Are you tired of your traditional furniture and home decor? Do you want to update your space and make it more contemporary? There are a few things you can do to modernize a traditional space. You can do subtle things like adding a contrasting color to a room, or you can go big and buy new furniture. If you’re unsure where to start, here are five tips on how you can modernize a traditional-style home.
1. Add clean lines to your furnishings.
In a traditionally-styled home, you’ll see furniture featuring ornate details and warm colors. When you add clean lines to your furnishings, you can help bridge the gap between traditional design and a more modern feel. Think neutral sofas, coffee tables, and accent chairs, all with straight edges. While squares and rectangles may be the stars of contemporary design, you can also incorporate curves and arches if you want to soften up the space.
2. Look for textured fabrics.
Texture adds interest and character to a space. In fabrics, when you keep the textures soft and neutral in color, they’ll provide a more contemporary feel. Traditional materials may feature floral, paisley, or ornate prints. If you want a modern look, try a mix of solids with more streamlined, geometric patterns.
3. Keep what’s on display to a minimum.
“Less is more” is one of the mottos of modern design. In a traditional home, you’ll usually see trinkets and decor all over the house. But in a contemporary home, you’ll want the space to appear clutter-free and clean. Instead of creating a gallery wall, hang one oversized piece of abstract art. And rather than overcrowding your mantel or shelves, choose a select few objects to display. You also want to ensure that everything you leave on display is cohesive.
4. Embrace contrasting colors.
Though modern homes feature a lot of white, black, and neutral color palettes, you can still create interest with contrasting colors. Choose a focal point in a bold, dark color like navy or black. When you make your focal point darker than the rest of the room, it will naturally draw your eye there. You can also create more subtle contrast by putting black hardware on white cabinets or vanities.
5. Rethink your floors and lighting.
Say goodbye to heavy carpeting and drapes. In a modern home, you’ll want to swap those out for hardwood flooring and natural light. If hardwood floors aren’t your thing, you can also go for a luxury laminate. Big, bare windows are another popular feature in modern homes. But if you don’t get a lot of natural light or have minimal windows, you can make sure your light fixtures exude the contemporary style. Think geometric shapes, straight lines, and cool metals.
Take Your Home from Traditional to Modern
You don’t have to makeover your house completely to achieve an updated style. Simple tweaks like color swaps and decluttering can put you on the path to contemporary. For those who want to take their home from traditional to modern, contact us today at (317) 660-6421. Let’s get started creating something beautiful!
