Contemporary furniture is characterized by sleek lines, understated color, and clutter-free space. A contemporary room draws its energy and atmosphere from neutral shades, simple coloring schemes, and a minimalist dcor. Contemporary furniture can be spoiled if added to a room that is over furnished. Sleek lines can really be appreciated in a room that has space and subtle tones. Here are seven ideas to keep in mind when choosing contemporary furniture.

1. Always choose contemporary furniture that is simple in design, construction and materials.

2. Keep your contemporary furniture choices to a bare minimum. Purchase items that you really need, but leave out the side tables, footstools, magazine racks, etc.

3. Choose a sofa that is sleek, simple and plain in color and design. Don't add extra pillows. Just complement with a plain wooden, glass or stone-top coffee table. Keep magazines, books and other items in tidy piles and to a minimum.

4. Your walls should be painted with a single neutral color. Contemporary furniture and contemporary style is lost in too much bold color.

5. The floor should be a simple hard floor, of wood or stone, not wall-to-wall carpet. For winter warmth, simply add a neutral rug.

6. In a contemporary-styled room, lighting works best when it isn't obvious. Use indirect lighting to add ambience and to enhance the sleek design of your contemporary furniture. Choose plain fixtures, lamps, and bases of ceramic or wrought iron.

7. The same minimal philosophy applies to window furnishing. Bare windows are best as they allow natural, unadulterated light into a room. If you must cover them, again do so with the simplest curtains. Tab-tops are better than pleats and ruffles. And if you've bought wrought iron lamps or light fixtures, then complement them with wrought iron curtain rods.