18 Apr Form Vs. Function In Interior Design: The Perfect Solution is Both
Whenever I begin an interior design project, one of my first and most important tasks is to help my clients understand the balance between form and function. Sometimes the prettiest products and designs are not always the most comfortable, durable, or easiest to clean. Depending on my clients’ stage of life and situation, some options may work better for them than others.
The initial form versus function conversation bridges everything from fabric to lighting to furniture; there are almost hundreds of options for each category, and all my clients’ choices will lead to certain outcomes down the road. For example, freestanding tubs are quite the popular trend in bathroom design. They do look nice, but it can be difficult to clean in the space between the tub and the wall. I lay out the truth about materials and their varying levels of maintenance for my clients so that they can make an informed decision about what they want. Staying up-to-date on new products and options is my job too, and if I don’t know, I call on my vendors and sources to help gather that information. Ultimately the client needs to weigh the pros and cons of materials to make an intelligent decision about their design.
How easy a house is to take care of not only depends on the home but also on who is living there. My single clients and childless couples have different schedules, habits and resources than my clients who have several children and pets. I use the first conversation with my clients as a fact-finding opportunity to understand what their lifestyle is like: what are their family habits, how do they like to entertain, do they have a cleaning service or do they keep house themselves, are pets potty-trained, and what is their level of expectation for their living space. A couple may want an entirely white house, but the fact is they have three kids and two dogs.
An important rule of thumb to remember is there are so many design options that you never have to compromise on a style; you just need to find the right solution. For a farmhouse-style kitchen, we took out the natural wood floor and laid tile that looked like wood, keeping the rustic feel of the kitchen but making the floor very easy to clean. So, in effect, it seemed we were replacing real wood with faux wood. Why did we make this seemingly pointless decision? These clients fostered a number of dogs, and the easier it was to keep the house clean, the less stressful it would be for them when surprises happened. They needed the function of a tiled floor, but wanted the look of wood. The solution we found gave them both.
What makes a home functional and beautiful is very personal and different for every single client. It also changes over time. What I help my clients achieve is a level of realistic expectations of the best way that their space is going to work for them. I want to design a home they enjoy living in, one that functions well and is not a constant source of stress. Being able to marry their criteria together with a style that functions well through the various chapters of life and for different family members is the key to a comfortable and beautiful home.
For more advice on how to balance form and function in your home, send us an email or give us a call at (317) 507-9358.
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