Creating a contemporary aesthetic can seem slightly tricky in the face of ever evolving trends and interior tastes. The famous phrase ‘everything old is new again’ could easily be reversed when designing your dream interior, as what may feel new today might well feel a little fatigued in a few years’ time (we’re not saying that the inflatable furniture of the 90s was a mistake but we’re not not saying it either). When it comes to filling your space with a modern sensibility, there are few simple steps you can take to keep things feeling fresh while ensuring longevity. Read on to discover our top tips below.
Sleek lines
One contemporary staple that you can rest assured won’t go out of style is sleek lined furniture. With modern interior design, less is more – forget ornate arms or tufted backs, opt for a pared back piece that pays closer attention to clean lines and fresh new shapes. With its beautifully voluminous cushioning and angular silhouette, our Costello sofa effortlessly marries comfort with contemporary chic – its chrome legs being the perfect finishing touch to its luxurious finish. By opting for a more minimalistic shape, you’ll be able to play with bolder colour/texture choices – just like our Canary cotton matt velvet seen here – for a stunning style statement that won’t overwhelm your space.
Let there be light
Creating a sense of space is key when keeping things contemporary and one of the best ways to achieve this is through the use of mirrors. Reflecting natural light back into their surroundings, mirrors can be strategically (and of course stylishly) deployed to help create the illusion of additional space and let your living area breathe a bit. We’d suggest looking at a design like our Austen mirror – with its clean shape, clear glass and almost floating appearance, this piece will reflect nothing but modern refinement back into your room!
Form and function
Speaking of space, multi-purpose furniture is a must have when styling the modern home! Contemporary style places great significance on the form of your furniture as opting for designs that double up can help to declutter your interior. For the ultimate space-saving sofa, look no further than our super sleek Aissa storage chaise. With a chaise end that lifts up to reveal precious extra space to store away those magazines, extra blankets and any knick-knacks (we’re talking about those Backstreet Boys CDs you want to keep hidden), you’re living room will be cool, calm and collected in no time!
Japandi
One interior design trend that has firmly cemented itself in the contemporary conscious is Japandi – a clever fusion of Japanese simplicity with Scandi style. Bringing the Japanese notion of Wabi-Sabi together with the aspects of hygge, this trend fuses finding beauty in the imperfect with an atmosphere of comfort and warmth – resulting in a minimalist approach, echoing clean and uncluttered interiors. Welcome this style into your home through elements of nature, natural wood, simplistic furniture designs and a calm, neutral colour palette. For your living space, try our Izzy corner sofa which features sleek lines and an exquisite beechwood frame that capture a brilliantly meditative modern quality. An accent of dusty rose and pastel pinks are all this look needs for some simplistic perfection!
Interchangeable accessories
If you’re looking to introduce a current trend to your home, why not try approaching it with accessories? Using smaller pieces is a great way to explore evolving trends without committing to something that you might want to move away from later. If you’re curating the perfect contemporary gallery wall then you can throw yourself in with reckless abandon as artwork can be swapped out with ease, and the same goes for your scatter cushions or rugs. Want to go for bright, bold tones and graphic patterns? Go for it! If you find yourself craving a monochromatic redo in a few months’ time, you can swap your cushion covers out with little fuss or extra expense.
Metallic accents
One of our favourite contemporary style choices is the inclusion of metallic accents. Brighten up your home with our sleek Deacon ceiling pendants, available in Chrome, Copper and Rose Gold finishes, and use our Granger side table to add a little luxe to the space – with its sophisticated gold hued and pale blue honeycomb tray sitting upon elegant tripod legs. Complete the look with a sleek shelving unit to display your favourite home accessories in style.