The Top 5 Principles of Modern Interior Design

Modern interior design isn’t quite what the elders of our past imagined it to be. Instead of the retrofuturism enjoyed by mid-century decorators, modern homes thrive with sustainable, natural materials and unique color palettes. If you want your home to feature more functional, eco-friendly design principles, learn what’s important about today’s modern interior designs for inspiration.

1. Open and Multifunctional

No matter what type of space you’re dealing with, it must be versatile. Features like retractable walls can open or close up any space, and foldable furniture can add flexibility from a decorating perspective. Modern homes typically have open floor plans with ‘flex’ spaces designed to accommodate a wide variety of living styles. With the use of clever interior design, a living room can be an entertainment space at one moment and a workspace at another. Room dividers, pull-out couches, privacy plants, and other interior elements can add privacy when needed without hurting the open, modern feel.

2. Decluttered Minimalism

Modern homes try to reduce clutter by only keeping what brings joy. If something is taking up space or collecting dust, try rehoming or recycling it. Keep the pathway to the door clutter-free. Add shelving and storage options to remove items from floors and tables that clutter up a space. Covered storage can add a minimalist look as opposed to open shelving. Minimalism involves sleek lines, subtle decor, and minimal decoration. Modern minimalism doesn’t have to look sterile, but it often does. Materials like stone, wood, and metal create a modern, earthy look that reduces many homes’ cluttered, busy looks.

3. Try Interesting Color Palettes

Traditional homes try to stick to safe, matching color palettes. Modern homes are changing the way they view color. Bold accent walls are standard, particularly with brick materials. Contrasting color palettes also add a modern look to a home, such as plums with gold. If you enjoy two colors that don’t necessarily match, try them out. Color-block furniture or decor can add a futuristic look to an otherwise neutral color palette. Modern designs are no longer afraid of black. In open spaces with natural lighting, black adds a touch of class and elegance, unlike any other color.

4. Sustainable Textures and Materials

Since modern interior design isn’t teeming with decor, more thought can be put into how the decor is placed. Natural materials and fibers are better for the environment and reduce resource waste. Fibers like linen and leather add refinement and satisfying texture to furniture or window treatment. Modern designs thrive on bold, contrasting looks and textures. As a bonus, repurposed or reclaimed furniture or decoration creates a tastefully distressed look that modern decorators crave.

5. The Power of Lighting

Like any home style, lighting is essential. Modern homes rely on the use of subtle, natural, or sustainable lighting to illuminate a room.

Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is a necessity when designing a home for modernity. Large, expansive windows that bring the sun’s lighting indoors add a sleek and futuristic feel to any home, regardless of color or style. Modern windows can filter out unnecessary heat from the sun to provide lighting without sacrificing energy efficiency. Windows equipped with smart technology can even dim or filter light when desired, adding function and versatility to the modern room. Ideal window types and placement can vary depending on location and climate, so consider this before installing or upgrading yours. Some location examples are listed below.

Florida

Florida’s proximity to the equator and semi-tropical climate makes the sun warm, bright, and powerful. A modern Florida home should have properly installed and sealed energy-efficient windows to keep unnecessary heat and ultraviolet rays outside of the home’s interior.

Missouri

Modern homes in large Missouri cities like St. Louis or Kansas City enjoy temperate climates. When the weather is too warm, windows equipped with efficient heat filtering are great for keeping rooms cool. However, the sun’s warmth can be welcoming in Missouri’s harsher winter temperatures. That’s why it’s best to consult a window company in Kansas City and see if they can provide the best type of windows for your area’s climate.

Oregon

Oregon typically experiences milder temperatures and heavy rainfall but can also experience relatively humid summers. Windows here should be weatherproofed, particularly for rain and snow, to avoid winter water damage and drafty homes.

Sustainable Lighting

Apart from windows featuring natural lighting, modern homes also require sustainable lighting features. LED bulbs and solar-powered lighting can add to a home’s contemporary feel. Uniquely shaped lamps made of materials such as wood or metal can showcase minimalism well. In many cases, LED bulbs can change color and be dimmed easily, creating a futuristic illumination only modern homes can exhibit.

Conclusion

Modern home designs are rethinking how spaces are used. Inflexible spaces are being exchanged for open, multipurpose spaces. Decor and furniture are more sustainable, with repurposed or natural materials at the forefront. Modernity thrives on minimalism, so decor should be meaningful but sparse. Natural lighting with expansive windows and customizable, energy-efficient LED bulbs lead the way in modern floorplans.