No matter what your taste in decor, you’ve heard about modern and contemporary style. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but the two are distinct. Modern decor is a movement that lasted from the late 1800s until the early 1900s while contemporary design caters to the current trends du jour. Our team at White House Designs for Life loves both style themes, and we’re happy to tell you more about them.
Modern vs Contemporary Style: What’s the Difference?
Both design themes favor a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines and defined shapes but that’s where the similarities end. Modern homes can trend to a more stark, streamlined appearance that’s all about embracing the neutral palates. A contemporary home integrates layers and organic materials for a warmer, cozier feel.
More About Modern Style
If you believe that less is more and form follows function, you’re likely a fan of the modern style movement. Modern decor has some very recognizable elements, including:
- Restrained palettes
- Tapered furniture legs
- Accessible materials
Are you considering transitioning your home to a more modern style? We have a few tips to share!
- Decide how you’ll use a space and design it with that function in mind. Incorporate only the pieces of furniture that are necessary to accomplish this.
- The modern design movement originated as a way for decorative elements to be accessible to everyone. Readily available materials like plywood, aluminum, and fiberglass are surefire ways to create a modern space. Think of bold black and crisp white.
- Continually edit the room and when in decorative doubt, always declutter. Keep accessories to a minimum and use textured pieces and natural accents to create visual interest.
Creating a Contemporary Space
Because contemporary design is defined by whatever is currently on trend, it’s ever changing. Contemporary design at the moment is defined by the following components:
- Clean lines
- Neutral colors
- Industrial materials
- Low-slung furniture
Are you looking for easy ways to give your home a contemporary vibe? We have you covered with some simple ways to get started.
- Grab some low-slung furniture. Sofas are one of the most popular pieces of low-slung furniture. Unlike the tapered legs favored in modern style, contemporary furniture sits on the ground or hovers just slightly above it.
- Add pops of color. Use a high contrast palette of neutrals with a few pops of vibrant red or sunny yellow to add eclectic flavor to the space.
- If it’s smooth and sleek it’s for you. Another hallmark of a contemporary theme is industrial brick, concrete, and metal finishes – especially steel, copper, and brushed nickel.
- Embrace negative space when designing the room. Unlike the textures and natural accents of modern style, choose pieces that have a new, polished aesthetic.
Contact Us
White House Designs for Life is the area’s premier full-service design firm. We carry upscale brands of furniture and accessories for your whole home, including bedrooms, dining rooms, and home offices, and custom Hunter Douglas window treatments.
We have four locations in Wayne, Fairfield, and Paramus, NJ, including our design resource center for architects and other industry professionals. Contact us today to begin your interior design journey.