There’s no reason why your modern home décor has to look like it’s come straight from a showroom. Modern homes with clean lines are perfect for combining with contemporary accents and bringing in objects of interest that have been gathered by the inhabitants of the home.
Even minor changes can have a huge impact on a space or room and completely re-vamp it. Focus on the smallest details that will have the greatest impact and alter as many as you like, for instance lighting, art, textures, furniture and unusual pieces and artifacts.
Start With a Clear Design Direction
First of all, consider the atmosphere you want to create in your home.
Modern interiors can be warm and relaxed, bright and minimal or even bold and dramatic. It’s best to decide on a general direction first and then search for single items that fit within this context.
Take stock of the furniture and colors in your space. If a neutral sofa, flooring and wall space is the starting point of your interior, you can introduce very bold decorative accents. But if you already have several bold colors or patterns in the room, then more subdued furniture accessories will probably create a better balance between them.
You don’t have to have everything match. An interior often looks more interesting when there are different materials, shapes and colors and also different surfaces.
Let One Statement Piece Lead the Room
Something that immediately catches the eye in every room.
An unusual chair, a large mirror, a quirky sculpture lamp, a bright and bold colored rug, or an unusual piece of art can all make great focal points. Just make sure that the item has enough space around it for it to be noticed.
The wall: The largest wall in the room has been left bare even though the rest of the room has been fully furnished. One large feature is far better than a load of objects.
For example, decorative wall sculptures can introduce shape, texture, and dimension while giving a room a stronger focal point. Unlike a traditional framed print, a sculptural piece can interact with light and create subtle shadows throughout the day.
The key is to let the statement piece breathe. Too many competing decorations can reduce its impact.
Choose Art With Personality
Your wall space should be used to add artwork to a room and help to determine the mood of the room not just to fill space.
Consider the current color palette and fabrics in the space where the piece will reside. A very expressive piece with unusual form and proportion would look great in a space with a neutral background, while a very colorful interior would benefit from a more subtle work of art.
In addition to this, think about the size of the art work you choose to buy. A small painting will get lost against a large item of furniture such as a sofa or console table. A large painting will fill up a small wall and dominate the space. Measuring the space on the wall against the furniture in the room will help you choose the right work of art to place there.
Mix Textures and Materials
Add some warmth to modern interior decorating by using different textures.
Adding different textures to your space made up of smooth surfaces such as glass and metal can be balanced with wood, woven fabrics, ceramics and soft furnishings. A simple wooden coffee table can add warmth to a very modern room filled with very clean lined furniture. A textured throw can also add depth and warmth to a minimal sofa.
It only takes a few different materials to create this contrast.
By incorporating different textures, a modern room can also be added depth without colors or excessive decor. A modern room usually looks uniform if it is equipped with too much alike furniture and accessories.
Use Lighting to Change the Atmosphere
Lighting is one of the most under-rated features of any interior.
By adding soft lighting such as floor lamps, table lamps, wall lights and accent lighting to a room with one strong overhead light, you can create different moods and ambiance at different times of the day.
Natural light is also important. Keeping windows relatively clear will allow the room to feel brighter and more open.
By positioning lighting correctly a feature piece can also be highlighted. A sculpture, painting or architectural detail will appear far more impressive when highlighted with subtle lighting as opposed to being left in obscurity in a dark corner.
Keep Decorative Pieces Balanced
Modern decorating is often about knowing when to stop.
Instead of placing something on every shelf, table, and corner, leave some surfaces intentionally open. Negative space gives the eye somewhere to rest and allows the pieces you do choose to stand out.
The same principle applies to walls. A carefully selected piece can have more impact than an entire collection of unrelated decorations.
If you are unsure whether a room has too many accessories, remove a few items temporarily. You may find that the space feels more polished with less.
Add Character Without Creating Clutter
A stylish home should still be practical.
Any decor should also be practical and blend in well with how you use each room. So for example in a living room a few coffee-table books, some scatter cushions and a centerpiece would make the space more personable but still enable free movement around the space.
In bedrooms soft textures and a few decorations such as pillows, picture frames or sculptures can create a peaceful ambiance. The entry hall benefits from a mirror, a work of art or functional storage decorated nicely.
When choosing individual items, remember to think of how the item will relate to the other interior elements. Creating visual balance in a room can help you think about scale, placement, and the relationship between furniture and accessories.
Bring in Natural Elements
Modern interior styling can benefit greatly from adding plants to spaces.
Large plants can fill a vacant corner of a room. Smaller plants can be placed on a shelf or in a window and add interest to the space. If you can’t take care of plants, then natural materials such as wood, stone, rattan and linen can also create a warm feeling in a space and work well with modern furniture.
Natural elements pair well with modern furniture as they create a contrast to hard surfaces and straight lines.
Remember, the best decorative choices are those that fit your lifestyle, not add more work to your daily routine.
Make Modern Decor Feel Personal
Most successful modern interiors do not look like they were ordered from a single catalog.
Tie in things that tell a story: travel souvenirs, handed-down items, much-loved books, photos and things that you have made yourself.
Interiors can be updated gradually. It’s not necessary to purchase new furniture every time you decide to change something. Just add one or two new items and see how things look. You’ll often be surprised and find that one new table lamp or work of art makes much more of an impact than, say, three vases.
Modern interior design doesn’t have to be boring or bland. By minimizing clutter, you can showcase personal treasures even more in a simple interior.
Final Thoughts
Updating your home to a more modern interior design does not have to mean following the latest design trends.
First establish the mood and character of the area, then add a few pieces which will really make an impact, mixing up textures, using all the layers of lighting and leaving plenty of space for everything to have the impact it deserves.
Choose items you actually enjoy and allow your home to reflect your personality. There is nothing worse than a house that looks perfectly decorated but doesn’t reflect any part of the occupants’ lifestyle or personalities.
Many things can make your space look and feel fresh, comfortable and unique with a little though.
