Layering emerges as a new direction for minimalism in home design

Minimalism once meant white walls, sparse furniture and wide empty rooms as the route to tranquillity. Over time, many found those interiors lacked warmth and personal character. A growing approach called layering or material drenching keeps minimalism’s restraint but introduces texture, comfort and emotional depth.

The shift grew as designers and homeowners began prioritising how spaces feel, not only how they appear. The method is straightforward: pick a dominant material — wood, stone or plaster — and repeat it across surfaces in varied textures and finishes. The result is cohesion with added tactile richness.

Rashi Bothra of Azure Interiors describes the technique as a way to foster calm and cohesion. “Surrounding a room with a single material helps the space feel anchored and unified,” she says. “It cuts down on visual clutter and makes a home feel more nurturing.”

That is why layering is being viewed as an updated form of minimalism. Rather than stripping a room bare, it retains simplicity while introducing warmth and texture through deliberate choices.

When executed thoughtfully, material drenching produces interiors that read as refined and enduring. A wood-clad room, for instance, can combine a smooth ceiling, matte walls and polished furnishings — all the same material in different treatments — creating depth without bright colours or busy patterns.

Designer Ruchi Gehani, also from Azure Interiors, stresses the importance of variation. “We select different surface treatments of the same material,” she explains. “Wood can be glossy, carved or slightly rough; plaster can shift from matte walls to a subtly lustrous table. Those contrasts make a meaningful difference.”

Another advantage is the tactile quality of natural materials. Wood, stone and clay invite touch, connect interiors to nature and develop character over time through grain and markings.

Saba Kapoor of Nivasa says layering can support greener building choices. “Focusing on one natural material encourages careful sourcing,” she notes. “Using reclaimed or locally sourced materials reduces environmental impact and gives each home a sense of history.”

Because of this, material drenching sits between modern and traditional aesthetics. It keeps interiors stripped-back but in a way that feels more intimate and considered.

Designers recommend trying the approach in stages rather than overhauling an entire house at once. Starting with a small area lets you test the effect and scale the idea if it works for your lifestyle.

Here are a few practical pointers designers often suggest:

Begin with a small space such as a study nook or a powder room.

Choose a single primary material like stone or wood and experiment with both matte and polished finishes.

Use lighting to enhance surfaces so the mood of the material shifts during the day.

Keep accessories minimal so the material’s texture becomes the focal point.

Lighting is central to the success of layering. Warm, soft illumination brings out wood grain or the sheen of marble, while daylight animates textures. At night, well-placed lamps and spotlights can create a relaxing ambience.

Homeowners who have adopted this look report a noticeable change in how their spaces feel. What once felt cold and austere becomes a calm retreat — a balance of order and comfort suited to modern life.

The trend also reflects changing lifestyles: after busy, screen-filled routines, people want homes that encourage slowing down and personal connection. Layering supports this by making rooms feel welcoming and restorative.

It can also convey understated luxury without elaborate furnishings. Thoughtful repetition of a quality material often gives a space a premium, curated feel.

Seen this way, minimalism has evolved from an exercise in subtraction to one of selective focus. Layering emphasises what to keep and how to use it with intention.

As Rashi Bothra puts it, “Homes should comfort, not overwhelm.” Layering achieves that by adding subtle detail and inviting a more emotional relationship with one’s surroundings.

Material drenching is unlikely to be a fleeting trend. It champions connection, longevity and quiet beauty — whether through warm timber, cool stone or soft textiles — and helps rooms tell a more personal story.

When you plan your next update, consider that luxury does not always mean more objects. Using one good material thoughtfully can transform a simple room into a peaceful, textured and timeless space.