Is it time to give your space an upgrade? Modernizing your home doesn’t have to be a hassle. There are several ways to spruce up your space without a costly, time-consuming major renovation. By adding new features that incorporate modern materials in high-visibility locations, your home can feel chic and elevated with minimal effort.
From new hardware and fixtures to paneling, tiles, and railings, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite materials to instantly modernize your space – without calling a construction crew. Whether you’re adding more style to your living area or reinvigorating your patio, you can easily incorporate these materials to help your space shine.
Modern Design Principles
But before you visit your local hardware store, study the principles of modern design. As with anything aesthetic, there’s no “one size fits all” approach to modernizing your space. Your choices should always reflect your personal style, as well as the unique features of your home. However, the following core principles of modern design can guide your decisions:
- Form Follows Function: In modern design, every feature should have a practical purpose. Don’t add just flair for the sake of flair.
- Simplicity: Minimalism is a key pillar of modern design, so focus on clean lines and avoid “visual clutter” such as busy patterns and textures.
- Neutral Color Palettes: Use small “pops” of color as accent features, but otherwise stick to neutral colors like whites, grays, and earth tones to create a calm and cohesive look.
- Natural, “Honest” Materials: Modern interior design incorporates materials in their raw form, celebrating their authentic origin. Using materials like concrete, steel, and wood without covering them up creates a chic aesthetic.
- Balanced Composition: Think of your space as a canvas and play with composition, from furniture shapes to features like lighting fixtures. Create a balance between symmetry and asymmetry, which can be very pleasing to the eye.
Best Materials to Instantly Modernize Your Space
With these modern design principles in mind, what are the best materials to use to upgrade your space without a complete renovation? Here are our top 10 favorite minimalist materials – and ideas for how to use them:
#1. Matte Black Hardware
Matte black is the new neutral. It’s stylish, understated, and impossible to ignore. For an easy upgrade to your space, swap your cabinet handles, door knobs, lightswitch plates, and electrical outlet plates with matte black fixtures. Adding matte black hardware is a small change that delivers a big payoff, especially when paired with natural wood or marble for contrast.
#2. Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a composite building material made from chips of marble or granite set in concrete, then polished to create a smooth surface. Originating from the Italian word for “terrace,” terrazzo is commonly used for floors, walls, and counters. It’s customizable and available in a wide range of color palettes. Use it as an accent piece to breathe new life into your space.
#3. Wire Rope
For a sleek industrial look, consider architectural wire rope. You can use it to replace stair railings, suspend shelves, or build vertical plant walls. With its bold yet understated aesthetic, wire ropes add an open, spacious quality to areas like lofts and patios. Their clean structure perfectly embodies the balance of function and form at the core of modern design.
#4. Fluted Wood
Fluted wood (also known as ribbed wood) adds a subtle dimension to walls, cabinets, and headboards. WIth vertical lines drawing the eye upward, they can also make your rooms feel taller and more open. As a bonus, fluted wood paneling helps with the acoustics in your space – they’re an excellent choice for any room where you and your guests enjoy music or movies. Plus, installing wood panels is easy with the right adhesives and tools.
#5. Concrete
While concrete may require a bit more labor than other materials on this list, its minimalist appeal makes your space feel ultramodern, with just the right amount of “edge.” When paired with wood panels and soft textiles, concrete accents can feel chic and inspiring. Consider a concrete accent wall, counter, or floor. Alternately, a concrete lamp base or sink can subtly elevate your space.
#6. Brushed Brass
If matte black is the modernist take on “neutral,” brushed brass is the contemporary alternative to gold. Rather than being bright and gaudy, brushed brass is warm, soft, and sophisticated. It pairs well with blues and greens, as well as neutral tones. Consider using brushed brass for your faucets, drawer pulls, or other fixtures in your home.
#7. Textured Glass
No matter how tastes change, glass has always felt modern thanks to its bright, clean appearance. Currently, design trends favor textured or fluted glass that add visual interest while still allowing plenty of light. The right texture can also add a pleasing Art Deco flare to your space.
#8. Natural Stone
For a modern touch that feels earthy and grounded, turn to natural stones like soapstone, slate, or travertine. These stones have a soft, matte patina that adds a new dimension to kitchens, bathrooms, or any space. Consider natural stone tiles for a backsplash or accent wall.
#9. High-Gloss Acrylic
Although we’ve highlighted a lot of matte finishes on this list, it’s important to keep in mind the principle of balance when you’re redesigning your space. Using high-gloss acrylic paints, or lamps and other fixtures designed from high-gloss acrylic, will make your home feel ultramodern and chic while pleasantly balancing natural and neutral elements. As a bonus, the reflective quality of high-gloss materials help rooms with less natural light feel more open and airy.
#10. Cork
Cork isn’t just for bulletin boards. It’s actually one of the most versatile, sustainable materials used in modern interior design. From flooring to wall coverings, cork adds warmth and texture to your space. Like wood paneling, it’s also a great insulator that promotes better sound. This makes it an ideal choice for open-concept living rooms and home offices.
Modern Doesn’t Mean Major Changes
Remember that it’s possible to update your home without major changes. You don’t need to tear down walls or rip out your kitchen cabinets. Simple, strategic changes – like swapping wood banisters for cable railings, or adding new matte fixtures and a terrazzo counter – can do wonders to make your space feel fresh and new.
Choose materials that combine timeless style with the clean, minimalist, and balanced principles of modern design. WIth the 10 materials on this list, you’ll get exactly that. Good luck!
Tommy Hardy, an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has been a go-to figure in residential upkeep and innovation for over 18 years. His career commenced in a leading home appliance manufacturing company, where he mastered the intricacies of household systems. Joining our platform in 2020, Tommy quickly became a reader favorite for his practical and easy-to-follow guides. He took the helm of our DIY section in 2019, consistently delivering content that empowers homeowners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Tommy is a passionate gardener and enjoys woodworking, skills enhancing his hands-on approach to home care.
