As interiors have become increasingly minimalist, it is easy to end up with a living space that feels too "cold" to be called "home". So how do you go about striking the right balance between modern style and cosy comfort? The key to achieving interiors which boast chic, modern style and yet feel welcoming and homely lies in four things: layering, lighting, textures and colour.
Layering
Choose your main furniture pieces with clean lines and unfussy detail. Use accessories to "dress" the living space and create visual layering, which adds depth and warmth. Large bookcases and display cabinets are perfect for showcasing interesting objects, books and ornaments.
The trick is to maintain interest around the room by avoiding bare, unused space which looks empty and neglected. However, never clutter a space as it will appear chaotic and confused.
Lighting
Lighting sets the mood in any living space. Most of our rooms benefit from a different atmosphere as the day unfolds into the evening and also, depending on the occasion. For example, when you wake up in the morning, you want your bedroom to help you feel revitalised and refreshed whereas at night you need it to feel cosy, intimate and relaxing.
Likewise, if you have limited living space and combine your home office with the living room, it is vital that this office space allows you to feel alert and focused during the day, but when it is time to unwind, you need to be able to switch off and feel tranquil.
Making the most of what natural light is available by day will brighten your home and provide a feeling of energy throughout. Introducing mirrors and reflective surfaces from lacquered furniture and metallic accessories will enable you to do this.
When daylight fades, layering the lighting will give you all the mood options that are necessary for the multifunctional use of your living spaces. Using a combination of light sources at any one time will soften any clean lines in modern furnishings and create a sensual and intimate atmosphere.
The greater the number of light sources used, the more intimate and sensual the mood. Try using a combination of subtle ceiling spotlights with dimmer switches, sculptural ceiling lights, downlights on display units and shelving, floor and table lamps in the corners of the room for added warmth and finally, a selection of candles for the ultimate finishing touch.
Textures and colour
Different textures and colours give off different energy and both can be used to introduce warmth or cold into a design scheme. When working towards a modern design scheme, it is a good idea to choose a dominant colour. If several of your key furniture items are this colour, the colour scheme will flow but you must beware of falling into the trap of overpowering the room with one colour or creating a space that is cold and bland.
The solution is to try and introduce as many textural layers as possible, to add depth and interest to the space. Using the contrast of textural opposites that work well together is an excellent way of adding layers. For example, a soft leather sofa set placed next to a chrome table with a hard, glossy glass top.
The same goes for colour — use shots of rich, contrasting colours to create impact and a layering effect. For added impact, combine contrasting textures and colours, such as a brightly coloured thick wool throw on a pale smooth leather sofa, coupled with velvet cushions in complementary warm colours.
You need to ensure that the colours and textures you use not only work well together visually, but also complement the mood and energy that you want to emanate from your living space. For example, you may want to tone down a very extrovert, masculine room by introducing pale sandy neutral tones in warm textures, or you may want to accentuate the bold statement by considering fiery reds or deep purple velvet cushions.
Either way, by layering and mixing the textures and colours together, the space will come to life and feel like "home".
— Beatrice Boardman is a UAE-based fashion and interiors consultant
