How to Decorate Contemporary Living Rooms

Less is more.

Contemporary decorating follows a simple rule: less is more. Contemporary homes are spacious with a few large items. Collectibles are limited. Colors are dramatic accents with black, white and neutral backgrounds. Furniture has clean lines and is simple in design. Mirrors, artwork and metal finishes are important accents. A contemporary living room is comfortable and spacious.

Things You'll Need

• Contemporary art Area rug Metal lamps

Instructions

1. Remove the clutter. Before you begin to decorate your living room, remove all the extras. If you have collectibles, choose a few to display and put the rest away. Avoid small objects. Avoid more than one or two pillows on the couch. Store the throws and only bring them out when needed. You may wish to dispose of the coffee table because it will attract clutter.

2. Clear the walls. Take down collages or multiple small pictures. Replace the small items with one large item. Keep some of the walls clear of objects. Allow the architecture of the room to be part of the decor. If there is an exposed brick wall, leave it exposed. Choose artwork that is contemporary with geometric designs, primary colors or unusual mixtures of elements such as glass and metal.

3. Replace the furniture. If you have furniture with intricate details, replace it with simple designed pieces. Leather is a good choice. Look for white, cream or black couches. Pick out end tables and entertainment centers that have straight lines. Go with either dark wood or light colored wood. Don't mix wood tones.

4. Add accessories. Add a few large objects. Consider a floor vase. Place a few art pieces on the entertainment center. Place one or three pieces on the end tables. Keep with odd numbers when displaying objects.

5. 

   Change the lighting. Consider track lighting, so you can direct the light. Put in dimmer switches to help adjust the amount of light. Lamps on end tables should be simple in design. Black metal works well. Keep windows clear of drapes to bring in natural light.

Tips & Warnings

• Place an area rug with geometric designs in front of the couch.

Resources

• Contemporary Furniture