❝Treat your home like your wardrobe. Choose items that you love and that make you feel good❞ - Thom Filicia
There are many types of interior design and each style consists of distinctive furniture, decors, lighting, and accessories that give it its signature look. By getting to know some of the most popular styles, you’ll better understand what styles stand out to you and meet your preferences. As Thom Filicia once said, “treat your home like your wardrobe, choose items that you love and that make you feel good”! Do you love contemporary interior design? If you love sleek, thoughtful, hidden details which emphasize an edited aesthetic, you might actually love this interior design style. In today’s “Know Your Interior Design Style Series”, we shall bring you a discussion all about contemporary interior design style!
Often mistaken as modern interior design, the fluidity of interior design trends has been evolving steadily since the 1970s, drawing inspiration from various styles such as modern, minimalist, bohemian, and rustic. What is contemporary interior design style? The term "contemporary" itself refers to what is current, modern, or happening in the present time. Contemporary interior design style refers to a modern approach to decorating spaces that emphasizes clean lines, simplicity, and functionality by incorporating elements of other styles while maintaining a fresh and up-to-date aesthetic.
Contemporary interior design remains popular in recent years since it maintains the modern and up-to-date feels. It offers an ideal option for minimalists seeking to avoid intricate patterns and a cluttered mix of eras while aiming to achieve a simple yet cohesive balance among diverse elements, with a focus on architectural features within a room. Aside from the design, contemporary decorating also endures as a classic approach to harmonizing a room.
As mentioned before, contemporary interior design is often mistaken with modern interior design even though the two terms describe distinct interior design styles. So what are the differences between these two? While modern style might evoke a sense of coldness, restriction, and excessive minimalism, contemporary style on the other hand displays tranquility and serenity. It integrates a keen emphasis on architectural features, decorative nuances, bold scales, and a carefully curated color palette, crafting a welcoming ambiance with effortless sophistication. Modern interior design refers to the mid-century modern designs of the early to mid-nineteenth century and draws from German Bauhaus and Scandinavian designs meanwhile contemporary interior design refers to “of the moment” and future-inspired designs which has evolved since the 1970s and draws on many different styles.
Source : Pinterest
Similar to modern interior design style in term of elements and characteristics, interior designers who create contemporary home space find influences in these few elements, including :
1. Uncluttered spaces
Contemporary design embodies the principles of minimalism and neutrality. The whole goal in contemporary interior design style is to maintain simplicity and elegance while ensuring visual appeal. In contemporary spaces, you’ll see a lot of ample uncluttered surfaces and open areas. Designers embrace the idea of leaving spaces void, even if it means leaving corners unfilled.
2. Open floor plans
Open floor plans facilitate effortless movement for entertaining guests, enabling them to transition seamlessly from one area of the room to another without feeling confined. In a contemporary setting, the living room seamlessly merges with the dining room and kitchen, enhancing the sense of cohesion and spaciousness.
3. Simple and geometric forms
Clean and geometric shapes constitute a fundamental aspect of contemporary interior design. Minimalist lines, adorned with minimal embellishments and scant clutter, exemplify the principle of "less is more."
4. Marble kitchens and bathrooms
Marble stands out as one of the most luxurious and costly materials in interior design. As a product of natural stone, marble boasts a wide array of colors, veins, and patterns. For those seeking to infuse glamor into their kitchen or bathroom, marble countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and even sink surrounds offer an exquisite choice.
5. High contrast colors
Employing contrasting colors can evoke a contemporary or modern ambiance within an interior space. An essential consideration when utilizing high-contrast colors is that they tend to convey an illusion of being closer to black than white. Moreover, such contrasts can create the impression of diminished contrast when compared side by side.
6. Muted shades of colors
Contemporary design embraces neutral colors and understated hues, where the furniture takes precedence over wall colors. This aesthetic incorporates various tones like tans, whites, grays, and beiges. Moreover, contrast is a defining feature of contemporary design, with vibrant colors utilized strategically to highlight specific areas within a room, such as an accent wall or rug.
7. Minimalist furniture
Named for its emphasis on simplicity, this style advocates stripping a room to its essentials and prioritizes functional over aesthetic. After eliminating unnecessary elements, focus on what remains. Opt for straightforward shapes and colors when selecting furniture and décor for a minimalist design. Monochromatic palettes work well, adding visual appeal without detracting from the space's simplicity.
8. Floor to ceiling glass windows
Glass walls represent a stylish and practical method for dividing interior spaces. They facilitate the passage of natural light throughout a home, a bonus for residents seeking to minimize reliance on artificial lighting. Compared to conventional wooden or metal walls, glass walls are more cost-effective and simpler to upkeep. They also more soundproof, making them an excellent choice for maintaining privacy from neighbors or housemates.
9. Recessed lighting
In contemporary interior design, recessed lighting holds significant importance. These ceiling lights, also known as can lights, high hats, canister lights, or pot lights, are gently embedded into the ceiling. They serve as an excellent method for introducing ambient lighting into a room without occupying any table or floor space.
10. Very few decorations and accents
Adopting a less-is-more approach is paramount to decorating success. Many contemporary spaces boast minimalist decor with sparse furnishings and only a handful of striking accents that serve as focal points.
Contemporary interior design gives off a sense of modernity and elegance. It may also feel welcoming and serene, thanks to carefully curated furnishings, neutral color palettes, and strategic use of lighting. Contemporary bedroom, living room or other living spaces, there are so many ideas on how to make them look aesthetic while adding personality and visual interest to the space. So let discuss on some design ideas to create those aesthetic contemporary living spaces, such as :
1. Declutter the space
Contemporary style leans towards minimalism, prioritizing clean lines and upscale, modern furniture within a clutter-free environment. Clutter tends to diminish the sense of openness that is a fundamental aspect of contemporary design, making a space appear smaller.
2. Incorporate natural materials
Enhance texture by integrating natural materials such as wood, stone, jute, and metals into your furniture, hardwood floors, or exposed walls. For instance, a contemporary living room or bedroom could highlight an exposed brick wall or introduce coziness with a jute rug.
3. Make deliberate lighting choice
Contemporary designers carefully consider their lighting options, often prioritizing the utilization of large windows to maximize natural light or selecting purposeful fixtures such as track lighting and high-quality lamps with a modest yet refined aesthetic. Window treatments in contemporary design typically exude classic elegance through their clean lines and neutral color palette.
4. Use neutral colors and few accent colors
In contemporary interiors, there's a preference for a predominantly neutral color scheme featuring whites, creams, grays, or taupes, complemented by vibrant or pastel hues in accent pieces like wall art, lamps, or throw pillows.
Source : Pinterest
The defining look of contemporary interior design is characterized by clean lines, sleek surfaces, and an overall sense of simplicity. The choice of colors, furniture, textiles even till accessories are equally important. Here, we will give a few tips and suggestions on how to implement the contemporary style into your home!
1. Colors
Neutral colors such as shades of gray, black, and white, are typical elements of contemporary interior design, serving to define and anchor a room's aesthetic. By choosing appropriate neutrals for a contemporary room, you can introduce subtle bursts of vibrant color that can easily change depending on your mood.
2. Furniture
In contemporary interior design, “less is more”. Opt for statement-making home furnishings that initiate conversations while maintaining a minimalist approach, featuring sleek, clean lines and geometric shapes. Stick to solid colors and finishes, utilizing natural materials and unembellished surfaces. You can choose neutrals in textured natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, linen, silk, and jute. Introduce pops of color with throws and pillows, avoiding loud patterns to maintain a clean and concise aesthetic.
3. Textiles
Characterized by its emphasis on clean lines and minimalist aesthetics, textiles offer a simple means to prevent your home from feeling overly cold and sterile. They introduce variations in texture, subtle patterns, and cohesive color schemes. For example, by using neutrals, stripes, and geometric patterns sparingly to infuse personality.
4. Accessories
While furnishings demand a minimalist approach, decorative accessories offer ample opportunity for creativity in refreshing a contemporary-style home. From lamps to decorative objects to artworks, the most effective contemporary interior design strategies often hinge on the additional elements you introduce into a room after selecting your core furnishings.
That is all our discussion about contemporary interior design! What do you think of this interior design style? Is it your preference? Consult your dream house with Livvy Luxury Living! Contact us on Whatsapp : +62 878 6894 8000 or visit us at 18 Office Park 25th floor Suite A, Jalan Simatupang Kav 18, South Jakarta.
Content Writer : Arcelia Emmanuella Adiwinata