Furniture Styles
A Decorating Influence

The many different furniture styles have design influences from various factors including geography, history and religion and cover hundreds of years.

And if you are in the process of redecorating you’ve heard the many different names to each, from antique, modern, rustic, English, French, and Italian. But really what does it mean and does it really matter?

It does, but only if it is important to you. Because the real thing to be concern about is, not so much that you know the name of the style you prefer but that it results in a room you are happy with.

Rooms don’t have to have furniture in it all of the same style, instead you can take what you like and mix it up or leave it all to the same design. Truthfully often times in today’s furniture market you will find design inspirations of a few different eras in one piece.

And many of the furniture styles can fall into two broad categories of traditional and contemporary.

Traditional furniture are reflections of the different periods from time past with influences from European royalty. This category will show detailed carvings, pediments, ball and claw, animal heads as examples and were originally hand crafted by furniture craftsman before modern technology and mass production.

The woods typically used are cherry, walnut, mahogany and oak with formal feeling fabrics of damasks and brocades.

Contemporary furniture, the other of the two main categories of furniture styles lacks the carvings and ornate details of traditional, and is instead subtle, understated, and practical and may exhibit some futuristic appearances.

The woods are lighter for the most part and also from some exotic species.

European furniture designs date back centuries and encompasses many countries with the most recognizable being of French, English and Italian.

English pieces are heavy and are crafted in woods of oak, walnut and mahogany with little decorative details.

The French is decorative with elaborate designs and carvings, even pieces with a country feel to them will exhibit decorative details.

The Italian style begins its roots in the 15th century with large and ornate shapes taken from the Roman architecture and in many materials including marble and stone. Features evident are columns, pedestals and ornate bases.

Oriental furniture is a reflection of the culture of the Far East (as with Oriental decorating) with simple lines but in painted finishes, some gilding and detailed with intricate hardware.

Farther reading of other furniture designs:

Art Deco interior design is an eclectic style with distinct and bold geometric motifs and linear symmetry that radiates a minimalist elegance.

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