Have you ever heard the term ‘function before form’ or ‘form before function?’ Well, it’s a true design conundrum for architects and interior designers – should we come up with a form and inundate it with a function or vice versa?
While most designers tend to go for beauty before efficiency, it’s important to know that both are just as important. However, many people do prefer to have a more functional home interior than otherwise. So, let’s take a look at how you can design a space that’s big on functionality instead of visuals!
1. Emphasis on core natural lighting
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Carpenters
Natural lighting is one of the core essentials of creating a functional interior design. This is because no matter how simple your home interiors are in terms of materials and décor, natural light has a way of creating drama in it all. This is why large window portals with efficient window treatments are the first and foremost step to creating a truly functional interior design.
2. Emphasizing activities
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Carpenters
Another key aspect of creating function-forward interior designs is to emphasize all the activities that take place in a space. Take this bedroom for example. With the use of simple but stylish furniture, the designers have ensured that each and every activity that takes place in this bedroom has a clearly defined area, which makes it the epitome of functional.
3. Sticking to the essentials
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Carpenters
One more thing to remember while designing a functional interior design is that you have to stick to the essentials. There’s no going for frou-frou accoutrements and décor items just because you find something pretty. The living room design in this image is a great example of this technique, where everything – including the couch, coffee table, media console and LCD – are they’re because they are essential. Their unfettered style just adds to the whole aesthetic.
4. Keeping necessities in clear view
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Carpenters
Another thing to remember while designing a true functionality based interior design is that you have to have to use the necessities as a design element. Take this kitchen interior design as an example. All the appliances are in clear view and within easy reach, but they also add to the visual beauty of the space. This is how you do it!
5. Highlight functionality
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Carpenters
Emphasizing all the otherwise hidden yet functional aspects of your interior designs is another way you can add to the beauty of your function-based spaces. The bathroom in this image features a great example of this technique. All the fixtures and hidden pipes are in clear display and used as design elements to add to the beauty of the bathroom aesthetic.
