A minimalist apartment has all sorts of benefits. You’ll do less tidying, always know where everything is, and have more free time.
Plus, you’ll have a beautiful, calm living space to come home to every day.
But knowing how to create a minimalist apartment isn’t easy. And it becomes even more challenging when you’re faced with clutter.
So, this minimalist apartment checklist should guide you through the process.
I’ll share my minimalist apartment tips to create a relaxing home, no matter how much space you have. Plus, I’ve got advice to set up your minimalist apartment on a budget.
If you follow these tips, you’ll have a beautiful minimal apartment. And as a result, you should notice an improved quality of life, too.
The impact of our environment on our wellbeing is significant, so read on to find out more!
What is a minimalist apartment?
When you think of a minimalist home, you may think of clinical, empty spaces.
But you don’t have to get rid of all your furniture and possessions to go minimal. And having a minimalist apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a cozy, welcoming space.
The best thing about minimalism is that you make it work for you.
So, if you want to get rid of your sofa and sit on the floor, you do you. But there’s nothing wrong with keeping items that you keep and use.
What minimalism does mean is to aim for a simpler life. As a result, you will need to create a clutter-free space where everything serves a purpose.
So, you should be willing to tackle your clutter and overcome any hoarding tendencies. But don’t worry! If something is sentimental and brings you joy, you don’t need to get rid of it.
Nowadays, we all have more items than we actually need. While that’s not ideal, it can quickly become a bigger problem in a small apartment.
By its nature, you have less space in an apartment. So, it makes sense to go for a minimalist apartment design.
A minimalist apartment should have plenty of white space and room to move about. It should make the most of the available light and feel welcoming and relaxing.
It often means choosing simpler furniture and multipurpose items to save space.
Minimalist can be a way of life as well as an interior design style. That’s because it forces you to pare back your belongings to what you really need. So, it helps you think about what you value in your life.
At its best, a minimalist home inspires focus, concentration, and relaxation. You can find out more about minimalist aesthetics in my guide here.
How to Create a Minimalist Apartment
So, you’re excited about the idea of creating a minimalist apartment. But you’re unsure where to start, and you’re feeling a bit daunted about the work involved.
That’s where this article comes in! I’ve pulled together lots of minimalist apartment ideas. And I’ve aimed to keep them simple and accessible.
Decluttering and redesigning your apartment can seem like a huge project. But it doesn’t have to be painful or stressful.
However, creating a minimalist apartment will take some dedication and hard work. It’s not just about arranging your furniture in a specific style.
Instead, you’ll need to put in thought and decide which of your possessions you actually need. That can be quite an emotional process if you’re attached to them.
But it will be well worth it when you’ve introduced minimal apartment decor into your home.
You’ll appreciate having more space and lower maintenance. With less time spent cleaning, you’ll have more time to relax, de-stress, and enjoy your home.
How to Declutter Your Apartment
So, how can you get started creating your minimalist apartment?
I would recommend dividing your home into zones and focusing on one area at a time. That makes it more manageable, and you’re less likely to become overwhelmed.
Then, start thinking about what you own – both your furniture and your possessions.
What do you actually need? We all have items that lie around creating mess, but we never actually use them.
So, what could you let go? You might find that you’re happy to get rid of many more items than you’d expected.
That old lava lamp collecting dust? It can go! Old clothes you don’t wear any more or jeans that don’t fit you well? Move them on!
If you have so many clothes cluttering your closet, it will be easier to find things once you’ve decluttered.
If there’s something you’re unsure about, put it away in a closet for a few months and see if you miss it. If not, you’ll know you’re ready to let it go.
As you sort through everything, divide it into piles of things to sell, donate, or throw away. Then, you’ll find it easier to deal with them once you’re done decluttering.
When it comes to furniture, you don’t have to change anything if it’s practical and comfortable.
But large, bulky items can take up so much space, especially in a smaller apartment. They can block the airflow and light and make your home feel even tinier than it is.
So, it’s a good idea to replace them with something simpler as and when you can afford it.
You can find more tips on decluttering your apartment room by room in my detailed guide here.
Minimalist apartment checklist: Tips for a minimalist home
Now you have an idea of how you can tackle the clutter. Here are more minimalist apartment tips to help you!
1. Think about the room layout
When you’re working on a room in your home, think of the big picture. For example, how do you use the space?
Minimalist is all about practicality and allowing you to make the most of your space. You want rooms in your home that are accessible and easy to move about in.
That means you need clear paths to the items you use most in your home, like your bed or sofa. You shouldn’t have to weave through furniture or clutter to get there.
So in your living room, make sure there’s enough space to walk around the coffee table. If you have to squeeze between it and your sofa, that’s a sign you need a smaller table.
But it’s not just limited to how you’ll move around the room. Think about the design, from the doors and windows to the lighting.
A bit of forward planning will help you create the best layout for your minimalist apartment.
Also, you don’t have to commit to a specific layout. Instead, test things out, move them around, and have an open mind.
That will allow you to see what looks good but also what is most practical. Then, you can make changes if necessary.
2. Choose a neutral color scheme
A neutral color scheme is another essential staple of the minimalist home. So, think carefully about the colors you use on your walls, furniture, and decor.
In a small apartment, you want to maximize the space available. Choosing a light color for the walls will make your rooms seem bigger and brighter.
You could go for a white or cream as a base color. Or if you like, you could add a feature wall in another neutral color like pale grey.
Then, it’s time to build on your color scheme with complementing shades. Consider how they will all come together to ensure they’re harmonious.
Earthy tones tend to feel warm and welcoming while bringing in natural elements. For example, you could incorporate beige, brown, pale green, or light pink.
Blue is also an excellent color that makes spaces feel serene and calm.
When you’re choosing new furniture, keep your color scheme in mind.
If you’re not buying new items, you could give your furniture a fresh lick of paint and bring them up to date.
You could go for different (but complementary) color schemes in each room. Or, you could have an overarching theme that carries through all the rooms. It’s up to you and what you prefer!
3. Invest in minimalist furniture
As mentioned above, you don’t have to replace your furniture to create a minimalist apartment.
I’d only recommend starting from scratch in the most extreme cases. But generally, you can design a minimalist space without having to spend a lot of money.
It’s possible to create a minimalist apartment on a budget. For example, you can check out local or online secondhand furniture stores. Sometimes, you can find great minimalist pieces at bargain prices.
But if you have money to for new furniture, that gives you more flexibility.
When shopping for your minimalist apartment, look for streamlined pieces with smooth lines. Solid colors also work well in minimalist homes and are less garish than patterns.
Keep your color scheme in mind, and if possible, look for multipurpose items. For example, you could go for an ottoman or coffee table with interior storage.
A sofa bed is very handy if you have friends or family who stay over sometimes. That way, you can transform your living room into a spare bedroom for the night.
4. Keep the floor and surfaces clear
In any minimalist home, you should aim to keep your surfaces clear. But that becomes even more important in an apartment where you have limited space.
So, try to do a regular sweep of the house every evening. You could spend 10 minutes putting items back in their proper homes.
It’s amazing how much you can do in a short time, and it will help you stay on top of your minimalist apartment.
As with the surfaces, your floor should also be tidy and clear of clutter. Not only is that a safety precaution, but it will make your apartment feel a lot more spacious.
5. Go for smart storage solutions
But to keep your apartment neat and clutter-free, you’ll need somewhere to put all your stuff. There’s only so much you can declutter – you will need to keep some things!
So, that calls for some clever storage solutions. In the bedroom, under-the-bed storage is a great idea. You can tuck items away below there like shoes and winter clothes.
I would also recommend going for storage units with doors or baskets. You can even label them to help you find what you need.
Closed units or storage boxes look a lot tidier than open shelves, where you can see everything piled up. So, they are beneficial for your mental health and allow you to relax more.
You should aim to have a proper place for every item. Then, once you’ve got your system set up, it’s much easier to maintain.
You’ll find that you get in the habit of putting things away after you use them. Then, if you can do a quick sweep of the room before going to bed, you’ll have a foolproof system.
Floating shelves are also a nice way to make use of your wall space. You can use them both for storage and add a few little personal touches to your home.
6. Choose decorative items wisely
If you want to have a minimalist apartment, that doesn’t mean you can’t have any decorative items. You can still make your minimalist home feel cozy and welcome.
But the general rule in minimalist apartment decor is to keep it simple. Choose your items carefully, and go for quality instead of quantity.
That way, you’ll appreciate each one more. And they will look better than if they were all crowded together.
If you want to display family photos, choose one or two that are meaningful to you. If you go for too many, you will stop noticing them anyway.
When it comes to artwork, choose calming scenes and colors. Blues, greens, and paler pastel colors are very tranquil and relaxing.
Nature’s been proven to be good for our health, as this scientific study shows. But you can also get some of the benefits of having nature scenes around your home.
So, landscapes are also fantastic in a minimalist apartment, especially as you don’t have a garden. On that note, it’s also great to have some house plants around the place.
In an apartment without a garden or outside space, plants can fill that void. Check out this list of the best plants for small apartments for some guidance on what will work best in your home.
Minimalist Apartment Must-Haves
Here are the essential items you need in any minimalist apartment.
But some of these things will depend on your unique setup. So, you may find that you don’t need every item on this minimalist apartment list!
For example, if you don’t watch TV, skip the TV altogether! As you know by now, only go for items that bring value and you’ll use them frequently.
Minimalist Living Room Essentials
The living room should be a welcoming, comfortable space for you and your guests. But you don’t want it to feel cluttered, either!
Here’s what you need in your minimalist living room:
- A comfortable sofa or chairs
- A TV (if you like to watch TV or movies on a big screen)
- A table or floor lamp (for mood lighting!)
- A simple coffee table or end table (look for one with built-in storage)
Minimalist Bedroom Checklist
Your bedroom should be the inner haven in your home. It should feel comfy, relaxed, warm, and stress-free. But you can also make it meaningful and special.
Here are the basics of a minimalist bedroom. You can add or remove items that spark joy for you!
- A bed frame (as simple as possible – you don’t necessarily need a headboard)
- Mattress
- Pillows
- Sheets and bedding
- A nightstand or two (or a floating shelf)
- A floor lamp or a table lamp for each nightstand
- A wardrobe (if you don’t have a closet)
- A dresser (if you need more storage)
- Optionally – a rug to keep your feet warm and add comfort
- Any special items that make it feel like home
Minimalist Kitchen Must-Haves
Decluttering your kitchen can be more challenging, but you can do it! You can find more tips on organizing your small minimalist kitchen here.
Here’s what you need in your minimalist kitchen. Adjust the numbers according to how many people are in your household:
- Utensils – knives, forks, and spoons depending on how many people are in your household
- Tableware – plates, bowls, etc
- Essential appliances (kettle, toaster – what you need will depend on your preferences)
- A trash can
- A dish rack, soap, sponge (go for reusable, eco-friendly options)
- A table and chairs – if you’re short on space, a breakfast bar is an alternative
Minimalist Bathroom Checklist
As the bathroom is the smallest room, you should keep your bathroom clutter-free, too.
Only keep the toiletries you actually use and don’t restock them until they run out. As for towels, store them elsewhere and only take the one you’re using into the bathroom.
Where you can, look for environmentally-friendly options. For example, use a shampoo bar instead of a bottle. It takes up less space and reduces one-use plastic waste.
Here are the key items for your minimalist bathroom:
- A hand towel
- A bath towel
- Bath mat to prevent slipping
- Your toiletries, toothbrush, etc
- Toilet paper
- Cleaning products (as few as possible)
- A shower caddy
- Hooks to hang your clothes or towel
Final Thoughts
These are more guidelines – make your home your own. It should be a space you love and look forward to getting back to at the end of the day!
You don’t have to follow strict rules to have a minimalist apartment. You don’t have to get rid of things you love or use, either!
By reducing clutter, you can save time and money and enjoy life more! As a result, you’ll find you have more time to spend on your hobbies or with your loved ones.
Let me know how you get on with setting up your minimalist apartment in the comments below! And don’t forget to follow Quiet Minimal on Instagram for more tips on minimalist living.
