Minimalism Prevents Creativity

The space that surrounds us always influences the quality of our thoughts and ideas. The philosophy of “less is more” is meant to bring out the most purpose and meaning in ourselves and our environment by removing distractions and clutter in our lives. Minimalistic interior design is based off that philosophy. This style of interior design carries a modernist and elegant feel as seen in the layout of the room and the color palette. Its purpose is to increase focus and organization in the people who work in it, but can it negatively impact our creativity? Absolutely. Key identifiers in this aesthetic can be open spaces around simple furniture and very calming colors. According to Dr Mahmoud in Minimalism as concept in interior architecture design, “Minimalist living is really just a starting point for authentic living. We need open spaces – blank canvases – upon which we can occupy ourselves more deeply with the art of living.” These “blank canvases” are meant to strip our environments of distractions and focus on the raw simplicity around us, not allowing for any self-expression or an engaging environment.

Interior design includes many different aspects of a room. In a minimalistic layout, there is very little furniture and a lot of open space. The furniture also must have a very simple design that uses natural materials in a very muted, neutral color palette. These natural materials also have a very sleek and smooth feel, excluding any patterns or a variety of textures. Whatever makes up the room also has the form in the shape it’s in. Minimalist design requires straight lines to promote organization as well. All of these unique characteristics come together to create a functional, harmonious environment designed ideally for dedicated focus and intention. 

Starting with the composition of the room, there must be open and plentiful space around the little furniture it contains for it to be considered minimalistic. For example, a bedroom might consist of just a dresser, bed, nightstand, and perhaps a bench depending on how large the room is.  These would also be very simple and elegant, nothing too personalized. If this room also was used as an office, a small desk and chair would be adequate as well, but in a smaller room it would start to get a bit crowded. While it is not just simply about the furniture, it is about what it does for us. While the furniture is essential, it does nothing for our creativity. Creativity comes from what inspires us, and there’s nothing inspirational about this simple furniture. Art, music, personal interests and things we enjoy doing, these create the personality in a room and spark creativity. If someone were interested in art for example, the optimal room for creative thinking would include perhaps and art table or even just some supplies and artwork hung on the wall. The same would go for music, except there would be instruments or even just some manuscript paper. Even if someone didn’t have any personal interests, anything considered inspirational to them would be more conducive to creativity than nothing at all. 

There are specific materials used in minimalistic designs that define its modernist environment. These may include but are not limited to wood, glass, metal, and stone that are all sleek and smooth to the touch. These quality materials create a harmonious environment that aren’t distracting or call much attention. While it is not just the type of furniture or the material it’s made from, but also the shape and form it brings. Minimalistic furniture usually includes firm straight lines that provide a sense of order and safety which is very beneficial to a focused environment. The architecture and furniture don’t have to be chaotic to inspire creativity, but repeated straight lines are not conducive to creativity at all. Assistant Professor at Interior Design and Furniture, Hala Mohsen Mahmoud, says “Free form uses the irregular lines and the curved lines to create a new language in design by new formations that do not belong to the recognized standard rules of design.” This free form on the other hand demands more complex thinking and breaks boundaries of the space that confines us. It allows greater expansion of thinking with its uniqueness and unpredictability.

Colors theory connects the colors that we see around us and how they make us feel. The purposeful use of this color psychology can be seen in the feeling of serenity, cleanliness, and openness in a minimalistic environment. These neutral tones are all used cohesively to create a harmonious environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. These colors allow for peace of mind but aren’t very stimulative to get those creative juices flowing. They don’t allow for flexibility, constricting the person to keep their thoughts focused and not veer off to take risks and come up with unusual ideas. These neutral tones don’t inspire boldness as vibrant and distinctive tones would as seen in the images below. The distinct pattern and form of the ceiling in the first picture inspires ingenuity, not like your traditional ceiling which can be seen in the second image. The first image also includes wood plank floors that adds texture while in the second it seems to just be tile. This shows how much of a difference a minimalistic environment can make in a creative setting. 

References

Mahmoud, H. M. (2023). (PDF) form and structure in Interior Architecture. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328256439_Form_and_Structure_in_Interior_Architecture 

Mahmoud, Dr. H.-T. H. (n.d.). Minimalism as concept in interior architecture design Case study North coast villa. https://jsos.journals.ekb.eg/article_225753_b862f35afd09da34e21df0f09c701d79.pdf