Many people find themselves torn: choose to live in style & beauty or sacrifice it for the sake of practicality. Can a balance be found?
Image by: Alisa Anton
FORM VS FUNCTION: The Ultimate Interior Design Question
If you've never heard the term before entering the design industry, prepare yourself. The idea that form should follow function has been around long enough for many designers, contractors, architects & draftsmen to center their design plans around this mantra.
By definition, form following function refers to the "shape" of the building or object being based solely on its intended use or purpose. Simply put, how the space will be used should be the primary influence when creating its plan(s). At least that's what was believed.
Of course, it doesn’t take much to realize that you don’t actually have to choose between these two things at all! In reality, it’s much easier to balance form and function in a way that leaves you somewhere in the middle. However, a lot of people tend only to want to focus on one thing at a time, which leaves them unable to juggle both of those things at once. So, to help you avoid falling into that trap, here are some simple ways that you can balance form and function in your home.
1. LIGHT
Image by: Stanislav Kondratiev
Most people have a basic understanding of the value of having big windows, functional, and ambient lighting. A warm glow from a bedroom floor lamp provides reading light, and has a softness and comfort to it; however, if it were the only source of light in a darkened basement suite room, then it would feel small, cramped & unwelcoming.
Add too much light and the room risks feeling clinical (especially if you've fancied a more modern and sleek design). Finding a balance is the key to making any space work. Big windows are great for day-lighting, but proper lighting design is still important!
As a general rule, the quality of light far exceeds the quantity required. As studies suggest, the more natural light we can direct into our spaces, the healthier & more energy efficient we are!
2. SPACE
Image by: Victor Xok
If you haven't read my previous post on #FLOW , I touch on how to incorporate different design basics to create and utilize "negative" space. Once again, finding a balance between serving a function and making it effortlessly beautiful is the goal here. How you arrange your furniture, your forms, will have an impact on how your space flows. Fill the room too much and your space feels like its running out of air. Leave it too empty and it becomes wasted space.
Utilizing the space you have in a creative and tasteful way avoids it looking cramped, cluttered, and disorganized. Turning your storage solutions into decor in turn combines form & functionality beautifully.
3. WARMTH
Image by: Rachel Coyne
Now that we are approaching the winter months, keeping your space warm is a fairly high priority. Often times, (and depending on how cold your winters get,) function completely takes over form as decorative elements become the necessary sacrifice to keeping us warm.
Budget depending, there are various options available that can help with maintaining design consistency all year round — Replacement windows can offer a higher energy efficiency rating; fireplaces (electric or wood-burning) can be both functional and decorative; have a myriad of blankets & throws that are functional for different times of year; rugs, carpets, and floor mats can be both stylish and practical — especially during winter months!
** Designer Tip: Don't be afraid to play with LAYERS! Whether your floor is carpeted or not, an area rug or two can add great visual interest, and help your space retain more heat! **
FORM VS FUNCTION: The Ultimate Interior Design Question... Answered?
Image by: Bench Accounting
As you can clearly see, the ultimate balance of form and function often comes down to compromise. If you’re making allowances for function, then you’re always going to end up having to sacrifice a certain degree of the aesthetics of your home — and vice versa.
The important thing to remember is that how much you sacrifice is always going to be up to you.
So, I encourage you to think about what it is that is most important to you and your space... and work from there. Having a clear plan and idea of what you really want to get out of your project — function, form, or both — is the best possible way to avoid falling into the trap of ending stuck somewhere in between where it doesn’t feel anywhere close to the way that you would want it to.
What ideas have you come up with to balance form & function in your space?
Let me know in the comments below!
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