Furniture Styles
A Guide to the Most Popular Looks
Traditional
Traditional furniture has an old-world classic look. Darker wood tones, plush fabrics, and ornate detailing are characteristic of this style.
Traditional furniture pieces can be styled for a formal look, or one that is more comfortable and cozier. This style embraces the darker hues of reds, greens, yellows, and blues. This style of furniture is timeless and elegant.
Features of this style of furniture include:
- Darker wood tones
- Ornate detailing
- Tufted fabric and rounded edges
- Warmer toned polychromatic color palette
Traditional
Traditional furniture has an old-world classic look. Darker wood tones, plush fabrics, and ornate detailing are characteristic of this style.
Traditional furniture pieces can be styled for a formal look, or one that is more comfortable and cozier. This style embraces the darker hues of reds, greens, yellows, and blues. This style of furniture is timeless and elegant.
Features of this style of furniture include:
- Darker wood tones
- Ornate detailing
- Tufted fabric and rounded edges
- Warmer toned polychromatic color palette
Contemporary
Contemporary furniture stays up with the current trends in furniture and is constantly changing. It is a broad term that encompasses a variety of styles. The designs are uncluttered and refined. Contemporary styled furniture often features innovative designs and materials.
Here are some features of contemporary style:
- Refined, creative designs
- Follows current trends
- Unique and stylish
- Dynamic style elements
Contemporary
Contemporary furniture stays up with the current trends in furniture and is constantly changing. It is a broad term that encompasses a variety of styles. The designs are uncluttered and refined. Contemporary styled furniture often features innovative designs and materials.
Here are some features of contemporary style:
- Refined, creative designs
- Follows current trends
- Unique and stylish
- Dynamic style elements
Modern
This style of furniture embraces a "less is more" design, contradicting the more detailed features of traditional style furniture. It is similar to contemporary, however, unlike the trend dependent designs of contemporary, elements of modern style are static.
Modern furniture has a neutral color palette, minimal decorative elements, and low profile. The style emerged in the early 20th century and remains a popular style in homes today.
This style includes:
- Minimalistic designs
- Neutral monochromatic color pattern
- Minimal decorative elements
- Furniture designed with open spaces in mind
Modern
This style of furniture embraces a "less is more" design, contradicting the more detailed features of traditional style furniture. It is similar to contemporary, however, unlike the trend dependent designs of contemporary, elements of modern style are static.
Modern furniture has a neutral color palette, minimal decorative elements, and low profile. The style emerged in the early 20th century and remains a popular style in homes today.
This style includes:
- Minimalistic designs
- Neutral monochromatic color pattern
- Minimal decorative elements
- Furniture designed with open spaces in mind
Mid-Century Modern
A subset of modern, this style is characterized by a low profile, sleek lines, geometric shapes, and natural materials. The legs on this style of furniture are often splayed, tapering down to the foot of the leg. Mid-century style embraces bold designs in a variety of colors.
This style grew in popularity during the post-World War II era and has remained one of the more popular styles in the US.
This style includes features such as:
- Sleek lines
- Bold geometric angles
- Colorful upholstery
- Retro look
Mid-Century Modern
A subset of modern, this style is characterized by a low profile, sleek lines, geometric shapes, and natural materials. The legs on this style of furniture are often splayed, tapering down to the foot of the leg. Mid-century style embraces bold designs in a variety of colors.
This style grew in popularity during the post-World War II era and has remained one of the more popular styles in the US.
This style includes features such as:
- Sleek lines
- Bold geometric angles
- Colorful upholstery
- Retro look
Farmhouse
Farmhouse furniture is simple and charming. It features natural materials and muted colors such as shades of white, gray, light blue, green, and brown. This style of furniture often has a distressed look and rustic design.
Farmhouse styles usually consists of:
- Rustic, weathered look
- Comfortable “lived in” appearance
- Natural materials such as linen & cotton
- Muted earth toned color palette
Farmhouse
Farmhouse furniture is simple and charming. It features natural materials and muted colors such as shades of white, gray, light blue, green, and brown. This style of furniture often has a distressed look and rustic design.
Farmhouse styles usually consists of:
- Rustic, weathered look
- Comfortable “lived in” appearance
- Natural materials such as linen & cotton
- Muted earth toned color palette
Industrial
Industrial style furniture is characterized by its raw materials and exposed hardware. This style often features metal, wood, and concrete. Like traditional style furniture, industrial can be dressed up or down. It can offer a rustic twist to modern style or a modern spin to a farmhouse style setting.
Features of the industrial style include:
- Gray, black, and brown color palette
- Metal and wood elements are prominent
- Simple and practical designs
Industrial
Industrial style furniture is characterized by its raw materials and exposed hardware. This style often features metal, wood, and concrete. Like traditional style furniture, industrial can be dressed up or down. It can offer a rustic twist to modern style or a modern spin to a farmhouse style setting.
Features of the industrial style include:
- Gray, black, and brown color palette
- Metal and wood elements are prominent
- Simple and practical designs
Transitional
Blending the best of traditional and contemporary furniture, this style offers comfort and functionality. This design features a neutral color palette and minimal accessories. This style embodies the sophistication of traditional style with the current trends, providing a timeless appeal.
This style includes:
- Versatile design style
- Masculine and feminine design balance
- Neutral monochromatic color palette
- Lighter wood tones than traditional
Transitional
Blending the best of traditional and contemporary furniture, this style offers comfort and functionality. This design features a neutral color palette and minimal accessories. This style embodies the sophistication of traditional style with the current trends, providing a timeless appeal.
This style includes:
- Versatile design style
- Masculine and feminine design balance
- Neutral monochromatic color palette
- Lighter wood tones than traditional
Glam
This style of furniture is characterized by its use of luxurious materials and glamorous accents. The upholstery is often velvet, leather, or satin, decorated with metallic hardware and crystal embellishments.
When choosing glam style furniture, you may want to choose a couple of pieces that will be the focal point of the room. This could be a large sofa and side chair, a dramatic chandelier and a statement mirror, or a luxurious headboard and nightstand.
Some features of the glam style include:
- Luxurious and sophisticated
- High quality materials (velvet, satin, leather)
- Dramatic details
- Traces of art deco design elements
Glam
This style of furniture is characterized by its use of luxurious materials and glamorous accents. The upholstery is often velvet, leather, or satin, decorated with metallic hardware and crystal embellishments.
When choosing glam style furniture, you may want to choose a couple of pieces that will be the focal point of the room. This could be a large sofa and side chair, a dramatic chandelier and a statement mirror, or a luxurious headboard and nightstand.
Some features of the glam style include:
- Luxurious and sophisticated
- High quality materials (velvet, satin, leather)
- Dramatic details
- Traces of art deco design elements
Casual
This furniture design is relaxed, comfortable, and informal. Casual furniture is known for its laid-back and inviting nature, creating a welcoming atmosphere in a living space.
Comfortable upholstery such as cotton, linen, or microfiber creates a cozy environment. Mismatched and oversized furniture pieces are common in this style.
The casual style includes many features, some of which include:
- Simple designs
- Neutral color palette
- Rounded edges and generous proportions
- Mix-and-match approach to styling
Casual
This furniture design is relaxed, comfortable, and informal. Casual furniture is known for its laid-back and inviting nature, creating a welcoming atmosphere in a living space.
Comfortable upholstery such as cotton, linen, or microfiber creates a cozy environment. Mismatched and oversized furniture pieces are common in this style.
The casual style includes many features, some of which include:
- Simple designs
- Neutral color palette
- Rounded edges and generous proportions
- Mix-and-match approach to styling
Choosing a Style
Choosing a style of furniture for your home can be an exciting yet challenging task. The right furniture style can enhance the overall aesthetics and create a cohesive look in your space.
The style you choose comes down to personal preference. From traditional to contemporary and everything in between, what style (or styles) are you drawn to the most?
- Consider your personal preferences: Start by identifying your personal taste and style. Consider the colors, patterns, and textures that appeal to you. Explore different design styles and see which ones resonate with your preferences.
- Understand the architecture and layout of your space: Take into account the architectural style and layout of your home. Certain furniture styles work better with specific architectural designs. For example, a minimalist or contemporary style might complement a modern, open-concept space, while a farmhouse or casual style could suit a country-style home.
- Determine the purpose and function of the furniture: Think about the intended use of the furniture. Are you looking for comfortable pieces for relaxation, or do you need functional and space-saving furniture for a small apartment? Understanding the purpose and function will help narrow down your options and choose furniture that meets your needs.
- Consider the existing decor and color scheme: Take into account the existing decor and color scheme of your space. The furniture you choose should harmonize with the overall design and color palette. If you have bold, vibrant walls and accessories, you might want to opt for furniture in neutral tones to create balance. Alternatively, if your space has a minimalistic aesthetic, you could consider furniture with clean lines and a contemporary feel.
- Mix and match: Don't be afraid to mix different furniture styles to create a unique and eclectic look. Combining modern and vintage pieces or blending different design aesthetics can add interest and personality to your space. Just ensure there is a sense of cohesion and balance.
- Consider practicality and comfort: While aesthetics are important, it's crucial to prioritize practicality and comfort. Choose furniture that suits your lifestyle, provides adequate seating and storage, and is durable and easy to maintain.
- Try before you buy: If possible, visit a Mathis Home location to see and test out the furniture in person. Sit on chairs and sofas, check the quality, and assess the comfort level. This hands-on experience can help you make an informed decision.
Choosing a Style
Choosing a style of furniture for your home can be an exciting yet challenging task. The right furniture style can enhance the overall aesthetics and create a cohesive look in your space.
The style you choose comes down to personal preference. From traditional to contemporary and everything in between, what style (or styles) are you drawn to the most?
- Consider your personal preferences: Start by identifying your personal taste and style. Consider the colors, patterns, and textures that appeal to you. Explore different design styles and see which ones resonate with your preferences.
- Understand the architecture and layout of your space: Take into account the architectural style and layout of your home. Certain furniture styles work better with specific architectural designs. For example, a minimalist or contemporary style might complement a modern, open-concept space, while a farmhouse or casual style could suit a country-style home.
- Determine the purpose and function of the furniture: Think about the intended use of the furniture. Are you looking for comfortable pieces for relaxation, or do you need functional and space-saving furniture for a small apartment? Understanding the purpose and function will help narrow down your options and choose furniture that meets your needs.
- Consider the existing decor and color scheme: Take into account the existing decor and color scheme of your space. The furniture you choose should harmonize with the overall design and color palette. If you have bold, vibrant walls and accessories, you might want to opt for furniture in neutral tones to create balance. Alternatively, if your space has a minimalistic aesthetic, you could consider furniture with clean lines and a contemporary feel.
- Mix and match: Don't be afraid to mix different furniture styles to create a unique and eclectic look. Combining modern and vintage pieces or blending different design aesthetics can add interest and personality to your space. Just ensure there is a sense of cohesion and balance.
- Consider practicality and comfort: While aesthetics are important, it's crucial to prioritize practicality and comfort. Choose furniture that suits your lifestyle, provides adequate seating and storage, and is durable and easy to maintain.
- Try before you buy: If possible, visit a Mathis Home location to see and test out the furniture in person. Sit on chairs and sofas, check the quality, and assess the comfort level. This hands-on experience can help you make an informed decision.