Furniture, like art, music, and dance, is considered to fall into specific styles or types. Specialists in the furniture business understand the diverse styles and know what decades or eras they encompass. At the same time, a well-informed furniture outlet knows the general public does not often distinguish between two common terms: modern and contemporary. IN MN, as in so many other American states, furniture retailers, online and in situ, are careful to provide their customers with exactly what they are looking for, loosely applying the definition of modern.
Modern and Contemporary
In design, the term “modern” is applied to a specific era, now past. The decades embraced are those from 1920 to 1950. They include some very popular and well-known distinctive styles. Among them are these following easy-to-recognize designations:
- Art Deco: 1920s and 1930s.
- Bauhaus: 1920s and 1930s
- Mid-Century Modern
However, when most people ask for something “modern,” they are actually referring to something that reflects today’s standards, tastes, and styles. In other words, they want something that is contemporary. This refers to the current popular and/or common styles. For a furniture outlet, this means ensuring they carry the latest styles, colors, and fashions. They need to reflect what is currently “in.” As a result, the furniture they currently show must mirror national, international, and even local e.g., MN, CA, FL, tastes.
Contemporary or Modern: Furniture Outlet
Furniture continues to change, if not evolve. Over time, what is viewed as contemporary becomes passé. For some, certain styles remain “classic” always. For others, older designs are not modern, or antique, or stylish. They are simply old. They may say they want something “modern” for their home in MN or FL, but what they are actually looking for are contemporary pieces. A successful furniture outlet understands this. While knowing the sometimes subtle differences between styles, it also recognizes the tastes and requirements of all its customers.