What goes through your mind when you hear the words “interior design”? For most of us, it’s about creating harmonious living and working spaces with an aesthetic arrangement of elements. The choice and placement of furniture are viewed as an essential part of this.
What if we told you that there are many interior design ideas that can achieve the same effect with minimal or no furniture? Yes, it’s possible. There are many areas in your home that can be turned into cosy, comfortable spaces without the need for conventional tables, chairs, beds and the rest.
Read on to find out how to create unique interiors without having to go through furniture catalogues and visit furniture stores.
To begin with, there are plenty of comfortable rugs and carpets that you can place on the floor of any room or corner. Combine this with an assortment of cushions to create a space that’s perfect for sitting or lounging.
You can mix and match a variety of colours, shapes and textures to come up with a unique theme. A hand-knotted rug from Jaipur teamed with mirror work cushion covers spells Rajasthani luxury. For an Oriental effect, try Persian carpets combined with custom cushions of the same colour scheme. Pastel shag rugs with tasselled cushions will create a boho vibe.
Remember not to ignore comfort. The carpets should be thick enough, with plenty of soft cushions for support. That way, you’ll get a space in which you can relax for hours.
Floor seating can be both comfortable and stylish. Take a leaf from the Middle East by using oversized, padded cushions. Or go the Japanese way, with flat cushions and tatami rugs. Sometimes, elevated platforms can make floor seating more practical. These can be upholstered or simply covered with fabric.
Pouffes are another stylish and elegant way to raise your no-furniture game. They come in countless fabrics and textures to complement the rest of your décor. In solid colours, stripes, florals and more. Seating apart, they can be used as side tables for books or knick-knacks. At times, you can add basic and low pieces of furniture such as ottomans or divans.
Read Also: Explore Trendy; Decorative Floor Seating Ideas
For a cosy and stylish no-furniture bedroom, consider making floor mattresses the focal point. There are many types of floor mattresses, depending on your need and space: foam, foldable, rollable, sofa-style and more.
Futon-style floor mattresses are also popular, and with good reason. They’re flexible, versatile and firm. Typically, Japanese futons are thinner, and other varieties are thicker. Some can be placed on wooden pallets. For a more dramatic effect, you can consider adding a canopy or some string lights on the wall behind the mattress.
With these and other floor mattresses, remember to choose hypoallergenic materials of an appropriate size and thickness. Washable covers will make them easy to maintain.
There are times when a no-furniture space is made more practical and appealing with some smaller pieces of built-in furniture. Take banquettes, for example. These are low dining benches that can be upholstered for more comfort. Banquettes are perfect for dining areas, especially with children. They’re casual and chic, adding a touch of elegance to any corner.
A built-in table is another item worth considering, especially for small spaces. They blend in perfectly and don’t take up as much space as free-standing tables. They’re convenient, don’t get in the way, and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. With banquettes and built-in tables, you can create small dining nooks for memorable meals.
A question that often arises in the minds of those planning a décor with minimal furniture is: what about storage? Let built-in cabinets and wardrobes come to the rescue.
Like banquettes and built-in tables, these storage solutions occupy less space. They can harmonise with any décor. Most importantly, they can be created to suit your living areas, be it with L-shaped corners, around windows, or anywhere else that is convenient.
Built-in cabinets and wardrobes can also be designed for your specific needs. Some examples are a dedicated shoe cabinet, a separate space for fragile garments, racks for glasses and whatever else you may desire. Depending on the décor you have in mind, you can get them crafted in slick steel and acrylic or in varieties of wood.
Accessories go a long way in providing a distinctive look to any space without traditional furniture. To begin with, you can consider indoor plants. These will add a splash of freshness to any room. They could be small, potted varieties or larger plants that work best next to windows.
With a no-furniture look, don’t let your walls stay bare. Dress them up with your favourite pieces of art. If you’re an art connoisseur, you could display your latest discoveries. Or simply have fun with framed posters and photographs. Wall hangings are yet another way to make interior spaces look unique. Either way, remember that all of them should complement the overall look of the room.
Lighting and mirrors also go a long way in creating a pleasing environment. The right lighting scheme will focus on areas that need more illumination. Mirrors of various shapes and sizes can reflect and magnify natural light.
At HomeLane, our design experts are ready and willing to suggest even more stunning ideas to create the décor of your dreams. With or without furniture. Do contact us today for a free design session.
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