Modern interior design features a neutral color scheme, simple lines, minimal décor, plenty of natural light, and eco-friendly materials. In a world that celebrates excess and visual clutter, minimalism is becoming more and more popular. A modern home is not only sleek and stylish, but it can be affordable and practical as well. Here are several key elements to consider when drawing up plans for your modern minimalist home.

Clean and Open

Clean lines are a prominent feature of modern interior design. Simple horizontal and vertical lines that draw the eye to the architectural features of your home are the perfect way to incorporate a modern aesthetic into your home design. Pillars can be cylindrical or square but should not be decorated or ostentatious. Keeping architectural lines simple also helps to enlarge the space.

Modern interior design favors open-plan layouts. By eliminating unnecessary walls and doors, you can create a better sense of flow between separate living areas. It also helps to maximize the amount of natural light in your home and make your rooms feel more inviting. Living, dining, and kitchen areas are the most typical areas joined by an open plan. However, you can also consider having an open-plan bedroom and bathroom or living room and home office.

Simplicity also extends to the design of the furniture and accessories in a room. When entering a modern room, the eye should have plenty of open space to rest on. Furniture should be long and low and follow the lines of the walls as much as possible. These clean lines will not only accentuate the furniture but also make the room appear more spacious.

Easy on the Accessories

While trims and moldings are a must in Victorian, country, and 80s-style homes, a modern home should avoid them with conviction. These unnecessary embellishments add visual clutter and serve no practical purpose. They also clash with the clean lines of a modern space and create a confusing juxtaposition of design styles. Since they typically cost extra, you also save a fair sum by foregoing them.

That said, you do not have to avoid decorative items altogether when designing a modern space. Choose carefully to ensure that decorative items blend in with the overall theme and accentuate the space instead of distracting from it. Ideally, choose feature items that are sleek and functional instead of elaborate items that are purely aesthetic. For instance, bespoke CopperSmith black hoods add a touch of elegance to kitchens while fitting in with modern minimalist décor.

Make sure that you have plenty of storage to hide away items that clutter up your home such as the television remote, books, toys, and shoes. Built-in cabinets and shelves are a great way to incorporate ample storage space into a modern room without disrupting the clean lines of the décor. If you want to display art, choose simple frames or stretched canvas. One large art piece is preferable to several smaller pieces which can create a cluttered and messy feel.

Be Neutral

Modern interior design is a response to years of garish wallpaper and gaudy murals. It shuns bold hues in favor of a more subdued and plain color scheme. Use neutral colors like white, gray, black, and pastels on the interior and exterior walls of your home. Neutral or monochromatic color schemes help minimize visual distractions and create a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the home. They also act as a blank canvas that can bring focus to important design elements in the room.

In the same vein, furniture should complement rather than overpower the space. Buy pieces that are simple and functional instead of heavy and ornate. Fabric furniture should be plain instead of printed or patterned. A mix of multiple tones or different neutral colors is acceptable as long as the pieces fit into the room’s overall color scheme and add to the cohesive look. Just be wary of going overboard.

Embrace Nature

Natural light is another key element of modern interior design. Open-plan spaces allow you to make the most of your windows and maximize the natural light in your space. Floor-to-ceiling windows and large glass sliding doors are a favorite of modern design lovers as they let in ample amounts of healthy sunlight and provide an unobstructed view of the surroundings. If you have a small room, a skylight is a great way to allow natural light into a room while retaining usable wall space.

The incorporation of eco-friendly and natural materials is crucial to modern design. Recycled wood, stone, and metal are popular choices among homeowners who want an eco-friendly design without compromising on style and elegance. Sustainable materials like bamboo, cork, and hemp are also being used to create attractive furniture and décor items. From a copper bath to reclaimed wood flooring, there are many innovative ways to use natural materials in your home.

Modern minimalist interior design allows homeowners to enjoy a spacious and calm living space without compromising on functionality and comfort. It reduces distractions to allow you to focus on the finer things in life. This is perhaps why the modern aesthetic continues to appeal to many homeowners and designers after so many years. Give yourself room to breathe and live your best life by creating a light-filled and open home that is simple, elegant, and modern.