CHENNAI: Functional furniture and declutter are the two buzzwords in furniture industry. At a recent session at Home Centre at Express Avenue mall, interior designer Nancy Satish, owner of Design Works walked us through three looks that can be tried at our homes. With a minimalistic approach, Nancy tells us ow a blank canvas with a neutral palette as background can be transformed into an everyday look, Diwali look and Christmas look. “Interior designing is like a recipe, you shouldn’t see it as different parts. Class, design and style are the three important points,” she said.
Everyday look
Furniture is a one-piece investment, so make sure you buy long-lasting pieces. The golden rule is to choose a focal point in the living room, where everybody’s attention is drawn to. This is possible only when the design is minimal. Next, choose a neutral palette that goes with all looks and wood that is timeless. Lighting is crucial; use candles, drop lights, mood lighting and chandeliers. It plays a huge role in restrooms, too. The light should always be focused towards you and not the mirror. A 5 ft 7 inch mirror is ideal for homes because it helps accentuate the look and gets the detailing right. Use pops of colour to bring more character to the room.
Festive look
According to Nancy, maintaining a simple design without frills and fancies looks best. This is possible with a functional living space. Festivals are associated with orange and yellow colours. Fresh flowers add glamour of its own. You can use artificial ones, too, as they can be replaced often. Strings of light can be used to give a traditional touch. Every item should be set up at eye level so that they are easily accessible. It is better to invest in leather and PU (material) pieces as they are easy to maintain. Keep them in an air-conditioned room. For Christmas, the colour palette changes to green and red. These are small ways of reinventing ourselves without renovating and burning a hole in our pockets.
What’s trending
Singles: During the initial stages of work, the budget is usually limited. In an apartment of 400 sq ft to 600 sq ft, you can use limited resources. Invest in a sofa-cum-bed. And because many opt for work-from-home, it is better to invest in a work studio set-up. Most youngsters find it difficult to maintain a house. Look out for storage boxes so that you don’t have to pile belongings in corners. Invest in necessities, not luxury.
Families with young kids Don’t invest in expensive furniture as the kids are growing up. Space is key and right utilisation is important. More than bunk beds I would suggest L-shaped beds that are in demand. All these pieces come with storage options and accessible designs.
Working class: Since budget is priority, invest in basic necessities like a couch where you spend most of the time. Dewans and cushions can also be used to set up a comfortable room.