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Contemporary style living room featuring clean lines. View Portfolio Here.
Looking to renovate your home soon? Been browsing through interior design portfolios recently? If that’s the case you would have probably come across the word “Contemporary”. You would have probably heard or seen the word being used to describe art.
But what does it mean in the context of interior design? If you do a google image search, it seems as if every image shows a different style. But there is a good reason.
Simply put, “Contemporary” means the present. It refers to what is current or happening right now. Contemporary Interior Design adapts the trend of the moment to make stunning and bold designs.
Through this article, you’ll learn why this style is so popular and what are some of its elusive characteristics.
Why is Contemporary so popular?
It is widely adopted by homeowners who are keen on following the latest design trends and implementing it into their homes. It may seem tiresome to be constantly on the lookout for what’s new but after all, the rewards of having your own beautifully designed home is always well worth the effort.
Besides, Contemporary Interior Design is often clutter-free. Following that rule keeps your home mess-free, and in today’s homes where space is often a top concern, people generally prioritise creating a space that feels inviting and spacious for them.
Use Clean Lines
Bold clean lines help this open wardrobe achieve a sleek look. View Portfolio Here.
Following the concept of being clutter-free, Contemporary Interior Design injects the use of clean lines in its homes. Rather than being elaborate, it focuses on looking sleek, to achieve that cool trendy look.
A mixture of straight and curved visible lines help achieve a balance to the overall design and helps add character into the home. Trimmed lines create visually appealing spaces that exude warmth and cosiness, which makes it inviting to you and your guests.
A Bright Home Is A Happy Home
Lighting that serves as both form and function. View Portfolio Here.
Brightly lit spaces are the bread and butter of Contemporary homes. Windows are usually large and clear, while curtains and blinds are seldom used to allow more natural light to flow in. If natural light isn’t for you, artificial lighting works wonders as well. Ambient lights help to brighten the spaces without being too in-your-face.
Spotlights help to draw attention to well-placed art pieces or decor in rooms. The designs of these light fixtures tend to keep the clean line aesthetics with colour and metallic elements. Make sure to keep your art at an eye level on either the wall, shelf or a pedestal.
An Open Floor Plan
Seamlessly connect your living spaces. View Portfolio Here.
Your kitchen and dining areas, living rooms and entertaining spaces typically flow together seamlessly in contemporary homes. The open floor plans give you a sense of freedom and creates an atmosphere of spaciousness. Again, large windows that invite plenty of natural light eliminates the need for any artificial lightning in the day.
Neutral Colour Palettes
Neutral walls bring out the coloured accessories.
Neutral colours form the base colour palette for contemporary interior design. Think whites, blacks, greys, and browns. These colours are usually applied to your walls, floors and ceilings.
But fret not! Neutral colours don’t necessarily mean your home will look dull. Bold colours strategically placed throughout your home help to add some contrast. Bold colours often come from furniture, paintings or even plants.
Black is often used to ground and define a contemporary style room. If the walls are painted in neutrals, use boldly coloured accessories to punch up the accents. If walls are painted in pastels, then the trims should be neutral. If the wall is a bright bold colour, everything else should be neutral.
Functional Materials
Contemporary Design Materials
Contemporary Design follows the philosophy of being in the present and keeping with the times. As the needs of the present evolve and change, so are the materials required for today’s designs. These materials can be easily adapted into other styles in the near future.
Although there are no fixed materials, Metal, Stone, Marble, Glass and Wood are the common culprits. Latest trends are moving towards more naturally sourced materials due to the heightened importance of the environment and being sustainable. Fabrics including silk, wool, linen and cotton are used as soft furnishings like curtains, pillows and cushions.
Flooring
Wooden floors matched with a carpet.
Wide ranges of flooring materials are often used by contemporary designers. If your home has an open floor plan, use floorings as an easy and aesthetical way to tie in separate areas of the house together. Popular choices include Wood, Tiles and Vinyl. Good placement of rugs then helps accentuate the border between each individual area.
Unique Accessories
A contemporary style wall clock
Accessories are often the stars of a contemporary home. They spark curiosity amongst your visitors and are potentially great conversation starters.
These statement pieces often try to be more quirky and unconventional with designers reinventing old ideas in new ways. The focus tends to be on the aesthetic design while their purpose and intent generally remains the same.
Take a simple clock for example. A traditional clock is round, and has numerals. A contemporary overhaul could involve modifying the shape of the clock, removing its numerals, or even changing the clock hands.
Furniture
A black background helps the accessories stand out. View Portfolio Here.
Contemporary furniture makes bold statements but still manages to be simple and uncluttered. Sleek geometric shapes are an essential. Furniture often wears the tones of black, white or other neutral tones.
Choose a basic background and showcase your favourite colour on a stand-out piece of furniture. Sometimes less equals more! Show off the legs on your chairs and sofas. Beds and chairs are usually free of skirts, embellishes, trims and fringes. Do away with the cute stuff and just go simple bare and bold.
It's clear that contemporary interior design definition will never be fixed as it is an amalgamation of different design elements that are currently in fashion. In time, its definition would perhaps evolve to a point where it is completely different from today’s iteration. For now, it remains the one of the most popular styles for Singapore homes.
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