What is modern furniture?

Modern furniture is a style of furnishings that was produced from the 19th century when the Industrial Revolution and mechanized production came into force. Modern furniture designs continue to this day. This style of furniture design is heavily influenced by modernist philosophy.

 

After the Second World War, people began to adopt the ideals of commodification, cutting excess and using materials practically. These views impacted the aesthetics of modern furniture.
 

In terms of furniture design, modern furniture made a wide departure from styles used in the period which included Neoclassical, Victorian and Art Nouveau. Gilded, carved wood and heavily patterned fabrics were dropped for the geometry and simplicity of polished metals. The form of furniture went from heavy to light. 

 

This shift to minimalist principles in design can be credited to changes in philosophical thought, the influence of architectural principles and introduction of new technologies. Modernist design strips away decorative elements and focuses on object in order to save money, material, labor and time. Therefore modern furniture attempts to capture beauty with extra precision.
 

Before modern furniture designs took a hold, furniture was viewed as an ornament. The amount of time it took to craft the item was a measure of its desirability and value. As new technologies and philosophies emerged, the emphasis on using furniture for decoration shifted to one that promotes functionality, production and accessibility. 

 

The concept of mass produced, accessible and affordable designs was initially applied to industrial mechanics before being used in furniture design. The notion that furniture has to be functional plays a major role in modern furniture design. Functionalist furniture designers reject imitation, historical forms and embellishments. Instead they focus on how users interact with the design of a piece and how features such as size, shape and color adapt to human posture.
 

Modern furniture pieces are technically innovative, original and reflect ideas of today. Three famous examples of this type of furniture include Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair, Le Corbusier Chaise Lounge and the Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chair.