Which interior styles can be considered modern and why? How are they different and how are they similar to each other?
Homeowners can consider modern any style that makes the appearance of the rooms up-to-date, rather than old-fashioned and outdated. We have collected all the fashionable interior styles in 2024 in this article.
Trends and Signs: What a Modern Fashionable Interior Style Should Look Like
There is a long list of what modern styles exist. Several completely different areas can be attributed to fashionable and relevant in 2024. Among them are both luxurious neoclassicism with lush décor and strict cold minimalism, which prohibits any decoration. But there are signs that unite all trendy interiors.
- Freedom and spaciousness. Furniture and appliances do not occupy almost the entire area. They are easy to approach. There is enough free space in the room for living and comfortable movement.
- More light. Even an apartment in dark colors does not look gloomy. Light is let into the rooms from the windows, creating its illusion with the help of light surfaces and proper lighting.
- Convenience comes first. Interiors are created for living, not for admiring. Furniture and décor that are not useful are ruthlessly disposed of. Leave only the things that really make your life easier in the apartment.
- Conciseness and simplicity. Modern designers prefer neutral basic colors, and furniture of simple shapes. They help to create a calm and cozy environment that sets you up for relaxation.
What are modern styles and what’s in fashion
Even with expensive furniture and high-quality finishing materials, the apartment can look old-fashioned and uncomfortable. Those who do not want to live in an antique shop should pay attention to which styles belong to the modern ones.
Contemporary
This direction originated at the end of the 20th century and has survived to this day with minimal changes. Its ancestor is considered to be constructivism, which offered to get rid of any décor, as well as useless objects. In contrast, contemporary is much softer and more loyal. Functionality and practicality are important, but you don’t have to give up any jewelry. The main principle is a combination of ergonomics and comfort.
- The rooms are spacious and filled with air, but they have enough furniture for work, relaxation, and storage.
- The equipment is not hidden but harmoniously integrated into the surrounding space.
- The color scheme is restrained, but several bright accents help to refresh the room.
- The décor does not create any visual noise.
One of the advantages of contemporary is its versatility. It allows the use of natural and artificial, inexpensive, and luxurious materials. You don’t have to spend a lot to decorate your house in a contemporary style. If the budget is not limited, you will simply have more options for décor, furniture, and finishes.
Neoclassicism
Classic interiors, with their noble proportions, will never become outdated or old-fashioned. But not everyone likes to be surrounded by stucco, columns, and gilding for a long time. A soft and versatile alternative can be neoclassicism, which combines the best features of classicism and minimalism. It is solemn, elegant, luxurious, but not overwhelming. It looks expensive but does not require a large budget for repairs. The main features of neoclassicism are as follows.
- Predominantly light shades of surfaces, using only natural saturated tones as accent tones.
- Preservation of free space and air. Neoclassical interiors are cozy while maintaining the feeling of spaciousness typical of luxurious classic rooms. Low ceilings that press on the head, as well as furniture that does not allow you to pass, are not appropriate here.
- Pronounced textures of materials. Neoclassicism loves smooth metal, velvety velour sofas, natural wood, and stone. But it allows the use of not only natural materials. In neoclassical interiors, you can see MDF sets, and countertops made of artificial stone. The main thing is that they do not look too “synthetic” and fake.
- Well-thought-out décor. The luxury inherent in the classics is introduced in doses. Laconic furniture is complemented with golden fittings, the walls are decorated with small gypsum stucco, sparkling mirrors in designer frames, heavy silk or velvet curtains are hung on the windows.
When we talk about trendy styles in interior design, we immediately think of Scandi. They have not gone out of fashion for more than 10 years. What made them so popular was their simplicity and versatility. Scandi will make a tiny studio apartment cozy or provide a comfortable life in a huge country house.
You can decorate a beautiful Scandi interior without a design diploma. To do this, you just need to do the following:
- Paint all surfaces a warm shade of white.
- Put natural wood with a warm golden shade on the floor.
- It can also be used to make countertops and small elements of other furniture.
- For the décor, choose light neutral shades combined with white, and golden wood.
- Decorate the interior with things that you use every day. In the kitchen, arrange stylish glasses on open shelves, in the living room — throw a fluffy or knitted blanket on the sofa.
- Think carefully about the lighting. Scandinavian apartments should look sun-drenched in any weather, at any time of the day.
The enemies of the Scandi are cramped, dark, and cluttered. A properly decorated apartment should leave a feeling of lightness, warmth, gentle care, and tranquility.
Japandi
Japandi is the same as Scandi, but with Japanese notes. From Scandinavian interiors, he took his love for light wood. From the Eastern, there is minimalism, rejection of unnecessary things, an abundance of light and air, an emphasis not on bright colors, but on pronounced textures of natural materials. This style does not accept artificial.
Rattan, bamboo, or other wicker mats, a little dark wood of rich shades, and textured linen are added to the classic light wood. To make the house look more like a traditional Japanese dwelling, the furniture is lowered – the mattress is placed directly on the floor, small chests of drawers are chosen instead of high wardrobes, low poufs instead of massive armchairs. This helps to make the room look more spacious and the ceilings higher.
The color scheme is predominantly neutral and warm: milky, beige, sand. The shapes of the furniture are the simplest and most concise. Décor for the sake of décor is out of place here. The best decorations will be low live plants, natural ceramic dishes, a little rough and imperfect.
Japandi interiors are very simple yet cozy, feel sun-drenched and spacious, even if created in a small area.
Minimalism
Minimalism is either loved or hated. Fans appreciate it for its sense of silence, peace, harmony, as well as perfection in everything. Opponents say it’s cold, empty, lifeless, and therefore uncomfortable. However, today it is the most fashionable style in the interior.
While minimalist spaces do feel spacious, almost bare, decorating them isn’t that easy. A designer must be well aware of the laws of ergonomics, be able to refuse the superfluous, but preserve the most important. The main features of this direction can be formulated as follows.
- Empty space with a minimum of furniture – there is less of it than free space.
- Neutral shades are white, gray, and black.
- Empty smooth surfaces – no patterns, ornaments, stucco on the walls, clean countertops, almost empty shelves.
- No non-functional décor is needed here – figurines, posters, and vases are not needed here.
Soft minimalism
Soft, or soft-minimalism, was created for people who appreciate simplicity, order, conciseness, but are still not ready for asceticism. It is another example of what fashionable interior styles are used today.
Unlike classic minimalism, the soft version allows:
- natural saturated colors;
- furniture of complex shapes – not only squares, circles, rectangles;
- pronounced textures – natural stone, wood, metal, wool or linen;
- non-functional décor – carpets, plaids, mirrors, live plants, even figurines.
What remains of classic minimalism is an abundance of air, free space, conciseness, and perfect order in everything. But the soft version is cozier, less reminiscent of offices and hotels. Therefore, every year she has more and more fans.
Soft minimalism is sometimes also called glamorous. It requires the use of expensive finishing materials, designer furniture, and luxurious author’s décor. Style offers to give up everything, but leave the best and most valuable, pleasing to the eye and the soul.
Eco-style
This direction is unlikely to lose its relevance in 2024. The trend towards returning to nature and caring for the environment is only intensifying. Residents of big cities, tired of traffic jams, smog, street noise, want to relax in an environment reminiscent of forests, lakes, and seas. What will help to achieve this effect?
- Natural Materials – Surround yourself with warm wood, soft wool, rough stone, or even kraft paper.
- Natural shades – if you don’t like bright, choose sand, ash, milky, if you want to add color – the color of young foliage, aqua, terracotta or ochre.
- Live plants – in tubs, pots, vases or boxes outside the window – turn the apartment into a forest if the real one is far away.
- Smooth, fluid shapes, rejection of sharp angles, symmetry – be inspired by nature, which does not have a single perfectly straight branch or two absolutely identical flowers.
Eco-style also allows artificial materials if they are recycled recyclables. By giving life to furniture or textiles from former plastic bottles, you are helping the planet. But the basis should still be natural materials.
Eco-style is one of the most diverse and elusive trends. It can resemble a modernized rustic style adapted to a city apartment, or almost merge with luxurious neoclassicism, assembled exclusively from natural materials. The main thing in it is to follow the principles of caring for nature.
Eclecticism or fusion
One of the main trends is the rejection of templates in favor of individuality. Your apartment does not have to obey the laws of one style. Combine several directions in one room at once, if it pleases you, gives you a feeling of comfort. But be careful and add elements from other styles gradually. Fashionable eclecticism easily turns into visual noise, a sense of clutter and clutter. The following rules will help to counteract this.
- Neutral background. Make the main surfaces light, even, and plain. And place accents with small bright objects. They are easier to replace if you want to freshen up the interior without major repairs. And neutral surfaces will be a versatile background that goes well with anything.
- Something in common. Even items in different styles should have unifying features. They can be the same ornaments, patterns, shapes or colors.
Take a look at the photo in the gallery. They demonstrate what modern interior styles are used by designers today. And you will be able to decide which elements you want to use in your home. Don’t be afraid to experiment – it’s where creativity begins.
