After years of saving, you’ve finally purchased a beautiful summer home. In addition to looking forward to spending long and lazy weekends there with friends and family, you also cannot wait to start decorating it.
Instead of filling your new vacation home with hand-me-downs from your house and/or a kitschy-yet-cute nautical theme, you want to adopt a sleek and stylish minimalist approach for your new summer abode.
Consider the following ideas to create the look you desire for your vacation getaway:
1. Keep the Clutter to a Minimum
The first step toward achieving a minimalist look in your home is to reduce the overall number of items, or at the very least, make it appear like you do. Keep only necessary items on display and put everything else away.
For instance, on the coffee table, keep the remote control, the book you’re reading and a small container of stylish coasters. If you can, find furniture that will serve two purposes. In that vein, opt for ottomans that double as storage boxes and use them to hold magazines and throws for the couch.
2. Go for Simpler Furniture, Not Busy Designs
Another great way to achieve the minimalist look in your summer home is by purchasing furniture that has sleek lines and nominal adornments. For example, in the master and/or guest rooms, this Madera weathered walnut bed, dresser, mirror and nightstand set from Jerome’s Furniture is a perfect choice.
The pieces feature a rustic wooden plank design that’s simple yet stylish, along with roomy drawers for plenty of storage. Plus, the weathered walnut with metal hardware accents looks clean and classic rather than fussy and formal.
As a bonus, when choosing bedding for the rooms, go for neutral and monochromatic choices in classic fabrics. For example, 100 percent light gray, organic cotton sheets with a slightly darker gray comforter will offer both a minimalist and amazing look.
3. Resist the Urge to Fill Every Space
As you decorate your new summer home, you might be tempted to put an overstuffed chair in that empty corner of the living room or a tall potted plant in a nook in the family room. However, experts say empty space is an important part of minimalist décor, so resist the need to fill every wall and corner with furniture and knickknacks.
Unfilled space also helps to minimize distractions and achieve the uncluttered look you want. If you do want to add in an accent piece on a large bare wall, choose floating shelves with a few family photos on them instead of a huge bookcase or entertainment unit.
4. Let There Be Light
The ultimate minimalist home will have uncovered windows. Depending on where your summer abode is located and your proximity to the neighbors, you might be able to pull off this look.
But for privacy’s sake, you can always choose sleek wooden mini blinds that can be pulled up during the day or a sheer fabric for curtains. If you can, stay away from heavy drapes with fancy curtain rods and finials; like the rest of the house, window dressings should follow the less-is-more approach.
Enjoy Your New Home!
You’ve worked hard for your new summer home. Now, thanks to a minimalist approach to furnishings and style, you can really enjoy your vacation casa.
Rather than spend hours dusting and cleaning knickknacks and caring for your many items, this approach to decorating will help you relax, unwind and spend quality time with the people you love.
Alec Neufeld is a retired builder, now freelance writer and part-time general fix it man. He has strong opinions on the use of alternate energy and is also an avid sports enthusiast.
