How to capture a clean, natural look in your home

There are many decor styles trending these days in the world of interior design. Magazines and websites feature design ideas described as “bohemian chic,” “modern farmhouse,” “Hollywood regency,” and even “mid-century modern” — although this is actually a revival style.

These are just a few that you may have discovered, or perhaps have embraced in your decor. I am a fan of all the above but the trend that has me the most excited right now is what I refer to as “modern organic.”

Modern Organic does not mean international style furniture, boring beige or a celebration of the drab “earth tones” look of the 1970s. This style celebrates the clean lines of contemporary design but warms them with natural textures and components.

It is typically pared down and minimalist with a subdued color palette, earthy finishes and a decidedly unpolished allure. This relaxing and inviting style welcomes and nurtures — just what many of us need in these challenging times.

What are essentials in this modern organic look? Let me try to categorize some of the key essentials.

Keep it natural

Bring the natural beauty of organic materials to the forefront. Embrace the seductive allure of components in their unapologetically real and unpolished state.

Have you ever studied the woodgrain patterns on a piece of driftwood? They are fascinating in their intricacy. All natural, no tweaking, nothing else like it. Have you ever marveled at the texture of a raw-woven silk? So dimensional, slick, and yet chunky. Gorgeous! Or have you ever gazed at the organic geometry on the leaves of an elephant plant? Mesmerizing. Natural beauty does not need embellishment and is a key to organic modern design.

Embrace modern lines

Unfussy furniture is the perfect fit for this look. Use sleek, non-embellished silhouettes with simple shapes. Showcase how they contrast and complement natural materials. Select a sofa with tailored details. Choose a coffee table with clean lines. Use a bookshelf without superfluous adornment. Specify drapes with a simple gathered heading detail. Be it stone, wood or woven, let the materials be the focus.

Employ a neutral palette with pops of color

The neutral colors of tan, green, grey, black, and ivory feature prominently in modern organic decor. These colors, mixed with hints of blue, rust and ochre, can elevate the composition. Include a bright hit of vibrant coral, fuchsia, or turquoise to bring excitement without becoming a focal point of the palette. Consider adding in some subtle metallics and muted pastels for a layered, nuanced look.

Play with Texture

The secret to this beautiful vibe is the use of varied textures. Tactile and cozy textiles keep the feeling comforting and inviting. Woven fabrics and fuzzy surfaces entice touch. Smooth and silky surfaces induce a relaxing calm and rejuvenation. Hammered finishes bounce light and add interest to the simplicity found in the furniture shapes. It all becomes part of the landscape of the composition. Wallcoverings can add pizzazz. Consider papering a wall with a woven grasscloth or using bamboo shades at the windows to filter light.

Celebrate the Outdoors

Very few things say natural like a live houseplant. We are talking about the real deal here. However, if you do not have a green thumb, I will allow a (very good) faux plant. Leafy greens bring the outdoors inside with a quality no other element can offer. A fiddle leaf fig tree or a pony tail palm can add a much welcomed dash of nature to your space. And, lucky bamboo is practically indestructible.

It is no wonder the modern organic style is trending. Its clean lines and soothing color palette provide a comforting and fresh coziness that appeals to many different tastes. As we begin to re-evaluate the importance of our home decor in these times, it is a style that will no doubt last for a while.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 2:11 PM with the headline "How to capture a clean, natural look in your home."