Transcript interior design basics

Interior Design
Designing a Space
Effective interior design requires careful
planning, and you are more likely to be
pleased with the results.
When planning a decorating project, do
the following:
Identify what you need
Evaluate your current space
Keep your resources in mind
Identify your preferences
Designing a Space:
Backgrounds
The background of your room is one of the
most important features!
Backgrounds are the walls, floors,
windows, and ceilings of a living area.
Backgrounds can be the main focus or the
room or just be used to help display
furniture or accessories in the room.
Backgrounds: Walls
Walls define areas, provide privacy, and
help absorb noise.
The two most popular means of decorating
walls are:
Paint: choosing from many colors and
techniques
Wallpaper: can add interesting patterns and
textures
Backgrounds: Windows
Sometimes, windows can be left alone to
show off a view.
Usually, windows have window treatments
that can provide both privacy and decoration.
Backgrounds: Windows
Window treatment choices include
curtains, drapes, shutters, blinds, and
shades in a variety of colors and materials.
You can also combine treatments (for
example: using shutters and curtains on
the same window).
Backgrounds: Floors
Flooring materials, such as concrete,
wood, ceramic and stone, are a
permanent part of the floor.
Floor coverings – which are not permanent
– may be installed over permanent
flooring.
Backgrounds: Floors
Examples of floor coverings include: vinyl,
carpets, rugs, wood laminate, tile, and
hardwood floors.
Each type of floor covering has its own set
of pros and cons.
Backgrounds: Ceilings
Ceilings are often forgotten, but an
important element to a room.
High ceilings give off the feeling of dignity
and elegance.
Lower ceilings create a warm, informal
feeling, but they can also create a
cramped feeling.
Furniture
Most furniture is functional furniture – it
meets a specific need.
Functional furniture is usually decorative
as well.
Furniture Styles
Furniture styles can be split into two
categories:
Traditional: based on designs used for
hundreds of years
Contemporary: simple, usually straight lines
and little or no decoration
Arranging Furniture
The smart way of arranging furniture is to
use graph paper or a computer program
before actually doing it in your room.
Check to see whether the traffic patterns,
or the paths people use to get from one
area of room to another, are uncluttered
and fairly direct.
Avoid blocking traffic patterns with
furniture or other obstacles.
Accessories
Accessories are the easiest and least
expensive way to change a room.
Accessories can include lamps, plants,
posters, books, pictures, mirrors, etc.
Accessories: Lighting
General lighting: provides enough light
that you can move around a room safely
and comfortably
Task lighting: focuses light where it is
needed
Accent lighting: an intense beam of light
aimed at a painting, sculpture, or other
object to create a dramatic or directed
effect