Contemporary is a style in apartment interior design

The discreet and functional contemporary style is the optimal solution for lovers of comfort and simplicity. The first attempts to implement this trend in interiors took place already in the 60s of the last century, but the formation of the style was completed just a few years ago. This made it possible to saturate it with current trends in modern design.

This direction is not the prerogative of exclusively wealthy homeowners. Its simplicity and competent approach to the use of space allows you to create a comfortable atmosphere without much investment, even in a small area.

The style is optimal for decorating a home, apartment or office. It has no restrictions that put the designer in strict limits. Contemporary art does not fit into the technology of high-tech and the laconicism of minimalism. When creating interiors, common sense and the convenience of future residents are a priority.

• History of the style
• Features, characteristics and distinctive features of style
• Who chooses contemporary style
• What area is contemporary style suitable for?
• Color solutions for style
• Materials and methods of interior decoration Walls
• Floor
• Ceiling

History of the style

Сontemporary first declared itself in the middle of the twentieth century. It absorbed the features of the Scandinavian style, minimalism and constructivism. At that time, individual and communal apartments had a modest design. The interior was formed from furniture and decorative elements of mass production. Many parts were purchased “on occasion”; getting something exclusive in those days was a great success. In apartments, along with modest and laconic furnishings, antiques from various styles and even eras could be present.

In the post-war years, the decoration of houses was characterized by a certain eclecticism. Therefore, the modernity of the interior was permeated by details of styles that had a long history. Architects and designers of the Bauhaus school had a hand in the development and spread of the style in Europe. They promoted the idea of ​​creating mass production of comfortable and affordable furniture capable of organizing many objects and things. According to their plan, it should have a stylish and beautiful appearance, and a budget price.

By the end of the twentieth century, almost every American, Russian or European family could boast of such furniture. Every apartment had a standard kitchen unit or wall. Consumers highly appreciated the opportunity to acquire inexpensive, yet elegant and functional modern furniture. Many of its elements are still actively used to create interiors.

The relevance of the contemporary style lies in its unique ability to combine modern materials and furniture from chain stores with antique items. According to the designers, in the future this direction will only transform, develop and will not lose its popularity for a long time.

Features, characteristics and distinctive features of style

Since the style is based on the spontaneous inclusion of furnishings into the interior, when decorating a room there is no need to follow strict rules within a certain historical era. The components that fill the room appear in it only for the reason that the owners liked them. Therefore, there is no need to maintain a color palette in certain shades, purchase designer furniture and order curtains of a certain style. Here it is possible to decorate surfaces with modern materials and fill the room with comfortable factory-made furniture.

Who chooses contemporary style

This direction embodies the features of modernity, it is very easy to implement, which is why it is popular among those who like to frequently update the interior. The core qualities on which the contemporary style is based are simplicity, comfort and functionality. It is suitable for everyone who values ​​practicality, convenience and does not tolerate pretentiousness and excessive pomp.

The beauty of the style is that the interiors created in it are unique. Every time an original solution is created from simple and publicly available things.

The ergonomics and convenience of this style make it indispensable for decorating office premises. The variety and variability of modules and designs make it possible to organize the workspace taking into account the individual needs of each employee. The monotony of the walls will be diluted by paintings and photographs.

What area is contemporary style suitable for?

Contemporary style is the best option for decorating small-sized modern apartments. All its elements are easily transformed and adjusted to the proposed circumstances. When implementing it, priority is given to the correct organization of living space, through its competent division into functional zones.

A room with simple geometry is the best option for embodying style. This design will look best in a standard room in an ordinary panel high-rise building. Modern furniture of simple and clear shapes with clear outlines and straight lines, high-tech devices, posters, photographs and paintings can easily fit into it. Affordable and functional finishing products will provide an excellent backdrop. It is better to choose single-color materials with a smooth surface for a simple, discreet finish. For example, light paint on the walls, wooden floors and a white painted ceiling. You can combine a glossy stretch ceiling with plain wallpaper and laminate flooring. Such materials do not need to be adjusted during installation or combined - this will save on trimmings. The interior should not contain complex elements - partitions with bright stained glass windows, stucco molding, multi-level ceilings, forged elements. These decorations are unnecessary for the interior, which is created for relaxation and work.

The neatness and restraint of the premises, decorated in contemporary style, leaves a large field for imagination and experiment. This trait allows him to be very practical. It’s worth adding a few “talking” elements from a different style to the interior and the room will be unrecognizable. If you are the owner of a small apartment and you like simplicity and comfort, this style will be optimal for you.

Surface finishing, simple lines and shapes

The simpler the geometry of the room, the better for contemporary. A standard room in a panel high-rise building is an ideal place to create such an interior. And it will be easy to fit simple, clear lines and shapes into it - say, rectangular modern furniture, appliances, as well as photos, paintings, figurines.

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And a good background for all this will be functional, and most importantly, inexpensive finishing materials with a smooth natural texture. For example, walls painted in the same tone or covered with wallpaper, wooden floors (laminate), whitewashed ceilings (you can, of course, not experiment with whitewashing, but take glossy/matte tension structures).

In contemporary everything is simple: no niches, multi-level ceilings, forged grilles, stucco panels or stained glass partitions. For a practical interior in which it is good to relax, all these details are clearly superfluous.

When making renovations in contemporary style, designers try to leave as much free space and air as possible: they completely remove partitions and even walls, zoning the area with modular furniture, lighting, and podiums. “Less is more” was the call of the Bauhaus founder Mies van der Rohe. What is translated from English? means “less is more.”

Modern contemporary interiors are as comfortable and practical as possible. This is achieved through special surface finishing using combinations of natural and artificial materials:

• For the floor, these are tiles (ceramic or porcelain stoneware). As a rule, in combination with a “warm floor”. It is also possible to cover it with carpet, laminate or linoleum. Self-leveling floor or natural polished board.
• For the ceiling, choose a smooth whitewash or paint with water-based paint. Stretch and suspended ceiling structures are not excluded.
• Contemporary walls can be plastered or painted, or covered with wallpaper. A combination of different textures, shades, and stone finishing is acceptable.

Color solutions for style

Modern interiors are filled with neutral, relaxing colors. They do not attract attention and do not cause irritation. In modern metropolitan homes, it is popular to use gray-brown tones as a background to white surfaces. Accents are placed in the interior with the help of decorative elements, furniture and house plants.

The following shades are suitable as a basis for brighter filling:

• white;
• beige;
• grey;
• graphite;
• brown.

The restrained palette will be diluted and decorated with elements:

• blue;
• yellow;
• red;
• green;
• turquoise;
• orange flowers.

You should not add many different accent colors to one interior. It is better to opt for close shades of the same color. And to add liveliness, you can play with textures.

Contemporary art does not often use designs and patterns, but the introduction of natural textures is welcome. In the interiors of this style you can find:

• animal prints;
• imitation wood or stone.

How to recreate contemporary style in the interior

In order to decorate the interior of a home in the same style, artificial materials are most often used, such as glass, laminate, metal, artificial stone, plastic. Of course, no one has canceled the use of natural materials, provided they are reliable, well processed and environmentally friendly.

Speaking of wall decoration, often they are either simply painted or covered with unobtrusive wallpaper. In ceiling designs, plasterboard is often used, lighting is built into it, and the floors are covered with tiles or laminate, which have proven themselves excellent both in the kitchen and in the bathroom or hallway with the living room. In a word, in the contemporary interior there are no materials that you could not purchase in a regular construction hypermarket or on the building materials market.

Color spectrum

The use of any special shades in this style is not important, it depends only on your personal preferences, but the characteristic features of the interior color scheme still need to be mentioned:

1. When choosing furniture, give preference to monochrome, sort of background colors, such as: dark blue, brown, marsh, graphite, wood, etc. They will look especially advantageous if you choose light colors to decorate the walls.

2. In the main setting, use neutral shades on the walls, floor, and ceiling. A beautiful contrast for beige, white, gray, sand and ivory here will be the use of brighter and richer colors of furniture and decor elements.

3. Accessories in vibrant, rich colors, placed as accents, will bring the necessary mood and boost of energy to your home. Choose bright bedspreads, vases, picturesque paintings, catchy carpets.

Space zoning

Contemporary is an excellent style for modern studio apartments, where the living room is combined with a kitchen, and the bedroom with an office. The division occurs very carefully and only visually, using designer zoning methods.

Advice

Use screens and curtains, transparent and openwork partitions, furniture structures, multi-level floors and ceilings, as well as materials for their design. For example, in the living room, lay the floor with parquet boards, and in the kitchen, with tiles.

All these techniques help to make the most of the space of an apartment, which is often small in size, in order to accommodate everything necessary for life, work and creativity.

Furniture selection

In contemporary interiors, it is customary to use furniture made from inexpensive types of wood or MDF, as well as plastic, glass and metal. In addition, the products do not differ in special design or variety, but they are always reliable, durable and environmentally friendly. Due to the streamlined shapes, such furniture is always relevant and is very easy to add or replace without damaging the interior. In addition, you can purchase it at your nearest furniture store at a very reasonable price.

In such a modern interior, all kinds of modular, easily transformable items designed for small-sized city apartments have proven themselves to be excellent. You should choose folding sofas and armchairs instead of massive beds, and the cabinet table, if necessary, should turn into a large dining room for entertaining guests.

A separate column should be mentioned about furniture for storing all those things without which you can no longer imagine your existence. Therefore, closed cabinets, shelving and built-in structures will come in handy in a modern contemporary interior.

The contemporary style is present to one degree or another in many modern homes, and perhaps your interior corresponds to the main characteristics of that style, which is convenient and practical in daily use.

Lighting

Proper organization of lighting is necessary to create a complete contemporary design. In it, an equally important role is assigned to both natural and artificial sources. They try not to cover panoramic windows with thick curtains, so as not to limit the flow of sunlight into the room. For small windows, several lighting fixtures are placed around the perimeter.

Artificial light source options:

• central chandelier in a discreet modern design;
• disguised LED lighting of shelves, outlines of furniture, niches, and individual areas of the room;
• local placement of individual devices - sconces, floor lamps, spots in the reading area, games, dining room.

In the contemporary style, lamps of simple geometric or fancy shapes are possible, but empire pomp and rococo pretentiousness should be excluded.

Features of bathroom arrangement

The interior of a bathroom in a contemporary style is characterized by its calm range of colors, non-standard textures for this room (wood or a metal wall would be appropriate here), built-in glass showers, wall-hung toilets and bidets, and built-in furniture. Using non-standard textures for decoration, you should not give up the more familiar and very practical ceramic or porcelain tiles for finishing (gray, sand, brown, granite tones), washbasins and bathtubs made of natural stone.

The bathroom combines sophistication and modernity

A feature of the bathroom interior can be unusual plumbing fixtures

Faucets or accessories such as heated towel rails, hand dryers or toilet paper holders can become accents in the interior if they are made of chrome-plated steel or colored. Numerous hygiene products in these bathrooms are hidden from view in various built-in storage systems.

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Furniture selection

The formation of the style began with the development of new functional furniture. The development and implementation of compact folding, transforming models occurred in the 60s of the twentieth century. Since then, such furniture began to be produced on a huge scale. It remains in demand and relevant today.

The most popular furniture designs in this style:

• cabinets made of separate modules with compartments for books, TV, computer, clothes. Some models are equipped with a folding tabletop;
• soft modules that can be easily transformed - sofa bed, chair bed;
• built-in wardrobes with drawers;
• beds with roll-out compartments for storing things;
• tables with folding tops;
• bookcases;
• chests of drawers;
• couches.

The main advantage of furniture of this style is its affordable price combined with a stylish appearance and high wear resistance. This effect is achieved through the use of practical modern materials:

• eco-leather;
• MDF;
• mixed upholstery materials;
• laminated elements.

Use of textiles

Monotonous, restrained interiors with their neutral colors, straight lines and simple shapes just want to be revived. This is where textiles with different textures, bright colors, patterns and ornaments come to the rescue. It is with the help of pillows, curtains and bedspreads that you can add accent strokes and make the room more expressive. The main thing is not to overdo it. Using this technique, you should limit yourself to 1-2 color spots. You can completely abandon additional colors, but add patterns. Easy-to-care, natural fabrics are suitable for this style. Combinations of single-color textiles with different textures look interesting. The contrasts between soft fluffy fabrics and the rigid shapes of furniture structures are especially attractive. The most obvious effect of this technique can be seen in the use of a rug, which makes the room warmer, literally and figuratively.

Accessories and decor

You can revive the calm atmosphere in the interior with the help of decorative elements. They can be representatives of different styles and eras. It is allowed to use bright and shiny objects - the choice depends on the preferences of the owner.

In such interiors, souvenirs brought from business trips and travels, beautiful trinkets donated by friends are quite appropriate - everything that has value for the apartment owner and helps preserve memories of the wonderful moments of his life.

Indoor green plants are also a wonderful decor for modern interiors. Palm trees, ficus, and ferns will not only decorate the interior and make it more expressive, but will also help purify the air and create a comfortable atmosphere.

When decorating the room, try not to overdo it with the number of souvenirs.

Simple window decor

In an interior designed in contemporary style there is no place for heavy curtains, lambrequins and multi-layered fabric compositions. More often, windows are either simply left open or, if necessary, decorated with fabric roller blinds, blinds, Roman shades, curtains made of simple fabrics (linen, viscose, cotton, mixed fabrics).

Panoramic windows in the bedroom interior

You can decorate the window in an interesting way with the help of a wide window sill, which will be an excellent place to relax. Such a window sill will perfectly replace a table, and in the space under it you can organize drawers and shelves for storage - an alternative to a study in small apartments.

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Examples of apartment interior design

An interior decorated in this design direction is appropriate in any room of an apartment or country house. Let's take a closer look at the ways to implement it.

Hallway/corridor

The contemporary hallway is painted in light shades. The walls can be finished with clinker bricks or decorative stone. The floor is laid with laminate, linoleum, tiles or vinyl tiles. In addition to central lighting, spot or LED lighting is used. There shouldn't be a lot of furniture. A spacious and multifunctional built-in wardrobe and a small bench with a shelf for shoes are quite enough. The walls can be decorated with a couple of paintings.

Living room

To successfully design a contemporary living room, you should pay attention to the following recommendations for its arrangement:

• Organize a comfortable relaxation area with a comfortable and roomy sofa and a fireplace or fireplace fan. This will create a cozy atmosphere and not freeze on a cold winter evening;
• develop a complex lighting scenario with a large number of light sources. This will allow, if necessary, to visually change the atmosphere in the room;
• use modular cabinets with different contents in the interior - open shelves where books and photo frames can be conveniently placed, closed sections, drawers;
• For wall decor, choose photographs, products with modern paintings, and paintings without frames. Sofas can be decorated with colored or patterned pillows. Indoor plants will also be very useful;
• let as much natural sunlight into the room as possible. To do this, we recommend abandoning curtains and, if possible, expanding window openings.

Kitchen

Contemporary style design is ideal for the kitchen. It allows you to create a functional interior with simple forms, filled with modern appliances, and does not require complex maintenance.

How is this cuisine different?

1. The kitchen area is combined with the dining area. In studio apartments, the kitchen is part of the living room. This way of organizing space allows you to make the room more free. The kitchen area can be highlighted using light, a podium, and finishing with different materials.
2. The facades of the set have a smooth surface and hidden fittings.
3. The set can be complemented with an island or a bar counter.
4. Built-in technology is used.
5. A large number of lighting devices are used. The workspace, dining area, and bar counter are additionally illuminated.
6. The kitchen apron can be made of glass - transparent or with photo printing.
7. The contents of each cabinet are thought out before ordering the set, during the preparation of its design.

Bathroom and toilet

The bathroom is decorated in calm colors - gray, sand, brown, graphite tones. Unusual materials and textures for this room can be used - wood, metal sheets, but do not forget about the usual tiles and porcelain stoneware. The toilet is equipped with a wall-hung toilet and a hygienic shower. The bathtub is often replaced with a shower stall with a drain and glass doors. The main feature can be chrome or colored plumbing fixtures and accessories. In a combined bathroom, if there is free space next to the toilet, a bidet with installation is installed. Hygiene products are stored in hidden built-in niches and cabinets.

Bedroom

In a bedroom of this style you can combine two monochrome or neutral shades. They are arranged in accordance with the principle of horizontal alternation. For example, a white floor and ceiling are separated by gray walls. The accent in such a room can be a bright wardrobe in a modern style or a dressing room with mirrored or glass sliding doors. The bed can be decorated with colored pillows. If you don’t want to make the room too bright, limit yourself to a combination of different textures.

Children's

The main condition when decorating a nursery is the use of natural, safe materials. It is very important to correctly distribute areas for sleeping, playing and studying. Capacious toy storage systems help to relieve space as much as possible. Bright drawings, contrasting stencils and glossy interior stickers are welcome on light walls.

Contemporary style in the living room interior

To give a rational interior designed in contemporary style a homely and cozy look, you need to take into account the main criterion of this design direction - the need to create cozy comfort zones for each resident. They can be located in different parts of the house, since depending on the hobbies of the household, it can be a kitchen that creates convenience for various culinary experiments, a living room with a private and representative area, a home library or a sports corner.

Living room of a large private house with a fireplace in contemporary style

White living room with dark brown parquet

Brown leather armchair in a contemporary style living room

Unusual chandelier in the living room with a podium

Regardless of the type of personal comfort zones, the house must have a comfortable area for joint family leisure and meetings with guests

Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to the arrangement of the epicenter of the house or apartment - the living room. A hall with a predominance of modern furnishings will best fulfill the principles of aesthetics and convenience. To arrange a representative area in the hall, it is necessary to complete the following design tasks:

To arrange a representative area in the hall, it is necessary to complete the following design tasks:

• Choose multi-seat furniture with upholstery in subdued tones or decorated with discreet ornaments to organize a comfortable sofa group, which should be placed in the central part of a spacious hall, or along the perimeter of the wall in a small living room opposite a compact electric fireplace.
• Next to the sofa group there should be a compact coffee table with a non-trivial design. Models made from wooden pallets or tempered glass will fit perfectly into the interior composition in contemporary style.
• Windows with panoramic glazing are an integral part of the volumetric-spatial structure of the living room, characterizing the contemporary style in the interior. Photos of ultra-modern interior compositions, executed in the manner of the traditions of this design direction, demonstrate a clear example of space modeling by combining loggias with the living room and installing large-format double-glazed windows. For window decoration, you need to choose practical one-color Roman curtains or blinds, harmoniously combined with furniture upholstery, carpet and other textiles.
• Open shelving with unusual decorative items (asymmetrical vases, electronic photo frames, table clocks with LED backlight, USB aquariums with a built-in organizer and other accessories) is a hallmark of the contemporary style. The interesting interior content of the shelves will add notes of positivity and bright originality to the decor of the living room, decorated in neutral or cool tones.

Spacious modern living room with corner sofa and glass coffee table

Unusual coffee table in the interior of a contemporary style living room

Bright turquoise sofa and wooden coffee table in a contemporary style interior

Living green wall in a modern living room

Advice! If you want to organize a relaxation area in the living room, it is important to arrange a phytowall, complemented by an emerald-colored carpet that imitates lawn grass, or install a gas fireplace, and next to it lay the skin of a zebra, tiger or any other wild animal on the floor. In such a peaceful environment, a relaxing atmosphere will always prevail, allowing you to take a break from the intense rhythm of life.

This interior genre welcomes home decoration with colored collages, mats, panels, posters and other decorative items created by modern designers and painters. Artistic disorder in contemporary style has been elevated to the level of dignity. Therefore, it is important to fill the house with colorful decorative items that do not contradict the principles of aesthetics and convenience. It is possible to harmoniously combine the rationalism of the interior with the aesthetics of a cozy home if you use the contemporary style in the interior of the apartment. Photos of ultra-modern art objects created by iconic designers will help make your home functional and comfortable.

Today, contemporary style is at the peak of interior fashion. Therefore, it is important for admirers of this design direction to follow trends that correct the canons of modern classics, and periodically modify the familiar appearance of the house with furniture, lighting, textile and other decorative innovations.