Isn't it easy to get confused when buying furniture, especially when it comes to choose a style?
Do you want to mix several styles together, but you don't understand how to do it to get a balanced and stylish result? Some people like classic furniture, while others like more modern and contemporary ones.
Which one are you in favor of? Can’t you decide? Let us help you blend both styles and we promise, the end result will be even more impressive.
What is traditional or classic furniture style?
The classical or traditional style is a style of meticulous detailing and more formal solutions that originated in the 1600s in Europe. This style is distinguished by elegant details that symbolize wealth and opulence. Since furniture makers in the 17th century were paid an hourly rate for the work done, the more luxurious the furniture, the more money they would make.
Classic style furniture is characterized by opulence and detailed features. There are no sharp edges in the classic style, curvyand floral patterns are common here, which ensure the timeless look of the furniture.
Here are some features that distinguish classic furniture:
- Darkwood - when making furniture in a classic style, wood types with richcolors are used, for example, oak, cherry, mahogany, walnut. This type of wood provides a sleek and elegant look.
- Gold Accents – Gold accentsdisplaywealth and opulence,
- Plushfabrics – luxury can't go further without plush fabrics,
- Ornaments- linen sofas with both floral and striped patterns will make your living room look classic.
- Symmetry– the furniture is symmetrical, but the arrangement in the room should also be symmetrical.
The great craze for antique furniture and decor proves that traditional style is always up-to-date and people are always looking for innovative solutions to incorporate it into their rooms.
What is modern furniture style?
Modern style is based on minimalist solutions, simplicity and functionality. The modern design style originated in the 1800s and 1900s. It gained great popularity in the 1920s, later in the 1940s-60s. transformed into mid-century modern.
It differs from the contemporary style. The latter represents the design trends of a given period or era, which tend to change from year to year, even from season to season. Modern style dictates its rules and they are stable. Some of those rules are:
- Minimal and simple-modern is about clean, simple lines and minimal details.
- Comfort is more preferable than style - while classic or traditional furniture stands out for its aestheticappeal, modern style emphasizes comfort and practicality in everyday life.
- Different materials - in addition to natural materials, steel, aluminum, nickel and plastic can often be found in modern times.
- Neutral colors – dark neutral colors such as black, dark brown, sky blue are popular in modern.
Since the medieval style is distinguished by its distinctive features, it has developed its own rules over time. It can be said that the mid-century modern style has emerged as a separate branch.
Here you can see features typical of retro furniture. Apart from curvy lines, geometric patterns are also common here.
Mid-century modern style presents a more colorful palette than regular modern. Bright accent decorations are inevitable here.
How to combine modern and classic styles?
Very often we want to combine our old classic furniture with new modern ones, but they seem to be incompatible. You don't need to get rid of the old furniture, now we will learn together how to properly match the two in one room.
- Review the architectural style of the room
Try to understand what architectural features the room has.
Usually, even the walls have decorative moldings and high ceilings in classically furnished rooms. Modern rooms are characterized by open space.
- Decide which style you want to see dominating inthe room
Before buying new furniture, understand what furniture you have in the house and how the new one will complement the old one, not interfere with it. For example, you can get a modern accent cabinet with antique details and combine it in a classic style.
- Use different wall decorations, rugs, lighting accessories to balance the two styles
Wall decorations, rugs and lighting accessories are must-haves for any room. Use these small but powerful solutions to get a balanced result in the room. Do you want to dominate the elements of modern style? You can hang a chandelier with an aged texture above the dining table for a richer and more opulent look. If you prefer the classic, the introduction of modern lamps is already severe enough to break the classic.
- Plan a furniture placement strategy
Strategic planning is important when placing furniture in a room. You don't want to have only classic elements in one corner and only modern ones in the other. Instead of emphasizing stylistic differences, they should complement each other. Distribute evenly throughout the room.
How to make classic furniture look modern?
One of the easiest ways to make classic furniture more modern is to fill it with modern details. The balancing of the two styles gives the classic furniture a fresher and newer breath. Add accent pillows or lamps with modern patterns as well.
Whether you are looking for classic or modern furniture, in both cases you will find a large selection of furniture at any Ashley Furniture Homestore.