Sometimes, when people hear the words “modern design,” they may automatically turn their brains off because they themselves have a different style preference. AH, DON’T DO THAT! Because if there’s something we know, it’s that adding in a little (or a lot) of the right modernity will get you a space that feels fresh, cool, and elevated. Emily has proven this time and time again. It’s one of our favorite design hacks. These pieces take a beautiful space (yes, even a traditional one) and add that fun element we all get excited by as we flip through magazines or scroll through our feeds. It’s something that I myself have very much taken to heart, and in my own 100 year-old-apartment, the style contrast is SO exciting to my little design heart. And what better place to look for beautiful, modern, high-quality pieces that will last you a loooong time than AllModern?? We wanted to talk about them because they just launched their Cyber Spring Week Sale with discounts going as deep as 70% off! So I’m going to show you the power of adding a little “modern” to your home:)
The Modern Bed
I think it’s true that all of us at EHD have a “simple but special” modern bed. The lines are clean, the materials are beautiful, and they will give you so much freedom when it comes to bedding and the rest of your furniture pieces.
Reggie Upholstered Platform Bed | Mille Platform Bed | Aston Spindle Bed
Each of these three beds are very different but have all the qualities I just described. The green one is on the contemporary side, but is cool and playful at the same time. The color is neutral, so you can play it up with a bolder color palette or go more neutral and calm with the rest of your pieces. The wood platform bed is organic and chic. It’s a beautiful statement piece that gives you endless style options. The modern spindle is extremely perfect for our modern traditional lovers. Emily has used similar versions, and it always looked great.
The Modern Nightstand
A great nightstand can really make a bedroom. You want it to have enough visual weight to be able to balance with your bed, AND in an ideal world, have some closed storage. I love the idea of a modern nightstand with a traditional bedframe, but modern with modern is just as beautiful.
Williams 2-Drawer Nightstand with Shelf | Vanora Wood 2 Drawer Nightstand | Collins 21″ Nightstand
The first one I chose is a classic MCM-style that will never be “out”. I’m pretty in love with dark walnut and think this tone is gorgeous. I also love the micro knobs and the not one but TWO drawers (plus the little open cubby). For the light wood nightstand, those legs are awesome! Overall, it’s a very simple shape, but then you get to the bottom, and it’s the perfect amount of chunky playfulness. A dash of trendy but not so much that you won’t still love this piece in 10+ years. Finally, my love for dark walnut strikes again with the most beautiful drawer fronts! That thin trim is beautiful and chic. I also love that the base is more of a pedestal so that it lightens the visual weight just enough.
The Modern Dresser
Amarante 6 – Drawer Dresser | Artemi 4 – Drawer Dresser
If you have the space and need for a dresser, why not make it beautiful like one of these? I really love how the drawers are laid out in that beautiful dark wood dresser. Typically, small drawers are on top of a dresser, if there’s any size difference at all. But what I love about this one is how they are asymmetrical. It’s a subtle difference, but it makes it feel extra cool. Then, for the tall dresser, THAT WOOD GRAIN. Stunning. Again, so simple, but it feels so alive in the best way.
The Modern Sofa
In design, there are few things I love more than a modern sofa in a traditional style home. The contrast is so delicious. But even if you don’t live in an old home, a modern sofa is still an excellent choice. Let me show you with these two picks…
Wanetta 88” Upholstered Sofa With Solid Wood Leg | Rae 60” Upholstered Loveseat
A wood accent on a sofa? Sign me up! I adore how the wood legs extend almost all the way up and angle out on the ochre colored sofa. This sofa looks incredibly high-end, but lucky for all of you, it’s on sale;) Then we have a personal experience with that wonderful rust loveseat (that also comes in a sectional, a larger sofa, and a chair). Emily used it in her best friend’s house, and the family fights over who gets to sit in it because it’s so comfy. Beautiful and extremely comfortable? Ya, adding to cart now.
The Modern Coffee Table
Unlike the sofas in the photo above, let’s say you have a very simple sofa, but you want to inject some personality into the space…get an awesome, modern coffee table.
Delaine Single Coffee Table | Masiyah Cloud Coffee Table | Mille Storage Coffee Table
Hello, gorgeous! That stone table is so so good. It’s modern but not so modern that it wouldn’t work with almost any style. It’s giving European-chic that would instantly elevate a room…and I’d happily own it:) Then you have a lot of square or rectangles in your living room, consider something like this amorphous-shaped coffee table. It’s cool, fun, and full of personality, but not in a loud way because of those great mixed natural materials. And finally, for those of you who prefer storage coffee tables, that light wood one might be the prettiest out there. I really love the rounded corners and pedestal base. Simple, perfect, and functional.
The Modern Side Table
So one of my favorite/easiest/most affordable ways to add a modern punch is a fun side table. Look how cool that laquered burgundy looks in Em’s traditional living room!
Daktari End Table | Hadi End Table
If you want to go the way of color (which is pretty fun!) I think these two are so awesome. The green one is more on the classic side, but it still gives your room a punch of modern style. The blue one is very modern, but that cobalt blue is so electric in the best way. If you put this in your home, everyone who visits will automatically think you are insanely stylish. You could use it in the way people use the “wrong shoe” theory – a really unexpected piece in an otherwise classic space.
James Solid Wood End Table | Addington End Table
But I know that color can be a little too much for some people; these two focus on interesting and fun shapes. The black one is a cool pedestal, and I love that chunky base. The brown one is also a twist on a classic shape. It’s contemporary but not in an “in-your-face” way. The chunkiness is so fun!
The Modern Chair
Emily (and the team) also love a really good accent chair with great shape. It’s a bigger piece, but not as big as a sofa (clearly, ha), so if you are a little nervous about going “bolder” with your sofa, do it with an accent chair.
Leno Upholstered Armchair | Levin Wingback Accent Chair | Imona 30″ Wide Leather Recliner
The green chair has the perfect amount of contemporary while still being really versatile. The cream one is so so pretty, a modern wingback, and those feet elevate it in such a fun way. Then the black leather one is actually a recliner!! Modern, classic, and very pretty.
The Modern Textile
Ok, so I know I said that adding a side table to a space was one of my favorite ways to add in some modern style, but an even easier way is by using cool textiles. The ones I got in my living room add so much fun and life, so I promise I am coming from personal experience.
Denny Cotton Throw Square Pillow | Esther Plaid Cotton Lumbar Throw Pillow | Morris Throw
Here are three very excellent options in case you are interested. Well, the first one is a simple velvet pillow, but that color is perfect. It can be moody, but also so fun. Ultimately, it’s just a very sophisticated blue/green (and very EHD-approved). The lumbar pillow is the perfect mix of chic and playful. The pattern is simple, the colors are cool, and who doesn’t love a little fringe? Now, Arlyn just wrote an article about yellow being a neutral, and we couldn’t agree more. But it’s also a perfect splash of color, and I love the tone of this throw so much. Instant energy added to your room. Plus…fringe:)
The Modern Storage Piece
Storage is one of those things we could all use more of, so why not make it look really cool?
Benedict Wood Sideboard | Chauncey 53″ Console Table
My heart immediately leapt from my chest when I saw that sideboard with the rounded square patterned door fronts. It looks vintage but also modern and just so so cool. Plus, SO much hidden storage. The other is perfect if you need a place to set your things, but also want to show them off. The rounded corners at the top give it that design detail that still keeps it simple but makes it different than just a rectangular console table.
The Modern Dining Table
Lea’s last home was the perfect example of how to mix modern and traditional style. See that stunning table? Well, get a load of these below.
Channing Dining Table | Beret 63″-79″ Oval Extendable Dining Table
I love a chunky round leg so much, and this first table does them perfectly. The legs are modern, but then the top is perfectly simple. The balance is exactly right and ideal for those who want just a little modernity. The other (expandable!) table goes a little further with the modern style. Those angled legs are so cool, and that rounded top is such a nice shape (that you won’t bump into with a lot of regret, ha.)
The Modern Dining Chair
Mixing old with new styles is so easy when it comes to dining sets. It makes them feel so alive and fresh! Look at Em’s sunroom above for proof:)
Dellar Boucle Upholstered Back Dining Chair | Dan Rattan Folding Dining Chair (Set of 2) | Kloss Solid Wood Slat Back Side Chair (Set of 2)
This first chair is very much in the same world as Em’s dining chairs, so we wholeheartedly approve. We also think this style is a modern classic, so worth investing in. Now, rattan chairs aren’t new to the design world, but they are also so classic. But what I love most about these is that they are folding chairs! Yes, the most beautiful folding chairs in the world?! Perfect for small spaces or if you often find yourself needing more seats for guests. Finally, the black spindle chairs are a modern twist to a true traditional classic and are so versatile.
The Modern Stool
Murphey Upholstered 26” Counter Stool with Solid Wood Frame | Zoyah Tayla Linen Counter Stool
We are pro-counter stools that have backs for ultimate comfort. These two are not only check that box but are also beautiful and, again, versatile. Velvet is actually easy to clean, and the dark color of the first one is great if messes are a big concern of yours. But if you love light tones and that’s what is best for the style of your home, I LOVE the style of the second one.
The Modern Table Lamp
If you know me, you know how I feel about lamps. They are my true obsession, and again, are so easy to add a modern touch to a room. They make your room look so cool, SO fast.
Rainville Table Lamp | Celia 10″ Mushroom Portable LED Table Lamp | Cheri 20.5″ Table Lamp
The short but wide dark red lamp makes my heart melt. No notes. The teal one is not only beautiful, but portable and rechargeable, so no cord!! Chrome is one of those metals that’s never “out,” but it’s currently VERY “in”. So this lamp is a perfect piece to add to your home, where you can add that touch of classic and trendy.
The Modern Sconce
Today, I leave you talking about sconces. Above is a photo of my bedroom, so trust me when I say I am pro modern sconce and how that style contrast adds so much fun and depth.
Rowen Wall Sconce | Rana Single Light Ceramic Dimmable Flush Mounted Sconce
An articulating sconce is not only a functional light source but can also act as a wall sculpture! The shape of the black shade on the first one is very cool and looks very high-end. Then the other sconce will add that perfect amount of visual texture to your room because it’s made of ceramic. But if this color doesn’t work for you, it comes in over 40 other options:)
Of course, AllModern has more of every category (and beyond!) that I talked about today. It truly is such an incredible resource for all kinds of design and styles, so if you need some home decor, this sale is not to be missed. It ends on Monday, March 23rd, so go check it out!
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: A Pink Breakfast Nook Reveal
