Furniture Trends For The Contemporary Home

Q: What influences furniture trends in general?A: There are three things which I think have a strong influence on furniture trends. First, economics- in order to produce good furniture, a designer or a company needs to understand the importance of being sensitive to the economic conditions. Second, climate change- with raw resources dwindling around the world, companies are more aware of the need to develop more sustainable furniture. Finally, fashion- it’s always the sector that has the shortest cycle and people often look to it to have a feel of the mood for the season.

Q: In what ways does western market/trend affect asian furniture market/trend and vice versa.
A: I believe it works both ways. Western markets are attracted by the eclectic nature of Asian furniture while Asian markets are attracted by the movement and the high degree of quality and detailing in 'high' European markets.

Q: What are the characteristics of Asian furniture consumers as opposed to their western counterparts?
A: Generally, Asians are more price conscious and I'll say there's probably still a way to go for Asians to appreciate good quality, details and be willing to pay a premium for it. With a deeper appreciation of its culture, western markets tend to appreciate such values more.

Q: Does furniture design in Singapore follow trends and seasons?
A: I'll say that most local designers are largely influenced by furniture trends in Europe and tend to look there for inspiration. Hence trends in Europe do catch up in Singapore a season or two later.

Q: What do you hope to see (more of/less of) in this industry in Asia/Singapore in future?
A: Being a huge fan of Jasper Morrison and Naoto Fukasawa, I appreciate the genuine nature of their approach to design by observing human behaviour rather then imposing ideas and forcing users to adapt. This gives meaning for designers to be designing. Not for the sake of creating another product but designing for the purpose of improving the way we interact with our surroundings.

I do hope to see consumers giving greater support to local designs. The local furniture industry has become a lot more design-led over the years and there are certainly more than a handful of local furniture set-ups which offer well designed and well made (with a high degree of details and finishing) pieces.