#roughsawn

There is no wrong approach when it comes to styling your bedroom with Amish furniture. But with so many choices and hundreds of designs available, it can be a bit overwhelming to find exactly what you’re looking for. Do you want something contemporary? Traditional? Transitional? What do those labels even mean? Can they overlap? Well, whether you’re looking for the perfect pieces to evoke a rustic vibe or you’re aiming for a clean and minimalist look, this primer can help you understand the difference between the trends and zero in on your preferences.

Contemporary

The term contemporary is just a fancy way of saying ‘modern’. Suites that fall under the contemporary category are designed with an eye toward what’s fresh and in vogue at the moment. The style is always evolving, but these days, ‘contemporary’ typically entails sleek lines, bold shapes, and a minimal amount of ornamentation. Contemporary bedroom suites are frequently featured in dark or natural wood tones or finished with black or white paint, reflecting the elegant simplicity that is the hallmark of current design trends. Similarly, a contemporary bed will frequently be either low-profile or built as a platform bed but not always. If you want to create a calm, modern space that's equally inviting and stylish, the contemporary style might be the right choice for you.

Country

The country style has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, alongside the ‘farmhouse’ trend. Primitive furniture, subdued hues and milk-paint finishes that show signs of aging, and vintage textiles are all evocative of this style. As such, it often overlaps with the rustic and roughsawn categories, but some builders have put a modern spin on the design as well. These bedroom suites typically feature overlay or partial overlay doors and drawers and may include turnings, carvings, and applied details like moldings. For those who want a cozy, quaint space with plenty of character, you can’t go wrong with a country design.

Mid-Century Modern

As the name suggests, mid-century modern design was born in the middle of the 20th century and embodies the needs and desires of the people living at that time. It is a style rooted in functionality, clean lines, and simplicity. Though these pieces are designed primarily to serve a purpose and last for generations, function over form, they’re still uniquely beautiful. Enjoying some contemporary elements, such as flush doors and drawers, a mid-century suite may also feature recessed hardware, angled legs, mixed materials, and natural hues. Mid-century modern is the perfect style to craft a bold yet practical bedroom.

Mission

Similar to the Shaker style, the Mission Style is characterized by straight, horizontal and vertical lines and geometric patterning. With mission designs, though, the emphasis is on using woodwork instead of upholstery. Genuine mission furniture is made with precise and skilled craftsmanship and draws attention to the grains of the solid wood used in the construction; therefore, Quartersawn White Oak and Cherry—with their striking, unique grains—are the preferred woods for Mission-style furniture. Additionally, suites in this style are often featured with warm wood tones and fabrics or leathers in green, orange, gold, and burgundy. The mission style is ideal for those who truly appreciate and want to highlight the beauty of quality hardwood furniture.

Roughsawn

The roughsawn style does exactly what it says on the tin. Simply put, roughsawn lumber is lumber that is not sanded and prepared to the degree that “surfaced” lumber would be. It can therefore have circular or rotary saw marks or linear or straight line band saw marks present. When this lumber is used to build furniture it results in an intentionally “rough” look that hearkens back to a time when the emphasis of design was mostly on function and sturdiness. Roughsawn furniture is frequently characterized by heavier components (i.e. posts, legs) and straight lines. Opting for a roughsawn style is the perfect way to add character and a rural flair to your bedroom setting.

Rustic

Although the term "rustic" is used broadly to describe a rough, primitive, or distressed appearance, it actually refers to a number of more specific decorating trends. Rustic style furniture is often built from reclaimed materials, with lots of character and slightly heavier lines; it might also overlap with the “roughsawn” category, but of course, country is the style that is most frequently associated with rustic furniture. Mountain lodge, coastal, cottage, Tuscan or Mediterranean, and Mexican decorating styles are well known for their rustic appeal. If you’re looking for something to add a pop of warmth and individuality to your bedroom, try a rustic design!

Shaker

The Shaker style is inspired by the furnishings of the original Shaker communities, who followed their guiding design principle that function should come first. The shaker style makes the most of classic, clean-lined designs that have endured for years and emphasizes simplicity at its core. As a result, shaker styles will usually be devoid of complicated post turnings, detailed moldings, or ornamentation. Rather, these designs are characterized by tapered legs, plain hardware, and supreme attention to detail, making this the perfect style for anyone who wants no fuss and great function from their bedroom.

Traditional

As you might have guessed, traditional design incorporates timeless elements like symmetrical furniture placement, rich color palettes, and an inviting yet slightly formal atmosphere. Traditional bedroom suites can have applied moldings, turned posts, overlay doors and drawers, elaborate foot profiles, and overall, a more extensive approach to detail than many other styles. Classic designs can be more formal or casual depending on the levels of detail, but either way, going with a traditional style is a surefire way to bring elegance to any bedroom.

Transitional

Transitional style bedrooms combine traditional and modern design elements that result in a single design that gives the classics an updated look with a cohesive, fresh feel. It strikes a balance between luxury and coziness, masculine and feminine, and old and new pieces. Transitional pieces may have overlay or flush doors and drawers, though there are usually not many other applied architectural details. A transitional suite is a sound choice for those who want the best of both worlds, offering the elegance of classic designs and the simplicity of contemporary style.