When designing, there are many things to think about. Space
planning, flooring, lighting, furniture, and window treatments
are just a few. There is a very thin line between designing
and decoration. Interior decoration is generally focused
more on finishes, such as wall paper, paint, window covering
and furnishings. Interior design leads to be more integrated
with the architecture and might also be involved in room
layout, cabinet designs, windows and door placement and
so on. But whatever is the term, one thing in common is
the Design Basics, without which none of the above is possible.
Spacious rooms:
If you love the wide open spaces and want the light and
airy atmosphere, here are some tips on achieving that sense
of spaciousness in your rooms.
To create a feeling of largeness in your room, eliminate
the shadows that tend to slice a room up into smaller spaces.
Work on lighting the room with a soft, even
light. Avoid ceiling lights as they tend to make the ceiling
feel lower. Diffused, ambient lighting will tend to enlarge
the room.
Keep the surfaces free of heavy textures. Smoother surfaces
tend to reflect more light and make the room feel larger.
· Avoid heavy textured flooring. Choose tile over
patterned or textured carpeting. Reflective and shiny surfaces
such as mirror and chrome also can be used effectively.
Soft colors and monochromatic color schemes. Use cream,
beige, gray or cool pastels on your walls and floors to
make them recede. The ceiling should always
be the lightest color in the room.
Limit the use of patterns in the room to create a more
airy feeling. A typical application of a pattern might be
to reserve it for an accent piece.
· Selection and placement of furniture in a room
is crucial in defining the space. Keep the largest pieces
against the walls whenever possible.
Choose furniture colors that are the same or similar to
those selected for the walls and floors.
Cozy rooms:
If you want a cozy and comforted ambience, here are some
points to consider a more intimate space.
Create spaces through the use of directed light. Lighting
from the ceiling will seem to lower it. A reading lamp or
down-shaded lamp will cast light only in its
relative vicinity. Use incandescent rather than halogen
or florescent lamps for a warmer glow.
Choose strong colors for your walls and floor. They will
tend to bring them in closer towards one another.
A dark floor with walls of brown or deep red, blue or
green tones will help create the feeling of a smaller, cozier
space.
Heavy, soft textures add warmth to a space. Use rougher
textures for the hard elements in the room; iron instead
of chrome, brick instead of glazed tiles.
The use of pattern in a room can also lend a sense of
coziness to the space.
Choose dark finishes and fabrics to create a sense of
the piece being larger than it actually is. Heavy textured
fabrics and large patterns will add a cozy feeling
to a sofa or chair.
Place pieces away from the wall and use tall pieces to
divide and define smaller spaces within a room for greater
intimacy.
Room corners:
The corners of our rooms can be decorating assets or just
a boring space. With a little imagination you can make the
corner space work for you and create a beautiful area in
your room.
The void corner of the room can be fill with natural or
artificial tree.
An uplight addition will give a beautiful look.
Pedestals of varied sizes look good in corners.
A table top with a beautiful fabric and a couple of chairs
to each side with coordinating fabric on the seats can give
a very dramatic look. Add a lamp, your favorite
pictures and collectibles for a gorgeous tablescape.
A corner cabinet or hanging cupboard is a handsome solution
and adds needed storage and display areas as well.
Storages
One of the most important basics in decorating a small space
is to purchase furniture that does double or triple duty
for storage. Purchasing multiple purpose accessories and
furniture allow options that give your living space character
and flexibility.
Sofa cum bed : A sofa for your living room area might
contain a bed for yourself or unexpected visitors.
Tables containing drawers or shelves give you other options
further storage.
Bookshelves with or without doors, can be appropriate for
entertainment centers, home offices, kitchen storage or
bedroom storage.
Bathroom storage units are great for under sink storage.
These units increase your storage capacity in a small area.
Theme room:
A well-decorated room can still lack personality. To give
your room a personality, choose from among these basic design
elements, modify them to suit your tastes and implement
them in a way, which is just right for you.
A Theme - A 'themed' room says something about you, the
person who has done it, your family or the place where you
live. A theme will also provide you a place
to showcase your collections, prized possessions, arts and
crafts. Also we can work on a specific theme like
childrens bedroom, which can showcase all the colours,
concepts & furniture shapes that go along with a childs
imagination.
Artifacts - A piece of artistic value will always give your
room that special touch you have always wanted. It can add
texture and depth to a room.
Collections
- It is the most effective way to display your collections
in a special arrangement. Whether you collect shells, dolls
or trinkets, arrange them tastefully instead
of just lining things up in a row. Lining things looks even
worse when objects are small in size. Instead,
group them together to project variety within your collections.
Color - Color does not get limited to painting the walls
of your room. Use colors that make you feel good about them
in fabrics, linen, pillows, shelves, curtains
etc. Blend colors to suit your style.
Fabrics:
Add fabrics to liven up your room with a print that contains
the color of your upholstery. To maintain harmony in colors,
use the same accent at least thrice around the same room.