Tag Archives: Interior Design

Interior Decorating Best Kept Secrets

August 1, 2018 By in Lifestyle Tags: , , , , , , , , , 28 Comments

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Decorating and re-decorating your home can be really fun. It’s amazing how little adjustments can make a huge difference to the room.

However, not many people have an eye for design. That’s why it’s good to have some handy tips that will help you make the best interior design choices.

Over the years interior designers have formulated some interior décor hacks that they kept secret. I came across some which will help make a difference to your interior decorating.

 

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  1. Base your colour scheme on a focal item

Deciding on the right set of colours to decorate your room can be a bit tricky. And sometimes when you do come up with your “ideal” set of colours, you find out that your furniture doesn’t match your colour scheme by the time you bring it in.

A clever insider secret to interior décor is to base your colour scheme on a focal item in your room. For example, if the most prominent item in your room is a turquoise and gold mural, then the colour scheme of your room should include turquoise and gold.

 

  1. Create height

Not many homes were constructed with high ceilings. High ceilings give the illusion of more space. But when you’re faced with a room with low ceilings, then furnishing it with low furniture will help give your room some balance. Low furniture like chairs, couches and coffee tables should have shorter legs to make the ceiling of the room look a lot higher than what it really is.

 

  1. Bring the investment pieces up front

When you walk into the room there should be a statement piece that will draw you into the room. A statement piece usually defines the mood of a room. Invest in a large beautiful painting on the wall or smart antique furniture as they make excellent statement pieces. Once you have them in your room don’t keep them hidden in the background. Bring them up front and let the room light up with their presence. living room furniture collections

 

  1. Invest in a quality sofa

Don’t skimp on your sofa. That’s where you and your guests will spend most of their time when they come to visit. So, you must invest in a quality sofa to give your room or living area a comfy feel. Make sure that the sofa you choose is comfortable and made of quality materials that will last long and not wear out quick. Best to shop for great living room furniture collections when furnishing the home.

 

  1. Strategically hang your mirrors

Mirrors, especially the decorative type, can make a room look really charming and sophisticated. However, interior designers see mirrors as more than just a decorative item. A mirror can be used as a tool to help in your interior decoration. When placed in strategic locations, a mirror can make a room look a lot larger than it really is. If the room you want to decorate doesn’t let in much natural light, you can place a mirror directly opposite the window to reflect the light to the whole room. This makes your room naturally brighter.

 

What do you think of these Interior Decorating Best Kept Secrets?

6 Commandments of Interior Design

May 11, 2018 By in Lifestyle Tags: , , , , , 53 Comments

As a freelancer I get to enjoy the comfort of my home more than those who have a 9-to-5 job. Consequently, it’s given me the opportunity to play around with interior décor. However, it wasn’t without mistakes and interior design mishaps. I learned the hard way.

 

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If you’re like me and you’re very conscious of having a cozy home that makes you happy each time you walk in, it’s so much easier to decorate when you have some handy interior design rules up your sleeve. These rules are what I call the “Commandments of Interior Design”. Follow these rules and be assured that your home will look superb. You’d even be surprised it turned out so well.

 

  1. Thou shalt not spend so much

“I want to change the décor of my room but how much would it cost?”

When it comes to interior design especially if you want to DIY the whole thing, the price is the first concern that comes to mind. Oftentimes that’s the reason why some people shy away from giving their space a facelift.

Coming from experience, interior décor doesn’t have to cost so much. In fact, expert interior decorators advise that you should only spend a fraction of the value of your house. Little changes like sitting arrangements, decorative ornaments and pictures you can hang on the wall make a huge difference. Plus, there are great deals on furniture if you search hard enough.

 

  1. Thou shalt not overdo it

Who wouldn’t want to make a great impression when someone walks in your house? We would all like the perfect state-of-the-art interior décor, but you’ll lose the essence of what interior design is all about.

Just like fashion, interior design seeks to reflect the personality, values and style of the owner of the house or occupier of the flat. If you try too hard by overdoing the decor then your rooms will no longer reflect who you are. Sooner or later you’ll hate the thought of sleeping in your bedroom or lounging in the living room because they don’t mirror your style – it’ll feel like you’re out of place.

 

  1. Thou shalt focus on functionality

Have you ever been guilty of acquiring stuff you don’t even need just because it “looks nice”? If you’re not careful you could get carried away by the zeal of decorating your home that you overlook the functionality of the items you want to purchase.

Each time you want to buy something to decorate your house, ask yourself: What am I going to use this for? Will it be useful in my home? What function would its presence have in my home?

If after asking those questions you get nothing back, then you don’t need it.

 

  1. Thou shalt get more light

Light is an asset in interior design. Whether its natural light or artificial, a well-lit room gives your space the life it needs. The general mood of your home changes when you have great lighting.

Take a step back and see how much natural light is coming into the room. If your only source of natural light is a small window, add a mirror on the wall facing the window to reflect more light to other parts of the room.

For night time lighting, use a combination of light sources not only the lights in the ceiling. Include standing lamps and side table lamps as light sources as well. This is very important with staircases in particular. The more lightning the better as you want this part of your area bright and airy.

It may be necessary to look into staircase refurbishment with reputable companies if you are struggling to get the lightning you need.

 

  1. Thou shalt add some green plants

Aside from the fact that plants help provide your space with more oxygen, they work well as ornaments. They also add a lot of life and colour to the room.

One major concern people have when it comes to keeping plants in the house is maintaining them. Search for easy-to-take-care-of plants or schedule time to water and trim your plants.

 

  1. Thou shalt break the rules

Rules are meant to be broken. I mentioned earlier that interior décor has to reflect your personality. Sticking rigidly to the rules may do you more harm than good. Play around with alternatives. Switch up the rules a bit. What’s important is that you have fun and create a space that makes you happy.

 

What do you think of these commandments?

 

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5 investments to increase the value of your property

April 3, 2018 By in Lifestyle Tags: , , , , , , , , , 23 Comments

Every property investor has the same one goal; to increase the value of the property. So it is worth more than when you first bought it. There are loads of ways to start improving a property and build on its value. These ways can range from low-cost tips and tricks to in-depth renovations. We have looked into 5 investments that are really worth making when trying to increase property value:

 

Change or add doors and windows

Windows and doors are valuable additions to a property. They not only improve the homes aesthetics, but they can also reduce heating bills, increase natural light, and lower noise pollution both inside and outside the building. Add elegance with finishing touches such as French patio doors or brighten dull spaces with skylights which are perfect for homes that are limited with natural light and windows. Think about the positioning of doors and windows and using them to highlight the building’s features. For example if there is a beautiful view then position windows to make the most of it.

 

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Overhaul the kitchen

For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And is often one of the most important areas they will look at when buying a property. Renovating the kitchen and fitting new countertops, cabinets, flooring and lighting fixtures will not be a cheap task but will almost always add value to the property. It can also be worth looking at completely redesigning the room to make sure you are maximising the space available.

 

Increase the living space

Increasing the living space available in a property does not always mean building an extension, which would be extremely high cost. Simpler renovations such as converting a loft space or cellar into an additional room or transforming a garage to add to the living space, will add value to any property. If you have space, then a conservatory or orangery can also add value to a building by increasing the living space.

 

Get a new roof

Improving a building often starts from the inside out, and a new roof will improve the overall quality of a property. A new roof will increase the value of a home thanks to new and improved materials, and increased insulation and energy efficiency. Make sure to consult with professional roofers in London and other cities before planning any project. The improved energy efficiency not only adds value to the property on a sale, but also reduces heating costs on a long-term basis. First impressions are key when selling a property and one of the first things a potential buyer will see is the exterior, so make sure it is all up to scratch.

 

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Improve the garden

Outdoor space is very important for the overall value of a property. Transform a garden with decking or patio to provide an entertaining space, and make sure the general maintenance of the garden is in a good condition. Garden’s that require a lot of time and upkeep can actually decrease a property’s value as people are put off by the prospect of spaces that look tricky to maintain, so be sure to keep it simple.

Finally, make sure you do not over-improve. Remember that any investments you make, you want to see a good return on when the property sells. Before making any big renovating decisions, do some research into the area to find out how much the building will be worth after the renovations, this gives you a good indication on how much you should be spending on the work.

 

Are you a home owner? How have you increased the value of your home?

 

*Collaborative post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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