In recent years, minimalism has skyrocketed in popularity, with homeowners swapping out unnecessary frills with clean lines, pared-down silhouettes, and a concise colour palette. This decorating style has been especially well-received by those with compact homes; if you live in an HDB flat or a condominium unit, you might understand the importance of reducing visual clutter and prioritising quality over quantity.
One critical element in minimalist interior design is lighting: good lighting helps illuminate your home in an elegant and understated way, highlighting its clean lines and openness and showcasing a harmonious, modern appearance.
In this article, we will explore how you can create a minimalist home with well-designed lighting.
Lighting In Minimalist Interiors
The minimalist interior design prioritises functionality, simplicity, and airiness. Therefore, it requires an abundance of light; if there is too little light, your room may appear enclosed or cramped. When light is spread around, the space automatically opens up.
Importantly, there should be sufficient natural light entering your home during the day, as sunlight makes a space look more zen and breathable. Therefore, you should maximise natural light with large windows, glass walls, and skylights.
As natural light is not always available, it is also essential to bring in artificial light. We recommend that you choose bulbs that mimic sunlight; LED lighting is the ideal choice: it provides illumination that resembles natural light and is more cost-effective, energy-efficient, and long-lasting than traditional bulbs.
Lighting Fixtures
In minimalism, less is more. As the design style emphasises monochrome colours and muted forms, your lighting fixtures should be similarly scaled down. Avoid elaborate, flashy, and chunky lighting fixtures. Instead, opt for something with clean lines and neutral or monochromatic colours.
This is not to say you cannot install an aesthetically pleasing lighting fixture. For example, simple, minimalist pendant lights can increase the functionality of a room while creating a sense of elegance. Consider installing them as task lighting for home offices and kitchen islands.
Another type of lighting to consider is adjustable lights that can spotlight different features or areas at different times. This contributes to the idea that “less is more”: you can illuminate various areas without adding extra fixtures. Ceiling spotlights, track lights, and wall sconces are great examples of versatile lighting that address your unique needs.
Strategic Design and Arrangement
When it comes to minimalist interior design, intention is critical. If arranged without a clear purpose, your lights may look out of place or become unnecessary visual clutter.
One way to strategically position your lights is to consider the three lighting layers; a well-designed space should include ambient, task, and accent lighting.
It is also important to consider the purpose of the room, as this will affect your choice of fixture and colour temperature. For example, warmer light sources in a minimalist design lend a sense of cosiness, whereas neutral and daylight bulbs are better suited for ambient and task lighting.
Conclusion
In a space-scarce Singapore, minimalism is both a deliberate design style and a necessity. However, going minimalistic can be challenging. Therefore, it helps to learn how to emulate the style by experimenting with lighting.
At TLUX, we offer various LED lights perfect for your minimalist home. If you want to buy LED strips, LED track lighting, or a lighting package for your landed, condo, or BTO properties, browse our selection or visit our showroom today!