Interior Design Styles: Modern

Modern interior design draws from its influence from the contemporary art movement that paved the way for modern design.

In art, Modernism started with the Impressionists and others who used abstraction. Contemporary interior design grew out of the decorative arts, particularly Art Deco, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It arrive at its pinnacle in the 1950’s and 1960’s, which is why designers and decorators nowadays may refer to modern design as being “mid-century.”

The Shapes

Form is the most important element in Contemporary interior design. Modern design uses geometric shapes, including rigid squares and rectangles along with smooth curves (“clean lines”). Perfect circles and ovals are also frequent in modern interior design. Contemporary interior design is also usually very simple and even minimal, with few ornamental accompaniments to disrupt the even, unbroken lines and flat surfaces.

The Materials

Contemporary interior design makes use of many materials. Wood and plastic are frequent, though designers often paint over wood with an opaque finish to cover the natural wood grain. Some designers do use natural wood as an organic contrast to more false shapes and materials. Glossy metals, such as stainless steel, are in the midst of the signature materials in modern interior spaces. The metal may be used for anything from the legs of a chair to the body of a lamp. Contemporary interior designers also make use of glass and plastic for their smooth, even surfaces

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