How A Minimalist Interior Can Make Your Life Better.

Keeping a clean and tidy home is never easy for college students. There are just always other priorities in life such as going to class and hanging out with friends, doing laundry before your clothes run out is already more than enough to do. The only time most of us really clean is when we know we have family visiting the next day, but did you know that having a cluttered home can actually increase your stress levels? You’d be surprised at how much emerging research shows that your home can drastically affect your mood and even make you sick. I know, it sounds crazy, but it really makes sense if you think about it since your home is supposed to be your private escape, a place to unwind, your sanctuary.

You may not realise it but walking through the door after a long day and coming home to piles of laundry, dishes, and clutter everywhere subconsciously makes you anxious and takes away your attention and focus that could have been better directed at your school work or personal life. Not to mention all the knickknacks you hoard around are probably collecting dust and allergens. Have you heard the term, “Less is more”? Having a minimalist interior not only makes your place look good but it reduces clutter, creates peace of mind, and saves you money! With fewer places for clutter to hide, the less of it collects and less stuff equals more money.

Here are nine things that can make your interior more minimalistic:

At some point of the day, you’re bound to check yourself out in the mirror. This Distressed Brass Wall Mirror is simple enough to complement any room without taking up too much wall space. The brass chains make it look like a decorative piece that gives your home style but is functional at the same time. At some point of the day, you’re also going to check the time. I love this Raised Marker 13” Wall Clock not only because the brass finish goes well with the mirror, but because the all-white face and simplicity of the of the clock design gives the room a clean and minimalistic touch.

I believe candles are a must for every home whether minimalistic or not. The soft illumination helps us calm down and incites our bodies to relax, because of our associations with candlelight. They are scientifically proven to soothe us. Scented candles give us even more benefits because we all have our trigger scents; the scents that make us feel good or scents that remind us of unpleasant moments. Choosing a scent you find relaxing, or a scent known for its aromatherapy, can enhance your mood and make your home scent-sational. This 3-Wick Jar Candle Cashmere Plum is a mix of spice and citrus scents, great for relieving anxiety when you’re stressed out and helps you overcome fatigue. The jar also gives your room a little personality without taking too much attention.

Plants are another thing I believe every home should have because it makes your place look alive and has healing properties. Research shows that adding plants to hospital rooms speeds up recovery rates of patients, and patients with plants in their rooms request less plain medication, have lower blood pressure, and are discharged from the hospital sooner. This Artificial Succulent in White Pot Small is a perfect little addition to brighten up any space and you don’t ever have to worry about forgetting to water it!

Having a minimalistic interior doesn’t mean you can’t have any décor items that make your room personalised. It’s important to keep some keepsake around to help you feel grounded and satisfied. After all, photos of cherished loved ones and having your favourite books around make you happy and having a place that is too sterile may do the opposite effect you want and cause feelings of sadness and emptiness. This Crowd Photo Display can hold your favourite photos, notes, or mementos in a casual non-committal way, paired with this hand-carved Selenite Bookend to keep all your reading material in place.

Who says you can’t make dirty laundry look flattering? This Extra Large Round Wire Storage Bin will air out your dirty laundry as well as store it in a stylish way. It’s the perfect size because its large enough to accumulate your laundry but small enough prompt you to do laundry every week.

The last minimalist hack is simplicity and symmetry. Our brains have a very positive reaction to symmetry which is why the Danya B Contemporary 2-Level Shelving System is another favourite wall piece of mine. It can hold up to 40 pounds and because it only has 2 shelves, it forces you to think about what you really need and what you don’t. The Loring Writing Desk is not only simple and symmetrical but there is a little compartment at the top end of the table that opens to two USB ports and two charging outlets. Practical and sleek.

You might have noticed that the colour of all the items are quite neutral and that chosen by design. Colour is another factor that can affect your mood, neutral and simplistic rooms allow our brains to process the room as a whole, without causing our eyes to scatter around random colours and clutter. So next time you’re looking at new furniture or home décor, remember that scent, plants, keepsakes, symmetry, and neutral colours play an impact. If that’s too much to remember than at least remember: Less is more.