We should all seek inspiration and respite in the design of our living spaces. The decor we surround ourselves with, the arrangement of patterns and colors, how we use light and space… these elements combine to reflect who we are as individuals and what we aspire to become. And while uniquely personal, our interiors tell our guests the same.
When done well, interior design should fall neatly into one of nine distinct categories. Over the next several weeks, we’ll look at the conventions and themes that define each category and offer style advice for choosing a countertop that helps you achieve your design.
For our first category, we look at one of the most widespread and popular trends in contemporary interior arrangement: Modern Interior Design.
Characteristics of Modern Design
To begin, let’s take a look at the hallmarks that define modern style. In short, Modern interior design emphasizes minimalism and simplicity. It’s characterized by using uncluttered geometry and focusing on function and practicality over flourish and ornamentation. The Modern style draws much of its inspiration from the Bauhaus design and De Stijl art movements of the early 20th century, which stressed industrial materials and geometric shapes.
"De Stijl" is a Dutch art movement that rose in popularity throughout the 1920s
A key characteristic of Modern Interior Design is to maintain clean symmetry within the final product. This is often achieved through simple, unadorned furniture and architectural elements such as metal or glass that imbue a sense of order and balance. Unlike other design categories where color is used as an instrument to concentrate attention, Modern Design employs neutral color palettes to create crisp minimalist aesthetics. The underlying hues within whites, blacks, and other muted color tones are left to interact with abundant natural light to create interest and depth.
Natural Light is essential
The prolific use of natural light is a distinguishing facet of Modern Design. Large picture windows, skylights, and clerestory windows create bright, open, and airy interiors, which is critical for keeping modern designs warm and welcoming. Without abundant natural light, the Modern style’s minimalist underpinnings can make an interior cold and austere.
Clerestory windows beam light further into the recesses of your house
Floorplans should be open
A famous staple of Modern Design is the open floor plan. These interior layouts are characterized by large, free-flowing spaces with few walls or partitions. In both office and home, open floorplans encourage collaboration and sharing while also allowing natural light to penetrate deeper into the structure.
Keep the furniture simple
In furniture, modern design is often defined by clean, simple lines and a focus on functionality. Furniture pieces are often made from industrial materials, such as metal and glass, and are designed to be as simple and unadorned as possible. This type of furniture is often paired with neutral-colored upholstery to create a sleek, contemporary feel.
Use texture to add interest
Texture also plays an important role. While modern design is often associated with smooth, sleek surfaces, texture can be incorporated using materials such as wood, stone, or concrete. The right mix of texture can add depth and interest to a space while maintaining the clean, minimalist aesthetic that defines the genre. When using hardwoods, lighter-toned woods such as white oak, maple, and birch are given preference over darker hardwoods like walnut and cherry to amplify the effect of natural light within the space. Wood's inherent warmth and flowing grain effectuate an understated contrast to the cold and unyielding composition of steel, glass, and concrete.
Modern Design is versatile
One of the main benefits of modern interior design is its versatility. Because it is based on a simple, uncluttered aesthetic, it can easily be adapted to many spaces and styles. For example, modern design can be incorporated into cozy, intimate floorplans where space is at a premium. It can also pull off a deliberate look within extremely large floorplans (such as a corporate office) that might otherwise look bare if attempted in another design style.
Modern Design can be difficult to achieve in a remodel
Though a versatile choice when building new construction, Modern interiors can be difficult to achieve in remodels. So important is the interplay of light and geometry to achieving a Modern look that any project involving a scope of work less than a full-scale remodel risks falling short of the intended outcome. To achieve a cohesive and unmistakable modern interior, the structure must be capable of inviting an immense amount of natural light into the space, which typically involves changes to the structure's envelope in addition to its interior.
Countertops to use in your Modern Design
Stick to the core principles of Modern Design when selecting your countertop:
Go neutral in color:
White, grey and black are staples, so begin there. If your design calls for black or dark grey countertops, your home needs to seep in natural light. Remember, Modern Design is warm and inviting, and you’ll need plenty of natural light to prevent your space from appearing stark and uninviting.
Avoid bold patterns:
In general, you’ll want to stay away from dramatic veining patterns and high levels of contrast within the countertop. If you must have a powerful, sweeping pattern on your countertop, limit the countertops to a small accent area. Most of your interior surfaces need to coalesce with the overall design, not stand out.
Never fear solid colors:
If in doubt, just remember that you can't go wrong using solid color countertops. Typically, you'll find the best solid colors in engineered stone materials like quartz, porcelain, or sintered stone. The tiny pin-sized flecks and speckles you'll find in certain solid quartz colors shouldn't deter you but avoid the countertop options that contain aggregates larger than a pinprick, or you risk inviting an unwanted mid-century vibe into your space.
Entertain subtle patterns:
If you love the look of marble, make sure and choose a countertop style with subdued veining patterns. Better yet, choose a style with veining that is both subdued and geometric. Many marble-look quartz options have linear veining patterns or veining patterns that intersect to form loose geometric shapes. Finally, if you move forward with a subtle veining pattern, be sure it’s not competing with another design element in close proximity (like backsplash tile or a pronounced grain pattern on your wood cabinets).
Consider a honed texture:
Texture plays an outsized role in Modern Design. Choosing a honed surface over a polished surface can provide the spark of interest you’re after. Consider using honed quartz for the sleekest possible lines, or try soapstone to invite a more natural depth.
Consider 2cm counters in the kitchen:
Countertops primarily come in two different thicknesses: 3cm and 2cm. In most design categories, the thinner 2cm countertops are often relegated to bathrooms, laundry rooms, or any other area where guests are not likely to congregate. However, in Modern Design, using a 2cm thick countertop in a high-profile area like your kitchen falls within the style's minimalist principles. You'll be applauded for your intrepid design sense and save money in the process.
Waterfall sides add depth and symmetry:
If you've picked up an architectural or interior design publication within the last decade, you know how trendy it is to "waterfall" the sides of your kitchen island. These vertical runs of countertop material flow seamlessly from the horizontal countertop surface to the floor. Waterfall sides, used in conjunction with seating overhangs, extend out beyond the face of the cabinets like a stone encasement. It's a fantastic way to add dimension and clean lines to your space. Remember, a key component of Modern Design is symmetry, so if you're going to add waterfalls to your island, do so on both sides.
We hope you've enjoyed this brief primer on Modern Design. Be sure to check back over the next several weeks as we dive into the remaining eight categories of Interior Design and suggest tips for incorporating countertops.