Are you looking to give your home a modern interior design makeover? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key components of modern design, as well as provide some inspiring ideas and tips, so you can create a look that’s both stylish and timeless.

From color palettes to furniture pieces and decor, we have all the information you need to bring your dream space to life.
What Is The History Of Modern Interior Design Style?
The modern interior design style is based on a design movement born in the early 20th century, stemming from the roots of German and Scandinavian modernism. This new approach was part of a larger cultural shift that sought to revolutionize art, architecture, and design.
A few key elements define this style, most notably its simple forms, clean lines, and lack of ornamentation or excessive detail. The architecture is often characterized by cubist shapes with asymmetrical layouts and large open spaces.
Materials such as concrete, glass, steel, and distressed wood were commonly used for walls and furnishings. Additionally, vibrant colors such as yellow, orange, and red were explored to create a bold statement in the space.
The modern design also embraced styles from other eras, such as the gothic revival or renaissance, but adapted them into more minimalistic designs that served a purpose instead of simply existing for form’s sake.
So, What’s The Difference Between Modern And Contemporary Design Styles?
The term contemporary design and modern interior design is often used interchangeably, yet they are different in many ways. Contemporary design has the power to be both classic and modern at the same time.
- Simplicity is at the forefront of both styles, with contemporary designs utilizing softer colors, textures, and natural materials while also highlighting current trends.
- Modern interior designs focus on minimalism, streamlined shapes, and technology-driven pieces that reflect a certain period in the history of design.
- Clean lines, simple colors, and material choices result in timelessness to the overall look.
On the other hand, architects and interior designers have been able to successfully mix modern elements into contemporary designs by using elements from 20th-century design movements like angular furniture pieces or modernist rugs with more current colors and textures.
The Best Modern Interior Design Style Ideas
Clean And Simple Lines
Modern interior design style favors simple and clean lines, often unadorned by any curvilinear details. In modern interiors, horizontal and vertical lines are used to create cohesive and coherent spaces that feel ordered and well-proportioned.
Furniture is typically designed with straight edges and minimal curves while lighting fixtures are often linear. Accessories in the modern style also adhere to a much more simplified form, usually incorporating subtle metallic accents or geometrical shapes.
The key elements of the modern interior design style emphasize functionality over the aesthetic appeal.
Open Floor Plans
The open-concept floor plan is becoming increasingly popular in modern home designs. This concept merges societal areas like the seating area, dining area, and kitchen – sometimes even the entry hall – into one single living space.
By not using walls to divide these spaces, visual continuity is created, while also making better use of natural light and improving air circulation in the home.
When designing an open-concept floor plan, it’s important to consider what kind of color palette you want to use as well as how many accessories you will employ so that order and simplicity are achievable within the space.
Tidy
The modern interior design ideal of simplicity is a key element of any successful interior redesign. By focusing on the elements that truly add to the space and discarding trinkets and other ornamental objects, you are going to achieve a much cleaner and simpler look that allows for greater versatility and function.
Simplicity and functionality go hand in hand when creating a modern interior. The form should follow function, meaning the available space must be used efficiently. Items should not be added just for their aesthetic value; they need to have a purpose.
Industrial
Industrial elements can be used to create a modern look in home decor. Concrete, steel, and glass are essential materials of modern architecture and each contributes its own unique benefits.
Concrete is both strong and durable, allowing for solid foundations and walls, while its texture adds the perfect amount of texture to any interior decor. Steel is another cornerstone of modern architecture, due to its abundance and strength.
Its use contributes an air of industrial chic to any room, which has become popular in recent years thanks to its durability and timelessness.
Furniture Style – Modern
Modern furniture style has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are opting for a modern look to their home interiors. This style is all about simplicity, functionality, and clean lines, rather than ornate and heavily detailed pieces.
The focus of modern furniture is to achieve comfort without clutter, which can make a space feel cramped and visually unappealing.
Functionality
The key to achieving the perfect modern interior design is choosing the right type of furniture that can be used throughout your home. Modern furniture often features horizontal lines with minimal detailing, which adds an element of sophistication to an otherwise plain backdrop.
Sofas and chairs should be of sufficient size while still retaining their sleek shape – this ensures both comfort and practicality when crafting a truly modern look.
Finishes such as chrome or wood with glass or mirrored accents can also contribute significantly to the atmosphere of a contemporary setting, making everything feel unified and pleasing to the eye.
Geometric Formations
Modern interior design styles focus on the use of simple and geometric forms. This is in contrast to the more ornate styles that have been popular in past eras. Furniture with sharp lines and smooth surfaces provides a clean, modern look.
The balance of geometric shapes can provide a sense of harmony in a room that’s lacking in curves and other distractions. Using furniture pieces with a minimalist style can create an open environment where the person can feel relaxed and calm.
The use of color is another key element when designing geometric forms. Using one or two subtle colors for accents will work better than attempting to fill a room with multiple bright colors. Bold, bright colors can be overwhelming if used incorrectly, and it often takes additional decor to bring them down to earth again.
Earth Tones And Natural Materials
Modern design is all about incorporating neutral tones into living spaces. Natural materials such as wood, leather, steel, chrome, and glass are popular choices when it comes to modern furniture, which adds warmth and texture without disrupting the balance of the neutral palette.
Grey, whites, beige, and blacks form the core of modern design palettes, allowing for the occasional dark shade to create depth. This year, designers are embracing earth tones like browns and terracotta to bring a softer look to contemporary interiors.
Combining gray and brown is an excellent way to achieve a tasteful and classic, neutral elegance that breathes life into a space. The beauty of modern design lies in choosing pieces made with natural materials that have an inherent aesthetic charm, rather than relying on painting or other treatments.
Furniture That Is Iconic
The modernism period was an era when new materials and designs revolutionized furniture production. Complex, hand-carved wooden furniture was replaced by simpler and more functional pieces made of steel, plywood, and plastic.
One of the greatest symbols of modern design is the ”Wassily Chair”, developed in 1925 with its striking tube steel aesthetic that challenged traditional approaches to furniture production.
Even today, this iconic modern piece has remained popular as a representation of one of the most important movements in design history. More recently, iconic furniture such as the Barcelona Chair continues to demonstrate how modern furniture designs remain timeless despite their age.
This famous chair is usually seen as a representation of the saying “less is more” – an ideology that represents the essence of modernism and adds elements such as simplicity paired with indispensable functionality to any space design.
Hidden Storage
The modern interior design movement is all about cleaning up and removing clutter from your home, as well as making use of space that was never meant to be visible. This means that invisible storage areas can be a great way to keep items tucked away while still staying organized.
From built-in cabinets and cupboards behind walls to under-the-stairs drawers and even hidden electronics racks, there is no limit to how creative you can get with your storage solutions.
Modern Style Accessories
Modern artwork and abstract paintings are one of the most powerful accessories to create a modern interior design. The modern art movement started with a desire to break away from traditional idealistic realism portrayed in the 19th century.
This resulted in a period that saw an explosion of vibrant colors, shapes, and forms defining what is now considered modern art.
Abstract And Modern Artworks
The emergence of abstract art as an experiment of rampant imagination and experimentation led to various other movements like cubism and fauvism.
To represent this exciting new style, large unframed modern paintings, and abstract sculptures have become popular interior design choices throughout households around the world.
Instead of overcrowding walls with gallery-style arrangements, fewer yet more prominent modern pieces bring character and personality to any space.
Geometric Patterns
Geometric patterns and shapes have been used in interior design for centuries. They can be seen in ancient ruins, traditional houses, and modern buildings. Geometric patterns bring order to the room and make it feel more balanced and harmonious.
They are perfect for creating a cohesive look that stands out yet still feels inviting. From art deco to Islamic art, geometric patterns come in many forms and styles, from simple geometric designs to elaborate ones with intricate details.
Whether you choose a classic or contemporary style, these shapes and lines will add interest to any space.
Popular geometric pattern options for modern interiors include carpets, paintings, textiles, furniture, and wallpapers composed of intertwining circles and triangles or symmetrical mosaics of shapes like diamonds and squares.
Metallic Usage – Accents
Metallic accents have been used to enhance and modernize the look of a home for many years. In recent years, however, these accents have seen an expansion in popularity.
Through interior design and home decor trends, metallic accents have become some of the most popular design choices for modern interiors. Chrome or stainless steel are two of the primary metals that make up these metallic accents.
Many kitchens now feature stainless steel appliances, while chrome elements of all kinds are used on taps, doorknobs, cabinet handles, and lighting fixtures to provide a bright and eye-catching touch to any room.
Colors That Highlight
Highlighting bright and vivid colors in modern designs is a great way to break up the neutral tones and whites that are typically used. Adding color allows you to create focal points and add an energetic atmosphere to the space.
Primary colors such as yellow, red, and blue can add vibrancy without being too overwhelming. Generally, these tones should be used sparingly through cushions, carpets, a piece of furniture, or accessories and never covering large-scale objects like walls in a vibrant hue.
Plants
Modern plants are a great way to bring a touch of modernity and warmth into any living space. Living plants are not only beautiful to look at but offer countless health benefits as well – from improved air quality in the home to helping us feel more relaxed and positive.
When you think about modern plants for your home, you don’t have to limit yourself to just traditional options. Instead, opt for those which reflect your contemporary style. Think of sharp lines and geometric shapes when choosing the pots and vases that will hold your plants, such as black or chrome containers with a sleek finish.
Daylight And Modern Windows
When it comes to modern interior design, large windows, and daylight are two of the most important features. Large windows are considered a hallmark of modern architecture, while natural light is a must-have component of every modern home or office space.
Thin-profile wide window systems are popular options for maximizing daylight, as they allow more natural light indoors due to their slender shape. If you can’t install larger windows in your space, then choosing an appropriate curtain is a great way to make the most of natural light.
Modern Curtains
Modern curtains come in a variety of styles and materials that range from sheer drapes to more heavy and stylish designs. Semi-sheer drapes provide great insulation from both heat and cold while still letting plenty of daylight into the room.
For formal settings or bedrooms that require privacy, heavier curtains such as blackout curtains are ideal for blocking out excess sunlight when desired.
LED Lights
LED and spotlighting elements are a great way to bring modern design and style into your home. Not only do they create a soothing atmosphere when used in the right combination, but you can also customize their layout to fit any room’s shape or size.
Installing these lights along the edges of walls, and behind panels, offers an interesting alternative to traditional lighting fixtures.
Final Thoughts
Modern interior design style ideas are all about creating a look that is both modern and timeless. By utilizing bright colors, plants, modern windows, and curtains, as well as LED lighting, you can transform any room into a sleek and stylish space that will wow your guests.
Have fun experimenting with different elements to find the perfect combination for your home!
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