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As we step into 2024, the trend of organic modern design continues to gain momentum, especially in the heart of the home—the living room. Organic modern style combines the clean lines and minimalistic approach of modern design with organic shapes and natural materials, creating spaces that are both serene and stylish. Whether you're redesigning your space or just seeking some inspiration, this guide will help you understand what organic modern style is, how it differs from mid-century modern, and how you can incorporate it into your home.
What is Organic Modern Style?
Organic modern style is a design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity, natural elements, and minimalism. It integrates the sleek, uncluttered elements of modern design with organic shapes, earthy colors, and natural materials like wood, stone, and textiles. This style aims to create a harmonious and soothing atmosphere that connects the indoors with the natural world outside.
Key Characteristics of Organic Modern Design:
Natural Materials: Wood, stone, linen, and wool are commonly used for their natural beauty and texture.
Neutral Color Palettes: Soft whites, grays, beiges, and muted greens and blues dominate the color scheme. Wood tones, especially warm wood tones like white oak and walnut.
Clean Lines: Furniture and decor feature simple, clean lines without excessive detailing.
Light and Airy Spaces: Ample natural light and uncluttered spaces are central, enhancing the sense of calm.
How Does Organic Modern Differ From Mid-Century Modern?
While both styles boast clean lines and a love for simplicity, organic modern and mid-century modern have distinct characteristics. Mid-century modern design emerged in the mid-20th century and is known for its retro-futuristic elements, vibrant colors, and geometric patterns. It often features iconic furniture pieces with a strong emphasis on form and function.
Take a look at TV star Sophia Bush's stunning retro Hollywood home. With bold, geometric shapes and artwork, she achieves a fresh take on mid-century modern.
In contrast, organic modern is more subdued and focuses on creating a tranquil retreat with natural materials and neutral tones. It seeks to blend the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, fostering a peaceful living environment that emphasizes sustainability and natural beauty. The house below, designed by interior designer David Michael Miller, embodies this by bringing in natural stone elements, calming neutral color scheme, and mixed textures.
Modern doesn't have to be harsh lines. Lindye Galloway's take on this design aesthetic brings interest to a neutral palette by incorporating organic, curved shapes, soft textures, and contrasting elements.
Soft, airy spaces mixed with rich leather pieces such as these ottomans from The Citizenry add the perfect touch of elegance.
Comparison Points:
Color Palette: Mid-century often uses bold, saturated colors, while organic modern opts for soft neutrals with warm, earthy tones.
Materials: Mid-century incorporates plastic and metal, whereas organic modern leans towards materials in their most natural form like wood and stone.
Feel and Atmosphere: Mid-century spaces can feel vibrant and energetic, while organic modern aims for a calm and restorative ambiance. Organic modern achieves rustic and cozy, but still maintaining contemporary roots.
Integrating Organic Modern Elements into Your Living Room
Transforming your living room into an organic modern sanctuary involves focusing on clean lines and natural materials. Here are some ways to bring this style into your space:
Furniture: Choose pieces with simple lines and natural fabrics. A wooden coffee table or a linen-upholstered sofa are perfect examples.
Color Scheme: Stick to neutral and earthy tones such as taupe, beige, cream, brown, and charcoal. Incorporate color through green plants, natural fiber rugs, and clay pots.
Textures: Neutrals can quickly fall flat if everything in the space is a similar texture. Add dimension by incorporating organic textures such as wood, rattan, and leather. A wool throw or a jute rug can add warmth and interest.
Decor: Keep it minimal. Select a few key pieces like a stone vase or a wooden sculpture.
Lighting: Opt for fixtures made of natural materials. Bamboo or rattan lamps can complement the organic feel.
Plants: Incorporate indoor plants to bring life and a touch of green to your living room.
Add functionality, one of the key elements to any modern space.
Elevate Your Living Room With These Organic Modern Pieces
A few simple elements can help you achieve the organic modern aesthetic. We've curated a list of our favorite products below to bring in a few key touches of organic modern style to your living space. These pieces are a great addition to any design style, even if you are not looking to achieve a full organic modern home. You'll find a mix of heirloom pieces as well as budget friendly options. Nevertheless, each piece is oh so timeless :)
CITTA BLANKET: Experience organic modern living with this chic, handmade Italian blanket, ideal for any modern living room. Crafted from luxurious cashmere and lambswool on a jacquard loom, it features a unique abstract city design, hand-rolled edges, and a lightweight, felted finish. MEASUREMENTS: 180.5 L x 140 cm W / 71 x 55"
OJAI MEDIA CONSOLE: Available in White Oak, Hazelnut, and Black. Topped with elegant Sofita Marble, this piece features cord management and ample depth for concealed electronics, ensuring a clean, stylish, and organized space in your organic modern style home.
BRIELLE SOFA: Available in multiple linen colors. The Brielle Sofa is the embodiment of organic modern style with its sleek curved design. This couch features high-performance upholstery and trillium foam cushions with a boucle back pillow for ultimate comfort.
BLACK CHUNKY WOOL PILLOW: This throw pillow blends heritage loom weaving with contemporary design. Made in Colombia, this pillow features chunky ivory wool, a black cotton backing, and a down alternative insert, showcasing unparalleled craftsmanship and fair trade practices. Perfect for adding a touch of organic modern style. Available in two sizes: 20"x20" and 24"x24"
HIPPO LOUNGE CHAIR: Made of white boucle wool and walnut stained solid ash. Elevate your organic modern living room with the Hippo Lounge Chair, redefining relaxation with its fusion of artistic design and ergonomic luxury. Perfect for any setting, this chair has unparalleled comfort and premium upholstery.
BELLA COFFEE TABLE: The heirloom centerpiece of any organic modern living room. This stunning coffee table, crafted from white oak with a dark stain to enhance its natural grain, features unique chunky angled legs and crossbar details. Perfect for displaying your favorite decor, Bella adds warmth and style to your space. Dimensions: 58"L x 54"W x 18"H
18" SISAL BASKET: Handmade baskets from Kenya. Crafted from locally sourced sisal fiber, these eco-friendly baskets offer versatile storage solutions while adding global flair. Each purchase supports the women artisans of Kitui, empowering them to provide for their families.
SOFITA MARBLE COFFEE TABLE: The elegant, well-crafted marble table of your dreams. With a living edge and matte finish, this coffee table showcases the natural beauty of marble sourced from Italy and Turkey. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor settings, its unique chipped edges and minimal veining make each table a distinct, timeless addition. Length: 56” Width: 24” Height: 15”.
4" TOTEM CANDLES (SET OF 5): Add a touch of tranquility to your organic modern living room with these handmade Japanese sumac candles. Crafted by a family-run business in Ishikawa since 1892, these vegan candles burn brightly for 110 minutes each, thanks to their unique hollow wicks. Pair them with a cast iron candle stand, to bring serene elegance to any living space.
TORRES ROUND LEATHER OTTOMAN: These timeless yet modern leather ottomans come available in multiple sizes and hues. Handcrafted from ethically sourced, vegetable-tanned cow leather from Alcanena, Portugal, it features a padded wood frame for versatile use as extra seating or a coffee table.
ESHANA SANDSTONE TRAY: Organic modern living rooms use a mix of textures and natural elements. Bring these elements into your space with this understated sandstone tray, perfect as a chic addition to your coffee table or a stylish spot for keys. Handcrafted from locally-sourced rainbow sandstone in Agra, India, each tray features unique red, violet, and brown shades.
MERCADO FLOOR BASKETS: Handcrafted palm leaf baskets completed with luxe leather handles. Designed to be both shallow and spacious, they are ideal for stylishly stowing books, throw blankets, pillows, or toys. Easily tucked under tables for concealed storage. These baskets are made in Guerrero, Mexico, supporting fair trade practices.
RATTAN INDOOR PLANT STAND: Beautifully crafted rattan planters that come in a variety of sizes. Each plant stand can hold up to 50 lbs of weight.
LOMA FLOOR VASES: Striking floor vases handcrafted and glazed in Guadalajara, Mexico. Each vase features a subtle marbled texture in a soft neutral hue, ideal for spaces from fireplaces to reading rooms. Designed for impact, they work well in pairs and can be styled with or without water, embodying organic modern style.
EICHHOLTZ PALLA PILLOW: This playful, ball-shaped, fluffy throw cushion features a soft Brisbane cream cover. Perfect for sofas, it adds a chic, cozy element to any space. Designed in the Netherlands.
PUDDLE AREA RUG: Available in three sizes. TRNK's collection of custom rugs are the perfect addition to any space. Crafted from plush, lustrous New Zealand wool in Portugal, these hand-tufted rugs feature a 16mm pile and are available in over 30 colors. Designed to capture subtle movements and enhance any space, they come latex-backed, making rug pads unnecessary. Perfect for adding texture and depth to your organic modern style.
AUDO FLOOR LAMP: With an adjustable shade for customizable illumination and a stable travertine stone base, this floor lamp provides warm, diffused light ideal for creating a cozy atmosphere. Crafted from high-quality materials, its timeless design complements a wide range of interior styles, enhancing the ambiance of living rooms and studies alike. Product Dimensions : H53.54" x W10.1" x D16.5". Material : Powder-coated iron and travertine
MARENCO THREE SEATER SOFA: Available in a variety of colors and fabrics. The Marenco Sofa, a pinnacle of organic modern style, combines innovation with comfort in its avant-garde design. Featuring plush, inviting cushions and a low contemporary profile, this sofa transcends time as a statement piece. Crafted from Merbau wood and non-toxic materials, it offers customizable comfort and enduring style. Dimensions: W 141.7" x D 43.3" x H 29.5"
LIVE EDGE CEDAR STUMP STOOL: Sustainably sourced cedar root side tables and stools, where each piece is a unique work of art. Skilled artisans carefully preserve the natural beauty of the live edge, creating an organic, imperfect design. This versatile stool can serve as side tables, stools, plant stands, or simply as stunning decor.
OJAI FLOOR MIRROR: Composed of a White Oak Frame and designed to lean against a wall for added depth and decor. Dimensions: H 80” x W 40” x D 5”
CELESTE CHUNKY WOOL THROW: All-natural merino wool chunky throw, handwoven by master artisans in Montevideo, Uruguay. Each throw, taking a day to complete in a fair trade environment, features a woven texture and fringe detailing for supreme softness and style. Perfect as a cozy accent for your couch, this throw is a true definition of comfort and elegance.
RUSTIC CERAMIC JAR TABLE LAMP: A contemporary table lamp featuring a brownish-grey distressed ceramic base and a light beige tapered drum shade, creating an earthy vibe. Measuring 14 x 14 x 23 inches, it requires minimal assembly and is compatible with a standard E26 bulb up to 100W (not included). It includes a 3-way rotary switch and a 60-inch clear cord, making it versatile for living rooms and more.
AMALA JUTE WALL HANGING: Handcrafted by 200 master weavers in Panipat, India. Made from natural and black jute in irregular panels, this Oeko-Tex® certified piece is a testament to rustic refinement. Ideal for entryways or above a credenza, it includes an acacia rod and wall mounts for easy installation, all produced sustainably in a fair trade environment. This understated artwork takes days to complete, ensuring each piece is unique and full of character.
WICKER BENCH: This bench features seats hand-woven from lightweight, durable natural paper cord, making it perfect for family-friendly environments. Crafted from solid ash wood available in Natural Ash or Oiled Walnut finishes and treated with an eco-friendly wood wax.
Organic modern living room design is more than just a trend—it's a sustainable approach that enhances the beauty and tranquility of your living environment. By choosing natural materials and simple designs, you can create a space that not only looks good but also provides comfort and calm in your daily life.
Questions? Want to share other great finds? Comment below!
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