The finishing touch

It's not always easy to know what to do when it comes to furniture, which is why natural materials, textures and simple furniture are still the choice of millions . With the introduction of unusual materials , trends in furniture have definitely shifted. Today, brick, slate, wood and tiles are used in conjunction with new, manmade materials like wrought iron, acrylic, and glass to stunning effect.

According to Annkur Khosla, an architect, "old time-tested Burma teak proves to be an outstanding material for making furniture. Solid, simple, plush, elegant and straight lined sofas should be put together with an exquisite center table. Ergonomically designed sofa chairs with ottomans add energy to the space and are extremely comfortable" .

Many a time, when there is little space, people need furniture that is devoid of frills and fancies , and which serve the function they are built for. Minimalist furniture with sleek designs looks light and gives an uncluttered look to small spaces. According to architect Nitin Killawala, "straight and simple lines on tables and chairs with not many embellishments are in vogue. Upholstery today, needs to be more functional and at the same time tailored to suit the needs of the user" . Compact , versatile, and flexible furniture works wonders in small spaces, transforming the most minuscule rooms into full functional areas.

The old standards along with more contemporary styles, can give extraordinary results. Mustafa, an interior designer , says, "the contrast and surprise of blending formal and informal styles together are what make home design so exciting today. It's more of a conservative approach carried out in a casual way, where less formal, less 'period' pieces mix in naturally with classic anchor pieces" . Furniture is outlined in different styles - modern furniture is straight, smooth and has sleek lines that showcase various colours and finishing like marbling, sponging, matte, and stained. The period style involves heavy carving with beautiful detailing. Indian styling refers to ethnic, simple, rustic, handmade furniture - largely two seaters. City style is sophisticated, leather, chrome and glass furniture - teamed with marble or wall-to-wall carpeting. This is generally known as no-fuss furniture.

In the commercial sector , the trend is to have modular furniture. The advantage is that it is fast to make and easy to install, and can be shifted easily. Furniture is available in a wide variety - the choice of design, material , quality and finish determine the end product of the space. It is the most critical part of the look, therefore furniture should be designed with a lot of care, as it can make or break the space.