As a homeowner or renter, the desire to personalise your interiors is down to the thoughtful mixing and matching of furniture and accessories. Flatpack furniture might not be your first go-to for creating an individualised aesthetic, but stick around; the next few minutes will hopefully convince you of the style versatility and convenience of adding one or more flatpack pieces to your spaces. 

As homeowners increasingly seek ways to express their décor personality and creativity within their living spaces – and still prioritise conscious consumerism – the DIY trend has taken over home décor trends with modern flatpack furniture at the forefront of this revolution. 

From its affordability and ease of assembly (and disassembly) to its size, minimalist design features and customisation options, flatpack furniture offers the perfect canvas to express your décor narrative. 

Modern flatpack furniture has entered the world of interiors with a surprising and welcome footprint that contributes versatility and functionality to any space and complements any style. 

The DIY trend | Its influence on home décor

The rise of the DIY movement has sparked a transformation in furniture design. Homeowners are no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter, generic interior aesthetics; they want furniture and accessories that reflect their personalities, tastes and stories. This shift is driven by a desire for more control over the look and feel of home spaces and a sense of accomplishment in creating something truly unique. 

Known for its affordability and versatility flatpack furniture – aka ready-to-assemble furniture – aligns perfectly with this DIY trend. 

By giving individuals the opportunity to start with a basic, functional piece, flatpack items provide a blank slate for creativity, transforming generic furniture into bespoke statement pieces. 

Advantages of customisation with flatpack furniture

The beauty of modern flatpack furniture lies in its flexibility. Customising these pieces allows homeowners to add personal touches, turning simple designs into one-of-a-kind statement pieces. 

Some key advantages include:

• Affordability: Flatpack furniture is typically more cost-effective than pre-assembled furniture, making it easier to invest in quality pieces that you can afford to customise.
• Adaptability: Because flatpack furniture is usually minimalist in design, it can be easily adapted to a variety of styles, whether you want a rustic, modern, or eclectic look.
• Creative freedom: From paint colours to hardware choices, you have complete control over how your furniture looks, allowing you to design pieces that perfectly match your décor and personality.

A step-by-step guide to personalising flatpack pieces

Embarking on a DIY project to personalise flatpack furniture can be incredibly rewarding. 

Tips to help you transform your furniture into a unique, stylish piece:

• Choose your base piece: Start by selecting a flatpack piece that suits your space and needs. Consider its material and structure: MDF, A-grade PU board, plywood, and solid wood are all common options in flat pack designs.
• Plan your design: Before diving into customisation, plan your design. Sketch out how you want your furniture to look. Think about colours, finishes, textures and hardware you want to incorporate.
• Prep the surface: Sand the surface of your flat pack piece to ensure the paint or stain finish adheres smoothly. Wipe away dust and debris before moving on to the next step.
• Apply primer and paint: If you’re planning to paint, apply a primer to create a solid base for your colour. Once the primer is dry, paint the furniture in your chosen colour or use a pattern to create visual interest. You can also add a protective clear coat for durability.
• Upgrade the hardware: Swap out the standard hardware for something more stylish or unique. Drawer pulls, knobs, or handles in brass, matte black, or even glass can significantly enhance the look of your piece.
• Add functional touches: Consider adding extra functionality by incorporating new features. For example, adding hooks, additional shelves, or even wheels to the base of a flatpack coffee table can increase versatility.

Simple customisation inspiration style ideas

Customisation isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating furniture that suits your lifestyle and needs. (It could be as simple as swapping standard knobs for antique brass handles to give a flatpack piece a vintage charm).

From mid-century modern makeovers to eclectic boho-inspired creations, the flatpack furniture possibilities are endless:

• Rustic Farmhouse: Take a flatpack drinks cabinet or chest of drawers, sand the wood, apply a weathered finish and add cast-iron handles
• Contemporary Glam: Take a flatpack bookshelf, paint it matte black with metallic gold accents and install chic crystal knobs. The result will be an elegant, eye-catching centrepiece perfect for a stylish living room or home office.
• Bohemian Chic: Take a pair of flatpack bedside pedestals, paint in vibrant colours, and add stencils or geometric patterns for a splash of personality to an otherwise neutral bedroom.

Hopefully, this blog is your muse, convincing you of the virtues of flatpack furniture and being the ideal inspirational starting point for you to create personalised, stylish, and functional pieces that will fit seamlessly into your home décor. 

Whatever your motivation – looking to save money, express your creativity, or simply add a personal touch to your space – embrace the flatpack revolution.  

With a little imagination, the right tools, a reputable local manufacturer and some DIY determination, you can transform a basic flatpack item into a bespoke statement piece that reflects your style and personality.