The WoW Style

Fashion to your body is what interior design is to your home. Your home is not only an abode and a sanctuary, but it is also a representation of you.

It is important to understand the difference between modern and colonial interior design. This will help when deciding which interior design style is best suited for your home. Each has its own benefits and allures that homeowners choose them for.

So, what are the differences between colonial and modern interior design styles?

Colonial Style Interior Design

This interior design style dates back to the times of the mighty British Empire. Even though several centuries have passed, these ideas are still used to enhance luxury and comfort. They emphasize one’s wealth.

This interior design style is suitable for those whose wealth is above average. High quality materials, finishes and decor can cost you an arm and a leg.

Here are its characteristic features:

Exquisite Architecture

Since it is based on the principles of past years’ interior design, plastics are unheard of. Instead, you will see more dark wood doors and high-quality wooden doors.

Colonial style homes have their floors lined with natural wood. The homes have wicker furniture. A fireplace in the living room with a fluffy rug underfoot adds to the magic and warmth of a British-style home.

Exotic Plants

The signature of the colonial interior design style is exotic plants. They make the home green, alive and bright.

We’re not talking about one isolated lonely plant somewhere in a corner. We’re talking about greenery tucked in several places in the home. You can’t miss them.

Plants are not compulsory. If you’re not a plant lover, or don’t know how to care for them, you can skip this part.  You can as well use other elements to achieve a colonial style interior design.

Elegant Walls and Ceilings

Natural materials are used in British-style interior design: stone, clay, wood and brick. Bright colors visually enlarge the room. Cream would do fine. You can bluff your way around this using a monochromatic wallpaper. Choose one with natural colors or patterns such as a bamboo pattern.

Ceilings should be even and can be lined with well-spaced timber strips. This ceiling style, bright walls and a darker floor act as a perfect backdrop for your antique furniture.

Colonial-Style Furniture

There are several furniture options to pick from for a colonial style design.

A colonial living room, for instance, often has soft armchairs. These have leather or some stylish expensive-looking fabric as their covering. A seat or two near the fireplace makes the living room complete. Have many decorative cushions and throw pillows on the sofas and chairs. They add onto the coziness of this interior design style. Other living room furniture in a colonial house are soft poufs, carved wooden bookshelves, and a coffee table. made from dark hardwood timber.

Besides a four-poster bed, the bedroom is graced with a dressing table topped with a wooden framed mirror, and set next to a dark chest of drawers. The kitchen has wooden furniture and natural stone countertops. A massive wooden or stone table is surrounded by wooden chairs with soft velvet upholstery.

Colonial-Style Decor

Interior designers recommend a combination of elements that will make the atmosphere ‘colonial’. Talk of African masks, animal skins and oriental porcelain vases. Old mirrors in rugged hardwood frames, and lamps which assume the form of burning colors are also a plus. You can still achieve the colonial design using their modern lookalikes.

Modern Interior Design

Modern design has a 21st Century feel even though its adoption began in the 20th Century. It embraces the concept of modern architectural style. These are open floor plans, natural light and a monochromatic design. Art is the main decor.

Modern interior design utilizes sustainable materials in various combinations. Neutral colors such as gray, black, beige and white are a common sight in a modern development. Modern furniture has clean lines and symmetry. They are more often than not complemented by playful well-balanced lighting.

These are the common modern design elements.

Monochrome Color Palette

The typical colors used in modern interior design are black and white. Primary colors (red, blue, green and yellow) complement the monochrome color palette.

In a nutshell, for a modern look on the inside of your building, think white, beige, gray, and black. Add pastel tones to make your home even more ‘graceful’.

Minimal Decor

Homes with a modern interior design style are simple and unadorned. Modern interior design prioritizes functionality over fashion. Modern spaces are free from clutter and unnecessary decorations. This is the Scandinavian design style influence.

Clean Lines

The focus is on clean vertical and horizontal curves with minimal curves and less ornamentation. Structural building members such as beams and columns are often left exposed. Their finish is in clean straight lines.

An Open Floor Plan

Modern interior design incorporates an open floor plan. It uses furniture to differentiate between the spaces in a functional manner. A long sofa, for instance, can define an open living room.

Simple, Low and Long Furniture

Modern furniture is simple and functional. They are long and low to the ground leaving more visual space above them.

The furniture used in modern interior design is usually made from natural materials. They include metal and unpainted wood.

Other common modern furniture elements include wood veneer and glass. Others include fabric and leather upholstery, steel and concrete. Their surfaces have to be smooth, straight and have little to no ornamentation.

Strategic Lighting

A good piece of art should be well visible. The straight-edged pieces of furniture and interior design elements in a modern space

Lots of large windows are an intrinsic part of modern interior design. They allow in a huge burst of natural light that gives a visual illusion of space. The windows are often unadorned.

Artificial lighting design is also used by interior designers to create the right mood. They enhance the ambience of modern spaces. The first layer of lighting is the general lighting which provides illumination.

The next layer of lighting is task lighting. Interior design professionals analyze the type of tasks that will take place in each room. They then provide lighting that will make that task efficient. Task lighting places light sources where they are most needed. This provides adequate lighting for activities such as reading and cooking.

The last layer is decorative accent lighting that is used to create a strong visual impact. It highlights elements such as sculptures, paintings and entrances.

Final Word

Colonial and modern interior design styles have very distinct features and elements. Colonial interior design utilizes lots of decors and antique furniture made of dark hardwood. Modern interior design focuses more on functionality and less on fashion. You are likely to encounter massive colonial style furniture in a home with colonial architecture. You get simple, long and low furniture with modern interior design.

Depending on your taste and preference, either of these interior design styles can provide you with the comfort you desire. Go for a colonial interior design style if you’re keen on decor and would like your home to emphasize your wealth. Go modern if functionality is at the center of your needs for a living space.