Decorating
10 Ways to Add Warmth and Style to a Contemporary Interior
Soften clean, minimal lines with touches of charm and interest for a modern look that won’t leave you cold
For many of us, clean, contemporary lines are what we crave in our homes, but this deceptively simple look can be tricky to master. The elements that create a ‘contemporary’ look include simple shapes, graphic elements, minimal pattern and the general absence of fussy details – but the line between stylish and stark can be fine, and even a very modern scheme needs an injection of warmth and soul.
Plants are a good way to soften a contemporary interior, while natural-looking finishes on furniture and accessories work magic on a space that’s verging on the clinical, and a careful smattering of pieces from other eras – particularly midcentury modern – is a must. Here are 10 inspirational style ideas for those who like their stripped-back basics with a side of softness.
Plants are a good way to soften a contemporary interior, while natural-looking finishes on furniture and accessories work magic on a space that’s verging on the clinical, and a careful smattering of pieces from other eras – particularly midcentury modern – is a must. Here are 10 inspirational style ideas for those who like their stripped-back basics with a side of softness.
Make a statement
If your basic set-up is fairly plain, bringing in a few bold accessories will make more of a statement than lots of smaller, less obtrusive pieces, which could end up looking cluttered.
This large purple print is a brave choice, but one that adds personality and elevates an otherwise unremarkable corner into something stylish and inspiring.
If your basic set-up is fairly plain, bringing in a few bold accessories will make more of a statement than lots of smaller, less obtrusive pieces, which could end up looking cluttered.
This large purple print is a brave choice, but one that adds personality and elevates an otherwise unremarkable corner into something stylish and inspiring.
Leave wood natural
Contemporary designs often focus on stripped-back décor, with lots of bare walls and minimal accessories. If you’re a fan of this style but want to retain an overall feeling of warmth, swap some of your painted furniture or high-gloss finishes for natural timber pieces.
Furniture with a matt finish (look for soaped or waxed wood) and natural grain will ground a modern scheme and stop it feeling sterile.
Contemporary designs often focus on stripped-back décor, with lots of bare walls and minimal accessories. If you’re a fan of this style but want to retain an overall feeling of warmth, swap some of your painted furniture or high-gloss finishes for natural timber pieces.
Furniture with a matt finish (look for soaped or waxed wood) and natural grain will ground a modern scheme and stop it feeling sterile.
Let in a little romance
Give your bathroom a touch of cosy, contemporary charm with some romantic details. Wall sconces and an Art Deco-inspired mirror bring softness to this simple scheme, while some pretty glass accessories and flowers provide the finishing touches that set the scene for relaxation.
Give your bathroom a touch of cosy, contemporary charm with some romantic details. Wall sconces and an Art Deco-inspired mirror bring softness to this simple scheme, while some pretty glass accessories and flowers provide the finishing touches that set the scene for relaxation.
Welcome in nature
Plants have the curious ability to soften hard lines while emphasising the beauty of contemporary architecture.
Incorporate plenty of greenery in your home both for its positive cleansing effect on the internal environment and its calming qualities. Try concrete-style planters to retain a modern feel.
Plants have the curious ability to soften hard lines while emphasising the beauty of contemporary architecture.
Incorporate plenty of greenery in your home both for its positive cleansing effect on the internal environment and its calming qualities. Try concrete-style planters to retain a modern feel.
Avoid extremes
Making contemporary style work for your home is predominantly a question of balance. For example, you might love all-white interiors, but if your scheme is beginning to resemble a science lab, loosen the reins and let in a little pale grey, some hints of pattern and small touches of black, as seen here. You’ll still get the same overall effect, but in a user-friendly form that’s easier to live with.
Want to soften a modern Scandi scheme? Find out how
Making contemporary style work for your home is predominantly a question of balance. For example, you might love all-white interiors, but if your scheme is beginning to resemble a science lab, loosen the reins and let in a little pale grey, some hints of pattern and small touches of black, as seen here. You’ll still get the same overall effect, but in a user-friendly form that’s easier to live with.
Want to soften a modern Scandi scheme? Find out how
Try tactile materials
As with the midcentury period, contemporary design focuses very much on incorporating natural materials alongside man-made ones.
Marble might seem too ostentatious for a muted modern bathroom, but, as this scheme shows, marble slabs with subtle colouring add delicate charm and interest to a contemporary wash space.
As with the midcentury period, contemporary design focuses very much on incorporating natural materials alongside man-made ones.
Marble might seem too ostentatious for a muted modern bathroom, but, as this scheme shows, marble slabs with subtle colouring add delicate charm and interest to a contemporary wash space.
Factor in storage
If you’re keen on incorporating contemporary style in your home, it’s essential to plan in plenty of storage. After all, this look is all about simplicity and clean lines.
For reception rooms, a wall-mounted cabinet like this makes for a sleek and multi-purpose addition with bags of cupboard space. But don’t tidy away your accessories altogether – a few choice pieces on display will help to create a more homely feel.
If you’re keen on incorporating contemporary style in your home, it’s essential to plan in plenty of storage. After all, this look is all about simplicity and clean lines.
For reception rooms, a wall-mounted cabinet like this makes for a sleek and multi-purpose addition with bags of cupboard space. But don’t tidy away your accessories altogether – a few choice pieces on display will help to create a more homely feel.
Play with texture
An effective use of textiles will prevent minimal modern bedrooms from feeling cold or unwelcoming. Look for tactile fabrics and luxe finishes, such as linen, wool, velvet and silk, which will infuse your space with touchable texture.
Stick to two or three similar colours and combine all of your fabulous fabrics for a low-key, layered look that’s full of personality.
An effective use of textiles will prevent minimal modern bedrooms from feeling cold or unwelcoming. Look for tactile fabrics and luxe finishes, such as linen, wool, velvet and silk, which will infuse your space with touchable texture.
Stick to two or three similar colours and combine all of your fabulous fabrics for a low-key, layered look that’s full of personality.
Gather great basics
Certain furniture can make or break a scheme and, with contemporary style, the right shape of sofa is everything. Choose a design with straight arms, minimal detailing and a foam rather than feather seat, for a chic, neat look.
Comfort is still key, though, so test out your main contenders before buying, and soften your chosen sofa with plenty of cosy cushions and throws to make it feel warm and inviting.
TELL US…
How do you make a modern scheme warm and inviting? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Certain furniture can make or break a scheme and, with contemporary style, the right shape of sofa is everything. Choose a design with straight arms, minimal detailing and a foam rather than feather seat, for a chic, neat look.
Comfort is still key, though, so test out your main contenders before buying, and soften your chosen sofa with plenty of cosy cushions and throws to make it feel warm and inviting.
TELL US…
How do you make a modern scheme warm and inviting? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Provide a pleasing counterpoint to all those crisp, modern corners with accessories of a more organic ilk.
These pendant lights are made of tactile textured glass in an irregular shape that contrasts with the angular furniture and minimal kitchen. They also introduce a hint of shine, while the rest of the space is matt. Tiny details like this keep a contemporary scheme from feeling flat.
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