It mostly began with Pinterest and inspiration boards where we non-interior designers were encouraged to collect online images of fabrics, accessories and furniture that we’d love to have in our homes.

By archiving images in this way it allowed us to fit them together in our imaginations to see if they’d work as a whole. At the same time it provided interior and home ware designers/ buyers with an insight into what ‘the man/woman in the street’ was lusting after that season.

Today it’s far more sophisticated. Now the consumer can actually fit those items of furniture, fabric patterns, and tiles etc into a 3D virtual room to work out not just how they look together, but whether it all works in a spatial fashion too.

How virtual and augmented reality fits into your own home

Then there is augmented reality where you can see what a particular sofa or sideboard looks like in your own room by ‘planting’ in there on the screen of your Smart phone or iPad. Certainly, one app which allows you to do this is iStaging. Simply move that sofa or vase around until you find the perfect spot for it. Yes, it’s all a long way from the launch of that first social media images changing site back in 2010.

Google (Cardboard), Microsoft (Hololens), and Samsung (Oculus) are going big down the virtual reality for interior design route. They’re allowing viewers to create an imaginative world that feels real to them. One such example of where virtual reality meets augmented reality is in interior design shop Oka’s online virtual cushion arranger. Accessed on the company’s website, this device allows viewers to try out a combination of cushions to see how they’ll look as a whole before they are tempted to head for the online checkout.

Arranging cushions on a virtual couch

Admittedly cushions aren’t the most expensive interior item we can buy (although some of them can prove pretty costly these days), however if we’re going for a cushion grouping then it’s easy to get the co-ordination of colours, patterns and sizes disastrously wrong. Or at least it was until the company gave us a virtual couch on which we could select and place our cushion selections at will and while sitting on our couch sipping a coffee with This Morning on in the background.

Image via Oka.com

Same with the Dulux Visualizer App which will change the colour of your walls for you courtesy of augmented reality. What we love about this app is that if you’re out and spot a colour on a wall, cushion, book etc then point your phone at it and the app will find the closest Dulux shade.

Some virtual reality apps are so advanced that, after asking the user about their preferences, they can provide 3D room interiors filled with items they’d like. In this way it’s a little like having the advice of a virtual interior designer at their finger tips.

When interior design gets a little ‘heady’

The there is virtual reality and the headset, allowing you to look around a room with 360 degree vision.  In fact, you can stroll through that very interior with your virtual headset. IKEA have their walk-through virtual kitchen showroom while M&S gave visitors to their pop-up events a chance to design their own rooms.

All we need now is for the early adopters to be sated so that the rest of us can afford the headsets.

The interior design trends are different for different people. The idea of painting the walls with fresh paint or renewing few kinds of stuff may add a charm in the house or office.

Modern technology and high-tech gadgets have become an important part of our lives. So, to balance, the high-tech world, people tend to choose natural materials and colors. Let’s check the top interior trend for 2017:

Botanical Theme:

With the fast paced life, there’s hardly any time to relax and have fun in the green and this is the reason why hues of green are making a place in the interiors of the houses. A green pot, hanging plant or green cushion is all that it needs to reform the space.

Earthy Hues:

Pastel colors are once again an emerging color scheme. This natural and organic color adds warmth to space and looks subtle. The soft colors defines your room in the most tailored ways.

Jewel Tones:

Jewel tones will be ruling the interiors as the sparkle and the dash of interest they add in the room is exclusive.

Modern artifacts with jewel tones can be used to make the interior shine and glaze. Metallic colors and fabrics create soft romantic elements. Lights, beds, and furniture with a touch of jewel tones looks chic and will be trend setting.

Upholstered Bedhead:

In 2017, beds will definitely change dramatically. The timber bed frames will be replaced by the upholstered bed heads. Mid-century modern beds will make a comeback and the royally styled beds with the classic model will be welcomed.

The beds with attractive buttons and neutral colors or a plush velvet bedhead is a smart way to add instant glamor to the bedroom. The huge size beds will be ruling the relaxing room.

Vintage Materials To Chic Decor

The old classic furniture can be utilized as art décor. The vintage materials can be updated to look modern with contemporary textures and materials.

Chairs and tables can be upgraded to add  a classic mid-century look in the house. The repurposed pieces are best and add uniqueness to décor.

Organic and natural colors used in the old furniture can be used to balance out the modern décor.

Wallpapers:

The best way to add drama in the subtle house is by adding art inspired wallpapers. The colors of the wallpaper can be chosen from aquatic or forest theme.

The soothing colors can be used to decorate the room with different textures as these wallpapers can be printed on seagrass or rice paper, etc.

The quoted wallpapers are also inspiring to many. The wallpapers come like murals and give definition to the walls of the house.

Pop Colors:

When the theme of the room is natural and calm colors are chosen, then strategic pop colors can be used to add dynamic energy in the room. These colors can be added in the form of accessories, part of the furniture or a curtain.

In many countries, there is a serious housing shortage. The price of land, labour and materials has all risen fast. As a result, the cost of building a house has soared. Property developers have little choice but to pass on to most of those costs to the consumer, so house prices have risen.

Unfortunately, most people’s wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of homes. This means that selling new homes is not as easy as it once was. As a result, in some places it does not make sense for developers to invest in building on the land that they own. This and several other issues have meant that the rate of building has slowed to a crawl.

A lack of capital and a shortage of new homes to buy means that more people have to rent instead of buy. This huge increase in demand for rental property means that finding a flat or house is becoming increasingly difficult.

Finding a property to rent is certainly not as easy as it once was. Linley and Simpson Estate Agents in York, and others based in popular cities, is busier than they have ever been before.

If you want to find a great place to live in a tight market, you need to be organised. Following the tips below will help you to find your dream home, and do so as quickly as possible.

Sign up with local agents

It is important to go around all of the agents in your area and get on their books. Be clear about what you are looking for and the budget you have. This will reduce your chances of being shown unsuitable properties.

Tap into your agent’s experience

When you speak to the agents do so with an open mind, and listen to what they have to say. Be sure of what facilities you need, and stick to your guns. If you love mountain biking and need a secure place to keep your kit, do not be tempted to rent out somewhere that does not have that facility. You will regret it if you do that.

However, try not to be too rigid about the area you live in. Listen to what the agent has to say about areas to consider. They know which parts of a city or town are up and coming, and where to find rental property in your price range.

Consider sharing

If you really cannot find anything in your price range, seriously consider renting a property with a friend. Clearly, you need to be careful about taking this approach. You need to be 100% sure that you can live with someone before signing a rental agreement.

Think outside the box

In many areas, there are other kinds of accommodation available. If there is a river or canal in your city, or a nearby town investigate the idea of renting a floating home. Also, look at the idea of living in converted office or warehouse space. Often the cost of this type of accommodation is lower per sq ft than traditional housing. You can find out more about this option, here.

If you have a small apartment or a home with small spaces, you know that effective and aesthetically pleasing interior design can be a bit of a struggle. However, there are some ways that you can decorate your small spaces so that they are to not only quaint and cozy, but also practical, efficient, and can actually make the space look bigger and more livable.

Consider Color

There are a few tricks that you can implement with color to make a space look bigger, from playing with the color scheme or transitioning between dark and light colors, drawing the eyes in. Sometimes all you need to make a room look a little bigger or an entrance way look a little longer is a good coat of paint and some strategic thinking.

Cut Clutter

We’ve said this before and we will say it again, cutting clutter and cutting down on your furniture is always a good idea for any size of space. Particularly for a small space, keeping your furniture minimal, practical, and multi-functional can go a long way to making a small space more livable; for example couches that contain storage spaces or a desk that can double as a dining table, etc. The other option is to forego unnecessary furniture altogether. A bed frame, for example, can be done away with and you can keep it beautifully simple by investing instead in an incredible mattress and laying it on the floor or supporting it with pallets to allow it to breath. Cutting furniture down to just the basics helps open up the space and minimizes clutter.

Let There Be Light

Of course the best way to make any space look larger is to let the light in. Try extending curtain rods past the window frame so that the eyes are drawn out and the window looks larger, making the space look brighter. Also play with strategically placing glass picture frames and mirrors to reflect this light around the room, again opening up the space.

Free-up Your Floor

Believe it or not, getting items off of the floor can do a lot for a small space. Trade in bulky book shelves for floating shelves, and standing lamps for pot lights and wall sconces. Not only does this reduce clutter when you can see floor space, but it tricks your eye, always pulling the gaze up instead of down. Making good use of your vertical space will make the room look taller and therefore bigger.

When it comes to the compact, keeping it light, minimal, functional and deceptively decorated all make a big difference in allowing you to create a comfortable and livable small space.

The bathroom is your private place, a getaway from the stress of daily life. The most relaxing way to enjoy a good bath is by lying down on a perfect soaker bathtub, so you should choose a perfect soaking bathtub for you and your bathroom. Whether it is drinking fine spirits, enjoying aromatherapy and beauty products, lying together with you are significant other, or even playing with your little ones; the bathtub you choose will make these moments extra special.

It’s always great to have a standalone soaker tub as a centerpiece to your bathroom. This will most likely be the largest piece of furniture you have so it has to stand out. But more importantly it has to put the exclamation point in your bathrooms statement whether is “Fabulous!”, “Sleek!”, “Zen!” and many more.

When you’re at that point in your life wherein you finally have the luxury of buying your own soaker tub, it is important to have the one that suits you best. Here are some practical tips you should follow when buying one.

Is it a necessity? – Why do you need a fancy tub instead of a cheap shower? You need this because since the dawn of human civilization, bathing was more than just hygienic, it was pure leisure. A relaxing bath is always done lying down and humans have always taken a good soak to relieve stress and alleviate physical conditions like painful wounds, poor blood flow, arthritis and tense muscles. Why let the hustle and bustle of daily life force you to take a quick shower standing up?

The best tubs are expensive; you should be expecting that early on. And it’s important to prioritize quality freestanding tubs when remodeling your bathroom. Once you have figured out you really need it and have saved for it, Check the space you have if you need to extend your bathroom or is it good as is. A good thing to know is that down the road if you will sell your house, the bathroom is the most likely to sell the house and increase its market value.

What’s your style? – The design and shape will make the most impact on how relaxing will your bath time getaway be. There are many designs out there but they can generally be categorized as traditional and modern. Traditional deep freestanding bathtubs incorporate more curves, chrome or brass-looking fittings for Victorian or colonial designs while modern tubs lean toward skirts and symmetrical forms for that Zen or minimalist look. Acrylic freestanding bathtubs come in all shapes and sizes now so feel free to explore the possibilities!

Deep bathtubs also come with single or double ended forms. Single ended baths having one sloping end for bathrooms with specific designs or views in mind or double ended ones if you like switching sides then bathing, or having one person on each side for those special occasions.

How big is the ideal stand alone soaker tub? – It’s always good to get the exact dimensions of the bathroom and tub area when thinking about buying a soaker tub. The bigger it is the more work it takes to install it when it comes to flooring and plumbing, and the position of the waste should ideally be moveable. The size of the bathroom needs to be carefully considered as well since you will need the proper amount of space to clean and move feely inside your bathroom with a deep soaking tub inside. Where you put it in the bathroom should also be considered. If you put it in the corner, angular looking tubs are ideal since they snugly fit the corners of your bathroom. If you opt for a centerpiece stand alone bathtub, rounded models are ideal since you needn’t worry about access plus stubbing your toe on an edge hurts way more than a rounded side, as I have learned the hard way. The right size will depend on the overall look and utility you will like to achieve.

Installing the freestanding tubs – When installing the freestanding bathtubs, you need to consider the position of the waste and water supply. The adjacent wall or the floor below is a usual spot to put the waste outlet. Bath taps for your water supply can come in three kinds – wall hung, freestanding, or deck mounted bath taps. Freestanding bath taps suit traditional designs well and deck mounted or wall hung taps give modern designs that extra sleek look. If your tub has legs, an ideal mix would be to include pipe stands or a bath shroud for that traditional elegant look. Modern designs conceal the piping and are angular to achieve that modern minimalist look.

How much will you spend? – As I have said in the introduction. The bathtub will most likely be the most expensive, non-electronic item you will ever buy for your home, so prepare accordingly. If you decide to look for discounts, you will end up spending more to replace the cheap tub you bought due to high labor costs for replacing it. The pricier freestanding soaking tubs are truly made to last so it makes for a better investment in the long run especially if you’re a big girl like me. The centerpiece for your bathroom and at times, your entire home deserves to be only the best quality.

The bathroom is a place where people spend a considerable amount of time each day, so it makes sense that many would be willing to put a lot of thought and effort into making this space not only practical, but a visual masterpiece to be marvelled at during every visit.

Whether you’re looking for practicality, aesthetics, or somewhere in-between, there are a few design choices you should consider before putting your plan into action.

Tiling, Panels or Cladding?

One of the essential design choices that is going to determine the style of your bathroom is how you want to decorate your walls.

Tiles are a popular choice, giving you the freedom to use a variation of colours to create a vibrant atmosphere that is sure to be a guaranteed eye-catcher. Even if you would prefer a more consistent colour scheme to your walls, bathroom tiles can create a startling impression.

The possible downside of this particular style is how expensive it can be, with the cost being higher if you have a larger space to work with. Cladding on the other hand can be a great cost-savvy alternative if you’re still searching for a great look. The benefit of cladding panels is that you still have a great variety of styles and colours to choose from to make your space truly personalised to your taste.

Wall panels also have the added bonus of being much easier to keep clean and looking great. It’s as simple as wiping down the panels on occasion to prevent any permanent damage from dirt or grime, rather than the special treatment you would have to give your wall tiles if you want your space looking its best.

With no grouting needed, these panels are just as practical as they are stylish. You should definitely consider wall cladding as a valid option if you feel the visual appeal of tiling is outweighed by their cost and high-maintenance.

Your option to use either cladding or panels is not limited to walls either. Keeping in mind that both can be very useful for reducing condensation as well as mould growth, and with bathroom ceilings being a prime target for mould and discolouration, you may be interested to know that you can use either one to keep your ceiling looking clean and mould-free for much longer.

Laying Down the Floor

Another important design choice to consider when remodelling your bathroom is what kind of floor you’d prefer. This can be quite a deal-breaker in terms of maintaining the overall style of your space.

What you need to consider first is the practical nature of your flooring. In other words, are you interested in any waterproof or underfloor heating qualities to complement your design? If the answer is yes, then you will have to compare the cost of these additional features with what your budget allows for.

If you can afford to fit your bathroom with these desirable features, then you can then begin to compare styles of flooring to see which one is going to contribute the most to the design of your space.

Being able to introduce waterproof flooring and underfloor heating is going to be a great investment of your time and money in the long term, reducing any slip hazards or unwanted moisture from wreaking havoc in your bathroom. Not only is there a practical and comfort aspect of installing underfloor heating, but it can also be a smart choice if you’re looking working with a small space, as the area usually reserved for a radiator is no longer necessary.

Consider your Options

Making the most of the space in your bathroom is not the easiest decision, especially when there are many choices in regards to utilities which define both the style and use of the space.

If you’re interested in looking at this investment long-term, you may want to consider installing a wet room rather than your standard shower cubicle or bath tub. While this does require a little more space than your other options, the end result is a space that is considerably easier to clean, more accessible, and adds more value to your home if you ever come to sell in the future.

With all of these options available to you, we hope you will now have a much smoother process in making your bathroom design an achievable goal that will continue to be visually pleasing and practical for your every need.

If you require any assistance in finding the right materials to complement the design you have in mind, then feel free to contact our team at DBS Bathrooms and see if there is anything that we can do to help.

Whether you’re moving into your first apartment, or simply need an interior makeover, there are many ways to create a chic space without spending a fortune. Why waste money on extravagant purchases when you can get a stylish home for less? Here are six tips for decorating on a budget:

Get Rid of Clutter

That’s right. Begin with a blank canvas. That’s easy to do when you’re moving into to your first place, a bit harder when you’ve got an apartment full of stuff that, together, doesn’t make much sense. Resist the urge to buy things simply to fill the space, and get rid of anything you’d rather replace. Also, be patient! It takes time to get to know your space, and grow into it; oftentimes that perfect piece will find you, rather than you finding it.

Renvision the Space

Once you’ve gotten rid of anything you’d rather do without, it’s easy to begin swapping around existing pieces. Simply moving something to another room, or another spot, can make a huge difference in flow. Flip the floor plan and don’t get stumped by color (you can paint over things later!).  Shopping at home can be your most inexpensive resource.

Head to the Flea Market

Flea markets are full of awesome finds. If you’d rather not have an apartment that seems like an IKEA display, the flea market offers wonderful, unique options. Find an old chair, ottoman or sofa and recover it (same thing if you’ve already got IKEA furniture). Choosing your own fabric adds flair and individuality to any piece, and you can even find fabric at the flea market as well, not to mention silver and crystal! Choose a color scheme for each room and choose fabrics based on the palate. Check out which flea markets are on in your area.

Paint and wallpaper

It’s amazing how far a little paint or wallpaper can go to transform a room or piece of furniture. Paint over an old wooden desk or dresser and it suddenly becomes a trendy, modern piece. Keeping in mind your color palate, wipe down an existing piece, remove the hardware, and paint over it in a fresh color. Likewise, removable wallpaper is the perfect way to add color or texture to a room with overcommitting because it’s simple to apply and remove. Check out Etsy’s designs, or browse through Tempaper and Chasing Paper. You can also use tile stickers, which fit onto existing tile, to quickly update a bathroom or kitchen.

Create your own artwork

Finding, and affording, artwork is definitely challenging. But rather than buy a print or mass produced piece of art, why not make your own, original art by channeling your inner Jackson Pollock? Buy a canvas already stretched (they come in a multitude of sizes) and get to work! Amazon sells large pre-stretched canvases for around $20. Acrylic paints dry fast, are inexpensive, and easy to work with. Cover the canvas with gesso before starting to paint, and use it to create texture. There are many tutorials online offering tips on how to create modern art. You can also give a humble piece of art the appearance of a masterwork with oversize matting and framing.

Go Green

Plants bring life to rooms, and oxygen! Simply find a decorative vase or basket for the base and you’ll immediately, and easily, make a drab corner stunning. Choose cacti and african violets for shelf space or consoles, and larger plants such as Areca palms for those empty corners. A visit to your local garden center will fill you with ideas and inspiration.

Whether you are using supplements to improve your physique or just prevent disease, they can start to add up around the house. Bottles of capsules and powders can get pretty messy and overwhelming at times. For people that maintain a certain level of organization throughout their home, supplements strewn about the bathroom or kitchen can seem stressful.

Organizing a supplement cabinet isn’t a difficult task, but it does take some investment of your time. Given that my boyfriend and I have been living in a 230 square foot apartment together for the past few months, we have figured out what must be organized and how to do it.

Hopefully with some of the tools that we have learned, you will have a much easier experience organizing your supplement cabinets. Use these rules and you’ll be able to organize thoroughly.

Organize Your Supplements: Step by Step

Step #1: Be clear with what you need

Most supplements are magic pills and don’t really do much good anyway. If you have even a hint that this might be the case, get rid of it! There is no space to waste on supplements that don’t actually work. There are dozens of good quality supplements like bacopa monnieri with plenty of evidence. If you don’t find solid evidence for the supplement, don’t keep it.

The second part to this step is to get rid of the things that you never use. Are there supplements that work, but you just never use? Don’t keep them on the shelves. Studies show that most consumers of supplements just allow the products to sit on their shelves unconsumed. Don’t do this or it will waste space.

Step #2: Organize based on usage

Some people like to keep their supplements organized in a cabinet based on the size or other aesthetic factors, but this is more of a pain than anything. If you organize the supplements based on how often you use them, it will be far easier. Make sure the most-used supplements are easiest to access and the less used options are behind.

Step #3: Use weekly supplement boxes

Another trick we use in my tiny home is small supplement boxes that elderly people usually have for prescription drugs. Once a week, I can take all the supplements out of the counter and lay out the pills for each day.

The reason this is so effective is because taking supplements in and out of a cabinet will create disorganization over time. Slowly things will move out of place and eventually it will be a mess again. Using the weekly supplement boxes can make a big difference instead.

Step #4: Consolidate as much as possible

Even though my partner loves nootropics and finds his favorite phenylpiracetam on sale doesn’t mean he needs to buy as much of it as he can! The little bit of savings that we find through buying in bulk doesn’t offer much when compared to the headache of trying to organize everything.

Try to consolidate by getting only one bottle at a time and finishing that as you need. Otherwise, you’ll be pulling out your hair trying to organize your supplements!