Contemporary furniture is furniture designed and made in the present day or the recent past, as distinct from antique, vintage and historic reproduction pieces. The term covers mass-produced designs, limited editions from design studios, and one-off works by individual makers, in materials ranging from traditional hardwoods to steel, glass, resin and recycled materials.
In Britain, contemporary furniture making has a strong craft tradition, with designer-makers and studio furniture makers building on the legacy of the Arts and Crafts movement and figures such as John Makepeace, alongside commercial designers working for international manufacturers. Bespoke makers produce kitchens, libraries and individual pieces commissioned to fit particular spaces. For collectors, well-made contemporary pieces by recognised designers can become the antiques of the future, particularly when signed, numbered or documented. In interiors, the combination of contemporary furniture with antiques is now one of the most popular approaches to decoration, as the contrast between clean modern forms and the patina of old pieces gives each a greater presence. A modern sofa with an antique mirror, or a Georgian table with contemporary chairs, shows how the two can work together successfully.
