The iconic furniture designer Charles Eames once said, “the details are not the details; they make the design.”
This quote couldn’t be more accurate. At the center of every modern interior design is a curated collection of contemporary home decor.
Interior designers don’t choose decor at random. There is a rhyme and reason behind selecting and placing home decor.
Every style, from vintage to contemporary, follows basic interior design rules, as well as their own specific decor rules. In this article, you’ll learn seven secrets behind spectacular modern decor.
1. How to Choose a Modern Theme
Are you thinking of winging your interior design? You may want to rethink that.
Planning makes everything easier. Don’t start any home improvement project without a solid plan of action. Winging it is also more expensive in the long run.
Every plan should start with a theme. Modern design is versatile, so there are a lot of routes you could go. You could try modern-rustic, sleek and futuristic, modern meets vintage, or contemporary minimalism.
2. Understand Interior Design Fundamentals
Before selecting contemporary home decor, learn the basics of interior design.
The principles of interior design are as follows, according to Spruce:
- Harmony and unity
- Balance of elements
- Rhythm and repetition
- Anchors and focal points
- Scale and proportion
Remember these golden rules as you execute your modern home decor plan.
3. Choosing Your Home’s Color Palette
This part is where the fun begins! If you love all things color, then you’ll love this stage of the process.
You want to choose a color palette that you can live with. Color not only impacts your mood but can also stimulate productivity. Think about the way you want to feel in each room of your home and plan your colors accordingly.
Look at other modern color combinations for inspiration. Consider nautical, earth tones, tranquil, bright, and lush eco-friendly palette combinations.
4. Modern Lighting Tips
Like your color palette, lighting also has a significant impact on mood and productivity. It even affects your physical health!
Regardless of the interior design style you choose, you want to leverage natural light as much as possible. Natural light is proven to make people happy and healthier. Consider this fact when selecting contemporary windows and doors for your home.
Install skylights to let the sunshine in. Use tall windows and glass doors to flood your home with natural light.
You can’t enjoy natural sunlight all day. Instead of regular lightbulbs, use adjustable LED lights as your artificial lighting. Touchable wall lights are an excellent choice for modern homes, as well.
5. Designing for Space
Are you working with a small space? Is your entire life squeezed into a tiny NYC apartment? Your limited space isn’t as limiting as you think.
First, start designing for space. Buy tables, cabinets, countertops, desks, and other elements that are designed for small spaces.
Get creative with storage spaces. Buy a new bed with plenty of storage underneath. Install convenience closet organizers to keep your clothes in one place.
Take measurements before buying your furnishings, structural elements, and decor. You don’t want to overcrowd your space. You may need custom pieces if you can’t find the right sizes.
Choose modern decor that’s appropriate for small spaces. Avoid over-sized furniture, large portraits, giant chandeliers, and huge vases.
Look for contemporary home decor that’s both stylish and functional. Consider small wall sconces, flat-screen wall TVs, and hanging plants. Mirrors are also a nice touch and create the illusion of more space.
6. Selecting Contemporary Home Decor
With so many decorations out there, the choices can be overwhelming. Don’t rush to buy your decorations. Make a plan first, just like your interior design goals.
Remember how you picked a theme first? Be glad you did because it will make your decor decisions a lot easier. You want decorations that bring out the best in your idea.
If you’re going with a modern-rustic theme, make a list of appropriate decorations. This list could include wood-carved figurines, tree trunk slab coffee tables, faux animal skin rugs, woodland paintings, and moose inspired decor.
A modern nautical theme should include maritime influences, ships in bottles, life preserver wall decorations, anchors, framed maps, and globes.
A modern, tranquil theme could include miniature zen gardens, indoor fountains, hanging plants, balancing rock sculptures, and calming wall art.
Don’t forget to use the principles of interior design to place your decorations accordingly.
7. Less Is More
Decorating sparks the creative spirit. It’s easy to get carried away! But remember less is more when it comes to contemporary home decor.
Limit coffee table decor to just one or two items. Don’t go overboard with wall decor. Limit each wall to one to three paintings each.
Instead of adding too many knick-knacks to your kitchen, use bowls of fresh fruit as modern decor. Stylish salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, and decorative plates make excellent decor for the kitchen.
Stylish quilts and blankets function as modern decor, as well. For a splash of color, toss a colorful blanket on your sofa or rocking chair. A vibrant area rug may be all you need as well.
Lighting has a decorative element too. Play with different colors and tones to create a relaxed, illuminated look. Faux candles are also a nice touch.
Make Your House a Home
A dream home is more than what’s on the outside. You want an interior design that makes you excited to walk through that door.
Remember these tips as you select the perfect contemporary home decor for your house. Stay inspired with the latest interior design tips for trendy homeowners by bookmarking our site!
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