Open floorplans are not only modern but versatile. The lack of boundaries between rooms creates a clean and spacious flow. Homeowner Heather recommends, “Start with a fresh coat of creamy white paint in a home with an exposed staircase and vaulted ceilings. Try to soften up stark contrast(black and white)[to] keep it more subtle.”
11 Ways To Achieve a Clean, Organic, and Modern Design
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Published: October 5, 2023
Updated: November 13, 2023
It is the question on everyone’s minds… Is farmhouse décor going out? A trend that has dominated our retail shelves for years, farmhouse décor was everything anyone wanted in their homes, and yet style is definitely shifting. Distressed furniture is disappearing, and in its place are polished pieces, while square lines are being buffered into a rounded, mid-century style. Accent walls are making a dominating comeback, elevated by board and batten trim within simple, wide-open, and versatile floorplans alongside exaggerated light fixtures.
Our community has been vibrant, sharing not just ideas but personal journeys, triumphs, and yes, even those little mishaps that make the journey all the more human and realistic. This blog post unfurls a rich tapestry of experiences, offering a symposium of collaborative ideas birthed from the generous contributions of our readers on how to achieve a clean, organic, and modern style at home. According to their heartfelt suggestions, these are 11 essentials that are sure to start you on a path toward the contemporary aesthetic that you’re dreaming of. Don’t let what has dominated your social media feeds feel so out of reach, and let us help you get to modernizing!
02 of Explore Chunky Teak Coffee Tables
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Nothing says organic contemporary like a chunky teak coffee table in medium brown. A statement piece like this can set the tone for an entire room and inspire other purposeful pieces like a raw wood pedestal side table. The addition of a beige sectional creates a clean look you’ll be loving all year long.
03 of Install Wall-mounted Shelving
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According to our professional stylists, wall-mounted shelving beside a fireplace instantly transforms a room from the dated farmhouse era into the current look of our modern interiors – bonus points for choosing a set of shelves composed of raw wood and decor of natural fibers. We love the blend of natural, organic materials with light walls and a rich red rug to achieve an elegant design.
04 of Select Contrasting Corner Lighting
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As Debbie so kindly recommended, this quaint table setting is elevated by an additional example of lighting in the form of a slim, black floor lamp. The delicate white frame of this petite console table is perfectly complemented by this modern, practical lighting choice and accentuated by light beige-toned walls.
05 of Accessorize Coffered Ceilings
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In a family room with coveted coffered ceilings, statement light fixtures are a necessary element to draw attention to the ceiling and provide a stylish contrast. One designer recommends anything with slim lines, like a modern candelabra chandelier, which looks incredible paired with a set of exposed rustic beams. You can also never go wrong with colorful accent chairs beside a neutral-toned sofa.
06 of Choose Rounded Furniture
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I love playing with furniture shapes as a fool-proof way to modernize a dining area. Simple chairs and tables without unnecessary detail are increasingly popular, and homeowners all over the world are selecting mid-century pieces with curvy edges and basic legs. One homeowner agrees that rounded furniture looks really beautiful in a fresh, contemporary home to achieve a neutral palette with a focus on clean lines.
07 of Play With Patterns
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Patterns should not be intimidating in a clean space because clean does not equal plain. Observe the beauty of the pinstripe ottoman, checkered pillow, and oriental rug that work seamlessly in the same space. Not only does this look modern, but it allows for a great deal of versatility in the remaining decor.
08 of Opt for a Frame TV
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Have we entered an era where the flatscreen television is considered tacky in a family room? Not in my book, but many of my critics would disagree. Thank goodness for a little something called the Frame TV by Samsung. Elevate your modern oasis by selecting a gorgeous landscape portrait in a soft color palette to accentuate your neutral furniture and instantly create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.
09 of Engage With Shape and Texture
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“When I think of modern organic, I think of warm neutrals, varying textures, more empty space, and fewer but larger pieces,” says design enthusiast Andrea. The magic of this room is communicated through the contrasting shapes, rounded edges, and clean black lines. Keeping wall space open draws visual attention to the specially curated furniture and floor decor for maximum impact.
10 of Display Large Indoor Plants
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- thedimeohouse
For anyone in need of a further explanation of the key elements of this modern aesthetic, one interior aficionado explains, “The empty walls are usually what make it ‘clean,’ and the large fake plant and neutral textures make it ‘organic.'” In a room with an A-frame ceiling, a brown leather lounge chair and potted plants are contrasted with bare white walls and a white sectional for a look that is anything but basic and oh-so chic.
11 of Level up Your Cottage Core
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In the era of cottage core, distressed furniture, word art, and the color gray were in! As we transition out of that phase, Kathleen urges homeowners wanting a change to rid themselves of striped fabrics and inspirational quotes. Instead, work with geometric patterns, polished furniture pieces, and warm brown accents for a mature, sophisticated homestead cabin feel.
