Contemporary vs. Modern Furniture: What’s the Difference?
One of the most fun parts about renovating a building or purchasing a home is furnishing it with beautiful pieces. But finding the right furniture is not all about going either for the looks, or for the functionality. It is about finding the right balance between the two, selecting exquisite pieces that reflect your design aesthetic, lifestyle and match the house’s overall vibe, serve a functional purpose, and are visually appealing. This quest leads homeowners to explore different types of furniture and begs the question: what’s the difference between contemporary and modern furniture? Here, we explain the differences, so that you choose wisely.
What Are Contemporary and Modern Types of Furniture?
Though the terms contemporary and modern are used interchangeably, they both mean different things, especially when it comes to types of furniture. Both these categories of furniture have distinctive characteristics and properties which makes them unique. Let’s dive into understanding what these features are.
Modern Furniture
Modern furniture style derives its name and characteristics from the mid-20th century’s modernism movement. This unique design movement highlighted clean lines, minimal style and ornamentation, and preferred functionality over gaudy beautifications. Rooted in the concept of simplicity, this style of furniture amalgamates varied materials like metal, plywoods, and glass to make minimalistic designs in neutral-ish colors.
Some distinguishing traits of modern furniture include:
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Furniture designed in a minimalistic pattern, without intricate carvings and excessive embellishments for decorating or making it look grand. Sleek designs are staple.
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The color palette for this kind of furniture remains within the neutral tones. Various forms of white, earthy colors like beige, grey, and black are consistent to this type of furniture.
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Materials like wood, leather, glass, metal, and stone are commonly used for making modern furniture.
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Designs are simplistic, with the core emphasis on functionality of the piece, its durability, and performance for the given purpose.
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The overall structure of this type of furniture features closer to the ground silhouette, which offers a streamlined and neat look to the overall space.
Contemporary Furniture
When we talk about contemporary furniture, it refers to a completely distinctive style of design, inspired by diverse trends. Unlike modernism which is rooted in the modernism movement, contemporary styles are more fluid, embracing historical design movements to enable curation of more trendy pieces of furniture. Broadly, contemporary style of furniture draws elements from different styles like Scandinavian design aesthetic, industrial designs, and minimalistic designs.
Some distinguishing traits of contemporary furniture include:
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Contemporary furniture is fluid in nature and easily embraces varied trends and styles to match the changing user demands.
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Contrary to modern furniture, contemporary pieces feature more bold colors that pop and add a splash of fun to any space.
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Contemporary styled furniture pieces often combine various materials like metal, glass, and even sustainable materials with the aim of creating a balance between natural and industrial elements.
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Fluidity in shapes is a mark of contemporary pieces of furniture. Since this is a more adaptive and trendy style of furniture design, it incorporates various shapes, rather than sticking to simple and clean geometric lines. Curves and sculptural shapes that depict movement are common in this style of furniture.
Deciding Between The Two
Confused about which type of furniture you should take? Consider the choices in line with the following parameters:
What Is Your Goal?
Do you want your home to have a trendy appeal to it, or do you prefer something more stable and timeless? If the answer is timeless, then modern furniture pieces are a no brainer. The classic designs and clean cuts, along with subtle colors make them an evergreen option, fit for every kind of decor. If you have a more funky and trendy vision for your space, then contemporary pieces are the way to go. You can experiment with different colors, designs, and shapes in the furniture pieces you choose to make a distinctive spot that becomes a conversation starter.
What Is The General Look Of The Space?
Fitting a modern piece of furniture in a space that is otherwise very trendy is just as unbalanced and strange as putting in a contemporary piece in an otherwise clean and minimalistic area. When picking either style, it is essential to consider the overarching aesthetic of the space and how well this piece would adjust with the other furniture pieces and decor of the room.
Is Combining Both An Option?
If you choose the right pieces for the space, including decor, it is possible to effectively amalgamate both minimalistic and contemporary styles of furniture in a singular space, creating a fantastic look. However, striking the right balance is key here. For help, you can consult interior designers and even explore customization options to get the best designs for both types of furniture. Blending both styles is a great way of giving any space a timeless elegance while reflecting your style with bold contemporary pieces that add a touch of color and pop to an otherwise muted space.
Get Personalized Furniture Selection Guidance
Need help finding the best pieces to furnish and decorate your home or office? Then visit us at Bay Window. With meticulously curated furniture and decor collections, featuring modern and contemporary designs, we offer you abundant options to choose from. Our team assists you with picking the right pieces when you visit our store, understanding your vision and suggesting the best pieces that can bring your vision to life. Whether you want to stay updated with trends or want a piece that screams timeless, we have the product that matches your needs.
Conclusion
Furnishing any space requires a lot of deliberation about the right furniture pieces which can elevate the space and make it look amazing. But with so many different styles and unending choices, finding the right pieces can become confusing. To help narrow down options, information about the different styles helps as you can filter the kind of aesthetic you wish to have, and look into styles that match that vision. For more help, Bay Window is the place you should explore to get insight into the best furniture pieces for your space.
