Modern furniture plays a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics and functionality of a space. Picking the right piece also allows your personality to shine.
Words Carrol Baker
Well-designed, innovative furniture enhances your home. It works hard to deliver, with key attributes such as space-saving features or dual functionality that offers design flexibility. It’s also beautiful and unique.
Modern furniture is all about quality, sustainable materials and pieces built to last. It embraces certain nuances and offers the ultimate in design innovation.
Spaces that dazzle
We’ve all seen interior spaces that seem to look stunning effortlessly. It could be a living room that makes you want to kick off your shoes and curl up on the couch, or a beautiful bedroom that has a soothing, calming vibe.
So what is that special something that sets a beautiful space apart? Chris Cooke, design mentor at King Living, says beautiful living spaces hold a perfect harmony of contrasts between materials, colours and textures. “Think a luxurious bouclé sofa with a smooth leather lounge chair, or a sleek metal coffee table with a soft wool rug,” explains Chris. “It’s also about scale; the right proportions between furniture pieces create a sense of ease.”
When sourcing furniture, look for key qualities that are fundamental to furniture built to endure. Chris says outstanding build quality is non-negotiable, and modularity is also key. “A sofa you rearrange into new configurations or customise with removable covers offers flexibility as your life changes,” he explains. “Always look for timeless designs that remain visually relevant as trends shift, such as our Jasper Sofa, a best seller 20 years on.”
Innovative pieces
With the right dining table, you can elevate your dining experience. Think warm natural timbers, glass, and marble-look laminates. For small spaces, a round table works well and it encourages conversation. If you like the idea of a large rectangular or square table and you’re short on space, look for one with a bench seat that tucks underneath, or one you can extend when required.
Look for dining chairs crafted from quality materials, boasting stylish design and comfort. The right bar stool can be the finishing touch to a stylish kitchen; don’t spend money on the kitchen of your dreams and shortchange yourself with a budget bar stool that won’t last. Choose a colour and material in your kitchen and let that guide you in your choice of bar stool texture and tone. Above all, choose something supremely comfortable. Kitchen island bar stools get a lot of use.
The consol table with its refined design and slimline profile is an enduring furniture piece, a place to drop keys into a stunning decor bowl on arrival home. A console with single or double drawer offers space to store items you need at a glance as you’re racing out the door. Opt for luxurious timber, glass, metal or stone and refined detailing.
Once you’ve sourced your furniture, add accents or decor pieces. Think a bespoke sculpture, a stylish side table or stool, a portable light, or accent piece that you love.
To add the finishing touches, Chris says a well-chosen rug should be at the top of your list. “It can define a zone and enhance the tone of the space,” he explains. “A rug with a unique texture or bold design can provide contrast against softer, neutral furniture, adding warmth and visual interest.”
Furniture innovation
There are plenty of new innovations in quality furniture that are gaining traction, and for good reason.
We are loving a touch of luxe in materials that also get the green tick of approval for being ecofriendly. Coco Republic’s head of interior design, Anna Di Napoli, says there is certainly a strong shift towards sustainable yet luxurious materials — “Certified FSC timbers, recycled metals, eco-leathers, and natural renewable textiles that don’t compromise on feel or finish,” says Anna. “Consumers are increasingly design-aware and eco-aware and looking for pieces that deliver both sophistication and environmental responsibility that reinforce a modern luxury space.”
Some clever furniture also takes it one step further, with innovative technology. Anna says it’s being seamlessly integrated into high-end furniture without compromising on style. “Think wireless charging built into side tables, motion-sensor LED lighting in cabinetry, or powered recliners with hidden USB-C ports and silent motors,” she says.
Built to last
The notion of buying into trends in furniture is something that should be treated with caution. Rather, opt for quality pieces that reflect you and your lifestyle and which you’ll love decades from now. We all know quality furniture is indeed an investment, and Chris says the aesthetic you choose is part of what determines long-term value. But he’s quick to assert there are smart
ways to blend trends with sustainability. “You could choose a timeless sofa design with removable covers in a trending colour and replace the covers with a fresh look in the future,” he says. “Updating cushions and throws helps you stay on trend without the need to replace investment pieces.”
Anna adds that timeless design and quality pieces are linked. “True quality transcends trends,” notes Anna, “sophisticated and classic pieces that will elevate a space now and well into the future.”
Smart furniture is durable; it’s built to last. There are some key characteristics inherent in quality furniture. Anna says quality furniture is not just about how it looks, it’s about how it’s made, how it performs and how it endures. “It’s the quiet confidence of a piece that’s been designed and built to last, enhancing not just a home, but a lifestyle,” she explains.
No matter the furniture type, there are some characteristics that quality furniture shares. Anna says superior craftsmanship is one. “Craftsmanship is at the heart of every piece. This means attention to detail in construction, flawless joinery, and refined finishes,” she notes.
Quality also begins with premium materials. “Select materials that are not only beautiful, but enduring, because luxury should last,” says Anna. Finally, it’s important to source comfort without compromise. “Luxury is lived in, so furniture must not only look exceptional, but feel indulgent,” she says. “The form and function should be perfectly aligned.”
Let’s talk multifunctional
Slide-away sofa beds and murphy beds offer design flexibility in a space. You can pull the bed down or out when you have guests, so your office/study becomes a guest room.
Nesting or stackable furniture such as small stools or coffee tables that tuck away when not in use are not only a fabulous space saver, they help a space feel less cluttered and more streamlined. Some ottomans have hidden compartments. Not only are they great to put your feet up on, they also serve as storage spaces and extra seating for guests.
Storage shelves offer the ultimate in design flexibility and multifunctional furniture. A shelving unit with flexible shelf heights can go wherever extra storage is needed.
Petite pieces that shine
Perhaps you are downsizing, or you’ve just bought your first apartment and are getting ready to fill it with fabulous furniture. Before you pour that glass of sparkling wine and
go furniture shopping, it’s important to do your research.
Hilary Sharp from Box Clever Interiors says the right furniture can create flow and a feeling of space. On the flipside, choosing chunky furniture can make your spaces feel cramped. In the bedroom, Hilary recommends platform beds or beds on legs. “You can see more of the floor which gives the illusion that the room is slightly bigger,” she says. “If you desperately need more storage, choose a bed with drawers.”
Where you can, invest in custom joinery in your wardrobe. “Most apartments have sliding robes, so put your money into fitting out the robe with storage spaces,” suggests Hilary.
When adding a bedside table, opt for a slimmer profile. “A single-drawer bedside table, or a round side table softens the space,” she notes.
Awkward small corners or spaces in your small home or apartment are an opportunity to create a custom space. Hilary suggests a reading nook with a feature chair, and a stool as a side table. “Introduce biophilic design with a plant on the table to soften the space,” she says.
Angular rooms can also be an issue when space is at a premium. Try thinking outside the box. “Instead of a sofa in a room with awkward angles, we added three rounded comfortable chairs and ottomans,” she says. “When not in use, the ottomans could be tucked under a round coffee table.”
This article was originally published in Home Design 28.1.