What is Functional Furniture
Functional Furniture is defined as furniture having several functions combined. Functions can vary, but often include additional practical uses, such as sleepers, storage, recliners, seat adjustability, etc.
In Finland, the average home size is 1100 square feet, this includes 3 bedrooms, living space and a kitchen. With such limited space to entertain overnight guests, functional furniture is essential in order to maximize every square foot.
The functional collection from Luonto was conceived from the idea that highly functional designs can maximize any home space regardless of the size. But small living spaces are becoming more common as people move to cities and communities where apartments and condominiums dominate the residential markets.
The Case for Functional Furniture
Regardless of home size, whether 1100 sqft or 11,000 sqft, intentional use of space is a common factor when designing any interior solution. We believe good furniture design can move with you, adjust to specific needs, and perform additional utilities. Furniture with uses more than seated comfort makes for a superior design.
Sleeping ​Solut​ions
Be it family or friends, more often than most admit there is a need for an extra bed in the house. With functional furniture, sleepers are within reach in less than a minute. And comfort is not foregone either. With our line of Sleeper Furniture, every one can rest easy, there are never any bars or springs causing havoc on sleeping backs. Experience comfort. Sitting or sleeping.
Storage Solutions
Whether in the living room, a home office, family room or flex space, functional furniture can provide a more integrated role in daily life. Common in our 2023 Functional Collection is storage designs offering openable storage chaises with ample room for blankets, pillows or even toys. Designs such as Delta, Noah, Halti, Hampton, can help reduce the need for extra storage in a room while providing a comfortable seat or bed.
Adjustable Solutions
There are many non-permanent things in life, and we create functional furniture that can adjust to change. If that is comfort needs, designs like Delta, Noah, West, Halti are a few designs that offer height adjustability for seat back comfort. Then there is Hampton, Delta, Noah and other loveseat chaise sectional designs that come standard as reversible chaise designs. This means if a room layout changes, these designs are universal, and can be mirrored to fit just right.
Shopping? Consider These Things
Frame Materials
Not all functional furniture is created equal. If you are shopping for functional furniture, be mindful of the materials used in manufacturing. Quality matters. Materials like solid wood, engineered high density fiberboards and plywood are often signatures of quality manufacturing. But don't be afraid to ask questions.
Function Materials
Functional Furniture often contains motion, and materials used to support the function are important to ensure longevity and usability. Look for strong metals such as steel, if they are sealed or painted this is even better to prevent oxidation and rust. Supporting mechanism hardware like mechanical springs or gas hydraulic springs are signs of quality.
Comfort
One of the most important elements to consider is comfort. Regardless of the type of furniture, comfort should be on top of the "needs" list. Keep in mind that comfort overtime can change, usually softening with use. Be sure to look for high quality foams, closed-cell foam offers better longevity than open-cell which can break down more quickly. Also, foam content is important, certifications like CertiPUR often signal quality of materials.
Repairability
All the three previous topics are important, but without the ability to repair the furniture easily, the longevity of the design is thrown into question. Like most things, furniture is not exempt from unexpected misuse or accidents. Repairability is possibly the most valuable attribute for furniture in general, functional furniture is no exception.
Article reposted from: https://www.luonto.com