Just before you gloss over this definition segment, thinking you know what modern interior design is, The answer is a little more complicated than you think. There’s bit of misunderstanding about modern interior design and contemporary interior design.

Much of the confusion lies in the words “modern” and “contemporary”, because, ordinarily, these words are used interchangeably in common parlance. However, the design styles are distinct from each other, although sharing a plenitude of similarities. This article will shed light on the two designs styles and on what distinguishes the one from the other.

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

Ordinarily, the word “contemporary” means “occurring or happening at present”.

Hence, contemporary interior design encompasses the various design styles and methods which have gained much traction currently, in contrast to past design styles. Therefore, contemporary interior design does not really describe any particular style, but refers to the ever-changing styles trending today. It is constantly evolving and therefore refers to the present design techniques per time.

MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN

Modern interior design, on the contrary, modern interior design is limited to a specific time frame, and doesn’t exactly mean the interior design of the present. It contemplates the design styles of the early to mid-20th century. Because modern interior design incorporates so many design styles, its definition is complex, and that’s another reason there is much confusion about modern interior design and contemporary interior design. Both mid-century and post-modern design stemmed from modern design. Influenced largely by German and Scandinavian designs, modern design is a simplistic, earth-friendly style rid of unnecessary detailing and ornamentation.

MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN v CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

1. TIME

As already stated above, contemporary design has no particular time frame since it is ever evolving and is progressive; however modern interior design refers to the art and design that followed the modernism movement in the early and mid 20th century. In the early mid-century, modernism was the future and it was reflected in the interior design of homes. Housing and furniture were more affordable and this informed the architecture, interiors, furnishings and art of that period. What is considered contemporary could be a fleeting trend or a lasting impression that transcends the present era.

2. DESIGN ELEMENTS

The earthy and wooden elements of modern design.

Modern interior design is characterized by its wooden and earthy design elements. It features a combination of natural materials like stone, leather and wood. There was the introduction of steel and plastic in the construction process as well, and furniture came from natural material as well.

One of the main features of the modern design period is the Wassily chair, a steel chair which was developed in 1925 and permanently altered and influenced the outlook of furniture design and elements. There were also the Eames chair and the Tulip chair.

For contemporary interior design, however, its elements are similar, except that it tilts more to concrete and steel than modern interior design does.

3. COLORS:

Because of the earthy feel of modern design, its colors focus on natural hues, featuring shades of white,brown, beige, rust and green. Sometimes, it features a shade of black as part of the main color palate.

Colorful splash of modern design hues. In many modern interior design houses, colors hardly stand out boldly, unless they are earth or nature related. The watchword for this design concept was ‘neutral’, since it wanted to deviate from the popular ornate and overly decorative concepts of previous design periods.

For contemporary design, there is a bold starkness to it as a result of the monochrome colors, black, white and gray, which make up its main color palate. The monochromatic hue of contemporary interior design

4. FORM

Modern interior design favors clean, sharp lines over curves and cluttered spaces. The open-floor concept gained popularity in this period, making it distinct from previous Victorian and Gothic styles which relied on stylish and cluttered structures and elements.

There are as few walls as possible, and so, furniture rather than walls, is used as a demarcation between spaces. For example, a kitchen counter could provide a visible division from the dining room, in lieu of a wall.

Also, this design concept favors natural lighting, and so rooms are airy and spacious, with windows lacking adornment which could restrict the air flow. For modern interior design, it is function over form and so every decorative piece has a set function. The belief of designers in this era was that anything serving no particular purpose in your house should not be found there in the first place, and so must be gotten rid of.

For contemporary design, there’s a some fluidity to the form, unlike the modern. Where decorative pieces of modern design often boast a specific purpose, contemporary design pieces focus more on form and aesthetics than on function. Because it is ever evolving, it takes inspiration from various design periods, making it harder to classify than modern interior design.

There’s usually a blend of comfort and luxury in this design concept, and the designs and furniture are curvier than that of modern design. Now that we’ve seen the hair’s breath differences between modern and contemporary design styles, here are some of their glaring similarities:

1. MINIMALISM:

Both styles are minimalist in form, as they tend to derail from the ornamental and heavily adorned styles preceding them. There are fewer and milder colors and furniture used. Everything about the designs are simplistic and toned down, as though trying to achieve the most with less.

2. OPEN SPACE:

Both styles favor large, uncluttered open spaces and avoids walls as much as possible. Large open-spaced living room area

3. GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS:

Both modern and contemporary feature geometric elements, one reason why the both styles are similar.

4. WOODEN AND NATURAL ELEMENTS:

One common feature between the both styles is wood, wood, wood. And then other natural or earthy elements, from furniture, to walls to doors and decorations.

Personally, I’d say that contemporary interior design is an evolution or an extension of modern interior design, as both styles have more similarities than differences.