When considering decorating a room in the contemporary style, many at home interior designers confuse contemporary style with modern style. On the other hand, the two have fundamental differences. Therefore, before you dismiss contemporary as minimalist and monochrome, think again.
Before we delve into some useful tips for contemporary interior design, let us first define what characterizes contemporary style especially against the characteristics of the modern style.
Contemporary is actually limited to the current era. Therefore, that includes materials, styles, and other options in the “here-and-now.” The time period it covers is a sliding dynamic scale relative to the date today. What can be considered vintage now was once contemporary in its heyday. Furthermore, the materials, styles, and other options that define what contemporary is in the future is still unknown.
On the other hand, the modern style can be defined by time and the modernism school of design, namely the late 19th century to today. Modern furniture is uncluttered and characterized by clean lines. Modern furniture can be contemporary since the time scale overlaps. Contemporary furniture by its definition rarely has rules, you can use vintage pieces with newer pieces in what is called contemporary eclectic. However, despite being open to interpretation, there are still good and bad in contemporary design.
Good contemporary design still emphasizes clean lines and logical order while still keeping unique from modern and minimalist approaches. It also emphasizes comfort in its textures and manages to look clean and warm not cold and sterile.
Contemporary colors can be vibrant and exciting and are often applied to accents and accessories like cushions, pillows, rugs, wall décor, and art.
Most important in contemporary design is functionality and practicality. All the elements of your design must fit your lifestyle from furnishings and accessories to floors and walls. For example, floors need to be durable and easy to manage and keep tidy. Complex details on surfaces need to be avoided like ornate moldings.
Keeping your home uncluttered might seem impossible in today’s busy lifestyle. If you’ve ever seen a magazine cover featuring a “contemporary” home, where do they hide their life stuff—photo albums, clothes, etc? Very simply, they just have to be kept out of site. Therefore, adequate (and hopefully, organized) storage must also be generous and available.
What current styles would you mix and match using options found at Hickory Furniture Mart’s leading manufacturers to create a good contemporary design?