Contemporary Vs. Modern Furniture

Modern and contemporary furniture offer sleek looks and clean lines.

Modern and contemporary furniture in the world of design are considered the same. They both offer minimalist-type shapes and clean, straight lines. They are two separate styles, however. The main difference is that they were popular at different time periods. Modernism was born after World War I; contemporary furniture was not seen until the 1970s.

Modern Furniture

Combining innovative designs, beauty and style, modern furniture brings minimalist shapes and clean lines. Modern furniture styles has roots traced back to the German Modernism art movement. After World War I the economy plummeted, so to cut costs furniture was mass-produced using cheaper material. Modern furniture makes use of chrome plating tubular steel for its affordability and strength. Plywood was bent and molded to create various shapes and designs, metal rods leather and aluminum reused later in many of the designs.

Contemporary Furniture

From the early 1970s once the economy began to pick up, the material used in modern furniture was replaced. Injection molding machines were used in the creation of contemporary furniture, the molding can form any shape imagined by designers worldwide. During the late '70s designers became increasingly environmentally conscious and began using recycled material in many of their creations. After the year 2000, contemporary furniture pieces were created from eco-friendly and non-toxic fabric such as organic cotton, hemp and recycled polyester fabric.

The Design Perspective

In terms of design, contemporary furniture was ahead of its time. The differences among the two designs are not acknowledged in the design world; contemporary furniture brought a new level of comfort, beauty and simplicity. Modern furniture, which was ahead of its time was often depicted in futuristic-type movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Around the World

Contemporary styles differ depending on where they originate in the world. For example, Japanese contemporary incorporates low surfaces and clean lines combined with the simple artistic design of traditional Japanese furniture creating a look and feel that is growing in popularity worldwide.

Modern furniture drew its inspiration from the furniture markets found in Africa and Japan. Japanese furniture style had its greatest impact when it was shipped in bulk during the end of the 19th century.

Current Decorating Styles

Aside from easy maintenance and stylish looks, The lure of modern and contemporary furniture comes from its ability blend in with current decorating needs. Many modern and contemporary pieces come with built-in storage and space-saving shapes, making it an ideal choice for apartment living. Although there are distinct differences among the two, mixing and matching designs are not unheard of and often encouraged.

References

• Internet Home Alliance: Modern Style Vs Contemporary Style
• Ruks Living: History of modern furniture
• "The History of Furniture: Twenty-Five Centuries of Style and Design in the Western Tradition" ; John Morley;1999
• "The History of Modern Furniture"; Karl Mang; 1979