Even though some people strongly oppose it, the contemporary interior design style has been rising in popularity over the last few years, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The popularity of this style has even led to some confusion among consumers as they wonder just what exactly this style is and what sets it apart from the more traditional interior design styles. To help you navigate the world of contemporary interior design, here are some of the most common characteristics that come with this style, along with some specific examples that embody its features.
The basics of contemporary interior design
First of all, contemporary style should not be confused with modern style. Modern interior design style originated in Europe and the United States during the 20th century, peaking in mid-century, while the contemporary interior design is a broad term for the interior design movement that took root in the United States some 40 years ago and continues to grow.
You can find similarities and differences between the two styles; for example, when it comes to materials, the modern design style favors wood while the contemporary style is all for metal, glass, and technologically novel materials. In a broader sense, modern interior design is a style that was formed and fixed sometime in the past century. In contrast, contemporary interior design is an ongoing movement that is still developing and evolving.
Contemporary interior design style favors clean lines and neutral, light-toned colors. The focus of the contemporary interior design is typically on functional living spaces. This up-to-date school of thought in interior decorating also focuses on materials like stone and metal. Geometric shapes and patterns often serve as accent pieces or focal points throughout a contemporary space. Contemporary design not only provides practical value in terms of functionality but also allows for personalization through artful expressions of creativity.
With so many modern options for furniture pieces and decorating accessories available today, it’s easier than ever before to create a stylish home that fits your personality! If you want your space to be as beautiful as it is practical, a contemporary interior design style may be right for you!
Is this the right design style for you?
The contemporary interior design style emphasizes open floor plans and natural lighting versus dark spaces closed off by decorative elements. This approach perfectly matches the mood of many people in the present-day world of openness. No doubt, this is an important factor in the popularity of this design style among so many people today. Still, many people find the large, bright, almost empty spaces of this style characterless and lacking in warmth.
When deciding on a particular style of decorating for your home, it’s essential to remember how you want your space to make you feel. If you like sharp lines and rich colors, such as black and red, to create spaces that are bold, fun, and comfortable, then contemporary interiors might be right for you.
Learn more about contemporary interior design
Contemporary style skillfully uses many design elements to achieve its desired effect. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most important aspects of this interior design style:
Simplicity
Contemporary design is best known for its simple spaces, devoid of elaborate details. The primary rule in this style is to keep things simple and avoid clutter. The contemporary room is sparsely furnished, allowing furniture pieces and accessories to stand out. Resist the temptation to overstuff your home with too many objects; just a few carefully chosen objects make a powerful impact.
Lines and forms
One of the hallmarks of the contemporary interior design style is its lines. In the contemporary-style home, lines- whether straight vertical and horizontal lines or curved ones- dominate the view. Use clearly visible lines to highlight architectural details. You can accentuate the lines using bold colors and directed lighting.
Equally important are the spaces defined by these lines. In contemporary-style homes, spaces are sparsely furnished, and elements such as high ceilings, bare windows, and bold color blocks help accentuate them. In a contemporary-style home, spaces are as important as the furniture and accessories placed in them.
A smart move in contemporary interior design style would be to use structural elements of the building to enhance your living space. Exposed air ducts and plumbing pipes are perfectly normal in contemporary-style homes. You can paint these elements in bold contrasting colors for emphasis or muted colors to blend them with their surroundings.
Choose a few select pieces of sculpture and wall art to complement the contemporary-style space. The theme of these objects should predominantly be geometrical shapes or simple, undulating lines. Such articles go well with the overall feel of a space decorated in contemporary style.
Color contrast
You can recognize the contemporary interior design style by its distinct color palette. This color scheme is dominated by white, black, and neutral colors such as tan and gray. These colors together define the space in this style and can be complemented by bold and bright colors. You may paint the walls in neutral colors and choose accessories such as wall art and sculpture in bright colors to stand out against the background, or you can reverse the color scheme, with walls painted in bright colors and accessories in muted tones. Many people find such color contrasts interesting.
Innovative Texture
The contemporary interior design style gives you a virtually free hand to use materials such as metal, transparent or opaque glass, and stone. Metals such as nickel, chrome, and stainless steel are trendy in this style. Such materials provide a clean finish which is in harmony with the overall tendency of the contemporary style. You can then use opaque glass in neutral colors to complement and enrich the scene.
You can choose materials such as wood, vinyl, or tile to create smooth floors characteristic of contemporary style. Floors are usually kept bare in this style, but you can opt for rugs in plain colors with geometrical patterns to cover part of the floor. Cushions and pillows made with heavily textured fabric in bright colors and with simple patterns can also add warmth to your contemporary-style home.
State-of-the-Art lighting
In contemporary interior design, you can take an inventive approach to the issue of lighting and use it to augment the overall impression of your living space. Here is your chance to utilize the benefits of technological advances in lighting to the fullest.
You can use track lighting and recessed lighting to lighten up your home in an artistic fashion. In track lighting, small lights are placed along a continuous electrical conductor track, with plenty of space left between the lights. In recessed lighting, light fixtures are installed into the ceiling. Another form of lighting you can consider in the contemporary style is spotlights directed at an accessory, such as wall art. In all these instances, you can use different colors of light to enrich the visual experience.
In contemporary style, lighting pieces do not simply serve a functional purpose but often are treated as aesthetically important objects, even art pieces. Metallic lighting fixtures with smooth finishes, lamps with elegant lines, and shades in neutral color tones are some of the options you can choose for your contemporary-style home.
Conclusion
Contemporary interior design style has become popular in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. Distinct colors and bold, geometric patterns help your home stand out from the crowd while still being tasteful and beautiful. Visit our website to learn more about contemporary interior design style, including how to apply it in your home and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make when trying to achieve a contemporary interior look for their homes.