[header] How to decorate in a contemporary style [title] Fill your space with neutral colors. [step] Warmer neutrals like tan and cream are more common than stark white, and light to medium shades tend to be more dominant than dark. Dark brown, gray, and black are often used as secondary colors, however. 
[title] Introduce a few brighter colors, but not in a jarring way. [step] Instead of throwing a fiery red rug into a black-and-white room, weave color into the space a little more naturally.