With contrasting style directions and eclecticism reigning supreme in home design it has become clear that fashion trends are no longer dictating the way we decorate our homes any more than they are dictating the way we dress. More and more people are developing a taste for mixing contradictory furniture trends in decorating their homes by combining contemporary furniture with vintage pieces and exotic art works.
The rise of natural disasters, uncertain economies, ongoing regional wars and conflicts and constant threats from terrorism have seen people becoming more and more isolated in their home cocoons. Our new cocooning lifestyle has given rise to a boom in the homeware and furniture industries, as more and more people turn to entertaining at home rather than going out.
”Cocooning (as defined in Wikipedia) is the name given to trend that sees individuals socializing less and retreating into their home more. Individuals tend to stay away from society and lack in social confidence leading to 'cocooning'. The term was coined in the 1990s by Faith Popcorn - a trend forecaster and marketing consultant.. Popcorn identified cocooning as a commercially significant trend that would lead to, among other things, stay-at-home electronic shopping.”
The “cocoon boom”, which really kicked in after 9/11, has transformed the modern home into a family hideaway and sanctuary. Today there is an emphasis on home entertaining and informal dining which are functions of our casual lifestyles. Contemporary furniture has largely been driven by these trends
Whether they are looking for modern furniture or accessories and dinnerware, people are looking for items that portray their sense of personal style. The casual living trend has seen modern furniture becoming multi-functional with clean uncluttered lines. Seating has become extended with extra-long and curved couches and sofas the order of the day
Modern furniture today promotes quality family entertainment, encourages and supports traditional family values and generally helps people connect. Another noticeable trend in home decor is a return to ‘formal’ for special occasions. It seems that people are tending to make a greater effort preparing for dinner parties or special occasions, spending more time selecting their dinnerware, candles, table linen and table decorations. Sensuality is another important modern furniture trend and this has led to the use of more luscious fabrics, warm soft colors and simple shapes.
Many furniture items are being increasingly focused on the target market for single men So we are seeing sleeker minimalist designs with an emphasis on the use of multi-media applications. Flat screen TV’s are accommodated in hi-tech entertainment centres and flat loudspeakers are being incorporated into slim, spacious sofas, covered in dark trendy upholstery fabrics. This trend is also reflected in customised furniture items, such as art pieces with functional aspects. We are even seeing the wider use of LED lighting technology is helping to transform coffee tables into a futuristic objects that change colours depending on the mood required
Light woods still dominate in the make up of modern furniture today,. Oak, cherry, and birch are the most popular woods, with rattan and bamboo increasingly popular. Many woods are being artificially stained to resemble exquisite tropical woods, eg zebrano or mahogany. We are seeing varnished solid fronts being combined with veneered bodies and stainless steel, (polished or brushed) and aluminum being combined with boldly coloured fiberglass and satin glass.
In the upholstery arena, modern furniture designers are favouring refined abstract patterns or more sophisticated monochrome surfaces, with stripes, checks and floral patterns now slightly out of fashion. The most popular upholstery materials are wool, cotton and leather, with wool felt gaining popularity.
The outstanding characteristic of modern furniture is its understatement. As Giorgio Armani, said – “a subtle richness, not an obvious beauty, is most important in contemporary furniture design.”
Like a beautiful woman, furniture today will reveal itself over time.
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