Contemporary style decorating is all about current, modern, or ‘of today’. Contemporary interiors today are comfortable and welcoming without being cluttered and dark. A contemporary home can be a quiet and comfortable retreat. Fundamental, simple, subtle, sophisticated, textured and clean lines define contemporary decorating.

Elements

Colour: Neutrals, black and white are the main colours in contemporary interiors. Black is often used to define a contemporary room. With walls painted in a basic neutral, you can have a wonderful backdrop for bold coloured accessories. If the wall is a bright bold colour, neutrals should be used everywhere else.
Line and space: The most obvious and distinctive element of a contemporary design is line. In contemporary interiors, less is more. Each piece stands out as individual and unique.

Contemporary furniture: Smooth and clean geometric shapes are essential for furniture pieces. Fabrics often have a natural look (linen, cotton, jute, silk) — with shades of black, white or neutral tones with textured natural fabrics. Furniture should be simple and uncluttered with no decoration or curves.

Contemporary blinds: Any fabric or even a wooden blind can look stunning and give a feeling of cool crisp efficiency.

Floors should be bare and smooth in wood, tile or marble, adding colour and texture with plain or geometric patterned rugs.

Sky’s the limit when it comes to modern-day decorating — identical designs are no longer the norm. Nowadays, your personality is reflected in your room’s interiors. You can choose to go with an eclectic style of designing.This is a more common style of modern decoration. This kind of decoration makes use of a combination of different styles to give rise to a completely unique look.

Another decorating style is art decor. Although art decor is classified under modern designs, this style is inspired by the 1920s’ and 1930s’.

Curtains could be simple but simplicity need not be boring and bland. One of the most popular window treatments for a contemporary style home is an eyelet curtain with metal rings that co-ordinate with a metal pole.

Lighting your home properly and with style can make all the difference in your living environment. Your rooms should have a warm glow, your home accessories and artwork highlighted. Using a balance of several types of lighting is what makes a room glow, making it warm yet dramatic.

Trends for 2008

Designers are turning hi-tech in 2008, using computers to help create fabulous weaves, wallpaper and interiors. Pattern power will continue to hit our homes as bold, vibrant and even intricate motifs spread over walls, floors and furniture. Wallpaper will work a modern magic with metallic and geometric designs. Eco-friendly wallpaper patterns will be in range this year, featuring birds, flowers, greens, bamboos — a favourite subject for 2008. Watch out for massive murals, empowered once again by digital technology that can easily form scale and colour.
On a subtler note, touch-me textures will be everywhere, from cut-pile carpets and moulded ceramics to fabric sheers with knitted and knotted designs in wool, silk and linen and dramatic ‘burnt-out’ patterns. Metallic will adorn all surfaces.

With luxury creeping back into fashion, leather becomes a hot favourite style trend of 2008. You can combine this with cool, retro styling that is a fabulous mix of leather, oak and walnut. A lot of emphasis on cosy comfort is predicted this year by the top international architects and interior designers. In store are more vibrant, colourful rooms that feature antiques and upholstered, over stuffed furniture — a comfortable home without sacrificing elegance or beauty.

Wall murals are hot this season with people choosing murals to fit their personality. More initiative will be taken to recycle, rescue and refurbish awareness towards being eco-friendly.

A spice infused palette will be the hottest look in accent colours for the coming year. Acid green will be especially popular, with blue as a main candidate; unexpected colour combinations like brown with burgundy; deep purple with dark red, will stand out this year. Reflective materials like chrome and mirrors, will make strong room accents.

Say ‘hello’ to warmer colours and goodbye to minimalism — is what several designers around the world say. In 2008, red tones take on a decidingly soft, warm feel, such as watermelon or a carrot orange. Black and white continue to be used, but with unexpected combinations of yellow, lime orange and fresh green. Fruit colours such as lime yellow, kiwi and tangerine will be very popular in 2008 especially when used in the kitchen. But blue will continue to be number one choice this year, though it will be combined with camel and tan, pale green and yellow.

 Refined finishes, gently swept lines, strong geometric forms and finishes that emphasise exotic veneers, will create a look that is elegant, but in an approachable and welcoming way. There will be a lot of balancing at homes with the elements of nature, water, fire, metal, wood and earth — the Feng Shui way.
So just go ahead and create a positive environment for your homes this year!