How To Design A Room Like An Interior Designer - Lceted

In this article, we explained factors to achieve in planning interior design for different types of rooms and buildings

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR SPACIOUS ROOMS

The factors to achieve spacious rooms are the following: 

1. Lighting the Room Eliminate the shadows that tend to slice the room into smaller spaces to create a feeling of largeness in the room. Even lighting and soft lighting will have an effect on space. Ceiling lights should be avoided as they tend to make the ceiling appear a little lower. Diffused and ambient lighting will tend to enlarge the room.

2. Surface Smoother surfaces tend to reflect more light and make the room appear larger. Surfaces should be kept free of heavy textures.

3. Flooring Heavy textural flooring should be avoided. Tiles over patterned or textured carpeting can be chosen. Reflective and shiny surfaces such as mirrors and chrome can be used effectively.

4. Colour of Walls, Floor and Ceiling Soft colours and monochromatic colour schemes should be adopted. Colours like cream, beige, grey or cool pastels on walls and floors can be used to make them recede. Use the lightest colours for ceilings.

5. Furniture Keep the largest pieces of furniture against the walls to create the feeling of more space. Furniture colours similar to walls and floors should be chosen.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR COMFORTABLE ROOMS

The factors for the design of comfortable rooms are the following:

1. Colours Strong colours for walls and floors should be adopted to bring them closer to one another.

2. Flooring A dark floor with walls of brown or deep red, blue or green will create a feeling of smaller and more comfortable space (cosier space).

3. Lighting Spaces can be created through directed light. Lighting from the ceiling will seem to lower it. A reading lamp or down-shaded lamp will cast light only in its vicinity.

Incandescent, rather than halogen or fluorescent, lamps can be used for a warmer glow.

4. Texture Heavy, soft textures add warmth to a space. Rougher texture for the hard elements in a room—iron instead of chrome and brick instead of glazed tiles can be used.

5. Furniture Dark finished fabrics can be chosen to create a sense of the piece being larger than it actually is. Heavily textured fabrics and large patterns give a cozy feeling to a sofa or chair. Tall pieces can be chosen to divide and define smaller spaces within a room for greater intimacy.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR THEME ROOMS

In order to give the room personality, choose from the following basic elements and modify them to suit the needs and tastes and implement them in such a way that is just right as required.

1. A Theme A themed room says something about the person who lives in it, who has decorated it, his family or the place where he lives. A theme will also provide a place to showcase collections, prized possessions, and arts and crafts.

2. Artifacts A piece of artistic value will give the room that special touch that is always wanted. It can add texture and depth to the room.

3. Collections It is the most effective way to display the collections in a special arrangement. The shells, dolls or trinkets collected should be arranged tastefully instead of lining things up in a row. If small objects are arranged in a line it will still give a worse effect. Instead, they can be grouped to project variety within the collections.

4. Colour Use colours in walls, carpets, fabrics, linen, pillows, shelves, curtains, etc., that make people feel good. The colours should be blended to suit the taste.

5. Fabrics The fabrics with prints that contain the colour of the upholstery can be added to maintain harmony in colours and the same accent can be used thrice around the same room.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN OF CORNERS IN BUILDINGS

1. Natural or artificial trees can be placed in the corners to fill up the void.

2. Pedestals of different sizes add beauty to the corners.

3. An up-light will add beauty to a corner.

4. A tabletop covered with a good choice of fabric with a lamp and favourite pictures placed on the top will give a beautiful look to the corner. A couple of chairs on each side of the table with the same fabric on the seats will enhance beauty.

5. A corner cabinet or hanging cupboard is another solution so that the storage, as well as a display area, can be increased.

6. Bonsai pieces can increase the ambience in a room. Photographs and sculptures are retrogressive.

7. Placing rocks and pebbles near the base of the Bonsai trunk will increase its visual effect.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN OF LIVING AREAS

1. Multifunctional furniture is the best choice if space is limited. Sofa cum bed, stacking chairs nesting table and portable pieces are good selections for small space.

2. Modular furniture with perfect modules in vertical and horizontal dimensions can be a good choice.

3. Mechanisms and fittings that transform single items into multifunctional pieces of furniture can be chosen.

4. Every corner space should be used for storage potential and narrow gaps can be fitted with small shelves for CDS or to store sports equipment.

5. Bookshelves can be moved to provide an instant screen.

6. Natural or artificial trees can be placed at corners to add beauty.

7. Decorative display cabins with attached TV cabins add beauty.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN OF COOKING AREAS

1. Realistic arrangement of cooking requirements should be made and accordingly, the interior should be planned.

2. The fridge or freezer should be chosen to suit the occupants’ lifestyle and cooking habits.

3. A combination oven that provides the speed and compact design of a microwave oven with the advantage of a convection oven and grill can be selected.

4. Storage shelves should be provided under the tabletop to store kitchen instruments.

5. An exhaust fan is a must for comfortable cooking.

6. A washing sink should be placed at the appropriate place to get water connections and to avoid water spill-over.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN OF DINING AREAS

1. A block of colourful stacking chairs with a matching table will form an attractive dining room.

2. Extra folding chairs matching with the regular dining chairs can be propped against the wall liberating floor space.

3. With the correct choice of furniture fittings for this area, the difficulties of eating can be resolved so that dirty dishes are quickly cleared from view.

4. Extra tables and chairs can be folded away or stacked in a corner when not in use.

5. Proper flower arrangements with natural or artificial flowers on the table will add beauty to the existing dining environment.

6. Storage cabins to house the dining plates and cups and saucers can be placed near the dining table and fitted against the wall.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR HOME OFFICES

1. A home office can be built from a combination of fixed and mobile units or a hinged, fold-away desk. A simple workshop on trestles can also be chosen.

2. A workstation that can be easily moved out of sight or folded away when not in use makes an ideal home office when the space is restricted.

3. A design that will provide ample storage space for all work-related equipment, files and accessories as well as features such as pull-out sections and adjustable shelving for maximum flexibility will be ideal.

4. Wall-hung, stacking and mobile storage units can also be utilised for restricted office space in a home.

5. Vertically arranged designs offer maximum storage capacity while occupying the least floor space. Multifunctional mobile units are also useful.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR SLEEPING AREAS

1. The bed is the most important and largest item in any sleeping space. Hence, comfort and space are important parameters for design. If the space is limited, a bed that doubles as seating or storage or both during the day as well as provides a comfortable place to sleep at night will be of good choice.

2. A bed that folds up into the wall during the day will provide a lot of free space.

3. A bed that is concealed behind a vertical surface can be used for decorative purposes.

4. Curtains for windows can be selected matching the colour of the walls.

5. Mirror arrangements at appropriate places will enhance the ambience.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR BATHROOMS

1. The best selection should be made for closets, preferably of western type to meet the requirements of elderly people and to maintain hygienic conditions.

2. The most convenient type of hot-and-cold water system should be selected to suit the space.

3. The position of the showers, bathtubs and basins should be designed in such a way as to give space for the washing area if a separate washing area is not provided.

4. Exhaust fans may be provided to add comfort.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR PUBLIC/PRIVATE BUILDINGS

Public buildings include banks, schools, hotels, corporate offices, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, theatres, IT park, etc.

1. Each building has its own special character. Depending upon the function of the building, different units have to be planned. All these units are to be combined together to form the entire building.

 

2. Common blocks required for the public buildings are

(a) Reception       

(b) Office of the head

(c) Other offices rooms    

(d) Conference/meeting hall

(e)  Sanitary or toilet blocks    

(f) Parking area

(g)  Security cabin, and  

(h) Garden.

 

(a) Reception Those who enter the building should have their attention drawn directly to the reception desk. The reception must then be placed so that it is the first thing seen as the person enters. Reception counters can be designed to suit the cost of public buildings with all central information corrections to them. A variety of sofa arrangements should be placed based on the need in the reception area.

(b) Office of the Head It should have easy access from the reception area along with total privacy. False ceiling or wallpapers and colour scheme on the walls should be chosen in such a way that this area provides a good ambience for discussion. Self-adjusting chairs and tables with side cabins may be selected to give comfortable seating.

A small dining/discussion table can be arranged in addition to a comfortable sofa set for the visitors. Attached bathrooms with good comfort arrangements for personal requirements can be designed. Small green trees at the corners will add beauty.

(c) Office Rooms System furniture which provides flexibility to suit the need can be adopted. System furniture in modules that can be assembled in different configurations can be designed. The modules may have full or partial height panels, or divider units with filing cabinets, bookshelves, storage bins, computer stations, etc. Green trees in small sizes can be placed at appropriate places to enhance the ambience.

(d) Conference/Meeting Hall Conference tables of ‘U’ shape of length and size based on the requirement may be provided. Self-adjusting chairs to accommodate the body and to support the human form and lumbar area may be chosen. These chairs can absorb the shock of sitting down and support the body for a long time. They reduce physical strain and muscle fatigue in the lower back.

Suitable greenery can be placed at corners to improve the ambience of the hall. Attached bathrooms and side rooms for serving dishes will add comfort.

(e) Sanitary and Toilet Blocks Toilets for visitors nearer to the reception and at the corners for the office staff with separate provisions for ladies and disabled can be provided. Toilet sizes and numbers can be designed based on the needs.

(f) Security Cabin A separate security cabin with an intercom and cover for rain and sun at the entry and exit gates may be provided. Required furniture should be provided to the guard, taking into account the comfort aspects.

(g) Parking Area, either in the basement or nearer the security area in open space, with an area based on the need can be designed.

(h) Garden Landscaping with plants and lawns at suitable places outside the office adopting a water-conservation the policy may be provided to enhance the ambience.

(i) Furniture Special types of furniture for different buildings to meet the requirement of different procedures and purposes adopting the latest technology and developments can be provided. For example, different types of furniture for hospitals or restaurants or banks can be thought of. Colours of furniture can be chosen to match that of curtains and carpets.

 

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SOURCE: Basic Civil Engineering

Fourth Edition

MS. Palanichamy

Vice-Chairman

Tamil Nadu State Council for Technical Education Chennai, Tamil Nadu