Today we’ll start off a new series on modern interior design talking about what modern style is and how to apply it to a dining environment. It is often used as a synonymous term for contemporary style but modern in a class all of its own. Modernism emerged in the second half of the 20^th century as a celebration of the new technologies, materials and philosophies of the Machine Age. Furniture, often asymmetrical, with sleek and polished surfaces, is used to define interior spaces. Profiles are geometric and color palettes are adamantly neutral. Modernism can be simply be defined as form is function.

Since metal, glass and acrylic are common construction materials for modern furnishings, people tend to shy away from this style, fearing that it will make the room appear too stark or cold. When wood is used, lighter colors are favored over darker ones and grains are exposed while finishes are smooth. If the clean lines and uncluttered feel of a modern dining room appeal to you, but you’re afraid it will turn out too austere for your tastes, you can warm up the décor by introducing shots of bold color and including different textures into your design plan.

Lighting is very important in a modern style dining room. Lines are supposed to be clean and rectilinear or uniquely angular. The lighting fixture should possess a distinctive outline; it could even be sculpture-like in appearance. It should be minimalist in design while providing the maximum amount of light.

Modern style dining tables have a futuristic vibe to them that brings energy into the room. Other materials for modern dining room and accent furniture include vinyl, melamine, Formica, plywood and fiberglass. The Fusion Reflecting Silver Square Glass Table has no decorative detail but its simple, spare design is brought into focus by the reflective pedestal base.

To bring in more textures into our modern style dining room, we’ll choose the Grand Rapids Chair Valencia Wood Back Side Dining Chair. While in keeping with modernism’s preference for sleek lines, smooth surfaces and metal construction, these dining side chairs add some color to the dining room.

Choosing a china cabinet made of wood, like the Modloft Amsterdam Modern Display Cabinet, accomplishes two things. First, it adds another layer of texture to our modern interior design dining room. Second, it increases the room’s functionality, giving you somewhere to store and display your dinnerware. The stainless steel accents and glass doors of the china cabinet tie in visually to the dining table, while the wood cabinet repeats the material used for the backs of the dining chairs. The glass is frosted, adding yet another texture to our dining room.

The area rug is the ideal opportunity to add a final splash of color. The colors in the Abbyson Silhouette Himalayan Area Rug Pattern 5030, while bold, are not overpowering. They will be reflected in the table’s base.

When considering modern interior design, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that one glass-and-metal dining table is much like any other glass and metal dining table. But that wouldn’t be doing modernism justice. Modern design is an innovative mix of lines, shapes and materials utilized in minimalist and unique ways, letting you express your individuality in a dramatic way that no other style will allow.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 2:32 pm and is filed under Dining Room Furniture & Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.