How to Make the Most of the Modern Interior Design Trend
BY Katie Murray
By utilizing a neutral base and colorful accents, homeowners are able to create the sleek lines most often associated with modern design.
Move over great-grandma's armoire—modern interior design is a trend that's here to stay. That's why homeowners across all generations are ditching bulky items and flashy colors in favor of sleeker, more neutral pieces.
"Many baby boomers enjoy living in a modern space because it harkens back to their youth and the home they grew up in," said Judi Mills-Grossman, founder and designer of Space Redefined. "For millennials, the simplicity of a modern aesthetic is attractive. And because many suppliers are now manufacturing modern furniture, the look is attainable."
But how can one transform their house that was originally designed in a more traditional style? The first task is to find the right mix between a structured look and a cozy feeling. Edgar Blazona, founder and CEO of BenchMade Modern, has started using cozier materials for sofas that blends well with the modern look.
"We are seeing a lot of interest in velvets, particularly dark blue velvets," said Blazona. "Customers want clean lines to create a silhouette that can still work in a more traditional living room setting."
As couches tend to be the centerpiece for living rooms, changing out your old one with something new might be the best way to create a change.
"The clean lines of a modern sofa—with a low-slung back and broad arms—helps create the iconic silhouette that will set the stage for any pieces to follow," noted Mills-Grossman.
Once you create your centerpiece structure, incorporating different color tones will help set your home's look apart from other designs. One thing that sets modern interior design apart from other styles is a neutral, yet strong, color palette.
"Neutral tones will always provide the basic canvas in modern design because it gives the homeowner the opportunity to express their individualism through color in a room's artwork, a rug or a vase," said Mills-Grossman. "We have been working with jewel tones recently, such as hues of green like emerald or chartreuse."
A great way to incorporate color is to accent the neutral base tone of rooms through accessories, especially ones that bring a lot of texture.
"Adding a pop of color with pillows adds that modern edge to a room," mentioned Blazona. "Incorporating a patterned or textured rug is another way to add something extra to a neutral base."
These designs can also be incorporated all throughout the house, not just in the living room.
"People are moving away from surfaces and furniture that are painted or lacquered," noted Mills-Grossman. "Rarer woods like eucalyptus or Wenge are being used in cabinetry, coffee tables, wall and ceiling paneling."
While redesigning your home isn't always the easiest project to take on, moving back towards more natural and earthy tones is what will set your interior design apart from others.
Katie Murray
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