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So Your Style Is: Contemporary
What's contemporary style? Strong lines, smooth forms, minimal accessories — with room for rule breaking
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
What it is: Technically, contemporary design is rooted in the moment (as in this moment, here and now — how's that for having to think on your feet?). But in broad terms, it represents an about-face from the conventions of traditional decor.
Less is more: smooth profiles instead of ornamentation, solid or subtly patterned fabrics in lieu of colorful prints, minimal accessories rather than big collections. While it doesn't have the overt warmth of older design styles, it won't cast a chill either.
You'll often hear the terms "contemporary" and "modern" tossed about interchangeably, but they're not exactly the same thing. Modern refers to a specific design movement that arose in the early 20th century and follows stricter guidelines; contemporary, by definition, is more fluid and tolerates a bit of rule-breaking. (Keep an eye out for a guide to modern style in the near future.)
Why it works: A strong emphasis on line and form — two essentials of good design — gives contemporary style its energy. These rooms are designed with abundant open space and natural light in mind, which makes them feel airy and expansive. Because there isn't any clutter, every piece has to count.
You'll love it if... At art museums, you gravitate to the abstract works. You have more than two books with the word Simplify in the title. Heavy curtains make you claustrophobic. Geometry class was the high point in your school day. You're tempted to stash most of your stuff in storage and redecorate all in white.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Arts & Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Old World | Cottage | French Country
Art Deco | Transitional | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
Less is more: smooth profiles instead of ornamentation, solid or subtly patterned fabrics in lieu of colorful prints, minimal accessories rather than big collections. While it doesn't have the overt warmth of older design styles, it won't cast a chill either.
You'll often hear the terms "contemporary" and "modern" tossed about interchangeably, but they're not exactly the same thing. Modern refers to a specific design movement that arose in the early 20th century and follows stricter guidelines; contemporary, by definition, is more fluid and tolerates a bit of rule-breaking. (Keep an eye out for a guide to modern style in the near future.)
Why it works: A strong emphasis on line and form — two essentials of good design — gives contemporary style its energy. These rooms are designed with abundant open space and natural light in mind, which makes them feel airy and expansive. Because there isn't any clutter, every piece has to count.
You'll love it if... At art museums, you gravitate to the abstract works. You have more than two books with the word Simplify in the title. Heavy curtains make you claustrophobic. Geometry class was the high point in your school day. You're tempted to stash most of your stuff in storage and redecorate all in white.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Arts & Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Old World | Cottage | French Country
Art Deco | Transitional | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
| Style Secret: Simple Lines Repeat after us: lines, planes, angles. Now make it your mantra. Contemporary design is oriented along a strong horizontal-vertical axis, from architecture to furnishings. The structure of a space becomes an integral design component on its own. But also consider... Does that mean everything in your home must have square corners? Of course not. Balance the look with a few curves; the key is to stay true to simple geometric forms: circles, orbs, cylinders, waves. Leave the scallops and curlicues to your more traditional friends. |
| Style Secret: Sophisticated Neutrals Cream, white, tan, beige, black — these are the bedrock upon which contemporary design lies. Monochromatic and tone-on-tone schemes allow the lines and shapes within a space to take center stage. But also consider... Neutral is a pretty broad term. Choose a shade with undertones that add interest (the stony gray-blue shown here, for example). Try cream with a hint of pink, gray with a touch of green, or beige with some gold. If you want a jolt of brighter color, keep it judiciously focused: an accent wall, say, or a bold piece of furniture. How to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine | Dare To Try a More Colorful Neutral |
by Rachel Paul
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Style Secret: Open Space
Contemporary design celebrates what isn't there as much as what is. Empty space takes on an almost sculptural quality, carved out by the strong architecture. Because of their openness, contemporary interiors are especially well suited to large-scale furnishings, art and accents.
But also consider... Too much space with too little to anchor it makes a room feel lost and forlorn. Break furnishings into groupings to help divide up a large room. Chandeliers or pendant lighting can visually pull down a high, cavernous ceiling.
Contemporary design celebrates what isn't there as much as what is. Empty space takes on an almost sculptural quality, carved out by the strong architecture. Because of their openness, contemporary interiors are especially well suited to large-scale furnishings, art and accents.
But also consider... Too much space with too little to anchor it makes a room feel lost and forlorn. Break furnishings into groupings to help divide up a large room. Chandeliers or pendant lighting can visually pull down a high, cavernous ceiling.
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Style Secret: Unadorned Floors
If you're wild for the feel of bare feet on cool tile, you're in luck. Contemporary design eschews rugs and carpeting in favor of sleeker, harder surfaces: bamboo; blond woods such as maple or ash; stone; ceramic. Ebonized planks or dark-stained concrete can ground contemporary rooms (as long as you're prepared to make friends with your dust mop).
But also consider... That's not to say you can't have a rug in a contemporary home; it's just a matter of choosing the right one. You wouldn't necessarily want to throw down a fringed Oriental, but a geometric design or a textural weave might be just the ticket. Or experiment with a grid of carpet tiles. If you must have wall-to-wall carpeting, choose a solid color and a very low pile.
If you're wild for the feel of bare feet on cool tile, you're in luck. Contemporary design eschews rugs and carpeting in favor of sleeker, harder surfaces: bamboo; blond woods such as maple or ash; stone; ceramic. Ebonized planks or dark-stained concrete can ground contemporary rooms (as long as you're prepared to make friends with your dust mop).
But also consider... That's not to say you can't have a rug in a contemporary home; it's just a matter of choosing the right one. You wouldn't necessarily want to throw down a fringed Oriental, but a geometric design or a textural weave might be just the ticket. Or experiment with a grid of carpet tiles. If you must have wall-to-wall carpeting, choose a solid color and a very low pile.
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Style Secret: Serious Shine
Contemporary rooms are nothing if not polished, and that means high-gloss surfaces fit right in. Chrome, steel, lacquer, glass, plastic, tile and more all work in tandem to help bounce light around a space. Mix materials for contrast and depth.
But also consider... Too much reflectivity will make your eyeballs quiver. Break up the gleam with matte elements — check out the beautiful interplay of glossy and honed surfaces in this bath. Or temper shine with texture, such as ribbed glass or brushed nickel.
Contemporary rooms are nothing if not polished, and that means high-gloss surfaces fit right in. Chrome, steel, lacquer, glass, plastic, tile and more all work in tandem to help bounce light around a space. Mix materials for contrast and depth.
But also consider... Too much reflectivity will make your eyeballs quiver. Break up the gleam with matte elements — check out the beautiful interplay of glossy and honed surfaces in this bath. Or temper shine with texture, such as ribbed glass or brushed nickel.
Style Secret: High-Impact Furniture
Contemporary furnishings have clean lines and striking profiles. You won't find a lot of skirts or slipcovers — even the most tailored versions can look too soft and full. Instead, focus on pieces that show a little leg.
But also consider... An overdose of long-legged tables and chairs can make a space feel awkward and unsettled. A low-slung sofa, a simple ottoman or cylindrical end tables will offset the spindliness of their counterparts.
Contemporary furnishings have clean lines and striking profiles. You won't find a lot of skirts or slipcovers — even the most tailored versions can look too soft and full. Instead, focus on pieces that show a little leg.
But also consider... An overdose of long-legged tables and chairs can make a space feel awkward and unsettled. A low-slung sofa, a simple ottoman or cylindrical end tables will offset the spindliness of their counterparts.
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| Style Secret: Center-Stage Windows Can you picture tasseled draperies or a balloon valance in this space? Neither can we. Windows in a contemporary milieu are usually abundant, and they're often left undressed to highlight their crisp lines and let natural light flood in. But also consider... If privacy's an issue, or if you just don't like feeling that you're on display, integrate sleek window treatments that won't stop the eye: sheers or solid panels that blend into the wall color; narrow blinds; mesh shades. As long as they're done in a neutral solid or barely-there print, and kept very tailored, Roman shades are another possibility. |
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Style Secret: Minimal Accessories
Remember how we said "less is more?" Eschew eclectic groupings, fussy finds and bric-a-brac; keep accessories simple, few and well-chosen. In this pared-down arrangement, every piece adds drama without detracting from the streamlined feel.
But also consider... Collectors, take heart: You're not doomed to a series of garage sales. While this isn't the setting for the family Staffordshire, simple objects that feel of a piece — such as white porcelain vases or glass fishing-net floats — fall in step with the aesthetic. Arrange them in a tight, uniform manner that enhances the space rather than detracting from it. Bookshelves should be filled with hardbacks; paperbacks are better suited for traditional rooms.
Remember how we said "less is more?" Eschew eclectic groupings, fussy finds and bric-a-brac; keep accessories simple, few and well-chosen. In this pared-down arrangement, every piece adds drama without detracting from the streamlined feel.
But also consider... Collectors, take heart: You're not doomed to a series of garage sales. While this isn't the setting for the family Staffordshire, simple objects that feel of a piece — such as white porcelain vases or glass fishing-net floats — fall in step with the aesthetic. Arrange them in a tight, uniform manner that enhances the space rather than detracting from it. Bookshelves should be filled with hardbacks; paperbacks are better suited for traditional rooms.
Style Secret: Overscale Art
Walls in contemporary rooms don't usually have much in the way of adornment: no heavy moldings, no plate collections, no family photo groupings. So they're a perfect foil for large works of art that shine best amid gallery-style simplicity. Canvases should be framed very cleanly, if at all. Streamlined sculpture, black-and-white photography, glass and prints also work. And if you like your art a little edgy, it'll feel right at home.
But also consider... Art shouldn't compete with an accent wall or another attention-stealing focal point. Torn between one or the other? In our book, art wins.
Tell us: Does contemporary style light you up or leave you cold? How do you put your own stamp on this look? Share your thoughts below!
More:
Modern and Contemporary: What's the Difference?
How to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine
Walls in contemporary rooms don't usually have much in the way of adornment: no heavy moldings, no plate collections, no family photo groupings. So they're a perfect foil for large works of art that shine best amid gallery-style simplicity. Canvases should be framed very cleanly, if at all. Streamlined sculpture, black-and-white photography, glass and prints also work. And if you like your art a little edgy, it'll feel right at home.
But also consider... Art shouldn't compete with an accent wall or another attention-stealing focal point. Torn between one or the other? In our book, art wins.
Tell us: Does contemporary style light you up or leave you cold? How do you put your own stamp on this look? Share your thoughts below!
More:
Modern and Contemporary: What's the Difference?
How to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine
Ideabook updated on April 20, 2012.
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Like deedeelouise, I and my very reluctant husband have been in the over-three-years-now process of transforming our small tract house from a traditional home (made so by us) to a contemporary one. After endless hours of research and sifting through thousands of inspirational photos, I have discovered just how accurate your contemporary style description here is. (Although, I am another who is guilty of calling it modern. Mostly because, even though it has been addressed here at Houzz, the differences between these two styles remains a little fuzzy for me. I hope to gain more clarity from your upcoming ideabook on modern style.)
I have also discovered just how much more challenging creating a contemporary vs. a traditional space is. Every piece and every wall in every room has to be spot on to create a nice aesthetic. Trying to obtain this perfection is what has taken us so long to complete the transformation. Even hiring a designer last year to assist us, because we only had a $500 (5 hours) designer budget, didn't provide the results we had hoped for.
When creating a contemporary home, this style dictates the need for extra patience and extra $$$ to accomplish the desired results in a timely manner. And results, like those above, are stunning.
As for the difference between modern and contemporary - the way I understand it, modern is kind of 'static' and linked to a certain era (Eames chairs are modern), while a contemporary style, like fashion, changes all the time.
For me, a mixture between modern and contemporary plus some (very few) quirky things is perfect.
I also love cottage and romantic looks and English country and french styles.
I love the traditional, but also enjoy the clean crisp lines of contemporary. In my traditional taupe living - dining room, we have glass dining table, contemporary media furniture. Recently added silk drapery panels in living room, but left the dining room window naked. My kitchen, I guess is also a blend of the two styles since the cabinets are maple with traditional style doors. I'm happy with the light feeling that maple brings. I think we have a nice compromise of the two styles. My greatest challenge is to edit the amount of seating in the living room.
I look forward to a style guide on best ways to do this . . . or just point me to it if somehow I missed it over the past year!