1. LOOK TO WARM SUN-BAKED HUES
For those who prefer a pared-back scheme of neutral tones, consider stepping away from cold greys and the more traditional cream shades. Opt for warm stone hues and earthy paprika shades which bring calm and comfort.
2. MAKE MODERN ART A FOCAL POINT
A living room needs a focal point, and this can often serve as the foundation or starting point for the scheme. 'Designing a living room from scratch can be a daunting prospect, especially as it’s one of the rooms you’re likely to be spending the most amount of time in,' says Charu Ghandi at Elicyon. Are lives outside living room trends, as it tends to be an investment you keep forever. Though how to display it can vary according the to the moods of the year.
3. INCLUDE CURVED, LOW SLUNG SEATING
Curves are keeping their top spot where interior design trends for 2024 are concerned. These cocooning shapes are popular on sofas and chairs as they not only look super stylish, they offer comfortable contours to recline on too. 'For a modern look, include softer forms such as a curved, chunky sofa, that's relatively low to the floor and don’t go too high on the backrest.' says Gemma Tucker of Balance Interior Design, neatly explaining current sofa trends. 'Pair with some more angular pieces for contrast, for example a steel table or a mid century style occasional chair.'
4. PAINT WALLS AND WOODWORK IN THE SAME COLOR
A relatively simple way to make a living room look modern focuses on paint ideas. Paint the woodwork, such as window frames, skirting boards and door architraves, in the same color as the walls. This looks particularly effective if you've opted for dark moody tones.
5. AVOID MATCHY MATCHY STYLES
Of course a room scheme needs furniture and fittings to coordinate and work well together, but be mindful of matching too many pieces from one furniture collection. Mixing different pieces is key to a modern living room scheme.
6. MIX CLASSIC PIECES WITH MODERN
When we think of 'modern', it can conjour images of the developer 'show home' look. Somewhere filled with the latest expensive items, yet devoid of personality and too perfect to feel comfortable in. To prevent your modern living room feeling like this include some pieces from other eras, whether family heirlooms or junk shop finds. Mid century modern living rooms are a key inspiration here.
7. GO FOR A STATEMENT RUG
With esteemed designers such as Kelly Wearstler for The Rug Company, Jaime Hayon for Nani Marquina and Camille Walala for Floor Story, bold area rugs are big news in modern homes. Rug trends are focusing on colorful, eye-catching designs and irregular shapes. A large statement rug will bring modernity to your living room. Just make sure it's large enough and in proportion for the space.
8. COMMISSION A GIANT WALL MURAL
Dedicating an entire wall to a huge mural is a fabulous modern look for a living room. Made easier - and less expensive - due to advances in technology, a bespoke wall mural is a design trend that allows you to be creative. With an inexhaustible selection of images to choose from, whatever you select, whether classical or contemporary, it becomes instantly impactful and thoroughly modern when blown up large scale across one wall.
9. SOFTEN THE MOOD WITH WALL LAMPS
Once the preserve of fusty, traditional homes, wall lamps are now a must in a modern living room. Thanks to a plethora of modish designs in recent years, not to mention the flattering light they cast, wall lamps are no longer languishing in the design doldrums but are an integral part of a modern interior scheme.
10. EMBRACE BIOPHILIA
Embrace what you may say? Biophilic design incorporates nature at its essence, rather than as an after thought. It's a hot topic in architecture and design as the UN predicts that by 2050 almost 70% of the world's population will live in cities. This means designers are including natural elements in the built environment, as nature has a positive impact on our wellbeing.