The principle of "less is more" isn't just a feature of many designs. The homes of trendsetters on Instagram and Solebich are also exercises in stylish simplicity. Minimalism seems to be the secret to tasteful living. We'll show you how these interior role models turn even small flats into models of order – and how they keep them that way.
You can't find your favourite shirt in the wardrobe, the thought of the spare room – which has become more of a storeroom than a study – fills you with dread, and because of all the paperwork on your desk, you've moved your workspace to the dining room. The average home looks nothing like the photos on Instagram and the like. Yet getting organised can be so simple!
With these tips, creating and keeping order will be easy:
- Decluttering sets you free – the basket method
- Showcase your favourite things
- Make use of nooks – with modular shelving
- Cleverly store everyday odds and ends
- Multifunctional furniture – order included
Decluttering sets you free – the basket method
We humans tend to collect things. We don't like parting with them, we attach emotional value to them, or we think we might need them again one day. Many things we bought at some point because they were on offer or part of a trend that has long since passed. Do you ever walk through your home and ask yourself: do I really need this? This perspective helps you tell the difference between clutter and belongings you genuinely love.
Take a basket and go from room to room, putting in everything you don't really like, don't need and that takes up space in your home.
Showcase your favourite things
Even if fewer possessions mean less chaos, nobody has to throw away their model car collection if it means a lot to them. It's about identifying the things that make you happy. Give them a place where you can see them – for example in harmoniously arranged picture frames or stylish display cabinets. That way you not only enjoy them but also keep track of what you own.
Make use of nooks – with modular shelving
Some homes are very small or simply have an awkward layout. But clothes, books and all of life's other things still need a place. This is where the many small nooks in your home come in: behind the door, under sloping ceilings, between pieces of furniture. In older buildings with high ceilings, the space above the door is ideal for a wall-mounted shelf.
Modular shelving systems can be configured individually. Manufacturers such as String, Tojo, Muuto and many others know how to develop modular systems that meet a wide range of spatial needs. Simply put your shelving together with elements in different sizes and colours – with or without doors for a tidier look.
Cleverly store everyday odds and ends
Once books, magazines, files and the like have been put away, there are still all the small things that are absolutely necessary but regularly drive us to despair when it comes to tidiness: kitchen utensils, office accessories, bathroom accessories and many other small essentials. Organise them in storage boxes!
There's an incredible variety of caskets, boxes and baskets: made of wood, glass, plastic, felt or paper, in all sorts of colours – plain or patterned – and in countless shapes. Choose boxes that blend harmoniously into your home – this alone creates a sense of order. In the bathroom, choose a material that can cope with humidity. In the kitchen, go for containers and boxes that are easy to clean. In the office, you have more freedom. A storage box with a lid keeps its contents completely out of sight. Many boxes are decorative accessories in their own right and a lovely addition to your décor.
Multifunctional furniture – order included
Designers around the world have taken on the challenges of small homes. The result is multifunctional furniture. Many secretary desks, sofas, tables and stools no longer serve just one purpose – they can be used in many ways. The A Line storage bench from Form & Refine can be used for storage and as seating. The Hockenheimer Magazin is a magazine rack and stool in one. And the Buddy lamp from Northern Lighting also doubles as a pen holder.
Why not live a little more minimally too? Consciously do without things to make room for what really matters. And give all your other belongings a permanent place in beautiful storage solutions.
