Contemporary Design Style And The Essentials To Master It - Décor Aid (2024)

Contemporary Design Style And The Essentials To Master It - Décor Aid (1)

Whether you’re looking for a simple room refresh or are starting from scratch, there’s something to be said about finding thebest interior design styleto suit your home, lifestyle, and tastes. To get you started in the right direction, we’ve set about to define what makes each standout and are considering the merits ofcontemporary style for your home, and what it takes to master the look with ease.

Check out our latest post: 30 Stylish Contemporary Living Room Ideas

WHAT DOES CONTEMPORARY STYLE MEAN?

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At some point, there’s probably been a time where we’ve all confused modern interior design with contemporary style, and though they share similarities, contemporary home decor stands all on it’s own.

Contemporarydecorating style is classic yet thoroughly of the moment and timeless thanks to a light-handed, spare take on decorating to ensure it will never feel dated.

While modern decor can feel cold, limiting, and overtly minimal, contemporary style is calming and serene, and is peppered with a focus on architectural elements, decorative details, attention to bold scales, and a concise color palette to create a warm space with easy sophistication.

Simplicity, clean lines, plays on texture, and quiet drama are fundamental in achieving a perfectly balanced contemporary style home.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE CONTEMPORARY STYLE?

  • Contemporarystyle is great for minimalists looking to steer clear of fussy prints, a heady mix of era’s, and for those looking to create a simple yet thoroughly realized harmony between varying elements while focusing on the architectural elements of a room.
  • There’s joy to be found in a beautifully curated contemporaryliving room that features a mix of high-shine, contemporaryhome decor that boasts conversation starters that stand on their own in a sea of neutrals.
  • As contemporarydecorating style is timeless and defined by a classic approach to bringing a room together through luxurious simplicity, it’s a design movement that’s well worth the effort and investment as it will never go out of style and is easy to update.

HOW DO YOU CREATE CONTEMPORARY STYLE?

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Here’s a quick rundown of the architectural details you’ll want to highlight to inject your home with contemporaryinterior design effortlessly:

  • For a contemporaryliving room, keep flooring simple with a classic wooden floor and source rugs that are simple in pattern and carpets that feature a low pile with geometric shapes.
  • Source lighting that’s simple yet effective in showcasing contemporaryhome decor and architectural features.
  • A mix ofmetal, stone, and opaque or clear glass.
  • Make use of structural elements like molding and exposed brick walls and pipes for added character in an otherwise simple room.

CONTEMPORARYSTYLE COLORS

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A go-to when consideringcontemporaryinterior design, neutrals along with gray, black, and white, are a signature of the design style and are used to define and ground a room.

Think of a neutral setting as a great starting point to bring in hints of color and a foundation for expressive artworks and objects with more personality. By selecting the right neutrals for a contemporaryliving room, you’ll be able to bring in smaller pops of riotous color that you can easily switch around depending on your mood.

But if you’re looking to go full-on with color, say an entire wall, we suggest keeping your trims, ceiling, and flooring light to compliment contemporarydecorating style cues with flair.

CONTEMPORARYSTYLE FURNITURE

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When it comes to contemporary interior design, less is always more. Select contemporarystyle home furnishings that are statement-making conversation starters while remaining pared down, with smooth, clean, geometric silhouettes and straight lines. Think solid hues and finishes, natural materials, and unadorned surfaces.

For upholstered pieces in a contemporaryliving room, go for neutrals in textured natural fabrications like wool, cotton, linen, silk, and jute, and bring in pops of color with throws and pillows that steer clear of loud patterns as clean and concise is the mood you should be fixed on.

CONTEMPORARYSTYLE TEXTILES

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As contemporaryinterior design calls for clean lines and studied simplicity, textiles are an easy outlet to help you avoid a coldcontemporarystyle home by bringing in plays on texture, tonal pattern, and concise color combinations.

Stick with neutrals, stripes, and geometric prints in small amounts to bring in personality and to complement a well-designed contemporaryliving room with hints of unexpected, yet considerately placed play.

CONTEMPORARYSTYLE ACCESSORIES

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Though furnishings call for a minimal approach, decorative accessories are where you can get creative when looking for a contemporary style home refresh.

From lamps to décor objects to artworks, sometimes the best contemporaryinterior design approaches rely on the extras you bring into a room after sourcing furnishings that you’re committed to.

For contemporaryliving room ideas, go for small elements that’ll double as unique conversation starters while adding depth and personality to an otherwise minimal room.

CONTEMPORARYSTYLE WINDOW TREATMENTS

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If you’re blessed with oversized windows and great unobstructed views, we suggest keeping contemporary style window treatments minimal and easily retractable to maintain a clean, flawless look.

That said, sometimes the best contemporaryinterior design inspiration we come across boasts the unexpected and window treatments are a great way to bring in contrasting elements.

You can keep the look natural with wooden blinds in a dark hue, or go for sheer white floor to ceiling curtains that’ll add polished drama to a decidedly contemporaryliving room or dining room.

CONTEMPORARYDECORATING STYLE ROOM BY ROOM:

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of what makes contemporary style interior design so compelling and timeless, here’s a quick take on approaches to bring the style throughout your home with ease.

Contemporary Style Kitchen:

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Again, contemporary interior design is all about a spare, minimal approach that steers clear of clinical. A colorway of soothing grays, neutrals, and white is a classic fail proof option that will stand the test of time and always appear clean.

Paired with traditional flooring in natural materials, explore modern cabinetry with either high-shine or matte finishes for an understated yet elegant juxtaposition. And do seek out storage that’ll keep surfaces clear of clutter.

Contemporary Style Dining Room:

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For this room, its all about a substantial table, structured seating, and symmetry. Go for a contrasting oversized table with a glass or stone top, matching chairs, and a console to tie everything together. Note how the room above, while simple, is far from clinical thanks to only four add-ons.

Here, the green reflective hanging works as a simple yet unique statement-maker, while the gilt pendant light and textured vase lend an organic touch in small doses.

Contemporary Style Living Room:

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Keep in mind that what makes a contemporary style home rememberable is a fierce commitment to modern simplicity, attention to line and space, geometric shapes, and a strict yet well-considered color palette that’s easy on the eye. But since your living room is often the best place to highlight your tastes and sense of play, do add character to your most often used gathering room with decorative extras and art that’ll set your home apart.

Think expressive artworks, two-toned rugs, pillows, and throws, and sculptural lamps and vases for added decadence.

Check out our latest post: 30 Stylish Contemporary Living Room Ideas

Contemporary Style Bedroom:

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For a your bedroom, do as you would in any room in your home and go for clean, straight lines that boast a sense of richness via impeccable design and do bring in tonal textures for extra warmth and comfort through bedding, rugs, and accessories that evoke a quiet sense of pulled together glamor.

Do avoid trims, tassels, bedskirts, and in general anything too cute or gender oriented.

Contemporary Style Bathroom:

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When looking for contemporary style bathroom inspiration stick to the concept of a clean, serene oasis. Think white, bright, and light filled. For a personal edge we suggest sourcing custom-designed fittings or ones that are unique enough to create a memorable impact for guests.

Contemporary Design Style And The Essentials To Master It - Décor Aid (2024)

FAQs

What is a contemporary design style? ›

Contemporary style embraces minimalistic elements highlighting grays, beiges and shades of white. Sleek, thoughtful, hidden details emphasize an edited aesthetic. Contemporary style offers an 'everything in its place' interior featuring designs that are high on function and simplicity and low on collections and fuss.

What are the elements of contemporary design? ›

Today's updated contemporary design is a blend of comfortable, livable elements that create a sophisticated, fresh look and feel. To create a contemporary look in your home you'll want to incorporate these key elements: color, metal accents, texture, wood tone and lighting.

What are the design basis of contemporary? ›

Contemporary design is comfortable, welcoming, simply sophisticated, and not cluttered. Contemporary interiors appear sleek and fresh and focus on color, shape, and form. Sometimes confused with "modern style," the contemporary style is distinctly different according to home designers and decorating professionals.

What is contemporary design approach? ›

Broadly speaking, contemporary design is an ever-changing style rooted in the present moment, even when the moment shifts. Defined by understated sophistication, simplicity, and timeless elegance, it prioritises the space over its contents. Here is a guide to contemporary decor. 13 November 2023.

What defines a contemporary designer? ›

Unlike modern design, contemporary design doesn't refer to a specific period of time—it's constantly evolving to reflect the popular styles of present day design. It borrows qualities from modernism, minimalism, Art Deco, and other global styles, without hyper-focusing on any one in particular.

What are the colors for contemporary design? ›

Some popular contemporary color palettes include neutral colors like white, gray, and beige paired with bold accent colors like navy blue, emerald green, or mustard yellow.

What is the 7 elements of design? ›

The elements of design are the fundamental aspects of any visual design which include shape, color, space, form, line, value, and texture. Graphic designers use the elements of design to create an image that can convey a certain mood, draw the eye in a certain direction, or evoke a number of feelings.

What are the elements of contemporary arts and designs? ›

* Visual Elements: line, colour, form, space, shape, texture, value, and tone. * Principles of Art & Design: pattern, repetition, rhythm, balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, and unity /harmony.

What is classic contemporary interior design? ›

Classic contemporary style interiors are curated, minimal, and uncluttered. This style focuses on refined elegance, where handcrafted, quality-made pieces, deliberate use of colour and texture, and attention to detail combine to achieve sophistication and timeless beauty.

Why is contemporary design important? ›

The significance of contemporary interior design:

It's about making spaces that fit how we live today. Designers think about how rooms are shaped and how they can be used best. They choose colors, textures, and lights not just for looks but to create a vibe that matches the way we live now.

What are the materials used in contemporary style? ›

Contemporary design fabrics include silk, linen, cotton, and wool (in neutral hues), which provide beautiful textures throughout the space. While colors and patterns are often on the subtler side, there are times when bold colors and geometric patterns are incorporated into the decor by way of pillows, throws or rugs.

What does contemporary furniture look like? ›

Look for sleek lines and smooth textures.

Tables are often made of lacquer, highly-finished wood, or chrome and glass. Chairs, sofas, and tables are raised off the floor on lean legs for a light and airy look. High-gloss, smooth surfaces are the perfect complement to contemporary furniture in your family room.

What is the meaning of contemporary design style? ›

Contemporary design refers to the current and popular designs of the moment. Hallmarks of this design style include clean, curved lines, natural materials, stark contrasts, cool tones, and attention to quality. An ethos of intentionality is the focus of this aesthetic point of view.

What is current contemporary design? ›

Defined by clean lines, decorated minimalism, and current trends, contemporary interiors are distinctly of-the-moment—even when the moment changes. Found throughout homes, offices, and retail settings, below AD dives into just what makes this versatile style and how you can bring it into your space.

What is the difference between modern and contemporary design? ›

What Are Modern and Contemporary Styles? Modern style is firmly rooted in the early to mid-1900s and involves strong lines with natural colors. Contemporary style involves the trends of the here and now.

What is contemporary vs traditional style? ›

In the world of design, traditional and contemporary furniture styles are, in a sense, opposites. While traditional furniture is ornate and indulgent, contemporary furniture is simple and understated. Traditional furniture embodies elegance and romance. Contemporary furniture is subtle and gives off an urban appeal.

What does contemporary design mean in fashion? ›

What is contemporary fashion? Contemporary fashion stands for high-quality modern clothing and accessories that are currently on-trend, which are also accessible and attainable. Some brands and designers also focus on the environmental factor.

Does contemporary mean modern? ›

In everyday use, it generally means simply "modern" or "new". But before the 20th century it instead referred only to things from the same era as certain other things; so, for instance, Jesus was contemporary with the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, and Muhammad was contemporary with Pope Gregory the Great.

What is modern vs contemporary design home? ›

Contemporary decor is characterized by variation between different pieces, sharper edges, trendier designs, and oversized furniture. On the other hand, modern decor is much warmer and finds its roots in trends and styles set by magazines and popular designers.

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