Shutters London – Ten Ways to Add Warmth to a Minimalist Interior

Minimalist interiors are clutter free and calming, but there is a danger that this style of décor can look cold and stark, particularly in wintertime when there is a lack of natural light in the evenings. However, there are ways of having the best of both worlds – and creating a clean and streamlined interior that is warm and welcoming too. In this article, Bespoke Shutters, London, looks at ten ways to make a modern, minimalist interior cosy and inviting.

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Candles – These accessories never fail to impress as they give you an instant lift and add atmosphere to your home. A large, oversized floor standing candle in a corner and a row of small white t-lights on a coffee table all help to create a snug and relaxed environment during the winter months. And, if you have guests over for dinner, candlelight is far more flattering than harsh, overhead lighting.

Shutters – Whether your London or Hertfordshire home is a state of the art house, or a contemporary flat, shutters are a great buy for a minimalist interior due to their sleek and linear design. Plantation shutters can be used to maximise light during the daytime, especially if you opt for tier on tier shutters which give you greater flexibility as you can fully open either the top or bottom half, or keep the shutters closed and adjust the slats to let the outside light filter in.

Lighting – Side, floor, wall and picture lights all help add a subtle glow and can transform alcoves or spotlight interesting features such as sculptures or artwork. Used together with shutters, you can brighten your space from morning until nightfall with natural, followed by artificial light when the sun goes down. Minimalist interiors are all about showcasing interesting furniture and accessories, so choose sculptural or contemporary feature lighting where possible.

Rugs – This is one way to introduce warmth, texture and colour to a living room, bedroom, dining area or hallway. Textural shag pile rugs make a good contrast against a stripped solid wood floor; or to make more of an impact, colourful rugs with strong, geometric shapes stand out against white walls and furnishings.

Cushions and Throws – Like rugs, cushions and throws are a great way to add colour and texture and are a must-have in winter. Pile cushions in various textures and designs on seating, and drape a tactile throw over a sofa or armchair so it’s within easy reach on colder evenings. You can create a theme by choosing just one colour and varying the tones, or selecting contrasting colours to make more of an impact.

Artwork – Minimalist homes are all about clutter free interiors, where every item has its place and only your most beautiful furniture and accessories are on display. Oversize contemporary, vibrant artwork and floor standing sculptures add an interesting focal point.  White plantation shutters are a good choice for a minimalist home as they won’t detract from the beauty of modern paintings or sculptures.

Fireplace – Not all contemporary homes are lucky enough to have a real log fire, which injects instant warmth, and creates an inviting space where friends or family can gather in the evenings. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider investing in a gel fire, which is portable and can be placed on a table top, as a dramatic feature.

Mirrors – Mirrors opens up spaces and attract the light to make a home feel airy and spacious. You can use all sorts of tricks with mirrors to make a home feel cosier. Place one in a dark alcove, opposite a window, to make the most of a good view, or place two side lights in front of a mirror to maximise light.

Chairs – Place one bold, vibrant feature chair in a room with all white furniture to add a splash of colour. You might want to use this accent colour in your cushions, artwork and throw to build a theme.

Fruit – Oranges, apples, bananas, grapes and mango are subtle way of adding colour to a stress free, minimalist interior. Another way to brighten this space is by placing a simple vase of flowers on a table. Simplicity is key in minimalist homes, where only the most elegant and appealing items take centre stage.

Bespoke Shutters – For beautiful made-to-measure shutters and blinds, London and Hertfordshire, click here.