The Art Of Layered Designs

Random grouping of beautiful objects could only clutter the place. To avoid a tousled look, interior designers give importance to the concept of layering. The beauty of layering is in the unique combination of objects, patterns, colors, textures and all the decorative elements of the house or room.

It is impossible to come up with a one size fits all formula for the concept of layering. It’s not very difficult to grasp either. Well, you can always hire a designer to get it done. The interior design marketplace is full of experts that you can consult. However, here are a few tips and ideas to get you started with designing a layered look.

Start big!
To begin with, always seek out the placement for objects that is overall the largest – both in width and height. Once you have placed it there, move on in descending order until the bulk of the large objects are in place and then arrange the little ones to accentuate the design.

Varying widths and heights
This is an obvious point, but an essential one. The idea is to not include too many bulky objects in one place. A few bulky objects paired with some other proportionately smaller ones can help enhance the looks. It gives the decor an interesting variety and more importantly adds a layering effect.

The methods of display
Like objects need to be given a little variety when they are displayed – you can hang some, prop some or stack them up to give an interesting final effect.

When in doubt...plants could help
To add a fresh look to your layers, when in doubt, always throw in a plant to enliven the space. It’s a perfect way to shake up an arrangement and make it look unique.

Balance is important – even more than symmetry
Being overly symmetrical completely messes up the layers you are trying to build. A layered arrangement is difficult to attain if too many identical objects are being used – especially of the same dimension. Well, if you arrange them as mirror images, it becomes even more monotonous and takes away the beauty of the place. So, shake up the placement a little and your layers will look just fine!

Like objects must be placed in close proximity
This point seems like it is countering the balance rule. But this is exactly what adds the right dose of the ‘unexpected’. Layered arrangements usually have random objects. So, if we place to similar objects, they draw attention and make the entire arrangement a focal point. So, while you are trying not to be over-symmetrical, it’s a good idea to throw in a few similar objects to get the desired attention.

Also, adding some translucent objects like candle sticks can add interest without adding weight. Add a few shiny objects too – like a mirror or a vase. Shiny objects are known to break up the dense arrangement and keep it from feeling too heavy.

Above all, it’s a good idea to keep your designs flexible. The reason is that you can take a picture of the room, and then re-arrange if need be.

If you are looking for a designer to pep up your interiors, check out the largest interior design marketplace online and select the one that suits your requirements.

Architecture approaches that will influence urban living in the next few years

The architecture industry has seen dramatic changes over the past few years and some exciting trends have paved the way in which traditional spatial concepts and modern approaches perfectly blend. Today collaborative design has become very popular and there is a greater focus on green infrastructure and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the line between the private and public spaces is becoming increasingly blurred. New approaches to building are foreshowing the ways in which urban environments will evolve over the next few decades.

Here are a few trends that will shape the future of architecture:
No more private and public places
Today’s buildings not only address the needs of users in terms of ‘living space’, but also aim to incorporate a number of commercial and public amenities. Architects of today focus on creating an inclusive space that is designed to function as a micro-city that offers a diverse range of services. Private buildings offer a lot of public domain functions too. Today’s structures are more complex with focus on providing residents with a wholesome experience without limitations to ‘private’ and ‘public’ places.

Collaborative design
While designing modern buildings, the focus will no longer be primarily in creating a fully functional structure. Environmental science and energy efficient designs will require a team having knowledge in different fields. Building structures will be a collaborative effort from experts in various domains.

Internet of things OR the Internet of spaces?
Inter-connectivity and smart designs are no longer limited to the internet of ‘things’ – they help connect spaces as well and refine the way living spaces are created. Spaces that cater to the needs of residents and provide greater amount of convenience are becoming mainstream. Technology would play a greater role in building structures that not only stand sturdy and beautiful, but also are well managed and smartly interconnected.

Buildings that are funded by many
With the crowd funding concept becoming more and more popular, many architectural projects are taking this route to build complex structures that require the plans to be appropriately funded.

Standing tall and mighty
Cities today are growing upwards rather than outwards. Tall buildings are all inclusive and combine living, playing, shopping and working areas too. Modular designs are the upcoming and very popular and seem to be more sustainable and provides the right kind of flexibility to make any changes in the future. Super tall buildings with new design concepts are the way to go in today’s world of architecture.

Technology has permeated every aspect of our lives and has created a larger social and cultural shift. The way buildings are built, financed, designed and constructed has seen a radical change in the past few years.

Overall, with collaborative efforts from experts from various fields, crowd funding that will help financing, modular construction that will provide all the required flexibility and technology that will provide all the convenience required for a modern living, the future of architecture is definitely promising and will pave the way for urban living in the next few decades.

Design with a purpose – or let your imaginations run wild! Here are a few ideas to get you started

When you walk in, you must feel ‘at home’. That’s the prime focus of any interior design. Creating beauty where it did not exist is a part of it. Interior designs must also include functionality and comfort. To begin with, select a theme. Especially in India, you have a plethora of options. There are a number of styles and themes that you could select and design your homes with vibrant colours. Moreover, you can add a personality to each room and make it unique. So, you need to add a sense of individuality to the rooms too.

The very first step is to select a theme. You can have separate themes for all each of your rooms or select a single theme that flows through the entire house. Each room can be a variation of the same theme.  Having separate themes gives you a greater scope for designing and you can play around with the right colour combinations and accessories.

Each room in the house has a defined functionality. The living room is for visitors and a place where you can entertain guests, the bedroom is where you sleep and the kitchen is where you cook. So, while you decorate, make sure that you keep these functionalities in mind.

The bedroom
In the bedroom, it is highly essential that you design for comfort. You will need to choose colours that sooth and relax. Select furniture that is comfortable and cosy. Furthermore, make sure that you select furniture that is proportionate and fits your room – as well as leaves the traffic pathways clear and clean. It will be really annoying to jump over a bed to reach the other side of the room or have an obstructed wardrobe door. You can use stencils or wall papers to make your rooms look beautiful without too much clutter.

The living room
The living room is where you entertain guests, so the furniture that you select could be utilitarian. Coffee tables, nested stools and poufs could act as both seating as well as decorative elements. This is the area that you design to ‘impress’! So select your best art work, wall decor or pictures and display them here.

The kitchen
For the kitchen, utility and functionality gain a greater priority than beauty. Make sure that your kitchen fits in with all the overall design of your house and include all the functionality features that are necessary. Taking the workflow into consideration is of utmost importance while designing a kitchen. Make sure that each and every thing that you might require while actually cooking is easily reachable. Storage items could have a separate place.

The other areas
In other areas such as the entertainment area need to be as comfortable as possible. Above all, make sure that the interiors are designed without cluttering too many decorative ideas.

There is no ‘rule book’ for designing. In fact, some of the most beautiful homes in the world are those where the guidelines for designing were completely overturned! Add a little logic and a lot of whim – and creativity and you have a beautiful design for your interiors!

How to Jazz Up Your Home – Decorating With An Impact

Once in a while we all feel the need to spice up our interior decor in our room – or the entire house for that matter. Adding some dramatic effects to the living room or creating a cosy family room could really jazz up your home interiors. When it feels like you need to design with an impact, here are a few tips to jazz up your home!

Work with a concept

Having a strong concept for decoration gives a direction to all your efforts. When you have a direction from the very beginning, you can work faster and better. With a clear concept, you do not ‘put together’ things and ‘make them work’ with each other, instead you focus on placing the various elements in accordance to the concept or theme.

Use unexpected materials and colours

Use of an unexpected object could introduce an element of surprise and help spice up a seemingly boring room. Unexpected colours could enhance the look of the place too. An unusual flower vase or an artefact could greatly influence the overall impact of the interiors. Basically, use things that people would otherwise not use – let your imaginations run wild!

Limit your colour palette

This point may sound contradictory to all the above points – but, using limited colours is actually a bolder move than using a wide colour palette. A few colours (even 2 – 3 colours) are enough to create just the right impact.

Simplify materials

In a sense, simplifying materials create the greatest impact on interior designs. For example, if you are using floral print for curtains, make sure that you maintain that throughout the design. If you selected a pattern print, make sure that it is maintained throughout the design.

Editing and re-editing is necessary

Edit your designs and make them minimalistic. A room that is crammed with the objects that clutter the place completely loses its focal point. The point is to have the right objects in the right places. It’s very easy to add one item after the other and end up cluttering the entire place. So, make sure that you edit and re-edit until there are just enough objects that add to the beauty of the place.

Mix and match

It’s very common to design your interiors in accordance to the architectural styles of the building or house. But you can get bold and use modern interiors even when the exteriors look traditional or use a traditional interior design in a modern house. The surprise element could make your home look unique and charming at the same time! So, think out of the box and create something different. It will definitely liven up your interiors and make an impact on the onlooker.

Designing with an impact need not always be about making some intense changes, it’s about finding the right objects to create that kind of an impact

Overall, make sure that the designs you choose, appeal to your eye and mood. After all you will be the one living there day in and day out!

Looking for decorating your home to create an impact? Check out our Ahmedabad interior designer directory and browse through the profiles of over a hundred interior designers and select the one best suited for your project!

New building designs and considerations for a modern living

The economy, the environment and the demographics are major influencers when it comes to new building design trends as the choice of materials used, the layouts and the construction methods vary depending on these. New building designs need careful consideration of a number of factors so that they appeal to a wide range of buyers and a number of features that modern home owners expect.

Here are a few building design factors need to be considered in order to appeal to today’s home owners:

Building resilient, more sustainable homes for residents
In this age where the climate-changes are so unpredictable, and environmental factors have a great impact on buildings, architects need to design structures that are able to withstand natural disasters too. It is of utmost importance that these buildings are designed for sustainability. Finding materials and construction techniques to meet these challenges is what new age buildings need. Architects aim at building sturdier structures that are more resilient against the worst weather conditions.

Classics that are made more affordable
Today’s modern home owners want quality along with luxurious materials. Many a times, the finest materials aren’t always within the budget. Sometimes to give their homes a rich look, people prefer stone over bricks and clapboard or vinyl. But stone generally turns out to be an expensive option and not everyone can afford it. Architects have a challenge to find less expensive option that still look luxurious and hold up well too. Modern buildings and modern homes require just the right kind of materials that reflect luxury and are affordable too.

Digitization
It’s difficult to sideline technology in today’s world – even in the field of architecture and interior design. While designing homes, it is essential to include technologically advanced interiors such as smart controls for home appliances or smart devices that automate a number of things such as turning off lights and television when not in use. Also, mobile apps operated appliances are becoming more and more popular and many interior designers are including them in their designs.

Softening modern severity
Most home owners today prefer a soft and modern look and hence the harsh designs for floors, walls and other interiors are completely out. Most designers and architects aim at bringing craftsmanship back while maintaining a clean and crisp look.

Softer layered colour palettes
Colour tones too need to be selected carefully. Customer preferences change frequently and it is the soft colours that stick around longer. Whites and creams give a sophisticated look and give your designs a contemporary modern feel. Mostly, architects and designers must select the right colour schemes that set the right harmony for the place. Rather than wild crazy colours, selecting calming colour palette is a good idea.

Overall, creating structures that are sophisticated and give a rich look and are yet affordable are the ones that are rising to popularity and will continue to do so in the near future too. See more at www.IDprop.com