If there is anything that we all have in common, it’s probably the fact that we have all dreamed of what our home will look like one day. Inspiration is everywhere – from the good old days of flipping through architecture magazines, watching classic rom-coms, browsing Pinterest, and now: social media reels.
Even artificial intelligence can create stunning images of modern home interior design ideas in a matter of seconds!
That said, it can be difficult to mimic exactly what we see on the internet – at most, they serve as a spark of inspiration for when you’re moodboarding your home. What is actually helpful is knowing a few key principles of the interior design you want to have, and using that knowledge to guide how you select colour palettes, materials, and furniture for your home.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can achieve several prominent modern home interior design ideas: Monochrome, Japandi, Industrial, and Mid-Century Modern, plus what to look out for in each one.
Let’s dive in!
Monochrome Interior Design
In the context of home interior design, monochrome means using a single colour throughout a space and expressing it through varying shades, tints, or tones.
Contrary to what we might see commonly, monochrome is not just limited to black and white. Earthy neutrals, blues, greens, or even bold hues can also be the base colour for a monochromatic scheme.
Heron Bay 3-bedroom Condominium
In houses with monochrome interior designs, you’ll often feel a sense of harmony and calm. Since there is only one base colour with different shades, there won’t be colour clashes that cause distraction. Instead, more attention is given to the textures, patterns, and architecture of a space. If done well, this modern interior design can make your home feel sophisticated, put together, and cohesive.
Heron Bay 3-bedroom Condominium
To achieve a monochrome home interior design, first carefully pick your base colour. Decide on a hue that matches the mood you want. Black and white are the most common colour schemes, alongside earthy neutrals like beige and white. Monochrome blue or green homes are gaining popularity, too, but it depends on how bold you are!
Once you have chosen the base colour, layer the shades by incorporating dark, medium, and light variations of that colour across different parts of the home. The colours can be applied to various materials, such as wall paint, tiles, fixtures, cabinetry, and textiles (curtains and sofa covers).
Heron Bay 3-bedroom Condominium
The challenge for monochrome home interior design is balancing the proportions of shades used and where they’re used. Too much can be overwhelming, but using just the right proportions is the key to a harmonious space.
Japandi Interior Design
The Japandi interior design has become a very recognisable style in many modern Singaporean homes. It fuses Japanese and Scandinavian home interior designs, and is usually characterised by muted colour schemes, natural materials, simplicity and functionality. It’s common for these homes to feel airy and light, with very minimal clutter, and a focus on cleanliness.
If you’ve ever heard someone describe their home as “Muji-inspired”, it’s probably similar to Japandi, since Muji’s interiors are minimalist and use natural products.
Yishun 3-bedroom HDB
SÓL Estate 2-storey Duplex Home
If you want a Japandi modern home interior design, use a colour scheme of white, beige, or grey, and choose furniture made of natural materials like solid wood or rattan. Find ways to incorporate other natural materials such as linen or cotton fabrics, stone countertops, rattan woven rugs, or even paper lampshades.
SÓL Estate 2-storey Duplex Home
To minimise clutter, opt for closed storage that seamlessly blends into the space. That way, you can keep visible areas tidy and calm.
Image from Pinterest
The Japandi or Muji-inspired interior design theme is a safe yet timeless design, but it may not be for everyone. Its zen, harmonious feel requires long-term maintenance and careful decision-making. The Japandi modern home interior design may not be for you if you love to display collectables, sentimental mementoes, or your children’s arts-and-crafts masterpieces.
Industrial Interior Design
Up next, we have the industrial interior design. Industrial design draws inspiration from old factories, warehouses, and lofts, turning raw, utilitarian elements into stylish features. Instead of hiding imperfections, it embraces them. Exposed pipes, exposed beams, and unfinished textures are celebrated as part of the look.
St Martin Residence 3-Bedroom Condominium
St Martin Residence 3-Bedroom Condominium
To achieve an industrial home interior design, consider incorporating raw materials like exposed brick or concrete ceilings. Opt for neutral or darker palettes with grey, black, brown, and metallics. You’ll also want to choose edgy furniture, such as open shelving, steel-legged chairs, and leather sofas. Black-framed windows and doors can also add to the aesthetic. To balance the raw edges, look for rugs or textiles to soften the space.
Mid-Century Modern Interior Design (MCM)
Mid-century modern is a Western design movement that evolved from the mid-1940s to the late 60s, after the war. Its understated yet bold aesthetics bridge vintage designs with modern minimalism.
The design is characterised by modern materials (metal, glass, and molded plastic); solid accent colours that inject life into the surroundings; and rich wood tones, often teak or rosewood.
North Gaia 3-bedroom Executive Condominium
Muted tones of colours like olive green, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and deep red are common in mid-century modern design. Often, colours are applied to tiles (in the bathroom, backsplash, or flooring), as well as to the fabrics used in your curtains or sofa coverings.
The mid-century modern design also invites playful contrast with the architectural forms through decorative paintings or statement furniture. This means it’s perfect if you are someone who likes to collect art or can appreciate designer items that truly stand out in a space.
Image from Pinterest
North Gaia 3-bedroom Executive Condominium
In a mid-century modern home, you'll notice that metal is a prominent material for furniture. Whether it’s a chair, storage piece, or light fixture, mid-century modern furniture incorporates metal in clean, pronounced lines. Look out for these types of furniture if you are leaning towards a mid-century modern interior design.
Image from Pinterest
Homescape: Bespoke Interior Designs
At Homescape, we believe designs should work harder – more than just looking good, they should be tailored to how you truly live. Whether it’s a monochrome, Japandi, industrial, or mid-century modern interior you envision, our design consultants will ensure it is optimised just for you and your family.
