Written by Héctor Bellorín

I start by clarifying the difference between "contemporary" and "modern" style, because they are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. In interior design the modern style is that characteristic of the first half of the twentieth century, very marked by the impact of the Bauhaus school, while the contemporary style is one that represents the here and now, a reflection of the trends of the real world. About contemporary style we will talk later, now I invite you to review these tips on how to produce a modern style in interior design.

1. Plan and visualize what you want

Every great artist, before starting his works creates small sketches, sheets full of scratches and annotations where he begins to visualize his ideas, and that is exactly what we should do before designing. Start by taking measurements of your rooms and each object in them, so you can know what size and shape is the canvas on which you will capture your ideas. Try to have a wide sheet, on which you can draw two equal planes, including the measurements.

you will leave one of them with the simple design of the room, and on the second trace the spaces that the furniture will occupy. For the walls, you must also draw sketches, in which you indicate the measures, colours and accessories that you want to add to each of them.

2. Be simple

Simplicity is a reflection of elegance, and one of the secrets of decoration is to be able to

convey emotions, and condense the beauty of magic into simple and ordinary things.

Sometimes light is the only thing that is needed, as it reflects its own beauty. In addition

minimalist designs always have their own original image, and they allow us a wider space in

which to make every detail count. I assure you that everyone will be delighted with your

decor, and you will have very clean spaces.

3. Create balanced environments

For things to flow well in a room, and for its image to look flawless, it is necessary to ensure

the environment is balanced. Try to have an almost impeccable symmetry in your spaces,

divide them in two and ensure that each side has a detail that maintains balance. It is like creating a ying-yang where the smallest detail counts.

4. Harmony

Harmony optical sensation of decor enters through our eyes and relax us into a smile in a

feeling of tranquillity and happiness. Colours are our best allies and that is why, before going

to acquire furniture and accessories, we recommend you to choose a colour palette of 2 to 4

colours.

Try to choose a couple of tones to set the mood, and use the remaining colours to add the

details. For this task you can go to some websites, in which you can choose any of the

previously created palettes, or create your own palette. When you go to buy your furniture,

do not forget to take you palate with you and don’t forget to give a natural touch.

Practical decor means that your house will help you make your life easier. Decorative objects

do not have to be just beautiful, they must also have a practical function that helps meet your everyday needs.

5. Simple Lines

A Simple lines style, more than any other, is based on the principle of form following

function. As such it is characterized by applying geometric figures. In this style we find

synthesized objects always favour designs that are functional. Most of the spaces are very

refined, without many accessories or ornaments, since under this premise it is not necessary

to include details that do not fulfill an important role in the space.

Tip: opt for simple furniture, with geometric shapes and solid tones, especially white

or black.

6. Add art to the space

Keep this in mind: «a piece of art on a central wall will bring harmony to a space», in

Budapest we have some special selected artists who offer their modern art paintings to match the palette of your choice.

7. Add design icons furniture

Iconic objects of modern design were created during the first half of the 20th century.

Designers such as Eero Saarinen, Le Corbusier and Marcel Breuer are stars of this era, and

their works continue to be reproduced. If you would like to incorporate this style, look for

objects of classic design, which continue to merge today as well as they did originally.

It is difficult and expensive to get authentic designs from this era, but you will probably find

a replica as good as the originals.

Barcelona Chair By Mies van der Rohe

8. Add color

Unlike the minimalism and Nordic styles, in modernism it is possible to incorporate colour,

but always in pure tones, without nuance or gradient. It is also possible to play with tone on

tone, to incorporate greater visual richness, although simplicity should always prevail. The

idea is not to overload the eye.

9. Transparency

Modernism incorporates a lot of glass, largely because it was at beginning of the twentieth

century this is when techniques for using this material were perfected, which allowing us to

considerably expand the possibilities of design. Glass is for modernism what 3D printers are

today.

Tip: If you do not have privacy problems, choose not to use curtains, in this way you

will be able to fully appreciate the shapes of each room, and you will be able to bring

part of the exterior landscape into the home.

10. Be timeless

I think one of the things I like most about this style is that it is super timeless. Seeing works

from this era still feels current. This is especially noticeable in architecture, as modern houses

continue to influence current design, and we see many glimpses of this style in new

constructions.

Budapest 12/2/2020

Photographies by courtesy of Federico Cedrone

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