Amthal Karim – Head of Design at Furniture And Choice – shares an overview of on-trend styles and interior looks currently inspiring furniture buyers.
There was a time when it seemed that open plan living would never go away but now —years after the pandemic — homeowners are beginning to crave private spaces, nooks and even ‘zones’ to claim as their own. Modern designers are required to understand how people live and what suits their habits, not just day-to-day but hour-to-hour, from breakfast to hybrid working, entertaining to working-out.
In this multi-functional world where furniture is designed to fit around us there’s been plenty of excitement about modular sofas, and now dining tables are claiming a piece of the action too. Contemporary dining sets are increasingly aiming for a perfect blend of utilitarian practicality and aesthetic beauty as we attempt to run our modern lives with effortless ease and sophisticated style.
In terms of design for a dining space, the opportunities are endless — from a space-saving bistro table to a family size extender. And seating has also become interesting — choose chairs, benches, banquettes or bar stools.
For those with a separate dining room, extending tables are ideal to complete transformations from day-to-day life to family celebrations. It’s not just larger extending tables that add value, a small, drop-leaf table in a kitchen corner provides a perfect space for two to share a quick breakfast before work, or brunch at the weekend.
When it comes to modern kitchen-diners, it’s chic cafés and coffee shops that have much to answer for. Increasingly popular as inspiration for home set-ups, it’s no surprise that bar stools have become widespread with designs ranging from minimal to biophilic, Hygge-inspired to modern and edgy with hints of Brutalism.
The beauty of barstools and a kitchen island perfectly demonstrate modern multi-functionality — laptop working in the day, chatting with family as we cook, and casual entertaining into the evening. With morning to night covered it’s no surprise that we’re even starting to see more formal bar type tables emerging for the kitchen — designed to match the more traditional dining table but taller, in light woods, gloss or marble-effects.
And who knows what’s next? If American trends sway the UK, we’ll soon be taking on multi-functional kitchen islands complete with split level platforms for dining and conversing, power points for working and cooking — all designed to fit seamlessly into your beautiful home ‘zone’.
