At a Glance:
What is Contemporary Interior Design?
Essentials of Contemporary Interior Design
Incorporating Contemporary Style into Your Home
Contemporary vs. Other Design Styles
When it comes to decorating and furnishing the interior of your space, you might be torn in which direction to take your styling. With so many modern design styles to choose from, it’s no surprise if you’re undecided on where to start. If you’re looking for some inspiration to spruce up your home, you can’t go wrong with contemporary interior design. The design style prides itself on always being current, although the style is always evolving as time goes on. Contemporary design draws from modern aesthetics while borrowing from other time periods and the current most popular trends. To fill you in on why this style could be just what you’re looking for to help spice up your space, we’ve curated a guide on everything contemporary interior design and how to incorporate it into your home.
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Shop FurnitureWhat is Contemporary Interior Design?
Things that are considered modern and on par with the styles of the moment are what make up contemporary style. By focusing on color, space, and shape, contemporary interiors are sleek and fresh, presenting a crisp and clean aesthetic without any clutter. It’s a stylish and simple design that incorporates modern furniture with clean lines and a neutral color scheme that helps give off the look of luxury and will keep your home’s design ageless and easy to update.
Contemporary design style encompasses a range of different design styles developed towards the end of the 20th century ― that also reflects what’s happening in today’s world. As we mentioned earlier, contemporary design is always evolving over time and embraces new ideas as they come about, as well as taking on different looks as each season comes and goes so that your space remains timeless.
Essentials of Contemporary Design
Contemporary interior design has several key elements that help make it one of the most stylish themes in homes all around the world. The style is visualized by its strong lines, a contrasting color palette of neutral and natural tones, furniture or décor that’s uncluttered, and several forms of unique lighting. Take a look as we dive into these essential factors of contemporary style interior design a little deeper.
Strong Lines and Geometric Forms
A contemporary living look is the polar opposite of a messy interior. Contemporary interiors often feature a mixture of straight and elegantly curved lines that are as simple as can be. When it comes to choosing contemporary style furniture, look for smooth and clean geometric shapes like this Palliser rocker recliner to capture the essence of the design style. To further draw emphasis to the unique forms of this design, you could also include a piece like a bookcase or a cabinet that radiates elegance right into your space.
Contrasting Color Palette
When it comes to color scheme, contrasting neutral and natural tones command the contemporary decor palette. Think about incorporating blacks, whites, tans, and grays that aren’t too loud, but present an immaculate look across your home in unison with your furniture and décor. And although contemporary style is famous for soft and neutral colors, you can always add a splash of bold and vibrant hue into the mix to create a livelier setting.
Unique Lighting
When it comes to brightening up your contemporary space, unique lighting pieces are a very important factor that cannot go unaddressed. The lighting choices you make shouldn’t strictly be for functional purposes but should also aim to be aesthetically pleasing as well. Your individualistic contemporary lightning choices can also be used to draw attention to well-placed art and other décor around your home. Lamps like this one from Signature Design by Ashley can work as a stylish accent piece in any room and will help provide the perfect atmosphere.
Incorporating Contemporary Style into Your Home
Okay, now that you know all the ins and outs of contemporary home design, let’s start with how to incorporate it specifically in your living room.
Contemporary Living Room Design
First off, you’ll have to try to stick to a minimalist contemporary interior design state of mind. Think about selecting tables, chairs, and couches or sofas that feature gentle curves, smooth lines, and a low profile that won’t stick out. You’ll, of course, want your living room’s color palette to consist primarily of neutrals; however, you may not always be able to completely fill your space with neutral shades. We recommend mixing brass, wood, and other accents with your furniture to create a space that reflects today’s current trends and patterns.
Contemporary Dining Room Design
Once your living room is situated with a contemporary style in mind, it’s time to make our way into the dining room and kitchen. Your contemporary dining room (like the living room) should have a minimalistic feel that has a layered look combining different materials, patterns, and textures. You’ll want to find storage pieces and other décor that harmonize with your kitchen’s natural materials from either the cabinetry or dinner table. When designing your contemporary dining room, make sure that the overall look is a smooth and seamless transition, as well as create a soothing visual flow from whichever room you enter from.
Contemporary Bedroom Design
Last but certainly not least ― now that you know how to style the majority of your home with contemporary design, it’s only right that we end with your personal sanctuary, the bedroom. As we’ve mentioned throughout this guide, this style is all about infusing clean lines and smooth surfaces, so your bedroom furniture should also consist of soft shapes and textures. Keep in mind that contemporary styling doesn’t need a whole lot of extra adornment, so keep wall-art and other accessories to a minimum. Focus on making your focal pieces of furniture like your bed and headboard comfortable and sophisticated to match the rest of your interior.
Contemporary Design vs. Other Styles
Contemporary interior design stands out with its ever-evolving aesthetic, offering a distinct contrast to styles like modern, mid-century modern, and transitional design. Let’s explore how these popular styles compare and differ.
Contemporary vs. Modern Design
Contemporary and modern design are often confused, but they have key differences. Modern design refers to a specific movement from the early to mid-20th century, characterized by clean lines, natural materials, and a minimalistic approach. It has a timeless, structured feel, with a strong focus on functionality and simplicity. In contrast, contemporary design is not tied to a specific period. Instead, it reflects current trends, often blending various styles for a fresh, fluid aesthetic. Where modern design tends to use wood and earth tones, contemporary spaces lean heavily on neutral palettes with occasional bold accents and sleeker materials like metal and glass.
Contemporary vs. Mid-Century Modern Design
Mid-century modern design has its roots in the 1940s-1960s and emphasizes organic shapes, retro-inspired furniture, and bold colors. This style is more playful and nostalgic, often showcasing statement pieces like Eames chairs or atomic-inspired light fixtures. Contemporary design, on the other hand, is more minimalist and refined, favoring clean, uninterrupted lines and understated furnishings. While mid-century modern thrives on warm tones and vintage charm, contemporary interiors feel lighter, more open, and in tune with today’s aesthetic preferences.
Contemporary vs. Transitional Design
Transitional design bridges the gap between traditional and modern styles, offering a balanced blend of classic elegance and contemporary simplicity. It often incorporates traditional furniture shapes with more modern materials and finishes. While contemporary design can feel cutting-edge and minimalist, transitional spaces feel more timeless and approachable, with an emphasis on comfort and subtle sophistication. The color palettes in transitional designs are typically softer and warmer than the cool neutrals of contemporary spaces.
In summary, contemporary design is dynamic and reflective of current trends, setting it apart from the defined eras of modern and mid-century modern styles and the harmonious mix of old and new found in transitional design. Each style brings its unique charm, making them distinct yet complementary in the world of interior design.
FAQ
What is the difference between modern and contemporary?
Modern design refers to a specific style rooted in the early to mid-20th century, emphasizing clean lines, natural materials, and minimalism. Contemporary design, on the other hand, is ever-evolving and reflects the current trends, often blending elements of various styles for a fresh, dynamic look.
What are three characteristics of a contemporary design style?
Contemporary design is known for its simplicity, clean lines, and neutral color palettes. It often incorporates open spaces, sleek materials like glass or metal, and a mix of textures to add depth and visual interest.
What does a contemporary style look like?
A contemporary space feels fresh and uncluttered, often featuring neutral tones with pops of bold color or pattern. Furniture in contemporary design has smooth, curved edges or angular shapes, while materials like metal, glass, and wood come together to create a balanced yet striking look.
Where to buy contemporary furniture near me?
If you’re in Milwaukee and searching for contemporary furniture, look no further than Colder’s! We offer a stunning selection of contemporary pieces to help you create a stylish and inviting home. Stop by one of our showrooms or explore our collection online to find the perfect fit for your space.
Why Trust Us?
At Colder’s, we take pride in being some of the top experts when it comes to the furniture, mattress, and appliance market. Being a family-owned and operated business since 1942, we put a heavy emphasis on offering the best value, selection, and of course service. We are extremely proud to represent Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that boast quality name-brand furniture, mattresses, appliances, and home décor to perfectly complement your contemporary domain.
Check out what a few of our shoppers have said:
“The Colder's delivery system I found to be the best of any the retailers that I've utilized through the years. Drivers arrived right on time, were courteous, and extremely careful when bringing the sofa into the house.” – Frank V
“Good quality stuff. Great price. No pressure just helpful staff. I've been buying here for over 40 years.” – Rita O
Shop Contemporary Design Style Furniture at Colder’s
As always, don’t forget to shop local! Browse our Furniture catalog to check out the best name-brand products our catalog has to offer for your contemporary designed space. If you have any questions related to our inventory or delivery timelines, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-414-476-1574 or visit our Colder's experts at any of our four Southeastern Wisconsin locations. More accessible than ever, we can also be reached via chat for any immediate inquiries!
→ Related: Your Guide to Transitional Interior Design