My Thoughts On The Latest Trends in Modern Home and Decor

“Don’t worry, one day all of this will be yours” says a grandma to her granddaughter.

Granddaughter gives a half-hearted smile as she cringes inside at the thought of bringing in the countless trinkets in grandma’s house. Let’s be real, we all have that one family member who saved literally everything.

As endearing as things can be, the current generation (myself included a lot of the time) is more focused on clean spaces without clutter to contribute to our already overwhelmed minds.

I believe this is why the modern home decor style has taken off the way it has over the last few years. Modern design and style is all about clean lines, mixing of patterns, and geometric shapes, and a focus on minimalism.

Modern style often gets lumped into the contemporary style but they are in fact very different. In a modern-style home, you will see lots of brick, cement, and wood. You will find it garnished with fun rugs, greenery, plants, and throw pillows. This style is naturally very clean, chic, and minimalistic.

Did you know that people are most often drawn to the modern style at first? I think it is due to the fun and yet simple design that catches our eyes and draws us in. The straight lines and “put-together-ness” of it help us appreciate the design, architecture, and decor since everything has a place and a purpose.

One thing that I personally love about the modern style is the minimalism. You will not see a living room filled to the brim with a piece of furniture in every nook and cranny. You might see one or two simple couches. For small homes and rooms, this style can really be ideal because it often makes your space appear larger. This is where you get the walkways behind furniture where you see things styled in the middle of the room rather than pushed up against the sides.

Those who love organized, simple spaces are really drawn to the modern style and I love it!

Modern style USES the space and walls as a shell. Rather than filling each wall with decor or artwork, modern style will often do a wall treatment like brick rather than just the accent wall of 2017! Walls are more than just color.

Let’s talk about color…

Dark, moody, bold colors are popular and it can be really fun to do the ceiling and walls all the same color. And yes, before you tell me that it will make the room small, most often people find that not to be true at all and that it actually makes their room appear larger and spacious.

Modern style loves dark and earthy tones: the greens, the browns, and the oranges. You are not stuck with just black trim and white walls. There is so much room for personality with great pops of color.

As a designer, one of the things I love about modern style is that when you want to change something in a home, it is simple! With a simple pallet and simple decor, changing or adding items is easy and seamless.

I want to leave you with some practical takeaways for how to bring a little more modern style into your space.

Tips for Implementing Modern Home Decor

1. Declutter and Organize

A clutter-free space is essential for achieving a modern look. Start by decluttering your home and organizing your belongings. Use storage solutions like built-in cabinets, floating shelves, and storage baskets to keep items out of sight.

2. Invest in Quality Furniture

Quality over quantity is a key principle in modern home decor. Invest in high-quality furniture that will stand the test of time. Look for pieces with clean lines and neutral colors that can easily be integrated into different design schemes.

3. Embrace Open Floor Plans

Open floor plans are a hallmark of modern design. If possible, remove unnecessary walls to create a more open and connected living space. Use area rugs and furniture arrangements to define different zones within the open space.

4. Focus on Lighting

Lighting plays a crucial role in modern home decor. Use a combination of natural and artificial lighting to create a bright and inviting atmosphere. Consider installing dimmer switches to adjust the lighting according to different moods and occasions.

5. Add Greenery

Plants can bring life and freshness to a modern home. Choose low-maintenance plants that thrive indoors, such as succulents, snake plants, or fiddle leaf figs. Use stylish planters that complement your decor.

6. Mix Textures: Combine different textures, such as smooth glass, rough wood, and soft fabrics, to add depth and interest to your decor. This can be done easily with throw pillows on a simple couch!

7. Create Focal Points: Designate focal points in each room, such as a statement piece of furniture or a bold piece of artwork, to draw the eye and anchor the space.

8. Balance Proportions: Ensure that the size and scale of your furniture and decor are proportionate to the size of the room. Avoid overcrowding small spaces with large pieces.

In simple terms, modern style thrives on making the stuff minimal to make room for our overwhelming minds. I hope this helps and that you can love and appreciate modern decor as much as I do!