Embark on a space odyssey
LIZ CONNOR gets some essential tips for designing and creating calm and clutter-free spaces in our homes
LIFE is hectic enough, so when it comes to our homes, it makes sense that many of us crave a peaceful and streamlined place to unwind after a long day.
Inspired largely by Japanese culture, minimalism has become one of the popular lifestyle trends of recent years.
We asked experts to give us tips for creating a stress-free, minimal home...
Give decluttering a go
“We’re all guilty of having too much stuff and many of us don’t have enough space in our homes to keep everything organised. Instead, our belongings are creating chaos rather than calm,” says home organisation expert Diana Spellman, founder of Serenely Sorted (serenelysorted.com).
Diana suggests getting rid of anything you haven’t used for the past year. “If you have two of the same item, donate the second. Get rid of obsolete tech too.
Even if you still use DVDs, put them in plastic wallets and ditch the cases – then they can be nicely stored in a drawer and out of eyesight.”
Find a place for everything
“The biggest benefits of minimalism are the relaxation, calm and serenity you feel as a result of having less stuff and being organised – so it’s not just what is on your surfaces that matters, but how you organise your home for day-to-day living,” stresses Diana.
Essentially, you won’t feel the benefit if your surfaces are clear but you’ve shoved things in a cupboard.
Diana starts with what she calls ‘end homes’ – creating specific places within baskets or drawers where each thing lives, so when you are clearing at the end of the day, you’re not tempted to shove it in a pile.
The more ‘end homes’ you create, the quicker and easier it is to tidy up.
Mirrored surfaces maximise space
This trend is all about achieving a sense of space and freedom, and mirrors are a clever way to create spacial illusions.
Hanging mirrors, or choosing mirrored furniture, can bounce light around a room, making it feel bigger. You could also choose metallic accent details – whether it’s practical items like copper pans and utensil holders, or decorations like plant pots and picture frames to reflect beams of light.
If metallic isn’t your taste, white also works.
Make the most of awkward spaces
Tight corners, the space under your stairs, the tops of cabinets and sloping loft spaces can all be put to good use with some clever design solutions.
“There are many awkward spaces within the home – and by utilising these areas, an unused part of the house can become a personalised storage hub,” says Simon Tcherniak, designer at Neville Johnson (nevillejohnson.co.uk).