How do you recognise Minimalism?

Table tops and shelves almost bare; A palette of one or two tones, usually white with grey or beige; Plain seamless walls with no cladding or mouldings; Flush doors and built-ins with handles hard to spot; Very little furniture; empty floor fills most of the frame; No gallery walls; at most a single artwork.

Modern

Minimalism

Minimalist, minimal design

Less is more: keep only the essential and let light and space do the decorating.

Pure whiteWarm porcelainLime greyTaupe greyMatte black

Origin: 1960s United States, shaped by Minimal art and Japanese Zen restraint

Minimalism grew out of 1960s American Minimal art, Mies van der Rohe’s "less is more" and Japanese Zen restraint. Everything non-essential is removed so that space, light and material can be fully felt. The result is calm but unforgiving: every joint and edge shows. In Vietnam it suits mid-sized apartments and busy people with few belongings, and only works with generous concealed storage; larger families may prefer a warmer version with light timber.

Illustration drawn by HICONIQUE from the style’s palette and signature details.

Materials

Decorative plaster, microcement or matte paint for seamless walls
Large-format porcelain or stone with minimal joints
Light timber such as oak or ash, used sparingly
Flat cabinet doors in lacquer or matte acrylic
Glass and slim metal in black or white
Single-colour linen and cotton

Furniture & forms

Very few loose pieces, each with a clear purpose
Low beds and sofas in simple single volumes
Built-in storage, concealed doors and a handleless kitchen
Thin-topped tables and slim-legged chairs in one main material

Lighting

Trimless downlights and magnetic track spots
Indirect light from wall and skirting reveals
Maximum daylight through plain sheer curtains

How it differs from similar styles

Minimalism vs Modern

Minimalism keeps only the essential; modern is more relaxed about accent walls, colour and decor.

Minimalism vs Japandi

Minimalism can be cool and monochrome; Japandi is equally sparse but warmer, with timber, rattan, handmade ceramics and earth tones.

Minimalism vs Wabi-sabi

Minimalism demands flawless, crisp surfaces; wabi-sabi values rawness, imperfection and the marks of time.

Best for

Singles, young couples or families with few belongings
Apartments and studios that need to feel larger
Knowledge workers who need a calm, distraction-free space
Owners disciplined about tidying and storage

Home types

ApartmentTownhouse

Typical finishing level

Standard

Estimate building cost at this level

Common mistakes

Decluttering without enough storage, so mess returns within months
All cold white with no texture or warm light, like a clinic
Cutting corners on finishing: crooked joints and gaps show instantly in an empty room
Cheap minimal-looking pieces in poor materials that age quickly

Care & northern Vietnam climate

White walls show damp stains in the humid season, so use washable paint and run a dehumidifier in spring. Bare surfaces reveal dust, so favour matte, fingerprint-resistant finishes.

Styles in the same family

Modern

Function first: straight lines, clean planes and honestly used materials.

Modern

Contemporary

The style of now: soft, flexible, mixing curves, new materials and technology.

Modern

Modern luxury

Modern lines made luxurious by materials: natural stone, fine wood, leather, plated metal and subtle light.

Want a home in the Minimalism style?

HICONIQUE balances style with function, orientation, climate and your real budget.

Take the style quiz