Modern interior design seems to never go out of style—which makes sense if it does stay “modern.” There are still a lot of people interested in it and with good reason. Despite its name, the style has a certain class of sophistication that seems to be timeless with the ability to exist for quite a long time. If you want to give your home that trendy, uncluttered feel that comes from modern decoration, here are some of the best modern interior design tips.

Appropriate Lighting is Essential

Always give particular thought to the lighting when applying modern interior design. The modern style as minimalistic as it seems, could use lighting that sets off the rest of the décor’s spare, sleek elements. Too many lights can turn your modern design venture into something overly clinical; or perhaps glaring in the way an advanced research laboratory can be considered brightly intimidating to visitors. Too few lights, on the other hand, can make it seem dark and overly subdued. This is because modern design generally goes for stark, neutral colors that veer close to the steels and grays of the palette.

Add Layered Floors

A great idea for softening and adding detail to your design is to add layered floors to it. This means having both a floor with a moderately textured appearance as well as several overlapped rugs in strategic “dead zones”. In modern design spaces, the dead zone is of special prominence since the minimalism of the whole concept throws it into stark display. To counter dead zones, you can place bright or luxurious rugs over them, even if you already have carpeting installed. The rugs act as nice notes of color on an otherwise cool landscape.

Make Use of Mirrors

You should utilize mirrors for your modern interior design. Many modern homes feature interiors and glass surfaces heavily because they add a touch of sleekness and futuristic sophistication to the overall effect. Mirrors also help by expanding the space through illusion. However, be careful not to overuse mirrors. The same applies for your use of glass, particularly for separations. It is not strongly recommended to use floor-to-ceiling glass walls for interior divisions between rooms. This is because of the risk of having someone—even yourself—walk straight into the wall and suffering an injury and potential lawsuit.

Finally, avoid using overly shiny finishes for your walls. The glossy finish is actually considered elaborate or something that associates more with baroque and flamboyant design styles; as opposed to the sleekness of the modern style. Matte color finishes are generally preferred by modern designers.

Remember that modern interior design does not always mean monochromatic shades. There are actually quite a number of designers pairing unusual shades together with the traditional grays and beiges of modern decorating. Thus, you might try pairing the neutrals with bright colors such as teal, purple, magenta, or even yellow for your modern interior design.