Stylish VS Comfortable

When I ask somebody “what is your style?”, the most common answer I get is “contemporary, modern , stylish, sleek “. People look at design magazines and fall in love with the pretty pictures illustrating a modern décor. I have accompanied a few of my friends to furniture stores, to help them pick out some furniture. Though they say they would like a stylish looking piece, within few minutes of browsing in the store, I see them slowly migrating towards the bulky, extra plush behemoths. Is it really difficult finding a sleek, stylish looking piece that’s comfortable too ?


Contemporary style could be what you are looking for. Contemporary designs call for softer lines and an emphasis on comfortable texture. Colors are warm and rich in the medium intensity range unlike Modern design which uses less color and texture and is more about form/artistic impression rather than function. Modern designs are very minimalist and lack the extra comfort you are looking for. Here are a few characteristics of contemporary furniture.

Clean lines- Contemporary sofas tend to have cleaner lines, fewer flourishes and understated upholstery. Furniture pieces should be simple and uncluttered, without curves, carvings or decoration. Silhouettes are slim without being dainty. Beds and chairs usually have no skirt, trim, fringe, or tassels.

Color- Furniture can be made of light- colored woods like maple and birch. These tend to have minimal graining. Dark woods are also preferred because of the clean and fluid lines they come in. Furniture made of dark wood is already by itself classic and elegant. So this can be a big choice for a contemporary décor.
Sofas, chairs and ottomans have exposed legs. They can be off wood with minimal grains or stainless steel. Frosted or clear glass, stainless steel, nickel and chrome are a few other materials used in contemporary furniture.

Fabrics - Natural fabrics like silk, wool, linen and cotton are used for their textural aspect and inherent neutral hues. Upholstered furniture often wears black, white, or other neutral tones in textured natural fibers .However, bold color or geometric pattern may be brought into the design with pillows, a rug or throw.

Go for a recliner with clean lines instead of a chair. The recliner would give you the extra comfort.

Add pillows for comfort. They add a shot of color and texture in clean geometric shapes.
Keep in mind use furniture and accessories to make a bold statement. Use a basic background and shout out with your favorite color on a piece that will stand out.

Keep in mind use furniture and accessories to make a bold statement. Use a basic background and shout out with your favorite color on a piece that will stand out.