Fun & Funky Furniture: Futons and Beyond

Conventional furniture is can be the basis of a beautiful room and it certainly has a tried and true formula for creating a look that is traditional and predictable. However, if your style is a little more about funky and fun, why not try something a little unpredictable and really express yourself?

Retro Revisited

A bold color palette of tangerine, lime green and sunny yellow creates an instant retro vibe that makes a fun and vibrant room. Bring in post-modern molded chairs and end tables made of plastic and add a vintage style futon with a 70’s something fabric pattern. Beanbags and floor cushions round out seating options; and then finish off with a sunburst wall clock, retro ashtrays and magazine holder, and maybe a rotary telephone in harvest gold on a phone table. Get this fun look from resale shops and from online retailers that sell authentic and reproduction pieces.

Spiffy, Sleek and So Modern

Black, white and chrome is a classic color combo for contemporary spaces. Add a sleek black or white leather futon, coordinating club chairs, a glass topped coffee table with chrome legs and a pair of square lidded ottomans that can function as end tables or extra seating. Their lidded design adds hidden storage that helps to keep your room look sleek and uncluttered. An oversized arching floor lamp adds architectural interest along with needed lighting. Contemporary metal wall decor that features bold modern color will add texture and vibrancy to the room; then add toss pillows and accessories in the same hue to maintain continuity and visual rhythm. A “less is more” approach applied to color palette, furniture lines and accessories will keep the room looking spacious and sharp.

Shabby Chic Comfort

Think shabby chic and you automatically think “cozy comfort”. Shabby chic furniture is typically hand-me-down, big on comfort and low in price. Yard sales are resale shops are your best friend when decorating in shabby chic style. A rehabbed futon is a great choice: You can paint the frame in a distressed white finish to match the shabby chic aesthetic and then recover the cushions in a soothing shade of robin’s egg blue, sunflower yellow or raspberry. Old wall shelves, side tables, a plant stand and glass fronted hutch can be left as is or painted in the same white distressed style. Bring in inexpensive wicker rockers topped with cushy check print chair pads for once-upon-a-porch style seating. An old steamer trunk can stand in for a coffee table, while offering space inside for anything that needs to be stored. With shabby chic, details make the difference:

An old toile tray topped with a tea set, piles of books, and vases full of fresh flowers add finishing touches. Add antique or vintage inspired wall art, such as distressed painted picket fence to stand in as extra large wall art; finish with knick knacks, candles and an old umbrella stand by the front door to say welcome on the dreariest of days.

Futons, ottomans, recycled furniture, and beanbags may not be traditional, but they are not predictable either. Think beyond expected furniture groupings and styles to create a style that is bold, unique and all your own.