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Thursday 19 September 2013

3D Printing is the Future of Home Décor

3D printing is a process of fabricating objects that have been digitally designed on a computer, or from a scan of an existing object. During the printing process, thin layers of material are built up to create a three-dimensional object. It is possible to create objects using various materials such as plastic, ceramic, metal, and glass.

by http://www.flickr.com/photos/fdecomite/
This technology is perfect for design enthusiasts. It is now possible to design an object and go to your local digital fabrication provider to get it printed, or you could make the investment to buy your own equipment. Artists and designers have understood the possibilities of 3D printing in the creation and manufacture of home décor.

Décor on demand is often inspired by geometric and organic patterns. 3D printing allows designers to create perfect and intricate configurations that resemble leaf skeletons, snowflakes, and angular geometric shapes.



3D printed interior design products can include lampshades and chandeliers that create beautiful displays of light and shadow, furniture such as tables and chairs that are based on mathematical formulae and replicate organic skeletal growth. You can also get original functional pieces such as cutlery, mugs, teapots, eggcups, custom plant pots and planters.

by http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielwilliams/

As you can buy a cheap 3D printer for your home, you may want to try designing your own furniture and ornaments. Once you have the printer you will need to get some 3D modelling software. There are packages that you can download for free, such as Google SketchUp and Blender.

You will need to consider the operation of the printer. It may take a few attempts to get the process right. As 3D printing is all about trial and error, you may initially produce a few failures. Try starting with something small and simple, or download a sample starter CAD model.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18218

The main things you need to be aware of are your 3D printer's speed and heat. If your model has plastic string hanging off, it could be that the printer has timed out. If your printer gets too hot your models may start to melt, and become misshapen or lopsided. Also think about the thickness of your model, if your model is too thin it may stretch, which can create holes.


3D printing is being utilized by a variety of industries ranging from fashion, art, to architecture. Architects can use this technology to prototype their designs by printing scale models of buildings and interiors.

We hope that this has inspired you to consider 3D printing in your interior design.
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Kitty Mellow is a home décor enthusiast working at Lilleymans furniture retailer. She is always on the search for the next trend in interior design.

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