If you love sleek and sophisticated interiors, and can’t keep away from the latest trends and technology, then contemporary interior design is perfect for you! This always evolving style refers to the popular designs of the current moment, featuring open spaces, clean lines, and a mix of industrial and natural elements. So to pull off this stunning style in your home, read on for our 7 best contemporary interior design tips!

History of Contemporary Interior Design

Contemporary house interior by decorilla designer Lori D
Contemporary house interior by Decorilla designer,  Lori D.

Modern and Contemporary are words that are often used interchangeably but refer to two distinct design styles. Early modernist design movements began in 1875 with the Arts and Craft era and were constantly updated. The reinterpretation of Modernism continued until postmodernism that spanned from the 1970s to 1990s.

Need help deciding if contemporary interior design is right for you? Take our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to learn which style best fits your preferences!

Modern contemporary interior design by Decorilla designer Katarina P.
Modern contemporary interior design by Decorilla designer, Katarina P.

The new millennium is where contemporary home interior design ideas came to the forefront. Strictly speaking, contemporary refers to anything of the present moment. However, this too will form part of design history in the future. For now, we can be thankful to designers who keep pushing the boundaries to create something new and unique.

Move over Modernism; because homes are becoming sexier than ever with contemporary home interior design ideas. We have put together the key elements to bring your home into the new era with our seven essentials for a contemporary home interior design.

Designer Favorite Contemporary Design Style Tips

Contemporary style living room by Decorilla designer Valerii K
Contemporary style living room by Decorilla designer, Valerii K.

With a few essential style tips from our top contemporary interior designers you can pull off this coveted look at home. Check out these design ideas to get started with updating your home!

1. Simplified Form in Contemporary Interiors

contemporary interior designer
Contemporary kitchen and bath by Decorilla designer, Roberto D.

We’re back in the minimalist sphere with “form follows function,” but this time the function can be to look good. Function has become something ingenious with the help of technological advancement. Therefore, the form of present-day furniture and interior objects are bound to be innovative and creative.

Contemporary open plan living with wood and black pendant lighting
Contemporary home decor by Decorilla interior designer, Roberto D.

There may be limited furnishings in a contemporary home that is reminiscent of minimalism, but the negative space has become decorative in itself. So, this means that furniture and architectural elements are becoming more sculptural, which may mean less decorative pieces in the homes of the future.

2. Muted Tones with Pops of Color

Eclectic contemporary decor by Decorilla designer, Lori D.
Eclectic contemporary decor by Decorilla designer, Lori D.

A plethora of existing design styles influence contemporary interior design, and the colors of minimalism are still prevalent. The homes of today are clad in soft, subdued colors. As a result, simple and elegant color combinations act as a backdrop for prominent features that reinvent existing structures. Exhibit your most loved furniture finds against a soft backdrop. So, it’s certainly best to choose whites, browns, greys or navy for walls. Then, incorporate pops of color through artwork, furniture or decor.

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3. Contemporary Home Decor Essential: Art

contemporary art interior design
Contemporary bedroom design by Decorilla designer, Joseph G.

Art is essential to contemporary home decor. Sculptural elements are prominent in present-day homes, and the boundaries between art and functional furnishings are blurring. In a contemporary home there are art pieces, as we know and love them, but also furnishings and architecture that have sculptural features. These certainly make art as intrinsic to contemporary style design as the roof or floor.

4. Wow Factor Lighting

contemporary interior design lighting
Contemporary dining room design by Decorilla interior designer, Renata P.

Sculptural lighting has become a quintessential feature of contemporary interiors. Oversized standing lamps, elaborate chandeliers, and molecular ceiling lights are a few of the exciting lighting avenues to explore. Not to mention, the right lighting can make or break a room’s design. So, be bold with sculptural lighting for maximum impact.

5. Hard Surfaces

contemporary interior design service
Contemporary interiors by Decorilla designers,  Renata P (left) and Scott T. (right)

Ever since industrial design became highly sought after designers’, architects’ and the public’s obsession with elegant, hard surfaces became cemented in present-day interiors. The plush world of cushiony fabrics seems to dim in the background as the focus turns to new innovative uses for natural stone, wood, cement, and metal. Expect to see easy chairs fashioned from stone or steel, blurring the boundary between sculptural and functional.

6. Technology in Contemporary Interiors

sleek bedroom by Decorilla interior designer, Roberto D.
Sleek bedroom design by Decorilla designer, Roberto D.

A contemporary house interior is lost without its core – technology. We are living in the digital age; technological advancement amazes every day by exploring surprising and unprecedented avenues. The designs of today have to be streamlined and also in sync with whichever digital devices are in that specific room.

Contemporary-Interior-Design-Open-Living-and-Dining-area-
Contemporary home interior by Decorilla designer, Meric S.

Technology is shaping design, not just through changing shapes, but by forcing designers to work with or around existing technological devices. Now, with smart homes becoming the norm, these advancements are no longer seen as luxuries, but rather necessities in interior design.

7. No More Distraction

Contemporary home decor by Decorilla designer (1)
Contemporary home decor by Decorilla designer, Hannah G.

Homes are becoming more efficient and shifting the focus from the interior to function. Yes, contemporary homes can be magnificently beautiful, and inspire awe in their innovation. But no matter how intricate, the simplicity of a stunning contemporary interior design also allows the people who live there to function at their utmost.

Contemporary home decor by Decorilla designer, Meric S.
Contemporary home decor by Decorilla designer, Meric S.

That is ideal; to create a space that saturates and satisfies the senses. One that allows essential functions to continue above all, without hindrance and obstruction.

Want sleek contemporary interior design for your home?

Our industry leading interior designers can help. So, schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to learn more about your design options today!

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5 years ago

[…] is certainly easy to confuse contemporary design and modern home interior design. One of the main differences between contemporary and modern design […]

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4 years ago

[…] with beautiful images of contemporary interiors, the client knew what he wanted. But turning a dream into reality can be tricky, especially if the […]