6 Interior Design Basics You Need To Know

Interior design: Understanding your needs, effective space, use of materials, lighting, accessorizing, flooring

 

Is it  time for you to have new interiors? Or are you moving to a new villa?

 

Perhaps you are very creative, house proud, interested in living in beautiful spaces? Maybe you are passionate about design, have a clear vision and know what you want?

 

So you are probably looking for some suggestions, new ideas and a way in which your ideas can be executed effectively and efficiently.

 

What you will need to implement your ideas is skilled workers in mechanical, electrical and plumbing areas (MEP), gypsum and masonry works.

 

You will also need the services of a carpentry factory that can build wardrobes, beds, and customized furniture like desks, chairs, wall panels, ceilings and partitions.

 

1. Interior design: Understanding your needs

 

An ability to understand your brief and your needs is of primary importance. Suggesting how to meet those requirements within your budget will align both of you.

 

Your designer should also be able to help you clarify your vision, challenging some ideas which are not feasible and offering new ones.

 

It would also help if he or she is doing designs daily, visiting trade shows, knows different materials available and new technologies being used.

 

 

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2. Interior design: Effective space planning

 

Your designer’s experience will allow him or her to plan spaces in a way in which every inch is well utilized, practical and functional. The result will look spacious and easy to use.

 

Accurate measurements, working on Auto-cad and other tools allows your designer to do precise planning thereby eliminating mistakes.

 

3. Interior design: Appropriate use of materials

 

A good interior designer will be in constant touch with suppliers bringing knowledge of new materials and technology. This allows him or her to use materials appropriately and effectively to bring out the right mood.

 

One material can be used in several different ways. Too many materials in the same space make it over-bearing. Also knowing the longevity of different materials will dictate usage. Making the space safe and edges rounded will minimize accidents.

 

Your designer’s use of colors and materials will bring harmony in your space. Colors play a significant role in the styling of a house. Each theme is different and using colors accordingly will make your space look authentic.

 

 

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4. Interior design: Effective mood lighting

 

What you need to know about lighting:

 

  • Lighting plays a major role to set the mood during parties and celebrations
  • Red light is very relaxing whereas blue light is jarring
  • Warm daylight is comforting and soft
  • Light also creates shapes on walls
  • Using up-lights or down-lights create different effects
  • Light needs to be soft and not hurt the eye
  • Too much light also makes it less romantic and agitating
  • Using light effectively will accentuate the mood and save money
  • Balance in lighting all areas and not leaving some very dark is also essential. More down lights is used in areas where reading or studying take place
  • Living rooms and dining areas can use focus lights or up-lights
  • Mood concealed lighting is used to highlight ceilings, walls and floors

 

 

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5. Interior design: Accessorizing

 

You can use accessories to adorn walls, ceilings and flooring to produce lovely patterns. Accessories either highlight and glamorize your interiors or just ruin it.

 

Using small paintings on large walls or using paintings that do not match the theme can be a disaster. Large statues, abstract pieces of art at eye level will work the best.

 

Highlighting the ceiling will allow great lighting. Wall panels, wall décor and creating different depths will allow walls to come alive as if they were 3-D and not flat.

 

To highlight your walls in creative ways you can use:

 

  • Candles
  • Panels
  • Wood
  • Leather or fabric wall paper
  • Carpets
  • Glass
  • Veneer
  • Metal panels
  • Parquet
  • Vertical plant walls

 

6. Interior design: Flooring

 

The floor pattern you use and the flooring material will define your house. Too many patterns will make your space look cramped. And furniture will disrupt the pattern.

 

So avoiding busy floor patterns may be a good idea. Ceramic tiles, large pieces of marble, granite, porcelain tiles or wood all have their own pros and cons.

 

You also need to choose the materials that fit into your budget while augmenting your theme.

 

Hiring a designer instead of doing it yourself means accessing vast experience in concept and execution of concepts with a great eye for detail. More the detail, better the execution.