Modernism is an aesthetic movement that began in the early-to-mid 20th century, characterized by the emphasis of form over ornamentation. In the interior design field, modernism can be recognized by its clean lines and forms, simple color palates, and minimalism, as well as its use of natural materials. Because modernism emphasizes sleek, angular surfaces and natural materials, textured laminate and other decorative laminates can serve as the perfect complement to this design philosophy.
Here are some ideas from the team at SSI North America that will help you incorporate our range of decorative laminates into your next modernist interior design project.
Letting Shapes Speak for Themselves
Unlike more complex styles like Art Nouveau, modernism eschews ornamentation and curved forms for straight lines, angular shapes, and very little ornamentation. When developing designs that fit this philosophy, it’s important to understand that the shapes and colors of design elements will play a larger role in creating visual interest than they would with a more ornamented style.
Decorative laminates are a great way to add variety to simple shapes while still remaining in the confines of modernist design philosophy. For example, a modernist kitchen might feature a black/white/gray color scheme, simple cabinet doors with minimalist hardware, and countertops with unadorned edges. Although this type of design could work well in any modernist home, it can be lacking in terms of visual appeal and warmth.
By adding some design elements that incorporate decorative laminates, you can greatly improve the visual interest of a modernist kitchen. You could try adding one of the 3D laminates from our Pentadecor® line to your kitchen island cabinets to mimic the appearance of surfaces like stacked stones or tile, or even by adding a flowing, abstract, three-dimensional element to an otherwise flat surface. With acrylic laminates, you can transform a boring kitchen island into a sleek, eye-catching centerpiece.
Adding Natural Elements
As we said, modernist designs can thrive by incorporating natural materials like wood, granite, and marble. Unfortunately, these materials can be expensive and difficult to source. Instead of using exotic hardwoods or expensive stone, you could achieve the same effect with a high-gloss decorative laminate from our Décor Fusion line.
Take that same modernist kitchen; what if instead of plain, white countertops, it had granite counters? The addition of a visually interesting pattern that brings in subtle colors and even hints of metal would certainly take this design to the next level. By using decorative laminates, you can have that same visual interest at a fraction of the cost, saving you and your clients money.
Laminates can be applied to nearly any surface imaginable, including cabinet doors, backsplashes, countertops, and more. You could bring in a warm wood grain, an elegant stone pattern, or even a pop of bright color to create a contrast from the rest of your modernist design elements. We have laminates in our curated collection that work well with flat surfaces or even curved items like furniture, so you can let your imagination run wild.
Incorporating Natural Light
One aspect of modernism that we haven’t mentioned is its emphasis on using natural light in interior spaces. Indeed, natural light brings an unmatched warmth and sense of comfort to any living area, and with decorative laminates, you can greatly enhance that effect.
Try utilizing metallic laminates in your design that will really come alive when the light hits them. You could also consider a brightly colored accent wall that, when bathed in natural light, will have the effect of opening up a space and making it feel larger than it really is.
SSI North America – a Top Decorative Laminate Supplier
Our team works with professionals in a range of industries including interior design, architecture, furniture manufacturing, and more.
If you want to improve the visual appeal of your designs, decorative laminates are a low-cost way to do exactly that, and it provides nearly limitless versatility in terms of colors, patterns, and three-dimensional forms. Call us today at (973) 598-0152 to discuss your next design project or browse our sample page to see what options are available to you and order samples!
