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Totally Contemporary

Some believe this design is too cold. Yet, it seems the contemporary style offers continuous appeal since so many people choose to adopt it. Even after so many years, these elements are still sought after: clean lines, open spaces, plenty of natural light and decorative furniture.

What’s astonishing when we enter a contemporary-style room is the illusion of a never-ending space. The furniture is often built into the walls and partition walls, the lights are mounted in the ceilings, and the room is bare. Everything is clean, fresh and unadorned.

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Huge windows or even walls made entirely of glass, allow the indoors to expand into the outdoors while flooding the room with natural light. Since the living space is bare and there are windows everywhere, the natural light brightens up the room.

Several preferred materials of the contemporary style reflect light because of their polished surfaces, like stainless steel, molded acrylic, granite and polished concrete. Not to mention glass, which gives the room a natural and pure sheen.

You won’t find many bright colours, but mostly whites, greys and blacks. You might see a bright red or vibrant blue, but in a colour block design in order to make it pop. Other colours may also cover an entire wall, but no more. That being said, any colour is welcome in a contemporary decor.

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iStock

Highlighting an artistic piece is quite usual in the contemporary style. This is why big pieces of furniture usually take on an aesthetic dimension and may even become a work of art. Although the focal point may also be the staircase, the armchair, the ottoman, the twisted stool, the sculpted intimacy screen, or the unique lampshade.

The lines are clean, simple and geometrical. No clutter, chaos or adornment is tolerated. No unnecessary accessories are permitted. It’s plain and simple.

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iStock

The contemporary decor offers a casual look, a sense of freedom and a feeling of lightness while adding elegance, style, and refinement, which evoke a more classic look.

The contemporary style is nothing like the rustic look, but similar to the minimalist decor. Both styles are quite sober, but minimalism takes it one step further. Actually, a shabby chic or ecological decor can give way to a more minimalist look if you completely clear the space.

The contemporary and industrial styles have many things in common. There is one huge difference, though: the first design is much lighter while the other is heavier.

Sometimes, the contemporary decor may even borrow items from the classic style: chandeliers, marble and antique furniture.

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iStock

Many call this style modern, but contemporary would be the generic term. For example, back in the days, the classic design was once called the contemporary style. Just as the rustic style was once called contemporary, and so on. The argument has been going on for ages.

 

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