A Quick Guide to the 5 Most Popular Styles of Furniture
When starting a new project, the first thing I ask my clients is: What furniture style are you looking for? Many of them find it hard to answer this question and I don’t blame them. With several schools of design all around us and with many styles overlapping each other, it’s difficult to determine what best fits one’s interior needs and vision. So, I’ve put together a quick guide to the 5 most popular furniture styles that will help clear things up!
TRADITIONAL: Traditional furniture encompasses classical design from across the ages. Predominantly rooted in European sensibilities – Jacobean, Louis the XIV, Victorian and more – Traditional furniture is characterised by ornate designs, detailed craftsmanship, carved motifs, vivid fabrics and rich leather. There is also a prevalence of wood, particularly deep timbers.
Key Characteristics:
- Conventional silhouettes, wing backs, curved lines
- Ornamental and intricate detailing especially carved motifs
- Rich, deep tones of wood such as walnut, mahogany chestnut, merlot etc.
- Plush, sumptuous fabrics like velvet, silk and leather and patterns like Damask
Perfect For: those seeking to create a luxurious, grand and formal living space that never goes out of style – Traditional design is timeless!
CONTEMPORARY: The word 'Contemporary' refers to the present moment. So, Contemporary designs reflect current trends and as such are constantly evolving with the times! Contemporary style today is represented with new-age materials and the latest production technology like moulded forms, sleek lines, gentle curves, natural materials and solid fabrics.
Key Characteristics:
- Simple, clean forms including geometric shapes
- Muted colour palettes such as beige, whites, greys
- Predominant materials used are metal, precomposed veneers, glass and steel
Perfect for: those desiring a minimalistic, monochromatic, light yet cutting-edge look with a strong emphasis on comfort!
MODERN: A lot of people use ‘Modern’ and ‘Contemporary’ interchangeably. However, Modern furniture is attributed to the Modernist Movement in the early 1900s. It was introduced as a contrast to its ornate style ancestors. Thus, this style focuses on strong linear lines and monochromatic colour palettes. Modern design adopts a “More is Less” approach.
Key Characteristics:
- Monochromatic colour palettes
- Smooth surfaces
- Simple, clean line and form
- Predominant materials used are vinyl, steel, leather, plastic
Perfect for: creating a sleek, uncluttered interior that focuses on simplicity without compromising on style!
TRANSITIONAL: Transitional design is increasingly popular because it blends traditional and contemporary design to give one the best of both worlds. It is perfect for those who do not wish to confine their aesthetics to one design 'box'.
Key Characteristics:
- Mix of contemporary and traditional décor
- Clean contemporary lines balanced with elements of traditional detailing
- Colour palette blends traditional jewel colours with contemporary neutral trims
- Striking a balance between styles is key in creating a cohesive look
Perfect for: those who want an eclectic space which is flexible and doesn’t commit to any particular interior stamp – Transitional design allows you to create your own unique style statement!
RUSTIC: Rustic design is all about showcasing the beauty within the ‘Natural’. Think of wood, timber, burlap, distressed finishes. Rustic furniture is focused on creating a raw, rugged look that simultaneously emanates warmth and homeliness.
Key Characteristics:
- Focus on the earthy and natural through materials like wood, timber, burlap etc.
- Colour palette leans towards primary colours and rustic earth tones – whites, browns, olives, rust, mustard
- Emphasis on creating a warm, earthy cosy interiors
- Encompasses everything from the Coastal look to Tuscan to Lodge
Perfect for: those looking for a natural, effortless and casually stylish interior that is warm and inviting!
Nilofer Rustomji is the Proprietor of Colonial Collections – a 30-year-old Furniture Manufacturing and Retail Company based in Mumbai.