How to Design Modern Furniture
Modern is a term that's not easy to define; people living in any period can define their times as "modern." Generally, modern furnishings reflect current trends and do not recall past design motifs. However, as Wucius Wong explains in Principles of Two-Dimensional Design, "The well-designed chair not only has a pleasing outward appearance but stands firmly on the ground and provides adequate comfort for whoever sits on it." Modern furniture should fill a room with energizing new design ideas and also provide function equal to traditional designs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Modern Furniture Design
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Focus on creating sleek designs. The frames of modern furnishings are made of smooth materials with little texture. Use metal, plastics and woods with smooth finishes.
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Choose simple shapes without ornamentation. Fussy design elements like curlicues and fleur de lys are inappropriate in modern design.
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Find new fabrics. New fabric choices are constantly emerging for upholstery. Recent innovations include the development of natural fabrics made from fibers like bamboo and industrial innovations like a new fabric that uses nanotechnology to "never get wet." (See Resources.)
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Research emerging color trends. Subscribe to color services like Pantone (See Resources.) to find out about new color palettes. Read high-end women's fashion magazines like W (See Resources.). New interior design palettes are often seen about 18 months prior in apparel.
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Look to the horizon of technology for inspiration; twenty years ago there was no need for an iPod dock or a laptop-friendly desk.
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Use eco-conscious materials that are attractive to today's green consumers. Choose woods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, compounds and finishes that do not omit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), natural fabrics that do not contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and incorporate recycled glass and metals whenever possible.
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Transform a traditional piece into a modern one by removing its ornamentation, painting it in a bold new color, or upholstering it with a dynamic graphic fabric.
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Tips & Warnings
Learn about all design periods to understand the foundations of modern design.
References
- Principles of Two-Dimensional Design; Wucios Wong; 1972
Resources
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Comments
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One of the most eye catching modern designs, that is my personal favorite, is the Ruffle chair made by the manufacturer Zuo. It has a polycarbonite body and a sensuous shape with translucent colors, perfect for outdoor use.
