Looking for Funky Furniture

You call it modern or contemporary while I call funky furniture. However, we can all agree these furniture pieces are totally cool. When you want to make a statement, or have your furniture represent art as much as functionality, then you’re probably want to look for a one-of-a-kind pieces. Most people would think modern and contemporary furniture fit that bill. But there’s a whole lot more funk to funky furniture that meets the eye.

It's part style, of course, with angular lines and non-traditional material. But it's also an throwing off of the old and finding a unique style of your own. Although it's easy to think the search for funky furniture in a recent development, the truth is, even some of our great-grandparents were looking for a style of furniture they could call all their own.

Modern as a style of furniture began appearing in the late 19^th century. Up to that point furniture was tradition, which meant it was heavily craved woods with ornate furniture. Modernism was a new style of art. Light, airy and abstract. Furniture designer took note and their take on modernism, but only in furniture. Designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Marcel Breuer, Eileen Gray and Miles Van der Rohe and Lilly Reiche because looking at furniture in a new way and using new materials, like steel, molded plywood and plastics. The furniture they created were truly works of art… and yes, funky.  Art, of course, is usually out of reach for the common man, as was (and is) the case of modern and contemporary furniture. So, what was the common man supposed to do for funky furniture?

Along came the fifties and sixties and furniture strayed some more form traditional styles. A lot of the furniture from this period was a continuation of the modernism with it great lines and innovative use of materials. Designers like Paul McCobb and Milo Baughman looked to new materials and styles for their furniture lines. The furniture from that time is called Mid-Century and is quite the collectable right now. Rather than going down in price, vintage Mid-Century furniture continues to go up in value. Of course, at the time Mr. & Mrs. America didn’t think of their modern furniture as funky, but if you’re looking for a piece of furniture that stands out, then think Mid-Century.

If a Marcel Breuer chair or a Paul McCobb dresser are out of price range, but you still want a piece of funky furniture that makes a statement, then don’t despair. There are many modern pieces available at dirt cheap prices. Check out furniture stores like Ikea, either in store or online, for unique pieces at bargain prices.

For truly unique and funky furniture, also look at the Flea Market style. Reuse and re-purpose old furniture and make it your own with paint and new fabric. Stop at yard sales and thrift stores and look at old pieces of furniture with a new eye. What happens when you turn and hold side table upside down… it could become a doggie four-poster bed. Or what else could you do with an old wooden tool trunk… it might just be that coffee table you were looking for. And how about that old dresser... could it look totally funky with a can of metallic silver paint? Flea market style just might be the place to find your funky furniture style.

Take a look at some of the funky furniture you can find at Amazon.

Netlexis writes for a number on online and offline publications with an emphasis on the lifestyles, children's and family topics. When she's not at her keyboard, you may find her in the garden, in her craft/sewing studio or hiking the trails around her Southern California home.