We are very pleased to welcome a guest post by Chloe Taylor, who is an interior design consultant from Adelaid, South Australia and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. Many thanks, Chloe, for your interesting and informative post on how to modernize your home with 9 inspirational decor trends!
If you work like crazy and feel like you’re constantly under a lot of stress, you deserve to return to a home that’s modern and practical. Living in a cluttered, old-fashioned space can amplify your feeling of dissatisfaction instead of making you feel happy, focused and mindful. So, if you think your old home needs to enter the 21st century stat, here are some of the best décor trends that will modernize your humble abode.
Neat and clean spaces
Modern design is basically the polar opposite of traditional interiors. Rather than looking over-decorated and cluttered, modern interiors have an airy vibe full of clean lines, relaxing colors and minimalist (but very aesthetically pleasing) accessories. One great way to welcome your home into the 21st century is to work on openness. Many modern spaces prefer an open floor plan that connects the kitchen, dining room and the living space all into one big space.
Don’t hesitate to achieve a strong contrast
Since modern spaces usually have a subdued color palette, you can add appeal and style by introducing contrasting pieces. For instance, a strong black and white contrast is still very popular, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. White walls can offer perfect contrast to black marble countertops, while black matte fixtures stand out beautifully against white bathroom furniture. Contrast can be achieved by clashing time periods too. What is especially stylish today is mixing old and new art. A classical painting can add priceless interest to a modern and simple bedroom.
Update your walls
Color and wallpapers are an amazing way to bring in new life into your home and update its style, but there are other, much more effective and interesting options you can try this year. For instance, you can opt for wall coverings that can turn any room into a timeless and elegant space. Scenoiserie Collection inspired by Asia and its well-known cherry blossoms and exotic birds will certainly add interest to your home, especially if you love Eastern culture and design.
Let there be light
Large windows and skylights allow plenty of natural light that will illuminate your interior. As modern homes concentrate more on energy-saving and electricity conservation, these natural lighting options will fit in perfectly into your updated home. Big windows also increase the feeling of openness and make the space look larger. Even though new windows come with plenty of work and a hefty price tag, they will be worth every cent.
Make a statement
Instead of cluttering your home with all sorts of items and decoration, you can splurge on one statement item that will serve as a focal point. For instance, beautiful freestanding bathtubs attract all the attention and make any bathroom look elegant and stylish. These beauties are available in all styles, shapes and sizes, from more classic rectangular to more contemporary ovals and even squares.
Pay attention to your finishes
If you want to modernize your home, paying attention to details like finishes is half the battle. Glass and stainless steel are especially popular in modern interiors. They are sleek and elegant and pair well with almost any other material. Clean matte cabinets paired with glossy countertops offer a great finish contrast. If you replace your boring old hardware on drawers and cabinets with elegant metal handles or opt for a glass backsplash, you’ll end up with a well-thought-out space that’s ready to grace any contemporary design magazine.
Update your floors
Once upon a time, wall-to-wall carpets used to rule the floors. Today, carpeting your entire house has long been passé and it has been replaced by sleek hardwood or stone floors. These materials have an elegant, minimalist and clean vibe that is perfect for any modern space. They are also more durable and easier to keep clean and tidy.
Invest in smart tech
Every modern home with busy urban people can’t function without smart technology. Invest in a modern audio and video system that will provide you with all the entertainment you need, while leaving your space clean and uncluttered. You can also make your updated home more functional with smart thermostats, smoke alarms and home security systems.
Devil is in the details
Take a look at any traditional home and you’ll find their book collection displayed in a vertical way. This is how books have been stacked for hundreds of years and it’s sort of an unwritten rule. However, if you want to play with details and put a modern twist on your book collection, switch up your vertical orientation for a horizontal one. Multiple stacks of horizontally stacked books will instantly give your space a fresh look.
These updates will not only make your home more stylish and up-to-date, but also boost its comfort and safety. So, don’t hesitate to give these design ideas a try and make your living space ready for the future.
About the author:
Chloe is an interior design consultant from Adelaide, South Australia and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.
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