Style Guide: Contemporary Vs. Modern, What’s the Difference?
A Guide to Contemporary and Modern Furniture and Interior Design Styles
Have you ever wondered about the difference between contemporary and modern styles? If so, let this guide be your beacon to chic style enlightenment!
Contemporary and modern are both general style categories that are used to describe a wide range of interiors and furniture. The terms are also a bit unique because, unlike design styles that reference a specific era, contemporary and modern are both styles that change according to the prevailing tastes of the time.
Aside from changing over time, contemporary and modern also share some standard design motifs that can make them seem similar at first glance. Below we'll go over distinguishable facets of each style so you can tell themapart quickly and easily.
Here's the quick answer:
The term contemporary refers to a style that aligns with current tastes, but the modern look is one that's based on making a statement with elements that look to the future and emphasize innovation. In other words, contemporary is used to describe furniture that “fits in” with today’s preferences while modern is used to describe furniture that “stands out” in a new or unexpected way.
What is Contemporary Style?
Back in the 1990s and 2010s, contemporary style was all about simplicity and neutral tones. Picture cream-colored walls paired with light brown wood floors or off-white carpets, and furniture with clean, straight lines like track-arm sofas. It was a look that felt calm, polished, and effortlessly chic.
Fast forward to today, and contemporary style has undergone a major glow-up! Since 2020—when we all started spending way more time at home—this design trend has embraced a mix of traditional pieces, bold opposing styles, and maximalist color motifs. While straight-lined furniture remains the foundation, the new contemporary aesthetic is all about layering in unexpected elements to create spaces that feel fresh, dynamic, and uniquely yours.
Here’s How the Contemporary Shift is Going:
Here’s what’s happening in the world of contemporary interiors:
- Timeless Foundations: Large-scale furniture pieces still dominate contemporary spaces. Think low-profile sectional sofas with sleek track arms, practical rectangular dining tables, and crisp-painted bedroom furniture.
- Unexpected Accents: Once the basics are in place, homeowners are adding bold statement pieces to shake things up. Imagine pairing a cozy living room sofa set with a cottage-inspired china cabinet or a striking mid-century modern accent chair. These surprising combinations make rooms pop!
- Maximalist Touches: Forget minimalism—contemporary design is leaning into maximalist vibes with colorful artwork and decor from different eras. It’s all about creating visual interest while staying true to those clean-lined roots.
Furniture makers are catching on too! We’re seeing stunning beds with oversized upholstered headboards for contemporary bedrooms and dining tables with rustic or industrial finishes popping up everywhere.
Ready to refresh your space? Furniture Row’s collection of contemporary furniture has everything you need to create a stylish haven. Check out our favorites today!
Pictured Above
1. The Trinity Track Arm Sofa is the perfect chic addition to any space, as is the Trinity Padded Arm Sofa, both adorned in lusciously soft upholstery and complete with crisp tailored detailing.
2. With the Bennett Upholstered Bed’s winged velvet-adorned headboard and tufted detailing, your room will revitalize with contemporary appeal and high-end taste.
3. The Ash 4 Pc. Queen Bedroom Set makes great use of clean, contemporary lines and a striking rustic palette to transform any bedroom into a soothing yet sophisticated oasis.
4. If you’re looking for living room seating that is both laid-back and luxurious, the plush feel and soft style of the Delaney 2 Pc. Sectional is perfect for you!
5. Adaptable and attractive, the Studio Track Arm Sofa showcases streamlined track arms and a flexible design to deliver unprecedented comfort without compromising on modern style.
6. The Central Park Dining Set is both refreshing and timeless with its charming neutral-toned palette and curvaceous design, made to accommodate gatherings with class and practicality.
7. For comfort and coziness, the Perth 3 Pc Sectional brings together classy track arms, tapered espresso-finished square feet, and three vibrant abstract-printed throw pillows to promote relaxed, contemporary coolness.
8. With its mid-century inspirations, the Stylus Sofa features a tuxedo backrest, wide track arms, and textured neutral-toned upholstery atop a bold wooden plinth base for a magnetic foundational piece.
9. The Edge 5 Pc Dining Set reinvents natural beauty into an inviting arrangement including a gorgeous black steel, trestle-based dining table, and complimenting panel-backed side chairs with stylish wooden seats for a refreshingly contemporary color and texture palette.
Popular Contemporary Styles
Boho
Learn more about boho style on our Boho Style Guide post!
Boho is a free-spirited, imaginative style that started in the 1960s and 70s and continues to be used in today’s contemporary homes. Boho starts with clean-lined foundational pieces that showcase natural materials like leather, organic fabrics, and occasional tables made from wood.
Where boho really leaves its mark is in its use of playful retro accent pieces, artwork, and, of course, texture! Boho pieces like accent chairs, side tables, and beds are often curvy and eccentric with shaggy upholstery or hand-carved design elements; and boho decor mixes hand-woven accents and retro artwork with flowering prints and plants.
Eclectic
Shop all our eclectic furniture here!
Eclectic is an unconventional style that is very much in line with today’s tastes. The eclectic look is defined by integrating pieces that showcase different styles, materials, or colors that aren’t usually paired together, but can be to create a refreshing new dimension.
The main difference between eclectic interiors and contemporary interiors is that contemporary interiors still prefer straight-lined foundational pieces whereas eclectic interiors can opt for a mix of anything.
What is Modern style?
Modern style is all about looking ahead—it’s sleek, innovative, and packed with wow-factor design. This trend prioritizes cutting-edge materials and streamlined shapes that feel futuristic yet sophisticated.
Unlike contemporary style (which is broader and blends various influences), modern design focuses on being bold and different. Where contemporary interiors favor straight lines and relaxed upholstery, modern furniture turns heads with unexpected curves, unique details, and high-end finishes.
In fact, modern furniture almost always attempts to convey some sort of “wow-factor”, and it often does this by being different than contemporary furniture.
If you aren’t sure if something is modern here’s a quick check you can do.
- Check the lines of the piece. If the arms, back, and bottom of the piece all showcase simple, straight lines like many contemporary pieces without an element that makes them unique, then it probably isn't modern.
- Check the construction materials. If the piece you’re considering is made with common materials in neutral or “standard” colors, then it is most likely not modern.
- Check the features. If the product has failed the first two checks AND it doesn’t have some kind of innovative functionality, then it is definitely NOT modern!
Want to craft a Pinterest-worthy modern space? Furniture Row has you covered! From daring designs to innovative features, our modern furniture collection will help you achieve that jaw-dropping look. Explore our favorites today!
Pictured Above
1. The Macon 7 Pc. Power Reclining Sectional epitomizes sophisticated modern design, featuring pillow-top arms and deep seating adorned in performance upholstery, plus ratchet adjustable headrests for all-around comfort. For optimal practicality and use, this sectional also showcases a hidden pull-out trundle for spacious sleeping as well as a rolling storage chaise.
2. Oversized yet minimalist at the same time, the Gordo Sofa offers extra-wide track arms, a cool tuxedo backrest, and genuine Italian leather upholstery, all within a simple rectangular silhouette for maximum impact.
3. With its modular design, power reclining features, and convenient console, the Cosmos 6 Pc. Sectional embodies the caliber of modern innovation that can transform any living space.
4. The Begonia Panel Upholstered Bed doesn’t compromise on modern innovation, utilizing its polished crystal-enhanced hardware and button-tufted upholstered panel as exceptional accents to enhance the touch–engaged LED backlight of the headboard.
5. A minimalist design and an eye-catching exterior made from sheets of aluminum with exposed rivets, instill a sense of modern appeal into the Aviator Coffee Table, plus it’s outfitted with a roomy pull-out storage drawer and military-style side handles to complete the innovative look.
Pictured Above: Aviator Writing Desk, Aviator Coffee Table, Aviator End Table, Aviator End Table with Shelf, Aviator File Cabinet
6. The Moderno 5 Pc. Rectangle Table Set blends minimalism and modern lines while emphasizing upscale transitional styling, featuring a handy extendable rectangular tabletop and glamorous gold bar accents on the Parsons style Side Chairs for a pop of allure against its sleek, charcoal display.
7. Both timeless and versatile, the Ivory Dining Set is a vision of rich color contrast and luxurious natural materials. The rectangular dining table features an impressive marble-veneered top with simple-lined post legs, and it’s flanked by four elegant parsons-style dining chairs.
8. Minimalism has found its new home in the Hermosa Upholstered Bed. Resting on a resilient frame, this becoming bed is fully upholstered in a soft gray fabric, and its no-nonsense design is emphasized perfectly with its crisp, flawless panel headboard.
9. The Grant Park Platform Bed combines a minimalist design with graceful and alluring modern lines. This marvelous bed showcases cherry veneers as well as a slightly curved paneled headboard, and it rests atop statement-making arched legs.
Popular Modern Styles
Glam
Shop all of our glam products here!
Glam, or "Modern Glam", is an opulent, bold style reminiscent of Old Hollywood's golden era that originated during the early 1900s.
This sensational style begins with foundational pieces showcasing the clean lines of modern design for a sleek, streamlined appearance. Modern glam incorporates elements of glam style - such as mirrored accessories, rich colors, geometric or art-deco patterns - and it also pulls in fun textures like velvet and fur to soften its strong modern foundations with a touch of elegance.
Organic Modern
Learn more about organic modern on our Organic Modern Style Guide post!
Organic Modern style derives its serene style from a unique blend of modern and minimalist styles with a heaping handful of earthy flair.
It achieves its calming atmosphere through the strategic use of modern, streamlined foundational pieces grounded in soft, natural fabric upholstery. Then it adds to the down-to-earth vibe with accents that showcase exposed wood and organic curves, as well as items made with stone and marble. Finally, all that's left is as many living plants as the room allows!
So, What's the Main Difference Between Modern and Contemporary?
Here’s the final answer: Both modern and contemporary are terms that change with the times, but contemporary can be applied to many different pieces while modern is less broad in scope.
Contemporary refers to furniture with style that is in-line with the tastes of the present-day, but the modern look is generally one that looks futuristic and prioritizes innovation in some fashion. In other words, contemporary is used to describe furniture that “fits in” with today’s preferences while modern is used to describe furniture that “stands out” in a forward-looking way.
We hope you enjoyed our guide on the difference between contemporary and modern interior design styles! If you’d like to learn more about anything to do with furniture, be sure to check out our new and improved Furniture Glossary which has helpful definitions for many more furniture design styles, general furniture terminology, and aesthetic design elements found on furniture the world over.
Happy decorating!