This document outlines the design process for a sit and store piece of furniture. The designer was inspired by beach chairs and their relaxing nature. Initial sketches explored divan-style seating with storage. Three material options were considered: laminate-covered MDF, solid wood like oak or cedar, or coconut board. Coconut board was selected for its attractive grain and finish. 3D drawings were created to visualize the final design, a divan with leather cushions and coconut wood frame, and how it would look placed in a room.

1. SIT AND STORE…READ
& RELAX
BY
REENA KUMAR

2. Initial Concepts
To design a sit and store piece of furniture. There is a huge range of ideas and designs on the
internet and I propose to come up with my own imagination with a combination of visual resources
that i have done research on.
The beach chair inspired me the most as the first thought on mind as a very relaxing type of furniture
where i would love to relax and read. With the background of growing up on the islands and a very
common sight of seeing people relaxing on the beach chairs with their favourite shades on, be it at
the resorts or even backyards near swimming pools.
My first impression on sitting in comfort – The Beach Chairs

3. Ergonomic Consideration
A backrest of 100 degrees – provides the perfect posture with back rest. This can be achieved with
either the design of the furniture carcass or even with the cushion foam.

4. Design Development
The beach chairs will be ideal for summer, but maybe not too comfortable for indoors and
use in winter. A bit more brainstorming with similar type sitting for indoors. The divan seats
look more appropriate and will also be perfect for a better appeal for indoors.
Now that I am convinced with the relaxed type sitting furniture as the divan style ,lets develop
this with some storage space.
Idea for storage

5. Materials and Construction
My favourite option for furniture finishes – palm wood frame and leather finished foam cushions.
Below are examples of furniture made by PACIFIC GREEN FIJI LIMITED. They have unique and
stylish furniture which now have become popular in Australia and New Zealand.
The other options of material construction would be
•Antique look – furniture frame with natural timber like oak, cedar or mahogany natural vanished or
polished finish and the cushions could also be in foam with either fabric or leather cover.
•Conventional type – furniture constructed with ply or hmr mdf boards either 2 pack spray paint
finish or laminate finish with once again cushions in foam covered with fabric or leather.

6. Visualisation and Initial sketches
Below is scanned copy of initial draft sketch of the furniture piece as drawn by me in my sketchbook.

7. Technical Drawing

8. OPTION 1
Frame : Prefinished laminate on
HMR MDF board
Cushion and seat : Foam with
fabric cover
Venge or darkoak -
inspired finish look
My opinion – Despite a wide range of finishes and colours available in prefinished boards and the fact that construction is
faster, I feel MDF is less durable and surface is easily scratched that cannot be fixed or repaired unless the whole panel
is changed.
Materials and Fixtures
OPTION 2
Frame : Plywood or natural
timber like oak or cedar
Cushions and seat : fabric
or leather finish.
plywoodWhite oak cedar
My opinion – solid wood as above are very durable and very user-friendly for making custom-made furniture,
usually carpenter’s favourite. I would use this finish if availability of materials in my final choice is a problem.

9. Materials and Fixtures cont…
.
OPTION 3 – My final choice
Frame : coconut board
Cushion and seat : leather finish
My opinion – coconut board have a beautiful grain and an attractive natural appearance and the
finished product has a classy appeal. The dark brown frame colour with white/ivory leather will be
perfect for my sit and store.
Information on coconutwood – finishes.
leatherCoconut wood
FITTINGS AND FIXTURES
Hafele or Blum cabinet screws with caps to match finishes.
Hafele – accurida 2642 drawer runners.
Hafele 634.55.223 stainless steel cabinet feet

10. 3D Drawings – furniture

11. 3D Drawings – furniture set
up in room
Front view

12. 3D Drawings – furniture set
up in room
Isometric view

13. 3D Drawings – furniture set
up in room
Isometric view

14. 3D Drawings – animation
movie

15. Thank you for viewing
Hope you enjoyed