Modern design is one of the most common styles in today’s real estate market. Its simplistic and clean lines are ideal for homeowners who prefer a home with fewer features and less clutter. It also works well for open floor plans.
The modern style is often seen as cold and stark, but this style actually has many elements that are warm and welcoming. For example, it typically focuses on neutral colors and simple furniture designs. It also favors natural materials like wood and stone, rather than sophisticated finishes and metal.
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling, knowing the difference between contemporary and modern can help you choose the best style for your home. Moreover, understanding the differences between the different styles can make it easier for you to match your home with the right furniture and decor.
There are a number of different styles that you can use when decorating your space, but the most popular ones are modern, contemporary, and traditional. Here are some of the key characteristics that you should consider when selecting a style for your home:
Cleanliness and simplicity
A key principle of modern design is that everything in your space should be designed with a functional purpose in mind. That means that if a piece of furnishings or decorative item doesn’t serve its purpose, it should be removed and replaced with something more functional.
The modern home was first introduced during World War II and is characterized by large, open floor plans with minimal walls. It’s usually accompanied by wide, flat planes, large glass windows, and geometric shapes to create a flowing space that allows light to flow throughout the room.
Structures and structural details can be used to accent the space, such as air ducts, broken bricks, or exposed plumbing pipes. Paint these elements in contrasting shades to draw attention, or just use them as design pieces that complement the rest of your space.
Furniture: The most important thing to remember when choosing furniture for your modern space is that it should be simple, sleek, and uncluttered. This is particularly true when it comes to sofas, coffee tables, and dressers.
You should also avoid over-stitched patterns and heavy embellishments. These tend to add unnecessary weight to the furniture and may not work in the long run.
Similarly, upholstered furniture should be plain and neutral in color with no curves or ornament. You can also add some textural interest by incorporating pillows in clean geometric shapes.
Wabi-sabi and minimalist décor are a few other popular styles that are perfect for achieving the modern aesthetic. This Japanese philosophy focuses on the beauty of nature and imperfection, and spaces that follow this design trend are often uncluttered and peaceful.
Another popular style is French decor, which is based on classic elements of formal design and antique accents. Its streamlined, elegant look is often associated with white furniture and neutral color schemes, which allows large focal points–such as a classic four-poster bed or oversized gilt mirror–to stand out.
