Archive for August, 2010

7 House Interior Design Tips For Small Space Living

August 19th, 2010

Small spaces have great potential when it comes to house interior design. Make more room while giving each space your unique design expression by applying these 7 rules the pros use!

1. Slim Down – Get a large box, basket or bag and sift through those small accents. Too many little things sitting around a small room will clog of the room’s space quickly. It’s amazing how much air space you will create by being super specific about what you have placed on table tops and shelves.

2. Trim Down – Heavy, bulky window treatments not only block the limited light in your small room but are also space hoggers. Free those windows by using shades, blinds or even shutters. There are some gorgeous options to be made or purchased at your favorite house interior design store. Have a little extra money to spend, have your blinds custom designed in fabrics that compliment the rest of your room’s decor.

3. Color Down – Though a variety of color breaks up a large house, too much color in a small one will work against your already limited amount of space. It is best to paint all the walls one color or use a similar pallet hue for small subtle changes from room to room.

4. Lighten Up – Pull in that limited light with the use of mirrors positioned directly across from a window. Use semi gloss paint to reflect the light and keep your furniture polished and your appliances clean.

5. Fabric Up – It is better to fabric up your accents and leave the large furniture pieces to solids. If you already have a busy couch with a floral print, shapes or strips, consider toning things down a bit with a slip cover. Then, bring in those extra fabrics in your accents to provide some visual depth and emotional interest. Have fun with this part of your house interior design project!

Bring in those weaves, patterns, and quilted fabrics for this.

6. Liven Up – Nothing says open space and health like fresh plants placed around a room. Potted plants are preferred but bountiful bouquets regularly freshened up will also work well.

Limited for room? Positioning a potted plant in front of the fireplace mantle during the warmest time of the year is a great use of that space. Angle your furniture and use the extra space to display an indoor tree or palm.

7. Step Up – Light bare wood is always the best and beautiful of option for giving a small room a larger appearance. Flooring in an apartment cannot be changed but it can be changed up! Place a lighter area rug on top of the existing carpet. Or in the case of a dark linoleum find a light bamboo or Berber to bring out the light.

Homeowners Tips For Residential Interior Design

August 15th, 2010

Residential interior design should be looked at differently than commercial interior design. While people spend much of their time at their jobs, the home is the place where they go to feel comfortable and safe. Edgy design applications suitable for a business or workplace might not do so well in a home. This is, however, up to the individual person. Many people like an exciting design choice in their homes, whether it is an unusual color choice or themed decor. In the end, residential interior design choices are defined by the individual tastes and lifestyles of the people living in a given home.

When choosing residential interior design options, consider who will be using a room and what it is ordinarily used for. A room that plays host to only adults can have more exotic and fragile objects than one that is regularly used by children and pets. A light-colored carpet or silk throws would, for instance, be unsuitable if children are going to be using the room. They will be ruined within a few months, no matter how careful you are. A living room can have a more vibrant design than a bedroom, which is where most people go to relax and feel comforted at the end of the day. Strong tones, like red, are generally to be avoided in bedrooms.

Residential interior design should encourage easy movement throughout the room, but not allow it to feel like a hallway. One of the key examples of this design idea is the triangle arrangement in the kitchen. Major appliances and sites such as fridge, stove, and sink are arranged in a triangle so that there is little unnecessary walking needed to reach them. This also makes it less likely for two cooks to get in one another’s way.

By paying attention to the wants and needs of the people who live in your house, you can succeed in residential interior design in your home. Go through the house and decide what purpose each room serves, and what design schemes would best complement that purpose. Make a plan for decorating each room, including the measurements of the room and any furniture you plan to keep in it. You can include catalog pages and color swatches in your plan, and take them to the store when shopping. This way, you residential interior design choices will be sure to balance one another when they are finally arranged in your house. Planning and attention to your wants and needs are important in successful residential interior design. With just a little care, you can create a stimulating and restful environment in your home that will appeal to everyone.
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