Introduction | Modern Interior Design

A modern interior design theme employs crisp clean lines, minimal clutter, and modern materials such as glass and steel.

If you’ve read last week’s post, modern may sound really close to minimalism. Difference lies mainly on modern design prioritising variety over hard utility.

Today’s post explores modernism and its nuances, largely in the context of minimalism.

Modernism and Art | Modern Interior Design

Owing to its more liberal nature than minimalism. Modern design has far more variations and is difficult to pin down.

However, it has some key characteristics that help define it. Like minimalism, modernism began as a revolution against the opulent and ornate designs of Victorian and Gothic designs. This was then was reflected by the modern art revolution.

Modernism was an extremely broad intellectual movement that branched off into many forms in society such as art, literature, and design.

Examples of modern art include abstract or pop art, like Picasso or Warhol. Modern design forms include or relate to minimalist and Scandinavian designs.

Modernism and Interior Design | Modern Interior Design

The modern design employs the use of bold primary colours to offset neutrals or accent them.

As a consequence, it is often less monochrome than minimalism. This can come in the form of furniture like a red leather sofa, colourful but simple throw pillows. Think IKEA, but that’s Scandinavian design and a matter for another day.

Living Room | Modern Interior Design

The living room is the face and body of your home. It greets guests as they arrive and provides the living space for bonding and relaxing.

In modernism, open space is a very core concept. An open floor plan minimalises clutter and gives room for movement. Therefore spare elements like long large counters to separate the kitchen or dining area from the living room are preferred over hard elements like walls.

You’ll want to see a large combined space, but have clear defining lines to mark the transition between parts of the house that serve different purposes.

Check out what our Metallic Epoxy Floorings can do for you HERE

However, modernism does include more ‘futuristic’ elements of design than minimalism. Features like chrome, steel, and a single bold colour accent repeated throughout the space to give contrast.

Be careful of employing multiple colours. It may give rise to a messy and overly complex appearance that defeats the simplicity of the modern design.

Go for neutral colour floor rugs, stainless steel barstools for your counter. It should be a monochrome material like Metallic Epoxy or another synthetic. Not forgetting a leather or fabric couch without any patterns.

A glass and steel coffee table would be a perfect addition, as well as LED showroom lights. Go for large floor tiles or a seamless flooring material such as Metallic epoxy.

Bedroom | Modern Interior Design

The core concepts here would not vary too much from the living room. However you may wish to use a darker theme for a soothing and restful environment.

Choose colours such as black or dark brown for walls and bed frames. Keep accents more earth-toned than bright or bold.

Elements of wood can be used more liberally here. Examples of areas would include wall paneling, book shelves, or table counters, alongside steel wall lamps.

Check out what our Metallic Epoxy Art Panels can do for you HERE

Bathroom | Modern Interior Design

Open space may seem hard in a space as small as a bathroom. On the contrary, it is a little simpler because of the straightforward purpose of a bathroom.

A simple glass partition can separate your shower from your main bathroom, while a steel rainfall shower is perfect for the modern and decluttered look.

Dark greys work as well as whites for your floors and walls. Make sure to break it up with wood or chrome accents, nothing as bold as the living room.

Toilet bowls, bathtubs, and sinks should be simple glass or monochrome porcelain.

Check out what can Metallic Epoxy do for your Bathrooms HERE

Kitchen | Modern Interior Design

The kitchen offers more options than the bedroom or bathroom. Depending on your needs like a big family or party hosts.

You may wish for a bigger kitchen with more counter space for appliances. Likewise  a simple kitchen with more utility for storage and more breathing room.

The same rule of straight lines applies for shelves, try to keep them level without any abrupt placement.

A monochrome black or white counter material would be easier to keep clean, think Metallic Epoxy.

While chrome accents on your fridge, light fixtures, or even back-splash can stave off a boring, homogeneous look.

A bigger kitchen may suffer an island counter for more counter space, but a smaller kitchen could start feeling crammed.

Check out the Best Kitchen Renovation Materials HERE

Conclusion | Modern Interior Design

Regardless of your take on modern design. There are many good ways to go about it and few wrong ones, the most important aspect is function preceding form.

What does your household need more? Storage space for toys and tools, or display space for collector’s items and tasteful décor?

That may be the difference between extensive floor to wall shelves and in-wall recesses for display purposes.

We hope that today’s post has given you a good idea of what modern design is and how you can go about implementing it.

If you liked it, stay tuned for our upcoming posts on other interior design themes!

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Guide to Achieving a Minimalist Interior Design

Many homeowners who have considered a minimalist design for their homes often don’t know where to begin.

Today, we explore the roots of minimalism and the reasons behind its widespread appeal. Not forgetting the best way to begin your journey with minimalist style.

Introduction | Minimalist Interior Design

Minimalism began as an artistic counter-revolution against the rich and decadent art of the mid-20^th century.

In the same way that a slice of cucumber cleanses the palate during a heavy meal. A minimalistic home design soothes mind and soul after the blaring noise and dizzying colours of busy city life.

But what entails building a home around the concept of minimalism?

Minimalism and Interior Design | Minimalist Interior Design

Being reductive, clean, and monochromatic are some of the strongest characteristics of minimalist design.

Home décor is usually subtle and unimposing, while furniture is simple and functional. The greatest challenge in minimalist design, as with most things, is the matter of balance.

Too much emphasis on the simplicity and reductivity of minimalism can often bring you into the territory of being a spartan. While perfect for training the fiercest soldiers, your family or houseguests may not appreciate living in a simulated barrack.

Minimalist design can be applied in a variety of ways depending on the function of the room and the amount of minimalist space you have to work with. Here’s how you can be minimalistic in different parts of your home.

Living Room | Minimalist Interior Design

The living room is the face and body of your home. It greets guests as they arrive and provides the living space for bonding and relaxing.

The most important attribute of a living room is space. Many minimalist living rooms employ an open floor concept to imply unrestricted movement and breathing room.

For this, your focus should be on floors and walls that meet in a clean fashion, without overhanging or jutting shelves. The best type of furnishing involves clean lines without additional decoration and monochromatic colours.

Warm earth tones such as that of wood provide good accents to break the monotony without being jarring.

On that note, your floor should strive to look either seamless or have the same warm tones as your accent colours.

Parquet or hardwood floors work well, while dark coloured tiles with minimal grout lines are passable.

However, one of the best flooring options here, is a Metallic Epoxy Flooring that provides a seamless surface while allowing the freedom of choice for colours. Check out some Ideas HERE

Bedroom | Minimalist Interior Design

Bedrooms are a private and restful place. In a minimalist home, the bedroom is one of the few places where décor is given more free reign.

The usual rules for clean lines and simplicity apply for furniture like wardrobes, dressers, and bed-frames. Feel free to add just a little more in the way of personal effects such as photo frames.

Since most bedrooms don’t have that much exposed floor, your flooring choice here is less important. A tastefully simple rug could cover much of your floor, if you choose to leave it pre-minimalist. Otherwise, your best bets would be Metallic Epoxy.

Bathroom | Minimalist Interior Design

Despite bathrooms not seeing as much usage time as other places in the house. No one can deny the simple pleasure of having a clean and restful space to cleanse oneself after a long day. Otherwise taking a leisurely ‘business meeting’ on a slow weekend afternoon.

Glass is a minimalist’s best friend in the bathroom. Providing a seamless and easily cleaned surface that meets all the aesthetic demands of minimalist design.

From clear shower partitions to small, unimposing shelfs, glass can be used in many ways. Mirrors are also a must in any bathroom – the ideal minimalist mirror is a frameless one, perhaps concealing a useful cabinet behind it for toiletries.

Ceramics like tiles and toilet bowls should be in monochrome. Flooring is an easy choice between epoxy and ceramic tiles, though those with more practical concerns may seek further reading.

Honestly, the bathroom is one of the easiest spaces for a minimalist design, considering the small amount of space and the fixed functions it requires.

Kitchen | Minimalist Interior Design

Besides the living room, the kitchen is one of the most versatile spaces of the house.

While the same basic rules of minimalist design still apply. The form your kitchen takes can vary wildly depending on a few factors.

If you have a large family or frequently have guests over. An open concept kitchen-living-room combination with a simple counter separating the two is a classic and tasteful form.

Suitable countertop materials include Metallic Epoxy and more uniform marble, although marble flooring has some major drawbacks in the kitchen.

If you’re not an aspiring socialite with house parties, minimalism still does wonders for kitchen organisation and hygiene.

Floor to ceiling shelves make it a trivial matter to store and arrange crockery, dishes, and sundry goods.

Aligned shelves above and below your sink give a cleaner look and straighter lines. Noting a set of monochrome colours and earth tones pull it all together.

Conclusion | Minimalist Interior Design

Minimalist design exists on a spectrum from near-spartan to a casual reductivity.

The simplicity of a near-spartan theme may appeal to those who prioritise utility and organisation. This may put off others who need a more personal touch that would tend towards casual reductivity.

How far you choose to take minimalism at home and your selection of interior design media is truly up to you.

Hardwood provides a much needed source of earth tones to soften the edge. Monochrome colours in ceramic tiles or marble will help to set the main stage.

Yet, it is without doubt that a Metallic Epoxy Floor or Countertop is the best way to achieve both the mix of colours and clean lines that minimalism demands.

Meanwhile serving the utility that is a core part of a minimalist design.

Metallic Epoxy allows you to choose any colour imaginable. Though you should go with monochrome for minimalism, while giving your floors and counters quite literally the best protection commercially available.

To find out more about how Metallic Epoxy perform against other conventional materials, read this post.

We hope that you now have a better idea of how to approach a minimalist design at home. Stay tuned for the rest of this month’s posts on interior design themes!

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More information which you may find useful

1) View our Past Works – Click Here

2) Metallic Epoxy Stress Test – Click Here

3) Metallic Epoxy Floorings – Click Here

4) Metallic Epoxy Art Panels – Click Here

5) Metallic Epoxy Countertops – Click Here

6) Metallic Epoxy Bathroom – Click Here

Introduction | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

As durable as concrete whilst still being picturesque. A Metallic Epoxy Interior combines beauty and function for the most well-used parts of any home or office.

Fortunately for fans of this wonder material, the isn’t exclusive to the floor. They can be applied to many work surfaces such as countertops and various interior surfaces.

But just how well does Metallic Epoxy stand up to other conventional interior design materials?

The Contenders | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Here, we explore the characteristics of modern interior design materials.

Almost every work surface in the modern building is made of wood, stone, or composite material. A parquet floor in the living room, a quartz counter in the kitchen, or a vinyl floor in a barbershop.

While these materials have long been used for their aesthetic appeal or widespread availability, they do have some very major shortcomings.

Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC) | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Vinyl is a rubber-like material that has many qualities as a flooring material. It’s inexpensive and easy to install, is soft underfoot, and is durable.

However, it has many cons that outweigh its utility for most homeowners. Vinyl is manufactured from chemicals that cause it to emit volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). This can cause serious health problems.

Homeowners looking for long-term flooring solutions should note that besides yellowing over time. Damaged vinyl cannot be resurfaced and has to be entirely replaced.

Vinyl is also sensitive to corrosive chemicals, and cannot be cleaned with stronger cleaning agents. While it is stain-resistant, any contact with rubber, such as shoe soles or non-slip surfaces, results in permanent marks on the vinyl.

Click here to read more about the Pros & Cons of Vinyl

Parquet (Wood, Varnish) | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Parquet has innumerable varieties but generally entails laying sections of wood to form elegant patterns.

The surface is varnished to protect it from moisture or physical damage. As flooring, its appeal is largely aesthetic, and it requires careful maintenance to be long-lasting.

Its sole protection is a layer of varnish, which is prone to cracks and chips from sharp or heavy objects. Such damage exposes the underlying wood to moisture from spills or the atmosphere. Resulting in warping of the tile.

Repair costs vary, depending on the extent of the damage. This is generally expensive since it requires removing the old sections, acquiring and installing the new sections in the correct shades, and re-varnishing.

Click here to read more about the Pros & Cons of Parquet

Laminate (Melamine Resin and Fibreboard Material) | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Laminate is a cheaper, popular alternative to wooden parquet flooring. It consists of a top layer made of wood chips or printed graphics, compressed beneath a melamine protective layer.

This gives the appearance of hardwood or stone tile. While relatively unremarkable, it is more water-resistant than parquet, better looking than vinyl, and ages well without fading.

However, it is still prone to warping when exposed to standing water, and vulnerable to dents or scratches from falling objects.

Notably, homeowners with a more refined palate generally feel it falls short of hardwood or ceramic tiles in terms of visual appeal.

Click here to read more about the Pros & Cons of Laminates

Stone/Ceramic Tiles | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Stone and ceramic tiles are amazingly versatile. They come in myriad shapes of varying ceramic types.

Non-porous tiles are generally stain-resistant. However, tiles are notorious for two things, chips and cracks.

They are extremely vulnerable to physical damage from falling objects, or scratches from sharp items. Damaged tiles are a chore to repair since they are firmly mounted in cement.

Furthermore, they are always accompanied by grout to seal gaps between sections of stone or tile. Grout is highly porous and provides an ideal environment for mould or bacteria.

This results in black scum forming in humid locations like bathrooms or kitchen counters.

Click here to read more about the Pros & Cons of Stones

Quartz | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Quartz is a man-made stone used for many parts of interior design. They include from countertops to floor tiles.

While stain-resistant, it is certainly not stain-proof. Quartz is commonly treated with a petroleum-based resin to obtain its colour. This resin can react with chemicals from spillage. Examples include sauces or wine which results in permanent discolouration.

Quartz, like other stones, is also prone to chips and scratches from sharp objects or physical impact. Most notably, wet quartz is highly slippery and may cause accidents.

Click here to read more about the Pros & Cons of Quartz & Man Made Stones

Marble/Granite | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Marble is one of the most expensive and premium materials used for building interiors.

While it is highly treasured for its aesthetic appeal, it is undoubtedly the least practical material on this list. Marble is a much softer stone than granite or quartz, meaning it gets chipped or scratched easily.

It is also highly porous, so it stains readily and traps dirt and bacteria. Clean it often, you say. Unfortunately, marble is also sensitive to corrosive chemicals, which rules out many effective cleansers like bleach.

While granite is not as esteemed as marble, it is marginally tougher.

Click here to read more about the Pros & Cons of Marble

Metallic Epoxy 

Metallic Epoxy is a wonder material that is spearheading the new age of modern interior design.

It is non-porous and chemically inert. Allowing it to be entirely stain-proof and suitable for efficient cleaning, even with strong cleaning agents.

It has high resistance to impact and scratches, as well as heat tolerance up to 200°C, make it very robust.

When properly installed and cared for, a Metallic Epoxy finishing provides greater protection than any other material. Therefore, it’s no surprise, as it becomes more readily available. It is soaring in popularity with homeowners.

Click here to read more about how Metallic Epoxy is Installed 

Putting all Contenders to the Test 

We now examine how each material performs in the flooring, countertop, and interior surface categories.

Floors | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Stains:
Metallic Epoxy’s stain-proofing is a no-contest win for flooring, where spills often land. Porous surfaces like marble and ceramic tiles stain easily, while other non-porous surfaces like quartz and vinyl are only stain-resistant

Physical Resistance: Metallic Epoxy and vinyl come out on top for their ability to absorb physical impacts and resist scratches. A critical property for flooring to survive foot traffic, furniture movement, and accidents.

Hygiene:
Metallic Epoxy comes out ahead of other non-porous surfaces (like vinyl and parquet) for its resistance to strong cleaning agents, while sharing their low viability for mould and bacteria. Especially crucial for bathroom and kitchen floors.

Durability:
Metallic Epoxy doesn’t discolour or denature over time in an indoor setting. This is unlike other materials like quartz, which gradually fade in colour.

Countertops | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Stains: Metallic Epoxy wins again. Which is a good thing since counters take everything from pen ink to hot sauce

Physical Resistance: Metallic Epoxy. While countertops generally do not receive the abuse that floors do, they are still subjected to sharp objects like knives or tools.

Hygiene: Metallic Epoxy. Especially crucial for wet work like meat prep in kitchens.

Durability: Metallic Epoxy’s dominance here is debatable. While it doesn’t degrade over time, its heat resistance comes in front of quartz or ceramic tiles. Especially relevant in kitchens where hot pans or pots might make contact

Other Interior Surfaces (Tables, Vanities, Work Desks) | Metallic Epoxy vs Conventional Materials

Stains: Metallic Epoxy. Most relevant with dining tables.

Physical Resistance: Metallic Epoxy. The only option for protecting discrete pieces of furniture are either some form of varnish or an epoxy finish.

Hygiene: Metallic Epoxy keeps work surfaces clean and enables convenient cleanups.

Durability: Metallic Epoxy. Indisputably the best option.

More information which you may find useful

1) View our Past Works – Click Here

2) Metallic Epoxy Stress Test – Click Here

3) Metallic Epoxy Floorings – Click Here

4) Metallic Epoxy Art Panels – Click Here

5) Metallic Epoxy Countertops – Click Here

6) Metallic Epoxy Bathroom – Click Here