Bringing your dream home to reality is not an easy job. We usually end up having to settle for those envisioned by other architects. Creating a personalized home with an identity and steering away from houses that lack the taste of uniqueness and authenticity is where interior designer talents come in handy. A good designer must not only research, plan, coordinate, and manage projects but also conduct an in-depth analysis and observation of each body and mind.
The quality of the environment indoors is quite crucial for our wellbeing considering we spend most of our time inside. Therefore, our surroundings must be comfortable, safe, and healthy so that it doesn’t negatively impact our physical and mental health.
Interior design doesn’t have general standards applied to all, and that’s the beauty of it, custom-tailored design needs are the essence of it all. With a little planning, and by following the same steps used by professional interior designers, you’ll have a much greater chance of success. Here are some aspects as broad headlines to be considered when designing a space.
Layout Planning is the most important part of the interior design process as it is mainly concerned with the distribution of the space and circulation. This technical step is usually done by interior designers to define the purpose of each space leading to a functional plan. Considering each human distinctive characteristics, a list of requirements assist in designing custom layout. Layout planning lets you map the complete floor plan, which helps you estimate the space available for furniture and accessories in advance.
Choice of Materials Used is where it gets interesting. Materials, their texture, colors, patterns and their available ranges work like a charms. Actually, there is no better way to incorporate your personality into your house. Choice of tiling, carpeting, accent walls, shades, ceiling etc. will help in linking the place to you. Materials used should be durable, comfortable, safe and of high quality. Find the balance between using different natural materials and implementing them in unusual areas where you’ve never thought you can use them. This will give you that unique look and feel you’ve been searching for. Choice of material color and pattern helps accentuating character whether your bold, calm, serious, active, artsy etc.
Lighting is as important as every other element of the design; great lighting creates depth and height, cozy spots, and draws attention to your most impressive areas. Just like a professional designer, you’ll need to consider both the daylight and artificial light aspects of the process. Natural light delivers visual benefits to a space making it look slightly larger. It also has some positive impact on your physical health as it helps increase serotonin – the happy hormone - in the body. Artificial lights create an atmosphere that would not be achievable by daylight alone. Artfully combining downlights, uprights, wall lights, floor lights, hidden lights, feature lights, pendants, and lamps not only illuminate the space but also creates visual stimulation that accentuate specific feature of the space.
Furniture and Accessories are the next step once you’re finished with dressing the walls, flooring, and ceiling. Matching the scale of furniture with the scale of a room is critical, start basic and simple with a measuring tape and a notepad. You might as well measure windows so you’re set with the dimensions of their coverings. Women of style have always known what a potent tool an accessory can be in clothing, the same concept is applied for homes. Think of sculptures, throw pillows, carpets, ceramic vessels, tropical leaves, florals, oversized paintings, tables, mirrors etc.
Ventilation can be either done naturally or mechanically. When providing acceptable indoor environmental quality while maintaining healthy, comfortable, and productive indoor climate we not only getting rid of intolerable odors but also invite favorable ones in. Historical buildings were all naturally ventilated and with increased awareness of the cost and environmental impacts natural ventilation is preferred. It can easily be done by entering the fresh air from one side of the house allowing the new air to force stale warm air outside the opposite side of the house, this is wind-based ventilation also known as cross ventilation. Though some aspects need to be considered when opting natural ventilation such as wind direction, building orientation, size location and functionality of windows, and external components, these can be setup by the help of a professional, if deemed fitting the space.
Creating your own ambiance can be easily achieved when tweaking these aspects to your preference and liking, Whatever the look and feel of the place you desire might be. Dare to dream, break the rules and be yourself.
About the Authour: After 10 + years in corporate life, Hanan Marwan started her interior design career as a novice freelancer. Her talent in creating art out of thin air soon became in high demand. Amazed by the human’s disposition and individuality, she decided to dive deeper into the matter expanding her knowledge in personalities’ observation. Studying life coaching has taught her to humbly welcome each individual with their complexity and celebrate who they are through design. She applies coaching principles with utter agility to help clients find home.
She studied interior design at Career Gates, MSA School for Training and Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Hanan also completed her life coach studies at LCE – Life Coaching Excellence – Egypt.
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