Cheryll Meade asked:
Selecting colors for your living room is a very individual decision, but sometimes people are open and like to follow certain new trends in interior decorating. A few years back, neutral or white was considered very trendy and alluring, but today the popular colors are much bolder, such as a bright yellow, or deep red or bright purple.
Color not only inspires our senses, but also alters our moods. Extrovert people feel cheerful with bold living room paint colors, while more introverted people prefer the more submissive, or subdued colors. By using a specific color combination in a color scheme, you can create a living room that is convivial and comfortable.
Try not to use more than two major colors in a room, a major color and a trim color, or one color for three walls and another for an accent wall. One of the best ways to choose living room paint colors that work together is to use a color palette available from your local paint store. Here’s a general rule…the walls define the space of a room while colors define the mood you would like to present.
Colors can be defined into three main groups:
1. Colors that can provide harmony and balance
2. Colors that can uplift
3. Colors that can relax
For instance, light blue is tranquil, purple stands for power or royalty, while green is for nature. By the same token, grays and blacks are subdued colors while yellow brings out happiness.
The most popular color today is still white or off-white because it makes the room look very large and also makes small pieces, like lamps and tables, look bigger. White also adds light to your living room while helping to keep it cooler in the summer months. However, too many rooms with white walls tend to make your home look sterile or generic, not to mention the time you’ll have keeping your walls clean.
To determine what is in style for this year, take a look at recent issues of home decor and improvement magazines and check out paint company websites for new shades and color combinations. Hopefully what you see will get your creative juices flowing.
William Hopkins asked:
The use of diffused light is another basic concept. Living and sleeping areas are flexible and are usually defined by movable screens. In some sleeping areas there are futons placed on the floor at night, then folded up during the day and stored away which allows for more living space. While this seems strange to Westerners, it is the Japanese way of life. Japanese interior design is based on a simple form of design if you understand the fundamental principles. Ignoring these principles will make the creation of Japanese interior design difficult for the average interior designer.
The Japanese Home – Secluded Privacy
The Japanese home offers a private sanctuary hidden from the chaos and hectic pace of the outside world. The traditional dwellings are made from natural, organic materials. These might include clay, straw, paper, woods (both hardwoods and bamboo) and stone, just to name a few. Japanese interior design also makes use of water, natural light and greenery. Again, the incorporation of ying and yang is seen as the inside dweller brings the outside in to live in harmony. This timeless design provides a source of fascination to most designers.
The Japanese room is famous for its clean lines and uncluttered appearance. While there is furniture in a Japanese room, you will not find very many pieces. The colors of Japanese interior design are subdued, giving preference for soft colors that are quietly restrained. These colors are taken from neutral palettes, incorporating grays, beiges, browns and off-whites. Japanese color schemes are mainly monochromatic and lend themselves to dark hardwoods, polished concrete, bamboo or stones and pebbles.
The sliding doors in Japanese interior design are another basic concept. These doors are also known as shoji screens, fusuma doors and ranma transoms. Another standard in Japanese homes are the floors. These innovative floors are a tatami mat flooring system. The tokonoma alcove is another often-seen facet of the Japanese interior design home. The alcove is used as a special place for family treasures and artwork or seasonal decorations. One might find a bonsai, a hanging scroll or ikebana displayed in the tokonoma alcove. This alcove can be compared to the role of the mantle over the fireplace in a Western home.
If this type of interior design fascinates you, and you are interested learning more, take the time to select and read an interesting interior design book. And a book on Japanese interior design is the book you should read because the Japanese are indeed a fascinating culture to study and observe.
Wade Robins asked:
A major element in interior design that most homeowners overlook is lighting. Interior design lighting can spell the difference between a mediocre room and one that is truly impressive and dramatic.
Whether it’s intentional or not, some homes retain very dim and somber lighting that does not at all contribute to the attractiveness of living space. These are places where interior design lighting has been taken for granted, and no matter how expensive your furniture or accents may be, they’ll lose their appeal when situated in a room that is poorly lit.
Although interior design lighting is done with functionality in mind, it can also create atmospheres that set the mood, depending on its placement, coloring, and combinations.
Many old homes are notorious for being dim and plain because of the limited possibilies for modern interior design lighting. The main setback encountered by most interior design lighting professionals are existing wiring that may not be accessible or would simply take too much stripping to renovate.
However, if interior design lighting could not be easily managed via overhead lights, there are alternatives to revitalizing mediocre-looking spaces by making use of modern techniques that weren’t available a few years ago.
Making Use Of Track Lighting
Track lighting is a welcome boon to the interior design lighting industry. They are sleek, easy to install, and very functional. Most new condo units have provisions for basic track lighting fixtures and can be easily moved from one place to another with simple re-wiring.
Houses that were built without standby wiring but with overhead lights or ceiling fans may still benefit from track lighting as their existing wiring may still be tapped for the track lighting apparatus.
Track lighting is best used for focusing light on various room areas – on paintings, artwork, sculptures, or any item you wish to focus on. You can also use track lighting to focus light on a desk or on countertops where you work on.
If you’re stuck with a cookie cutter home with limited interior design lighting options because of its inimal electrical outlets, you can depend on track lighting to fulfill your more sophisticated lighting needs.
Professional-grade interior design lighting can now be easily achieved with track lighting because of the many varieties of lights available. There are different sizes, colors, shapes and designs which are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Older homes which used to be dingy and unwelcoming instantly become vibrant with strategically placed track lighting. These fixtures help by reaching places which could not otherwise be lit.
The kitchen is another room where interior design lighting is crucial. Because it can be a hub of activity, specially designed track lighting works perfectly for kitchens with many different work areas.
There are simple straight tracks, U-shaped tracks, and just about any design imaginable. Interior design lighting professionals can show you a wide range of selections, depending on whether you want the fixtures to blend with the ceiling or stand out and make a statement.
You can also “play” with your interior design lighting by using your track lights as mood lighting. These are commonly equipped with dimmers that can soften or intensify the light. Different-colored bulbs can also be used for a festive effect.
Indeed, interior design lighting has come a long way from the plain and somber light fixtures of the yesteryears. Today, the possibilities in interior design lighting are only limited by your creativity.
Charlotte Sneddon asked:
Whether you have a Georgian period home, or just want a relaxed and elegant feel in your more modern home, a Georgian interior design style is bound to be top of your list.
Georgian design concentrates on simplicity, beauty and proportion. This makes it an excellent choice for any traditional or modern home.
The Georgian interior design style is named after the decorating style in vogue during the reigns of George I through to George IV in England. This covers a time period from 1714 to 1837.
Of course there were many minor changes of style and design through this lengthy period of time. The Georgian style gradually became more decorative throughout the period. So do consider this if your home dates from either end of the time spectrum, or if you need to be historically accurate, for any reason.
You will see strong influences of other periods and design styles in the Georgian interior design style. The main influences on Georgian design styles were: neo-classical (classical Greek and Roman art and architecture), Oriental design, French aristocratic style, Rococo and Gothic Revival.
Georgian interior design relies quite heavily on its distinctive architectural style. The architecture is very decorative, so add plaster mouldings, ceiling roses and rails and friezes.
The Georgian wall was comprised of 3 sections:
The lower part: This was often wood panelled and ended with a dado rail/chair rail at 75cm height (2′6”)
The centre part: This was most of the wall, and was where wallpaper or decorative fabrics were hung
The upper part: The upper part of the wall comprised a picture rail, cornice and frieze.
Typical Georgian decorative mouldings are egg and dart, acanthus leaves, shells, scrolls, mythological subjects and beasts from fantasy.
Georgian wall colors were quite toned down and muted. Using heritage ranges of paint is an excellent way of making sure you get the right tones and colors.
Wood work was usually painted in white, or chocolate brown or olive green.
Georgian rooms were quite dark, but it was usual to find quite a few little touches of gold and gilt to brighten the feel a bit.
For wallpapers and fabrics choose beautiful patterns. Typical designs are stripes, urns, columns, oriental designs and ‘Toile de Jouy’.
Georgian rooms were kept very simple and uncluttered. So keep furniture pared down to a minimum. The furniture itself was dainty in style, in dark woods, and with scrolled arms and ‘ball and claw’ feet. All very refined and elegant.
Genuine Georgian accessories are very important to help you get an authentic look. Luckily they are still quite plentiful in antique and flea markets and even eBay.
A great finishing touch is to include a typical black silhouette cut-out photo. This could be a great craft project for the family to enjoy!
Shrinivas Vaidya asked:
The latest trend in home interior design is the use of themes. Theme ideas range from sports to fabulously feminine and contemporary to eclectic. One of the most popular themes is the “Tropical Island” theme.
When using the Tropical Island theme idea, there are many directions you can go. From elegant to fun, you have a wide range of choices. You can use art work, painted murals, wall paper, textured wall paint or any combination of these materials.
Select colors that represent the tropics such as various shades of blue, dark turquoise and deep shades of green. Burlap fabric is a good choice for wall covering. For an inexpensive Tiki look, attach bamboo shades to the wall, than attach a chair rail above the shade using bamboo shafts.
Tropical plants are a must-have for the Tropical Island theme. You can use live or silk plants or sculptures of trees. Some craft and hobby stores have fake palm trees with strands of lights attached to them. Fake palm trees are fun and festive and provide a small amount of additional lighting.
Window treatments should be light and airy. Bamboo shades are a logical choice for this home interior design. Other options include brightly colored sheers or draperies made from bright, sheer fabric or an island print.
A wide range of art work is available to create any style of Tropical Island design. You might want pictures of sugar plantations or pineapple fields. Maybe you prefer oil paintings of cargo ships or fancy yachts. Perhaps your tastes are more suited for seagulls, pelicans, dolphins, turtles or other sea life. Regardless of art preferences, there is an abundance of art work depicting the beauty of the islands.
The Tropical Island home interior design can be used in nearly every room. It makes for an inviting living or family room, as it is bright and cheerful, yet relaxing. It is a calming theme for use in a bedroom and can easily be adapted for children or a nursery. Many children enjoy being surrounded by pictures of sea life and are calmed by the soothing colors.
Bathrooms are a natural setting for the Tropical Island theme. Accessories can easily be located in most retail and department stores. You can find everything from toothbrush holders to wall paper in a variety of island designs. A popular trend in bathroom designs is the use of glass bowl sinks. These are perfect for the Tropical Island theme and add exquisite beauty to the room.
Kitchens lend well to the Tropical Island theme. Bamboo kitchen tables and bar stools are quite popular. Another option is to use a picnic table or outdoor table with an umbrella. You could even go so far as to use a Tiki hut design umbrella to bring in the tropical island feeling in your dining room.
Laundry rooms and storage areas are usually boring areas within the home. Add a splash of tropical color or use a tropical island print wall paper border to breathe some life into a dull and boring space. Use wicker baskets painted in bright colors such as turquoise, orange or yellow, or paint shelves or walls in tropical shades.
The Tropical Island theme works well in the home office setting. It is inviting and friendly to guests and provides an uplifting environment in which to work. Use a variety of lush tropical plants and an aquarium or water fountain. Paint your office furniture white and add a tropical design for a fun and festive look.
Grab some home interior design magazines and catalogs and let your imagination go wild. Cut out photos of items you like and tape them to a piece of paper or foam board. Create a floor plan to help you determine what items you have room for, then go shopping.
Look for deals at your local thrift shop or visit yard or estate sales. You might be surprised at the great bargains available and you’ll probably find several unique accessories. Most importantly have fun and get creative with this home interior design idea and soon your tropical oasis will await you!
Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya
