The contemporary design shares many common features with the mid-century modern design, such as the use of minimal aesthetics and the open space feel of both designs. However, the contemporary interior design contains many unique characteristics that make it a much more fluid style. The contemporary style is all about being in the moment, so it constantly evolves and changes with the current times.
The modern design typically features a lot of wooden and natural materials. While the contemporary design also uses natural materials, it pairs these with concrete, steel, and other industrial elements in order to give the home a starker look. The contemporary design also focuses mostly on the aesthetics of the pieces rather than the function, while the modern design favours practicality.
The modern design is much warmer than the contemporary design, using lots of natural and warm neutrals. The modern design favours earthier hues such as brown, green, rust, and turquoise. The contemporary design, on the other hand, uses bolder colours such as monochromatic black, white or grey.
Contemporary means to “live or occur at present”, so the contemporary design tends to incorporate current design trends. However, it also pays homage to other styles such as the geometric shapes of Art Deco. A contemporary design is sure to give your home a minimalist look with a few futuristic elements thrown in. Here are several key features of the contemporary interior design:
At its very core, the contemporary design is all about minimalism. If you hate overwhelming prints and bold colours, you’ll appreciate the minimalist tones of this design. With neutral colours such as grey, black, and white, your apartment will have a classic and timeless look. These minimalist colours serve as a great neutral point from which to build with more expressive artwork and furniture. Smaller bits of bold colours are allowed in the contemporary design to accentuate the neutral palette, as long as you keep it light. This reserved use of colour will compliment the rest of the home without taking away from the simplicity of the design.
Minimalist furniture is also a current furniture trend that fits in perfectly with the contemporary design. Less is more, so go with smooth, clean pieces made with natural materials. Curvier furniture tends to be the style with the contemporary design rather than the straight lines of the modern design. And, similarly to the industrial design, metals such as stainless steel or chrome are also popular choices for furniture materials.
Avoid going over-the-top with any aspect of your interior design, from the artwork to the furnishings. Trims, tassels, bed skirts, and anything else that is too flashy or frilly will contrast with the contemporary style. Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it has to be boring, however, so find pieces and textiles that are expressive without being too bold.
Geometric shapes are incredibly popular in the contemporary design. One area that this is especially easy to incorporate is in textiles. You can find source rugs with simple geometric shapes on them to give your home an attention-grabbing pattern. You can also use geometric artwork prints to bring a simple flair to your walls. Another great choice is to find geometric sculptures to be prominently displayed on the kitchen table or a shelf. A geometric lighting fixture is also a popular choice that serves as a conversation starter while contributing to the simplicity of the contemporary design.
Whether it’s straight or curved, the line is going to be one of the most important elements of the contemporary interior design. Strong visible lines can be used in the architecture through exposed brick or bare windows. You can also use the bare space on the walls to accentuate the areas that are filled with objects. This contrast provides an interesting dynamic between open and occupied space, filling your home with life and giving a sense of interaction between the elements.
Structural elements are also a great way to use lines in the contemporary design. Exposed air ducts or pipes will draw the eye, especially if you paint them in bold colours to contrast with the neutral palette. The contemporary design is all about the subtle interaction between the modern and the classic, so combining these elements will contribute to the timeless feel of the contemporary style.
A contemporary design style is, above all, simple. It borrows from many different design styles such as Scandinavian to give your home a sleek and modern look while paying tribute to the designs of the past. The perfect blend of past, present and future, the contemporary design is easy to incorporate into your home and won’t go out of style anytime soon. If you prefer a design that’s not too overwhelming while remaining beautifully curated, you’ll love the contemporary design. Home Guide has vast experience implementing the various forms of contemporary interior design like the ones we have done for a condominium at The Lincoln Residences and The Serenade.
From the bohemian elegance of the Shabby Chic Interior Design to the versatility of the French Country Interior Design, Home Guide has experience giving people exactly what they’re looking for. We’re an experienced home interior design company in Singapore that can help you give your home a timeless contemporary design. Take a look at our portfolio to see some of the interesting and beautiful designs we’ve done, and contact us today for all of your Singapore interior design needs!
