Contemporary and minimal themes go hand in hand in modern interior design. The style isn’t to everybody’s taste, but many people could not live any other way. There are those who consider it to be sterile and characterless, and I agree with them to an extent. But those who suffer from anxiety, or who have difficulty relaxing, often benefit from the ‘less is more’ approach.
If you are looking for a project to take on around the home this year, here are some essential features for a contemporary living room design for you to mull over. Maybe your living room could be that project.
Lighting Scheme
Before you set about decorating a room, you must make alterations to the wiring for the new lights. The best room designs use recessed LED light fittings. They are hardly noticeable and do not clutter the ceiling like many other fittings do. The size of the fitting is vital, and the units that house GU10 bulbs are the choice of many. It is better to have lots of small lights rather than a few large ones.
As with any other room, table lamps are a valuable resource for changing the mood whenever you feel like it. It is possible to install five-amp sockets around the room that operate from the light switch, so that you can turn them on and off just as you would the main lights.
The Walls
The walls in modern rooms are usually plain. Because quality is the overriding theme here, I advise you to employ a plasterer to skim them over with a new coat of finishing plaster to make them perfect. There will probably be damage to the ceilings and walls from the alterations to the wiring too; the plasterer will make the room look new once more
Windows
Window blinds are a common feature in most contemporary designs. The Blinds Superstore wood range suits this setting better than curtains. The idea is to keep the windows as clutter free as possible, and that is difficult to do with drapes.
Focal Point
Every room needs a focal point, and it is usually a fire. Some modern units can cost thousands, but there are cheaper options available that look attractive. If you have a large budget to spend on the project, invest a lot of it on a top-quality fire to make the room look warm and cosy. Some look stunning but don’t heat the room very well. That isn’t a problem these days thanks to central heating. Unlike many things in life, this is one occasion where you should put attractiveness first.
If the television is the focal point in your room, make sure that none of the wiring or ancillary equipment is on show. Hide the satellite box in an attractive piece of furniture, or even in the room behind the wall if you have too.
Keep the decoration simple. The best rooms use paint with wallpaper on a feature wall. Don’t clutter the room with artwork; one or two choice pieces are all you need to make the place look beautiful. We haven’t had time to discuss furnishings, or the benefits of laminate flooring; that will have to wait for another time. That’s all for today; remember to measure twice and cut once. Preparation is everything!
