Beyond the empty room
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Beyond the empty room
We’re told that a clear space leads to a clear mind. The minimalist room—white walls, bare shelves, a single chair—promises calm. But step into that room, and you might feel something else: discomfort, emptiness, or even unease.
Why? Because space isn’t just visual; it’s psychological. An empty room doesn’t automatically soothe the mind—it can unsettle it.
Humans read space the same way we read faces. We look for warmth, familiarity, and cues that say, you belong here. When those cues are stripped away, the mind can interpret the void as absence—absence of safety, of personality, of life. It’s the same feeling as walking into an unfurnished house; instead of peace, there’s a low hum of something’s missing.
A minimalist space can also become mentally cluttered—not with objects, but with rules. If you’ve ever worried that your countertop is “too busy” because you left a coffee mug out, you know this feeling. The demand to keep things sparse can create its own kind of pressure, turning the space into a performance rather than a refuge.
True psychological ease often comes from a balance: space that feels open but lived in. A room where your eyes can rest, but also wander—catching on a well-loved book, a worn blanket, or a plant stretching lazily toward the sun. These objects don’t clutter; they ground. They signal that life happens here.
The goal isn’t to remove everything; it’s to remove what weighs on you, while keeping what anchors you. Space becomes peaceful not when it’s empty, but when it feels like it’s yours. A place that says, you can breathe here—without effort, without fear of disturbing the scene.
That’s when space works with the mind, instead of against it.
Words by Carl Barenbrug
Note: We’ll be taking a deeper dive into this topic in our next premium essay—you’re welcome to subscribe to follow along.
01 – Journal
Read entries from the archive of the Minimalism Life® community journal
Time to turn off — Knowing how to give respect to the day and yourself
Words by Jacob Matto
Habitual complaining — Accept the unchangeables and appreciate what you have
Words by Joshua Fields Millburn
Words by Stephanie Kennar
Share your story
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share on minimalism.com? We want to read about it. You have the opportunity write about your experience of how minimalism has impacted your life and get your words published in our community journal.
02 – Minimal art
From our curated gallery
03 – Minimal design
Explore our list of curated design resources
Constructed views: John Pawson (video/architecture)
Three book about Sony design (article/book)
04 – Minimal lifestyle
Explore our list of curated lifestyle resources for simple living
Exile lifestyle (blog)
Terra: mindful wandering (tool)
Slowness (blog)
05 – Shop
Discover our hand-picked minimalist products in the Minimalism Life® shop
06 – Brands anchored by simplicity and sustainability
Minimalism can be about frugality and owning less, but it can also be about supporting ethical brands with sustainability at their core. Here’s several that you might be interested learning more about:
Collars&Co: Minimalist polo shirts
JAK: Portuguese leather sneakers
Nordic Knots: Rugs inspired by the beauty of the Nordic light
Oliver Cabell: Minimalist Italian footwear and accessories
Steele & Borough: Vegan, lightweight and water repellant bags
Escuyer: Accessories designed in Brussels
The Resort Co: Eco-conscious and artisan vacation wear
Wahts: Minimal monochromatic menswear
Meller: Minimal shades
Void Watches: Simple Swedish timepieces
Floyd: Unique and distinctive travel cases
Mismo: Bags and accessories from natural materials
Stiksen: Premium caps from Sweden
Discover more minimal brands on minimalism.com