What Is the Definition of Modern Design?

Modern design encompasses a lot of different incarnations for interior design, which can make it difficult to define. In its simplest terms, modern interior design refers to the reflection of the modern art movement on the interiors of the home. There are several central characteristics and design themes seen throughout modern design, however, that could be described in part as the definition.

Modernism was a rejection of the ornate flourishes of other design styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian styles of design. Therefore, many of the different modern designs have several common components of which the design themes have become associated with modern design.

Modern design was meant to be the antithesis of the previous design styles which used heavy textures, carvings and wood tones throughout the home. Therefore, most components of modern design, from the furniture to the shape of the rooms, includes clean, straight lines with no additional detail. This differs slightly from contemporary design, which uses curves and sweeping lines; modern design's lines are crisper, sharper and very spare.

That said, there are several different design types that fall into this category, particularly for furnishings, such as:

· Mission style

· Art Deco

· Shaker

Any of these or other clean, spare furnishings are an integral part of modern interior design. Paired with the furnishings are things like:

· Oversized tiles with rectified edges

· Sanded wood floors that minimize the grain

· Bookcases and shelves inset into walls, rather than protruding into the space

· Open floor plans with few walls

· Lack of moldings trimming windows, doors, and walls