3D printing innovations have had a positive impact on so many different industries.
This manufacturing style has made huge advancements in the aerospace, automotive, and educational sectors and has even made a significant progress in the healthcare sector.
Because the majority of 3D printing applications are professional or industrial, many people don’t often think about how it could benefit them personally. But if you scale down operations, 3D printing can do quite a bit to improve your home life, increase your comfort level, and support a sustainable lifestyle.
In years to come we might see more fully 3D printed homes. While you can’t easily buy one (or make your own) today, there are things you can do in your existing home to utilize this technology to the fullest and let your family reap the benefits. Let’s look at a few examples.
Functional Furnishings
One of the most practical ways you can use 3D printing in your home is to design and create your own furnishings. Tables and chairs are only part of the equation. A beautiful thing about 3D printing is that it lets you put your creativity to good use. You can develop one-of-a-kind bookshelves or functional art pieces that double as furniture.
If you decide to print your own furniture, you’ll be “on trend” when it comes to the latest in home design. You’ll also be more sustainable, if the correct materials are used. Printing your furniture is challenging, but can be much better for the environment than buying multiple pieces from a store that had to be shipped across the globe. 3D printing also helps you to be more eco-friendly by:
- Creating less waste material during manufacture
- Making it easy to repair things, rather than throwing them away
- Using efficient designs
- Using less raw materials
The best part is that you can spruce up just about any room in your home – or even create a beautiful outdoor space that is unique to you and your family. Try coming up with unique seating options for your balcony and printing out your designs to bring them to life. Your guests will love asking about your furniture, and you can brag about your design skills every time you have company. Think outside the box and create your light fixtures and planter boxes, and you’ll want to spend as much time as possible in your outdoor oasis.
Family Fun
If you want to get your whole family interested in 3D printing, use your creative design skills to create things everyone will be able to use and enjoy. Let your kids get involved and bring their imaginative ideas to life.
You can create 3D printed toys, decorations, building blocks, room decor, and so much more. It’s a great way to create customized items that show off each of your children’s personalities.
If you have older kids or teenagers, consider 3D printing them a phone case that fits their sense of style. Not only will it be fun for them to show off, but it’ll keep their phone safe during those online and mobile phone family game nights! Even better, have THEM 3D print the objects themselves and they’ll learn a new skill.
By showing your family how 3D printing works and everything you can create, you could be inspiring the next generation of inventors and innovators. There are already several kid-friendly 3D printers on the market, so don’t be afraid to let your little ones find inspiration by coming up with creative designs that can make their lives easier and more comfortable.
A Flare for Fashion
Whether you’re looking for ways to cut costs on your wardrobe budget, you want to cut back on your textile waste, or you just can’t get enough of pushing the limits of 3D printing, consider “making it fashion” by printing some of your family’s clothes or fashion items.
We live in a digital world where we expect almost everything on-demand. So, imagine the possibilities when you or your child could come up with a unique outfit or accessory idea at the breakfast table and have it printed by the time you’re ready to leave for work or school. 3D printed clothes and accessories have seen the runway already, and in the future they could see everyday use in households across the country.
Does it take some skill and specific materials to get started with printing clothes? Yes. Clothing is still a challenging item to 3D print, but designers like Sophy Wong was able to create a 3D-printed dress this year using a specific technique to print a fabric-like material that was comfortable, fashionable, and functional. If you still doubt the concept of 3D printing a wardrobe, consider some of the benefits, including:
- Sustainability and less waste
- Highly unusual design possibilities
- Improved fabrics
- Recyclable clothing
- Customization
Major corporations across the globe are already utilizing 3D printing in their products, including Nike, Victoria’s Secret, and Adidas. While it might be a while before those major brands make a completely 3D-printed product, implementing printed parts into their current designs is a great start, and can make a big difference.
If you’re going to be 3D printing at home, have fun with it. Let your creativity come through in every creation you make for yourself and your family. Think about your needs, wants, and what you could possibly create to make your home life more comfortable than ever.
