Interior design and decoration have evolved over the last decade. With breakthrough studies showing how our mental and physical health is heavily influenced by our surroundings, it is no surprise that Instagram and Pinterest are overwhelmed with interior design aesthetic boards to browse for days. But when this industry really started thriving for the everyday homeowner was around the 2020 pandemic, when everyone became hyper-aware of their health as we were all shuttered indoors. People from all over the world leaned into the trend of transforming their houses into a home, adding elements that were both expressive and comfortable.
Our homes are our refuge and so it is only necessary that we transform them into a space that not only appeals to us visually but also connects us emotionally and physically.
Interior design styles like Cottagecore and Modern are styles located at the opposite ends of the spectrum. The former is characterized by the homeliness and charm of the countryside while the latter is defined by streamlined geometric features, neutral or monochromatic color schemes, and a rigid atmosphere. So, we often get asked, “how can we make our modern house appeal homely?”
It’s not entirely impossible as most people think. In this short blog, we’re going to introduce 8 clever ways how we do that in the modern homes we design.
#1 Add splashes of color
Introduce color to a modern interior in creative and unique ways. One way to do this is by color-blocking the wall, an interesting technique for using paint to create depth, and intrigue. Color blocking, as opposed to wallpaper, provides you the freedom to decorate your room in any way you desire. You get to pick every element of the appearance, including color, shape, and angle.
But paint is not the only way to add color. In our Downtown Manhattan project, we combined the stunning views with warm, inviting accents. We introduced colors in a variety of unique ways such as in the choice of rugs, artworks, furniture, and soft furnishings.
#2 Spruce it up with soft furnishings
Soft furnishings are a must-have regardless of what interior design style you are trying to achieve. Soft furnishings like fluffy and stylish throw pillows, throw blankets, poufs, floor pillows, and others can instantly bring warmth and comfort to a space. It is remarkable how well materials work to create a sense of coziness, opulence, and warmth. This kind of soft furniture is essential to interior design projects in making them feel homier and designed with human emotion in mind. One of our favorite projects which incorporates subtly soft furnishings is Grand Street.
#3 Opt for comfy furniture pieces
Modern furniture pieces are typically made of lighter wood, metal, and leather. It is contemporary in appearance with a very rigid and structured design. It is streamlined, unadorned, and uncomplicated. While these are the primary characteristics of modern interior space, they can make a room look boring and sterile. Avoid this from happening by choosing modern-styled furniture with comfortable upholstery. Cloud sofas, sectional sofas, and mid-century iconic furniture pieces, like the ones used in our Madison Square interior design project, are a few examples of how to achieve this.
#4 Mind the Lighting
Lighting is a key factor in determining the kind of ambiance you want and how you like your room to be perceived. A stylish, flashing chandelier, for instance, may exude elegance in a hotel foyer. In a workplace, using linear hanging luminaires rather than troffers gives off a sleek, high-tech vibe. Similarly, the proper integration of general lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting can make any space feel comfortable to be in. Take a look at this NoMad Manhattan Apartment we designed. Every piece from furniture to lighting fixtures is carefully hand-picked to create the perfect interior ambiance that the client desires.
#5 Mix Modern and Traditional
It could seem difficult to achieve the ideal balance when blending old and modern furniture but when combined properly, the result is a singular, multi-layered place. One clever way to do this is to use contemporary sofas and mid-century modern accent chairs. You can add a traditional flair by complementing it with soft-textured furnishings like sheepskin and patterned throw pillows. Another way is to use sentimental furnishings and incorporate rustic elements against a rather neutral or contemporary backdrop. We were able to pull off the same concept in this kitchen remodel we did in West Village.
#6 Introduce elements of wood
The versatility of wood is one of the reasons why it is the most utilized décor and interior design feature in almost any space. Whether you are creating a minimalist, traditional, or modern interior design, wood will always have its place somewhere. It can be added as your flooring material, ceiling, or furniture piece.
Wood is one of the only materials that can be polished in virtually any way you can think of, and it also has a calming impact on the senses. Wood can be painted, stained, smoothed, and texturized in a variety of ways to get the desired appearance. Wood may be carved into incredibly beautiful, unique designs that highlight its distinctive flaws, knots, and grains, or it can be left in its original condition. We used this technique on an apartment in Cooper Square, owned by a young couple with an interest in iconic designs.
#7 Place artworks and add interesting patterns
The absence of art may make a room feel chilly and uninviting. Artwork, whether it is big or tiny, gives space depth and personality. To make a modern space feel more homely, choose art pieces that have sentimental value to you or something that embodies an artistic concept that you find compelling. Art also adds color which can make a room seem less boring and more fun and playful to look at. Ahmad, our lead interior designer, is an art collector in his free time, just see how creative he likes to be with his favorite modern art finds from around the world.
#8 Don’t forget greeneries and Florals
Adding plants brings life to a space. Incorporating natural elements into the design is one of our favorite strategies for making a house or apartment seem more like a home. No matter the style of the room, flowers, and greenery have a natural elegance that enhances any setting. Not all plants can look good in a space. It’s a matter of arranging and selecting a particular plant species that will complement the interior space concept.
When it comes to choosing a plant for a modern home, go for something simple yet significant. One example is this One-bedroom Bachelor’s Pad located in Tribeca, New York. We transformed this modern space into a home in the middle of the NYC metropolis by incorporating nature in a subtle, yet noteworthy fashion.
PROJECTAZ’s design principles are rooted in making a house more than just aesthetically pleasing, but also functional and delightful in terms of emotional and mental aspects. No matter what interior design style you want, we at PROJECTAZ, can translate and express it into visual and physical forms through design. PROJECTAZ keeps developing fresh concepts for contemporary environments to meet the expectations of various clients. Ready to transform your apartment into a modern yet homely haven? Connect with us now and get this amazing project started.
