Successful design is a relative term. What is good or successful for me may not be so from your point of view.

But when it comes to interior design, there are certain factors which are always present no matter what the use of the space is. Let’s have a look at the bare minimum design factors a space must have so that it can be called a comfortable and habitable space.

1) Proportions of the room.

The word “proportions” is always used in the design field. Every interior space which is being used by humans must be proportionate. Proportions are extremely important in any design.

Every 3 dimensional object has properties such as length, width and height. When these 3 are in accordance with the proportions of various parts of human body we call it a “proportionate” design.

For example a handle of a wardrobe must have dimensions such that our fingers can hold it properly for effortless and smooth action. or a chair seat must have enough are so that we can sit comfortably. Again the type of seating will change the dimensions of the chair. A chair in waiting lobby of a bank will be different than a sofa.

So proportions play a major role in interior design and furniture in your bedroom must also follow these rules. The dimensions of the double bed, it’s height from floor level, height of wardrobe, dimensions of dressing table, etc…all these matter as far as function is concerned.

2) Natural light entering the room.

There is no alternative for naturally lit spaces. Sun being the strongest source of light and also helps to keep the biological balance of the planet Earth, it is very much necessary in the interior spaces.

Study shows that natural light can penetrate in an interior space up to 20 feet (Approx. 7 meters). Using appropriate position for window opening can easily achieve this.

3) Natural Ventilation

A free and unobstructed flow of air can be a great way to keep the atmosphere cool and clean in an interior space. This is possible where bedrooms are located at the corner of the building where 2 sides of the bedrooms have external faces.

Where it is not possible to provide windows on adjacent faces or opposite faces, a ventilator above the window is used. The concept behind the ventilator is simple. The lower half the bedroom height is always used by the habitants. Because of the constant use of this are the air temperature rises and air becomes light weight.

This hot air rises above and must need an escape. At such times ventilators above the window openings play a major role of circulating the flow through the room in an upward direction. When the lower portion of the room becomes empty fresh air from window takes its position, thus maintaining a balance.

4) Clear Movement Patterns.

Every bedroom has certain exit points attached to it. Such as
a) Exit to balcony/ terrace.
b) Exit to toilet block/ walk in closet
c) Exit to backyard (if on ground floor)

If we draw an imaginary line from the entry point to all these exit points, ideally the should not intersect. Since all other areas are already occupied with furniture, keeping the inside circulation space clear, helps to achieve a comfortable space.

5) Good Provision For Inclusion Of Accessories.

Accessories in a bedroom have equal importance. When all other factors mentioned above are fairly met what remains is the use of accessories which can make quite a lot of difference in the comfort level of the habitants.

a) The first and the most important is a good provision of artificial lighting. This includes basic lighting as well as special decorative lighting for decorative purposes.
b) Special provision for upholstery and linen. Small details such as curtain rods, provision for bed canopies can make the room extra decorative.
c) Use materials that are easy to clean and maintain. For example if you are using PVC flooring sheets on top of standard tiled flooring, is it washable? Think of what will happen if your child uses it as a painting canvas.

The discussion above was an attempt to look for some universal factor that can affect the comfort level of the users in a bedroom. Finally the feeling which you get when you use your bedroom is most important and is a good measure to decide the success factor of the design project.

However it is important to note that these are not the only factors that need to be looked upon, but I’m sure these can help as a starting point for further creative thinking.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

There are several factors to consider when choosing art for the home or office and often these factors interrelate so I thought it best to break these up into categories for the sake of simplicity.

#1 The Composition and the Room: This is a great place to start. There are certain types of compositions that are best fitted to certain rooms. For example, when I think of the kitchen I think of fruits and vegetables, chefs, wine bottles, etc. When I think of the bedroom I think passion, softness and perhaps botanical, like a large rose picture. When I consider the bathroom I might visualize images that portray a clean, fresh, good smelling idea. Yes, it is ideal when the images we choose help the mood of the room. Another consideration with composition involves the application of more than one image in an area. When several pictures carry a common theme a very different feel is given to the room.

#2 Color: Color considerations include the walls, furniture, carpeting, window treatments or draperies, trim molding and other room enhancements. The colors in a room should complement one another. An art piece with a well balanced array of color can tie a room together. If a room is empty I like to choose the art first and then the furniture. Usually, people do the reverse, however, choosing the art first makes sense when you think about it. To illustrate, how often does someone walk into a room and say, “That ottoman is majestic! It just takes my breath away!” However, that can happen with a well chosen piece of art. Often, art will be the show piece of a room. So, rather than let the furnishings dictate what your art will look like, allow the art to dictate what kind of furniture you’ll choose.

#3 Space: This aspect can be tricky. Say, for example, you have a space above your stove that is a foot and a half tall by four feet wide. It could be hard to find one image to fill this space. However, you could use three images of a similar genre. I might choose three 8 x 10 sized images of grapes placed vertically. Another challenging space might be a very large sized wall or a room with a vaulted ceiling. A grouping of images often does the trick in both of these situations. I have also seen very large prints, 4 x 8 feet tall and larger, put to good effect. Art this large is proportionately more expensive, of course. Another option is to use a single image broken up into several gallery wrapped canvases spaced apart to cover a large area.

#4 Genre and Personal Preference: Perhaps there is an art piece that you are particularly fond of but it clashes with the style and architecture of your home, or maybe it just doesn’t match the color scheme of the room you want to put it in. I have seen people change wall colors and room accents to accommodate art. At the end of the day, I guess the real question when it comes to art is, does the art I chose put a smile on my face and on the faces of those who live here? If we can say yes, then everything else is just a rough frame work when it comes to choosing art.

As you are planning your new kitchen design, the look and style you select is very important in determining the overall feel your kitchen will portray.

From the country charm of wood cabinets to modern-looking stainless steel appliances, kitchen design styles come in many choices and styles.

So just what determines your kitchen’s design style?

Well many of the more successful kitchen design styles are made up of many components go together the right way. The color you select, and the styles of fabrics, furniture, flooring, windows, cabinetry, appliances, and lighting can help to determine a kitchen design style. You will discover that various design elements of the kitchen provide each style with its own unique flavor.

The type of kitchen cabinets you have are an important consideration in regards to the overall kitchen design style. The cabinetry can have a powerful effect on the design of your kitchen.

The style of kitchen cabinet you choose will give personality and a specific atmosphere to your kitchen.
Some of the popular styles of kitchen cabinets today are:

English Country – Consists of open china display racks, unique paints and finishes.

Shaker – This style is characterized by purity, simplicity, and utility. Uses flat panel doors that are inset and flush with the cabinet frame. Other features include wood counter tops, wooden knobs, and brass hardware pieces. It combines simple furniture design with clear crisp lines, and strength.

Country – This style creates an old farm kitchen look with glazes and layered finishes. Includes open shelves, pot racks for cast iron cookware, butcher block, and multi-colored cabinet pieces that look like they are separate pieces of furniture.

French Country – There are so many elements that go into the French country kitchen including the use of large pieces of furniture that are made mainly of light colored woods and can be decorated with ornate carving. Natural materials are an important element in walls, cabinetry and furniture that is used in the design of French country kitchens.

Arts and Crafts – This kitchen design style is becoming a popular style for kitchens. In this type of style glass doors and natural wood tones with a matte sheen are used. The style can be eclectic and artistic.

Contemporary – Kitchens that are done in the contemporary kitchen design style often use plastic laminates, special wood veneers, enamels, lacquers, or metal foil laminate for the kitchen cabinet facings. Cabinet doors in this kitchen design style usually use frameless construction with overlay door and no toe kick panel.

Homes can come in many different styles, and built using a variety of materials. So the same goes for kitchen design styles. However, in most cases, people will want their kitchen to match the overall design and style of their home.

It may not be absolutely necessary to select a kitchen design style that is the same as your home’s exterior architectural style. Although it is considered a good idea that you should really try to select the kitchen design style that will best complement your home’s style.

Interior decorations are often associated with mere interior embellishments. It is difficult to bestow one particular meaning to this art. Renovations can also include rebuilding something within a home as part of interiors. On a practical note, the concept of interior decorations develops from the spirit of individual taste and likings. You can always rely on professional help, provided the person is willing to do her job after a thorough research into your unique taste and lifestyle.
There are so many ways to go about it. Planning in advance will help you with many factors, including your budget and practicality. If you plan on hiring an Interior Decorator, make sure he spends time with you and your family, it is important to make him understand your specific preferences (colors, dislikes, etc). If you plan to do it yourself, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences. After all, you understand your home the best. But, as it quite often happens, you can get lost in the process, so the first step would be planning. Write down the plan, and start with a realistic budget, following are some of the important questions you can ask yourself before you start,

You can make columns with figures once you have estimated the basics,

• How much are you willing to spend (read BUDGET)?
• Do you want to start with a room or include the entire house?
• Which is the room you would like to start with?
• What is each room used for? Who is going to use the rooms?
• What is the theme you have in mind? Anything specific?
• Would you like to change the wall color/paper?
• Do you prefer low-maintenance interiors or you can do with a high-maintenance décor?
• Do you have kids? Pets? Do you want to inculcate any special care or theme for them?
• Does your budget include new furniture? (Make a list of it)
• Do you plan to use stuff at home to create your own lamps, hangings etc.?
• What needs to be changed? Work on things you really want to change, and make a separate ‘Wish List’ for dream things.
• Concentrate on the ‘Do’ list first.

Although basic, the answer to the above questions will bring the real picture in front of your eyes. This will help you in practically estimating the cost, and stirring your plan in the right direction. When you are through with the plan, start with a room by measuring its area. And write in front of it the things you will be doing—wall paint/paper; change side tables, add lamp, do panels, change rugs, and so on. After surveying each room (or just a room incase you wish to start with one), and practically jotting down things to be done, now tally this list with your original list(anything from the wish list peeping out?).

Now work on details like the wall color schemes or wall paper, try to use a basic color for all rooms for it will help in keeping the uniformity of your home intact (and costs down), and you can work on different combos with it. For wallpapers, you can use the same background color and work on the print and patterns. A combo of wall paint and paper also looks great with a little thought. You can play with colors on the rugs, curtains and lighting. If modern colors appeal to you, you can work in a combination of colors (complimentary) that go with your furniture and curtains. That should help you with getting started…all the best!

You might be building a home and designing an entirely new bathroom. Maybe you’re remodeling and adding a new bathroom or changing an existing bathroom. In any case, you have a certain amount of room to work with. Here are some ideas.

First, list the items you absolutely need in your bathroom. This list includes, of course, the toilet and the sink. If it’s a full bathroom, you’ll need to decide on a bath and shower or a shower stall.

Next are the items you would like to include. Often people want a cabinet under the sink, though if you have a small space you might prefer a pedestal. Plan on a mirror over the sink, with our without a medicine chest. Lighting is important. A fan can be helpful for keeping moisure out. You’ll probably want a space for shelves of some kind.

At this point, you might want to consider asking a professional to help with design. If you feel you can do it on your own, here are some tips.

Measure your bathroom well. Choose items that you think you’d like in your bathroom and get the measurements. Some suggest drawing a plan to scale, but for those of us who are less visual, it can be helpful to cut paper to the actual size of the footprint of the item. Place these items in the bathroom, arranging them to where you think you would like them. This is a good way to see how well things fit. Don’t forget that you need space between things.

If everything fits well, there are a few more considerations. You might be limited by plumbing or electricity. Window placement makes a difference, too, unless you have no qualms about showering in from of a window.

If things don’t fit well, play with the design a bit (if space, electrical, and plumbing allow.) See if you can come up with more efficient use of space and still enjoy the design.

If there’s just no room, you’ll have to decide what you can do without. For example, you can use a pedestal sink, which takes less space than a full cabinet. Conversely, you can use a cabinet but don’t include shelves. Some towels and toilet paper can be stored in the cabinet, with the excess supplies in a convenient storage area elsewhere in your house.

A little imagination and a lot of measuring can help your dream bathroom work for you. When you find a bathroom design that works, it’s time to put the pieces together. It’s a lot of work, but it can be worth it.

There is literally thousands of different colors, different patterns even different types of wallpaper. How do you know which color, or which pattern will suit it’s surroundings the best? Read on, and you will have a good idea!

Color / Pattern – This for the most part is a personal chose; However there are simple things you can do to choose a color/pattern that will actually work. If you like the hot pink wallpaper and the rest of your house is done in marble I would recommend shying away from your personal preference and going with something that is going to last and add value to your home not take away from it. There are several guides that can help you pick colors that match it’s surroundings and that fit in. A simple rule is choose like color’s and tones. For example if your thinking green, and the opposite wall is maroon. Choose a green that is the same tone as the maroon. Don’t pick like glossy shiny green, when the maroon is a dull light shade.

Types – Several different types of wallpaper exist, and a lot of this choice is going to depend on it’s application, and your budget. For example Vinyl wallpaper is very durable and is perfect for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms as it can be scrubbed, and will not hold stains. Vinyl-Coated Wallpaper is just like Vinyl Wallpaper however it is not quite as durable and will hold stains. Can you see how the difference between these two styles is going to make a big difference in placement. You might think that having a really expensive custom wallpaper in your kitchen is desirable but when your toddler flings some spaghetti sauce on it, and it stains, you are going to be wishing you had chosen something more practical.

This is only meant to be a rough educational guide on wallpapers. There are several aspects of wallpapers that I didn’t cover. I recommend talking to a professional at a wallpaper store, when it comes time to re-decorate your house. Make sure to ask lots of questions as wallpapers will last time if chosen wisely.

Many homeowners will put a considerable amount of time in determining the best use of color in interior designs throughout the home. They will take the size of the room into consideration and the way the room will be used. Some people choose to use bright colors in dark recesses of the home, and use darker colors when they are trying to achieve a warm effect.

The use of color in interior designs can set the mood in any room of the home where color is applied. The colors can be consistently used throughout the home to evoke a sense of uniformity and well-being. Some people choose to apply lighter shades to walls, and then apply a darker but complimentary shade of the same color to the ceilings in every room of the home.

In the use of color in interior designs, homeowners have the opportunity to blend themes with the colors that they choose. For a boy’s room, parents might choose to use darker colors such as blue to compliment the sports theme and motifs that they apply to the walls such as ballpark murals and those that mimic an international raceway that is typically the choice of an avid NASCAR fan.

Many homeowners will choose to the use of color in interior designs throughout the home so that they will blend with the wallpaper. The wallpaper that is used, as bordering around the ceiling, will be more attractive if the use of color in interior designs serves to bring out one basic color that is in the wallpaper.

Some border colors can become more vivid when the coloring on the wall is directly opposite of the wallpaper that is applied. This arrangement is normally chosen for rooms of adolescents that have a distinct liking for shades of pink and want their room to be fit for a princess and adorned with carriages and crowns and sometimes feathers. The finishing touch on rooms that are this elaborate would consider the use of color in interior designs that could be considered complete with the addition of wispy curtains and a complimentary light fixture.

Many homeowners will consider many fabric swatch samples before they find the right one for a particular area of the home. Then they will apply the use of color in interior designs in the room to bring out the rich grains and weaves of the fabric on the walls and still development some flow that they are trying to achieve. Homeowners will sometime choose to use actual wood planking along the lower portions of walls to create a visual path inside a room that is used for business use.

Other people might prefer to apply tiles to walls and the use of color in interior designs in a bathroom might be based on the protective qualities that the paint provides against water damage. Latex paints are available in many color choices and this type of paint is very suitable for use in rooms that have a high level of exposure to humidity and wetness.

This bathroom planning guide aims at providing you with bathroom design ideas useful in planning a bath space, dressing area or cloakroom. You may be planning a revamp of your old bathroom or doing it from scratch, these are some basic points you may like to ponder upon. Let’s start with the basic questions,

i) What is the area of the bathroom?
ii) Who will use it? Children, guests, you, two people or the whole family?
iii) What are the fixtures you would like to install?
(Shower cubicle, jets, tub, vanity etc)
iv) Which parts of the bathroom you plan to revamp?
v) Is the lighting appropriate?
vi) What bathroom furniture you would like to buy?
vii) Does it require plumbing work?

Start with first things first. Measure up the bathroom area and make a rough sketch with the fixtures you have, you wish to change, and even fix in case it’s a new bathroom. This will help you estimate the exact area you have around to play with. Next thing should fall in place with a realistic budget. Even if you are thinking of redoing the plumbing job, estimate the costs, for it can be expensive. With the budgets and fixtures you want in hand, it would be easy to dwell on ideas and new fittings. It could be a vanity, shower enclosure or a new tub; make sure you think of the space. It’s important to move around too, and you don’t want to clutter your bathroom.

Modular bathrooms done in little space are in vogue. There are more people looking for smaller bathrooms fitted with modern amenities. With meticulous and creative thinking, you should be able to fit in the things you desire, say a shower cubicle, for instance.

You get corner shower cubicles that save space and if there is space constraint, you could always use a separate overhead shower cubicle and use curtains to keep away the water splashing.

Tubs come in different shapes too and save your bathroom precious space. Get a deeper bathtub that saves space around the foot-end or baths where you sit straight, saving on the length. For bigger bathrooms, when you have good space on hand, you can play with the space with fewer constraints. Estimate the space, the gadgets and fixtures you plan to add. The saunas, shower cubicles and tubs are all possible, just work on it in a way that helps the space look open. Just let your creativity speak in your planning and design!

Bathroom fittings

To avoid any ghastly sites in the bathroom, you may need to pay attention to bathroom fittings. Detailed work and fittings like faucets and sinks can matter in fashioning your desired space,

• Faucets
Modern bathroom Faucet may sound like the simplest thing to choose, but pay attention to details like mounting (wall/sink) and material. If you already have a faucet, maybe you plan to change the mounting, which can cost much more as it may also requires plumbing work.

• Toilet Seats
Toilet seats come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on the available space, you can round up from a choice of elongated, rounded or corner seats. The elongated seat is great for comfort, but pay attention to details and dimensions. You don’t want your hands touching the ground when seated. Also, for smaller bathrooms, you can get one of those corner seats that save space.

• Sinks & Taps
Sinks come in sundry shapes, colors and sizes too. The designer variety includes wall-mounted, counter sinks in steel, glass, ceramic and a combination of accessories and colors to match. Taps are functional things and you would like to consider the water flow and temperature control system before you buy. There are designer taps you get that is the perfect
combination of style and function.

• Contemporary bathroom furniture
Be it a bathroom or cloakroom, contemporary bathroom vanities deserve great scores on utility and function. Work on the storage room and sink shape and size very closely. You get sinks in all shapes and sizes for both big and small bathrooms and in materials from fancy wood to steel and glass, so find something that goes with your bathroom theme.

Not all of us are “do-it-yourselfers”. And not all of us have the money to finance on classy furniture. However, each one of us can use some imagination to bring out the beauty even from the most shabby and old looking objects we can find around us.

So what one can really do is to think creatively. To use things in some ways they were not intended to. Or to buy relatively cheap items which when enhanced can really take their effects in beautifying your home.

Here are some home decoration tips that can benefit you in a fashion that you would save considerable money:

Take that freshness from your house and start by thorough clean up. This technique is sure a simple method yet when used, your house will take a new sight again. Also, consider your lightning. Often, poor lightning spoils the loveliness of the house (even if your furniture cost lots of dollars to produce).

Add interest to your room by using splashes of colors. These don’t always have to match your household furnishings but be sure that colors are in good combinations.

Change the looks of your house with gallons of paints. Paints can be applied in every corner and every wall of the house. For flooring, paints had been used for a number of years now to hide imperfections, scratches and the likes. You can make a good deal of use from them if you applied your floor with paints and patterns.

Too few people may have knowledge of this but did you know that wallpapers (not the vinyl type) could do great for your floor? Paste them with wallpaper glue and coat with around 5 layers of polyurethane. Looks amazing and will hold up well for years. Plus, the savings that it guarantees.

Paint can also work well with metal and wood furniture. Yet keep in mind a plan that will balance painted walls and floor with your household items. (Unless, you would want to make a circus tent out of your home.) The trick here is to limit your choice of color with only two to three palettes ( a deep one and a light one may do!).

Seek treasures! Go to garage sales and see what you may find. There are good reasons why you should buy. The primary of which is that you save largely for furniture that could have cost hundreds of dollars when bought from furniture shops, only that they are far older than what you may buy from the shops. Besides, there are lots to choose from a garage sale. While everything may date back to several years ago, you can still make precious items from them.

Fabrics can add character to home decorating. Set the theme with your sheets starting from the bed to the walls. However, you may also prefer choosing a variety of fabrics to create unique designs. Be careful though not to trip on over designing. Nonetheless, it would be a good idea to echo something on your wall that will relate to your over-all fabric concept.

If you want some touches of nature into your home, you can place a selection of plants that will not outmode your entire house arrangement.

As you can see, the trick with home decoration does not solely depend on the budget that you can outline for your project. But on your ability to think creatively and to put that thinking into workable home decoration plans.

Take Away All Interior Design Ideas

Why should the interior design of your home be any different from anyone else’s? It could be so much easier to simply follow the crowd and show no fear about a lack of originality if every home was pre-packaged with a unit appearance. Here are some ideas to keep the interior of your home as conformist as you can, and perhaps these will allow you the simple peace of a non-designed house.

First – please be sure to remove all coordination from your home. Recent studies have shown that balancing the cloth of your living room upholstery to the window and floor treatments can spark sensations of appreciation and pleasure in household members and guests. It is therefore critical for the practicing conformist to remove all hints of matching or complimentary designs from his or her household.

After dealing with those messy matching issues, be sure to walk through the rest of the interior searching for original art pieces such as paintings, sculpture and folk art. An interior which includes originality in their wall décor would evoke a sense of personality and interest in guest of the home, and it should also be noted that these guests might then find themselves assuming the “good taste” of their host. That defeats the purpose.

To the delight of the true conformist, many interior designs are stagnating into set themes. But you must take this a step further, and be certain that no new design or decorating ideas are found throughout your home. Do not allow any inspiration to come from, say, your favorite books, magazines, or movies. In fact, stop using any of things for entertainment. They will only lead to further thought “outside the box.”

Use your head people. Actually, do not use it at all, because that is the best way to avoid any originality or sensationalism in any interior design ideas. It is, unfortunately, too easy to find simple inspiration throughout your daily life. It is imperative that you do not write any of these ideas down, and then you will have a chance to forget your initial reaction and idea and move along in your simple, easy, and non-threatening little life.

Interior Design Tips

An interior designer faces many of the same questions when faced with a residential client. Issues such as theme and fundamental style are not frequently an issue with the home client. But there will always be concerns about painting walls, the furniture currently inside the home, and of course the floors. There are tips to alleviate concerns and questions regarding these specific design problems.

“What about this color of paint? It is too bright/dark/soft/etcetera.” The first and best tip to eliminate concerns about paint choices is to purchase a sample of paint to place on the wall. Then, there will be a true understanding of what the actual appearance of a color will be. However, many colors – especially darker ones – attain their true beauty from the look of the entire wall after being layered with several coats of paint.

Trust a color pallet and a designer, but of course only follow intuition. A color that is difficult to stomach may settle eventually to delightful surprise, or it may lead to a horrible bellyache. Only cover a wall with a design’s color that will provide security and happiness in a homeowner.

“Should existing and endurable furniture be reupholstered?” An excellent tip to be considered: evaluate the furniture for style and value versus the cost of the reupholstering. An antique chair that fits the feeling of a formal living room that was purchased for many thousands of dollars would be an excellent candidate as long as replacing the original upholstery did not degrade its value or worth.

“I don’t know what to do about my floor.” Decisions about floor designs should be based on a person’s budget, the room’s use, and personal preference. Certain floor treatments are incredibly expensive, such as hard oak floors, and they may not be practical in an area where stomping kids thrash through the interior. Carefully weigh options such as dying carpet or laying rugs over existing hard floors. It is all a matter of personal preference.

Actually, all interior design should be a matter of personal preference. It is not worth any expense to put something in a home that will force a homeowner to cringe every time he or she looks around.