Modern interior design uses a range of different colour choices and combines unexpected materials to create accents. Depending on taste, the desired colour selection creates different effects. Modern colour palettes combine subtle pastel shades with bold colours to create a vibrant interior effect.
In the 1950s and 1960s, a new interior aesthetic emerged in which neutral colours with unusual shades of red, blue or yellow were used. For the effect of this period, you start with a neutral colour such as cream or off-white and add accents with the colours of other room accessories such as furniture and fabrics. These can be rust-red, brown-orange, grey-yellow or royal blue, as long as the background colour on the walls is subtle and neutral. A good effect is achieved by using different shades of these colours in a design, which together create an unusual and interesting colour palette. However, the colours used should harmonise with each other and have the same saturation.
Contemporary designs use the same principle, but set their accents with more modern colour palettes. A neutral cream or white wall colour with cool, slightly grey shading creates an elegant effect. Contemporary accent colours are brighter and more vibrant, using bright orange and lime green. Rust red is replaced with bright pink. The cool balance provided by the wall colour ensures that the colours are not too stimulating. The colour accents here are mainly achieved with cushions, carpet runners and furnishings. For an even more elegant look, a black piece of furniture with a glossy surface is used, for example in the form of a coffee table or as a TV cabinet.
One of the main criticisms of modern interior design is that the colour accents appear uninviting, cold and overstyled. Natural colours are used for a less aggressive look. The accessories here are in natural colours such as sky blue, apple green or lemon yellow. Carpets and furniture are made of natural bamboo, hemp and jute. Wooden furniture should be kept in light colours. Dark, heavy wood should be avoided so that the room doesn't look old-fashioned.
