FACETS OF FURNITURE

Functionality is especially important when it comes to furnishing a condo space

Furniture is such an important element in the overall design of a space within any home, and today’s pieces make a major impact. Not only are they useful and adaptable, but contemporary furniture comes in a wide range of electrifying colours and geometric patterns as well. Below, some defining facets of modern furniture design that make this generation of pieces stylish and conversation-worthy.

Colour and lines — Today’s furniture can either be monochromatic and subtle, or punchy and daring, said Johannes Kau, CEO of Mobilia.

“Grey is still by far the dominant colour. A larger piece like a sectional or upholstered bed in grey is very in vogue, and because there are so many different shades of grey — from almost white with a hint of grey to dark charcoal — it is still widely used,” he explained. “However, the beauty of grey is that there are so many colours that work well with it, so to liven up the greys, we’re bringing in more vibrant neon-like colours, too, such as reds, blues, and yellows.”

While colour plays a major role in defining the look of modern furniture, Kau said designers are also turning to geometrics for inspiration.

“Angles and criss-crosses are popular, and they create a dynamic look from different viewpoints, which makes them interesting. These motifs are also being incorporated into some of our accessories such as pillows and carpets, which play with geometric patterns to give them 3D effects. The pieces have a lot of depth — even a simple pillow.”

Mixing finishes is an avant-garde look in furniture as well.

“I love this idea of mixing finishes, like using different wood species and mixing them with metal colours or finishes,” Kau said. “This can work for accent and accessory pieces as well as larger pieces, like sofas with metal legs.”

Functionality — It’s one thing to get the main use out of a furniture piece, but it’s another thing when a piece can pull double duty. Furniture has evolved to a new level and can now be used for various purposes.

“We carry coffee tables that can be transformed into a dining table, as well as ottomans that have storage inside but can also be converted into a chair. People want this new trend where they get different options with the same item of furniture,” said Konstantin Solomentsev of Euro-Style.

This approach is particularly useful in smaller homes such as condos, where every square inch of space is valuable and where buyers are finding themselves being forced to give up personal mementoes.

“We are constantly trying to find solutions to create extra space in order to keep our belongings from making our homes too cluttered,” Konstantin Solomentsev noted. “People are downsizing, but they have memories — and things that represent those memories that they can’t get rid of — so it’s our job to find solutions so that they can keep those things.”

Customization — In the past, custom-made furniture came with a soaring price tag, leaving it only to the wealthiest of homeowners.

Today, however, technology has ushered in new, easier ways of personalizing furniture, meaning almost anyone can custom-create their own pieces to suit their individual style and needs.

“Custom-made furniture has a big space in the furniture market as it’s getting more and more popular,” Solomentsev said. “It was always so expensive, so we’re trying to use our typical furniture suppliers with lines of sofas, chairs, etc. and customize those pieces by changing the configuration and the colours.” The store has more than 1,000 colour swatches and 10,000 combinations to choose from, allowing clients to be a little bit different in an industry where everything used to be so uniform.

“People love the idea of custom furniture that can be used for multiple things,” Johannes Kau said. “Condos don’t always have a lot of space, so you need a piece that looks great and is multifunctional as well. Storage beds, for example, are very convenient for smaller spaces where you can’t accommodate a big dresser or armoire.”

Today’s furniture boasts chic designs and a myriad of functions, making them more than just mere stand-alone pieces. And because furniture plays such a huge role in our everyday lives, it’s important to look for pieces that serve us well both in look and purpose. Contemporary designs answer that need.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EUROSTYLE FURNITURE MONTREAL Functionality is a prime consideration for furniture in smaller homes, like condos for example, and pieces that do double duty are especially useful. Rimobel furniture for a child’s room, like the pieces shown here, demonstrates both the functionality...

PHOTO COURTESY OF EUROSTYLE FURNITURE MONTREAL Geometric patterns and a mix of colours add visual appeal to the Arianne sectional in this room. Pieces can be positioned in a variety of ways, with extra cushions serving as ottomans, or to turn part of the sectional sofa into a lounger or bed.

This recliner’s yellow leather upholstery will add a stylish pop of colour to any contemporary decor.

PHOTOS (2): COURTESY OF MOBILIA Grey works well with other colours — including the yellow in this piece of furniture, which functions as a modular storage unit that can easily do double duty as a coffee table or TV stand.