When shopping online for new furniture, the many styles and terms can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many similar terms, but they all mean different things! How do you know which style is right for your home and which matches your personal style? At FineFurnitureSanDiego.com, we love sharing our knowledge of furniture with our customers. We’re here to help you make the best shopping decisions, ready with pieces for every room in the home and amazing prices. Let’s explore some different furniture styles together!
Vintage & Antique
Much like clothing, furniture can be typed as vintage if it is over 30 years old. Antique furniture is at least 100 years old. Antique-inspired and antique-style furniture remain on trend in 2022, with eclectic, curated décor becoming more widespread. It’s important to thoroughly research antique items before purchasing, as replicas are often quite convincing. True antique furniture is usually made of wood, and is marked by the maker’s signature. Antique dealers use these signatures and other details to date the items.
Traditional
Traditional furniture combines elements from several antique styles, culminating in dark, formal furniture with intricate detail. When all furniture was handcrafted, people would commission ornate pieces featuring gold, expensive wood, and hand-painted details, as a way to showcase wealth and status. This opulent furniture style first became popular in the 1600’s and morphed into the Traditional style that we still see today.
Extravagance and regality inspire Traditional style, taking cues from European royalty into the homes of everyday people. Details like dark hardwood with curved lines, carved designs, ball and claw foot legs, and luxe fabrics in jewel tones are hallmarks of Traditional furniture. Today, Traditional furniture is common in homes and businesses, like hotels. The Anondale Living Room Collection is beautiful Traditional set.
Modern
The Modern style is a direct rebellion to the ornate Traditional style, and Art Deco. In the early 20th century, the Modernist movement began with the Bauhaus School of Design. Modern furniture embraces a clean, simple look with straight lines, warm and neutral colors, and a combination of woods and metals. For a Modern living space, try the Apperson Sofa.
Mid-Century Modern
Post- World War II, furniture style evolved again incorporating clean, minimalistic design with functionality at the heart. As the culture shifted to being more family and home focused, so did home décor. Mid-century Modern furniture was made from durable wood like teak, oak, and rosewood. Storage pieces became more prominent with fewer decorative elements.
Glass, acrylic, and metal are also common in Mid-century Modern furniture. Curved and geometric shapes work together as part of a Mid-century Modern home. Bright colors are used as accent colors, contrasting the dark jewel tones of the past. The Mid-century Modern style has seen a resurgence of interest in the past decade, with replicas and inspired collections, like the Alfredo Dining set, are widely available.
Contemporary
Contemporary is a style that is ever changing to fit the current trends. Sleek lines, blended styles and colors, and unfussy décor are markers of Contemporary style. Since Contemporary is a blend of styles and trends, what seems timely now may feel dated in a decade or so. The earliest example of Contemporary Style is Art Deco, with its curved lines, metallic details, and geometric patterns. Modern and Contemporary may appear similar, but Modern is a static style. Contemporary style is always going to look a bit different. Transitional is a term for the style that seamlessly blends Modern and Contemporary for a clean, balanced style with complimentary elements. Current furniture is trending towards soft, curved lines and warm, natural tones. Add a curved coffee table and chocolate brown seating for an instant update.
Rustic
Rustic style is all about the natural beauty of the materials used. Materials like undyed linen and cotton, weathered and aged wood, and distressed leather harmonize to create a homey, warm look. Imperfections add charm to Rustic furniture. In Rustic style homes, there’s a focus on meshing the indoors and outdoors. This can be done with large, open spaces and use of natural building materials. Get that Modern Farmhouse look with the Anneke bedroom collection.
Industrial
Think you need to live in an uptown loft to decorate your home in Industrial style? Think again. While Industrial style first got its inspiration from reclaimed factories and warehouses of the 20th century, the practical, minimalistic design can work in any space. Industrial furniture is all about texture, ease of use, and straight lines. Industrial furniture is made from durable materials like steel, hardwood, stone, and other metals. Mixing materials and furniture eras gives an instant Industrial look. Since a key facet of Industrial style is function, look for multi-use pieces like a storage and serving cart. Keep colors neutral and décor minimal, with as much open space as possible.
Furniture, like art, has gone through a multitude of style changes over the years. It’s easy to see the social and political changes through the changes in furniture styles. The gradual movement from ornate, showy furniture to more comfortable, family oriented furniture marks a change in what people value at homes. Who knows what the future of furniture design holds?
When you’re ready to give your home a furniture update, explore our catalogue for Traditional, Rustic, and Contemporary furniture and everything in between!
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