Shopping Tips For Furniture- Modern Versus Contemporary
In this tutorial, we are going to be using examples that help differentiate between modern interior designs. The terms Contemporary and Modern refer to distinct styles of interiors and furnishings, each of which has its own distinct shades. [Sources: 3]
Contemporary and modern are often used interchangeably, but while they share similarities, they are two different styles of design that come from separate periods. Perhaps the biggest distinction between contemporary and modern styles is the time periods during which both took (or, in the case of contemporary styles, were) formed. While both styles have a lot of similarities, they do offer significant differences, and these differences may inform how you choose to design your home. [Sources: 2, 5]
Contemporary furniture frequently borrows elements from older styles, especially contemporary designs. At this point, mid-century modern is popular, and as such, modern furniture looks like it is taking cues from modern styles. Overall, contemporary design is slightly more quirky than Modern, making it an ideal choice for many homeowners. [Sources: 1, 3, 6]
Modern furniture also incorporates elements of Art Deco and Post Modernism today, giving it a further dash of style and daring that contemporary designs cannot achieve on their own. Today’s modern furniture includes aspects of contemporary furniture – like its clean lines and simplicity – but also includes aspects of art deco and post-modernism, adding flair and boldness to the minimalist designs. Modern furniture incorporates many aspects of contemporary design, including clean, elegant lines and minimal ornamentation. Building upon 20th-century Modernist traditions, modern furniture shares many elements with its chronological predecessors, while also taking cues from various other design styles. [Sources: 1, 4, 5]
To see how Modernism can be deployed in a room, check out the following interiors, all designed in a Modernist style using various pieces of furniture and decorative elements. The examples might seem similar, but the contemporary ones draw on a 20th-century style, whereas the contemporary ones are focused on cutting-edge shapes. While you may find contemporary houses largely reflecting modern styles, examples including these will help to portray modern designs blending in other techniques, too. Because modernism heavily influences contemporary design, there are several elements common to both centuries of interiors. [Sources: 2, 3, 6]
Contemporary interior design does not take its roots in one particular time period, as does modernism. Modern designs are inspired by the past, whereas modern designs are about what is current in fashion today, and it changes every season as it comes and goes. The Modern style takes its inspiration from the growth and domination of the industries of the early-to-mid 20th century and allows for far less flexibility than contemporary designs. [Sources: 1, 6, 7]
Today, a variety of lovely trends comprise contemporary interior design, but a few of those styles include eclectic, Scandinavian, minimalist, coastal, industrial, and glam. Modern interior design refers to the elegant, clutter-free style which began at the end of the 19th century. A contemporary lounge chair is a newer piece of furniture paying tribute to modern styles, while a contemporary chair designed and built in the 1950s or 1960s can be considered to be a precious antique. [Sources: 0, 2]
##### Sources #####
[0]: https://harmonymodern.com/modern-vs-contemporary-design-whats-the-difference
[1]: https://www.bassettfurniture.com/blog/what-is-contemporary-furniture.aspx
[2]: https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/modern-vs-contemporary-interior-design-style/
[3]: https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/contemporary-vs-modern/
[4]: https://www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com/blog/design-styles-contemporary-vs-modern/
[5]: https://rapportfurniture.com/blogs/rapport-furniture/modern-vs-contemporary-furniture
[6]: https://www.sanfrandesign.com/modern-vs-contemporary-what-to-know-for-your-next-home/
[7]: https://www.allmodern.com/sca/inspiration/inspiration/contemporary-vs-modern-a-guide-for-creating-a-modern-home-T5568
