Putting the Green in Modern Design
The very concept of “modern furniture” implies something current and meeting the needs of today’s home occupants. With dwindling resources an everyday reminder of our need to conserve the materials required for our future, contemporary furniture might serve to bring that awareness to the forefront. The types of furniture we select to compliment our lifestyles can have a profound effect on our future as a species on this fragile planet. By combining the inherent functionalism that is a hallmark of modern design with an acceptance of our responsibility for our resources, the idea of modern furniture can not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also socially responsible.
When considering the purchase of new modern furniture, examine the type of materials utilized in the construction of those options. Style and function can coexist nicely with our collective desire to conserve resources. Renewable and recyclable materials can readily be substituted for rare materials or materials that might prove difficult to reclaim without compromising the quality or style of the piece. For example, living room furniture, with some styles, might require the use of old-growth tropical trees that can not be easily replaced. Modern living room furniture can utilize types of wood or other materials that can be quickly re-grown or recycled for future use.
The clean, functional lines of sleeping and storage furniture pieces can also be constructed of eco-friendly materials that meet all the requirements of modern furniture users without abusing the world around us. Our bedroom furniture, flooring, lighting, and other accessories can all be selected to achieve the modern look being sought without the high environmental cost associated with many of the items we might otherwise choose.
With careful consideration of not only the modern look desired, but also reflection on the impact the furnishings considered have on our world, contemporary furnishing can reflect the decorating goals of the homeowner and the needs of the planet. Modern furniture might reflect a minimalistic feel, but it does not have to. In other words, comfort and function are not necessarily lost when one chooses a modern look. Rather, contemporary furniture is a choice that reflects a personality, not the desire to live in a stark, uncomfortable environment.
