What is Contemporary Interior Design?

When you hear contemporary interior design, what comes to mind? Most people think modern because contemporary and modern are interchangeable words. This form of interior design often comes with a minimalist look with clean sleek lines, and an uncluttered environment. It is a design that is very popular today in the U.S that looks good.

• A contemporary interior design lacks all the crowned molding and fancy woodworks that you would find in a traditional interior design for example. A contemporary interior designer would opt to use instead of fancy woodworks and molding narrow plain trims. There is more emphasis on functionality of the space. Thus, you would see straight and curved lines with an open environment without clutter. The design relies on its distinctive clean lines to give it character and warmth rather than using ornate objects.


• When it comes to furniture, the furniture is simple with simple straight lines and not too overbearing for the room. You would not find floral patterns and ruffles in a contemporary home. Some furniture pieces have glass, metal, leather and light colored wood with straight or angular with a slight curve. Often, the furniture of choice in a modern interior design is sectionals or modular pieces. A bedroom in a contemporary design will not have bed skirts and ruffles. The bed furniture is minimal and often come with exposed furniture.


• The color palette is minimal. Most contemporary design may have a bold color sofa and neutral color walls and accessory. Other designers may choose a neutral color sofa and strategically place pops of color in the room.


• The contemporary home places tremendous value on lighting, and decorators use unique fixtures that are sometimes the focal point of the room. You will see in the kitchen for example recessed light installed. Some designer may choose to add neon lights or use nickel and glass pendant lights. The sky is the limit when it comes to lighting a contemporary design.


• The accessory choices include abstract glass features, an area rug in geometric pattern to soften the room. Artworks are minimal features that are usually framed or unframed in this design.


• Window treatments are simple with minimal fabric or you may see a blind as the only window covering.