subject: Contemporary Designs For Your Home [print this page] A lot of the modern design or contemporary look that is out there can be a very neutral color, and doesn't have a lot of detail too it. But sometimes if you add this look into your home, it will feel cold and sterile. In fact taking the modern look to that sort of extreme will normally leave you with a very plain room; however you can make it a bit less sterile by adding some color and textures to the room. Try the below steps to see if it will help your room stay contemporary but be a bit less cold.
First step is choosing your color. Contemporary colors are cool tones and neutrals like browns, creams, whites, and shades of taupe. These colors are to mold the basic foundation to your room. If you choose to use a lighter color on the wall like creams and you have wooden floors, make sure to accent with a brighter rug to make a statement. Make sure to remember that contemporary design is about simplicity and not to overdo the bold colored accents.
Metal accents are the second crucial element in contemporary design. Nickel, chrome and stainless steel are used to produce the clean, smooth lines that this style is known for. You can find furniture, accessories, or light fixtures with beautiful metal accents. Glass is often combined with metal in furniture or shelving to make a simple yet bold statement.
Texture will be your third element for the modern design. Make sure when you are decorating a contemporary room you are looking for smooth, sleek, and cool textures. Adding these smooth and sleek textures into your room, it will feel more like a home. You can add great textures by using fabrics such as cushions in bright colors; crush velvet, silk, or even linen.. This will give your room just that added style and texture.
Wood would be the fourth element in a modern design. You can either choose wooden flooring or even accessories to contribute the element in the room design. Try to lean towards harder mahogany or light pine wood when choosing your furniture or even accessories. This will make it pop more against the lighter wall colors. Try looking for wooden picture frames or even floating wall shelves to incorporate the wood look. Make sure to keep the wood similar in tone to make sure the room looks put together.
Lighting is extremely important to the overall appearance of a contemporary design. When you want to make the individual pieces stand out, add track lighting. Track lighting is popular in modern design, as the individual lights can be moved like spotlights to highlight particular details. Floor lamps are also a great choice. They soften the room and counteract the harsh effect of bright track lights.
How about the addition of an area rug that works with the contemporary look. Plus you're adding more texture and color to your room too. There are tons of area rugs that have modern designs on them and would work great, and make a focal point to your room.
Base your home's design around aspects of these six elements to achieve a clean and sophisticated home atmosphere. As you create a contemporary feel within your room, keep in mind that this is your room, not a show room from a magazine. Don't sacrifice comfort for style, but blend the two and create the perfect balance in your space. Choose pieces and colors that you love, to create a room that is not only welcoming to your guests, but also to you and your family.
