Furniture design has evolved from ornate, heavier furnishings to simpler and lighter pieces in the last century. While more traditional furniture relied on dark woods, expensive fabrics, and upholstery, modern furniture design embraces cleaner lines, more economical construction methods, and flexible materials. 

However, just because modern furniture has become lighter and more versatile doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style, durability, quality, or luxury. 

Using BDI furniture designs as examples, here are a few suggestions on achieving a truly modern living space.

Keep It Clean

Modern furniture design is marked by a minimalist sensibility, drawn with crisp lines, simple color schemes, and natural hues. 

This ease in form, color, and detail is apparent in the Corridor media collection, which includes an assortment of highly functional entertainment consoles and striking storage credenzas designed to anchor a modern or transitional living space.

Outside of their award-winning design, all of the pieces in the Corridor collection include a host of innovative features, providing the ideal combination of elegance and functionality. 

The louvered doors of Corridor are constructed with solid wood and are available in a variety of finishes and topped by luxurious and highly durable satin-etched tempered glass.

The Corridor 8172 audio tower, with customizable storage for media, LPs, and AV components, hits all of the right notes for audiophiles.

While fine lines are a trademark of the modern aesthetic, that doesn’t mean those lines need to be rigid or straight. Bending the rules can often result in chic and sophisticated styles.

Take, for example, the award-winning Elements collection, which combines precision with a fresh design approach that is inspired by nature. Elements feature laser-cut doors, available in three distinct patterns. They are acoustically transparent and remote-friendly when closed, helping to maintain a neat, uncluttered appearance while concealing components and a soundbar or center channel speaker. 

Take It up an Octave

The recipe for modern furniture design also includes three main ingredients: newness, originality, and innovation. 

Modern designers are spicing up past staples to create striking state-of-the-art looks by mixing traditional textures in inventive ways. 

The Terrace table collection combines tempered glass with hardwood veneer to create a unique pinwheel design, providing ample display space and a clean aesthetic.

The Octave collection uses sleek perforated steel doors that provide clean and clear acoustics when closed. Contrast that with two distinct hardwood veneer finishes, and you have the recipe for a uniquely modern look.

Play the Angles

Geometric shapes are another integral part of modern design. In today's world, it's hip to be square, triangular, oval, or well-rounded. A single repeating shape can create a complementary and cohesive look to any room.  

Many of BDI's table collections offer unique modern shapes, like our surf-inspired Fin tables, the soft triangular Dino tables, and the oval-shaped lift-top Cloud 9 coffee table.

The Eileen Blanc 5157 leaning shelf will take your modern living space up a notch with its clean, white wood frame and tempered glass shelving with abundant space for displaying books, photos, or knickknacks.

A Clean Finish

A well-designed and modern living space should combine functionality with a touch of luxury, providing contemporary sophistication in any home.