10 Tips for Creating a Minimalist Bedroom

So, you’re ready to begin designing the magazine-worthy minimalist bedroom of your dreams… but you’re not quite sure where to begin. Or, you’re concerned that, in order to cultivate a minimalist-inspired modern bedroom feel, you’re going to have to spend a small fortune.

The truth is, though, creating a minimalist bedroom doesn’t have to be expensive, or time-consuming, or look like something out of Dwell magazine. Through some careful organizing and strategizing (and possibly looking to a Pinterest board or two for inspiration), you can create a simpler ambiance and aesthetic in your bedroom in no time at all – without spending buckets of cash!

Here are our top ten tips for creating a minimalist bedroom.

1. Get Rid of Your Junk

Seriously though, it’s time for your junk to go! Carefully rummage through your bedroom belongings and put away anything that doesn’t positively make your heart SING. This goes for photos, random wall hangings, collectible items and anything of the like. Keep in mind that by clearing away your bedroom debris, you’re just making space for the things that truly matter.

2. Remember That Minimalism Isn’t About Creating A Cold, Threadbare Space

Minimalism is about editing, pure and simple – editing your knick-knack selection, editing your wardrobe, and really just paring down the excess stuff. It’s about simplifying your surroundings, and by extension, your life. What it isn’t about, though, is creating some sort of prison-esque room with a single mattress on the floor.

When crafting your perfect minimalist bedroom, you shouldn’t be sacrificing warmth or coziness by getting rid of virtually all your belongings. Remember that you’re simply in the midst of an editing process! Your bedroom is truly one of the most important rooms in your home, and it should look and feel like a place where you want to spend a lot of your time (because you do!) – not like a jail cell.

3. Pick Out A Simple Bedframe… or Go Frame-less

Picking out the right bedframe for the particular minimalist feel you’re going for will make all the difference in the world – since your bed is essentially the focal point of your bedroom, the perfect minimalist bedframe will really set the tone for the whole room’s atmosphere. A metal bedframe, box spring, or platform bed are all great choices for a minimalist bed – any of these would serve as a terrific jumping-off point for the rest of your décor.

4. Purchase Neutral-Colored Bedding

Neutralized tones (think soft beiges, creamy whites, or pale greys) are the gateway to achieving a true minimalist feel in your bedroom. Remember, it’s all about getting back to basics – too many clashing, crazily-colored patterns won’t give you the Zen vibe that you’re after. Plus, by dousing your bedroom in a neutral palette, you’ll be able to add in splashes of an accent color later on.

5. In Fact, Purchase Neutral-Colored Everything

No, we’re not advocating for sprinting to West Elm to spend an arm and a leg on a multitude of khaki-colored throw pillows (going minimal is decidedly NOT about breaking the bank) – but, when you do elect to buy a new piece for your bedroom, make sure that it fits in with whatever neutral color scheme you’ve decided on. Once again, color clashes will only ruin the aesthetic you’re working so hard to curate!

6. Bring in the Natural Light

Lighting in a minimalist bedroom is almost an accessory all on its own – in a room with the least amount of furniture possible, lighting can make a huge difference. If you have the option, clear away your curtains (unless they’re sheer) and bring in a big swath of natural light to your bedroom. This will help to make the room feel more open, modern, and altogether more minimal.

7. Hang ONE Piece of Artwork You Love

The idea that we need to cover every bare inch of our walls with photos or paintings in order for a room to feel “complete” just isn’t part of the minimalist ideal or aesthetic. Whether you’ve built up a mini art collection or simply aspire to do so, try to select a single piece of artwork that you cherish wholeheartedly and would enjoy seeing every time you walked into your bedroom.

Now, don’t ruin the affect by putting anything else on the walls! Just as the bed in a minimalist bedroom acts as the focal point of the entire room, so does what’s hanging above it.

8. Add a Pop of Green in the Form of a Plant

A well-placed plant in a minimalist bedroom is a fun, simple and earthy touch – this is a great way to add a pop of color to a neutralized room! Just make sure that your plant doesn’t crowd your artwork, or vice versa.

For a modern-looking houseplant that’s also easy to care for, try a rubber plant, a philodendron, a fiddle leaf fig, or (our personal fave) a string of pearls from a hanging basket. A bouquet of brightly-colored, freshly-picked flowers would also do the trick quite nicely – just be sure they’re in a neutral-toned vase or clear jar.

9. Try to Get Down to a Single Dresser or Chest of Drawers

There’s nothing like a couple clunky chests of drawers to put a damper on your minimalist-chic visual. If you can manage, getting by on a single dresser or set of drawers will help to keep your bedroom looking as decluttered as possible. If you’re not able to do this, try to keep your dressers as far away from the bed as possible – you want the space around your bed to be simplistic and clutter-free.

10. Use One Shelf for Carefully-Chosen Mementos, Photos & Books

Pick one shelf and stick to it! If you’re the type of person that likes to have keepsakes and certain sentimental items in plain sight, you don’t need to give this up on your quest to minimalism – you do, however, need to ensure that it all stays relegated to a single shelf.