POLL: Is there a difference between modern and contemporary style?

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

More often than not modern and contemporary are words that seem to intermingle and blur into one and the same. And yet, they are classified as two distinct styles. So would you say there's a difference between modern and contemporary style? And if so, how would you describe it?

Let us know and photos encouraged! (ps. extra like if you can spot which living room is modern and which is contemporary in the photo attached!)

They're two distinct styles!

No - they're pretty much the same thing

Featured Answer

alant1000

11 years ago

I think a lot of it is just lost in design jargon and terminology. Modernism was a mid century movement which was all about simple clean lines, in a sort of backlash against extravagant architecture and furniture design which had existed for 80+ years previously. It was about 'less is more'. Then there was postmodernism design in late 60s onwards which shunned modernism by being more extravagant and using experimental shapes and materials, and some of it tied in with the space age (for example Verner Panton designs in 60s, studio alchimia in the 70s, memphis Milano in the 80s etc).

You can still have a lounge look 'modern' if decked out with some verner panton furniture, even though it's designs are 40 years old, but for me, modern in the design sense means futuristic, something ahead of it's time. Anything historical I view as retro, even if it's a modernist design. It means different things for different people and there isn't really a right or wrong, it's dependent on what context the word is used.

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Comments (19)

Victoria Harrison
11 years ago
Great question - It can be quite a tricky one to define but find it helpful to draw a line between the two with Modern as more 'midcentury' and Contemporary as 'of the moment'

https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/so-your-style-is-contemporary-stsetivw-vs~29641634

https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/so-your-style-is-midcentury-modern-stsetivw-vs~27311933
Tom Flanagan thanked Victoria Harrison
Luciana
11 years ago
They are very different as styles and rather easy to spot (for me at least, even though I've never had any formal training in interior design). Victoria gave away the answer, anyway (first pic - modern, second - contemporary), exactly for the reasons she'd mentioned.
Tom Flanagan thanked Luciana
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alant1000
11 years ago
I often find 'modern' designs in the literal sense seem to appear more futuristic / experimental, a bit bolder and less conservative than contemporary, which I view as current and clean.

Modernist items are also often described as retro which can cause a bit of confusion, not to mention post modernism!

When I see (as an example) a modern kitchen, I don't always see mid century features.
Tom Flanagan thanked alant1000
Tom Flanagan
Original Author
11 years ago
I agree @alant1000 - I think Modern often goes beyond midcentury, and intermingles with the moment, and what is contemporary. It's a tricky one!
PRO
Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
11 years ago
Great comment Alant1000. I was thinking about how the historical terms Modernism and Modernist would fit but I think you have summed it up nicely.
Tom Flanagan
Original Author
11 years ago
Really great comment @Alant1000 - definitely goes a long way in furthering our discussion! I like the idea of a contemporary spaces with 'modern' accents. Increasingly I think I'm veering towards modern as more of a futuristic design as well. What do you think @YasminChopin?
Emma
11 years ago
Lets create a fusion of the two styles and call it - Modemporary
Tom Flanagan
Original Author
11 years ago
I like the sound of that! Reckon you could find a picture to define 'Modemporary'?
Emma
11 years ago
I will see what I can find :-)
PRO
Art Nrshinga Art Gallery
10 years ago
I think they can be quite similar depending on materials an artist uses
PRO
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
they are completely different styles as contemporary can mean traditional
PRO
Connaught Kitchens
10 years ago
They are two distinct style.
PRO
Roy Montgomery Architecture
9 years ago
Both have their strengths and can be appropriate for any project.
PRO
DAY Interiors
9 years ago
In the second space adding some bright color on 1 wall would make this space more cozy
PRO
ANCA Architects
9 years ago
Both Styles are distinct - modernism is more paired down and minimalist. Contemporary can be clean lines but usually involves the introduction a much more varied materials palette.
angelboyman
9 years ago
Well I've learnt something new today - according to google, 'Modern' relates to a style from the mid-century, 1920 - 1950 and it never changes. 'Contemporary' is used to describe what is popular right now. I always thought they were the same as I took the word 'modern' on it's actual definition and not what's associated to it through interior design. Either way, I hate them both equally......
PRO
User
9 years ago
Modern (with a capital M) stems from Modernism which started gaining momentum in the late 19th Century. Even more confused?
PRO
LANRE OYEWALE Architects
9 years ago
contemporary is what is trending at a particular modern time!

POLL: Is there a difference between modern and contemporary style?

alant1000

Comments (19)

Victoria Harrison

Luciana

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POLL: Is there a difference between modern and contemporary style?

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