Furniture is a critical part of home decoration. Choosing the right furniture helps you get the right look for your house. Besides aesthetic appeal, the furniture also needs to be comfortable. Skilled craftsmen have been constructing furniture since the Stone Age. Over a long period, several furniture styles have evolved. The furniture style of a particular period is always heavily influenced by the factors prevailing at that period such as the availability of material, the societal conventions and the technological advancements. Does this Spark an idea?
Modern Furniture & Contemporary Furniture
Function is the primary focus in mind while designing both modern and contemporary furniture. Modern furniture is characterized sharp and linear styles, with clean and crisp cuts. Upholstery fabrics are mostly simple, but may be textured or tightly woven. As modern furniture is very severe,splashes of bright colors may be used in the accessories to give a complemented look. The contemporary furniture designs are typically simple with little or no decorative elements. Fabrics used with contemporary furniture may be bright and bold without much patterning.
The Origin
Towards the end of the 19th century, artists and designers were getting tired of the bulk and ornateness of the existing furniture. There was a subtle but definite move towards clean lines, honest craftsmanship and integrity of construction and materials. Designers started incorporating geometric shapes in the furniture such as triangles, parallel lines and circles. These designs became very popular. Over time, the lines became sleeker, slimmer and less decorated, giving birth to modern furniture as we know it today. Modernists believe in the integrity of their product and are committed to utter simplicity in design.
Contemporary style borrows to a large extent from modern styles in that it is minimalist. However, in current contemporary trends, the lines are rounded off to give a more casual and comfortable look. Contemporary casual furniture is not as severe as modern furniture. There is an element of design to make it suitable for today's tastes.
Materials Used
Different materials are used in the design of modern furniture. These materials may include leather, plastic, metal, fabric and sometimes exotic woods. These materials lend themselves more easily to the modern design framework.
Contemporary furniture makes extensive use of glass, metal, chrome and other composite materials. Natural options like leather and wood are rarely used in contemporary styles. They rely more on man-made and synthetic alternatives.
Environment
Modern furniture is suitable for both homes and offices considering their functionality and sleek appearance. They are less bulky and often have multiple uses. For instance, a coffee table at home may also have storage space below. Modern furniture is also available in variety of colors to suit your general home decor.
Contemporary furniture looks best in environments that have neutral shades. Typically, contemporary furniture looks good in places where strong white light or spotlights are used. The lights highlight the sharp lines of the contemporary furniture and contribute to an overall modern feel.
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