Sometimes people think modern style means rooms that are cold and empty, with hardly any decorations and too little furniture. But in interior design, each trend has its own rules and characteristics. But none of them involve making a place cold or unwelcoming. That would be silly, right?
So if you ever walk into a modern-style living room and it feels chilly and unwelcoming, it’s because of the person who decorated it. They clearly didn’t do a good job, no matter the style. That’s all.
Drawing a parallel, it’s akin to assuming that a living room is overly “pompous” due to the presence of Baroque style. However, the issue doesn’t lie with the Baroque style itself but with those responsible for the interior design project. They failed to establish a harmonious and balanced environment, albeit one that reflects the fundamental characteristics of the style.
When setting up a room, it’s key to nail the style—whether it’s modern, country, shabby chic, or classic—and make it yours with taste, class, and personality.
How to Furnish a Contemporary Living Room?
Furnishing a contemporary living room entails creating an atmosphere of lightness, organization, and visual clarity. There’s no excess, except perhaps a pop of color adding character to a corner, a wall, or a standout piece of designer furniture that commands attention.
What will captivate you most about a contemporary style living room is the linearity of its forms, the geometric layout of the space, a striking color contrast, or perhaps the abundant natural light streaming in through large windows.
But above all, what will truly enamor you is the way a contemporary living room seamlessly blends elegance with functionality, design with comfort.
Tips on How to Furnish a Contemporary Living Room
A successful interior design project—defined by its ability to convey a harmonious, balanced, and relatively accurate representation of the chosen style—is always the outcome of a complex orchestration.
No single aspect should dominate over others; instead, the key to success lies in achieving cohesion among the various elements.
That’s why it’s always wise to begin by assessing the physical layout of the room—observing its characteristics, its individuality, and then considering how they relate to one another: square footage, room shape, available space for furnishings (excluding walls occupied by fixtures and radiators), presence of obstacles or irregularities, socket locations, and studying natural lighting (its source, timing, and intensity).
The selection of a color palette, for instance, cannot be entirely “anarchic” or solely driven by personal taste or current trends. It must also consider the level of brightness and the size of the living room.
In a small or dark living room, we shouldn’t go for really dark shades. They’d just make it feel gloomy and unwelcoming. Instead, we should go for light and bright colors. They’ll help open up the space and make it feel more inviting.
- Choose Between Neutral, Dark, or Vibrant Colors
Contemporary interior color schemes offer a diverse range, providing ample freedom to choose between neutral, dark, or vibrant colors. You can select from soft white or pastel shades to bold purple or deep green tones. The decision is entirely up to you!
If you’re keen on adding a daring pop of color to your living room palette, consider a bold combination: pair a wallpaper featuring a vibrant pattern with a neutral, dark, or bright wall color.
Neutral colors, including “cool neutrals” like various shades of gray and “warmer” earthy tones like beige, are highly effective in contemporary settings.
These hues are commonly applied to walls as alternatives to white but are also frequently selected for furniture. They complement wood finishes or serve as contrasting elements with lighter shades such as ivory, cream, or white.
Another characteristic of contemporary style is the incorporation of striking color contrasts. You may choose to incorporate white, pairing it with a bold color such as black (black and white being considered the quintessential contemporary combination), purple, or blue.
- Clean Lines And Well-Balanced Spaces
In a contemporary interior, the most prominent features are its clean lines and well-balanced spaces. You’ll find bold and elegant vertical and horizontal lines in architectural details, high ceilings, wide window frames without adornment, and artworks and sculptures with geometric shapes.
In a contemporary living room, the absence of clutter on the walls, floor, and between furniture pieces adds to its allure. This creates a cooler and more pristine atmosphere, allowing each furnishing detail or piece to shine.
Moreover, these empty spaces, often referred to as “zero-stimulus spaces,” aid in relaxation. The sensation of observing a space devoid of visual distractions is akin to gazing at the sky: it offers a genuine sense of liberation.
According to Feng Shui principles, empty space fosters an energy flow that links one area to another, encouraging the mind to wander freely and nurturing creativity.
As such, it’s important to maintain adequate space between furniture pieces and avoid cluttering every corner of the room.
Be mindful of the proportions of the furnishings relative to the size of the living room, striking a balance between positive (occupied) and negative (empty) spaces.
- Sleek and Minimalist Furnishings
In your living room, furniture should embody a genuine sense of glamor and contemporary style. Thus, opt for furnishings and seating featuring sleek and minimalist shapes. Let your aesthetic preferences guide you: select furniture that aligns with your personal taste and lifestyle.
You can opt for a geometric furniture collection softened by gentle curves and adorned with exquisite golden-finish metal accents. Alternatively, choose a more daring and refined collection featuring contrasting textures on diamond-shaped upholstery and golden-finish metal inserts.
To create an exceptional interior, select sofas, armchairs, chaise longues, and footstools upholstered in high-quality fabrics with various textures, sticking to a color scheme that complements contemporary decor.
Don’t forget to include square accent pillows crafted from unique fabrics and patterns in bold colors that reflect your personal taste. This meticulous attention to detail not only enhances the visual appeal of the entire ensemble but also adds a heightened sense of comfort to your living room through the use of fine textures.
- Wood, Tiled, or Carpet Flooring
In a contemporary living room, the flooring should evoke a sense of lightness and cleanliness. To select the best option for your interior, you can choose from:
- Wooden flooring
- Tiles, preferably in white or ivory
- Carpeted flooring
If this isn’t suitable, you can leave the floors bare and incorporate decorative rugs in strategic areas.
If you opt for carpeted flooring, consider hand-knotted wool or silk carpets with a cotton base, crafted using techniques similar to Persian carpets.
When selecting a carpet, it’s essential to consider the shape that best complements the living room and sofa arrangement. The rectangular shape is commonly preferred for its balanced composition, but in contemporary style, you can also experiment with more unconventional shapes or layer two carpets of different shapes, colors, and textures—ensuring they don’t create a chaotic patchwork effect.
FAQs
What is a contemporary living room?
A modern living room is all about clean lines, simple spaces, and making sure everything has a purpose. Picture wide-open layouts, colors that aren’t too bold, and furniture that makes a statement with its shape or shiny parts.
How can I make my contemporary living room feel warm and inviting?
To make it feel cozy, mix up the textures and add in some pops of color. Throw in some woven blankets, soft rugs, and art with deep colors. Soft lighting helps too, so try adding lamps in the right spots and dimmers. Plants and materials like wood and stone also help soften things up.
What are the key features of a contemporary living room?
Important things to include are simple lines, big windows, and built-in stuff. Think about sleek furniture with not too many extra details, shiny surfaces, and keeping things tidy.
How should I furnish a contemporary living room?
When picking out furniture, think about how it’ll be used. Look for stuff that does more than one thing, like ottomans that also hold stuff or sofas that turn into beds. Go for shapes that are a bit different, neutral colors, and maybe add a splash of color with a cool chair or some art.
What role does furnishing play in a contemporary living room?
The furniture you pick really makes the room. If you choose the right stuff, it’ll all fit together and feel nice and comfy. Just make sure to balance the clean lines with some cozy touches to make your modern living room feel like home.
