» American Colonial » Art Deco & Retro » Arts and Crafts » Asian » Baroque » Biedermeier » British Colonial » Chippendale » Colonial » Contemporary » Empire » English Country » European » French Provincial » Furniture » Furniture Guide » Industrial Modern » Lodge » Louis XV » Mission Style & Arts... » Neo-Classic » Outdoor Patio & Indoor... » Queen Anne » Regency » Rustic » Scandinavian » Shaker » Southwestern » Traditional » Transitional » Victorian Transitional Different than the Modern furniture styles that can be too stark or industrial looking, Contemporary furniture combines the latest trends in home fashions with tried and true furniture styles of the recent past. This transitional style offers a refreshing alternative from the more formal historical styles that preceded it. Contemporary Styles Contemporary furnishings represent the new, more casual lifestyle that evolved in Western culture after World War II. Young families in smaller houses needed furniture that was stylish, affordable, and comfortable. Much of today's furniture meets the demands of urban living emphasizing comfortable, sometimes over-stuffed sofas and chairs with natural, tactile upholstery. Upholstered furniture tends to be sleeker and more rounded rather than the more angular Modern styles. Neither carved or applied decoration or ornamentation is used on Contemporary and Transitional styles since the elegance of the furniture is captured by the over all shape and appearance of each piece. Woods range from warm walnut stain, rich cherry, ebony, and deep mahogany stains, to lighter woods such as ash, birch and maple. Hardware is usually not emphasized, using reveals or touch-latch components for opening doors and drawers. Visible hardware is simple in design and made to compliment the piece, most popular are knobs and handles made from stainless steel or wrought iron.