Modern Furniture

Do you love a clean, minimalist interior? Would you prefer a simple colour palette over a bright one? If so, modern interior design may be just what you need in your home. Not to be confused with contemporary design, modern design is a distinct style of its own. We’ll go through what it is exactly, how it began, and then give you some tips and tricks on giving your home a modern makeover.

What is modern style?

With a focus on functionality over extravagance, simple design over unnecessary ornamentation, modern interior design was born in the early 20th century with German Bauhaus design. Bauhaus was rooted in minimalism, taking a less is more approach to design. Modern architecture and interior design followed modern art, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, and uncluttered, open floor plans. There are 5 key principles in modern interior design. These principles also affect the design of modern furniture, so it’s important to understand them and the role the play in creating a modern interior. Firstly, there must only be clean, straight lines. You won’t find curved archways or circular windows in a modern home. Second, there must be minimal home décor and ornamentation – this means no clutter, no knick-knacks, and no fancy flourishes like detailed coving. Third, the palette must be neutral. Modern homes stay away from bright, overbearing colours. Instead, they use a monochromatic, neutral palette, with white, grey, black, and some sparingly used pastel colours being the preferred choices. Fourth, modern homes have open floor plans, relying on the use of furniture, not walls, to zone out spaces and rooms. Why block out natural light space with a wall when you can create a living room with the strategic placement of a large corner sofa? Speaking of which, that leads us on to the fifth and final principle – low and long furniture. By having furniture that is low profile and elongated compared to traditional furniture, it becomes easier to use it to zone out different spaces while still allowing plenty of light and visibility around the open space. In terms of materials used, modern furniture design tends to use unpainted wood, leather and fabric upholstery, metal, glass, and sometimes concrete, too.

Modern living room ideas

To get the modern look in your living room, begin with a neutral colour palette. White is a popular choice, but feel free to experiment with other shades, or go for a light, pastel colour if that’s your thing. Just bear in mind that whatever colour you paint your walls will set the tone for the rest of the palette in the room. Next, your furniture. A modern sofa with a low back and a clean silhouette will do nicely; just make sure it’s the right size for the space, especially if you’re using it to set a boundary. Then consider what other furniture is needed, but remember, functionality comes first with modernism. Some storage, like a sideboard, helps keep your space uncluttered and tidy, and a low-profile coffee table is always a necessity in a living room. Lastly, consider lighting. Some simple floor lamps and a minimalist ceiling light will keep your space illuminated without distraction. Look for clean shapes that blend into the space; don’t go for an ornate chandelier if you want to keep it modern. And remember to consider task lighting, too. Floor lamps with movable heads or a desk lamp will have you covered.

Modern dining room ideas

It’s easy to get a modern dining room. To begin with, choose your neutral colour palette. In a dining room, a slightly darker colour will work nicely to create some ambience, as opposed to stark white. A warm grey will work well here. If you can, allow as much natural light in as possible during the day to lighten up the space, and in the evening, use warm lighting to set the mood. We have a stunning range of modern dining furniture, from modern dining sets to storage. The clean, straight line look is fabulous in a dining room, especially with a bench set and a sleek console table or sideboard. Think about materials here too; wood and veneers are great choices, or go for a hardworking material like ceramic or concrete. As for the dining chairs, durable leather will not only look great but also be easier to clean than fabric. With lighting, consider some pendant lighting over the dining table, and choose simple designs, preferably with metal or glass shades. Remember, form follows function in modern design, so consider what you need from your dining room and choose accordingly.

Modern bedroom ideas

Your bedroom should be a relaxing space that promotes good sleep, and modern interior design can help with this. By choosing minimalism, your bedroom becomes free of clutter and organised, which in turn promotes healthier sleep. In terms of colour palette, the best colours for sleep are blue, yellow, green, pink, orange, and white. Stick to a soft pastel for a welcoming atmosphere. We have a wide range of modern beds for you to choose from, as well as plenty of modern bedroom furniture like chests of drawers and side tables. If you’ve chosen a pastel colour for your walls, light wood furniture will work well. And of course, think about lighting; a simple hanging ceiling light and a couple of table lamps will do. You can of course apply the five principles of modern interior design to your whole home, and doing so will create a cohesive style throughout. And don’t worry, although modernism does focus on minimalism, there is still room for some simple accessorising, so take a look at our wall art and rugs to find some modern finishing touches.