Art is everywhere you look. It can be interpreted as anything and anyone. A person can take even the most unlikely object, such as a piece of furniture and turn it into something that rivals art.
In the art & design industry, the line between art and practical use can easily blur. The look and style of a piece can sometimes be neglected by the end-user, especially when it comes to interior design. For example, most customers will buy a chair or table for its practical use. They will decide whether it fits in with their everyday life as well as the space they’ve reserved for it. Lastly, they will assess whether it is in tune with the aesthetics of their home. However, others will buy furniture and high-end home decor purely as an artistic statement, with little regard for practicality.
To design furniture is a seemingly endless process, as there is no right or wrong way to do so. On one end of the spectrum, a chair can look how you’d expect one to appear, and at the other end, it could artistically challenge the way you think.
Contemporary art is becoming a part of our everyday lives. Thanks to large furniture retailers such as Ikea, customers can access affordable, contemporary furniture items on mass. Art is making its way into many types of homes all over the world in an impactful way. It’s safe to say, the art of furniture is here to stay.
When does furniture become art?
So, when does furniture become art? Well, this decision ultimately lies with the creator and the end-user. In a sense, every piece of furniture is art in someone’s eyes!
Creating furniture to be considered art can manifest in many different ways. For example, it’s a common belief that carving marble into exquisite shapes to create marble tables or vacuum packing large sheets of plastic over wired, chair-like structures, is considered art. And you’d be right to think that! These unique and amazing creations are what bridge the gap between furniture and art.
As is said; art is in the eye of the beholder. Furniture takes up a large space in your everyday life whether you realise it or not. You are always subconsciously adding art to your living area with every new piece you choose.
How do you start designing furniture?
To start your design process, you’ll need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Start by building your concept. To do this, sketch your ideas, write down your thoughts, research how you’d begin to execute, the more you put into your concept creation, the better!
Once you have a design, start creating small models (either in real life or using 3D modelling computer software). Do this to get a feel of how your design will look in a 3D space. It will also give you a good idea of how the measurements will work on the final product.
Next, you need to fabricate your prototype. Find affordable materials to use and get to work on creating your vision. Doing this will help to highlight any issues with measurements or other issues you did not foresee.
Test test test! Once you have made your design, test it in different ways to find out if it will withstand use from others. The more you find out about your design in the beginning, the better it will be to the end-user and the better it will sell!
What is the process of making furniture?
Once you have a design that works, it’s time to get it to the wanting public. So, what is the process of making furniture? There are many processes to make furniture, and any number of materials can be used and fashioned into the shapes needed for all intended practical uses.
Creators take materials and use specialist equipment to build either bespoke or mass-produced furniture.
There are several steps you must follow to create furniture. For example, here’s a step by step guide on building a simple wooden table:
Step 1: Cut your choice of wood
Step 2: Build the Legs and Long Supports (post or rod fixed vertically)
Step 3: Connect the Long Supports and Legs.
Step 4: Secure the top of the table to the Long Supports
Step 5: Sand and Stain the Top and Base and Legs.
Many creators will approach a furniture maker as opposed to making furniture themselves. This is because a professional furniture maker can help you to produce a new design and get it to the public much faster!
Best of luck!
Conclusion
Art is all around us and can be interpreted differently by everyone. This rings true when it comes to creating and purchasing furniture. As a statement in someone’s home, furniture can have a big impact on the overall look and aesthetic of a room. This happens consciously and sometimes subconsciously by the owner showing furniture rivals art, whether someone tries or not.
Author Bio
Tom Hughes is a Content and CRO Specialist for Digital Marketing Agency Tillison Consulting. With a background in illustration and animation, he has a keen eye for interior design. Writing for a broad spectrum of online clients sees Tom experienced in lifestyle, technology, business and digital marketing related topics. When Tom is not crafting content he is actively driving conversion on client sites with his CRO expertise. Find Tom on Twitter @Tillison_Tom
