If minimalism conjures up images of clinical white boxes, think again. Luxurious and refined, these pared-back properties are anything but stark, offering considered colour palettes, tactile materials and wow-factor design. Take a tour around the best minimalist homes on the market right now and wave goodbye to the clutter for good...

Nestled in the treetops on peaceful Dangar Island, located in the Hawkesbury River just north of Sydney, this three-bedroom home is nothing short of magical. Raised up on stilts, the airy, contemporary treehouse is the ideal retreat from city life and it's currently on sale for £606,000 ($780k).

Swathes of floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the house, offering stunning views over the water from the spacious, open-plan living and dining area. The soft, minimal palette of greys, whites and warm woods sets the tone for the rest of the home. Glazed doors open out onto the deck, ideal for the summer months, while in cooler climes, the wood-burning stove in the living area offers a warm and cosy spot to unwind.

The dining space is zoned off from the kitchen shelving unit, showcasing an ordered assortment of belongings – proof that minimalism doesn’t have to mean an absence of decoration. Bleached American oak flooring flows throughout the home, contrasting with the home's dark wood-clad exterior, which was stained black so that the house would blend into the woodland landscape.

As you can see in this bedroom, nature and light were at the forefront of this stunning home's design – we can just imagine waking up here to those spectacular treetop views. Off-white walls and long stretches of black-framed windows create a muted scheme that allows the vistas outside to take centre stage.

Nestled within the mountains at Snoqualmie Pass – a popular skiiing destination near Seattle, Washington – lies this newly built three-bedroom home. With its clean, contemporary architecture and exterior wood cladding, it's the archetypal Scandinavian-style mountain retreat.

This living room is a masterclass in making minimalism feel warm and welcoming, with tactile birchwood ceilings and floors, plus a cosy wood-burning fire to relax in front of after a long day on the slopes. Floor-to-ceiling windows draw spectacular views of the forests and mountains inside, injecting light and colour into the pared-back space.

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Pale birchwood envelops the walls, floor and ceiling in the open-plan kitchen and dining area, while the contrasting black pendant light reflects the dark outline of the window frames, drawing the eye out towards the forest. Decoration is restrained – open shelving neatly tucked away above the worktop displays a considered collection of pictures and ceramics.

In this bedroom, the minimal colour palette carries through, with the same birchwood cladding creating a rustic, cosy feel. A large picture window commands the rear wall, offering tranquil vistas of the treetops from bed. Think you could feel at home here in the mountains? The property is currently on sale for around £656,000 ($845k).

Designed by Ernő Goldfinger as a council housing block in 1967, the Grade II-listed Balfron Tower in east London is one of the UK’s most famous examples of Brutalist architecture. Currently undergoing refurbishment, an array of sleek designer apartments are due to be finished in spring 2020, including this stunning two-bedroom property, which offers 808 square feet of living space.

The apartment has been redesigned with streamlined, open-plan living in mind, allowing a generous flow of natural light throughout the space. In this bright and airy living room, a selection of natural materials and a cool, considered colour palette complement Balfron Tower’s exposed concrete exterior.

The contemporary kitchen features cupboard units in both birch-faced ply and dark green laminate, accented with quartz worktops. With sleek, unadorned cabinetry and a minimalist fixtures, the earthy terrazzo splashback does all the talking in this muted zone.

Decorated in sugary lilac tones, this bedroom offers an indulgent, luxurious feel without the need for extra adornment – the plush velvet bed and contemporary wallpaper are the stars of the show. Elsewhere in the building, there are plenty of top-of-the-range facilities for residents to enjoy, from a roof garden to a yoga room, cinema and library.

Known simply as The Cabin, this home sits among the treetops in the popular beach enclave of Byron Bay in New South Wales. The rustic exterior is an exercise in greyscale, with silver weathered timber cladding and classic black pitched roofs. Outside, a dreamy infinity pool hangs over the edge of the deck – perfect for relaxing with a cold drink in the summer.

The property comes fully furnished, with a monochrome palette adorning the minimal interior. In the living room, a plush, custom-made velvet sofa frames a striking modern fireplace, while a sheepskin rug and cosy throw add texture and warmth. Large, black steel-framed glass windows and doors let in plenty of light, drawing views of the tree canopy inside.

This kitchen is all about texture, featuring grained black oak cabinets and natural grey limestone floors. Fitted out with the latest Miele appliances, angular architecture and a wow-factor enclosed spiral staircase prove that you don’t need an expansive colour palette to add drama.

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Upstairs, you'll find the cabin’s two ensuite bedrooms, which enjoy spectacular views stretching across to nearby Cape Byron lighthouse. The monochrome palette is carried through upstairs, with crisp white walls and black accents aplenty. Yearning for a luxurious Australian beach retreat? Yep, us too. The Cabin is on the market for £1.9 million ($2.4m).

This residential block in Bad Soden, a small town near Frankfurt, Germany, was designed by artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Built in his trademark chaotic and highly adorned style with undulating lines and colourful details, the fortress-like “Hundertwasser House” has become a local attraction.

While the exterior may be complex and decorative, the interior of this seven-bedroom apartment is remarkably pared-back. Clean white walls and light wood floors adorn the open living space, however, the organic curved architecture of the doorways and mezzanine lends the space warmth and texture.

Hundertwasser was known for his stunning mosaics and examples of these can still be found within this expansive apartment. In the bathroom, the bathtub and walls are decorated in this amazing tonal-blue design. Bare white walls and streamlined fixtures balance out the vibrant detailing, maintaining the considered, minimal feel of the space.

Large modern artworks hang on the home's walls, adding a splash of bright colour among the streamlined black furnishings and white walls. Think you’d like to live in this artistic apartment? It’s currently on the market for £2.3 million ($2.9m).

This luxury five-bedroom, five-bathroom villa is located in western Crete, near the city of Chania, overlooking a bubbling creek. Partially carved into the rocky hillside, the home is built in an angular brutalist style. With a huge infinity pool and five terraces, it's the perfect spot to recharge and soak up the best of the Greek sunshine.

Inside, the villa is spacious and luxurious. Though minimally decorated, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is anything but sparse – gleaming worktops and glossy white cabinetry add glamour, while large picture windows and floor-to-ceiling glass doors offer breathtaking sea views.

In the bedroom, grey wood floors contrast with bright white walls, while an industrial-style light fitting makes the space feel thoroughly contemporary. Sliding glass doors open out onto breathtaking views of Zeus Bay – just imagine a lazy morning spent lounging on that huge bed gazing out at the azure ocean.

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Natural textures abound in this earthy ensuite bathroom, from the smooth grey stone of the luxurious egg-shaped bathtub to the dark tiled flooring underfoot. Like what you see? This stunning villa is on sale for around £2.6 million (£3.3m). We’re booking our flights right now…

Having featured in Vogue and ELLE Decor, apartment 4BC in the SoHo 25 building is a red-carpet home if there ever was one and it has an A-list history to boot too, having once been home to Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West. The two-bedroom apartment was designed by architect Claudio Silvestrin, who is known for his striking minimalist approach.

In the serene living room, a beautiful monolithic stone coffee table adds architectural wow-factor and imparts a warm, organic touch. The neutral palette provides the perfect contrasting backdrop for black accent pieces and plenty of foliage, while huge windows frame priceless views of New York City.

The vast living and dining rooms flow seamlessly into the kitchen, where pearwood cabinetry and French limestone flooring continue the neutral colour palette. The space is centred around a monolithic stone island with exposed raw edges – we can just imagine Kim and Kanye sipping their morning flat whites here!

The spacious master bedroom is a stunning minimalist sanctuary, with more light brown French limestone adorning the walls and floors. Think you could sleep soundly here? This chic apartment is currently on sale for around £3.1 million ($4m). If it’s good enough for the Kardashian Wests…

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Designed by the renowned French architect Jean Nouvel and completed in 2009, 100 Eleventh Avenue is a striking apartment block on the banks of the Hudson River in Manhattan. Its dramatic curved facade comprises a mosaic of windows – a unique design that has made the building something of a local landmark.

The calm, minimalist interior of apartment 16C is a surprising contrast to the busy design of the building’s exterior. The three-bedroom gallery-like space is decked out with white-painted walls and white terrazzo floors, while black-framed windows draw in views of New York City’s towering skyline.

While minimalism is often realised in a soft, neutral palette, this living area offsets clean white lines with subtle pops of colour. Rust-red armchairs and Aztec-print cushions add a playful edge, while elegant shapes and streamlined mid-century-style furniture keep things pared-back.

The airy apartment is the perfect backdrop for displaying artwork – these modern, colourful pieces add personality to the crisp space. If you’re an avid art collector with deep pockets, you’re in luck: this sleek city apartment is currently on the market for £6.1 million ($7.9m). 

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