One of the most popular design aesthetics is modern design. Formerly thought to be a cold, sterile design with tons of chrome and imaginary signs that screamed: “DO NOT TOUCH!” While some of those stereotypes may have some validity, the reality is that the modern style is more than that. It is a style that involves a lot of creativity. In exchange for playing with a wide range of colors, you can play with shapes, textures, and different shades of black, white, gray, and some browns. When it comes to your modern basement ideas, there are plenty of options and ideas to incorporate into your newly finished space.
Well, in the plain sense of the word, a modern basement has abandoned the dark, dreary, and at times musky dungeon-like vibe and incorporates design elements used throughout the home, not just the basement.
However, if you are talking about a basement designed with a modern design aesthetic, we are talking about something more specific. The contemporary design involves monochromatic colors that are the main color focus. Everything is immaculate, linear, and precise when it comes to the structure and floor plan of the room.
The opportunity to play and become more creative comes in the details. For example, for a person wanting to turn their basement into a family room with a modern aesthetic, you would not ideally want to choose white furniture. That would be setting yourself up for failure. Your furniture may reside in the dark gray or even black range of colors. Yes, there are different variations of black and gray. The best part is that you get to figure that out. You get to play with different shades and contrast. Also, the shapes of your furniture, whether it be round, rectangular, triangular, or more, are a great way to add more style to your space.
When it comes to modern basement flooring ideas, you typically find a specific type of floor that provides a significant contrast to your furniture to give that stark feeling. For example, if you plan on having all-white furnishings, you may want to have a dark gray or black floor. The best part about the flooring is that if your options are limited, as they could be in your newly finished basement, you can always layer rugs on your floor to give that contrast or blending effect.
Some typical flooring ideas used within the modern design are marble and concrete. While those options may not be the best for your finished basement, there are some variations, including certain tiles that could work for you within this aesthetic.
For those that enjoy the idea of having a bar in their new basement home and want to incorporate some metal into their space, the modern aesthetic is for you. You can go stereotypical modern and incorporate silver or chrome elements into your bar space, OR you can incorporate more gold or brass into your room.
If you are looking for more economical options, a bar cart is always a great option. Because the modern design is not in favor of a lot of clutter, having a bar cart that is closed in is strongly advised. Floating islands are a great addition here due to the storage space for all of your different wine or liquor bottles. You can also incorporate that marble you may have used for your flooring into your bar top.
For those with the funds to go all out for a bar, the sky is your limit. You can have a marble bar top with a mirrored bar side that will allow your space to look much larger than it is. You can have a back bar displaying some of your more aesthetically pleasing alcohols and bar tools.
A unique granite was used in this bar giving it a different look than your standard bar.
Modern basement walls will be straightforward as well. With the contemporary aesthetic, less is more. You will not see an excess of texture on the walls either. The walls tend to be more of a matte black, dark gray, or white. Again, white walls are not the most family-friendly. No one wants to scrub kid art from their walls constantly.
Your ceiling is going to be pretty straightforward in appearance. As stated before, modern design is known for that clean, sleek look. You can go for an all-white ceiling or an all-black one. Your ceiling fan could match or contrast (i.e., white ceiling and black ceiling fan). Typically, there is not much texture to the ceiling. At most, you may see a ceiling fan and a beam running the length of the space.
Modern bathrooms embody the clean, sleek, and lack of clutter look – no fiberglass shower here! You can select some gorgeous marble-looking tile that would make the shower design look way more expensive than it is.
Also, you can play with the different fixtures to give that metallic color that you enjoy. You don’t have to go chrome unless you want to. Gold fixtures go just as well in this space. Again, ideally, for your sink and toilet, contrast your floors and shower tile (black flooring and tile with a white sink and toilet). However, if done correctly, you can go all one color and let the contrast come in with the decor.
Okay, the decor is where the modern design shines for the creative designer. As stated above, you can play with different shades of colors, shapes, textures, and metals within this aesthetic while still staying within the monochromatic scheme. The only thing you have to concern yourself with is overdoing it. Clutter is a significant enemy for the modern aesthetic, so start slow unless you are looking to emulate Liberace’s homes.
For decor, you can incorporate different vases and plants. Choose some authentic-looking fake plants and some plants that don’t rely heavily on sunlight, so your newly finished basement would be a perfect home for them. Mirrors are a popular inclusion as well as different types of art. Frames that fit the theme of your space are easy to find and highly economical depending on where you shop.
The funny thing is that most people think that these two design ideas would directly oppose one another. However, these two aesthetics work together beautifully. There is just a happy compromise between the two. Yes, you still have the more monochromatic theme from the modern design. However, with the farmhouse design having this welcoming vibe, the color is white with light gray accents. This design mashup incorporates a lot of light.
You still get to play with different shades of white and light gray. Textures are fun to play with as well. You get to include a lot of soft pillows and blankets, which are fun. Strategically placed baskets make family time and cleanup more achievable. The compromise comes with the inclusion of decor items that may lead to clutter. This combination toes that line very carefully and, in some instances, steps over it slightly.
As stated in a previous post, the rustic design aesthetic takes on the modern aesthetic. It still has all of the clean lines and sleek style. However, the rustic aesthetic incorporates more browns, leathers, and woods. The modern aesthetic can incorporate these elements as well. That is how these two are combined. Again, because the rustic design includes more light, you will typically see the monochromatic color being white or its variation. The creamy colors work well with browns.
The only consideration is the worn element that comes with the rustic design ideas as another texture element. After that, maintain the clutter-free nature of the modern design aesthetic, and you are good to go.
Modern industrial design is what people imagine in their heads when they hear modern design. It is very minimalistic and edgy and therefore not providing a family-friendly appearing aesthetic. Filing down the sharp edges of particular pieces could help with that.
The modern industrial design does not have to incorporate a lot of light. If you are still down for that darker vibe, this could be the design choice for you. You can include dimmer lighting and many variations of gray, including the light and dark tones. You can play with textures regarding your seating areas like your couches and chairs, but that is pretty limited due to the industrial edge. Metal is a significant component as well but typically seen in silver or black. Chrome is king here.
If you cannot live in a world of neutrals without pulling your hair out, mid-century modern is the space for you! Mid-Century modern allows another arena of compromise that incorporates more colors, textures, and contrast levels while still maintaining that sleek minimalistic look that comes with the contemporary design.
Like the farmhouse mashup, the mid-century modern design is very home-y looking. It is more approachable and family-oriented. Everything in the room prioritizes function over fashion but is still fashionable at the same time. For example, you may want to include a nice ottoman that is colorful yet modern at the same time. That ottoman could also provide storage for those family games or that new craft project. Again, minimalism is still the name of the game. Clutter is still a no-go.
There are many opportunities for creativity and incorporating elements for modern basement ideas while still maintaining that sleek style that comes with modern design. Regardless of what design or design mashup you choose, contact Basements Plus today to talk with one of our specialists about the direction you want to go with your currently unfinished basement.
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