Interior Decorating Styles

With roots in the German Bauhaus School of Design and Scandinavian modern design, the modern decorating style is a fresh, sleek furniture and architecture style from the 1930s.

The neutral palette allows the objects in the design to take center stage. The surfaces in a modern interior are smooth and refined. A focus on geometry and angular shapes is also a characteristic of modern design.

First popular in the 1950s, modernism generates the smooth, nearly classical look so attractive to city dwellers. Clean lines distinguish the style. Modernistic sofas are stylishly square, not boxy.

Chairs have “S” curve backs. Purchase these furnishings upholstered in luxuriant fabrics such as brushed velvet and textured cotton of earth tones or retro acid hues.

All natural wood floors are common, with the clean lines, bold colors and orderly look of modern design. Don’t misjudge the power of a rug when carrying through this type of design.

Area rugs help highlight the daring look and colors of the modern interior decorating style. Choose a rug where your accent colors are dominant.

Geometric shapes, flowers, animal prints – whatever element you have chosen to be your main theme also needs to be integrated into the room using the accessories and/or the rug.

Modern rooms have a clean and uncomplicated feel. Modern highlights new materials and technology such as fiberglass, plastic, Lucite, gent plywood and others.

Furniture may be minimalist, organic, high tech and even ultramodern. It uses less texture than contemporary design and is more about form and creative impression rather than function.

You can make a dim, grimy basement a cool place to hang out with a timeless and modern decorating scheme. You can have a modern decorating theme in your basement no matter what your budget: you may just need to make a few changes to your wallpapering, and get some wall art and pillows to give it a mid-century feel.

Fixtures, floor coverings, decorative items, wall coverings and furniture such as sofas, chairs and tables may all need attention as you change your décor.

There are some people who adore the total sterile effect some modern minimalist interior design styles can have. However, you can use color to soften the rather severe feel of today’s modern designs.

You are sure to find that there are a lot of pleasing shades of brown, beige, taupe and sand that can breathe a little life into the room. You can also soften the look with shapes, for example a rounded vase or chairs with a slight curve to the seat.