Frequently Asked Questions About Contemporary Furniture

• What is Modern or Contemporary Furniture?

Till the late 19th and early twentieth century, furniture was more of an ornament rather than something that was made for functionality and accessibility. It was painstakingly built by hand and the greater the ornamentation and the longer it took to prepare the greater was its value. But by the early twentieth century a radical change in design and style had begun to emerge and soon this was called modern or contemporary style of furniture. From furniture that looked heavy and was upholstered with heavy fabrics and had gilded carvings on it, the newer furniture began to place emphasis on light building materials, on fabric that was patterned simply and on minimalist design. There was a lot of focus on simplicity and on styles which let in a lot of light and on geometry and straight lines rather than elaborate patterns.

• Which are the materials which are used for modern furniture?

Molded plywood, and steel and other metals in many forms, and plastic were some of the new materials which helped evolve these new styles. In sharp contrast to the earlier use of only wood to make furniture, these materials made the new designs easier to reproduce and also helped to bring down the time required to make the furniture and also the cost. Technological innovations made mass production possible, and with homes becoming smaller in size, lighter materials were used to make smaller and lighter furniture.

• Which are the styles which have influenced Contemporary furniture?

Japanese styles have had a tremendous influence on modern furniture. The minimalist styles followed by them, have challenged the old baroque and gilded patterns. Deutsche Werkbund, a government sponsored initiative in Germany, helped to evolve many new designs and also promote the German styles throughout the world. The Bauhaus School was also a product of this initiative, and they are believed to be the pioneers of modern styles of furniture.

• What are the special characteristics of Contemporary Furniture?

The special characteristics have always been simplicity and functionality. The lines are clean, and there is very little ornamentation or elaborate designs. The materials are very light and often metals such as steel are incorporated along with plywood or board to make an article of furniture. Minimalistic designs and simple streamlined styles are what contemporary furniture is all about.

• How do we take care of this kind of furniture?

Basically, as with every other product that needs cleaning, contemporary furniture cleaning and care depends on the materials used. Since it is not heavily carved, nor does it have gilding on it, the care processes are much simpler. A good dusting is all that is required most of the time. Metal furniture requires a good wipe and there some good cleaning sprays which will help to keep them shining.

• Which accessories go will with contemporary furniture?

As contemporary furniture evolved over the years, so did the accessories to compliment it. Lamps were made of metal and a fusion of materials. Light fixtures also became simpler in design. The older heavier carpets have been replaced with light fluffy rugs with geometrical patterns rather than oriental designs.