Being versatile is one of the different purposes furniture can serve.If you want a custom piece for your home or are trying to solve a design problem, you can start designing your own furniture.You can have a functional and custom piece of furniture if you develop a concept and make models.
Step 1: Determine what kind of furniture you want.
There are many times when designs are fueled by a problem.To find inspiration for what to design, consider what problems you have in your home or place of work.A notebook is a good place to keep your ideas and problems.If you live in an area without a lot of space, you may want to design a bookshelf that is small.
Step 2: What do you want to accomplish with your furniture?
If it needs to be moved easily or if it should have a specific shape, write down the challenges and problems you want to try and solve with your furniture.Keep a running log of your design process by asking any answers or ideas you have for your furniture.For example, you might want to make a bookcase that is versatile for small spaces or a chair with added storage.The better the end product, the more specific you are with your list.
Step 3: Take influences from other objects.
Look at items around your home and see how you can use them in a furniture design.Write down any objects that catch your eye and sketch a picture of how you would turn them into furniture.You can take inspiration from a scorpion to make a chair with a tall back.A tree could be used to build a bookshelf.
Step 4: Get more ideas by researching current furniture designs.
Look through product magazines to see what is already on the market.Take note of what you like and don't like about the current designs so you can change them.If you eliminate any ideas that have already been produced, you can avoid copying another designer.There are classic works of furniture design.
Step 5: You can make an imageboard online.
All your ideas and inspiration can be collected in one place if you save images and boards on pinsy.You can split your inspiration into different artboards, like "Couches" and "Chairs."
Step 6: You can draw on paper or use a digital drawing program.
You can tell what it looks like by drawing your furniture at different angles.Start with pencils and work your way up to fine-tip markers.Changing your brush size will make the outlines darker and thicker.You can use a drawing tablet to sketch designs on your computer.The form of your furniture can be shown with the use of lines.Draw curved lines on areas that are soft.
Step 7: Make a note of the callouts or measurements on the drawing.
Take the important information someone would need to know to make your furniture and write it down on the paper.Common language will help anyone understand your drawing.If you are designing a reclining chair, draw a line to the parts and note how it reclines or controls the action.
Step 8: 3D-modeling software can help you visualize your furniture.
Work from the basic form of your furniture, like a cube or sphere.For more complicated pieces, adjust the form or add more forms.You can render the model to see what it would look like in a 3D space.You can try 3D-modeling with free programs.
Step 9: Simple materials are used to build scale models of furniture.
1 ft (30 cm) of your actual furniture design is 3–4 in on your model.Craft materials like cardboard or styrofoam can be used to replicate your design.This will give you an idea of the number of materials you would need to create a full-sized version.The model may be too small to work on if you work at a minimum of 14 the size of the full-sized design.
Step 10: Purchase the materials you need.
Measure your models and scale them up so you know how much you need.You can find everything you need to make furniture at your local hardware store.You should buy specialty tools to put your furniture together.If some of the tools are out of your price range, ask your friends or colleagues to borrow them.You should buy materials when you need them.You don't have to spend a lot of money in one trip.
Step 11: If you can, build a full-sized prototype.
The first thing you should do is build the initial framework for your piece of furniture.Continue building until you are happy with the final piece.You should stain or paint the furniture to make it look like you drew it.Work with products that are comfortable for you.Depending on how often you work on it, it could take a long time to make a piece of furniture.You can keep your materials out of a space for a few weeks or months.
Step 12: If you need to make changes to your furniture, test it.
Use your furniture regularly to see how it holds up.Check the strength and weight of your product.When you go to build another piece, make notes on the changes you want to make to the final design.You should make at least one change from your prototype to the final design.You may have overlooked some areas once it is built.
Step 13: If you don't want to make it yourself, look for a furniture maker near you.
Look online for shops that will build furniture for you.Ask for a price quote and explain what you expect from the designs.You should let the maker build the furniture for you if you are happy with them.