# Material Minimalism Consumers are seeking straightforward designs to simplify life. By [Shelby Lee Walsh](https://www.trendhunter.com/shelby), President | Published Dec 18, 2009, updated Dec 31, 2009 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/material-minimalism-consumers-are-seeking-straight-forward-designs-to-simpl ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.3/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Material Minimalism trend? **Material Minimalism:** As the credit-crunched regain what they have lost, they are choosing to purchase products that are minimal in design, shape and function. And as the world around becomes more cluttered and hectic, consumers are seeking solace in simplistic purchases. Glamour and clutter have made way for material minimalism. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 29, 2007 to Oct 21, 2009 - Published: Dec 18, 2009 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Material Minimalism trend ### Material Minimalism in Design As the world becomes more cluttered and hectic, consumers are seeking solace in simplistic purchases and companies can infuse their products with minimalist characteristics for avant-garde concepts ### Simplistic Designs in High-End Products Demand for plain yet futuristic approaches to design for high-end products is becoming increasingly prominent, and companies can create products that rely more on their minimalist characteristics to add a touch of elegance that cannot be achieved otherwise ### Aesthetic Appeal over Comfort Level Aesthetic appeal and style are surpassing comfort levels in terms of aspects of design that customers are most interested in, and companies can sell a product by appealing to a customer's desire for beauty and originality ## What the Material Minimalism trend means for industry ### For Furniture and Home Decor Companies in the furniture and home decor industries can capitalize on the trend of Material Minimalism in Design and Aesthetic Appeal over Comfort Level ### For Timepiece Industry Catering to the demand for Simplistic Designs in High-End Products and minimalistic timepieces and watches can create high-end products that are in line with modern consumers' preferences ### For Fashion and Clothing Industry The trend of aesthetic appeal over comfort level is particularly prevalent in the fashion and clothing industry, and companies can create unique and artistic designs that attract customers looking for originality ## Trend signals for Material Minimalism Trend score 5.3 out of 10, from popularity 76%, activity 74%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 76% - Activity: 74% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Material Minimalism trend 9 featured examples from Aug 29, 2007 to Oct 21, 2009. - [Extreme Minimalist Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-dresses-digna-kosse): Digna Kosse Creates Unwearable Clothing from Pieces of Yarn (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Applying minimalist design techniques and alternative materials to create artful, original clothing pieces. - [Handless, Numberless Timepiece](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-watch-got-ball1): Odd Ball Minimalist Watch (Category: Tech) Implication: Industry that could explore disruptive innovation by designing and producing minimalist timepieces with unique timekeeping mechanisms. - [Chainless Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chainless-bicycle-nulla-minimalist-bike): Nulla Minimalist Bike (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The bicycle industry has an opportunity to capitalize on the trend of developing chainless and minimalist bicycles with futuristic designs. - [Ambient Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ambient-houses-kouichi-kimura-creates-couples-and-dog-friendly-minimalistic): Kouichi Kimura's Couple & Dog-Friendly Minimalistic Oasis (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Architects and designers can explore disruptive innovation opportunities in creating minimalistic and nature-centric living spaces. - [Minimalist Pet Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-pet-houses-cat-home-by-leo-kempf): Cat Home by Leo Kempf (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The furniture design industry has the opportunity to incorporate minimalist and innovative designs into their pet furniture offerings. - [Minimalist Bathtubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glam-tub-water-and-luxury-overflow): Omvivo 'Le Cob' Bath (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The minimalist trend in bathtubs presents opportunities for innovative and elegant designs in the home decor industry. - [Minimalist Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-clock-by-simon-lumb): The Target Clock by Simon Lumb Uses a Graphic, Not Numbers (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Home decor companies can incorporate minimalist timepieces into their design portfolios to meet the growing demand for aesthetically-pleasing products. - [Minimalist Mosaic Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/designer-watches-diors-christal-mysterieuse-exudes-mystery-and-wonder): Dior 'Christal Mysterieuse' Exudes Mystery and Wonder (Category: Fashion) Implication: Companies specializing in luxury watches will benefit from incorporating unique design and engineering features to command high prices and differentiate from competitors. - [Hollow Vases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shaping-up-beauty-outline-vase): The 'Outline' Flower Pot is Minimalist Interior Decor at Its Finest (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Opportunities for creating and marketing minimalist and nature-inspired interior decor products. ## Recent trend clusters - [Sugar Moderation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sugar-moderation) (Lifestyle) - [Effortless Rounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/golf-training-devices) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Rotation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/rotating-bakery-menu) (Lifestyle) - [Occasion Coding](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/holiday-themed-desserts) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - 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