Everywhere we look, a new interior style is emerging, something between bohemian, modern, and minimal. It’s on Instagram. It’s dominating our Pinterest boards. It’s even overtaking the shop.

Need a hint? Here are a few of our favorite rooms for visual impact:

Image Sources (from Left to Right): Source, Source, Source

We’re dubbing this style “modern minimalism”, a way of embracing clean design while holding onto the comfortable elements that make a house a home.

If that sounds like it would be right up your alley, this post is for you. We’re doling out our top five tips for bringing this interior style to life in your home.

5 Interiors Tips for the Modern Minimalist

Choose neutrals, then add a one pop of color

The key to nailing modern minimalism is sticking with a consistent color palette throughout your entire home to keep things cohesive and unfussy.

A great way to achieve this is through the use of warm neutrals, from cream and fawn to ivory to rich sands. These tones should set the stage in your home, grounding your large furniture pieces and foundational decorative details.

If you’re finding the neutral look a bit bland, you can choose a singular pop of color and still fit into the modern minimalist category of design. We’re partial to terracottas, mustards, warm peaches, but we’ve seen examples of sage green and bold pinks that have drawn us in as well.

Let plants do the work

Minimalism has a bad reputation for being boring or lacking character. We couldn’t disagree more. To us, minimalism is a way of keeping life simple and having our homes reflect a sense of intention in their design.

However, if you’ve gone a bit overboard and tossed out too many belongings in the request to achieve a minimalist look (or, if you’ve just moved into a new place and don’t have any belongings at all), plants can go a long way in bringing your living space back to life. Allow yourself to indulge your green thumb and adopt succulents, low-maintenance houseplants, and hanging botanicals into your home for that modern minimalist look.

Textiles with texture add depth

The main point of difference between traditional minimalism and modern minimalism is a sense of comfort and warmth vs. rigidity and frigidity. To lean into the contemporary take on this design, incorporate handmade textiles, either in the form of throw blankets or handmade pillows. You may even consider a macrame wall hanging or two.

By focusing on textiles that highlight texture, you’re adding depth to your design. Nothing about modern minimalism should be flat, and this quick tip will ensure that you keep things interesting in your home.

One statement piece > loads of generic trinkets

While a wander through a mass retailer can convince us that we absolutely need five new knick knacks to make our built-ins or bookshelves feel complete (don’t worry, we’ve been there too), the truth is that less is more.

Intentionality is the name of the game in modern minimalism, and in this case the message is as clear as day: you don’t need as much as you think you do. What you do need, are fewer items with greater impact.

When you take the time to scour a flea market or peruse a shop dedicated to small business owners, you’ll find that the items you end up purchasing hold special meaning, are unlike anything you’d find in anyone else’s home, and make a bigger design statement than anything you could find at the mall.

When in doubt, add a vintage item

If you’ve followed the steps above, and you just can’t seem to get your design right, look for an opportunity to add a vintage item into the mix. Whether you can include a thrifted rattan chair, a unique set of glasses that have been passed down for generations, or an elegant grouping of brass candlesticks into your home, you’ll have added the necessary amount of character to achieve the style you’re going for.

Interior design can be intimidating, but the best place to start is by seeking out inspiration. Use resources like Pinterest, Instagram, and Dune’s own blog to determine what you do and don’t like about modern minimalism, then follow the tips above to make your home uniquely yours.

We’d love to see what you come up with, so be sure to tag us in any photos that you post! Happy designing!