Traditional Furniture Styles

When it comes to decorating your home, furniture is likely the biggest investment. Well-maintained furniture can last for decades, so choose the pieces you invest in wisely. Many styles of furniture are available on the market. The more traditional furniture styles, however, are still favored despite current trends. Traditional furniture styles vary greatly depending on their origin. Does this Spark an idea?

Queen Anne

Queen Anne furniture came on the market in England around 1705. Originally the pieces were made from oak, but later in the period, walnut, cherry and maple became more common than the traditional oak. Queen Anne furniture carries two distinct character traits: The legs and arms of the furniture curve, giving the piece the appearance of having "knees;" Queen Anne furniture also carries distinct shell carvings. Typically, a fan-shaped shell is carved into the top of one of the pieces or near the feet. Queen Anne furniture makers introduced both the drop-leaf table and the card table.

Louis XIV

King Louis XIV of France started the furniture trend in his name around 1643. Highly detailed pieces with ornate overlays and carvings characterize Louis XIV furniture. Several types of wood have been used in the pieces, including oak, walnut, ebony, beechwood and almond wood. Traditionally made for the French Upper Class, Louis XIV furniture features several detailed carvings often covered in colorful lacquer. Inspiration for the pieces draws from Roman, Greek, French and Chinese styles. Replicas of the original styles are often as highly detailed but not as colorful as the originals.

Contemporary Modern

Contemporary modern furniture is classic, traditional American furniture. Originating from Bauhaus school of art in Germany, contemporary modern styles have become commonplace in several American homes. The basis of contemporary modern furniture is function over form. Most of the pieces feature clean lines and simple design. Common woods include pine and oak; however, several modern pieces are comprised of wood laminates, metal or plastic materials in lieu of traditional hardwoods. Materials are often mixed in the design, and metal is used as a decorative piece along with the wood.