If you’re looking to add new furniture to your home, it’s important to choose pieces that match your style and the way you live. There are many different types of furniture styles, each with their own unique characteristics.

Traditional furniture is a popular choice for homeowners who want furnishings that will stand the test of time and keep their homes timeless. Solid wood pieces are also a good investment that will never go out of style.

Traditional

Traditional furniture style celebrates the rich heritage of European opulence and embodies classic elegance. It summons neutral wall colors and chairs and sofas replete in warm jewel-toned upholstery to create a refined and inviting atmosphere.

Traditional design combines the timeless elegance of 18th and 19th-century European decor with the comfort and familiarity of homes built for families today. It is the natural evolution of those motifs, maintaining interior features like detailed millwork and calm, soothing color palettes.

The most recognizable elements of traditional furniture are carved scrolls, dark woods, ball or claw feet and inlaid sections. While the original styles were influenced by Greek, Roman and Italian design, they have been refined over time with the help of English, French, German and American design influences.

Many of these furniture pieces are hand-carved and stained in dark woods such as oak, walnut and rosewood. They also have intricate detailing and are adorned with turned legs, arched backs, rolled arms and turned finials.

These elements make traditional furniture look regal, as though it was made for a monarchy. This style of furniture was intended to mimic the opulence of royal living spaces, but it was available for commoners as well.

While the opulent look of traditional furniture can be difficult to recreate in modern times, it is still possible to achieve this type of decor. By incorporating some of the most popular furniture designs into your home, you can enjoy its traditional appeal without having to sacrifice the warmth and comfort that modern-day living requires.

Traditional style can be achieved through a variety of different ways, including incorporating knick-knacks into your decor or utilizing decorative mirrors and frames. Large area rugs, Persian or Oriental style accents, and art pieces are other ways to add a touch of opulence to your space.

One of the most notable characteristics of traditional style is its reliance on dark woods, as well as gold metal tones. These can be used in combination with a variety of furniture finishes to create a timeless look that’s sure to please.

Chairs and tables in this style are crafted with cabriole or twisted legs, ball-and-claw feet, arching backs, and rolled arms. These elements are often complemented with inlaid patterns, which may include motifs such as seashells or pineapples. Alternatively, they may be upholstered in fabrics with a single solid color or a subtle pattern.

Transitional

Transitional design is a balancing act between old and new, reviving classic styles with clean lines, refined color palettes, and sleek accents. Taking cues from the modern minimalism trend, this style mixes traditional elements with contemporary pieces, finishes, and fabrics for a sophisticated look that’s crowd-pleasing and easy to customize.

Furniture silhouettes in transitional styles offer straightforward sophistication with sleek lines, timeless shapes, and rich finishes or interesting accents that draw attention to the details. Taking inspiration from nature, this design style favors muted colors, soft hues, and neutral palettes.

Texture is another key element in this design style. Leather, sisal, burlap, chenille, and other materials add interest while also complementing the neutral tones of transitional design.

One of the most common ways to incorporate this style into a space is to pair complementary textures like wood, glass, and fabric. These materials are often layered to create visual interest and make the space feel cozy, yet refined.

In addition, textured accessories like area rugs, decorative pillows, plants, and trays can give the space a cozy feel without overwhelming it. Lastly, metallic accents can be used to create an elevated, glamorous look in the room.

Typically, transitional furniture style uses neutral color palettes to create restful, tranquil environments. These hues tend to be cream, taupe, white, khaki, and gray, and are ideal for adding subtle accents and pattern when you want them.

Keep your colors calm and simple, but don’t be afraid to add a pop of bright color in the form of a large piece of artwork or a colorful throw rug. Just make sure to select the piece of art or the rug carefully so it doesn’t detract from the overall look and feel of your space.

For example, a dramatic chandelier can be hung above a traditional dining table paired with modern chairs that are upholstered in traditionally patterned fabric. This type of pairing works well when the furniture is balanced and the designs are complimentary.

While transitional style can be a little tricky to nail, it is possible to create a beautiful and inviting space that will last for years to come. This style is not for everyone, but if you are confident in your skills and willing to take risks, this style can be an excellent choice for your home.

Modern

Modern furniture is one of the most popular styles in the world and can be found in homes all over the globe. The style grew from the modernist design movement that sprang up in the early 1900s. It was a rebellion against ornate designs that preceded it and prioritized clean lines, functionality and efficiency.

During the early and mid 20th century, modernist designers such as Florence Knoll Basset, Ray Eames and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Charles worked with furniture manufacturers to bring this streamlined take on classic designs to the public. Many of their iconic designs are still available, including the Barcelona chair, the Tongue chair, and other items that have become household names.

Another modern movement that is a direct descendant of the modernist movement is Scandinavian Modern, which crossed the Atlantic ocean in the mid-20th century. Known for its clean lines, neutral color schemes and open designs, it is a popular choice for homeowners who want to achieve an airy and contemporary look in their home.

Like all modern styles, this furniture is designed to be simple and efficient while rejecting ornate designs that often make a room look cluttered. This is accomplished through the use of straight lines and edges, metals (such as metal, alloy steels, gold, and bright wood exposing) and a focus on simple geometric shapes over elaborate ornate ornamentation.

Most modern furniture is constructed from a combination of popular materials. These include wood, leather, and linen. They also often incorporate polished metals such as aluminum, nickel, and stainless steel into their design, which gives the furniture a modern, industrial feel.

In addition to being simple and functional, this style focuses on comfort. Plush fabrics and well-padded upholstery help create comfortable pieces that will last for years to come.

The modernist style also incorporated metals into their design, giving them an industrial flair that would have otherwise been difficult to achieve. The use of polished metals like aluminum, nickel and stainless steel in the design of tables, chairs, and lighting fixtures is a big draw to this style.

Contemporary

A contemporary furniture style is a combination of modern designs that have an airy, light appearance. This type of furniture is often made from natural woods, neutral colors, and metals.

The most important characteristic of this style is its minimalist appeal. This style is about maximizing space without adding excess clutter, so it’s ideal for a small living room or bedroom.

“Contemporary furniture is all about clean lines and smooth surfaces,” says interior designer Mary Lee. It is also known for its neutral color palettes, so you can easily work it into your home’s decor.

To create an open, airy look in your contemporary space, keep it uncluttered by incorporating neutral colors like black and white. You can also use a textural area rug that is both durable and easy to clean, such as a sisal or jute rug.

If you prefer a more structured silhouette, choose a contemporary sofa with square edges and flat arms. These features can give you the structure and comfort you need for long-term relaxation.

You can get contemporary-style furniture from La-Z-Boy in several styles, including Classic and Duo. The Alani sectional is a classic contemporary design with rolled arms, welt trim, and decorative wood legs. This reclining piece is part of the duo collection and can be dressed up for formal settings, or down for a more casual family room.

In addition to the Alani sectional, you can also find the Colby recliner, which is a contemporary piece that satisfies a desire for a traditional silhouette without sacrificing the comfort of a recliner. It is part of the duo collection and available as a reclining chair, loveseat, and sofa.

A contemporary furniture style is a mix of modern designs and influences from other design styles. It is a versatile and practical style that’s always in trend.

Unlike modern, which is a set period of time that existed in the early 1900s to 1950s, contemporary design is based on current trends and is constantly evolving. It draws from and responds to a variety of historical styles, integrating new technologies and materials to create modern furnishings that are fresh and appealing.