The Importance of Soft Furnishings in Interior Spaces. Pilot Study – Living Spaces

ABSTRACT: In this study, the importance of the usage of soft furnishings in interior spaces is going to be emphasized. Especially, the usages of soft furnishings in living spaces are analyzed with the help of selected examples from different living spaces. Explanation of soft furnishings is expressed by starting from its usage area. Architectural elements of interior spaces are analyzed to show the possible usage areas of soft furnishings. Word meaning of soft furnishing will be explained whereafter the importance of furnishing is explained. Soft furnishing is expressed by the help of the definition of furnishing. Soft furnishings are not realized recently, they come from the ancient times. Thus, the history of soft furnishing is going to be handled in this study. Soft furnishings are used differently in environments depending on their functional requirements. Starting from the living environment; public, semi-public, semi-private and private spaces are analyzed in terms of soft furnishing usages. Home environment is taken as the smallest scale of an environment for the deeply analysis of a soft furnishings. Every space of the home environment is analyzed by their soft furnishing usages. Living spaces have an important role for people as they give an idea about the characteristics of users to first themselves and then the other people. It is the most public space among other spaces, friends, relatives and quests are hosted. Living spaces are furnished more conscientious than other spaces due to these reasons. 20 houses are selected as a pilot study area in order to analyze used soft furnishings. The main aim of the study is to examine the used soft furnishings in living spaces by different users. As a result of analysis and evaluations, it is proved that, soft furnishings have an important role in interior spaces. It is seen that, the character of interior spaces are generally affected by the usage of soft furnishings because they are the reflection of user’s personality and lifestyle. Soft furnishings become a must element for interior spaces since meaning is loaded in interior spaces they are used. Results also show any interior space cannot be imagined by people without the use of soft furnishings. This study is concerned with exploring the issues about soft furnishings in interior spaces. It helps interior designers and people who are interested with those issues to realize the importance of soft furnishings in interior spaces. This study also provides a basis for future studies. Keywords: Interior spaces, Living Spaces, Soft Furnishing. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………