Fashion trends no longer dictate the way we dress or decorate

our homes. Eclecticism and contrasting style directions reign

in home design. More and more people develop a taste of mixing

contradictory furniture trends in their home decor, combining

contemporary furniture with vintage finds and exotic art

pieces.

Uncertain economy, the rise of natural disasters, persistent

war conflicts and terrorist threats has resulted in the further

insulation of people within their home cocoons. This cocoon

lifestyle has given a boom to houseware and furniture industry,

since more and more people turn to home entertainment and dinner

parties instead of “going out.”

The “cocoon boom,” which originally started after September 11,

2001, transformed the modern home into a family sanctuary and

hideaway. Casual living remains as the major theme with

contemporary furniture today, with an emphasis on home

entertaining and informal dining.

From modern furniture to accessories and dinnerware, people

look for items that possess a strong sense of personal style.

The casual living trend in modern furniture translates into

multi-functional furniture with clear non-cluttered design and

extended seating furniture pieces such as extra-long and curved

couches and sofas.

Modern furniture today encourages family values, promotes

quality family entertainment, supports traditional values and

generally helps people connect. Another noticeable trend in

home décor is a return to ‘formal’ for special occasions.

People tend to make a greater effort preparing for special

occasions or dinner parties and spend more time selecting

dinnerware, candles, photo albums, seasonal decorations and

table linen. Another important modern furniture trend is

sensuality which means luscious fabrics, soft warm colors and

simple shapes.

Many furniture items are adjusted for use for the targeted

group of single men. This means sleek minimalist design and an

emphasis on the use of multi-media applications. Flat screen

TV’s are accommodated in hi-tech entertainment centers, and

flat loudspeakers are incorporated into lean, spacious sofas,

covered with dark trendy upholstery fabrics. This trend is also

reflected in one-of-a-kind furniture items, such as art pieces

having a functional meaning. Wide use of LED lighting

technology helps transform a coffee table into a futuristic

object that will change colors depending on a situation.

Speaking of materials used in modern furniture today, light

woods still dominate. Oak, cherry, and birch are the most

popular woods, with rattan and bamboo on the rise. Many woods

are artificially stained to resemble exquisite tropical woods,

for example, zebrano, mahogany, or palisander. A varnished

solid front is often combined with a veneered body. Stainless

steel, polished or brushed, and aluminum are used widely, often

combined with innovative satin glass and boldly colored

fiberglass.

In the upholstery, modern furniture designers favor refined

large abstract patterns or sophisticated monochrome surfaces.

Stripes and checks, as well as floral patterns are slightly out

of fashion. The most popular materials are wool, cotton and

leather, with wool felt gaining popularity.

The main characteristic feature of modern furniture is its

understatement. Giorgio Armani, a couturier turned furniture

designer says, that a subtle richness, not an obvious beauty,

is most important in contemporary furniture design. Like a

beautiful woman, furniture today reveals itself over time.