Living Room Decorating Ideas: Contemporary

Filed under: Your Home, Living Room, Projects, Furniture

Characterized by clean-lines, neutral palettes, nature-inspired textures and no-fuss accents, contemporary style is all about simplicity. Last week, we focused on traditional style. Next Wedneday we'll offer tips on decorating an eclectic living room.

Contemporary design -- not to be confused with modern, which leans more toward the austere and minimalist -- is really more a back-to-basics approach.

Think simple lines and uncomplicated shapes and patterns. Fabrics (wool, linen), rather than ornate appointments and bold colors on walls, bring in texture and warmth. So before you go with the Royal Flush, take heed: "Too often, people rely on paint as a standalone tool, which is often a big mistake. It's just one of many ways to contemporize a space, and it should always work in concert with everything else," says Shane Reilly, an interior designer and founder of Decorati.com. Think of the room as a composition in color: Start first by choosing a palette -- not a wall color -- and go from there.


When choosing furniture, focus on the sofa. Since it's the largest piece in the room, it's the biggest style indicator -- it sets the tone. "Invest the majority of your budget there," says Reilly. "And steer clear of sofas with rounded, wing-like arms and skirted bases. Choose one with straight, angular arms (or no arms at all), a linear back and a tailored base."

Since most contemporary sofas tend to be extra-deep and closer to the floor -- 14 to 16 inches versus the standard 18 in most sofas -- the rest of the room's pieces should also be of comparable height. Consider the Bantam sofa in Alabaster Honey, $1980, Design Within Reach (shown above).

"The most successful contemporary layout omits inessential items, stresses comfort and hones in on how people truly live today," says Reilly. "The living room should be an adaptable space. It's where we relax, work -- even eat." Today, Reilly says that furniture and accessories in quintessentially contemporary spaces are smaller in number because they've actually gotten larger in scale.

"With this scheme, it's not about over-decorating; it's about having fewer, edited down pieces that become really important as a result. To make boxy lines feel cozier, she says, "invite conversation and drop an occasional chair into the mix. If it's small enough, it can even touch the couch." And forget the ho-hum 'coffee-table-in-front-of-the-sofa' setup; try an upholstered ottoman instead. "It's a warm touch, because guests can actually sit on it in a pinch, unlike a coffee table," she adds.



Although lighting is one of the most important features of a space, it's often what people think of least. "It shouldn't be an afterthought. A poorly-lit living room with zero decorative lighting at eye-level feels just like an airport," says Reilly. She sets the mood with clean-lined fixtures that feel heavy and substantial. Lamps made with unusual (slate, stone), often organic (cork, driftwood) materials and techniques (oxidized alloy) are engaging above all else, and they're really essential in making the contemporary living room come together. "Just choose something interesting," says Reilly. "It doesn't have to be expensive."

For more living room decorating inspiration, don't miss:
Why We Love Country Style Now
New Home Technology Products Will Dress Up Your Living Room
Decorating a Fireplace Mantel: 5 Easy Ideas

Check this video out for a modern living room makeover!

 

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