The 6 most beautiful modern furnishing styles

Author: DREIECK DESIGN Editorial Team
Last updated: May 23, 2025

Modern Interior Design Styles: 6 Inspiring Ideas for Your Living Space

Are you thinking about redecorating or refurnishing your home and looking for fresh ideas? We've explored some of the most beautiful modern interior design styles that not only impress guests and showcase a flair for exciting contrasts but also bring cosy comfort and a unique atmosphere to your spaces. An interesting insight upfront: many of these diverse furnishing styles skilfully incorporate designer glass furniture as a versatile, stylistic all-rounder, alongside the timeless appeal of high-quality wood. Let our overview of furnishing styles surprise and inspire you!

Top Interior Design Styles at a Glance

Furnishing your own living oasis is more than just a matter of comfort; it's a statement of personal style. The artful composition of chic furniture, which not only introduces an element of designer extravagance into your living area but also contributes significantly to a feel-good ambience, is a testament to individual furnishing artistry. Since designer glass furniture, in particular, can seamlessly integrate into almost any furnishing style, this guide explores the question: Which interior design styles are truly modern?

Here are 6 of the most beautiful and influential interior design styles for contemporary living:

1. Reduced Form Language Par Excellence: The Minimalist Style

Since its peak in the 1980s, the minimalist design style has been characterized by restrained colours, uncluttered surfaces, and pragmatic furnishings. The focus is on the impact of natural elements like light, the clarity of forms, and beautiful, high-quality materials that gently appeal to the eye without being ostentatious. Where possible, expansive, open areas create a liberating feeling of simplicity and relaxation, embodying the "less is more" philosophy.

(Photo shows TV stand FLY, CD rack CD 504 and coffee table UT by DREIECK DESIGN)

In the minimalist style, avoid excessive decorations or luxurious accessories. Instead, ensure that when placing furniture and decorative items, they fit harmoniously into the overall aesthetic, creating the typically cosy yet serene atmosphere of minimalist interior design.

For example, place a single, impactful piece of art on a glass table with a clean, distinct design, or combine elegant wooden elements with the lightness of glass in a subtly playful console table in the entrance area. Ensure you maintain a uniform colour palette (typically natural colours such as white, beige, or grey) to emphasize the balance and spaciousness of the room.

Tip: For truly aesthetic and perfectly integrated furnishings, custom-made designer furniture is often the best choice. These pieces can be tailored to the individual character of your living area according to your exact wishes and fit seamlessly into your furniture ensemble.

2. Classic and Elegant: The Country House Style

The country house style was shaped by the lifestyle of affluent families in the 17th century who furnished their rural homes comfortably and close to nature. This spirit endures today in rustic wooden furniture, natural materials, and cosy decorations that bring the warm, inviting feeling of rural summer evenings into the living area.

(Photo shows glass-wood console FUSION WOOD and nightstand PURE WOOD by DREIECK DESIGN)

The easiest way to achieve a country house style is to source antique farmhouse furniture or select solid wood furniture crafted in that traditional vein. Details such as carvings and turned ornaments contribute to the lovingly playful appearance characteristic of the idyllic country house style.

Decorate your interior with a touch of feminine charm, for instance, with flower vases or delicate lace doilies. Don't hold back on slipcovers, cushions, and floral patterns, as these elements create the cosy lightness associated with the country house style. When choosing colours, cheerful hues are certainly welcome, but pastel tones also fit well with their calm serenity.

To perfectly round off the flair of the rural 17th century, a freshly picked bouquet of meadow flowers or herbs looks excellent on a living room table that combines glass elements with solid wood.

 

3. Natural, Light, Casual: Scandinavian Furnishing

One of the most popular and impressive interior design styles is undoubtedly the Scandinavian approach. Similar to minimalism, it emphasizes a reduced design language and simple forms. However, given the region's abundant forests and lakes, this connection to nature is clearly reflected indoors, with natural materials, especially light-coloured woods, playing a central role.

(Photo shows glass console L-FORM by DREIECK DESIGN)

To furnish your living space with a Nordic look, opt for wooden floors and furniture made from light woods such as pine, spruce, ash, or birch, often combined with white paint or pastel tones for a natural and simple aesthetic. To reflect the informal spirit of Scandinavia, accentuate your furnishings with textiles featuring playful, colourful nature motifs; however, geometric shapes in black and white are also typical.

Always decorate your home with pragmatism and naturalness in mind. Therefore, choose materials like leather, wool, wood, cotton, linen, fur, or cashmere. When selecting furniture, you're on the right track if it features a simple design without too many technical extras or extravagant shapes (consider the LISBOA wooden chest of drawers, for example, which combines clean lines with high-quality craftsmanship).

(Photo shows solid wooden chest of drawers in walnut and oak LISBOA by DREIECK DESIGN)

 

To perfect your Scandinavian-inspired interior down to the last detail, ensure that the furniture encourages social interaction. Sociable comfort is best conveyed when the sofa or dining table is invitingly placed in the centre of the room. If you want to add a creative touch, complement your furnishings with an exclusive designer piece that boasts a simple geometric shape, combining fine wood with light float glass, such as the SERVA coffee table.

 

4. Vintage Charm: Industrial, Shabby Chic, Mid-Century & Classic Vintage

Vintage is an umbrella term for furnishing styles where you can explore various directions. These include traditional vintage with plenty of wood and calm colours; Mid-Century Modern, which often features stronger colours; or a mix with Industrial style, which relies on cool materials like metal and glass. The key is to choose a direction and maintain that style consistently.

When choosing furniture, aim for an authentic look. This means items should ideally be from the last century (roughly 1920s-1970s) or at least appear to be. Scratches, faded areas, or other signs of wear are desirable details that bring the old-world charm of bygone eras back to life in your living spaces.

Look for pieces at auction houses, private sales, or designer vintage shops, and don't forget to visit antique stores. You can also find treasures at second-hand shops or flea markets. If necessary, have your finds professionally restored – you'll see them revive with new splendour, radiating a comfortable grandeur.

Once your furniture is assembled, skilfully combine materials: various types of wood, as well as metal and glass elements, leather, and velvet, are excellent matches for this style. Opt for natural colours like leather and brown tones, and combine them with strong, often muted, colours such as wine red, petrol blue, deep pink, or navy blue, all contributing to a lived-in, authentic look.

The Industrial style, naturally, thrives more on metallic colours and a concrete-like appearance. Tip: Install lamps with a minimalist or factory-inspired design that don't require a lampshade but, perhaps adorned with subtle metal or wood elements, bathe your rooms in a warm light.

For Mid-Century Modern style, focus on leather, heavy velvet, statement lighting, and the sheen of glass or polished wood. If you prefer Shabby Chic, feminine pastel colours like lilac or sky blue, along with linen fabrics and light, often distressed, wood furniture, are essential.

(Photo shows glass desk CLASSIC and glass shelves TOURELLE by DREIECK DESIGN)

5. Bold Design and Straight Lines: The Modern Furnishing Style

The contemporary modern furnishing style is primarily dedicated to creating a sense of calm and lightness. Therefore, superfluous elements, ornate decorations, and elaborate designs are generally avoided. Instead, the focus is on simplicity, clean lines, and an open, uncluttered arrangement of furniture.

(Photo shows glass side table LIDO, glass coffee tables QUADRO and CD shelves by DREIECK DESIGN)

Modern design is an excellent choice for both small and spacious rooms. The pragmatic arrangement and uncomplicated clarity of this style convey purity and comfort. Nevertheless, selecting the right interior elements requires care, as every detail in minimalist-leaning furnishings should be perfect for the full effect to unfold, allowing you to truly relax in your living oasis.

This means the choice and arrangement of furniture should not be haphazard. Rely on simple, clean lines and materials such as glass, metal, wood, or chrome – these will lend an elegant informality to your living space. For instance, a glass console with a minimalist design can often make more of an impression in your entrance area than an elaborately decorated but heavy piece. Ensure you space out all furniture and objects generously to avoid an oppressive feeling of clutter or confinement.

If possible, consider commissioning bespoke furniture from designers, as these pieces will blend seamlessly into your living space. If you wish to add a touch of playfulness, high-quality glass furniture is a great choice. For example, glass shelves with distinctive sloping edges offer a perfect combination of modern design and pragmatic lightheartedness.

(Photo shows glass shelf TOURELLE by DREIECK DESIGN)

There are hardly any limits to your choice of colour in modern design. The important thing is to find a complementary mix of neutral and bold colours. You can paint your walls white but play with colourful decorative elements, carpets, and curtains in bright shades like yellow or turquoise to create a harmonious overall picture. Black and white designs, furniture with geometric shapes, or pieces with light glass elements also perfectly embody the modern home furnishing style.

 

6. Luxurious, Noble, Extravagant: The Designer Furniture Style

Royal velvet cushions, luxurious designer furniture, and specially designed glass pieces with a free-floating appearance – this is the essence of the extravagant, glamorous furnishing style. It avoids excessive pomp, instead relying on a skilful combination of fine textiles, shiny surfaces, and clear lines to achieve a glamorous touch. This style not only impresses guests but also allows you to feel exceptionally comfortable and indulged.

(Photo shows illuminated glass showcase SOLUS BACKLIGHT and lacquered glass side tables ST06 by DREIECK DESIGN)

It doesn't take much to set up a sophisticated living room in this style. Focus on noble shades such as gold, deep rose, violet, emerald green, or navy blue. However, simple beige and grey, as well as tasteful animal prints like a subtle leopard spot, can also fit perfectly with the extravagant style. Many things are permissible, as long as the overall effect is not too garish but rather one of refined opulence.

 

Decoration is the finishing touch that will finally transform your living area into a regal retreat. Fabrics like satin or velour, especially when combined with button tufting, can be complemented by heavier velvet. For objects, choose candle holders made of copper, brass, or gold, for example. Crystal lights are also perfectly reflected in your designer glass furniture, fully expressing ornate brocade patterns in cushions, gold vases on your living room glass table, or your most valuable unique items in your collector's showcase.

 

How Do I Find My Own Living Style?

Finding the perfect living style that makes you feel comfortable can be a challenge. This is not least because the living space should not only serve a representative function when guests visit, but should also exude a cosy and welcoming atmosphere for your daily life.

It's reassuring to know that it's not so much about rigidly adhering to one specific home furnishing style, but rather about skilfully implementing elements you love and demonstrating a sense for structure and the harmonious interplay of individual components. This approach gives your living space the balanced and individual character you desire.

If you value clear design, harmonious arrangement, and a weightless look, then designer furniture made of glass or fine wood is often an excellent solution. Ideally, these pieces are handcrafted or even made to measure, thereby effortlessly underlining the unique character of your living space.