How to Make Your Home Contemporary

Remove the clutter. Contemporary design is a clutter-free style. Go into each room of your house and start packing away dishes, knickknacks, pictures and photos, leaving only one or two favorites in every room. Store children's toys in toy boxes, baskets or plastic storage tubs in closets or under the bed.

Splash a fresh coat of neutral white, beige or gray paint on interior walls in rooms that need refreshing or a change of color. Neutral walls provide a clean and simple but sophisticated backdrop for contemporary living.

Hang natural woven grass or wooden matchstick blinds on windows, providing privacy, texture and a contemporary flair to your home. Leave large windows uncovered where privacy and light control is not an issue.

Replace a traditional sofa and chairs with comfortable, sleek furniture pieces. A black or brown leather sofa supported by shiny metal or chunky square legs with matching chairs is an ideal choice for contemporary seating. Selecting a neutral taupe, white or black sectional with straight, simple lines is another great seating option.

Add a shiny metal or dark leather headboard to the master bedroom. Drape the bed in a simple, luxurious white comforter and toss pillows of neutral grays, blacks or beiges. Throw in a pillow of red, green, yellow, blue or orange to inject a punch of bold color.

Place shiny silver or black tables and floor lamps throughout the living room and bedrooms, providing task lighting for reading while threading the contemporary decor throughout your home. White or neutral-colored lampshades without embellishments complement the modern design style.

Hang one or two pieces of framed art or canvas paintings in each room. Large art pieces tend to fill up walls nicely, make a bold statement and aid in a clutter-free environment. An arrangement of framed black-and-white photographs provides optional wall decor.

Position coordinating area rugs on wood, tile or stone floors, providing comfort, texture and interest to the contemporary design.

Accessorize with large pots, candles, vases, trays, statues and green plants, keeping these items to a minimum in each room. Place a comfy fleece throw over a sofa or bed, adding cozy comfort.