Category: Interior Design

It’s that time of the year when you want to make changes and prepare yourself for the start of 2018, the ‘out with the old, in with the new’ attitude is starting to kick in. Why not make a start by improving the inside of your home to give yourself a fresh vibe for the new year.

From the latest winter decor trends to handy decorating tricks, to home safety tips, we have everything you need to beautify your spaces. You certainly don’t have to be an expert to decorate your home, in fact, all you need is a little bit of time, effort and inspiration!

If you are uncertain about what winter interior design to go for, just have a look at the list of themes below, there is a theme for everyone! Just pick your favourite and decorate away:

Velvet Crush

With the chilly season coming up, it’s all about the velvety texture. The fabric is not only a comfortable material to touch, it also has the oh-so-luxurious appearance. To apply this theme to your humble abode, just choose a piece of velvet furniture in the colour of your choice and make it the statement piece (rumour has it that burnt orange and deep cranberry are the way to go). It is always visually satisfying to create a contrast by pairing the statement furniture with minimal decor.

Color Block

While it may be getting dark earlier in the day, there is no reason why you can’t brighten up your interiors with a little colour blocking. This originated from fashion trends in 2017, bring the runway into your home using bold and vibrant tones. Taking inspiration from fashion week, popular colour palettes include mustard yellow, deep teal, coral, pink and blue-grey. It is cool and contemporary and definitely invites you to feel extra bright and colourful this winter season.

 Think Millennial Pink

Pink isn’t just the colour for girls, the stereotypes have changed. It is the perfect choice of colour for young, driven millennials to exhibit their coming of age and maturation. This can be easily achieved by pairing the pink with muted tones like lilac or junior grey. To create the added effect of classiness, add a few metallics and silverware within the room.

Floral Fever

If colours aren’t enough for you, you may want to try some prints and patterns. This is one specifically for you – floral prints. They come in all colours and sizes, embrace the flower power and give your home a soft, romantic look. You can start by trying small floral printed art-work or cushions, if you’re ready to take it up a notch then try a floral printed wallpaper!

Monochrome Chic

If you are after something seriously sophisticated, you’ll be glad to hear that the monochrome look is in-season again. While it will mean that you have to stick to the strict colour palette (black and white), it certainly should not restrict you from playing around with patterns. You can mix it up with bold stripes, striking houndstooth or unusual geometric shapes. For final touches, just add some copper accents and restore some balance to the room.

All Grey Everything

It doesn’t have to be all black and white, you’re more than welcome to try applying grey to your home. As a firm favourite by many households, it is the soothing shade that gives your home a modern and chic appearance.   

Mother Nature

Last but not least, inspired by mother nature, we certainly cannot miss out on bringing in natural elements to create a bohemian vibe. From linen tablecloths, woven lampshades and jute rugs with lots and lots of wooden furniture. Taking things back to basics might be just what you need in order to start a fuss-free year!

With whatever design theme you choose to go for, it is more important to keep your home safe during the winter season.  As advised by chill.ie, remember to check your locks when you go away, and remember to inspect your heating systems before leaving the house. To add an extra level of protection to you and your family, make sure you are insured as well!

When it comes to designing the perfect kitchen, many people go nuts over the opportunity of using all sorts of vibrant and exciting colors.  It’s great to break the monotony surrounding the rest of your home and just enter this explosive room full of color, flavor, and personality.

The blank canvas for such illustrious colors? It is typically white cabinets. However, while it might not be on many people’s wishlist right now, having a white kitchen is becoming a priority for more and more individuals passionate about kitchen design.  Let’s take a look over some of the advantages that come with owning a white kitchen design.

It never goes out of fashion

The thing about white kitchens that has a lot of people amped up is the fact that they will most likely never have to replace it with something else just to stay trendy. It is a design that stands the test of time, and you can count on it to enhance and nurture any design theme or idea you got going on throughout different phases of your life.

It goes great with any other color

The fact that white goes great with any other color is a big plus and comes with a lot of advantages for white kitchen owners.  If you’re unable to decide on a particular set of colors, you might find that having a white kitchen design helps you incorporate all your favorite ideas more easily thanks to this perk.

White is a positive color

One of the secret ingredients to great food is love, and you can’t have love in an environment that is brining with dull or somber colors. White is a very positive color and will help get the very best out of each dish you cool in the kitchen. Not only will the overall atmosphere be more friendly and inviting, but you will also feel in a better mood within a white kitchen.

It makes the room more spacious looking

The bane of a gorgeous kitchen is always going to be limited space. While you can pull off some really cute designs with small kitchen spaces, generally speaking, you want a larger space to get the desired effect. Lighting in combination with the white color will make your kitchen space look a lot more spacious than it is. It’s a really useful trick that you can use to bring more depth to your design.

A white kitchen is easier to sell

If you’re looking to sell your property or just plan for an easier process down the road, a white kitchen is great for you because white is extremely marketable. With that said, you will have no trouble convincing a loving family of how gorgeous your kitchen is if you use a white kitchen design.

It’s not all perfect

While it might seem great, it’s important to note that just like all the other kitchen design ideas, this one too has a flaw or two. The most notable thing you might consider a con is the fact that it can be tougher to clean than other kitchens since it’s mostly white.

New Season. New Home Decor.

As the temperature drops, get your home sizzling by following the latest autumn / winter interior design trends.

From plush fabrics to glittering hues, these super hot design trends for A/W will have your home officially winter-fied.

Take inspiration from these top 10 autumn / winter interior design trends:

Colours

Throw out the rule book when it comes to picking colour schemes for your home.

Below are some popular autumn/winter homes colours for 2017/18:

• Metallics:

Metallics are EVERYWHERE this season – from makeup, to fashion and now it’s migrated into the home as interior design trends 2017. Choose colors such as bronze, silver and gold and use these as finishing touches to your rooms.

• Green

Go gaga for green this season. Think bold, rich hues such as emerald and shades of jade.These darker, richer shades add a touch of decadence and earthiness to your home.

• Bright & Bold

Add a pop of colour into your winter home by combining and contrasting bright and bolds shades.Try bright pink in the kitchen interior with black and white tiled floors. Or canary yellow in the living room paired with grey.

Mix ‘n’ Match

Don’t be afraid to mix ‘n’ match your colours and designs. It offers a fresh and funky vibe to your home. Flooring is a simple way to achieve this retro style.

A patterned rug using carpet tiles makes for a great standout feature in the living room. Customise it by combining colours such as red carpet tiles with beige carpet tiles.

Typically known for its commercial use, there a number of reasons why you should choose carpet tiles for flooring in the home.

While, mosaic tiles look stunning for the kitchen interior. Contrast the floor tiles to the wall tiles for a bold and striking look. Black and white are timeless colours that would work well here.

Cosy Knits

Get wrapped up this season with these cute and cosy knit inspired winter design trends.

From fleece sofa throws to knitted pouffes and hanging wall rugs. While in the kitchen, knitted homeware is making a comeback. Think colourful tea cosies and cotton tableware.

Fire Fire

A warm, cosy fireplace flickering in a dimly-lit living room is the ultimate poster boy (or should that be Christmas card) for homely, winter decor.

And the best part is, you don’t have to have an actual log burner to get in on this trend. There are plenty of electrical fireplaces to keep you warm and your home looking hot!

Nowadays, fireplaces come in a multitude of styles a designs – from traditional and wooden to modern and metal.

Lighting

As the days get darker, illuminating your home has never been more paramount (or stunning).

Like an eternal flame, the winter lighting options for your home are endless.

From hanging paper lanterns in the hallway to traditional candlesticks in the dining room. For a modern vibe, add spotlights to your kitchen and in your bathroom.

And fairy lights draped around the bedroom offer a snug haven for cosy nights in.

For exterior lighting, an old Dickensian style lamppost creates a traditional, christmassy atmosphere (sadly it doesn’t guarantee snow)!

Vintage

Vintage home decor has always been popular, and this is one autumn / winter interior design trend that shows no signs of slowing down!

Whichever historical period you’re into, there are plenty of ways to recreate the past in the present.  

Turn your home study into a cosy and traditional 19th-century style library by incorporating grand, wooden bookshelves, plush rugs and a old-style arm chair.

If glitz and glam is more your (swing) style, go Gatsby with a 1920’s inspired room.

Think golden furnishings, glittering chandeliers, cute dressing rooms and oversized, sparkling mirrors. Balance out the opulence with the addition of a lush tufted fainting sofa. It adds a touch of  elegance and color to your home.

And if you still want to retain a modern vibe, try quirky, retro home accessories. From Pop Art graphics in the kitchen to retro upholstered chairs in the living room.

Velvet Fever

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials this season. Velvet is one of the hottest winter design trends right now.

It may be getting colder, but the trend for velvet in the home this Winter is hot. Long, draping crushed velvet curtains make a bold statement in the home. While a plush velvet sofa offers luxury as well as comfort. This beautiful fabric is available in a range of stunning colours – velvet home decor offers the utmost decadence and lavishness.

Nordic

Take a leaf out of our Scandinavian cousins’ book and transform your home into a cosy, nordic winter wonderland.

Nordic and scandi decor and home accessories are perfect for Autumn and Winter. The trick is to keep it simple. Some easy ways to add elements of scandi design to your home include: having a feature wall using nordic patterned wallpaper, using handwoven laundry baskets, draping sheepskin blankets over the sofas and putting wooden chairs in the living room.

Outside is the New Inside

No one wants to spend large amounts of time outside in the cold – so why not bring the outdoors into your home?

Botanical themed rooms are all the rage. Pop some beautiful artificial flowers in a vase and place them in each room. Spruce up your bathroom with an array of cacti or a cute bonsai tree. These are simple tricks to brighten up your home on those dreary winter days.

Prefer the real thing? The best houseplants for winter include Cymbidium Orchid, Primulas and Jasmine. (Just remember, you’ll have to put in some time and effort to care for these winter plants).

Fancy upgrading your kitchen this winter? Kitchens with exposed brick walls offer a trendy and timeless alternative. Exposed brick kitchens create a rustic and cosy atmosphere and offer a stunning background that will highlight the other features of the room. Think industrialism meets chic – brick walls in the room are what your kitchen dreams were made of!

Handmade Happiness

Channel Grandma’s living room and get creative by hand-making your own furnishings.

Think hand-sewn cushion covers, knitted throws and family paintings. Handmade home decor is really popular now and a creates an authentic homely vibe. You can find plenty of ideas and tutorials online. Perfect for craft lovers, and you can get the kids involved too! They’ll love decorating a plain vase or drawing a family portrait which can be hung on the wall.

Not got crafty fingers? Don’t worry, there are plenty of stores that sell beautiful, handmade items. That just leaves you to take the credit (Shh, Mum’s the word)!

About the Author

Shannon Johnson is a Content Specialist for Digital Marketing Agency Tillison Consulting. A former journalist, she loves writing for a wide range of clients and covering a variety of topics from lifestyle to business.

It was our new start-up company, which we were going to shift in an office space. All of us were really excited for the same and since our work was of fashion wear and accessories, the space needed to be designed accordingly.

I could have done the interior designing of the office but the continuous arrivals of orders from our clients and the hectic office shifting process was quite tiring for me and my partners which gradually led us to rethink that what we should do about the Interior Designing of the office.

 

Sanjay and Aman was quite sure that it would be impossible for me to make time out of the hectic schedule to do the interior designing of the whole office space and so they suggested me to search the best interior designers in Bangalore, so that she would be responsible for making everything perfect and alluring in the office. I too loved the idea of hiring a professional as you cannot really compete with the professional who has so many years of experience in the specific field of interior designing. The idea was indeed great, but finding the best among the average designers was quite tough and I really felt that alone, I would be unable to find the professional.

I asked Aman to help me with finding the one we were looking for. He started the hunt with surfing through the various websites which claimed to be the best platforms to hire the service providers and few of the new launches too, but that was all in vain as we were unable to find any of the eye catching portfolios with any of the professionals listed there.

He then suggested that we can send someone to visit the designing studios, in order to look for the best interior designers in Bangalore. I declined his proposal as I knew that it will be consuming a lot of time and would not be fruitful, if we will be unable to find the one.

UrbanClap brought us the one we needed

Aman was really stressed as he was unable to keep his promise of finding the interior designer and just came to my cabin with his head hung. I asked him not to worry and told him to sit and have a coffee together. We sat and started discussing about how he was unable to find anyone quite good in this profession. Just to distress him I told him to switch on the TV and asked him to tune up any of the music channels he would love to watch. Aman was happy that he was saved but I was really worried. I knew he tried his best in finding the best interior designers in Bangalore but was unable to bring one.

He tuned M TV and as soon as he put down the remote on table, an advertisement was streamed. The advertisement was of an application named UrbanClap and it was showing a lady who called a professional at her home to do her grooming. The ad too depicted that we can find any service provider there on the app and that made me search the application on the Google Play store of my smart phone. Soon, I found the app there with very good ratings and amazing reviews which compelled me to click on the download button. Within no time, the app was installed on the device and I just clicked on the open button to explore the app. As soon as the app was opened, it required me to get registered on the app and the same took me few more seconds to fill few of the required details to get me registered on the same.

Just after that, I started receiving the welcome messages and welcome mails from the UrbanClap team asking me to get the required service provider. By that time, I asked Aman to sit with me and just help me in what I was proceeding with. I searched for the best interior designers in Bangalore and a list with number of professionals was displayed on my smart phone’s screen. Aman was already shocked seeing this huge list and was surprised yet happy for the success we just had. We was a bit confused at first about hiring the one we wanted but soon we realised that each of the professionals had his ratings and reviews which they received from their previous clients.

How to find the best professional in town?

Finding the best interior designers in Bangalore became a cake walk for us after discovering the UrbanClap app. The app is genuinely awesome and is very easy to use. While finding the one we needed for designing our work space, we compared the ratings which they received from their previous clients and shortlisted few of them. Next to that, we started reading each and every review they received from their clients and after so much of concentrated reading, we again shortlisted few of the professionals from the already sorted professionals.

Now was the time to send the personal messages to the professionals, whom we shortlisted from the huge list. We sent them personal messages and mails asking them to quote their prices for the range of services we required from them. We were pleased to receive the reply mails from them very soon and that too with full fledged, eye catching and alluring portfolios. For a moment, I just fell for one of the portfolios and decided to hire the professional having the same portfolio. I called her and asked her, if she could have come down to our office for a normal site visit and a face to face meeting. She was quite comfortable with the same and promised her visit the very next day. Now both of us, me and Aman were relieved from the task of getting the best interior designers in Bangalore to design and decorate our office space.

Why download UrbanClap?

I would personally recommend UrbanClap as I found the best among all the interior designers in Bangalore from this app and it was quite easy. The whole process of hiring the professional just took two days and that too at the ease of sitting on a chair. Even the professional we got from the application turned out to be the best and she along with her team seriously made the work space an ideal work space to work in. I was really happy with the knowledge and ethics of Miss Swati Gupta and the dedication of her whole team from Valencia Interiors.

The whole team of Valencia Interiors is highly recommended by me to all those who are willing to get a serious renovation of either their personal place or work spaces. They indeed deserve 5 stars for their dedication, knowledge and punctuality. I am really thankful to the whole team for turning my work space into the one I always wanted to work in. All the employees turned lively after this renovation and the work is really going smooth for me as an employer. I am really thankful to the whole team of UrbanClap for such a great initiative.

Ah, the lounge room. The place where you come home to after a hard day’s work, kick off those shoes and sit back and relax. Put on some Netflix and have a glass of wine and snuggle up to that special someone. And you’ve just purchased a brand new lounge suite. You’re going to want to keep it looking spick and span. Let’s check out seven different ways you can take care of that new suite.

Leather Care

Let’s say you’ve purchased that brand new leather lounge suites. Leather looks great, is as comfy as can be and is totally luxurious, but it requires some care and attention. In order to keep that leather feeling soft and smooth, don’t use any abrasives, solvents or detergents to clean it. Use a specialised leather cleaner and a slightly damp cloth to wipe it down. Do this once a week or once a fortnight. Don’t leave it any longer than that.

Pets Off!

While we all love our four-legged friends, they’re bad news when it comes to keeping a lounge suite looking great. Paws and claws can scratch and mar a perfect looking couch and armchair set, leaving it looking shabby and damaged. Lay down the law and ensure that your pets know their place – on the floor. By all means get them a comfortable bed or cushion so they don’t feel left out.

In Case of Stains

Accidents happen, we know. Instead of freaking out, there’s a few steps you can take if your new lounge suite sustains a stain. If it’s an oily type of stain – for example, from chocolate, fats, makeup or a drink, dab the area lightly with a paper towel at first. Then get some neutral soap and a damp, clean cloth and wipe it from the outside in. Dry it with a dry cloth. Take care not to use heaps of pressure, as this can push the stain into the leather.

A Word on Heat

Heat is not your new lounge suite’s friend. Keep it away from direct heat sources – such as heating ducts and split systems and wall heaters. Also, keep it away from direct sunlight. Place it in the room so it’s not in the path of the sun coming through the windows. Heat sources can fade and wear the leather or fabric, leaving it faded and sorry-looking.

Don’t Dry Clean or Machine Wash

This tip is self-explanatory. Keep your suite and cushions away from the washing machine and clean them by hand!

Vacuum and Dust

Make sure to vacuum the suite regularly, paying attention to both the surface and below the cushions. Use the soft, brushy vacuum head to suck up all that dirt and dust that accumulates week-in, week-out.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

When in doubt, break out the owner’s manual, which will give you a list of do’s and dont’s for your new furnishings.

Be Careful with Food and Drinks

This is self-explanatory, but if you insist on enjoying a beverage and a snack while relaxing on your new suite, take care. If you really want to preserve it for a long time, take your meals and drinks at the dining room table.

In Summary

To conclude, always be careful when eating and drinking on or new your new lounge furnishings. Be sure to read the manual and paperwork that comes with the lounge suite and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Never dry clean or machine wash the cushions, fabric or leather and keep it away from heat sources.

Make sure your furry friends have their own cushion or bed to chill out on, and use a proper leather cleaner to clean any leather. Finally, if you do stain it, follow the instructions above to avoid a lasting blemish! Enjoy and relax.

Choosing a new door for your home is quite a big issue; it is one of the first things your visitors and neighbours will see, and it is something you are going to open and close every day.

There are also a range of styles and materials to choose from, making the situation even more complex. Thankfully, this article highlights the top 5 advantages of owning an aluminium front door and why this should be your choice for your next front door.

1. High thermal insulation

Aluminium doors have higher thermal insulation, meaning you can save money on your energy bills!

Yes, you heard that correctly, they allow for optimal levels of insulation to be achieved all year round due to the method of manufacturing. The door leaves are placed on the glazing and the leaf profile is reinforced with carbon glass fibre, which helps to keep out draughts by preventing thermal bridges and maintaining the warmth of your home.

Those who like plenty of daylight to come into their home, but don’t want to compromise on insulation can opt for a glass front door with an aluminium profile – which offers a welcoming entrance and delivers on insulation.

2. High security

Everyone wants to feel safe in the comfort of their own home, and an aluminium front door allows you to do just that. They are tough, sturdy and are usually manufactured with multiple-point locking which helps protect against forced entry.

To put your mind at ease even further, reputable aluminium door providers will provide the option of break in resistant RC equipment to give you even more security. This, combined with 8mm think laminated safety glass (if you opt for a window aluminium door), will make forced entry near impossible. In case of an attempted breakage, the glass splinters also remain on the plastic film, preventing hazardous injuries

3. High acoustic insulation

Superior to plastic and timber doors, aluminium doors deliver acoustic insulation when you need it most. The thick insulation and laminated glass help to keep noises at bay, which is very useful if you live on a busy main road with high volumes of traffic. Keeping out loud exterior noises means you can enjoy a more peaceful home experience with your family and friends.

4. High stability

Aluminium front doors from reputable companies use their expertise to create unique products which undergo endurance tests in real-life conditions, so you can be assured of a durable and stable aluminium front door. Most come with a 5 year guarantee, and in some instances come with a 10 year guarantee – so you know they will last and are made with quality.

5. Stylish

Modern style dictates that aluminium doors are fashionable. Their durability means that they look new for years, and the contemporary design offers a stylish entrance which will impress your family and guests.

Glaze finishes and colour options are available, allowing you to personalise your front door to your requirements. Side elements and transom lights can also make your aluminium door unique – so don’t be surprised if your neighbours start asking where you got your new front door from!

 

If you’ve been considering adding a focus feature to your home, there are a few design questions you should ask yourself. Features can vary from accent walls to sculptures to fountains, and the best option is the one that fits your home’s design aesthetic. It’s important to consider the overall plan for the space and choose something that suits the other design elements of the room. No matter what you’re considering adding, read on to discover easy ways to find a feature that will fit right in to your home.

Accent Walls and Decals

If you’re looking to repaint, adding an accent wall or wall decal is an easy way to brighten up a boring space and take the art and furniture in a room to the next level. It doesn’t need to be bright red to be effective, it only needs to offset the color palette of the room enough to create an interesting contrast. This can be an off white wall in a room of color, or a darker shade of the room’s color on a back wall to give the illusion of space. Wall decals and painted patterns are also a great way to give character to a blank wall. Images of birds and plants can be an interesting feature in an urban space, of to the opposite effect, brick details can create structure in a more whimsical space.

Fountains and Water Features

A fountain is a deceptively simple way to add elegance and motion to a room in a way that’s noticeable but not distracting. The sound of running water can be a great addition to a home office to help with concentration, or to a yoga or meditation space for a sense of calm. Fountains can be freestanding or wall mounted, and depending on the size and nature of the room, either could be the right choice. Look at what open space you want to fill, and there’s almost certainly a fountain to suit your taste and design needs.

Sculptures and Standing Art

Sculptures are a fantastic way to break up a broad space and give dimension to simple open areas. They’re a better option for homes without little kids running around, but can be more kid friendly, especially if they’re not sharp metal or hard stone. If you’re considering adding a sculpture to your home, make sure you find one that’s the right height so as not to make ceilings look lower. To get the most out of a focus feature, it’s also a good idea not to simply drop it in the middle of the room, but to place it strategically in a spot that’s hard to miss, but that can still easily blend into a design landscape.

No matter what you’re considering as a focus feature, with a bit of creativity and good judgment, there’s plenty of success to be had. Take an honest look at your space, needs, and means, and do some research to find out what best suits your situation. A little change can go a long way!

 

Your home should be your sanctuary away from the outside world. It should be the place where you can kick back, relax, and release your inhibitions. If your home isn’t providing the comfort you need, then you’ll have to make some changes. Here are a few small things you can do to increase the coziness level of your abode.

Regulate Your Home’s Humidity Levels

Most people don’t even consider the humidity level in their home. However, humidity plays a large role in how comfortable you feel. Optimally, humidity levels should be between 40 and 60 percent. Any higher, and your home will feel overheated. Being below that range makes it seem too cold.

One way to regulate your home’s humidity level is to have a whole-home dehumidifier installed. You can also add in ventilation in moist rooms like bathrooms or kitchens.

Pick New Colors

While neutral colors are the trend right now, they aren’t exactly friendly tones. These plain whites and beiges often leave something to be desired. If you’d like your home to have a more personalized feel, try painting your walls a slightly darker color, such as brown or gray. These tones can add a bit of drama without being too over-the-top. For even more vibrancy, use some metallic accents.

Add Some House Plants

Image via Flickr by F.D. Richards

Not only do plants add a pleasant touch to any room, but they also help to purify the air by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. They’ll add some necessary green and give you a sense of accomplishment when you keep them alive. Just their presence works wonders for soothing stress and helping relieve your anxiety.

Display Photos and Artwork

If you really want a house to feel like a home, make sure to put up photos of your family and friends on the walls. Remembering the good times you’ve had in the past is sure to put you at ease and lighten your mood. Artwork is also a good tool, as you can hang a number of colorful and pleasing pictures as accent pieces.

Put a Rug on the Floor

Image via Flickr by DesignFolly.com

Plain carpet can get boring after a while. If you have hardwood floors, they can be both literally and figuratively cold. One way to spice up the environment and reduce chill on your feet is to throw down a few accent rugs. This will instantly brighten things up.

Update Your Lighting

Lighting plays a large role in the mood and atmosphere of a room. If your home is outfitted with fixtures from the 70s that still use fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to make a change. New fixtures, such as recessed lighting, are making a comeback and offer a beautiful glow without being too overpowering. Another option is to simply use string lights, as these give off a comfortable shimmer that will that will create a tranquil oasis.

By making a few of these changes, you’ll start feeling more at home in your house in no time. In fact, you might make your rooms so cozy that you never want to leave.