Luxury furniture styles through the centuries: from baroque to art deco

The history of luxury furniture is a fascinating journey through the centuries, where each era has left its mark on the way we conceive comfort, elegance and sophistication in our spaces. At Mariner Luxury we have more than 130 years of experience in the creation of unique luxury pieces adapted to the trends of each moment, always preserving that original Art Deco style. Today, we tell you the keys to understand how furniture design has evolved since the Baroque.

Baroque style (17th century)

Characteristics of Baroque furniture

The Baroque emerged as a reaction to the sobriety of the Renaissance. The furniture of this period is characterized by its monumentality, the exaltation of ornamentation and the search for dramatic effects. The pieces are robust, with curved lines and a large number of decorative elements, such as volutes, Solomonic columns and carved reliefs. The aim was to convey the power, luxury and wealth of the owner.

Typical materials and finishes

Noble woods such as ebony, walnut and mahogany were used, often combined with inlaid ivory, mother-of-pearl and semiprecious stones. The preferred finishes were gilded with gold leaf to add a touch of luxury and exuberance.

Representative examples in interior design

In European palaces, Baroque furniture was integrated into salons and audience rooms of the nobility and monarchy, with large cabinets, carved coffee tables and chairs with velvet or silk upholstery. These spaces sought to impress, reflecting the social status of their owners.

Rococo style (18th century)

Evolution from Baroque: more lightness and ornamentation.

Rococo was an evolution from Baroque, but with a lighter and more cheerful approach. Rococo furniture is distinguished by its delicacy, the use of asymmetrical shapes and the profusion of decorative elements. It sought to create intimate and cozy environments, far from the solemnity of the baroque but maintaining its ornate style.

Decorative motifs and curved shapes

The most common motifs include shells, garlands, flowers and rockeries. Curved lines and hand-carved details dominate the design, resulting in pieces that almost resemble sculptures. Furniture legs are often cabriole, with claw or hoof ends.

Application in luxury spaces

This style was especially popular in private salons of the nobility. Rococo interiors are characterized by the combination of pastel colors, gilded mirrors and furniture upholstered with luxurious fabrics such as silk.

Neoclassical Style (late 18th and early 19th century)

Return to symmetry and classical inspiration.

Neoclassicism was a return to the classical ideals of Greece and Rome. Furniture became more sober, with straight lines, symmetry and balanced proportions. Harmony and elegance were sought, moving away from the decorative excess of Rococo. In the end, each of the stages is constituted as a reaction effect of the previous one.

Louis XVI furniture as a reference

The Louis XVI style is the best example of neoclassicism in furniture. Legs are straight, chair backs adopt oval or square shapes, and decorative motifs include garlands, laurels and columns while maintaining an aura of sobriety.

Predominant colors and materials

Light woods such as cherry or beech are used, often lacquered in pastel shades or white. Upholstery is usually silk or linen, and gilt bronze metal details add a touch of subtle luxury in contrast to the gilt of the earlier period.

Empire style (19th century)

Majestic and military aesthetics

The Empire style, influenced by Napoleon, is characterized by its monumentality and symbolism. The furniture is massive, with straight lines and geometric shapes. It is inspired by Egyptian and Greco-Roman antiquity, with motifs such as sphinxes, eagles and laurels.

Dark woods, bronzes and marbles.

The preferred woods are mahogany and ebony, combined with gilded bronze and marble inlays. The finishes are polished and shiny, to convey a sense of power and solemnity.

Napoleon's influence on European furniture

This style spread rapidly throughout Europe, influencing the decoration of palaces and mansions. The most iconic pieces include large dining tables, sofas with lion paws and cabinets with bronze reliefs.

Victorian style (19th century)

Eclecticism and exuberance

The Victorian style is characterized by its eclecticism, combining elements from earlier periods with new materials and techniques. The furniture is exuberant, with a great variety of shapes and styles, from Gothic to Renaissance.

The rise of upholstered furniture

During this period, upholstery became especially important. Sofas, armchairs and armchairs are covered with luxurious fabrics such as velvet, silk and brocade, often with floral or geometric motifs.

Characteristic decorative elements

Details such as wood carvings, brass sconces, turned legs and high backs are incorporated. The Victorian style seeks comfort and ostentation, reflecting the spirit of the industrial era.

Art Nouveau Style (late 19th and early 20th century)

Curved lines and nature as inspiration

Art Nouveau or new art sought to break with tradition and return to nature in response to the industrial era, inspired by floral motifs and organic forms. The furniture is characterized by curved lines, leaves, flowers and vegetables, and a sense of constant movement.

Use of new materials such as iron and glass.

Innovative materials such as wrought iron and glass are incorporated, allowing the creation of lighter and more original pieces. Finishes are usually polished and shiny, with metallic details that enhance elegance.

How it translates into luxury furniture

The Art Nouveau Art Nouveau is exclusive and handcrafted, with unique pieces designed by artists that integrate, for example, stained glass windows. It integrates perfectly in luxury spaces, providing sophistication and originality.

Art Deco style (20's and 30's of the 20th century)

Geometry, symmetry and shiny materials.

Art Deco is characterized by its geometry, symmetry and the use of shiny materials such as chrome, glass and lacquered wood. It is a modern, elegant and sophisticated style, which seeks to reflect the progress and modernity of the time.

Contrast with Art Nouveau

Unlike Art Nouveau, Art Deco abandons organic forms and focuses on straight lines and geometric motifs. The result is furniture that is more functional, but equally luxurious.

Iconic furniture of the period

Among the most iconic pieces are chests of drawers with lacquered finishes, coffee tables with chrome bases and cut crystal chandeliers. Art Deco continues to be a source of inspiration for contemporary design, as you will discover in our collections, in which we reinterpret this style and add our unique, contemporary touch.

How have these styles influenced today's design?

The influence of historical styles on today's design is undeniable. Knowing the characteristics of each period and how it evolves from one trend to another is essential to design luxury furniture pieces today. From Baroque to Art Deco, each style has brought a new vision, a trend or a different symbolism to designs and materials, allowing us to create today sophisticated, original spaces with a different and special character.

Which classic luxury style suits you?

If you want to integrate a luxury piece in the design of your space, it is important to know the different trends to find a piece that fits your personal style and speaks of you. At Mariner Luxury we can help you with that task and we invite you to take a look through all our collections, among which you will surely find the inspiration you are looking for. Fuse tradition and modernity to create a unique atmosphere with us.