FunHaus Interior Design: How to Master the Circus-Inspired Home Trend
If you find super-bright furnishings appealing and minimalism somewhat underwhelming, then a touch of clownish charm might be precisely what your home needs. The FunHaus trend represents a vibrant departure from years of neutral interiors, offering a playful approach that celebrates colour and pattern with theatrical flair.
Embracing Playful Expression in Home Design
"After years of minimalism and neutral interiors, the FunHaus aesthetic has emerged to reflect our desire for more playful, expressive homes," explains John Rastall, head of commercial for DFS Home. This design movement strikes a careful balance between bold colours, eye-catching prints, and subtle references to the circus big top, all while maintaining a sense of sophistication.
Rastall suggests beginning your FunHaus journey in the bedroom, describing it as "a joyful way to introduce personality into bedroom design, nodding to a more youthful and playful energy... without sacrificing comfort and cosiness."
Creating a Circus-Inspired Bedroom Sanctuary
To achieve the FunHaus look in your sleeping quarters, Rastall recommends starting with a statement-making headboard featuring plush ribbed panelling. "Set this against a backdrop of a dramatic striped wallpaper to create a feeling of big-top grandeur," he advises.
The key elements for a successful FunHaus bedroom include:
- Choosing both hero pieces and accents in rich, opulent fabrics like velvet
- Layering patterns and shapes while keeping the colour palette simple
- Incorporating soft pinks, light blues, maroons, and creamy whites
- Dressing the bed with a thoughtful mix of plain and patterned accessories
"Geometric cushions pair unexpectedly well with stripes, whilst frilled edges add a feminine touch that softens bolder repeats," Rastall notes. To enhance the playful ambience, he suggests echoing the sculptural silhouette of a statement headboard throughout the space by bringing in other rounded or arched forms that subtly reference classic circus motifs.
Extending FunHaus to Living Spaces
Once you've mastered the bedroom, you might feel ready to introduce FunHaus elements into your living areas. Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti, offers reassurance: "Although this is a bold aesthetic, there are simple and effective ways you can bring it into the home without it feeling excessive."
Smith recommends creating a dynamic interplay of elements that feel both theatrical and refined by opting for sculptural silhouettes that explore proportion. "A dining table with a fluted pedestal base combined with an exaggerated dining chair and tiered lighting will offer a subtle nod to the trend's expressive energy... while still maintaining a cohesive look across the home," he outlines.
For those hesitant to commit to graphic prints or bold stripes, Smith suggests incorporating playful touches through unexpected splashes of colour or abstract artwork. "By utilising small flourishes of design that embrace the essence of FunHaus, you'll have an uplifting space that's stylish and liveable," he concludes.
The Power of Paint in FunHaus Design
From soft furnishings to lighting and tableware, there are numerous ways to embrace this playful trend. Helen Shaw, director of marketing (International) at Benjamin Moore, highlights another approach: decorating your walls. "Paint is the perfect vehicle to experiment without it being a forever commitment," she observes.
Shaw explains that with just a few tins of paint, you can test the look in different spaces before committing to furniture and styling objects. Alongside classic statement stripes synonymous with the FunHaus aesthetic, she recommends hand-painted details such as scallop borders that bring artisanal charm and create engaging dialogues between contrasting tones.
When implementing these techniques, Shaw advises looking to your home's existing architecture for guidance: "Echo and enhance its lines – whether by painting a border that traces the soft curve of an archway; or by playing with materiality and pairing period features with a contemporary cornice in juxtaposed hues."
For colour inspiration, Shaw suggests exploring complementary schemes using colours that sit opposite one another on the colour wheel. "For a more grown-up take on the look this spring, consider a palette of brown-based pink offset with a fresh pistachio accent," she recommends confidently.
The FunHaus trend ultimately represents a joyful rebellion against minimalist design, inviting homeowners to embrace theatricality, colour, and pattern while maintaining sophisticated living spaces that balance playfulness with elegance.
