Is Less More? Minimalist Interior Design
Less is more, according to some – including lovers of minimalist design. With negative space, simplicity, and limited use of colour counted among its essential design principles, minimalism is “not everyone’s cup of tea”, as architect William Chan of Spacedge put it. Yet for those like Chan’s client –who prioritise structure, cleanliness, and functionality over eclecticisms or creature comforts – minimalism is a great model for creating a practical, stylish space. The upsides of minimalist interior design, particularly in the context of small spaces, include enhanced sense of spaciousness, cohesiveness, and basic utility; minimalist homes can also be easier to maintain due to the clean lines and general lack of things.
And while they may “present as simple”, as architect Nicholas Gurney pointed out, “a great deal of attention goes into getting all the details right”. Here are five of the most minimalist homes ever to have been featured on Never Too Small and some the incredible details that make them just right:
Alex, 47sqm/506 sqft, Singapore, Spacedge
Designed by William Chan of Spacedge, Alex is a 47sqm/506 sqft apartment that shows off a truly bespoke approach to minimalist living. Starting with an essentially blank layout, Chan carefully designated functional zones for work, sleeping, cooking, bathing, and even lego-building – all perfectly suited to his client’s day-to-day life. The spartan and geometric interiors are characterised by white-painted surfaces, wood laminate, and micro-concrete, with a minimal colour accent introduced through a striking blue light tube and a fluorescent orange “coin bank”. The kitchen is elegantly concealed behind custom cabinetry, with invisible hinges that maintain a clean aesthetic. Even the chosen chair, EUGENE by e15, was selected for its strong visual impact, reinforcing the importance of each element in the design. Watch Alex.
Micro Apartment Friedrichshain, 36sqm/388sqft, Berlin, Architect Paola Bagna
Architect Paola Bagna designed this 36sqm/388sqft micro apartment in Berlin’s trendy Friedrichshain neighbourhood, merging Japanese influences with modern minimalism like the furniture of American artist Donald Judd. The client had a vision for the space to be constructed from all the same materials but in different finishes to add a cohesive thread throughout the apartment, enhancing its minimalist charm. The L-shaped kitchen in the centre of the home was finished in all-black to provide a clean look and nice contrast to the lighter living space surrounding it. The sleeping area to the back corner is cleverly tucked away behind Shoji-inspired curtains and rests above a platform that provides a great hidden storage solution – keeping clutter to a minimum. Watch Micro Apartment Friedrichshain.
Room Langsuan, Bangkok, 47sqm/506sqft, OPH Architects
Nestled behind Lumpini Park in Bangkok, Room Langsuan is a 47sqm/506sqft apartment designed by OPH Architects’s Pilin Hongwittayakorn. This Japandi-style space was intentionally left very simple to serve as a clean backdrop for the client’s collection of designer furniture and artworks. The design follows a Scandinavian palette, with pale timber details and white walls as well as an ultra-matte white laminate kitchen that blends seamlessly into the walls. (A feature that is supported by the hidden appliances and discrete pulls on the cupboard doors). The bathroom is monochromatic, cloaked in matte black floor-to-ceiling tiles. Hongwittayakorn used two differently-sized tiles in the same shade to create an illusion of depth and partition each bathing section. Watch Room Langsuan.
Tara, 30sqm/323sqft, Sydney, Nicholas Gurney
Nicholas Gurney’s Tara design transforms a 30sqm/323sqft space into an open, fluid environment through the strategic placement of functional storage and furniture. The design shifts the bulk of the apartment to perimeter walls, enabling the central area to remain open and the apartment to feel more spacious as a result. The multifunctional wall unit, finished in white surfaces and metal cladding, incorporates a four-seat sofa and a fold-down bed as well as all storage . The contemporary materials and concealed details – like push-touch kitchen doors – underscore Gurney’s commitment to carefully thought out minimalist elegance. Watch Tara.
Lycabettus Hill Studio, 40sqm/430sqft, Athens, SOUTH architecture
In the heart of Athens, SOUTH architecture turned a dark 40sqm/430sqft half-underground storage space into a modern, architectural home defined by its clean lines, arched doorways, circular interior “window”, and subtle Mediterranean decor: “We are always looking for this kind of Greek-ness in our project”, explained architect Chrysostomos Theodoropolous. An idea architect Eleni Livani reinforced: “We wanted to make something new and contemporary, “but at the same time we took into account the surrounding local conditions”. This thoughtful design not only maximises space and flow of natural light but also infuses character – making the studio both inviting and functional. Watch Lycabettus Hill Studio.
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