Modern architecture and interior design
When we talk about modern interior design, we are referring to a specific period that encompasses the early 20th century through the mid-20th century. Modern architecture and interior design began in countries like Germany and the Scandinavian nations and gained popularity worldwide over the years. Postmodern design is a style inspired by modern design. In the modernist movement in interior design, traditional building materials such as wood, stone, and brick gave way to industrial materials like glass, steel, and concrete. In this article, we will introduce the modern style and compare it to contemporary style, listing the architectural and interior design elements of modern design. So, if you want to design your home in a modern style, reading this article can be very helpful. Therefore, don’t miss the good content and stay with us until the end of this article!
Characteristics of Modern Style
Modern style encompasses a wide range of concepts. In modern architecture and interior design, simple color palettes and clear, distinct lines are used. Simplicity is the most important element of modern style, which should even be observed in furniture. Clutter and excessive use of accessories and decorations have no place in modern architecture and interior design. The focus of modern style is more on the functionality of elements rather than their form. Jonathan Adler, a potter, designer, and writer, says about this style: “In my opinion, everything in your home should have a reason and logic. So, if you don’t have a reason for the things in your home, leave them out.”
Elements of Modern Interior Design
In modern architecture and interior design, several factors are considered. After listing them, we will explain each one:
- Shape and Form
- Primary Materials
- Furniture
- Flooring, Walls, and Ceiling
- Wall Art
- Rugs and Flooring
- Curtains
- Color
- Lighting
- Windows
- Floor Plan
Shape and Form
Shape and form are essential elements of modern architecture and interior design. In this style, geometric shapes like squares, rectangles, and cubes with clear and distinct angles are often used. The use of curved and round patterns is also common. It’s essential to remember that the emphasis in modern style is on simplicity. Minimalism or simplicity is rooted in modern design. Therefore, modern design emphasizes the use of straight, simple, and muted lines and discourages highly ornamental elements.
Primary Materials
Concrete, wood, and plastics are common primary materials in modern architecture and interior design. Some interior designers use coverings for wood that maintain the simplicity of the space, while others prefer natural wood patterns to create contrast and distinguish natural elements from industrial ones. Glass and metals like stainless steel are also prominent materials with specific uses in different parts, including furniture and lamp bodies. In modern style, besides wood and bamboo, the use of materials like aluminum, chrome, laminate, glass, and plastic is welcomed.
Furniture
In modern style, simplicity is also emphasized when it comes to furniture. Typically, horizontal, low-profile furniture with clean lines and materials like wood without heavy ornamentation, fabric, leather, steel, chrome, or glass is used. Modern furniture is often considered to have smooth surfaces and minimal decoration. As a result, it’s common to see modern furniture with simple lines and minimal embellishments.
Flooring, Walls, and Ceiling
In modern architecture, designers aim to focus on creating dramatic and cohesive spaces rather than using decorative and colorful elements. Therefore, for flooring, materials like laminate, stone, ceramic, and porcelain tiles are often used. For walls, plain colors or simple wallpapers are preferred, and natural materials like wood, stone, metal, or glass are used to add interest and texture. Ceilings are often simple, flat, or angular. The use of concrete and wood on ceilings is rare.
Wall Art
In modern style, wall art, whether in the form of paintings or wall decor, tends to be simple and frameless. Instead of using a collection of small artworks, a large piece is typically used as it creates a neater and more cohesive space and maintains simplicity with clean lines.
Window
The importance of light and its connection to the health of humans and plants is evident, as light directly affects the well-being of both. Just as plants thrive in well-lit environments and gradually wither in dim and dark rooms, humans also enjoy better physical and mental health in well-lit spaces, facilitating their interaction with the surrounding world. Therefore, a window can be considered the gateway of human interaction with the outside world. Through a window, it invites the sounds and images of the world into the home or stands against sound and visual pollution. Windows in rooms can be an attractive part of interior decoration. Modern designers often design large and prominent windows for rooms.
Carpet and Flooring
In modern architecture and interior design, single-color carpets with short piles are usually used. However, some interior designers also use Eastern patterned carpets and combine several styles by doing so.
Curtains
Modern curtains are simple, with minimal or no patterns. It is worth mentioning that these curtains are not without the use of today’s technology. Therefore, while being simple and having neutral colors, they have incorporated the concept of modernity and are made using technology, often with electric motors and remote controls for opening and closing. They are devoid of ornaments and accessories and convey simplicity to the home or workplace.
Color
A wide range of colors can be used in modern architecture and interior design, but neutral colors such as black, white, gray, and beige are more common. Color has always played an important role in interior decoration, and modern style also uses subdued and prominent colors. Therefore, in modern style, bright colors are used in the background of neutral colors. Consequently, cushions or decorative pillows are devoid of patterns and busy textures, and if they have patterns, they are usually geometric or simple.
Lighting
In addition to using geometric shapes in modern design, lighting is done through various lamps that use light in an ambient, accent, and functional way, which makes the space appear larger and more spacious.
Plan
Since having a functional and spacious space is important in modern architecture and interior design, the design of the house plan is of great importance. If your home’s plan is not designed to provide a large space and you do not have the flexibility to renovate, it is better to decorate your home in a way that gives the impression of a larger space. Interior designers have the ability to achieve this through modern design, and it is currently very appealing to the audience.
Differences between Modern and Contemporary Architectural Styles
Although the terms “contemporary” and “modern” are sometimes used interchangeably and share similarities, they represent two completely different architectural styles from different time periods. Modern architecture came into being first, and contemporary architecture has evolved from it and is still evolving. Therefore, explaining this style today may seem difficult, as it is constantly changing and evolving. Therefore, defining this style may seem challenging today, but it will undoubtedly be very different from today in the next 50 years, as the term “contemporary” refers to the present time.
