Are you ready to give your home a modern makeover, and wondering how to choose the right furniture for that sleek, contemporary look? A lot of people get stuck when it comes to choosing the perfect pieces, but not you (since you’re reading this)! This guide will help you avoid the common pitfalls so that you’re not falling in love with a couch at the store, only to bring it home and realize that it doesn’t quite go with the vibe that you’re trying to achieve. Here’s everything you need to know to furnish your contemporary home:
But First: What Even Is Contemporary Style?
A lot of people tend to confuse contemporary style with modern or minimalist, often using the terms interchangeably. However, contemporary design is decidedly its own thing. It refers to what’s current and fresh right now; unlike other styles that are often tied to a specific historical period (such as Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern, for example), contemporary is ever-evolving, constantly adapting to reflect the aesthetics, lifestyles, and technological advancements of the present day.
Right now, you might find simple shapes, smooth textures, and neutral colors (with the occasional pop of a bold shade) in a contemporary furniture collection. The overall look is clean, but not cold. Pieces may include low-profile sofas, furniture with metal or glass accents, and a mix of both natural and man-made materials. As stated above, contemporary is ever evolving, which means there’s plenty of room to play while keeping the overall vibe cohesive.
Start with the Basics: Form and Function
Let’s start with something that a lot of people get wrong: picking furniture that looks amazing but doesn’t work for their lifestyle. Sure, that sculptural chair might be stunning, but if it’s uncomfortable or awkward to sit in, is it really performing its primary function? You might just be putting your money towards an art piece, not a piece of furniture, something meant to be admired, sure, but not used.
Contemporary furniture is big on blending function with form. That means you should choose pieces that are practical and pretty at the same time. Start by thinking about how you use each room in your home. If you spend most of your time lounging around in the living room, then you might want to invest in a spacious sectional with clean lines. Does your dining area double as a space to work from home in? The table you choose should therefore be as sturdy as it is stylish.
Choose a Color Palette That Flows
The colors that you choose can make or break a space. In a contemporary home, the focus is primarily on neutral tones such as whites, grays, beiges, and blacks. These shades create a calm and uncluttered backdrop that allows the furniture in each room to shine.
Sticking to a neutral palette doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with color, though. Once you’ve got your neutral base, you can sprinkle in some complimentary secondary colors and bold accent colors. When in doubt, use the 60-30-10 rule that interior designers swear by: the main colors (your neutrals) should represent 60% of the colors in the room, the secondary colors should represent 30%, and use your accent colors to represent the remaining 10%. You might be surprised at how a single bold piece, whether it’s a navy blue armchair or a throw pillow in mustard yellow, can bring much-needed life to an otherwise neutral space.
Another thing to keep in mind is to stick to a cohesive color palette across all the rooms in your home so that each space flows harmoniously into the next. That way, even if you’re mixing and matching different pieces, everything still feels connected.
Scale and Proportion Matter More Than You Think
Even the most beautiful sofa will look out of place if it’s too big for the room you want to put it in. That’s why scale and proportion are absolutely essential in design.
To avoid this mistake, measure your rooms before buying anything. And then, just to be sure, measure them again. From there, think about the height and width of your furniture in relation to the size of the room. If the space happens to be small, go for furniture with legs, which creates the illusion of more space. In larger rooms, don’t be afraid to go bigger and bolder.
Negative space is equally important. You want room to breathe around your furniture! Too much stuff crammed together will make even the most stylish pieces feel suffocating.
Shop Our Contemporary Furniture Collection Here at Bob Mills Furniture
Finding contemporary furniture is easier than ever here at Bob Mills Furniture! We carry pieces for almost every room in your home from some of the most well-known brands in the market. Visit one of our showrooms in Oklahoma, Kansas, or Texas, or shop online right here on our website now!