On any given day, dozens of prevailing interior design trends are popular, inspiring homeowners to make their spaces look fresh and current. Nowadays, one trend is outpacing the rest, and that’s fluted furniture.
But what is fluted furniture, exactly? And how can you incorporate it into your home? Ahead, we’ll explore everything you need to know about fluted bedroom furniture and how to add this trend to your sleep space.
What is fluted furniture?
Fluted furniture is furniture that has vertical grooves or a ribbed look, says Emily Roose, interior and furniture designer.
Typically, these furniture pieces have a molding or trim applied to the face that goes from one end to another or even wraps around the sides, explains Roose. The pattern runs vertically, she adds.
The ribs or ridges can vary in width and can be softened with a gentle curve on the edges, says Roose. The spacing will either be minimal or can be separated, depending on the design approach.
Fluted wood furniture tends to be the most popular, while other pieces are rendered in concrete, cement, or earthen materials, shares Roose.
Fluted furniture is furniture that has vertical grooves or a ribbed look. The ribs or ridges can vary in width and can be softened with a gentle curve on the edges. The spacing will either be minimal or can be separated, depending on the design approach.
As for its backstory, fluted furniture is a classical design that’s been around for thousands of years, says Roose.
It’s stood the test of time because it’s easy to incorporate into a variety of design styles “and has morphed to fit easily with traditional to modern styles,” notes Roose.
She believes fluted furniture is a design element that will “continue to stay around and not go out of style.”
Types of fluted furniture
Roose says the most common pieces of furniture you’ll see with fluted details are:
- Side tables
- Coffee tables
- Credenzas/sideboards
- Dressers
- Desks
- Headboards
How to choose the best fluted bedroom furniture
When searching for fluted bedroom furniture, aim to keep the wood tones throughout “the same or close, so they don’t clash,” suggests Roose.
You can look for pieces that are painted and mix those in with wood and upholstered pieces to create a more interesting space, she adds.
In general, when Roose shops for wood nightstands and a wood dresser, she prefers to pair them with an upholstered bed or “at least a bed that has an upholstered headboard to soften the space and make it feel more cozy and less heavy visually.”
Additionally, whether it’s a fluted piece or not, Roose says it’s important to consider its function. Ask yourself this, says Roose: “What do you need the piece to do for you to help organize your space and make everyday living easier?”
How to care for fluted furniture
If you’d like to keep your fluted furniture—or all of your furniture—in good shape for years to come, Roose says you should always check with the manufacturer.
They should have care instructions based on the materials and finishes they applied. “Typically, dusting the pieces once a week or using a mild cleaner is recommended,” she says.
As for specifically caring for those grooves and ridges that are customary of fluted furniture? Roose points out that they can be a bit tough to clean.
She recommends using a vacuum with the brush attachment to remove the dust from between the ridges. Plus, a brush is gentle, so it shouldn’t scratch the wood.
FAQs
What does fluted mean in furniture?
Fluted furniture is characterized by vertical grooves or a “ribbed” appearance. It can appear on the face of a piece of furniture or wrap all the way around to the sides.
Is fluted furniture trendy?
While fluted furniture is certainly on-trend right now, it’s proven itself to be an enduring style choice. It’s been around since ancient times, being used in architecture like the Greek and Roman columns, notes Roose.
“It is a classical and timeless look that does not go completely out of style,” she says. “It is not over the top in detail like heavy ornate classical designs. It is simple and adds visual interest.”
What’s the difference between fluted and reeded furniture?
Reeded furniture is “rounded like a tall grass reed,” says Roose. The design is raised or convex like a raised curve or half circle, she explains. “The spacing and indentation between the reeds is typically narrow or contains small valleys in between,” she adds.
The fluted style has narrower ridges with concave or indented spacing between the ridges, so it appears grooved in between the ridges—and there’s more width or spacing between the ridges, says Roose.
Another popular bedroom design trend of the moment is bouclé. Learn all about how to incorporate bouclé furniture into your bedroom.
