What Is the Modern Decor Style?

The word “modern” is one of the most misused phrases in decorating. Often confused with contemporary style, today’s modern style is based on a design movement that was birthed around the turn of the 20th century. While many people may think of bold, graphic pieces and sculptural furniture when they think of modern style, it's actually a specific decor movement that is more neutral and organic.

What Is Modern Style? 

Modern style furnishings and decor celebrate natural materials, neutral or earthy colors, and the elimination of unnecessary detailing. While you may see a range of colors in contemporary styling, modern styles features monochromatic, subdued colors.

Think of a beautifully peaceful Danish interior. That is the modern style. It is clean, calming, and neutral. There's an emphasis on doing away with unnecessary ornamentation and focusing on the beauty in an object's functional lines.

History of the Modern Style of Decor

With roots in German and Scandinavian architecture and design, the modern style is simple and unadorned. It is connected to the age of machination and is often referred to as that of the 1920s to 1950s. The modern style movement continued to grow in popularity throughout the first half of the 20th century, and later derivatives of this style are known as midcentury modern and postmodern.

One of the key beliefs behind the modern design movement is the idea that “form follows function.” In other words, the design of all furnishings and decorative objects should reflect its intended purpose, and if a furnishing, decor, or decorating detail does not have a practical purpose, then it can be eliminated.

Typical Characteristics of a Modern Space

This philosophy behind the modern style makes it a perfect decorating choice for those who like simple, uncluttered spaces with clean lines and a lack of fussy adornments. It goes well in the open floor plans that accompanied the development of this style.

If you're thinking of designing a modern space, consider the main characteristics of modern style:

• Neutral colors: Modern style incorporates a neutral or “natural” color palette, often with light tones. White hues, beige, gray, and light earthy colors typically are typically the main colors of a room, while bolder contrasts of black or darker hues serve as accents.
• Exposed structural elements: Elements involved in the actual structure of a building, like concrete or beams, are used as a design feature.
• Clean lines: There's an emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines with fewer curves.
• Lack of fussiness or fluff: The ornamentation, molding, and decoration of earlier design movements is noticeable absent in the modern organic style.
• Natural materials and wood: Modern organic style focuses on natural materials such as unpainted natural wood, wood veneer, metals, leather, and natural fibers.
• Low silhouettes: Low, horizontal furnishings with clean lines blend seamlessly into the landscape of a room.
• Minimalist furniture: Trim and tufting won't be found on modern furniture. Instead, there are clean, simple lines.
• Lack of window treatments: There's a celebration of natural light and simple, unadorned windows that show off the beauty of the architecture.
• Industrial elements: The manmade materials that make up a space are displayed, including reflective surfaces such as steel, chrome, or glass.
• Indoor-outdoor connection: Because of the emphasis on a modern organic style and unadorned windows, there's a connection between the indoors and out. Modern outdoor spaces seem to flow seamlessly between the inside and outside thanks to large open glass windows and doors.
• Open-concept floor plans: Modern style homes will have a modern living room with little separation between kitchen, dining, and other areas. Each space leads into the next without pomp and circumstance.

Modern vs. Contemporary Style

Contemporary style is not born out of a certain era. It changes as time evolves, and can incorporate modern elements. For example, in a few more decades, a new style will be called contemporary because it is what is in style. Contemporary furnishings have more distinctive forms and often can include curved furnishings.

Beginning in the 1990s, contemporary decor followed the minimalist trend and it can include stark contrasting colors with black and white, while modern is based on neutrals rather than being stark and cold. Contemporary pieces may be simply decorative, while modern pieces must have a function.

The battle to define modern style will probably continue, as it is widely debated. But at its root, the modern style reflects a certain era. That said, many people incorporate pieces of modern style into their homes and offices because of its simple, functional nature. As many people strive for simplicity in life—and there's an emphasis on decluttering—perhaps they will be drawn to the modern style because it does seem to simplify everything. That goes along with the design trend of open-concept spaces.