A fusion of minimalism and luxury, this design trend blends timeless sophistication and simplicity to create spaces that are as functional as they are fabulous.
Remember when Kim Kardashian first showed off her multibillion-dollar house in all its pristine perfection, as if nobody lived there? That was minimalism to the extreme. Minimaluxe may sound similar, but this on-trend style is much warmer and more lived in, with a clear emphasis on functionality and accentuating your belongings.
It’s all about showing effortless simplicity, and using a careful curation of objects, light, colours and natural materials to create a mindful space, says interior designer Susanne Brodnik of My Place in Cape Town. “The fusion of two design trends – minimalism and luxury – results in a timeless style of both simplicity and sophistication that combines form and function,” she says.
An easy feat
The minimalist movement may seem too daunting for some, but minimaluxe eschews the overcomplicated process of creating the ‘perfect’ simplicity, in favour of one that creates a calmer sense of self.
It’s simple: Use what you have. While the trend has rules – neutral colours, clean lines, uncluttered spaces, abundant light, high-end materials and luxurious finishes – these rules can be broken. A key feature of minimaluxe is enhancing your space by focusing on all the things that bring out the best in you. As with the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy, there is beauty in imperfection – in the grain of every wooden furniture item and every thread of draped linen.
Susanne encourages the idea of living in a home that is filled with objects that improve your lifestyle, as it can automatically raise your quality of life. A good motto for minimaluxe fans is ‘sophisticated, yet comfortable’. Use the elements that suit your style best, with extra touches that appeal to you beyond aesthetics: plants, ceramics, simple artworks, dressings and finishes that add the va-va to your voom. What brings you joy? What calms you? Find these things and let them find their place.
After Covid-19, we rethought our need for ‘stuff’, instead opting for more economically sourced materials, sustainable produce as well as more locally sourced items. “There’s a change in the thought process, to slow down and focus on what’s most important,” says Susanne. “It makes sense to live in a home that can calm, uplift and refuel us.”
But how? The first step to help you achieve your perfect minimaluxe look is to declutter – but that doesn’t mean you have to be ruthless about it. Susanne emphasises feeling over anything: You know your home and what will work best with what you have. “The key is brushing away all unnecessary items until the essence of your being is left,” she says.
You don’t need to live in an echoey, spacious dream-house – neither should you aim to transform your home to ‘fit’ the aesthetic. With the careful selection of materials, textures, light, colours and contrast, you can achieve a home that brings you peace without stressing about how to get to that point. Choose colours that bring a sense of tranquillity – indigo blue, greens and teals have been popular, advises Susanne.
What are you really ‘feeling’?
Minimaluxe invites contrast between shape, texture and light. Pair organic designs, rich textures as well as high-quality materials with natural ambient light to reflect the tranquillity of the space. Slubby linen or bouclé furniture, accompanied by wood or stone tables and chairs, adds a sense of simple luxury that can be enhanced with hints of metal (think door handles, bronze-painted statuettes, book ends and other metallic finishes).
Using high-end materials adds the ‘luxe’ to your space, ensuring that your items last and won’t require too much maintenance. Materials such as leather and crypton have long lifespans when used in the right space – you don’t want to place a leather-upholstered couch under harsh sunlight, but if it’s unavoidable, be sure to use curtains or blinds to shield your precious fabric.
To add opulence, dress your windows with whisps of sheer fabric that allows the light to play in the room – especially when combined with hard stone or wooden items with soft edges. Playing with natural light and accentuating curves in your architecture – such as arches – will help emphasise comfort and happiness in your space.
Quality over quantity
Finally, a minimaluxe home should be low-maintenance and stress-free. Susanne has come up with one simple rule for this: keeping things where they belong. “Minimaluxe prioritises quality materials and craftsmanship over an abundance of items. Each object should be chosen with care, focusing on its longevity, sustainability and the sense of luxury it adds to the space,” she says.
Susanne recommends choosing furniture and decor that will enhance the existing space and feel of your home – think hand-crafted ceramics, free-standing bookshelves and multifunctional pieces such as storage ottomans or multipurpose tables.
If you’re on the fence about how to go about removing items that don’t enhance your space, Susanne has the following advice, which should help you to enjoy the process a little more: “I love making good use of my unwanted items, from charities to gifting or selling them. Let the things find a new home in the most sustainable way!”
Words by: Saadiqah Schroeder
Photography: Future Content Hub
