Modern living spaces often combine traditional elements into their design for a comprehensive aesthetic. As seen here from HGTV, exposed beams and brick fireplace lend this room traditional character, while an inbuilt home office cabinet adds modernity.
Wood paneling–be it shiplap, tongue and groove or wainscoting–is an iconic choice for contemporary living spaces. Use it as the background for artwork that leans toward modernity as well as decorative accents that enhance its modernity.
Open Plan Layout
An open-plan layout makes a room appear larger, providing more options when entertaining and is also more suitable if children or elderly relatives are living with you.
To divide an open floor plan into distinct zones, furniture or area rugs are useful in delineating each zone visually while still creating visual separation and keeping the space connected.
For maximum cohesion, attempt to keep a consistent decorating scheme throughout your space. Neutral tones such as tan or deep beige may help tie rooms together more easily.
Less is More
No matter your design aesthetic – from full-on maximalist to minimalist – reducing furniture in your modern living room will help maximize space utilization while giving each item its proper place within it. Furthermore, creating negative space — leaving gaps between pieces — is integral to modern design trends.
Louis Duncan-He Interiors suggests floating your furniture over a large area rug for an airy feel in this modern open plan living room. Displaying a mirror is another simple trick to visually expand space and reflect light around.
Negative Space
Negative space can be an integral component of an eye-catching interior design scheme, helping your furniture and decor feel more prominent – like an orchestra of beautiful music!
Attaining a modern aesthetic often requires incorporating different textures and elements, like patterned wallpaper and wooden furnishings, into your decor. But to truly achieve this look, negative space must also be remembered – overstuffing will only result in creating an uneven and disorganized environment that lacks balance and harmony – neither stylish nor functional!
Monochromatic Color Schemes
Monochromatic color schemes can look breathtaking if done properly, so be sure to do extensive tests of samples and swatches beforehand to ensure all shades share similar undertones.
Monochromatic color schemes use just one hue and its variations – including tints (including white) and tones ( which include gray) – as building blocks to create depth and visual interest in a design symphony.
At JC Licht, we love how monochromatic color schemes create refined simplicity and visual cohesion. They also pair nicely with bolder hues to enhance designs with greater visual impact and add vibrancy and character to a space.
Smart Technology
Imagine living in a house that understands you and adapts to your lifestyle seamlessly. Technology is revolutionizing residential design, enabling homeowners to personalize their living spaces using intelligent automation systems.
Integrate voice-activated assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home into your life to easily control devices with voice command, and add smart lighting systems that adjust automatically according to the time of day and your mood, providing a cozy ambiance for movie nights or an energizing environment for morning workouts.
Install motorized shades that automatically adjust with sunlight, your schedule, and the weather. Incorporating energy-efficient appliances is key to modernizing your home’s environmental footprint.
Wooden Furniture
Wood furniture is one of the best choices for modern living spaces, providing natural warmth that cannot be rivaled. Solid wood construction materials – like oak, walnut or mahogany – add character and sophistication to any room design scheme.
Search for furniture with sleek lines, minimal embellishments and an unobtrusive silhouette. This style draws its inspiration from Scandinavian designers and Bauhaus architects for an aesthetic that feels both fresh and modern.
Bring nature inside with indoor plants and textured accents. Earthy tones such as browns and greens create a relaxing ambiance in modern living rooms.
Artwork
Modern living rooms require more than furniture; they need art too to feel complete and put-together. Luckily, there are numerous ways art can add value and add interest without breaking the bank.
Look for artwork that complements your design style, such as abstract or geometric works for contemporary spaces, while landscape paintings or classic subjects might better suit more traditional ones.
Even traditional paintings can take on a modern aesthetic when placed outside their gilded frames and displayed appropriately. Exposed canvas edges or creating dialogue between other architectural features and the painting could lend these classic masterpieces new life.
