Relaxed Minimalism: Creating Space for Calm and Comfort
Minimalism often gets mistaken for bare white walls, empty shelves, industrial designed homes, and rigid rules. But at its heart, minimalism isn’t about having less for the sake of less—it’s about making room for more of what truly matters.
For many of us, life feels noisy. Our homes are filled with objects, our calendars overflow, and our minds rarely get a chance to rest. Minimalism offers a softer way. It asks: What would life feel like if I let go of what weighs me down and held on to only what feels nourishing?
There was quite a movement towards minimalism during 2020. I think this was largely due to how many of us were stuck at home and being surrounded by clutter and the noise of the objects around us. This shift made us realize that owning too much stuff can affect our lives in a negative manner.
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo came out in 2019,which had us all asking if anything we owned “sparked joy”. The Minimalists had a documentary come out in 2015 and again in 2021 showcasing their extreme minimalism lifestyles. I had a season of life where I deep dived into this minimalism content due to curiosity of the hype of this type of lifestyle. I honestly learned so much from what I researched and implemented most of it into my life. I also learned just how extreme it can be and how a concept or idea can control your decision making. I ended up finding a happy medium. Turns out, someone already created the perfect name and called it relaxed minimalism.
What is Minimalism?
Leo Babauta’s definition of Minimalism is: “It’s a way to escape the excesses of the world around us — the excesses of consumerism, material possessions, clutter, having too much to do, too much debt, too many distractions, too much noise. But too little meaning. Minimalism is a way of eschewing the non-essential in order to focus on what’s truly important, what gives our lives meaning, what gives us joy and value”.
The Minimalists’ elevator pitch: “Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution”.
You can define it every which way like most things in life. The simple version: Minimalism is living with less so you can experience life more.
What minimalism isn’t
Minimalism isn’t owning 100 things or less, living in an empty apartment, or owning one pair of pants. It’s important to soften the edges around this word. Minimalism doesn’t mean:
Depriving yourself of comfort.
Getting rid of everything sentimental.
Living in stark, colorless spaces.
Rather, minimalism can hold onto coziness, color, and personal touches—it focuses on what truly adds value to your life and removes some of the rest.
Minimalism and coziness can coexist
Many people think minimalism and coziness are opposites—but they’re not. This is where minimalism meets hygge (pronounced “hooga”). Hygge is a Danish word used to describe the coziness of the home, a calm atmosphere, and warmth in design. According to Denmark who originated the word back around 1800, “hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about - or even by yourself - to relax and enjoy life's quieter pleasures”.
Hygge and minimalism can coexist to create the serenity and calmness of relaxed minimalism. A candle on a cleared table becomes more special because it’s the one glowing point of light. A single beloved blanket draped across the sofa feels more comforting than a pile of things that never get used. Relaxed minimalism clears the stage so warmth, texture, and meaning can shine.
I found the term relaxed minimalism in an article by BBC stating that it was the happy medium between minimalism and maximalism. “We're now witnessing a return to more restrained, uncluttered interiors – but with a more relaxed, comfortable feel” (Dominic Lutyens, BBC).
Warmth through texture, colors, keepsakes, antiques, and patterns with the simple organized and less cluttered mindset of minimalism. Cozy and simple is relaxed minimalism at its core.
Small ways to begin
Relaxed minimalism doesn’t have to happen overnight. You can step into it slowly:
One drawer at a time. Start with a single surface or corner and let it breathe.
Follow joy. Keep what you love, what feels useful, what makes you exhale. Release some things that don’t have a purpose without guilt.
Create open space. Leave a shelf half-empty or a wall blank on purpose. Notice how calming it feels.
Add simple. Find a multifunctional item to replace multiples of what you already have. It’s not always about subtracting, but simplifying.
Play with texture. Include interest through soft blankets, textured plaster art on the walls, or embroidered lamp shades.
Showcase YOU. Find your style by identifying your favorite items in your home. What do they all have in common- start there.
A gentler rhythm of living
Minimalism is less about rules and more about rhythm. It’s choosing not to rush into filling every corner. It’s slowing down to ask, Do I need this? Do I love this? Does this bring peace? When your home is lighter, your mind feels lighter too. And when your surroundings support rest and presence, you give yourself permission to live more slowly, more intentionally, more fully. All while allowing yourself to create a home that is cozy, calm, and comfortable with the warmth you give it.
A gentle reminder
Minimalism isn’t about emptiness—it’s about fullness. Fullness of breath, of space, of time for what you love most. By letting go of the extra, you create a home that becomes not just a place to live, but a soft, steady anchor in your daily life. Relaxed minimalism, if you will.
With Warmth,
Teresa
The Healing Homebody
