Photo by Genevieve Rusnac on Unsplash
The holidays are a time of year when many of us go all out with decorations. We string up lights, put up festive wreaths, and deck the halls with everything from garland to mistletoe. That being said, maybe you are thinking of taking a more relaxed and minimal approach to the holidays this year.
While often considered overly simplistic, minimalism can also be functional and purposeful. When you decorate with a minimalist aesthetic, you focus on creating a clean and uncluttered space. You choose decorations that serve a specific purpose and that you will actually use rather than decorations that just take up space.
This holiday season, try decorating with a minimalist aesthetic in mind. You may find that you enjoy the process more and that your home feels more tranquil as a result.
Keeping Things Simple This Holiday Season
Every year it seems like the holiday decorations get more and more extravagant. You see houses with blow-up Santa’s in the front yard, yards full of lights, and even homes decorated to look like Santa’s workshop inside and out. But what if you decided to dial it back a bit this year? There are many ways to decorate with a minimalist style in mind, even if you’re on a budget.
Why minimalism is here to stay
The minimalist movement can be traced back to the Bauhaus School in Weimar, Germany in the 1920s. The school’s founders – Marcel Breuer, Mart Stam, and others advocated for designs that used the least amount of material possible. There were several practical reasons for this including less expensive manufacturing, greater portability, and easier cleaning. In other words, less is more to these designers.
This philosophy gained traction in the mid-20th century as people began to invest more heavily in design and architecture. Minimalism is all about embracing the light airiness that comes with lots of empty space.
Minimalist interiors feature not only restrained silhouettes but also fewer objects overall. In recent years, residential and commercial spaces have adopted this trendy aesthetic to create a more calming and inviting environment.
The minimalist design has enduring appeal thanks to its clean lines and uncluttered look. Even as other trends come and go, the stripped-down aesthetic of minimalism continues to thrive.
How minimalism can benefit you during the holidays
The holiday season is infamously known as a time when stress and anxiety levels are higher than usual. From buying gifts to attending parties, there is a lot to do and little time to do. One way to help reduce stress and anxiety during the holidays is to adopt a minimalistic aesthetic. When your space is clean and clutter-free, it can help you feel calmer and more in control.
But what does that really mean? Most of us have probably heard of minimalism, but we may not know precisely what it signifies. In general, minimalism is a lifestyle characterized by owning fewer possessions and simplifying one’s life. While it might seem like minimalism is all about deprivation, the opposite is actually true. When we declutter our homes and simplify our lives, we can focus on what is truly important to us. As a result, we can experience greater joy and satisfaction.
The idea of minimalism stems from Zen Buddhist teachings, which emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and finding joy in simple things. In Japanese culture, the concept of “ma” is significant because it refers to emptiness or a void in which people can relax and reflect. This philosophy can also be applied to your physical space—by decluttering your home, you can create a calmer environment that will lead to a more peaceful state of mind.
So, if you’re feeling a bit frazzled this holiday season, consider adopting a minimalist approach. It just might help you relax and appreciate the season a bit more. Keep reading on for some tips on decorating with a minimalistic aesthetic in mind:
How to Keep Holiday Decorating Minimalistic
As the holidays approach, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to decorate your home. Suppose you’re someone who is striving for a minimalistic Christmas. In that case, you might wonder how to make your home festive without going overboard.
Luckily, decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive, as sometimes less really is more. By following these simple tips, you can achieve a beautiful, chic holiday look that won’t break the bank or leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Stick to a neutral color palette
One way to keep holiday decorating minimalistic is by sticking with a monochromatic or neutral color scheme. Meaning sticking to one or two colors for all of your Christmas decor. Not only does this give your home a cohesive look, but it also makes things feel more relaxing and less cluttered.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider using creamy whites, greys, and blacks as your foundation colors. That said, you can still capture the holiday spirit and incorporate a few holiday colors like red and green or opt for something trendier, like gold and silver metallics.
Keep it tidy
A clean and clutter-free living space will give you a blank canvas to work with and help prevent your holiday décor from feeling overwhelming. So, before you start unpacking boxes of holiday decorations, take a few minutes to declutter your living space. This will make it much easier to enjoy the holiday season without feeling weighed down by excess stuff.
Limit your decorations
Another thing to remember when aiming for holiday minimalism is to cut back on the number of decorations. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning, nonetheless. Take stock of what you already have on hand when getting out your holiday decorations.
Once you’ve gathered all your potential decorations, sift through them, and choose only the best pieces to display. This will help ensure that every decoration serves a purpose and looks its best. When it comes to decorations, less is definitely more in this case.
Incorporate natural elements
This can be anything from using pinecones as part of a centerpiece or adding some evergreen branches, magnolia leaves, garlands, and an assortment of berries to your home. Not only will this create a festive ambiance, but it will also make your holiday décor feel more organic and keep with your minimalist aesthetic.
Get creative with lighting
Let the lights do the work this season. When aiming for minimalist holiday decorations, there’s nothing better to get you into the Christmas spirit than lights. This year, opt for clear or white string lights that you can wrap around your tree neatly. Then, add some accent lamps around the room and plenty of candles to create a warm and relaxing ambiance. You would be surprised how fewer decorations are needed when the proper lighting is incorporated.
Highlight statement items
The holidays are also great for incorporating some unique pieces into your decorating scheme. Maybe you already have a green velvet sofa or some vintage red accent chairs in your living room. Or perhaps it’s that antique sideboard you can’t wait to dress up with Christmas decorations?
Whatever the items you adore are, use these statement items to be the stars of the show and incorporate small decorating items around them to keep them as a focal point. Try incorporating timeless pieces you can use year after year instead of trendy items that will last only for one season. This will save you money in the long run and help you avoid storing many holiday decorations you don’t love.
Focus on quality over quantity
Having a minimalist aesthetic means focusing on quality or quantity. Instead of buying a bunch of cheap decorations, invest in a few well-made pieces that will last for years to come. This approach can also save you money in the long run.
Add a few special touches that reflect your unique style and taste. This could mean anything from a vintage nativity scene to a set of antique nutcrackers. By presenting these quality and sentimental items within your minimalist space, you will be able to significantly capture the spirit of the holidays.
Kaiyo
Looking for some furniture upgrades or statement pieces to showcase your holiday this year? If that’s the case, Kaiyo is here to assist. Whether you’re looking for vintage or modern pieces, we offer a wide selection of gently used secondhand furniture and décor from top-rated brands at up to 90% off retail price.
We’ll help you find the perfect pieces to give your home a personal touch that will make your holiday décor stand out so you can decorate in style without breaking the bank. So why wait? Start decorating for the holidays in style with Kaiyo today.
