Is your furniture looking a little dated? Are you considering investing in some new pieces but are unsure what is trendy right now?
There's no doubt that furniture is an essential part of any home. But what many people don't know is that the type of furniture you choose can make a big difference in terms of your overall comfort and style.
If you're looking for modern furniture, it's important to understand what this term actually means. In most cases, modern furniture refers to pieces that are made from natural materials such as wood or leather. Additionally, modern furniture often features simple designs and clean lines, which help to create a sleek and contemporary look in your home. So, if you're ready to update your decor, consider investing in some stylish modern furniture pieces!
Modern Furniture Design
Modern furniture is characterized by clean lines, lack of ornamentation, and straightforward functionality. Modern designs tend to put function above appearance, discard any unnecessary decorative elements, and are meant to create visually interesting compositions with their spare forms alone. There must be no unnecessary details or elaborate decorations, as they would only detract from the design's otherwise simple form.
Some modern designs seem almost stark and minimally functional, with a few thin slats of wood or steel supporting a user's weight by holding up a flat surface. However, many pieces have hidden compartments for storage or other useful features that were intentionally designed into the piece.
Modern furniture is not only limited to commercially manufactured items, though all modern designs are simple without ornate carvings or other unnecessary features found in traditional styles. Designers can use industrial methods of production that allow for completely customized pieces of furniture based on the individual's preferences and tastes.
What Are Modern Furniture Made Of?
Do you ever wonder what the materials are in your favorite pieces? Modern furniture is designed to last, so hopefully, you have quite a few pieces in your home. Many designers try to incorporate as many recycled materials as possible in creating modern furniture, particularly those from industrial waste. This is not only great for the environment, but also reduces production costs and makes furniture easier to obtain by consumers. In addition to industrial waste, modern furniture can be made of various other materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, rubbers, and even fabrics.
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Solid
In general, modern furniture is made of plywood or a composite material with a thin top layer of veneer. Some pieces, however, are made of solid wood if the designer is going for a rustic look. Modern furniture designers tend to use solid wood sparingly, if at all.
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Plywood
Layers of thin wood are glued together and pressed under high pressure to create a sturdy plywood frame. This material is used in many different types of modern furniture because it's strong and affordable, two characteristics that would not be possible with solid wood.
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Veneer
A thin covering or surface layer of wood is put on top of another material. A veneer is mostly used in modern furniture to achieve different looks but can also be utilized as a protective layer for solid lumber. This allows designers to use the more affordable plywood rather than high-end solid lumber. Since veneer is so thin, it can be peeled off of plywood without compromising the material's structure.
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Plastic
Many modern furniture are made with a plastic coating or veneer, but occasionally designers opt for all-out plastic pieces. These works come in many shapes and sizes, including plastic chairs, tables, desks, storage units, and entire room settings.
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Glass
Modern furniture designers use glass veneer to create sleek, reflective accents in many of their pieces. Glass can also be made into molded shapes for structures like tables and chairs. Its reflective qualities make it suitable for use as windows, so you'll see a lot of modern homes making use of it as such.
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Ceramic
Usually, ceramic pieces are coated with a veneer to prevent cracking and breaking under stress. If you'd like, you can find modern furniture made of all-ceramic materials that don't require this reinforcement (most likely because the designer wants the piece to appear shiny and delicate).
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Fabric
There are many modern furniture pieces made with fabric as the primary material. This includes couches, chairs, other seating arrangements, and curtain rods and tables. One reason to use fabric is that it's durable but still relatively lightweight. For this reason, you'll find many modern furniture designers using it in conjunction with metal or plastics.
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Metal
Many types of modern furniture are made entirely out of metal, either in its solid form or as a steel frame. Most metal furniture is painted to reduce the possibility of rusting over time. If you want all-metal modern furniture but don't want it to appear cold and impersonal, look for pieces that have wood veneer accents.
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Wood
Modern furniture is primarily made of plywood, with a thin veneer on top, but the solid wood is still used in some varieties. Modern design prefers to use this material only in the rarest situations where the piece must have a rustic style. In addition, solid wood is much more susceptible to damage, making it best for cases where durability isn't a concern.
If you’re in the market for new furniture, it’s essential to know your options. You may be surprised to learn that modern furniture is not just made of wood and metal. Instead, there are a variety of materials that can be used to create beautiful, modern-day pieces.
In our showroom, you’ll find examples of all different kinds of modern furniture in Toronto. We have everything from sofas and chairs to dining tables and bedroom sets. Our team would be happy to help you find the perfect pieces for your home. Please stop by today at InSTYLE Home & Rugs and let us show you what we have! Browse our selection today at our many locations around in Barrie, Brampton, Aurora, Mississauga, and more.