How to Give your House a Modern Look for a Cheap Price

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By Jerrie Dean
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Modern Dining room

Modern furniture began being made in the late 19th century through the present. Modern furniture is a style that is light and curved and simple and sometimes accented or made with plastic and chrome, for example. An example of modern design furniture can be seen today at an Ikea store. Read on to find out how you can furnish your home with modern design furniture without the high price.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Camera
Pen and Paper
Computer

Step 1

Handyman Magazine Sofa

Start by getting several magazines, library books or the internet and finding examples of modern furniture. Remember that modern furniture has been around for at least fifty years, so look at older magazines, too. It is very interesting to see Popular Mechanics or Handyman Magazines version of a modern room from the 1960's when the space program was at it's most popular. If you see a particular room that you like, then think about duplicating it in your home.
Step 2

Modern Art Furniture

Now that you have a clear idea of what warrants modern furniture, go and visit several furniture stores. Take a photograph of a piece that really catches your eye or a room that has been designed on the floor that you think is great. Most of the furniture will be made of wood, glass, chrome or plastic or at least have some of that on it, and will not be a heavy looking piece but something that will float on slender legs, like the photograph in Step 3.
Step 3

Modern Glass Table

Plan exactly where you are going to put each piece. This will help you decide on what to buy. You don't want to go searching with the idea you need a couch and two chairs and come back and find that you have one chair, too many, and you should have gotten a small modern glass table instead. Think of each piece as a work of art, that could stand on it's own.
Step 4

White Chair

Start going to thrift stores, garage sales and swap meet looking for these particular designs of furniture. Because the style has been around for awhile you can find pieces from the 1960's that still work today. You are looking more for curved lines, than square. Pieces with thin legs instead of heavy buns. If a piece of furniture has the "lines", but it is worn out, don't eliminate it. It can be given a new coat of paint or reupholstered. You're looking for what it could become and not what it is.
Step 5

Modern Living room Furniture

If you find the right couch or the right chair but the fabric is strictly 1970's plaid, you can reupholster it with abstract fabric that has lots of design or one color fabric with a pop of bright color, like lime green, hot pink or orange, like this modern couch. Also, don't forget that a modern Italian furniture is also hot, like a modern leather chair or couch.
Step 6

Modern accessories

Accessorize with curved shapes and complementary colors. Go back to the furniture stores and buy that one amazing lamp or group of vases that you saw that will put the final touches on your room. Showcase your accessories and do not put too many. One single pillow is much better for this style that two or more pillows.
Step 7

Modern art painting

For modern art work, don't hesitate to do your own. Use colors that your accessories are in. Buy a large canvas and paint brushes and paint away. You can even take several cans of paint and pour them over the side of the canvas, so they drip down, or use your paint brush and fling paint onto the canvas. Scribble your signature on the bottom.
Step 8

Modern Chair with Gnomes

Don't forget to personalize your room with something of your own. Add a favorite toy from your childhood or something that would normally be seen outside, to give the room your signature.