Con·tem·po·rar·y [adj.] 1. Following modern ideas or fashion in style or design.
Do you enjoy expert tailoring and clean lines? Do you gravitate toward all things abstract or geometric? If so, then you’ll love contemporary design.
Contemporary design represents an about-face from the conventions of traditional decor. In a nutshell, it’s rooted in the here and now. Fueled by a “less is more†mentality, contemporary spaces might sound as though they are stark and unwelcoming, but they aren’t. While they might not have the excess warmth as older design styles, they still are far from cold.
Let’s take a look at what some of the building blocks are that make up this beautiful design style:
Simple Lines: From architecture to furnishings, contemporary design is oriented along a strong horizontal-vertical axis. This doesn’t mean that everything must have squared off corners. To add a little balance, throw in a few curves, but stick to simple geometric forms.
High-Impact Furniture: Contemporary furnishings are streamlined and modern. Most furniture is made of nickel, stainless steel, chrome, glass and light-colored woods such as maple and birch.
Open Space: More often than not, you’ll find that contemporary homes have open floor plans. This open space brings the design together and gives a sense of unity. The abundance of open space is also ideal for accommodating large-scale furnishings, art and accents.
Calming Neutrals: Neutral colors such as cream, tan, white, beige and black serve as the backbone of contemporary design. Lines and shapes are able to be showcased when they are surrounded by monochromatic and tone-on-tone schemes. A neutral base also opens the door for creativity with textures and patterns.
Oversized Art: Contemporary spaces don’t have much adornment, making them perfect for incredibly large pieces or art. Other types of art such as sculptures, prints and black-and-white photography are also popular within this design style. Whichever you choose, one large, perfectly picked piece of art will make the perfect focal pint.
Bare floors: Sleek, hard surfaces are a trademark of contemporary spaces. When it comes to flooring, materials generally consist of bamboo, dark-stained concrete and blonde woods. Area rugs aren’t a total no-no, but they aren’t as popular as they are in other design styles.
Tame textures: Even though fabrics are generally neutral in color, they do not lack texture. Favored fabrics often include linen, silk, cotton and wool all of which provide beautiful textures throughout the space. At times you may see a bold color or geometric pattern, however they’re usually done in small bursts by way of pillows, throws or rugs.
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