional furniture and (2) quality standout statement pieces.

  • Expensive Multi-Functional Furniture: Minimalism is all about keeping in touch with only the essentials, and when it comes to more functional pieces of furniture, the capacity to do more with one item commingles with the same essence. However, given the fears of tech bubbles and financial trouble on the rise, now might not be the best time to splurge on more luxury purchases. And if you plan to pursue even more minimalist takes, expect your wallet to bear far more burdens than usual.
  • Quality Standout Statement Pieces: As far as design pieces go, most homes will mix and match between paintings, tabletop vanities, free-standing eye candy, and many more. But, since minimalism values the underlying notion of emphasis, you will inevitably spend more on quality standout statement pieces that can carry the same visual weight and interest as a colorful and vibrant room. So while you may not have the same quantity of design pieces, you might still end up with a larger budget at the end of the day.

However, Some People Do Prefer Simplicity

Of course, despite the disadvantages and drawbacks mentioned above, all of these don’t mean you should avoid minimalism in your home renovations and makeovers altogether. In many cases, some people just prefer the simplicity the style provides and can combine plenty of budget-saving methods to bring down the total cost of things. Plus, with all the free space and function you’re getting, any experienced plumber and contractor can quickly go through the essential home systems as well.

Don’t Blindly Follow Whatever The Trends Tell You!

Overall, we want to remind everyone that the bandwagon effect often turns most people into zombies, so try your best not to blindly follow whatever the trend tells you! There are endless possibilities in renovation and design, and defaulting to minimalism every single time is just limiting your creative potential.