The minimal epidemic: Why the world feels so dull
How the loss of colour in our environment matters more than you think
Art by Maya Sidhu.
Have you noticed how muted everything looks these days?
The bright and bold colours that used to fill our streets, stores, and screens seem to be disappearing. Somewhere along the way, companies, designers, and the general public decided that less is more — and that less apparently means beige.
Beige, grey, black, and brown dominate fast-food chains, car lots, and shopping malls. Minimalist, colourless branding somehow signals “modern” and “sophisticated,” even if it leaves everything feeling boring.
McDonald’s — once known for its bright reds and yellows — is leaning heavily on greys and blacks for some of its new store designs. Walk into a newly renovated location and you might notice how toned down everything feels compared to the older restaurants. The same trend is seen across many major brands.
Car lots are another case, with more and more cars sticking to the black, white, or gray theme. Red, blue, and green cars are more rare because of a lack of demand.
Colours aren’t just fading, they’re vanishing.
Simply put, colour affects how we feel. This minimal epidemic reflects the need to fit in, carrying the idea that simple equals sophisticated. Bold colours and unique styles are becoming increasingly uncommon, making it second nature to blend in with the colourless crowd instead of embracing your uniqueness.
Minimalism isn’t all bad. Clean designs and simple aesthetics can feel calming and organized — the problem starts when everything becomes the same.
It can make everyday life feel muted and predictable. Cities begin to lose their personality, stores become harder to distinguish from one another, and even products start blending together.
It’s time to bring a little colour back into our lives. Whether it’s through fashion, art, or architecture, colour has the power to make spaces feel alive.
It’s easier said than done, but embracing colour can start small. Try a unique pattern, a bold lip, or a statement piece of clothing — and wear it with confidence. Bringing back originality and self-expression feels more relevant now than ever. With trends like the “clean girl aesthetic,” individuality can get sidelined.
Fashion trends come and go every year, constantly recycling ideas from the past. It’s only a matter of time before colour makes a comeback. When it does, hopefully people will be ready to embrace it because the world could use a little less beige.
