A reflection of the present, contemporary interior design, is an amalgamation of current and popular design elements and trends. A fluid style of design, it has constantly evolved from the 1970s and continues to take inspiration from all other styles such as modern, minimalist, bohemian, rustic, and many more.
Often defined as an evolving design trend, rather than a style, contemporary design encompasses both, those who have the budget to continuously update their home décor to match the latest design trends, as well as those that believe in investing in timeless designs.
What constitutes contemporary interior design?
Contemporary style of interior design emphasises clean lines and simplicity, while being highly functional. Typical features include open floor layouts, abundant natural light, and a neutral colour palette accented with bright and bold colours, creating a sense of spaciousness and luxury.
However, it is important to note that since contemporary style is ever-changing, it is not restricted by design elements or trends, allowing for innovation and individuality to shine through the designs.
It involves deliberate use of textures and materials like metal, glass and polished stone, allowing for a polished, refined look. The subtle colour palette is often complemented by metallic décor elements and fabrics, creating a sense of harmony.
How is contemporary interior design different from minimalism?
Though difficult to distinguish because of the heavy inspiration that contemporary style draws from minimalism, there are certain features that stand out in both styles of design. One major differentiating factor is the basis of each style- while minimalism is about simplicity and functionality, contemporary style is fluid and dynamic.
Minimalism focuses on achieving simplicity by stripping design elements to the bare minimum, that is, reduction of visual clutter, while maintaining a high level of functionality. It employs smart storage techniques, hidden in plain sight.
Contemporary design, on the other hand, gravitates towards achieving a sleek look, but with a heavy influence of other styles of design that dictate the use of materials, textures, décor items, wall finishes, etc. Unlike minimalism, contemporary uses pops of colour through furnishings and soft fabrics, and has a higher artistic quality to it. Being a constantly evolving entity, there are no limitations to contemporary design!
How to incorporate luxury contemporary interior design in your home
With the right blend of styles and design influences, contemporary interior design can give off a highly luxurious feel. Let us decode how to achieve luxury in contemporary interior design.
Starting from the basics
The most basic guideline to achieve a sophisticated look is to maintain open layouts. Declutter your space by reducing unnecessary elements like excess furniture, overbearing textures and redundant décor. Visually arrange your elements in clean, straight lines.
Keep the focus of the space on only one or two elements, so that there is a clear visual language throughout the space. For example, the focal point could be a chandelier or a central coffee table with one or two décor items.
Use muted tones with accents
Use neutral tones for the more permanent features like walls, floors, etc and add accents through furnishings, upholstery, metallic décor, carved wood and subtle textures like woven jute.
A go-to colour scheme would be neutrals along with grey, black and white. Shades of off-white, grey and beige are great starting points as hints of colour can be brought in, along with artwork and décor objects, adding to the character and personality of the space. By choosing a good base colour, you can play around with different elements which suit your design and vision.
Choosing Furniture
In contemporary design, less is usually more. Choose statement furniture with smooth geometric structures and straight lines, in a neutral tone that can be styled easily. Solid hues with natural finishes are ideal. For upholstery, textures fabrics like cotton, linen, silk and jute can be utilised, paired with pillows and décor in brighter colours or patterns.
Flooring for contemporary interiors
Contemporary floors are bare and smooth, generally using wood, tile or vinyl finishes. Avoid heavily patterned flooring which distracts the eye and causes confusion.
Walls in contemporary interiors
Walls can be treated in different ways based on the aesthetic desired. They can be simply plastered and painted, or be the focus of the design through a play of texture or artwork. Remember to keep it bold yet abstract, complementing the dynamics of the interiors. You could also adorn your walls with framed artwork, placed at eye-level or on a column or pedestal. Opt for matte black, natural wood or metal finish frames as they add a great visual value, without distracting from the artwork.
Lighting in contemporary interior design
Lighting also plays an integral part in the overall aesthetic of the space- contemporary lighting involves warm accent lighting, giving a soft glow to the space. Generally, track lights or statement lights like pendants and chandeliers are used.
Accessories for interiors
If using minimal furnishings, opt for decorative accessories that add a refreshing touch to your interiors. Accessories can include artworks, lamps, decorative vases, or décor items, small elements that add to the personality of your space. Everyone loves cute showpieces, try to avoid them and incorporate more abstract and bold décor pieces where each piece stands out as unique.
Contemporary interior design takes inspiration from many styles and keeps evolving with time. Curate your interiors with timeless elements that are versatile to style and immune to the changing tides!
FAQ
What constitutes contemporary design?
- Clean lines, simplicity and functionality are the underlying principles of contemporary design. Since it is heavily influenced by other styles of design, ‘contemporary’ does not have a fixed definition and keeps evolving.
Are muted tones the only way to go?
- Contemporary design uses a neutral colour palette for the more permanent furnishings, with accents of colour through cushions, throw blankets, carpets, etc. Muted tones give a more luxurious touch to interiors but the interior design style is not limited to them.
Can I achieve contemporary interiors with my existing furniture or art?
- Yes, definitely! Make sure to complement your existing furniture or artwork with an appropriate theme and accentuate with decor elements.
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