Traditional vs. Contemporary

Furniture comes in a variety of different shapes, styles and designs. Finding the right style for you and your home can sometimes be a challenge. Preparing yourself with some knowledge about the different styles of furniture can help you decide which way to go when you are ready to make that next big purchase. So, where to begin? Well, most furniture can be divided into two categories; Traditional or Contemporary. Now I'm sure you've heard these terms being thrown around before, but what exactly do they mean? Well, let's figure that out together today! Traditional Furniture is often associated with over-sized, over-bearing and overly ornate furniture. This may have been the case back in the beginning of the 20th century when most of this style developed but more and more these days, traditional furniture is being designed to be more compatible with our 21st century lifestyles. The traditional style does call for designs with ornate furnishings, elaborate carvings and an emphasis on motif, however that doesn't mean that it has to be bulky or over bearing. Softer curves, subtler patterns and controlled carvings make modern-day traditional furniture lighter and easier to incorporate into our everyday lives. Some traditional pieces may not be as practical as more modern pieces as they do tend to be a bit larger in size and may not offer as much functionality but traditional furniture does have its perks. Traditional designs tend to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and furniture that features elaborate decorations and embellishments also give a home/office a touch of luxury. In short, traditional furniture offers romance, elegance and is a celebration of the ornate and indulgent. With the traditional furniture design, you do not have to worry about it going out of fashion. Traditional furniture has been around for many, many years and thus it is not going to go out of style. Traditional Furniture with its established elegance is always trendy. Check out this beautiful TRADITIONAL STYLE Bedroom Set from Dynamic Furniture Corporation, the 0217 Monte Cristo Complete Bed - Available at Surplus Furniture. Ok, so what is “Contemporary Design” then? Well, Contemporary furniture is the opposite of traditional furniture. Contemporary by definition means “existing, occurring, or living at the same time; belonging to the same time.” And that is exactly the same for the use of the term in interior design. Contemporary design refers to what is popular or used right now. Contemporary design can be very eclectic for that reason, because it is ever changing and borrows pieces and styles from all different eras. Contemporary furniture is marked by modern and trendy forms, clean lines and simplistic details. Chair arms and legs are simple, either squared or rounded. Upholstery fabrics are usually a solid colour or have a subtle pattern. Most contemporary furniture has little to no carvings, or embellishments. Many of the sofas are lower to the ground and feature squared arms and straight backs. As already mentioned earlier, contemporary furniture design is marked by modern and trendy forms. This enables homeowners to keep up with current trends when it comes to home furnishing and decor. In addition, most contemporary furniture designs are not only made to meet the homeowners’ taste for style and aesthetic appeal but are also made with a great deal of attention to the needs of the 21st century lifestyle. As a result, this type of furniture often provides a high level of functionality. Keep in mind though, following the most recent trends in furniture design can be a costly thing as the trends tend to change quickly which means that a design which is currently in can be out in a very short period of time. And homeowners who want to keep up with the latest furniture design trends therefore may find themselves throwing out “outdated“ but perfectly useful furniture. Check out this beautiful CONTEMPORARY STYLE Bedroom Set from Crown Mark Furniture, the 7400 Dark Espresso Complete Bed - Available at Surplus Furniture. The styles each have their own characteristics, their own charm and attractions. They are, in a design sense, opposites. Both furniture styles have a unique appeal and as a result, many homeowners face a challenge when deciding between them because each is special in its own way. Traditional and contemporary furniture usually don't work well with each other, so one must be careful when choosing which style works best for them. While you could have a traditional accent chair in a mostly contemporary space, the reverse of that would look out of place so caution must be taken when designing your new room. Both contemporary and traditional furniture designs look beautiful and it is impossible to say which one is a better choice. Generally, it is best to choose furniture design and style which compliments your home’s overall style. But whichever furniture design you will choose, do not forget about quality materials and Brand Name manufacturers which not only affect its durability but aesthetic appeal as well. Check out the many different styles of Brand Name Furniture offered here at Surplus Furniture! Quality Brand Names and Low Factory Direct Prices regardless if you choose a contemporary or traditional furniture style!