Comparing a minimalist interior to a showroom interior can have a major benefit. It can give some insights on how to make a home beautiful and functional. To begin, I will define what I mean by a minimalist interior and a showroom interior. I will then highlight the differences. After that, I will point out the similarities.
What is a minimalist interior?
One form of minimalist interior emphasizes the absence of visual distractions. In this case, the clean lines and open space are the main objectives of this design philosophy.
Another form of minimalist interior emphasizes the absence of useless things. In this case, everything in the room has a function even if the function is decorative. Also, in this case, the clean lines and open spaces emerge from the absence of clutter.
In this discussion, I will use the latter definition of a minimalist interior.
What is a showroom interior?
A showroom interior is exactly as its name implies. It is to show a room of a particular decor style. These are the rooms shown in catalogs for interior design companies.
What are the differences?
Display vs Habitation
A showroom is for display only. Nobody will ever have to live in it or clean it. It doesn’t need to be practical, comfortable, or even habitable for that matter. It is there for people to look at and photograph in the right lighting.
A minimalist interior is for people to live in. It is designed to be comfortable and functional. It provides a tranquil setting for people to occupy.
Commercial vs private
A showroom is an advertisement. Its purpose is to get people to buy things. It does not exist for a person or even a household. It exists for the largest number of people who will buy something. It is created by a team of interior designers and marketers who spare no expense to sell to as much as possible.
A minimalist interior is the inside of a home. It exists for the use of an individual or a family. It is for real people with real lives, real needs, and real budgets. A minimalist interior is not a commercial advertisement. It is a private home.
Single brand vs many brands
A showroom interior is used to sell a variety of products. These products are there to promote either a manufacturer or a store. In either case, it is there to promote a brand.
The minimalist decor is not there to promote any brands. It is there to provide a tranquil haven for its inhabitants.
What are the similarities?
They are both beautiful to look at
The showroom interior and the minimalist interior are both beautiful. The beauty comes from the furnishings, the color palette, and the tidiness.
The minimalist interior is a tranquil and relaxing habitat. That can only happen if it is pleasing to all the senses including sight.
The showroom interior entices people to buy things. It works best if the things are displayed in a beautiful setting. Both types of interiors are beautiful even if the motives behind them are different.
Everything is in its proper place
Tidiness is crucial to a beautiful interior. After all, there is no such thing as a beautiful pigsty. Having everything in its proper place is crucial to tidiness.
Showrooms have everything in them exactly where they should be. Even the throw on the sofa was carefully placed to look like it was carelessly thrown on the sofa.
Minimalists have one more reason to keep things in their proper places. The most convenient place to keep anything is its proper place. That way, you never have to search for it because you already know where it is. This allows the minimalist to enjoy the living space while keeping it tidy.
They both have an absence of clutter
Clutter is the most severe decor problem because it clashes with everything. It even clashes with itself. That is why interior designers for showrooms avoid clutter. So if you look through interior design catalogs or at minimalist interiors, you will see an absence of clutter. Clutter can also ruin the function and tranquility of a room. That is why minimalists don’t want it either.
They have a limited number of things in a room
Every room has a limited amount of space. If you put too many things in that space, you will run out of proper places for things. Something will have to be out of place, and clutter will be inevitable. It will be impossible to keep the place tidy, much less beautiful. Designers will limit the number of things in a showroom for this reason.
Minimalists will limit the number of things for the same reason a showroom designer does. Also, a cluttered room will function poorly if at all. So minimalists will limit the number of things for this reason too. That way, their spaces will be more pleasant to live in.
In summary, a showroom interior exists for the cameras, but a minimalist interior exists for its occupants. A minimalist interior has to function while a showroom interior does not. But they both have a limited number of things in their spaces. This allows them both to have beautiful spaces with an absence of clutter. This is good to know if you want a home that is functional, tranquil, and beautiful.