You may prefer the minimalist look, but may also realize that minimalism in its most extreme form can leave the interior of your home looking uninviting, cold, and somewhat uncomfortable. You may have been drawn to minimalism because of its pristine lines, neutral tones, and lack of clutter, but when you’re reclining on a beautiful recliner or sectional reading a book, you don’t want to have to go to the other room for a blanket or sweater if you’re feeling a little chilly.  Adding a throw and a couple of throw pillows won’t upset the minimal balance of the room, but it will help you get the maximum usage out of your furniture.

The Baer's design team can help you achieve harmony between minimalist design and practical furnishing.

One of the reasons that minimalism is an extremely popular décor trend is that it challenges the decorator to eliminate unnecessary clutter. But that definitely doesn’t mean that you can’t add a touch of panache with a few accessories without losing your minimalist style. Here are five tips for accessorizing your minimalist room.

One of the ways that you can camouflage accessories is by matching them to the larger furniture pieces in the room. For example, You can easily pair white bedding with a white bed frame, like this Palisade King Panel Bed by A.R.T. Furniture. Because the louver headboard and detailed frame already challenge minimal design in this example, the off-white sheets and pillowcases need to closely match their color.

In this gorgeous example of minimalist design, the color white rules the day as the ottomans and toss pillows appear to be the same or nearly the same fabric. In fact, the only pieces that contrast the Vanguard Furniture Lucca 7-Piece Sectional and two matching Lucca Bumpers are the slate board and the chunky knit throw. This room gets big minimalist points for a number of reasons, including ditching the traditional coffee table and instead opting for two ottomans, but the featured throw inarguably belongs in this setting.

One of the biggest mistakes minimalist decorators make is by treating plants like other accessories. While plants are generally green, they are considered neutral in interior decorating. And while you can definitely overdo plants in a minimalist scheme, one or two potted plants in an artfully selected vessel can add a little personality to an otherwise barren room. While this living room pushes the boundaries of what can be called minimalism on a few different levels, the potted tropical tree to the left of the stunning Natuzzi Editions Astuzia Power Reclining Sectional.

If you’re concerned that framed artwork or sculptures will add too many contrasting colors or busyness to your walls, wall mirrors are an excellent alternative. Match the frame to your color scheme, and the mirror will reflect the tones of the rest of the space. The mirror above the Aeolian 4-Door Cabinet from the John-Richard Credenzas Collection adds dimension to an otherwise plain wall without losing the minimalist appeal and provides storage to eliminate clutter.

Many décor styles recommend bringing a brightly colored chair or an interesting cabinet into a space as an accent piece, but you have to be careful when doing this with a minimalist design. Only add pieces that offer enhanced functionality. For example, a storage ottoman, a trunk, or a chair won’t only look nice; they’ll serve important purposes in the room.

In order to preserve a room’s minimalist appeal, though, examine the color, shape, and texture of the furniture to other pieces. Your accent piece should only break with one of these design elements. For instance, the round Bernhardt Silhouette Ottoman works well with the white fabric of the bedframe and area rug in this minimalist bedroom.

With locations throughout Florida and dozens of trained sales professionals staffing our showrooms, we are ready to provide interior design advice to you. Stop into a Baer’s Furniture store and ask one of our team members about minimalist design tips and more.