What it is: Technically, modern design is rooted in the minute (as in this moment, here and today — how’s that for having to think about your feet?) . However, in broad terms, it represents an about-face in the conventions of standard decor.
Less is more: smooth profiles instead of ornamentation, solid or subtly patterned cloths instead of vibrant prints, minimal accessories instead of large collections. While it does not have the overt heat of mature design fashions, it won’t cast a chill either.
You will frequently hear the terms”modern” and”contemporary” tossed about , but they’re not precisely the exact same thing. Modern refers to a specific design movement that originated in the early 20th century and follows stricter guidelines; modern, by definition, is more fluid and tolerates a bit of rule-breaking. (Keep a look out for a manual to contemporary style in the near future.)
Why it works: A strong emphasis on line and form — two essentials of great design — gives modern style its own energy. These chambers are designed with ample open space and natural lighting in your mind, which makes them feel airy and expansive. Since there isn’t any mess, every bit must count.
You will love it if… At art museums, you gravitate to the abstract works. You have over two books together with the term Simplify from the title. Curtains make you claustrophobic. Geometry course was the high point on your school day. You’re tempted to stash the majority of your things in storage and redecorate all in white.
More’So Your Design Is’:
Conventional | Arts & Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Old World | Cottage | French Country
Art Deco | Transitional | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
Charlie & Co.. Design, Ltd
Style Secret: Simple Lines
Repeat after us: lines, planes, angles. Now make it your mantra. Contemporary design is oriented along a solid horizontal-vertical axis, from design to furnishings. The construction of a space becomes an integral design element by itself.
But also consider… Does that mean that which in your house should have square corners? Of course not. Balance the appearance with a couple curves; the crucial thing is to keep true to simple geometric forms: circles, orbs, cylinders, waves. Leave the scallops and curlicues to a traditional buddies.
John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA
Style Secret: Sophisticated Neutrals
Cream, tan, white, beige, black — all these will be the bedrock upon which modern design is located. Monochromatic and tone-on-tone schemes allow the shapes and lines inside a space to take center stage.
But additionally consider… Neutral is a fairly broad term. Choose a color with undertones that include interest (the stony gray-blue displayed here, for example). Attempt lotion with a hint of pink, gray with a bit of green, or beige with some golden. If you’d like a jolt of brighter color, keep it judiciously concentrated: a accent wall, say, or a bold piece of furniture.
How to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine | Dare To Try a More Colorful Neutral
Rachel Paul
Design Secret: Open Space
Contemporary design celebrates what isn’t there as much as what’s. Empty space takes on an almost sculptural quality, carved out from the powerful architecture. Due to their openness, modern interiors are especially ideal for large-scale furnishings, artwork and accents.
But also consider… Too much distance with too little to anchor it makes a room feel lost and forlorn. Split furnishings into groupings to help split up a huge room. Chandeliers or pendant lighting can visually pull a large, darkened ceiling.
Greifenstein Boyce Associates
Style Secret: Unadorned Floors
In case you are crazy for the sense of bare feet on cool tile, you are in luck. Contemporary design eschews rugs and carpeting in favor of sleeker, tougher surfaces: bamboo; blond woods like maple or ash; stone; ceramic. Ebonized boards or dark-stained concrete can ground contemporary rooms (provided that you are ready to make buddies with your dust mop).
But also consider… That is not to say you can not possess a rug in a modern home; it’s only a matter of deciding on the right one. You wouldn’t necessarily need to throw a fringed Oriental, however a geometric design or a textural weave may be just the ticket. Or experiment with a grid of tiles. If you must have wall-to-wall carpeting, choose a good color and a very low heap.
Mark Newman Design
Style Secret: Serious Shine
Contemporary rooms are nothing if not polished, which means high-gloss surfaces fit right in. Chrome, steel, lacquer, plastic, glass, tile and more all work in tandem to help bounce light around a space. Mix materials for contrast and depth.
But also consider… Too much reflectivity will make your eyeballs quiver. Break up the gleam with matte components — check out the gorgeous interplay of glossy and honed surfaces in this bath. Or temper shine with feel, like ribbed glass or brushed nickel.
Interieurs from Francine Gardner
Style Secret: High-Impact Furniture
Contemporary furnishings possess clean lines and striking profiles. You won’t find a good deal of skirts or slipcovers — the most tailored versions can look overly soft and full. Instead, concentrate on pieces that reveal a little leg.
But also consider… An overdose of long-legged tables and chairs can make a space feel awkward and unsettled. A low-slung sofa, a simple ottoman or directional end tables will counter the spindliness of their counterparts.
Marie Burgos Design
Style Secret: Center-Stage Windows
Could you picture tasseled draperies or a balloon valance in this area? Neither can we. Windows in a modern milieu are usually abundant, and they’re often left undressed to highlight their sharp lines and allow natural light flooding in.
But also consider… If solitude’s an issue, or in the event that you simply don’t enjoy feeling that you are on screen, integrate sleek window treatments that won’t stop the eye: sheers or solid panels which mix into the wall shade; narrow dividers; mesh shades. As long as they’re done in a neutral sound or barely-there print, and maintained very tailored, Roman shades are another chance.
Cecile Lozano Interiors
Style Secret: Minimal Accessories
Remember how we said”less is more?” Eschew diverse groupings, fussy finds and bric-a-brac; keep accessories simple, few and well-chosen. In this pared-down arrangement, every bit adds play without detracting in the streamlined feel.
But also consider… Collectors, take heart: You’re not doomed to a collection of garage sales. While this isn’t the setting for your family Staffordshire, simple objects that sense of a bit — like white ceramic glass or vases fishing-net floats — drop step with the aesthetic. Organize them into a tight, uniform manner that improves the distance instead of detracting from it. Bookshelves should be filled with hardbacks; paperbacks are better suited to conventional rooms.
Rodriguez Studio Architecture PC
Style Secret: Overscale Art
Walls in modern rooms don’t generally have much in the way of adornment: no heavy moldings, no plate collections, no family photo groupings. So they’re an ideal foil for big works of art that shine best amid gallery-style simplicity. Canvases ought to be framed quite cleanly, if at all. Streamlined sculpture, black-and-white photography, glass and prints also get the job done. And if you like your artwork a bit edgy, it is going to feel right at home.
But also consider… Art shouldn’t compete with an accent wall or another attention-stealing focal point. Torn between you or the other? In our book, artwork wins.
Tell us: Does modern style light up you or leave you cold? How can you put your own stamp on this appearance? Share your ideas below!
More:
Modern and Contemporary: What is the Difference?
How to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine