Modern-style living areas have a few commonalities — simplistic color schemes, minimalism, sleekness and foregoing traditional decor for more unique spins. If you’re looking to revamp your home and transform it into a work of the 21st century, here are some simple tips:
Go Grayscale
Concrete, grays and white walls are often peoples’ first image when they think of a “modern” home. Shades of gray provide a calming ambiance that tends to be popular with traditional “modern” rooms.
But modern doesn’t have to be synonymous with “cold.” Warmer earth tones, such as peaches and beiges, also work well as canvases for building a cozy modern living room.
Add Pops Of Color
With neutral-colored walls, it’s important to add color in other creative ways. Paint a bright accent wall or hang large canvases of abstract, colorful artwork to liven up the space.
Bring the color off the walls as well. Make your furniture brightly colored to stand out and make the room pop. You can also spread an accent rug on the floor for more bright contrast — if it’s a complementary color or has a unique pattern, that’s a plus.
Determine A Centerpiece
Whether it be an accent wall, a work of art or a unique piece of furniture, figure out the room’s focal point and arrange your space with it in mind. But unlike a table centerpiece, this does not have to literally be in the center of your room. Just make sure it’s displayed and complemented prominently.
It doesn’t have to be complicated — a textured wall or a bold fireplace can easily serve this function.
Keep It Clean
Modernism and minimalism often go hand-in-hand. Using basic furnishings and negative space is a popular practice for designing a modern living room. Make your surfaces sleek and clear of clutter to perfect the space.
Install Dramatic Lighting
Forego the basic ceiling fans and bell lampshades, and instead turn to more unconventional light sources. Install an artistic-looking light fixture to hang down from the ceiling or a striking floor lamp that will draw the eyes of your visitors.
Though dramatic, these lights shouldn’t be so distracting that they look out of place. Make sure there are elements, whether it be color or shape, that mimic something else found in the room so the space is unified and balanced.
Open The Windows
Having large windows in your living room opens the space and makes the room appear larger, so it’s important not to obscure your windows.
Windows also allow natural light to flow into the room and create a relaxing atmosphere.
Create A Wall Collage
Piecing together wall collages from paintings, mirrors and other wall art is a great way to add color and personality to your modern living room.
Plan out what you want to hang on each wall and measure it out for a polished, organized look.