Last week I started the Style Series by defining and illustrating country/cottage and shabby chic decor (you can find it here). This week I’ll continue to explore the many styles of home decor by tackling Modern and Contemporary. Many of you probably think they are the same. Nope. Although the terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference between the styles.
Modern Decor Defined
A few very specific elements set modern design apart:
- minimalist decor with few furnishings and even less accessories
- use of industrial elements
- few colors, usually neutral based
- sleek, strongly rectilinear shapes
- can feel cold or harsh
- usually smooth textures like glass, metal, leather, or silk for the luxe factor
- wide open spaces
Kitchen from RemodelingMySpace.com
This ultra modern kitchen is sleek, clean and only slightly warmed by the touch of wood. That’s a lot of stainless!
Photo via WindowBlindsTips.com
What elements make this a modern room? Very rectilinear furnishings, essentially monochromatic with the pop of only one color, and no accessories.
Photo via FreshModernHouse.com
Simple with no pillows (how do you DO that??), low backs and bench, a plain flat weave rug, storage hidden behind sleek metal looking doors. The very definition of modern.
Modern decor via HomeWallColor.net
I’m pretty sure this is actually a rendering, but the depiction of modern style is spot on. Low furnishings, simple forms, blocky tables, neutral palette, and whatever flooring is represented, I’d say painted concrete would be a perfect fit in a modern home.
Not long ago Cindy and I did a Thumbs Up/Down about minimalist design where you find our opinions and more photos of the pretty and ugly of this style. (you can read it here)
Contemporary Decor Defined
A softer, more liveable look than modern, contemporary actually encompasses:
- clean shapes and slim furniture profiles (rather than overstuffed), but with an occasional curve or swirl
- use of stronger colors and a little pattern
- restrained use of accessories
- mixing of textures like nubby wool, flotaki rugs, or shimmery silk, cotton or linen
- usually light woods like maple or birch, but occasionally a black piece can find its way in
A contemporary room via FreshModernHouse.com
Soft, rounded edges to the seating, a few key accessories, a textured rug all contribute to turning this room from stark and modern to contemporary.
Contemporary dining via TheFurniture.com
The difference between this contemporary dining room and a modern one is: the open display shelving in the hutch (contemporary has a few well chosen accessories while shabby chic would have it chock full of collectibles and modern would have sleek doors so it appeared built-in); upholstered chairs with a little curve to the backs; a patterned rug under foot and lots of wood. I think a good addition would be some long sheer panels to soften those windows – and it would still feel very contemporary.
Photo via Freshome.com
Photo via Freshome.com
Photo via Freshome.com
The above 3 pictures show a range of contemporary rooms – note the flokati rugs for extra texture, the use of color, just a few accessories and furniture with slim profiles, curves and even a little pattern. All those elements pull the rooms away from starkly modern and into the pleasant contemporary mode.
Is This Style For You?
Modern or contemporary or a little of both? What suits your style? In upcoming weeks I plan on sharing transitional, traditional, coastal, mission and more. If you have a particular favorite you’d like me to cover, be sure to let me know. Or, if you want to learn about a style to see if it might fit you…..let me know. I’m always happy to hear from readers and try to be responsive to what you’d like to read. The easiest way to stay on top of all the great information Cindy and I share every week is to subscribe – you can do that at the top of the page – just give us your email address and you won’t miss a word. 
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That was helpful. I am trying to transition from a French cottage design in a tudor-appearing home on the outside to a contemporary look, but do not know whether I should take it room by room, what pieces I can save, what is the most cost effective pieces that I should add first, and really where to start.
Chrisette
Making a change in styles can be exciting but a little intimidating too. I’d suggest you go room by room so it doesn’t become overwhelming. The first thing to do is take inventory and see what pieces you can keep or recover or repurpose – which have the simplest, cleanest profile? Which can be painted or table top changed or moved into a different room?
Of course your largest piece in each room is usually the most expensive (sofa, bed, dining set, etc) and usually establishes the style, so start with one major piece in the room and gradually build around it. Hope this helps a little. Have fun with the project and write us with more specific questions any time.
I love this style. The fun thing about contemporary style is you can actually play and mix accesories of other styles like country but making it modern. Thanks for sharing Terrie!
I am catching up with the reading
Welcome to the blog and thanks for commenting as you read through the archives. It’s a little more challenging to mix styles successfully, but it CAN be done and we’re the ones to help you figure it out. Thanks for your contribution Susana and I hope you’ll continue to share.
Very informative, Terrie
. I definitely learned something! I appreciate your definition of the terms and pointing out the differences between the two styles as well as similarities.
Blessings,
Sindy
Thanks for continuing to read and comment Sindy – we so appreciate knowing when an article or information is helpful. We’re putting together an “interest” survey that we’ll put out there soon to help keep us on track and make sure we’re writing what you all want to read!