{"id":26204,"date":"2021-08-20T17:26:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-21T00:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=26204"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:51:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:51:20","slug":"modern-interior-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/modern-interior-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Enamoured by Modern Interior Design? Style a Sleek Space With These Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ever watched Mad Men<\/i>, you know the modern look. Picture the Drapers\u2019 New York City penthouse: the living space defined by a sleek sectional couch and angular built-ins. Or the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce advertising agency office, with all of its low-slung furniture, high-polish lighting fixtures \u2014\u00a0and infinite coolness. Clutter was utterly anathema, and clean lines were as abundant as cigarette smoke. That\u2019s the epitome of modern design<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here, we\u2019ll get into the history of modern design, the key principles that define it, and tips from experts on how to pull off the modern design<\/a> look at home.<\/p>\n

The birth of modern design<\/h2>\n

Think of modernism as a backlash: It sprung up as a reaction to the intensely ornate flourishes built into architecture<\/a>, art, and design in the 1800s.<\/p>\n

Beginning in the late 19th century and really taking hold in the 1930s, the pendulum swung to form over function<\/a> with the arts and crafts movement<\/a>. This style cherished hand-wrought, simple furniture with glass and steel accents. Arts and crafts interiors featured primarily neutral hues with pops of intentional color and eschewed clutter in favor of tidiness and clean lines.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> Source (re-sized): (JRennocks<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons via Creative Commons Legal Code<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Modern design evolved the years following World War II into mid-century modern design. As seen in Mad Men<\/i>, mid-century modern design is grounded in simplicity and functionality, featuring elements like tapered and hairpin furniture legs, sleek oak tables, and minimal decor.<\/p>\n

Modern design today: Defining elements<\/h2>\n

Today\u2019s iteration of modern design still abides by its predecessors\u2019 fundamental design principles:<\/p>\n