If the blend of minimalist, Japandi, farmhouse, and Boho aesthetics sounds good to you, then you will love organic modern decor style.
You may have noticed my passion for Scandi-inspired decor, whether mid-century modern chic or cozy hygge style. But another aesthetic that’s caught my eye recently is organic modernism, which captures the current desire for comfort and sustainability. What is organic modern decorating?
Organic modernism balances pared-back contemporary looks with warmth and comfort for quiet luxury. Focus on natural materials (e.g., wood, stone, and natural fibers) and organic forms. Stick to neutral and monochrome palettes, with warm, earthy shades for color. Keep the look uncluttered.
With the trend to smaller homes and an environmental focus, minimalism’s popularity has surged. However, many interior design lovers – myself included – find sleek, sophisticated minimalism somewhat cold and unappealing.
I want my home to be inviting and warm, so I was delighted to discover organic modernism, which offers the best of minimalism and biophilic design. Let’s explore this aesthetic in more detail.
What Is Organic Modern Style?
If you’re not new to this aesthetic, scroll on by. But this combination of approaches is a delightful discovery for many of us.
Like Danish hygge, organic modernism is rooted in a philosophy or lifestyle, in this case, a backlash against materialism and consumerism.
The “organic” part of the aesthetic refers to biophilic design, which rests on sustainable principles, favors organic shapes, prioritizes craftsmanship, and celebrates natural materials. These features are also present in Scandi, Japandi, and Boho interiors, which serve as inspiration.
“Modernism” locates this approach in the early and mid-twentieth century and is particularly inspired by the mid-century modern movement and European minimalism. The combination is eclectic and includes whimsical touches.
Well-balanced, the organic modern aesthetic creates comfortable, elegant interiors characterized by pared-back luxury.
10 Tips for Embracing Organic Modern Decorating Style
#1. Use Wood to Add Natural Touch
The starting point for any organic modernist decor is using natural materials, contrasting different finishes and textures for effect. Reclaimed materials are ideal, as they are both sustainable and character-filled.
Wooden furniture, fixtures, and accessories are central to organic modernism. Choose natural finishes with an expressive grain that adds movement and visual texture. Wooden items can range from the rustic, country look to more sophisticated pieces.
Ideally, choose furniture made from sustainably sourced or reclaimed wood. Vintage items are also perfect for organic modernism, as they tend to have elegant lines and are full of history; reusing and recycling is a central tenet of this approach.
You don’t need to spend money on antiques: weathered and salvaged wood has its own beauty and character.
#2. Stone for Dramatic Effect
Another typical material is stone, which is used dramatically and in contemporary fashion. Granite and marble remain popular, especially in unusual colors, with the addition of slate, quartz, and sandstone.
This material is no longer limited to kitchen counters or bathroom tiles – coffee tables, sculptures, and floors can all be made of this luxurious and dramatic material.
#3. Add Warmth with Clay
Terracotta and unglazed pottery are having a revival, bringing much-needed warmth and color to minimalist interiors. Gorgeous sunbaked tiles are a beautiful addition to any room.
Concrete is also a much-loved material, inspired by 1960s minimalism, brutalism, and industrial interiors. Plasterwork adds texture—consider rendered walls in a living room for interest and depth.
#4. Use Fiber to Soften the Sterility of Minimalism
Jute, rattan, linen, cotton, and wicker also form part of organic modernism’s materials. Inspired by Boho and coastal looks, these rustic materials are vital to softening the sterility of classic minimalism and infusing them with life.
#5. Splurge with Leather
Luxurious leather is another popular material for organic modernist designers. Well-worn, soft leather furniture adds sensuous comfort to these interiors.
#6. Harmonize with Metal
Lest you think organic modernism is just Boho in another guise, designers include burnished copper, glossy chrome, and aged silver elements. Light fittings in wood and metal are perfect in a living or dining room and display family heirlooms and brass trinkets to add harmony.
#7. Greenery
The ultimate organic material is living greenery, which infuses any room with color, brightness, and softness. Plants are fundamental to the organic modernist aesthetic, and no interior is complete without a feathery palm in a woven basket or an oversized vase of bare branches or leafy stems.
Indoor trees, especially bonsai, topiary, bamboo, and miniature olives, add a sculptural element, as do elegantly shaped planters. Whether you display plumed grasses or stems from your garden, make sure you bring the outdoors inside.
#8. Organic Forms
Minimalism favors clean, sleek lines and furniture with rounded curves and smooth surfaces. These natural or organic shapes also characterize organic modernism, but the items come to life with natural materials instead of glass or plastic.
Playful, asymmetrical shapes add a whimsical touch, with ridges, waves, and spheres dominating.
However, this aesthetic is all about contrast: a chunky, solid table adds farmhouse charm, which prevents the look from becoming too serious.
#9. Earthy Colors
The color palette favored by organic modernism is warm, stemming from wood tones that range from light oak and birch to deep walnut.
Overall, the palette is neutral and monochrome, with muted accents rather than bright ones. The effect is refined and serene, with the night sky and empty beach rather than urban buzz.
Look for earthy shades like yellowish cream, rich beige, soft taupe, rusty red, and loamy brown, with oatmeal, beige, or black textiles as a pared-back anchor for beautiful natural materials.
You can also include serene, watery blues and the uber-trendy mossy, sage, and olive greens, which, I hope, are here to stay. Gray has had its decor moment, and natural colors are now called on to induce rest and relaxation, perfect in both bedrooms and bathrooms.
#10. Less is More
The clutter-free environment of minimalist and Japandi interiors also characterizes organic modernist homes.
Creating a sense of calm, space, and airiness is essential, as is enjoying and celebrating natural light. Hang sheer curtains in a rough weave to filter sunlight and create a dappled effect.
Because accessories are limited, each item must be chosen for both its beauty and utility. Beautiful craftsmanship is prized. Items need not be perfect –hand-worked finishes are welcomed for their individuality.
Typical accessories are storage baskets, hand-woven throws, and large abstract artworks.
Balance is also central to this new minimalism: contrast rustic, raw wood finishes with soft, nubbly cotton or sleek marble curves with bright leafy plants in concrete planters. Aim for harmony between modernism’s excitement and the natural world’s tranquility.
Final Thoughts on Organic Modern Decor
An organic modernist approach to decor combines the best elements of minimalist, Japandi, farmhouse, and Boho aesthetics. To avoid eclectic chaos, carefully select each item to layer natural textures, earthy colors, and airy spaciousness. Done well, organic modern bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas balance contemporary, unfussy vibes with warm and comfortable elegance.
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