You're a Fan of Contemporary Decor Style When...
Spot the signs that you’re a fully signed-up contemporary style fan by reading this essential checklist
Jo Simmons
31 July 2018
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Contemporary style is all about what’s fresh and now. So while the odd bit of vintage might creep in (it’s practically de rigueur to mix old and new, after all), a contemporary home will be brimming with smart design, on-trend materials, the latest hip colours and some whizzy technology. Does this sound like your place, or at least your ideal home? Do the words ‘rustic’ and ‘shabby chic’ bring on an attack of the vapours? Sounds like contemporary style is your thing, but read on to check…
You confidently play with scale
Forget the typical conventions regarding proportions, true contemporary style buffs are confident when it comes to messing about with scale. A giant lampshade over your table? Yes please. A single, small bulb suspended from a lofty ceiling? Damn, you’re good.
Forget the typical conventions regarding proportions, true contemporary style buffs are confident when it comes to messing about with scale. A giant lampshade over your table? Yes please. A single, small bulb suspended from a lofty ceiling? Damn, you’re good.
You find cutting-edge architecture exhilarating
Some people find the most ambitious contemporary architecture too bold or minimal. Words such as sterile and questions like, “Where are the cushions?” spring to their lips. But that’s not you. You love stylish new builds and conversions. Concrete and frameless glass make you pant. And you have absolutely no problem with a state-of-the-art extension on a period property.
Take a look at these 10 cutting-edge, iconic homes
Some people find the most ambitious contemporary architecture too bold or minimal. Words such as sterile and questions like, “Where are the cushions?” spring to their lips. But that’s not you. You love stylish new builds and conversions. Concrete and frameless glass make you pant. And you have absolutely no problem with a state-of-the-art extension on a period property.
Take a look at these 10 cutting-edge, iconic homes
You are down on clutter without being minimal
A contemporary home often steers towards minimalism by keeping clutter, objects and displays to a minimum. If your kitchen surfaces are mostly clear and your shelves untroubled by ramshackle displays of knick-knacks and books, then you sound like a contemporary style lover to me…
A contemporary home often steers towards minimalism by keeping clutter, objects and displays to a minimum. If your kitchen surfaces are mostly clear and your shelves untroubled by ramshackle displays of knick-knacks and books, then you sound like a contemporary style lover to me…
You love a statement colour
Contemporary style is all about the now, so a good way to work out if you follow it is to ask yourself, before each design decision: “Would my gran like this?” Would gran have an orange wall in her bedroom? Probably not. Do you have one? Yes. Does that make you a fan of contemporary style? Yup, I’d say so.
Check out these bold colours to use at home
Contemporary style is all about the now, so a good way to work out if you follow it is to ask yourself, before each design decision: “Would my gran like this?” Would gran have an orange wall in her bedroom? Probably not. Do you have one? Yes. Does that make you a fan of contemporary style? Yup, I’d say so.
Check out these bold colours to use at home
You like innovation
Contemporary style and design often gains its fresh feel from simply reinventing and improving what went before. After all, last year’s designs are, like, so last year. Classic furniture is reworked in contemporary fabrics, kitchens feature exciting materials, and the familiar fireplace is reinvented as a 360 degree burner that sits boldly in the centre of a room.
Contemporary style and design often gains its fresh feel from simply reinventing and improving what went before. After all, last year’s designs are, like, so last year. Classic furniture is reworked in contemporary fabrics, kitchens feature exciting materials, and the familiar fireplace is reinvented as a 360 degree burner that sits boldly in the centre of a room.
You really go for glass
If you’re a contemporary style maven, light is something you can’t get enough of, so you want as much glass in your home as possible. Your dream extension would be made of glass, but until you get that built, even a glimpse of a full-height sliding door or oversized roof light will give you palpitations.
Did you know about these different types of glasses?
If you’re a contemporary style maven, light is something you can’t get enough of, so you want as much glass in your home as possible. Your dream extension would be made of glass, but until you get that built, even a glimpse of a full-height sliding door or oversized roof light will give you palpitations.
Did you know about these different types of glasses?
You use the words ‘seamless’ and ‘integrated’
The link between inside and outside, if you love contemporary style, should only ever be seamless. Stepping down onto your terrace simply won’t do. When it comes to sound systems, TVs and lighting, they all need to be integrated or, at the very least, recessed, built-in or flush. This is the language of contemporary style.
The link between inside and outside, if you love contemporary style, should only ever be seamless. Stepping down onto your terrace simply won’t do. When it comes to sound systems, TVs and lighting, they all need to be integrated or, at the very least, recessed, built-in or flush. This is the language of contemporary style.
You crave a big sofa
Your trad two-seater just won’t cut it if you are a true devotee of contemporary style. For you, only a large, sprawling corner sofa or, at a push, two sofas positioned opposite each other are acceptable. The shape must be clean and sleek, the upholstery neat. Chesterfields and any seating that could be termed ‘shabby chic’ has no place in your pad.
Take a look at this essential sofa buying guide
Your trad two-seater just won’t cut it if you are a true devotee of contemporary style. For you, only a large, sprawling corner sofa or, at a push, two sofas positioned opposite each other are acceptable. The shape must be clean and sleek, the upholstery neat. Chesterfields and any seating that could be termed ‘shabby chic’ has no place in your pad.
Take a look at this essential sofa buying guide
You know how to mix materials
If you are truly into contemporary style, you say no to anything blandly matchy-matchy. Instead, you’re drawn to spaces that incorporate a clever mix of materials. The best contemporary rooms do this, for a space that’s rich in texture and colour, but remains harmonious. If you dare to risk the mix, we salute you!
Read more:
What is Contemporary Decor?
Tell us:
Do any of these traits chime with you? Share any other signs that you’re a contemporary style fan in the Comments below.
If you are truly into contemporary style, you say no to anything blandly matchy-matchy. Instead, you’re drawn to spaces that incorporate a clever mix of materials. The best contemporary rooms do this, for a space that’s rich in texture and colour, but remains harmonious. If you dare to risk the mix, we salute you!
Read more:
What is Contemporary Decor?
Tell us:
Do any of these traits chime with you? Share any other signs that you’re a contemporary style fan in the Comments below.
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