minimalist
Advocate of simplicity
Minimalist describes a preference for the fewest elements, simplest forms, or least amount necessary.
In art and design, minimalism strips away ornamentation to emphasize essential structure: a minimalist aesthetic, minimalist furniture.
As a noun, a minimalist practices this approach: She's a minimalist who owns only what she needs.
The word applies broadly to lifestyle, music, architecture, or any domain where reduction is the goal.
Lacking any covering
- unclutteredFree from disorder
- emptyHolding nothing inside
- starkSevere and unadorned
- vacantWithout an occupant
austere · stripped · reduced · economical · restrained · scant · lean · essential
Theory emphasizing purposes and roles
- ScandinavianOf Denmark, Norway, Sweden
- BauhausInfluential modernist design school
- open-planLacking interior walls
- modularMade of separable units
sans-serif · grid · industrial · streamlined · uncluttered · intentional · purposeful · IKEA
Single-color rendering
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- sleekSmooth and elegant
modernist · Bauhaus · sparse · unadorned · refined · pared-down · muted · austere
Remove unnecessary items
- downsizeReduce scale or staff
- essentialismDoctrine of fixed natures
- simplifyMake less complex
- frugalityEconomical resource management
Focused attention practice
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- simplicityLack of complexity
presence · detachment · emptiness · tranquility · clarity · contemplation · restraint · breathing
Of the surroundings
- droneUnmanned flying machine
- repetitionAct of redoing
- loopCurve closing on itself
- silenceTotal lack of sound
texture · sustained · tonal · pulse · gradual · hypnotic · meditative · atmospheric
bare
Lacking any covering
- unclutteredFree from disorder
- emptyHolding nothing inside
- starkSevere and unadorned
vacant · austere · stripped · reduced · economical · restrained · scant · lean · essential · pared-back
functionalism
Theory emphasizing purposes and roles
- ScandinavianOf Denmark, Norway, Sweden
- BauhausInfluential modernist design school
- open-planLacking interior walls
modular · sans-serif · grid · industrial · streamlined · uncluttered · intentional · purposeful · IKEA · Muji
monochrome
Single-color rendering
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
sleek · modernist · Bauhaus · sparse · unadorned · refined · pared-down · muted · austere · symmetry
declutter
Remove unnecessary items
- downsizeReduce scale or staff
- essentialismDoctrine of fixed natures
- simplifyMake less complex
frugality · sustainability · eco-conscious · purge · curate
meditation
Focused attention practice
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
simplicity · presence · detachment · emptiness · tranquility · clarity · contemplation · restraint · breathing · silence
ambient
Of the surroundings
- droneUnmanned flying machine
- repetitionAct of redoing
- loopCurve closing on itself
silence · texture · sustained · tonal · pulse · gradual · hypnotic · meditative · atmospheric
- fashion trendsvintage fashion, retro fashion, retro style, vintage, retro
- lifestylessimple living, city life, family life, rural life, single life
- neat freaksneat freak, clean freak, perfectionists, perfectionist, germaphobe
- design stylesart deco, Art Nouveau, art nouveau, Bauhaus, modern
- device aestheticssleek, matte finish, glossy finish, flat design, brushed metal
- Performance Stylesmethod acting, classical acting, comedic acting, physical theater, screen acting
minimalistmaximalist
Advocate of extreme positions
ornate · elaborate · embellished · baroque · rococo
minimalistmaximalist
Advocate of extreme positions
hoarder · collector · accumulator · pack rat · materialist
minimalistmaximalist
Advocate of extreme positions
verbose · prolix · excessive · indulgent · over-the-top
- minimalist designAesthetic of essential elements only
- minimalist styleDesign emphasizing only essentials
- minimalist decorPared-back interior design
- minimalist artAesthetic of essential forms
- minimalist livingLifestyle of deliberate reduction
- minimalist lifestyleDeliberate reduction of possessions