Minimalism: How the reduced style revolutionized our aesthetics and our lifestyle

You have surely also come across the clean and minimalist apartments in furniture advertisements, interior design magazines or on Instagram influencers, which are furnished with simple but elegant furniture.

But is that really all you think of when you think of minimalism ? Postmodern minimalism is actually not just an architectural and design trend that has taken over social media. It is an art form , an aesthetic imperative in modern art , as well as a lifestyle , a social orientation , and an expression of beliefs about society and the world .

One could also speak philosophical approach Sometimes it's limited to specific aspects of everyday life, while for others it's a holistic and coherent philosophy of life. Minimalism has become a global supertrend, but the question remains: how realistic and practical is it for each of us?

Can everyone practice minimalism, or is there more to it? Is minimalism as selfless and sustainable as it seems? In this article, we will examine whether less truly is more, as proclaimed by minimalist philosophy, or whether this is merely a facade. We will uncover the truth about minimalism and find out if this lifestyle is truly suitable for everyone.

If you are interested in minimalism, then you've come to the right place!

Minimalism as a revolutionary movement

Imagine a scene: snow-white furniture against a pristine, clean, and unadorned wall. A meticulously polished wooden floor, upon which only the most essential Scandinavian-style is placed. A harmonious, inviting overall impression. No other interior design style has conquered social media as explosively as minimalism.

However, there is much more to the elegant and seductive design concept. An entire social attitude and mode of expression are manifested behind the impressively staged interiors.

Introduction to Minimalism

Minimalism is a philosophy of life that aims to reduce the essentials and focus on what truly matters. It's about freeing oneself from excess baggage and living a simpler life.

Minimalism as a philosophy of life arose as a kind of counter-movement to the consumerism and materialism of today's society. It is based on the realization that a life with only the absolutely necessary material possessions can liberate a person, make them happier, and generally more content. The idea is logical, because those who own little also have less to worry about.

Minimalism is therefore not just a style, but a way of life. It can help you let go of things you don't need and focus on what really matters.

If you're interested in minimalism, you should focus on simplifying your life and getting rid of unnecessary things. Minimalism can help you concentrate on what's essential and lead a more fulfilling life.

Statistics circulate in the media, often without much thought. One such statistic concerns the possessions of the average citizen. The internet frequently cites the figure of "10,000 things " that the average European is said to own. However, it's not necessary to own that many items. Nevertheless, on average, each of us has accumulated a similar amount. According to purported figures from the Federal Statistical Office, the average German owns approximately 10,000 things  ( Tagesschau ) .

We were surprised by the research conducted by the Standard regarding this statistic:

Their journalists received an email from a representative of the Federal Statistical Office. The supposed "10,000 things" turned out to be "fake news" that is still persistently circulating.

The authority has no data on this and has never reported on it. Such statistics should be treated with caution anyway, as the number of household items constantly changes due to daily shopping and disposal, making reliable data collection virtually impossible. It remains unclear where this information comes from and whether there is any source at all. As with many figures circulating on the internet, the origin of this claim is shrouded in mystery

Leaving that aside: For us Germans, owning less is a fundamental and immense challenge. A hundred years ago, the average German household had 180 items. It's estimated that nearly three million people in Germany live in households with three or more cars. But minimalism shows us that consumption alone doesn't bring happiness. By consciously choosing to forgo excessive material purchases and letting go of what's unimportant, we can lead a freer and more focused life.

The stated goal of minimalists is to focus on the truly meaningful things in life and to find joy in the small, everyday things. Perhaps you, too, own items that you only keep because you think you might need them someday.

For example, if a family reunion is taking place, you could use your great-aunt's old porcelain plates. In such cases, we tend to choose to keep things so we don't later regret giving them away or selling them.

Minimalism teaches us trust and letting go . We learn to block out what might be or happen, and instead live in the here and now .

Minimalism – not a modern invention

Minimalism has a long history and is by no means a modern phenomenon. Throughout history, certain groups of people have sought to unlock their true potential by freeing themselves from worldly burdens.

Even in ancient times, Greek Stoics preached the beauty of simplicity, and nuns and monks from the Christian, Buddhist, and Shinto faiths lived a life without material possessions.

As a design element, minimalism has its roots in the counter-movement to Expressionism . Artists wanted to create simple images with few colors and shapes instead of elaborate paintings.

A brief history of minimalism

definition of minimalism (in the Oxford Dictionary) reveals an aesthetic principle , but over time the word has evolved to have many different meanings for many different people. This is mainly due to the elasticity of the "less is more" and its ability to be applied to lifestyle , art , fashion , architecture , literature , music and interior design .

Although these are the typical applications in modern times, it is helpful to have an overview of how minimalism has evolved over time into what it is today.

Here are a few highlights from the last 200 years ( Minimalism ) :

1800–1850: Introduction of the simple life in America

A transcendentalist philosophy spread in America and was popularized Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau

They held the idealistic view that insight and enlightenment could be attained through solitude and simplicity, as depicted in the book Walden.

Even though this new approach to simplicity is not currently being explicitly called minimalism, it is something we will continue to develop in the coming years.

1920–1930: The era of high-end design

The modern style, with which the word minimalism is most associated, was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus school's ideal balancing beauty and utility in product design .

During the Bauhaus era, the school's teachers and students offered an alternative to boring industrial products and reimagined the role of art in society.

creativity the Bauhaus school inspired the concept of sophisticated design for everyday life.

1960-1970: Minimalist expansion

The term Minimalism originated from the New York Minimal Art movement of the 1960s , which gave us the Platonic-geometric works of Robert Morris , Sol LeWitt , Frank Stella , and others. Ironically, many Minimal artists created sculptures inspired by the clean lines of modernist design.

One of the greatest masters of Minimal Art, Donald Judd , furnished his own loft in Manhattan sparsely with straightforward, raw plywood furniture that he designed and placed alongside classics by modernist pioneers such as Alvar Aalto , Gerrit Rietveld and Thonet .

Since then, the term "minimalism" been used to refer to all objects or interiors that exhibit a significant reduction in form. The choice of time-tested designs that prioritize simple functionality over plush forms remains an important element of minimalist interiors to this day.

Minimalism has been used as a colloquial term in literature, painting, architecture, and other aesthetic, design, and creative fields. Minimalists began to break away from the Abstract Expressionism of earlier generations, removing storytelling or metaphor from their art and focusing on industrial materials, white space, and simple, unadorned works.

Furthermore, Dieter Rams introduced his principles of good design in the 1970s and has since been praised as one of the most influential figures in the understated, user-friendly product design trend commonly referred to as minimalist design.

1980–2000: Adaptation of Simple Living

The next phase in the history of minimalism saw a steady increase in simple art and simple living movements. The Slow Food movement was launched after protests against the opening of a McDonald's in Rome. Subsequently, it inspired similar subcultures in other categories such as sustainable fashion and travel.

Proponents of "slow living" oppose the modern notion that rapidly acquiring and accumulating more things or experiences is somehow better. They believe that quality takes precedence over quantity and that shifting your life to a more conscious pace will help you get the most out of it.

2000 – Today: Minimalism becomes mainstream

Blogging became mainstream, and advocates of simple living, as well as various slow-movement movements, began using the medium to share their ideas. Suddenly, minimalism became the de facto term used in all these communities.

The philosophy of simplicity is ancient, but in this generation blogging sparked an increased interest in "less is more" as a lifestyle philosophy.

In the last decade, a flood of minimalist gurus has transformed a philosophy into a fad.

People started writing screenplays to apply minimalism to different areas of life. Hey, we've obviously jumped on that bandwagon too.

25 important figures of the minimalist movement

1. Donald Judd

Donald Judd was an American artist, painter and sculptor who is credited with popularizing many principles of minimalist design.

Although he never liked the term minimalism to describe his art, Judd's use of geometric shapes and simple design nevertheless made him a contributor to the art movement.

2. Carl Andre

Carl Andre , another member of the group that founded the New York movement of the 1960s, helped to grid structures and a linear approach into sculptures .

By using simple visual elements in his approach to sculpture, he helped to advance the new, more modern art genre that we know today as Minimal Art.

3. Dan Flavin

Dan Flavin , also a New York sculptor, who transitioned from abstract expressionism to a new art style that helped this modern movement.

His minimalist art is unique due to the use of fluorescent lamps in buildings and is still considered one of the leading works in the history of minimalism.

Representatives 4-25:

Below you will find a list of 22 more important minimalist artists. These are briefly introduced Contemporary Art Issue

4. Sol LeWitt
5. Robert Morris
6. Stephen Antonakos
7. Jo Baer
8. Larry Bell
9. Ronald Bladen
10. Mary Corse
11. Walter De Maria
12. Robert Grosvenor
13. Carmen Herrera
14. Eva Hesse
15. Gary Kuehn
16. Robert Mangold
17. Agnes Martin
18. John McCracken
19. Charlotte Posenenske
20. Robert Ryman
21. Fred Sandback
22. Richard Serra
23. Tony Smith
24. Robert Smithson
25. Anne Truitt

The origins and nature of minimalism in design and architecture

Less is more",

The architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe this as a dogma for minimalist design and architecture.

Minimalism is a style that focuses on the essential. It attempts to extract the maximum from the minimum.

Simplicity is the ultimate achievement. After playing a great many notes and even more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.” – Frédéric Chopin

In minimalist design, all elements strive to convey a message of simplicity: basic geometric shapes, undecorated elements, few materials, and a sense of order and essential quality.

Minimalism has permeated all media today, from visual arts to music and literature . However, this design philosophy has found and dominated one medium in particular: visual communication and design.

While minimalism played a role art history a revolution design

Minimalist design first appeared in Eastern cultures, for example in Zen Buddhism . The Zen school of thought was strongly influenced by Taoism and advocated simplicity , purity, and harmony.

This philosophy then influenced lifestyle and the concept of living space and aesthetics. Simplicity not only has aesthetic value, but also a deeper perception that explores the essence of truth and reaches for the inner qualities and nature of spaces, materials, and objects.

Japanese aesthetic principles such as “Ma” , which refers to an open space where emptiness reduces everything to its essence.

Or principles such as " Wabi-sabi " , which value the quality of simple and plain objects, appreciate the absence of unnecessary features, and focus on the acceptance of transience and imperfection .

Minimalism as a natural principle

Although minimalist design and a minimalist lifestyle may originate from a specific region of the world, the fascination with essentialism seems to be deeply connected to the human spirit. Humans have always sought what is essential —the fundamental structure upon which everything else is built.

This innate need to understand what we and everything else are made of is at the heart of theology, philosophy, and science. Throughout history, men like Plato, Leonardo da Vinci , Albert Einstein , and many other revered thinkers have admired the qualities of simplicity and essentiality.

Minimalism as a defining design style of modernity

Minimalism has always been at the heart of modern design.

Bauhaus school and its founder Walter Gropius emerged in Germany , whose philosophy was that the functionality and the aesthetic aspects of design were interdependent.

It was the birth of modern industrial design :

Form follows function

This idea transformed function into decoration. Architects and designers like Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer are among the best examples of Bauhaus design .

The careful consideration of how things are used and how design should play a key role in society began to grow among young creatives, and with it came the idea of ​​simplicity.

In a time like today, where everyone is bombarded with visual information everywhere, simplicity was the answer. Silence was perceived more strongly than noise.

Economic and environmental concerns also played a role. Initially, the messages were conveyed simply and effectively through graphic communication.

Minimalist product design

In product design, companies supported the production of products that were easy to manufacture and ship worldwide, and a certain degree of care regarding product impact ensured that designers became more aware of unnecessary elements during the design process.

Not to mention the satisfaction of using a simple product where everything has a clear function. Dieter Rams , a German designer considered one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, established the principles of good design that remain valid today.

His principle was:

Good design is as little design as possible.

These principles shaped one of the world's most admired product lines: Apple products . Apple's chief designer, Jonathan Ive , along with Steve Jobs and others, revolutionized the electronics industry with the concept of simplicity.

Minimalism is powerful and seems to be a ladder to "ultimate design," which doesn't mean that minimalism makes all designs look the same. Despite the same basic principle, minimalist design can take on countless forms and details, like those found in nature, resulting in harmonious spaces and objects.

Tiny House – Minimalism in Living

The trend of living in extremely small spaces is increasingly developing into the so-called tiny house . While living in "mobile homes" was often associated with financial hardship in the past, the "tiny house" movement today stands more for awareness and smart lifestyle design.

Furthermore, rising rents and property prices in urban areas, the growing desire for flexibility and mobility, and the need for a retreat in nature all contribute to this trend. As a result, this lifestyle is becoming increasingly attractive.

The antithesis of fast fashion: conscious restraint instead of consumerism

Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg demonstrate how minimalism can thrive in the overabundance of fashion by consistently appearing in uniform looks. This reduction to essential garments is adopted by postmodern minimalists as a stylistic guideline.

Former US President Obama also supports this idea, stating that he wants to minimize decisions about clothing and food in order to focus on more important things. This simplification poses a challenge to the fast-fashion industry and appeals to critics of consumer growth.

The young Swedish label Asket is responding to this by selling timeless basics without seasonal trends. In doing so, they emphasize their resistance to the dictates of fast fashion, which is dominated by brands like Zara and discount retailers like Primark.

Why choose a minimalist lifestyle?

Why minimalism? This is a question many people who explore the topic surely ask themselves. The reason is obvious: We live in a society that constantly bombards us with stimuli and consumer goods.

We feel like we need to own more and more to be happy. But the opposite is true. A minimalist lifestyle can help us focus on what's truly important and what makes us happy.

Furthermore, minimalism also has a positive impact on our environment and our society. By foregoing consumer goods and focusing on sustainability, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to protecting our environment.

In short: Minimalism is not just a trend, but a philosophy of life that can help us lead a fulfilling and sustainable life.

Living minimally – less is more

Minimalists are experimenting with new lifestyles. Cédric Waldburger has limited himself to just 64 items and doesn't even own an apartment anymore. Everything he owns is black, and he never stays in one place for more than three days. This digital nomad isn't a dropout, however; he strives for success.

The great thing is that I am extremely free in my life,”

He says so. But will that change if he falls in love?

, Selim Tolga was obsessed with sorting and tidying his toys by color. Today, he's turned it into a business. As a decluttering coach , he helps people declutter their homes.

Others seek out a psychiatrist, I treat myself to an organization coach,”

says one of his customers, delighted by the feeling of happiness after tidying up .

Tanja Schindler has decided to let go. She now lives in just 35 square meters and can move her eco-mini-house whenever she wants. She believes that minimalist living is a good alternative to the often unhealthy excess of modern life.

We are the first generation that had everything, and we realized that it doesn't make us happy.".

Status symbols have lost their power, and more and more people yearn for less possession and more being.

The following documentary from SRF is guaranteed to motivate you to declutter or at least let go of what's unnecessary. An inspiration for a life with less possession and more fulfillment (A film by Andrea Pfalzgraf):

Proven methods for starting a more conscious lifestyle

The 100 Things Challenge

A few years ago, the American blogger Dave Bruno the country with the theory that life actually only requires 100 personal things.

However, items he shares with his family, such as furniture and cutlery, are not included in this count. This raises the question of definition. Nevertheless, 100 personal non-everyday items seems quite realistic.

Under the motto "Live Simply," the American blogger and online marketing manager Dave Bruno the "100 Thing Challenge" , which suggests that less is more. His bold thesis: life actually only requires 100 personal things.

Who hasn't been there? You stand in front of a full closet or in a room full of things and wonder if you really need all of it. Dave Bruno has reduced his possessions to the 100 most essential personal items to make a statement against the compulsive hyper-consumption of the American lifestyle.

Although 100 items may seem like a lot at first glance, in the end it is not so easy to focus on the essentials in our consumer-oriented society.

Dave Bruno's "100 Thing Challenge" definitely struck a chord with many people, and there are now numerous "Live Simply" followers in America and Europe who exchange ideas and tips for a simpler lifestyle on his blog. It's a great source of inspiration for more conscious consumption and an excellent way to declutter your wardrobe, basement, or garage.

"Eat the frog first" – the worst comes first

This approach helps you let go of possessions, which is often difficult. Choose at least one of your cherished items to give away or sell. While this experience can be painful, it brings the realization that we need far less for a happy life than we thought.

In the future, it will be easier for you to consciously get rid of unnecessary things and thus integrate more minimalism into your life.

This approach is described in detail in the article on UTOPIA.de:

• Eat the Frog: How a frog helps with time management

The basket method

The basket method is an effective strategy for eliminating unnecessary items from your living space. You use a laundry basket or similar container and systematically go through your belongings. Only those items that you don't like or consider unnecessary go into the basket. Once the basket is full, you've achieved your goal for the day.

If you consistently apply this method for a week, you will noticeably create more space and get closer to your goal of minimalism. It is recommended to start in one room and then gradually work your way through the entire apartment.

Michael Klumb – German minimalist and podcaster

German minimalist Michael Klumb advises considering which items you would save from your house in case of a fire. This is a sensible suggestion, but it shouldn't mean you should preemptively throw hundreds of books off your shelves just because you wouldn't risk your life for them.

KonMari and “Magic Cleaning”

Minimalist design elements can also be found in ancient, traditional Japanese houses and temples. In 2018, the minimalism trend experienced a resurgence thanks to the Japanese bestselling author KonMari , also known as Marie Kondo .

Her book “Magic Cleaning” has sold 1.3 million copies in Japan and describes a tidying method based on ancient Shinto philosophies.

Advanced method

For those who find the approaches mentioned so far not radical enough, the cardboard box method trying. This is a radical strategy that uses moving boxes to reduce possessions.

You gather all your belongings into boxes – ideally well-organized – and live exclusively from these for a few days. Anything you don't need during this time can be given away or disposed of. This process helps you recognize which items are truly important and which can reasonably be dispensed with.

This way you can quickly identify the unnecessary things in your life.

Want even more inspiration and tips you can implement quickly? Then check out these two articles from UTOPIA.de:

• Living a minimalist lifestyle: These 26 practical tips will make your life easier
• Minimalism in 7 days: How to feel lighter