Tyre pressures are not a specifically defined value, you can vary it to suit your preferences within a reasonable range. It's one of those things where manufacturers have to be fairly specific simply to satisfy the consumer, not many vehicle owners are particularly well versed in the subtleties of auto engineering. To keep it simple they usually give one or two values for different scenarios, lightly laden or fully loaded for example.
It's usually given as a compromise for the things discussed, rolling resistance (= heat build up and fuel economy), comfort, refinement, handling etc.
It's probably advisable not to run significantly lower pressures than the low recommended value, but you can try the higher value and if it suits you then fine. The max permissible pressures printed on the tyre sidewall are usually a structural consideration, but are usually well above anything you'd use in practice.
10% above the minimum recommended values will generally be fine, using 36 instead of 33 for example. If the plate says 38 for fully loaded then try that if you wish.
Of course it is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and not use unsuitable pressures.