How to Create a Warm Minimalist Home with Celebrity-Inspired Style

 

 

 When you think of minimalism, you might picture stark white walls and cold, empty spaces- but warm minimalism offers a softer take. This style blends clean lines with natural textures, earthy tones and cosy details, creating spaces that feel both refined and welcoming. Popular with celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Lewis Hamilton, warm minimalism brings depth and personality to pared-back interiors. Think sculptural furniture, organic materials and neutral palettes that feel timeless, not sterile.

This trend blends classic design with lived-in warmth - think calming colour palettes, natural textures, and a few well-chosen pieces that tell a story. It’s refined, but never cold.

Natural Materials Are Key

One of the foundations of warm minimalism is embracing natural materials. These might already exist in your home - wooden beams, stone floors, natural light - or they can be layered in through texture. Wool rugs, rattan chairs, linen cushions and woven baskets all help create a gentle flow through the space. These earthy, tactile elements soften the sleekness usually associated with minimalism, adding just the right amount of charm.

 

 

Styling the Living Room

A warm minimalist living room might include a light wood coffee table, natural wool rug, and linen pillows in muted tones. Add a few plants for life, and keep decorative items pared back, think one sculptural vase, a single abstract artwork or a favourite book left on the side. It’s about choosing pieces with meaning, not filling space for the sake of it.

If you want to push the look further, playful surrealism adds a modern twist, like curvaceous furniture or a statement light fitting. These touches bring character while still keeping your space calm and considered.

One celebrity who does warm minimalism brilliantly is Anne Hathaway. Her former NYC living room, designed by boutique studio Gramercy Design, features flowing shapes, subtle colours and furniture trends that won’t date. It’s elegant, effortless and easy to live in - exactly what warm minimalism is all about.

 

Image Credit: Home & Gardens

 

A Shift in How We See Minimalism

With more focus on the home being a space to relax and recharge, traditional minimalism, with its straight lines and clinical feel, can sometimes come across as a little cold. Warm minimalism offers an update: adding softness and depth through architectural details, natural textures and thoughtful design.

Designer Brian Gardner describes this mindset beautifully:
“Minimalism is not about what you own, it’s about why you own it.”
It’s not just about aesthetics - it’s about intention.

This thinking applies to your artwork too. Choosing wall art with meaning adds a personal touch without crowding your walls. At Mala, one artist who captures this perfectly is Paige Marie. Her modernist work blends found materials with organic textures, creating abstract canvases that are both minimal and full of depth.

 

Explore Paige Marie's collection to find your perfect statement piece.

 

Art That Speaks the Warm Minimalist Language

Take Terres by Paige Marie, an earthy, abstract piece that uses layered brushstrokes and rich brown tones to reflect the stillness of nature. Its grounded palette pairs beautifully with warm neutrals, making it a timeless addition to any space.

Or Forte, another standout from Paige. With a soft contrast of minimalist strokes and deep earthy hues, it’s both modern and comforting. Each piece is available in a custom frame - white, black, brown or pine - so you can tailor it to your space while keeping the look cohesive and calm.

 

Print: Terres

Print: Forte

 

Colour Is Everything

Colour is a huge part of transitioning from stark minimalism to a warmer approach. It’s time to move beyond plain white walls. Earthy neutrals like sweet beige, soft almond or creamy taupe instantly add depth. And if you’re after more colour, muted tones like sage green, mauve or terracotta work beautifully.

Becca Casey, founder of Becca Interiors, sums it up perfectly:
“There’s a definite move towards warm minimalism, with deeper hues and rich, neutral tones … to create cosy, inviting spaces that are still elegant and serene in their simplicity.”

And it’s not just Anne Hathaway championing the trend. Lewis Hamilton’s living room is a lesson in how to do warm minimalism well. From retro rattan pieces to off-white tones that glow in the light, his space proves that form and function can absolutely go hand in hand.

 

Image Credit: House Beautiful

 

Warm Minimalism Is Here to Stay

Warm minimalism is more than just a fleeting trend, it’s a thoughtful way of styling your home that focuses on comfort, quality and intention. With natural materials, soft tones, sculptural forms and meaningful artwork, you can create a space that’s as calming as it is stylish.

 

 

Feeling Inspired?

With summer in full swing, now’s the perfect time to create a home that’s ready to host, whether you’re after a warm minimalist vibe or something a little more European-inspired.

Explore our collection to find the perfect piece for your space, from Parisian chic to Tuscan warmth.

Shop Summer Sale and discover art that adds timeless style, texture and calm.