Minimalism has trends just like everything else, and watching them change over the years has taught me a lot. In this post, I'm sharing the biggest ones I've noticed in the minimalist community.

It's a universal truth that trends permeate every aspect of life, from hobbies like mini-golf and bird watching, to fashion choices like footwear. Having been deeply involved in both practicing and teaching the principles of minimalism, I've observed that this lifestyle is no stranger to evolving trends.

Minimalist living, focused on embracing less, is accessible to anyone, regardless of personal style or aesthetic preferences. I don't believe that the practice of living with less is, itself, just a trend but a lifestyle that comes with many benefits.

However, by observing and learning from a diverse range of minimalists (including myself), you'll start to notice certain trends in design, artistic expression, and even practical strategies that are gaining popularity at any given time.

What's fascinating is the correlation between these minimalist trends and our collective priorities as individuals and as a community.

These trends often reflect what we value and hope for. They say a lot about our culture, too.

Let's explore these trends and see what they reveal about our current societal focus.

#1. Style And Design

I remember, when I first started practicing minimalism, the trends were all about less. Visually less, materially less…just less.

It was the peak of the "less is more" movement. (Not something that has gone away, per se, but it has definitely changed a bit).

First, it was Monochromatic everything

In terms of style, emphasis was placed on whites and grays (occasionally blacks) with pops of color as a focal point. Occasionally there would be no pop of color but dark onyx or brown accessories.

The theme felt very much like "make it look like no one lives here," which I know felt stifling to many people and turned them away from minimalism as a lifestyle.

(Even though, again, a minimalist lifestyle has nothing to do with what's trending in minimalism style-wise, it still felt off-putting to many).

Then Came The Nature Infusion: Scandi and Japanese Influences

Over time, minimalist style moved away from stark and sleek to something more natural and inviting.

Japanese and Scandinavian design trends started to absolutely take over. They weren't totally new to us, but now they were everywhere.

From the shelves at your local Target to the upgrades at your local McDonald's.

Horizontal wood slats and simple colors blended with natural wood tones. Hashtags like #whiteandwood hit Instagram.

No more of the dark and shiny espresso woods. Natural and unique in structure became the name of the game.

Things were still simple. Now they were interesting, too.

Today's style is very similar. The natural and simple immersion hasn't gone away, but it's much less rigid than it used to be.

Hello Boho

By now, there's a good chance you've come across the pampas grass, macrame plant hangers, muted rainbows, and desert colors. I'll be the first one to admit that at first, I wasn't a fan.

I think my hesitation came from the fact that it felt a lot messier and more artistic than the neutral, restrained color scheme I had come to expect.

Needless to say, it caught up to me!

Like everyone else, I've adapted and Boho style has become my absolute favorite. In fact, when our daughter Chloe was born, we gave her nursery a boho theme.

Now, the whole "boho" style has a spectrum, ranging from minimalist to incredibly eclectic. Obviously, the version I'm talking about is the minimalist boho design.

Boho might not be the trend of the future because, as you can tell, things are forever changing and evolving. But I do believe that natural elements in the home are here for the long run and the days of feeling stifled by lack of warmth and comfort are behind us.

As a result, it's become easier to bring personality and warmth into your space while still being in the loop of what's trending in minimalism. 🙂

After all, owning less doesn't have to mean living with less style.

#2. Trending In Minimalism Beyond Your Home

I think it's safe to say that the principles of minimalism bleed into other areas of our lives over time.

For example, minimalist trends like mindfulness, pruning your schedule, upholding priorities, and simplifying relationships all seem to tie into core minimalist values.

If you're someone who follows minimalist influencers (YouTubers, Instagrammers, etc.) you've likely noticed a crossover into subjects like yoga, mindfulness, productivity, prioritization, and simplifying.

I think the crossover happens because these things come more naturally when you start practicing awareness and intention in your space (i.e. minimalism).

Mindsets have a way of bleeding and expanding.

A Way Of Being

In the book "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg, he mentions something called keystone habits.

He explains how one positive habit change creates a domino effect in your life, naturally leading to other positive habit changes.

His classic example is exercise. People who start working out often start eating better, too.

I see the same thing with clutter. Someone gets the clutter out and suddenly starts eating healthier.

It has to do with the neural pathways in our brains as well as learned behaviors that cross over.

The bottom line is that when you start applying minimalism trends to your life, you become more intentional and aware of your space and how it makes you feel.

Minimalism has EXPANDED into a way of being just as much as a way of experiencing our space.

Before you know it, you're eating organic foods and recycling 😉

#3. Social Causes And Eco-Minimalist Trends

Speaking of which, one major trend in minimalism (and the world at large) is the inclusion of social and eco causes. You may have heard it called "eco-minimalism."

This is another positive trend that I don't see going anywhere.

You'll notice that many people who preach minimalism encourage buying less. Many also encourage buying from companies that carry a smaller footprint.

I'm much more likely to work with a brand that's doing good in the world than one that's trying to give me free products. 🤷‍♀️

Why are these connected?

It really makes sense that a community of people interested in minimalism would also be interested in other social causes.

Aside from the keystone habits bit that I shared about before, living a minimalist lifestyle really sets you up to more easily be proactive.

For example, a byproduct of a minimalist lifestyle tends to be buying less and therefore, saving money. This places the minimalist person in a great position to purchase higher quality items for the few items they choose to own.

Higher quality tends to be accompanied by sustainable and ethical practices. (After all, there's a reason why "fast fashion" is so cheap).

Not only that, but those who are more intentional about their space will more likely be intentional about the items they choose to invest in. Aside from quality, the sheer cut in quantity frees up time for intention and research into who is getting their hard-earned dollars.

It's not about privilege

Some might read that previous section and think "higher quality, more money, intentional purchases… sounds like a gift of the privileged," which is a very common (and annoying) misconception.

The result and the cause are two different things.

A person can have the same $200 and, in purchasing fewer things, have more of that bulk left over for an intentional quality purchase. It's about being a good steward of your finances which is directly bound to being a good steward of your space.

As someone who, overall, owns higher-quality items now than I used to, I can say without a doubt that I spend far less now.

3 Exciting Changes Trending In Minimalism

So, those are by far the 3 BIGGEST and most exciting changes I've noticed over the years trending in minimalism.

1. Style and design are becoming warmer and less stark
2. Minimalism is continuing to expand beyond our homes and into our daily lives
3. Social causes and eco-minimalist trends are fusing with a lifestyle of owning less

Trends will keep moving. What minimalism actually is (and isn't) doesn't, and that's the part to anchor to.