Contemporary style furniture is easily recognizable for its simple and sleek lines. It is very distinguishable from more traditional style furniture in that there is hardly any intricate detail or carving. The lines of contemporary style furniture are either hard-edged or gently curved. Finishes can be in all tones, from very light to dark. Traditional and non-traditional materials are used and often combined, and new concepts and materials are explored. Just as the term “traditional style” covers a great number of different styles, so does the term “contemporary style.” Contemporary style furniture is usually smaller in scale as it is meant for today’s dwellings. As in traditional furniture styles, it also looks to the rest of the world for influences, and Asian influences are ever-present. Below is a look at some different contemporary furniture styles, starting from the earliest era.
Art Deco
Art deco furniture is considered the earliest of contemporary style. It’s defined by sensuous lines and curves minus intricate carvings of traditional furniture. A unique style was created using luxurious materials combined with synthetic ones. As a result, the decor of the art deco period is not overly formal, but it can be very elegant. Art deco furniture and decor has the following characteristics:
Silver and gold leaf, mother-of-pearl, ivory, and lacquered finishesRepetitive geometric patterns and themes in upholstery, wallpaper, and light fixturesPlastic and resin furniture and accessoriesMirrored and chromed surfaces
Midcentury Modern
Stark and simple designs that are almost sculptural in quality define the midcentury modern style that became popular from the 1930s through the 1960s. Some famous names associated with this style are designers like Ray and Charles Eames, George Nelson, and Saarinen, each of who believed in designing furniture where form followed function. The defining characteristics that capture the essence of this style include:
Little or no ornamentationUncluttered and sleek linesThe use of wood together with metal, glass, vinyl, plywood, Plexiglass, and LuciteNeutral to bold colors, including much black and white
Retro Contemporary
Retro is a whimsical look at recently bygone eras from the 1950s to the 1980s and overlaps with midcentury modern style. What is termed retro today was fashionably modern when it first came out. This type of furniture has now come out from the recesses of garages and basements and graces many modern homes. Retro Items with kitschy, pop culture flavor are plentiful. They include:
One-piece molded plastic chairsFormica-topped tables, chrome bar stools, and furniture reminiscent of 1950s dinersBoomerang tablesSpace-age and sputnik style lighting fixtures
Urban Contemporary
Urban contemporary style is a rather newer concept of decor catering to city dwellers who prefer well-designed furniture at a scale that fits smaller living spaces. Pieces tend to have a sophisticated, cosmopolitan feel regardless of their reduced sizes. Some urban contemporary might be called industrial style (part vintage and part contemporary) but that’s not always the case. Urban contemporary style has the following features:
Softer, but still distinctive lines and shapesLittle ornamentationLimited use of metallics for visual interestSoothing, serene, and calming huesRugs in more natural materialsOversized statement pieces combined with smaller pieces for contrast
Casual Contemporary
The latest contemporary style is likely familiar. It encompasses a relaxed, softer, updated style that lacks the stylized organic silhouettes of midcentury modern style. Sometimes the scale can be a bit larger than other contemporary styles to fit homes that often include spacious open floor plans and family rooms. The characteristics of this style of furniture include:
Rounded and eased edgesMedium wood tonesOverstuffed sofas and pillow-top armsLeather upholstery
