Modern Home Decorating Ideas

From the end of World War II to the first decade of the twenty-first century, open floor plans, large windows and the use of cutting edge materials and technologies have defined the modern home. The architecture of these homes has had an enormous impact on interior design. Decorating the modern home means the juxtaposition of the edgy and the traditional, the blending of subtlety and strength, and the fusion of minimalism and complexity.

History

In the 1950s, the modern style of decorating included bright colors and man-made materials. Plastic seating, armless couches with low backs, a minimum of accessories and sunburst clocks were all the rage.
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, the mid-century modern style become fashionably retro. Furniture from designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Mies van der Rohe and George Nelson is still available today, found in shops specializing in such vintage goods.

Features

The mid-century modern scheme mixes the clean, simple lines of vintage furniture with hardwood floors, patterned area rugs and an eclectic mix of accessories and art. Updates to the style include natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, as opposed to synthetics, controlled displays of collections and toned-down colors.

Types

Contemporary style is often mistakenly taken to mean angular furniture, glass tabletops and gray-toned color schemes. Contemporary style is actually upholstered furniture in muted tones, stone and wood mixed together in tables and flooring, simple window treatments made complex by layering, and all of it accented in bold colors.
Asian design, rooted in centuries-old design schemes of the Far East, has fused with modern sensibilities to create a style that is at once austere and comfortable. Such furnishings as platform beds, low tables surrounded by large floor cushions and Shoji screens define this style.
"Eclectic" is a word that has taken on new meaning in the design lexicon. Technically, eclectic style is a mix of two distinct styles that are separated by an era. In contemporary terms, eclectic style is a mix of seemingly disparate objects joined together by a common theme or element.

Identification

The eclectic style of modern home decorating is highly personalized. Often a mix of mid-century modern, traditional and flea market finds, this style takes on the modern sensibility through its individualization. The seemingly unrelated furnishings come together through similar colors, shapes and textures.
The eclectic style may be the new definition of the modern style. The purpose of the style is entirely aimed at providing comfort to the homeowner.
When modern design first came to the forefront of the architectural and interior design industry, the intent was to create a new concept, one which gave homeowners their own styles, their own architecture and their own identification among the rows of bungalows and townhouses of the previous generations.

Misconceptions

Modern decorating schemes have the reputation of being stark, cold and uncomfortable. Images of hard chairs and empty spaces, white walls and glass tables, and couches in garish green come to mind for those unfamiliar with the modern styles.
Though modern decorating schemes depend on a minimalist approach, they are far from stark and empty. Furniture placement is designed to create intimate seating arrangements. Accessories and artwork are used sparingly to accentuate each piece. Bold colors add punch to a broad palette of muted and neutral tones.
An antique vase placed on a glass table expresses timelessness of design. The use of vintage furnishings represents ties to the past and appreciation of form. The effect is one of simplicity with an underlying complexity. The unification of vintage and state-of-the-art is the definition of modern sensibility.