For some, a chair is a chair, no matter how you use it. However, by specifying an Eames-style chair or a Beetle chair, we start to wonder if the chair is not just a chair. Designers and interior design enthusiasts can talk about such topics for days just because terminology counts for them. Words that may seem interchangeable or explanatory usually have nuances, very often difficult to notice. Below you can find some explanatory words that can be very helpful in understanding some of the most popular design terms.
Namely, the discussed issue concerns the difference between contemporary and modern design. You might think that these two styles are synonymous, because both describe elegant looks and similar visual effects, but in reality they have their own distinct features. Here's all you need to know.
The modern (or modernist) style refers to a specific period between the beginning and the middle of the twentieth century. It was the time of the peak of art and design, which was developed in the Scandinavian and German Bauhaus style, creating a distinct style focused on a simple form and function.
The modern style also created a mid-century modern style (developed in the 1950s and 1960s), although in the terminology of interior design the term "modern" often includes both styles.
If we would like to describe a contemporary style, we should start with a basic fact - it does not refer to a specific period of time, it constantly changes to reflect popular styles of contemporary design. It introduces features from modernism, minimalism through other global styles, without focusing on any specific.
In conclusion, the main differences between modern and contemporary design is the time frame. Modernity is by definition what happens in the design at this moment, this period is more fluid and difficult to determine. On the other hand, modern design is distinguished by aesthetics, which emphasizes sharp lines, warm and neutral colors and balance.
If you are interested in interior design in a modern or contemporary style, please contact us to discuss the details.