Impact of Furniture on Interior Design

Furniture is not just about filling space—it's about creating a space that works for you. In this blog post, we'll explore the multifaceted role of furniture in interior design, from functionality to aesthetics. We’ll also dive into the latest trends and timeless strategies for selecting and arranging pieces in your home.

Here’s what you’ll explore: 

• The Impact and Role of Furniture in Interior Design
• Blending Form and Functionality 
• Anthropometrics, Ergonomics and Proxemics
• Assessing Furniture Quality
• Furniture and Materiality 
• Furniture Styles and Trends
• Space Planning and Furniture Arrangement: Optimising Your Layout
• Making Sustainable Choices
• Case Study: Sustainable Furniture 

The Impact and Role of Furniture in Interior Design

Furniture is a cornerstone of interior design and decoration, profoundly impacting a space's functionality and aesthetic appeal. It defines the room's purpose, enhances comfort, and contributes to its style and atmosphere. Thoughtfully chosen furniture can maximise space, create focal points, and improve flow, making interiors visually pleasing, practical, and efficient. 

For aspiring designers, understanding the role of furniture is crucial as it helps craft cohesive, inviting environments that resonate with clients' needs and tastes, ultimately bringing their vision to life.

Here are some key roles that furniture serves:

Functionality: The Practical Necessity of Furniture

Furniture is essential for practical purposes such as seating, storage, and supporting daily activities. It's the backbone of any room, providing the basic structure upon which you build your design. Think of a living room without a sofa or a bedroom without a bed—impossible, right? But beyond the basics, furniture must also serve specific functional needs. For example, a home office requires ergonomic chairs and desks to support work hours, while a dining room needs a sturdy table that can withstand daily use and occasional gatherings.

“I recommend always buying one to two extra dining chairs, using them in the study, and using them in the spare room. That way, when entertaining, you can whip them out and add them to the table.” Robyn Levin, Creative Coordinator at Jardan

Comfort and Wellbeing: Enhancing Quality of Life

The design of furniture significantly affects comfort and overall well-being. Ergonomic and comfortable furniture enhances the quality of life by promoting good posture, reducing strain, and providing a relaxing environment. A well-designed chair can distinguish between a productive workday and a discomfort-filled day. Similarly, a cosy sofa invites relaxation and can be the perfect place for family gatherings or quiet reading sessions.

Aesthetics: Defining Style and Ambiance

Furniture plays a crucial role in a space's visual appeal. It can define the style and ambience of a room, making it either cohesive or disjointed. Whether you aim for a minimalist look with clean lines and neutral colours or a more eclectic style with bold patterns and diverse textures, your furniture choices will set the tone. Consider how a sleek, modern coffee table can complement a contemporary living room or how a vintage armchair can add character to a more traditional setting.

Organisation and Storage: Keeping Spaces Tidy

Furniture often provides storage solutions, helping to keep spaces organised. Freestanding wardrobes, television units with built-in drawers, and multifunctional pieces like storage ottomans are all great examples. These pieces serve their primary function and help reduce clutter, making your home more comfortable and visually pleasing.

Personalisation and Expression of Self: Making Your Space Unique

Furniture allows individuals to express their style and preferences, reflecting the personality and tastes of the occupants. Whether it's a statement piece like a bold-coloured sofa or a unique coffee table that doubles as a conversation starter, furniture can make a space your own. Personal touches like these help to create a home that is not only functional but also deeply personal and meaningful.

“Furniture doesn’t wear out — it wears in. That’s the really beautiful thing about it. It tells a story. A scratch on your dining table might be heartbreaking initially, but maybe it was because of something funny that happened over a Christmas lunch, and now it’s a constant reminder.” Anissa Pianezzola, State Manager at Jardan

Blending Form and Functionality

When choosing furniture pieces for your designs, the goal is to marry form (how it looks) and function (how it works).

The saying in the design world is "form follows function", indicating that functionality is, in fact, your primary consideration.

“Furniture pieces should match your intrinsic values and how you want to live.” Robyn Levin, Creative Coordinator at Jardan

We often fall in love with the look of a piece of furniture before we can see its functional value. 

Of course, we all want great-looking furniture, but there's little benefit to having a dark velvet lounge if you own a big Golden Retriever that sheds. A low armchair might look stylish, but an older person who occupies the space might have difficulty getting in and out of it.

Great design occurs when form and function are complementary. This can be challenging to achieve! 

Anthropometrics, Ergonomics and Proxemics

When understanding furniture's functionality, the human body and how it influences design are essential.  

• Anthropometrics: Anthropometrics studies human body measurements and proportions, including height, weight, and limb length. In furniture design, anthropometric data ensures products are well-suited to users' physical needs and comfort.
• Ergonomics: Ergonomics studies how humans interact with products, systems, and environments, focusing on optimising safety, efficiency, and comfort. In furniture, ergonomic design ensures that the furniture is comfortable, promotes good posture, and minimises the risk of injury or discomfort. This is especially important for things like office chairs and kitchen benches.
• Proxemics: Proxemics is the study of how humans use and perceive the space around them, including the impact of spatial arrangements on communication, social interactions, and behaviour. Proxemics are essential for creating functional and inviting spaces that promote positive social experiences in outdoor furniture design and arrangement.

Here's a list of questions to help analyse an item with these factors in mind: 

Anthropometrics (body measurements and proportions):

• Are the seat height, depth, and width suitable for the intended users?
• Do the backrest height and angle adequately support the users' backs?
• Are the armrests at a comfortable height and position for users?
• Does the furniture accommodate different user sizes and body types?

Ergonomics (interaction between humans and products):

• Is the furniture designed to minimise strain and discomfort for users?
• Does it promote good posture and body alignment?
• Are cushions or padding provided for added comfort?
• Can the furniture be adjusted or customised to suit individual preferences?

Proxemics (study of human use of space and how it affects communication and social interactions):

• Does the furniture layout facilitate easy conversation and interaction among users?
• Are there options for arranging furniture to create intimate or more open spaces as needed?
• Does the furniture's size and scale match the space's dimensions?
• Will the furniture accommodate the desired number of users and promote a comfortable social experience?

“We design rooms to create a conversation circle, avoiding linear seating arrangements. Adding armchairs and ottomans to a modular sofa encourages interaction. When selecting dining furniture, choose pieces that can adapt to small family meals and large gatherings, ensuring functionality and flexibility. For example, a square or rectangular table can always be added onto, but a circular table can’t.” Robyn Levin, Creative Coordinator at Jardan

Assessing Furniture Quality

Quality is an element of furniture that is hard to see from the outset. A piece of furniture's structure will determine its longevity and overall quality. An armchair may be stylish (form) and comfortable (function), but it won't last as long as it should if the structure beneath is flimsy.

“Quality is crucial because it represents a significant financial investment. Our furniture is designed to last and improve with age.” Nick Garnham, Director at Jardan

High-quality furniture will be more expensive from the outset, but replacing poor-quality furniture will be more costly in the long run. Here are some key aspects to examine when evaluating the quality of a piece of furniture:

• Materials: High-quality furniture is typically made from durable materials such as hardwood, metal, leather, and natural stone. Check the material composition and any certifications that may attest to its quality and sustainability.
• Construction: Look for furniture with solid construction and sturdy joinery techniques, such as dovetail or mortise-and-tenon joints. Avoid pieces that use excessive glue, nails, or staples.
• Craftsmanship: Examine the piece for signs of skilled craftsmanship, such as precise cuts, even seams, and consistent finishes.
• Stability: Test the furniture's stability by gently pushing or pulling on it to ensure it doesn't wobble or creak.
• Comfort: Check the cushions' support, resilience, and overall comfort for chairs and couches. High-quality cushions typically contain high-density foam, down, or a combination.
• Finishing: Evaluate the quality of the finish, such as paint, stain, or varnish, ensuring it is evenly applied and not prone to chipping or peeling.
• Warranty and Return Policy: High-quality furniture often has a solid warranty and a reasonable return policy. Be sure to review these terms before making a purchase.

If your budget allows, opt for locally sourced, hand-crafted furniture. This way, you can ask the designer about the design, including questions about how it was constructed and the materials used. Local manufacturing is also more sustainable due to reduced embodied emissions. 

Furniture and Materiality 

Materiality plays a significant role in furniture and interior design, influencing a space's visual appeal, functionality, durability, and overall ambience. The choice of materials can also contribute to a design's sustainability and environmental impact. Here are some critical aspects of materiality in furniture design:

• Aesthetics: Materials can significantly impact the appearance of furniture and, consequently, a space's overall look and feel. Natural materials like wood and stone can add warmth and texture, while metals and glass can create a sleek, modern look.
• Functionality: Different materials offer varying comfort, support, and practicality levels. Upholstered furniture provides a soft and comfortable seating surface, while a hardwood table offers durability and easy cleaning.
• Durability: The choice of materials can affect the longevity of furniture pieces. High-quality, sturdy materials like hardwood or metal can withstand daily wear and tear, ensuring furniture lasts for years.
• Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials, such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastics, or organic fabrics, help minimise environmental impact and promote sustainable design practices.
• Cost: The type and quality of materials used can significantly affect the cost of furniture. While investing in high-quality materials may have a higher upfront cost, they can be more cost-effective in the long run due to their increased durability and longevity. Here are some materials that tend to be pricier:
• Exotic Woods: Rare and exotic woods like ebony, rosewood, and teak are highly sought for their unique grain patterns and rich colours, making them more expensive than common hardwoods.
• Marble and Natural Stone: Genuine marble, granite, and other natural stone materials are durable and luxurious but have a higher price tag due to their limited availability and extraction costs.
• Leather: High-quality, genuine leather is a popular choice for upholstery due to its durability and luxurious feel. However, top-grain and full-grain leathers can be expensive, as they are made from the highest quality hides and require skilled craftsmanship.
• Brass and Other High-Quality Metals: Solid brass, stainless steel, and other high-quality metal furniture components are durable and luxurious, but due to material costs and production processes, they are often more expensive.
• Hand-Crafted and Artisanal Materials: Hand-crafted or artisanal materials, such as hand-blown glass, hand-painted tiles, or hand-carved wood, are more expensive due to the skill and time required to create them.
• Texture: Mixing different textures can add visual interest and depth to a space. For example, combining a smooth leather sofa, a soft woven rug, and a rough-hewn wooden coffee table creates a dynamic and inviting atmosphere.

When selecting furniture materials, you must consider your project's specific needs and aesthetic preferences as well as factors like maintenance requirements, environmental impact, and budget.

Furniture Styles and Trends

Furniture styles and trends constantly evolve, while classic and timeless designs remain popular. Here's an overview of current furniture styles and trends, as well as classic/timeless styles, and how to approach them as a designer:

Current Furniture Styles and Trends

• Sustainable and Eco-friendly: The growing environmental concern has increased demand for furniture made from sustainable materials and production methods.
• Minimalism: Furniture designs with clean lines, uncluttered aesthetics, and neutral colour palettes continue to be popular.
• Maximalism: On the opposite end, the maximalism trend embraces bold colours, patterns, and textures, creating vibrant and eclectic spaces.
• Mid-Century Modern: A throwback to the 1950s and 1960s, this style features sleek designs, natural materials, and a blend of organic and geometric forms.

Classic/Timeless Furniture Styles

• Traditional: Drawing from various historical periods, traditional furniture often features ornate details, classic patterns, and rich wood finishes.
• Shaker: Known for its simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship, Shaker-style furniture remains a timeless choice for minimalist and traditional designs.
• Art Deco: Inspired by the 1920s and 1930s, Art Deco furniture showcases geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and a sleek, glamorous aesthetic.

When selecting furniture, it's essential to balance incorporating trends and investing in timeless pieces. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

• Longevity: Timeless pieces tend to have a longer lifespan, both in terms of style and durability, making them a better long-term investment.
• Adaptability: While trendy pieces can add visual interest and make your space feel current, they may become dated more quickly. Timeless pieces, on the other hand, are more versatile and can adapt to various design styles over time.
• Personal Taste: Ultimately, your taste should guide your decision. If you love a trendy piece and believe it reflects your style and personality, go for it! 

Space Planning and Furniture Arrangement: Optimising Your Layout

Furniture arrangement plays a crucial role in interior design, as it can impact a space's functionality, flow, and visual harmony. Here are some key considerations when arranging furniture:

• Function: Consider the room's purpose and arrange furniture to facilitate that purpose. For example, create a conversation area in a living room by arranging seating around a coffee table.
• Flow: Arrange furniture to encourage easy movement throughout the space. Leave enough room for people to walk around comfortably, and avoid blocking doorways or windows.
• Focal Point: Identify the room's focal point (e.g., a fireplace, large window, or artwork) and arrange furniture to highlight that feature.
• Scale and Proportion: Choose furniture proportionate to the room size and other furnishings. Overly large or small pieces can make a space feel unbalanced.

“There’s nothing worse than a room with a huge sofa and a tiny rug that doesn’t match. We ensure balance by pairing heavy pieces with lighter ones, like a floor-length sofa with a slim armchair. It’s all about creating a harmonious spatial arrangement.” Nick Garnham, Director at Jardan

• Balance and Symmetry: Balance can be achieved through symmetry (arranging furniture evenly on both sides of a room) or asymmetry (creating visual balance through varying sizes, shapes, and colours).
• Comfort and Accessibility: Make sure furniture is easy to use and comfortable. For example, ensure enough legroom between seating pieces and place frequently used items within easy reach.
• Grouping: Arrange furniture pieces together to create designated areas for specific activities. For instance, in a large living room, arrange a comfortable chair, side table, and floor lamp to create a separate area for reading.
• Colour and Texture: Consider the visual impact of furniture colours and textures. Mixing different hues and textures can add visual interest while maintaining a cohesive colour scheme and can create a calming atmosphere.
• Lighting: Strategically place furniture near or under lighting sources to create a warm and inviting ambience. For example, position a seating area beneath a chandelier or put a floor lamp near a reading chair.

By thoughtfully arranging furniture, you can create a space that is not only functional but also visually appealing and inviting. Remember to experiment with different layouts until you find the one that best suits your needs and aesthetic preferences.

Making Sustainable Choices

Sustainability and overconsumption are crucial factors to consider when selecting furniture for environmental reasons and to promote responsible consumer habits. Here are some ways to incorporate sustainability and reduce overconsumption in your furniture choices:

• Choose Eco-friendly Materials: Opt for furniture made from sustainable materials, such as responsibly sourced wood, organic fabrics, or recycled materials. Look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to ensure your furniture is eco-friendly.
• Support Ethical Manufacturers: Research furniture brands and manufacturers to ensure they employ ethical production practices and are committed to sustainability.
• Invest in Quality: Selecting well-made, durable furniture means you'll need to replace pieces less frequently, reducing waste and overconsumption.
• Repurpose and Upcycle: Instead of buying new furniture, consider repurposing or upcycling existing pieces to give them a new life. This reduces waste and adds a unique, personalised touch to your space.
• Shop Secondhand: Buying secondhand furniture is an excellent way to reduce waste and prevent overconsumption.

Case Study: Sustainable Furniture by Jardan

Jardan is a prime example of a high-quality, sustainable Australian furniture supplier. Our Interior Design & Decoration course features an in-depth case study about Jardan and its unique approach. The company's inspiring leaders provided valuable furniture selection and styling tips and shared insights on fostering strong relationships between designers and suppliers. Here are some key factors that distinguish Jardan:

• Carbon Neutral Commitment: Jardan has been a certified carbon-neutral business since 2014, focusing on minimising its environmental impact.
• Local Sourcing: Over 75% of their raw materials are sourced from Australian suppliers, supporting local industries and reducing transportation emissions.
• Renewable Energy Adoption: Jardan's Melbourne manufacturing site generates solar power, producing 41,575 kWh of electricity last financial year. They also purchased an additional 14,118 kWh of solar power for their Perth showroom, further decreasing their carbon footprint and promoting renewable energy in Australia.
• Sustainable Materials: 100% of Jardan's timber, feather and down, foam, cotton, and linen materials are certified by recognised sustainability standards, such as the Global Organic Textile and Forestry Certification Standards.
• Waste Reduction: Jardan has reduced its waste by more than 65% (per tonne of product sold) in the last year, showcasing its commitment to sustainable practices.

Learn from Practising Interior Designers

Our Interior Design & Decoration short course is perfect for anyone looking to expand their design knowledge and create beautiful, functional spaces that make an impact. It was co-created with inspiring design professionals and offers flexible learning that fits your busy schedule. Download our free course guide to learn more.