How to Identify Contemporary Furniture

Contemporary furniture designs are all about streamline, clean cut, and uses of bold colors and wood. The mid century contemporary designs came into the forefront in the 1950s through the 1970s. It has reappeared decades later because of its functionality and basic look.

1. Look for bright colors. During the 1960s, modern design was all about bright and bold colors while using solid wood or plastics. If you’re seeking out this type of contemporary style, you will need to look for reds, oranges, lime greens, blues, and purples. The cut of the furniture has to be very rectangular with no patterns etched on. This goes for any accent pieces as well, since anything with patterns or embossed designs are traditional and Victorian furniture.


2. Recognize the materials used. Traditional furniture uses lots of fabrics and dark cherry wood in its designs. Contemporary looks use light oak colored wood and shiny acrylic paint. Besides wood, plastic is used for tabletops and decorative items. Another popular material in contemporary design is stainless steel. This is an industrial look that had grown popular in the 1990s and featured steel tables and steel bottomed couches.


3. Remember to be aware of its function over its design. Modern pieces are all about everyday use instead of purely being aesthetic. Bookshelves, buffet tables, accent tables, and TV stands are sturdy and usually have extra drawers on them to hold more items. This is what makes modern furniture deviate away from its traditional predecessor.