Furniture is important, especially when you just want to come home after a long day and need a place to rest. When you are designing your home, you want it to look like a place where you can both have plenty of comfort and also style. You may have heard the terms like form and function, and lately, there has been a lot of talk about fashion and function when planning your living space. Fashion refers to the aesthetic of your area, and it’s completely personal, while the function is all about the practicality and usability of your space or furnishings. Whether you choose to combine these aspects of design through your interior decor or creative outdoor seating, we’ll cover how you can combine fashion and functionality through your home’s furniture.
Pay Attention To Lighting
When it comes to your home, pay attention to the lighting and how it complements the rooms throughout your house. Depending on whether you want your interior to be more of a cozy vibe or to have more of a rustic and outdoorsy look to it, you can switch this up. Lighting is also important in the way it’s placed in a room and near your furniture. It can spotlight or call out a favorite piece of furniture or sitting area. The form is important because you want proper lighting to see what you are doing.
In The Kitchen
In your kitchen, make sure to pay extra close attention to the seating, your kitchen counters, and the way you display dishes in cupboards, on shelves, or in open spaces. Kitchens have come a long way to offer fashion and functionality. A wooden lazy susan can hold oils and herbs, serve up a charcuterie, or host greenery and floral arrangements. Kitchen appliances are so fashionable that the design often is built around a favorite range or sink. Bar or counter stools come in a variety of styles, and it’s important to make sure they are comfortable because they are often where your guests will spend a good deal of time.
In The Living And Dining Rooms
Living space is often easier now that flat-panel televisions can be hung on walls and above mantels. Bookcases can be built in or styled in your space with shelves on the walls that do not take up floor space in your room. Living rooms can contain multi-use areas when a home is limited in space. Open floor plans have provided new opportunities for both fashion and function. Formal dining rooms are no longer a given for families, and dining can be mixed into an open living space when a family desires more than kitchen island dining or breakfast nook.
In The Bedroom
The bedroom is the most essential space when it comes to combining the fashion and functionality of your furniture. Because your bedroom is where you sleep and spend a lot of your time, of course. So to have stylish furniture in your bedroom, make sure to spend extra time focusing on the bed, any other furniture you might have in your room, like a vanity or work area, and any additional seating as well. There are so many stylish but functional bedding options that it takes very little effort to make your bed look great when you jump out of it in the morning. Layers in bedding also make your bedding more versatile year-round despite temperatures.
In Outdoor Spaces
Now it’s time to consider the outdoor element of your home. When you’re trying to keep both fashion and functionality in mind when it comes to your home, outdoor spaces, whether it be a deck, patio, or even a larger backyard space, are critical parts of your home. Depending on the climate that you live in, you’ll want to keep in mind what kind of material the furniture that you purchase is made out of because if it’s not weather-sturdy and you end up with a Colorado snowstorm on your hands, you could be in trouble. The most simple kind of outdoor furniture to maintain is made of metal because it’s durable, sturdy, and built to last. Plus, especially when it comes to outdoor furniture, you want to choose pieces that are easy to clean, and metal is super easy to wipe down if it gets covered in dust or any other type of grime. Suppose you choose to have an outdoor sofa under an enclosed sundeck or patio. In that case, it’s probably best to avoid anything too light or too dark- because light-colored sofas will show dirt and other stains more easily, and dark-colored sofas can absorb heat in the summertime and also show dust. Rather, opt instead for a bright and colorfully designed sectional sofa, or perhaps choose a bright and summery color like orange for your sectional sofa. Many outdoor furniture lines also offer chests and tables with storage areas for cushions in the off-season.
Pick Out Furniture Pieces That Can Double As Storage
Selecting furniture pieces that can also double as storage is a smart way to increase your ability to stow things out of sight in small places or pick them up quickly when the neighbor rings your doorbell. Tiny homes are a great place to add cushions or small stools that double as extra seating when you entertain.
Find A Focal Point
It may help to look at your room through the lens of your phone camera and determine where your eyes are drawn. This lens can also give you some ideas about the flow of your room, what pieces could anchor your room, and how you can use a favorite piece to create a focus in the room. Once this is established, you can play with textures, patterns, and color to provide fashionable aesthetics and warmth while also bringing additional function to your space. Rugs are a wonderful way to help this focal point or room flow come together. Remember to make your space personal and let it tell your story.
Design With Your Family Members In Mind
While you may want to replicate a beautiful scene from your favorite furniture or design store, it’s important to consider those living in and visiting your home. Children, pets, older family members, and family members with special needs often require some additional planning. Are your furnishings friendly for your household members? Do they create comfort or stress? Is the space safe and inviting for all? The size of furnishings, the materials you select, and the flow of a room can bring a sense of ease to those who live in and visit your space.
