At first the words “cozy” and “minimalism” seem to contradict each other. Minimalism, after all, is characterized by sleek lines and little to no decoration whatsoever, so how can something be minimalist and cozy at the same time?
As contradictory as it seems, however, it is possible for minimalism to be cozy. You can see this in the living rooms of luxury private villas in Phuket and Koh Samui where modern design leans toward the functional side of comfort. Cozy minimalism in these villas translates into softer lines, whimsical décor, and textures that are comforting to the touch.
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Recognizable Elements of Cozy Minimalism
Cozy minimalism can be seen in the living rooms of Thailand’s modern luxury villas, where Scandinavian-inspired comfort elements tend to liven up sleek, streamlined interior design. It’s more than just throwing pillows on a sofa; it’s a reconciliation between comfort and functionality to create the feeling of warmth.
1. Functional Statement Furniture
Even with the most spectacular architecture, a cozy-minimalist luxury villa often starts with the statement furniture. The walls and floors could be left bare, but you can place a functional statement piece in the middle of an otherwise spare room and watch your guests flock to their new favorite spot.
At Phuket’s Villa Sawarin, the Scandinavian-meets-Thai-inspired living room opens to a view of the sea, which minimizes the need for artwork on the walls. But the function of the room as a place for entertaining is evident in the well-cushioned sofas, which are decorated with colorful throw pillows that add comfort as well as color to the room.
2. Monochrome With a Tactile Twist
To paraphrase the fashion side of Tiktok, you can make your furniture more interesting with texture. Even with an abundance of throw pillows on a sofa, a monochromatic furniture set becomes cozy-minimalistic with the varied use of fabric textures. Think silk pillows mingling on the same couch with shearling and cashmere.
The monochromatic sofa set at Phuket’s Villa AMANN comes to life with various throw pillows of different textures, from raw fibers to smooth satins. Villa Cielo in Phuket applies the same principle of mixing textures to the blush-hued tones of their cushions in a range of tactile forms.
3. Soft, Squeezable Shapes
Think of the overstuffed comforters and toys of your youth and you’ll understand why soft, squishy furniture can lend a comforting quality. A beanbag chair or floor cushion can not only create a lively accent to a room but also provide added comfortable seating.
The entertainment area at Phuket’s Villa Narissa and the kids’ bunk bedroom inside Koh Samui’s Villa Raku come with graphic beanbag chairs that guests can sit on while enjoying a book or lounging around. These beanbag chairs can mold to the body for added comfort.
4. Large Framed Elements
To make a cozy minimalist room even more welcoming, points of interest beyond the furniture are limited to simple but stunning visual elements that add value to a home. In most homes, this could mean a print, but in Thailand’s modern luxury villas it can also mean monochromatic artwork or a breathtaking view.
The focus of the living room at Koh Samui’s Villa Mia Ocean is the pristine sofa with generous throw pillows, which is accented by the mirrors on the walls reflecting natural light. Monochromatic and solid-colored artwork can also be seen in and outside the living area as well, especially on the foyer.
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How To Make Your Modern Villa More Cozy
As in the examples given above, the coziness evoked by the modern villas in the examples above evoke additional feelings of warmth and comfort along with their existing sleek aesthetics. Textures such as fluffy cushions and rustic-finish wood are an easy way to add comfort as well as tactile interest to a room.
The main principle to employ when applying cozy minimalism to a room, however, is to put function and form as equal priorities. A cozy-minimalist living room, for example, should have furniture that is meant to be sat on and manipulated by guests for their own comfort, and the pieces chosen for the room should reflect that purpose.
If furniture upkeep is on your mind when choosing the cozy-minimalist aesthetic, it also helps to choose fabrics and finishes that are durable yet easy to maintain. Cozy furniture, after all, is touchable furniture, and playing around with the furniture elements is part of the appeal.
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Make Cozy Minimalism A Part of Your Villa’s Aesthetic
The point of coziness in minimalism is to create rooms that are meant to be lived in, where guests can make themselves comfortable however they see fit. The presence of cushions, natural colors, and streamlined décor should invite guests to not just use the furniture but engage with them to feel like they’re “at home” wherever they are.
If you’re looking for a villa aesthetic that marries form with function while still maintaining a playful flair, cozy minimalism may be worth the try. Not only will guests of all ages appreciate the attention to detail, but they will also be encouraged to find their own comfort during their stay.
Featured photo: The living room with a poolside and sunset view at Villa Varya in Phuket.
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