Interesting. I've been thinking a lot about minimalism lately, and what it entails.

I think a lot of minimalists do embrace the minimalist aesthetic, not just the lifestyle. They would choose a sleek chrome desk lamp over a stained glass one, plain dishes rather than fancy patterned ones (even if the more ornate items might be less expensive or in some way more practical.) Not a criticism at all, just an observation.

I am moving toward minimalism personally, though it is difficult in a household where the others are more maximalist (apparently, not a word, but, you know.) There are a few areas where I can make unilateral decisions - like my wardrobe - but I can't stop dh from buying silly outfits for the dog, or dd from having 40 kinds of lip gloss.
And my dh does get stressed out over his stuff; I see it happening all the time.

I always look for products and ways to do things that 'stack functions', as we say in permaculture. I look for plants that are pollinators, edible, drought tolerant, attractive, native, quick growing and long lived, low maintenance, and the deer don't eat them. Even better if it's nitrogen fixing.
In the same way, my velvet curtains block the sun, cold, wind, noise, absorb sound indoors, look great, provide privacy, and are neutral enough to have lived in three houses (25 years so far.)

What I'm looking for is to get the maximum use out of the things I do have, and do the 'stacking functions' test on anything I might be thinking of buying. I like the idea of zucchini noodles, but can I use the gadget for anything else? Hmm... Can I use a knife (a good multi-purpose tool) instead? Probably.

While some minimalist scorn smartphones (and smartphones can be annoying) they are a really good case in point for stacking functions. I'm looking forward to the cell phones/tablets/devices of the future, that will perhaps completely eliminate the need for personal computers, e-book readers, DSLR cameras, credit cards, keys, etc. They'll probably perfect them just before the electrical grid comes down forever

On the other hand, there is something pleasingly simple (and maybe minimalist?) about a print book.