What is modern interior design style? A to Z modern interior design ideas 2024 & modern home decor tips: Choosing modern furniture, accessories, curtains and lighting...

The word “modern” is used a lot to describe new things, simple and tidy places, items, furniture or accessories. Well, do you really know the meaning of this term that is used quite often in everyday life? In this article, we have prepared a comprehensive A to Z modern interior design style guide that you can find everything looking for. Before, we briefly talked about the modern interior design history and also differences between contemporary and modern decor. So, are you ready to make a truly “Modern” interior design like a professional? Here are 18 basic and very important modern interior design ideas 2024 and modern home decor examples:

What is Modern Interior Design Style?

History of the Modern Interior Design Style

What is Modern Interior Design
The Glass House, Philip Johnson, 1949

The modern interior design style is based on a design movement born in the early 20th century. It came from the roots of German and Scandinavian design. Modernism has created simple and neat designs with clean lines against gothic , renaissance and victorian period flashy and extravagant ornamentation. Basically, the form follows function. Everything in your home must have a purpose of existence. There are not any useless items or details in modern interior design style.

Modernism took advantage of the machines’ ability to provide affordable housing and furniture solutions to the people. Modernism movement created; conscious architecture, interior space design, furniture and art works.

Natalie Myers

Modern design movement reached its peak in the 1930s, later replaced by modernism derivatives mid-century and postmodern interior styles. However, the philosophy of modernism still continues today. Especially in architecture, modern design elements still create the basis of many contemporary houses.

Difference Between Contemporary and Modern Interior Design Style

Modern Interior Design - Contemporary Interior Design
Contemporary Interior Design Style

Contemporary interiors and modern interiors are two decoration styles that are constantly confuse people. Simplicity is at the forefront in both. The main difference between them is age. While contemporary design expresses the present, new and innovative; modern design refers to a certain period in the history of design. Today, architects and interior designers also include modern elements in contemporary designs. While this may seem like an adaptation of modernism to the present day, it should not be confused with the modern design movement of the 20th century. 

Some of the main differences between them are:

  • Contemporary style does not arise from a particular era. It is up-to-date, changes as time progresses and can include modern elements.  
  • Contemporary furniture has curvilinear and sculptural forms. In modern design, lines should have sharp corners.
  • Vivid colors with black and white contrast are used in contemporary decoration; Natural and neutral colors are used in modern interior design.
  • While contemporary pieces can only be decorative, modern pieces should have a function.

Modern Interior Design Ideas 2024

1. Characteristics of Modern Interior Design Style

Simple and Clean Lines

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As in modern architecture, the modern interior design style stands out with its simple and clean lines. Horizontal and vertical lines are dominant in all details such as furniture, accessories and lighting in modern interior design. Curvilinear details are not seen much in modern spaces. Exposed columns and beams are highlights of the modern style.

Tidy and Simple

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Another important modern interior design idea is simplicity. The important figures of modern architecture Mies Van Der Rohe’s famous “Less is more” philosophy also applies to modern interior. So if you want to decorate your home in a modern style, you should start by eliminating unnecessary items such as trinkets.

Modernism intersects with minimalism in this respect. Simplicity and functionality are at the forefront in both decoration styles. Form always follows function. Nothing is extravagant or flashy in furniture, accessories and decor. In addition, all items are in an order. Accessories such as vases, paintings, pillows, carpets and blankets are used minimum. Books and electronic items are hidden in closed cabinets, avoiding visual confusion. 

Open Concept Floor Plan

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Modern home designs are usually made as an open floor. The seating area, dining area, kitchen, and sometimes entry hall would be in one area. Not using dividing walls in living spaces provides visual continuity, natural light and air circulation. The color palette and the amount of accessories used are very important when organizing an open-plan living space. Order and simplicity in modern interior design are essential in this respect.

If you want to design an open-plan living space; Instead of walls, you can define the areas by separating them with furniture such as console, armchair, double-sided bookcase and kitchen island.

Industrial Elements

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The use of concrete, steel and glass as building materials was the birth of modern architecture. For this reason, you can reflect your respect for the essence of modernism to your living environment by using industrial details such as concrete, iron and steel in modern home decor. 🙂

2. Modern Furniture Style

Simple and Functional

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For a modern interior, you should choose “modern furniture”. The most important feature of a modern furniture is to be simple and functional. In modern-style homes, you’ll often see horizontal furniture with clean lines. A furniture doesn’t have to be big and rough to be comfortable. On the contrary, seats of sufficient size and suitable form are generally more comfortable and useful. Moreover, modern furniture looks much more elegant with its simple and clean lines. 

With the modernism movement, furniture with hand-carved details was replaced by easy-to-manufacture fabricated furniture. For a modern decor, you should choose furniture with a smooth surface and minimal decoration. You should also use plain fabric furniture and avoid pretentious patterns and prints.

Natural Material and Earth Tone Colors

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White, gray, beige, and even black tones are the main color palette of modern design. Dark colors are used only to help break neutrals. Although gray tones come to mind when modern spaces are mentioned, you can create a softer and more relaxing environment with soil colors, which are the fashion of this year. Even better, you can get a neutral elegance by using gray and brown tones together. 

Modern designs give importance to natural materials, this also applies to modern furniture. Modern furniture is usually made of unpainted wood, leather, steel, chrome or glass.

Geometric Forms

Modern Interior Design Style Ideas - Modern Furniture Style

Modern interiors reflects simplicity in every item, including furniture . The lines in modern furniture should be sharp and geometric. Simple geometric forms used in modern designs give the person a relaxing and calming feeling. If you like simple and stylish furniture with smooth lines, modern interior design style reflects you.

Iconic Furniture

Modern Interior Design Style - Barcelona Chair
Barcelona Chair, Mies Van Der Rohe

During the modernism period, new materials were used for furniture production. Hand-carved wood was replaced by steel, plywood and plastic. The aim was to create a simple and functional aesthetic. One of the greatest symbols of modern design was the ” Wassily Chair” , developed in 1925 and made of tube steel that radically changed the approach to furniture design.

Modern Interior Design - Wassily Chair
Wassily Chair, Marcel Breuer

Modern furniture designs of the 20th century continue to maintain their popularity today. Famous furniture “Barcelona Chair” designed by Mies Van Der Rohe, who owns the word “ Less is more ”, which is the symbol of modernism , is frequently used in modern space designs. Even if you don’t know the names, you’ve probably saw these iconic furniture before . You can put a cool signature of modernism by placing one of the iconic chairs such as ” Wassily Chair”, “Barcelona Chair” or ” Tulip Chair” in your home or office.

Invisible Storage Areas

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Another of the most important modern interior design ideas is to keep everything hidden. Although you stay away from unnecessary items and accessories, there is always a crowd of some necessities in every home. We can say that modern interior design is the art of hiding and storing. 🙂

It is true that modernism loves technology, but this should not mean showing them. For a modern interior, you should hide your electronic devices and other items in closed cabinets or in a small storage room. Also, try to keep open shelves to a minimum and avoid using pretentious handles in cabinets and drawers.

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4. Modern Accessories

Modern Artworks and Abstract Paintings

Modern Interior Design Style Ideas - Modern Accessories

Modern art started as a reaction to outdated traditions and as a result of the growth of an industrialized society. Modernist artists decided to create impressive works of art in vibrant and unexpected colors by rejecting the classical and idealistic view of realism. After that, modernist art movements such as abstract art, cubism and fauvism emerged. 

Among the most used accessories in modern interior design; there are large unframed modern paintings and abstract sculptures. The walls should not be totally filled, so gallery-style wall arrangements should not be made. A simple aesthetic in the works is a must.

Using Metallic Accents

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In modern interior design, smooth and polished metals are used instead of traditional wrought iron-style classical metals. Modern design’s favorite metals are chrome and stainless steel. Chrome or stainless steel is often used in table chair legs and seat frames. In addition, chrome is widely used in taps, doorknobs, cabinet handles, lighting and accessories. In modern kitchen designs, we can see stainless steel appliances and chrome together. In short, chrome is one of the key elements of modern decor with its bright and new appearance.

Geometric Patterns

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Geometric patterns and repeating it are one of the most important parts of modern interior design. Because, modern geometric patterns tend to bring order to their surroundings. There are many options for using geometric patterns in modern interiors. For example; carpets, paintings, textiles, furniture and wall paper etc.. 

Highlight Color

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Neutral colors and different tones of black and white are generally used in modern style decoration . Primary colors (yellow, red, blue) can be added to break the uniformity of neutral colors. Vivid colors add energy to the space and create focus points. However, these colors should be used less and should never be used in large areas such as walls. As modern interior design ideas, you can use a vibrant color in cushions, carpets, a single piece of furniture and accessories.

Modern Plants

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The idea of ​​using living plants doesn’t just apply to modern decoration. However, you can reflect your modern style by choosing pots and vases you use. For example, leafy plants such as orchids in sharp lines black or chrome pots are ideal choices for modern interiors.

3. Modern Curtain

Large Windows and Daylight

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One piece large windows is one of the most important features of modern architecture. Therefore, it has become an important feature of modern interior design. Using daylight is very important between modern interior design ideas. With open-plan spaces and thin-profile wide window systems, natural light is maximized.

If you do not have the opportunity to have large windows, you should choose the right curtain to make the most of natural light. Considering that heavy curtains were once a symbol of wealth and luxury in decoration, we can guess that modern architecture is the opposite. Curtains are generally not used in a modern interior. If it is needed, more modern options such as no pattern and thin fabrics in neutral colors or blind curtains should be preferred.

5. Modern Lighting

Abstract Lighting Fixtures

Modern Interior Design Style Ideas - Modern Lighting

Like other elements of decoration, there are extremely modern designs in lighting. If you are thinking of decorating in a modern style, do not forget to include modern artwork lighting designs. These abstract, minimalist and sculptural lighting are ideal for adding a sophisticated and luxurious touch to the environment.

Led and Spots

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LED and spot lighting elements placed in niches in the wall, behind panels or in wall corners are among the modern lighting options. You can create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in your living room in the evenings with this lighting model, which is usually in warm colors and low lighting level.

In this article, we gave information about modern interior design style 2024 among the Most Popular Decoration Styles in the world. If you wish, you can visit our Modern House Interior Ideas article and examine the examples of modern living room, modern kitchen, modern bathroom, entryway, dining room, bedroom, baby nursery room and wall decor examples or visit our homepage for inspiration on different topics related to interior design & decoration!


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