Low-Effort Ways To Incorporate Fresh Minimalist Decor Trends Into Your Home In 2025

Minimalist design has long been about neutral colors, open spaces, and pared-back furnishings. As the trend began to dominate and shades of greige became the norm, home designs devolved to predictable and bland. Which is, perhaps, the antithesis of 2025 design trends, which are all about color, character, and personality. Fortunately, by incorporating warmth (both in color and in lighting), texture, and character-forward pieces, you can easily bring 2025's celebrated personality styling into your home without wholly abandoning your minimalist leanings.

It may go without saying, but to embrace the minimalist philosophy, the first step is to look for common items you can get rid of in order to declutter your home. As the well known mantra goes, if it isn't essential or you don't absolutely love it, let it go. That mountain of couch pillows — especially any that are worn or damaged, for instance — don't make the cut. Bland art pieces that were added to your design exclusively to tie into the neutral color palette can be pulled out to make space for more intentional pieces. Trim back the shelf full of vases in your closet and hold onto just the ones that you use most often. Then you can start adding in your new, updated elements.

Bringing your minimalist home into the next quarter century could be as easy as adding color with a little paint and some intentional lighting. Adding browns, greens, or shades of orange to your space by painting a unique side table or pulling out an old wooden heirloom vase you normally keep tucked away will bring warmth to your space. Use a design trick to make your home feel more warm and cozy and change out your lighting. Lamps will give your space a softer vibe than overhead lights, and yellow lighting will feel warmer than blue-toned versions.

Adding texture is another easy way to update your highly-curated, minimalist space. Instead of a couch full of throw pillows, choose just one or two that you adore. Prioritize those that are heavily-textured or have an interesting pattern in a warm color. Replace a bland gray rug for a one made of rattan or a thick, knotted wool. 

Your minimalist space is now an ideally un-cluttered backdrop to highlight your favorite character-forward pieces, so pull out that unique art piece you got on your last vacation and remove everything else on the shelf. Or, use your books to add interest and vibrancy by organizing them according to the color of the spine. Update your basic cream couch with a rich leather one. Or, get furniture ideas for a minimalist-inspired home by shopping handmade and vintage items. Modern and forward-looking minimalism is still about sticking to the essentials; the key to pulling it off is to let your unique character and taste guide the design.