Top 10 Modern-Styled Interior Design Ideas to Redefine your Home
Modernism has been a trending art concept for quite a while now. In Singapore, its most prominent application is in interior design, thanks to its emphasis on form, function, simplicity, and comfort. Unlike many of the other popular design styles, modern interior design offers a unique way of thinking, blending clean shapes and minimalist simplicity with modern elements. Arguably, we could say that modern design ideas can combine every other style in one cohesive look.
To achieve a cohesive modern interior design style, it's essential to find the golden ratio between different elements. This means establishing a consistent bond between all the design elements in your home, from furniture to decor.
If you want to stay stylish and uncomplicated in the present and future, modern home designs may be the right fit for you. While you can steal many modern design ideas from the other interior styles, only some key elements can be considered. Take a read to learn about what we think are the 10 most important aspects of every modern style.
#1 – Start with the Basics
You do not need to worry about decorating your home all at once.
When it comes to designing your home, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of making so many choices all at once. However, the key to creating a modern interior that you love is to start small and build up gradually. Start with the basics, make use of the current features in your spaces to guide your design decisions. You can then gradually introduce new elements and design choices that reflect your personal taste and preferences.
For example, you may already have a stunning glass-top dining table in your living space that can serve as the centrepiece of your modern design. To build upon this, consider incorporating other decorative elements that complement the table and create a cohesive theme throughout the house. Shiny and reflective decorative elements like mirrors and ceramic glazed pottery can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your living space, while also reflecting the natural light and creating a bright and airy ambiance.
Fairmont, 4 Bedder Condominium
In this 4-Room Condominium, a myriad of textures, stylish furnishings, and well-thought-out space planning are key features. By playing around with patterns and details, you can add depth and visual interest to your home, creating a space that is both beautiful and functional. For instance, the clean and uncluttered living area in this condominium features wooden slat line details that go along with marble and wooden textures, creating a beautiful interplay that brings the elements together in harmony. This not only provides an overall visual depth that is aesthetically pleasing but also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
#2 - Choose Neutral Colours and Simple Patterns
The colour scheme is a crucial aspect of every modern design. A simple way to keep things modern is to begin with neutral hues such as white, beige or grey on your walls and hardwood flooring. These are very simple solutions that you can come up with to keep your overall interior looking sleek and clean.
Of course, you can always add some fresh and bright pops of colour to your neutral base. Just make sure you choose suitable hues that will blend in with the rest of your palette. Just make sure that you pick colours that will complement and blend in with the rest of your interior.
Grounded by wooden textures in the flooring for a warm touch of home, the cool tone of marble textures and a crisp white palette lends a subtle touch of splendour to any modern kitchen and dining space.
A brilliant way to combine a neutral base with some fresh pops is to create a contrasting accent wall. Ensure you have chosen suitable artwork, furniture, and flooring. That way, you will maintain the balance while adding an exciting aspect to your modern interior home.
#3 – Elegance in Clean Lines
When it comes to modern interior style, form and structure are crucial. Choosing clean-lined furniture and accessories effectively creates a sleek and sophisticated look that exudes elegance and simplicity. By incorporating clean lines into your modern spaces, you can achieve a sense of balance and harmony that is both visually appealing and functional.
One effective way to introduce clean lines into your modern home is by choosing simple, straight-backed sofas instead of bulky armchairs. This provides a streamlined appearance and opens up the space in your living area. In addition, consider swapping out the kitchen's hardware cabinetry for flushed cabinets with invisible handles for a sleek and polished finish. These changes will give your home a clean and modern look.
Grandeur Park, 2 Bedder Condominium
Symmetry is also an important aspect of modern home design. By creating a sense of balance and symmetry through the use of clean lines and geometric shapes, you can create a visually pleasing and cohesive look that ties the room together. For example, slim wooden slats can be used to create a statement wall in a bedroom space. This design element matches the base of the bed and tapers down to the wooden flooring, adding subtle texture and tactility that do not overpower the overall interior.
#4 – Allow in Natural Light
Adding mirrors around your home helps to bring in more light for a brighter interior and create the illusion of extra spaciousness. Leave your windows unblocked and instantly improve the lighting situation in your home. Minimise heavier window furnishings such as drapes or curtains and incorporate simple blinds or shades instead for privacy and have a degree of control over the brightness level.
Blk 663B Punggol Drive 5 Room HDB BTO
An abundance of natural light streams into this abode through large windowsills and gentle day curtains. Earthy and organic tones highlight this sleek and modern home. Grey tones bring out the warm, rustic elements of wood and serve as a focal point in this stylish, cosy space. They accentuate a clean and modern setting that lends a calming effect to the abode.
#5 - Embrace the Open-Concept Idea
The open-concept idea has become increasingly popular, especially in Singapore's HDB homes. The benefits of an open floor plan are numerous, with the most notable being the bright and airy atmosphere it creates that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Having fewer wall barriers simplifies the overall design and creates a cleaner appearance. Additionally, there is no doubt that you will appreciate having a more open space, especially if you live in a 2 or 3-room HDB, BTO, or resale flats that have limited space.
Blk 413C Northshore Drive 4 Room HDB BTO
When it comes to designing an open-concept space, there are many possibilities. One way to achieve a clean and modern look is to incorporate beautiful wood elements. In this living area, there is no physical barrier between the living and outside dining area, resulting in a lovely bright and welcoming abode.
The effect of establishing an open environment is unparalleled. By choosing the right colour palette, you can further enhance the feeling of spaciousness in your home. For example, using lighter colours on walls and floors can create an illusion of more space. Additionally, incorporating windows or skylights can further elevate the open atmosphere, making your home feel more expansive and bright.
Read more: 3-Room HDB Design Ideas to Make Your Home Look Spacious
#6 - Add Some Modern Industrial Interior Design Elements
In the past few years, the love for incorporating industrial elements in a modern HDB interior has increased significantly. If you want to make your home look richer, implement some shiny metallic furniture over wooden furnishings. Chrome and stainless steel are common material choices, and they will undoubtedly take you a long way in the design of your home.
Blk 313C Sumang Link 5 Room HDB Resale
Classical and industrial elements come together to create this clean and sophisticated open kitchen space. Fresh and creative, this kitchen contrasts light and dark elements for an amazing visual effect, echoed in the stylish kitchen island stools and lights.
The concept of modern industrial interior design lies in choosing the right home appliances too. One way to do it is to make sure you complement them with your current home's clean and sleek look. Incorporate in metal-bounded mirror hangings or industrial recessed lighting to accentuate your spaces.
#7 - Create a Cosy Feel with Textures
To achieve a modern look that is both comfortable and stylish, incorporating various textures, patterns, and fabrics is essential. The use of these elements adds depth and dimension to a space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. For example, a plush rug can instantly add coziness to a living room, while linen wallpaper can bring a touch of elegance to a bedroom. Soft cushions can be used to add colour and texture to any seating area, whether it be a sofa or a cosy reading nook.
Blk 115A Alkaff Crescent 4 Room HDB
When it comes to choosing textures, natural materials such as light wood, marble, and metal can help accentuate the open and spacious feel of a modern home. A sleek and modern arrangement can be created by mixing and matching these materials in creative ways. However, it's important to be mindful of not creating too much clutter with the use of textures. It's essential to ensure that your choices are in line with the rest of your set-up for a sleek and cohesive design.
By incorporating different textures and materials, you can create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere that also looks stylish and modern. Experimenting with different combinations of textures and patterns can help you achieve the perfect balance of warmth and elegance in your home.
#8 - Simple Curtains
Blk 419 Yishun 5 Room HDB Resale
Like minimalism, the modern-styled home embraces the idea of making the most out of natural light and bright, neutral hues. This is why curtains are an important element in the setup of your spaces. Whether it is your living room or bedroom, you want to bring in the most sunlight into your home to make it bright and welcoming.
If you want ideas to preserve some of the privacy in your bedroom, you can always bet on some semi-transparent blinds. Light-shaded curtains are also an option, but the main idea here is to provide enough light while maintaining your privacy. As a result, you will achieve a perfect lighting balance without disturbing the clean look of your modern HDB.
#9 - Get Rid of the Clutter
Another important component of nailing a modern look for your home is the decluttering of your spaces. Needless to say, the mess or clutter will threaten the entire concept of the "less is more" mantra. You can eliminate or store away any items that you may not need or make your interior look overwhelming.
Blk 556 Yishun Ave 6 Lilydale Condominium
There is a certain charm and attractiveness in the design style of clean lines, white walls together with some rustic elements. Having a well-designed and uncluttered interior is fundamental to making the study space calm and comfortable for a productive day of work and making the task at hand easier.
Furthermore, you should pick your decorations, furniture that complements well with each other and the space. Ensure that every element and detail in your modern home serves its purpose. Whether it is an elegant vase or other glasswork, do your best to maintain the balance in the arrangement of your HDB.
#10 - Create Focal Points or Go Abstract
Blk 315A Punggol Way 4 Room HDB BTO
Last but not least, one of the best ways to make your home stand out is by creating focal points or adding abstract elements. Incorporating unique art pieces is a great way to add some visual interest to your living space. From paintings to sculptures, art can help set the tone for your interior design and make your space look fuller. A large feature art piece or painting can make a bold statement and become the focal point of the room. Consider hanging it behind your sofa or in a prominent location in your living area. This will instantly elevate the room and create a stunning visual centrepiece.
Lighting is another key element that can be used to add some personality and uniqueness to your space. Incorporating unique light features can help create a sense of drama and bring your living space to life. Choose fixtures that reflect your personality and complement your interior style. To make sure these elements fit seamlessly within your home, be sure to choose pieces that pop out within your neutral palette. Select art pieces or lighting fixtures that complement your furniture and accentuate the unique features of your space.
Incorporating these focal points and abstract elements can help give your modern living space an instant elevation in terms of dimension and visual interest. However, it's important to strike a balance between adding too much and creating clutter. Be sure to choose your pieces carefully, and don't be afraid to get creative with your selections.
Inspirational Modern Interior Design Style Portfolio For Your HDB
Modern interior design is characterised by several features such as monochromatic colour palettes, clean lines, natural materials, minimalism, open floor plans, low and long furniture, and other unique characteristics. The following beautiful modern interior design portfolio of an HDB by Swiss Interior depicts all these characteristics and creates a strikingly beautiful and elegant modern interior. This award winning portfolio can be the perfect inspiration for your HDB renovation in 2024.
Living Room
The living room of this Singapore modern interior design HDB showcases the unique taste and expertise of the designers. Embracing a monochromatic colour theme of black and grey with a natural contrast with brown colour, the space exudes elegance and class. The dark grey walls create a balanced transition to the black marble media wall. These elements then create the beautiful contrast with the hardwood floors and the leather sofa of the same shade as the floor. The sofa is long and low lying just like one would expect in a modern interior. Lots of natural light brightens up the space through the large windows draped with sheer curtains. The living room is minimalistically furnished and decorated that allows the room to appear spacious yet functional.
The other view of the living room shows the entrance of the HDB. The entrance, although small, shows how you can design it in the most elegant and beautiful way irrespective of its size. The small foyer has a different flooring comprising a darker shade of brown tiles contrasting with the black walls and grey door. The entrance side panels are decorated by creating small hollow shelves that are lit by warm spotlights and simple, elegant decorative pieces placed in them. The warm lighting contrasts beautifully with the black walls while the golden accents of these wall panels add an elegant and trendy touch to the space.
Dining Room and Kitchen
The overall layout of this HDB is an open-concept configuration which immediately creates a modern vibe in the home. The dining area is, therefore, open and flows seamlessly with the kitchen and living space. This area has the same flooring as that of the living room that creates a continuous and seamless transition. The dining table also features the same colours as the main colours of the complete interior. The table top is a beautiful laminate, brown wooden top whereas the table frame is a black metal one. The dining chairs also feature the black seats with brown coloured, wooden legs. The dining chairs are modern and simple while the table also exudes similar vibes. The hanging chandelier lamp is also in line with the modern theme as it comprises a trendy outlook with clean lines and warm lighting. In this dining area, we can see simple lines and forms which are depictive of a modern design style. Different forms of modern lighting and fixtures can be seen throughout this HDB home that work wonders in ensuring that the home appears strikingly elegant and modern.
The kitchen in this modern HDB has an open-concept layout that creates an ambience of spaciousness and airiness in the home. As we can see in the pictures of this home, it is a small HDB but it does not appear cramped at all. The open-plan layout and minimalistically decorated space is the secret to a spacious and modern space.
The kitchen comprises an island which serves the purpose of storage as well as functionality. You can put appliances on the kitchen island or use it as a chopping and prep station. On the other side of the kitchen is the set of cabinets, sink, refrigerator, and other appliances. There is also a small window on one side to allow for ventilation in the space. The kitchen area also features the different hues of blank, grey, and brown like the rest of the home to create a calm and modern interior.
Bedroom
A modern bedroom should ideally be cosy, comfortable, elegant, and somewhat luxuriously decorated. The bedroom of this award-winning portfolio embraces all these characteristics in beautiful harmony and elegance. The colour palette is monochromatic with hues of grey and black in the room. The walls and the cupboards are black with simple, sleek golden accents and golden handles. This creates a luxurious and classy ambience in the room. Dark grey curtains draped over the large windows also create a luxurious vibe in the bedroom. The bed is a simple, leather one in brown colour that adds a touch of natural element in the interior. The plush grey throw on the simple bed linen adds to the class and style of this bedroom. The bedroom is lit with warm lighting that when combined with the dark monochromatic hues creates the perfect modern HDB bedroom.
Bathroom
Now let’s look at the bathroom of this HDB home in Singapore. It is simple, minimalist, and elegant. The dark grey wall tiles contrast elegantly with the wooden-style flooring. The simple white toilet fixtures and the elegant vanity all create a trendy ambience in the bathroom. There is no separate partition for the shower area which allows the bathroom to appear spacious and airy. Notice the different forms of lighting in the bathroom that play a huge role in creating a modern interior. Moreover, the bathroom has a glass door which makes it quite modern and beautiful. The glass is tinted to allow for privacy in the bathroom.
Final Thoughts
By incorporating these elements, you can achieve a modern, stylish, and uncomplicated home that reflects your personal taste and preferences. If there is something that makes modern home design ideas stand out from the crowd, it is the unique concept behind modernism. While it gets a lot of inspiration from minimalist interior design, modern homes often blend in different home design styles. Therefore, it is safe to say that you can incorporate in modern contemporary interior for a truly trendy look.
Creating your dream home starts with Swiss Interior, where we focus on personalized home renovation. Whether you’re considering the efficient layouts of 3-room HDB or the contemporary vibe of condo interior renovation, our team offers invaluable insights. Explore our HDB design portfolio, innovative condo ideas, and expert tips on optimizing your living area. Together, we’ll transform your vision into a reality, ensuring your home is stylish and functional.
We are one of the best interior designers in Singapore. At Swiss Interior, we provide interior design for HDB, renovation, and condominium design services. Contact us for a free quote today!
About Swiss Interior
Swiss Interior is a leading interior design company in Singapore since 2012. Led by founders Jason and Ronnie, the Swiss team serves customers from all walks of life, delivering bespoke and dream interior design and renovation services to all homeowners in Singapore.
Accreditations & Awards:
- Singapore outstanding enterprise award (2013)
- HomeRenoGuru Most Trusted ID (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- First ID firm to win 1 Week Kitchen Challenge by HomeRenoGuru (2019)
- Featured in NOC RenoKing (2020)
- HomeRenoGuru Top 10 ID Firm (2020, 2021)
- Featured in CNA Lifestyle Making Room (2021)
- Qanvast SuperTrust (2021, 2022)
- Featured in HomeStyle Magazine Year End Cover Page (2021)
- Featured in Sheikh Haikel & Anna Belle Francis DreamHome (2022)
- Sidac Accreditation (2022)