5 Proven Tips To Help You Distinguish Modern Furniture From Contemporary Furniture
When looking forward to furniture that stands out, contemporary furniture is the real deal. This comes with simple but versatile aesthetics. There are various types of furniture in the market and you have to be knowledgeable to avoid getting ripped off. Contemporary style furniture is inspired by current trends while borrowing a leaf from previous styles. And, it is constantly evolving to catch-up with present trends and designs.
Distinguishing between modern and contemporary furniture
Most people confuse modern and contemporary furniture in the interior design world. Most people use them interchangeably. Each furniture style has particular elements that make it different from the other as you can see below. Before browsing options offered by an online store, here is a guide to ensure that you end up with contemporary furniture you desire.
Period
Modern furniture design is from the early and mid-20th century whose influence spanned German Bauhaus, Scandinavian, and Art Deco styles. This furniture gave rise to the Mid-Century Modern movement in the 1950s and 60s. Emphasis was on the following function and simple design furniture for homes. This era introduced icons including Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Mies van der Rohe, and Florence Knoll. Modern furniture gained prominence with aesthetics people associate with it today.
Contemporary design furniture results from modernism without any particular period. Today, you can visit contemporary furniture stores online for pieces with designs portraying the future. This furniture has a sleek look, organic elements, and neutral tones making it change with the times. Investing in this furniture introduces contemporary aesthetics to brighten up your interior while adding a bold appeal that maintains the room’s minimal feel. Contemporary furniture encompasses trending designs making it timeless.
Materials
Furniture pieces got an industrial edge at the height of the mid-century period. This was evident from the materials used to make the furniture. The materials above were for making iconic chairs with recognizable designs including the Eames chairs. Some of these materials include:
- Stone
- Chrome
- Leather
- Acrylic
- Natural woods
Contemporary furniture comes with natural fabrics including silk, cotton, and wool. These enhance elegance and aesthetics over the years. The body of contemporary furniture including chairs and tables is usually made from lightweight materials including wood, frosted glass, and chrome. Other materials including stainless steel and nickel are also used to make some contemporary furniture.
The materials for contemporary furniture are enhanced with stunning finishes and sometimes manipulated to create striking forms.This leads to the creation of pieces including sculptural chairs with cut-outs, galvanized steel pendants, lacquered wood cabinets, and marble cube tables. These pieces make a significant visual impact in any space.
Color
Modern design furniture is mostly with earthly tones or vibrant primary colors including blue, red, and yellow. These colors complimented the aesthetic tie-back creations of the early and mid-20th art movement perfectly. The palette for modern furniture in vivid colored prints introduces a bold contrast to space while setting a lively and eclectic feel.
Contemporary furniture comes in neutral color shades while some are available in bold solid colors to accent the furniture design. You have a choice to bled pop colors with neutral colors or not. If you take this route, ensure to include textures including fabric with embossed lines. The contemporary palette relies on simple, sleek, and stark tones. The popular foundation hues include bright white tones, black notes, and gray shades.
Ambiance
Modern furniture exudes earthiness. Space with modern furniture conveys ease and comfort including when the furnishings have captivating or streamlines forms. This result from the features of modern furniture including:
- Wood tones
- Warm neutral palette
- Natural materials
- Clean-lined vintage designs
With contemporary, you get a less-is-more vibe without being stark or minimal. Contemporary furniture has an airier look including minimal décor and furniture. Your space will exude crisp comfort. This furniture offers exceptional comfort backed by a sophisticated appeal. Unlike clean patterned and straight-lined modern furniture, contemporary furniture comes with elegant curves. Expect soft curves and round on the edge of the furniture design when you opt for contemporary furniture.
Flexible
Contemporary furniture designs are inspired by current trends while borrowing a leaf from modern designs. This gives contemporary furniture a timeless appeal with the ability to change, grow, and adapt to market trends. Contemporary furniture focuses on visual appeal and comfort to make it worth the investment for any space at any time. You can place this furniture in your dining room, sitting room, or bedroom and it will remain functional for years to come.
Bottom line
Investing in contemporary furniture is a worthy investment for its timeless appeal. When in the market, there is the possibility of confusing this furniture with modern design furniture. However, you have to equip yourself with appropriate knowledge to allow telling contemporary furniture from modern furniture. Doing this ensures that you end up with contemporary furniture worth your money and matching your preference.