Minimalism in interior design is not what you think. It’s not a clean-out-your-house party, where you toss everything but the kitchen sink. It is also not a complete wash of color. And, it most certainly does not lack charm.

So what is minimalist design? It’s the art of paring down so that you can create more efficiency within the space. Yes, it can be challenging to decide what stays and what goes. But if you focus on a few key concepts, you’ll have no trouble picking out paint colors, finding furniture or accessorizing with things like minimalist floor lamps.

Why You Will Love Minimalist Design

It’s simple.

As obvious as it may be, simplicity is the core value of minimalism, but there’s a very good reason for it. Minimalism is founded on the notion that simplicity is soothing. By ridding your home of clutter, you can instill a sense of calm. Of course, it can take time and patience to purge your belongings. But once you do, a weight will be lifted from your shoulders. You’ll feel a special kind of relief, knowing that your remaining possessions are your most prized possessions.

It’s functional.

Minimalists don’t get rid of things just for the sake of simplicity. The goal is to choose items based on how they serve you or your home. In fact, this process is what makes achieving simplicity so, well…simple. It forces you to ask some tough questions like: Do you absolutely need that chair? How many chairs does this room need in total? How many tables? Will wall art add anything or is it just for show? When everything has its purpose and place in your home, you become a much more productive human being.

It’s harmonious.

Take a moment to realize that minimalism was born from the Modernism movement. It was a response to the Industrial Revolution and the age of the machine. The consumer mindset shifted from opulence and excess to “less is more,” because people wanted their lives to run as efficiently as the factories that were being built. It was then that they realized there’s harmony in a well-orchestrated design – and they weren’t wrong. With an open floor plan and clean lines, you create a home where everything works together.

The Main Components of Minimalist Design Style

You know that minimalism is founded on simplicity. But what exactly does that mean when it comes to your home’s interior design? Here’s where we break it down to specifics:

Neutral colors

Earthy beige, gray, navy, black and – you guessed it – white are the markers of a minimalist home. These soft neutrals have a soothing effect, especially when used in a monochromatic color palette. Maintaining that neutral palette also allows other elements of your home to stand out, like a spiral staircase or stone waterfall.

Geometric shapes and straight lines

Anything complicated can become a distraction, which is the antithesis of minimalist design. So to keep things clean, designers will use squares, rectangles, circles, and polygons. These shapes are easy for the brain to process and are associated with formulaic efficiency (a nod to the Industrial Revolution). This is also why minimalist furnishings have straight lines and very little embellishment. Even hardware may be hidden from plain sight.

Smooth materials

You would be hard-pressed to find grainy wood or mosaic tile in a minimalist interior. Heavy, dramatic textures of any kind are forbidden fruit. Instead, minimalists prefer smooth finishes. The ideal material is easy on the eyes and easy to clean, which is why certain woods, natural stone, and metal are most popular. However, you will occasionally find a rugged leather chair or brick fireplace in minimalist design.

Ample lighting

Light is a major component of minimalist design because it makes a home feel more open and airy. You’ll notice it in modern modular homes with seamless, wall-to-wall windows and skylights. Of course, minimalist design must also incorporate artificial lighting, but the fixtures are few and far between. Because ceiling fixtures interrupt sightlines and clutter head space, minimalists most often rely on recessed LED lighting strips and simply designed floor lamps.

5 Floor Lamps for a Minimalist Space

Lighting does more than compliment an open floor plan. In a minimalist home, where objects are scarce and colors are muted, light literally warms up the space. Not sure where to start? These minimalist floor lamps are all proof that subtle beauty is universally charming.

1. Aerin Clarkson Reading Lamp by Visual Comfort and Co.

Find a little art and a lot of function in the Aerin Clarkson Reading Lamp. Its symmetrical shape with straight lines clearly serves as the functional piece, as does the tall, slender lamp pole. But if you look down, you’ll notice a pool of brass puddles at the base. This subtle detail adds an extra touch of charm. Position the soft-lit lamp by a reading chair, and you’ll get plenty of warm and fuzzy feelings.

2. Paddle Floor Lamp by ET2 Lighting

The Paddle Floor Lamp by ET2 Lighting will shine a light on all your minimalist design dreams. With such a simple frame and sleek black finish, you can’t go wrong. Modern minimalists will especially appreciate the LED panel head, which you can move around to fit your home’s lighting needs. Plus, the flat disc panel creates an even lighting scheme, so you have fluid, harmonious illumination throughout the space. Try it in a living room corner or next to your desk.

3. ED Ellen DeGeneres Penny Floor Lamp by Generation Lighting

With this tall, tailored fixture, you strike the right balance between a traditional drum shade and spunky, mid-century modern accessory. Even its tripod legs meet in the middle, creating a sense of equality. If this feather-light floor lamp had a mantra, it would be: all for one and one for all. It should come as no surprise that this Generation Lighting design collaboration is offered in three universally appealing finishes. Go with the polished nickel if you’re more contemporary, aged iron if you prefer contrast, and burnished brass if your home features warm neutrals.

4. Mobius Arc Lamp by Hubbardton Forge

From its round base blooms a gracefully geometric lamp shade. Even though the lines aren’t perfectly straight, this light fixture looks as pure and elegant as a calla lily – and is almost as natural. It comes with a cork shade, which is a nod to earthly elements without being overtly organic. Plant this arching floor lamp right next to your sofa and watch the casual conversations grow.

5. Doughnut Floor Lamp by Robert Abbey

The Doughnut Floor Lamp is a treat for minimalism fans. Not only is the lampshade supremely geometric, but the exaggerated corners serve a very useful function. The lamp stem is strategically cut out in a way that makes it the matching puzzle piece to your straight-edged furniture. Shimmy it up next to a chair or sofa to keep everything connected and the layout flowing.

Minimize to Maximize

Believe it or not, any design style can achieve minimalism, because it’s about the mood you set. Yes, it helps to update your furniture and tone down the color scheme. But if you aren’t also addressing the lighting in your home, you won’t get very far. By being strategic about minimalist floor lamps and their placement within your home, you’ll create a wonderfully serene sanctuary. Before you know it, your interior will be “sparking joy,” Marie Kondo style!