Author: Duhita Mahanta

Wikipedia describes interior design as “the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. And an interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages such enhancement projects.” He/she is a professional who plans and offers design solutions for both residential and commercial spaces.

Interior Design is the field that helps to make the space of a building achieve a much healthier and aesthetically pleasing environment. When we think about hiring an interior designer to design our space, the first thing that usually comes to our mind is how much money he or she will charge. Wanting to get your space designed by a professional is something we all want to do, but people have very little to no knowledge on what basis a designer charges their fee.

If you think interior design is only about picking the right kind of furniture or a shade of color for your wall, then you are in for a surprise. The role an interior designer plays in changing the overall environment of space is huge. After the drawings are finalized, it is the duty of a designer to make renderings for the particular space so that the client can visualize the space before it’s made. An interior designer also has the job of managing electricians, plumbers, painters, contractors, and more. It is also their duty to purchase and arrange all the products that will be used or installed in the space designed by them.

Interior design is also about the type and way of how to use different materials in an indoor environment. Materials are the main factor behind any design project and play a huge role in built spaces. Interior designers have always been trying to incorporate new materials and also bring up a large number of ways in which those materials can be used. Nowadays, materials are not only used as a show item, various other factors such as strength, sustainability, and eco-friendliness also come into question when any new material is introduced. There are so many new materials for interior design that are currently being used in the market today. Let us learn about them in detail.

New materials for Interior Design

Mycelium

Mycelium is one of the most fascinating and beautiful new materials for interior design.  It is made from an organic and fibrous material made from fungi that provides strength, fireproofing, and even mold resistance to buildings. It is a regenerative material that digests itself and grows around the waste it produces. It is mostly used as an alternative to polystyrene. Mycelium is used as composite boards also known as Myco boards, which act as a substitute for MDF. The production of mycelium does not emit any toxic waste which makes it eco-friendly.

Straw Marquetry

Straw marquetry is nothing but replacing wood veneer with straw. It is mostly used as a furniture material but is also used for wall paneling. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures and is considered to be eco-friendly. Even though straw marquetry is considered to be a luxury finish, its raw material is natural and also, sustainable

Concrete

Concrete is basically the most widely used architectural material in the world today. It is mainly used in the making of structures but is now gaining popularity in the interior sector as well. As concrete is a versatile material, it can be used for basically everything, from flooring to adding texture on surfaces, paneling, etc. It also has low construction costs and very easy workability. The raw and robust look that concrete provides is widely liked in the present times. Concrete also has high durability and strength along with excellent fire-resistant properties.

Clay

Clay is a versatile and durable material which is been used for generations. As an interior design material, it was mostly used as tiling at the start. But now, Clay is being used everywhere from murals to plain partition walls, terracotta décor, and whatnot. Clay pottery, utensils, and other artifacts made from clay are also being used heavily in the market today.

Galvanized Steel

Steel is a flexible and malleable metal, which is being used in a variety of ways for interior design and also, furniture design. Steel allows spaces to achieve a contemporary look, as it can be molded into various designs, coatings, and surface finishes. Galvanized steel in comparison to normal steel offers more flexibility and sustainability. It can be used in a variety of things including stamping, paneling, and other interesting patterns.

Recycled materials

As more and more interior designers are taking up a green approach in their design techniques, recycled materials have been in quite the trend for interior design décor. Be it using old bottles for decorative pieces, making benches out of paper Mache, or using PET bottles as insulators, the world is moving towards making a more sustainable habitat for us to live in. Using recycled materials is the new woke way of using up all the waste that has been collecting on the earth’s surface for generations. Architects, designers, furniture makers, everyone is here for this new wave of construction and support it completely as it is one of the most unique ways to fight waste accumulation.

 

Wikipedia describes interior design as “the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. And an interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages such enhancement projects.” He/she is a professional who plans and offers design solutions for residential and commercial spaces.

Interior design is the field that helps to make the space of a building achieve a much healthier and aesthetically pleasing environment. When we think about hiring an interior designer to design our space, the first thing that usually comes to our mind is how much money he or she will charge. Wanting to get your space designed by a professional is something we all want to do, but people have very little to no knowledge on what basis a designer charges their fee.

What do interior designers charge?

In today’s day and age where we can find any information with the click of a button, we might think that figuring out what interior designers charge or how an interior designer comes up with their design cost/fee is easy. But this fee is calculated and decided taking several factors into account. Generally, an interior designer will charge around 2000$ to 5000$ excluding furniture bills which get calculated separately. There are other designers that run their business online and their costs range from 75$ to 1600$ this kind of designer does not allow bargaining of any sort, their prices are usually flat.

After the pandemic, we have witnessed the world go into more of an online environment and that has affected the area of interior design as well. People prefer to hire a designer online rather than go out to meet them in their offices. Meetings taking place online are also quick and easy as it saves time and energy for both the designer and the client. Even the work schedules can be adjusted accordingly when the work is done in an online mode. Now that we have a brief idea about what interior designers charge, let us understand what an interior designer actually does.

If you think interior design is only about picking the right kind of furniture or a shade of color for your wall, you are in for a surprise. The role an interior designer plays in changing the overall environment of space is huge. After the drawings are finalized, it is the duty of a designer to make renderings for the particular space so that the client can visualize the space before it’s made. An interior designer also has the job of managing electricians, plumbers, painters, contractors, and more. It is also their duty to purchase and arrange all the products that will be used or installed in the space designed by them.

How do you become an interior designer?

Getting a degree

The first and the most traditional way to become an interior designer is by getting yourself a bachelor’s degree at a university or a college. By going through this path, one can gather the basic skill set required to become an interior designer. However, if one isn’t fully sure that interior design is the exact career path one wants to pursue, or one has the notion that a bachelor’s degree will take up a lot of time, an associate’s degree is the best way to learn the fundamentals.  An associate degree is also perfect for a creative person, mainly somebody who is already passionate about interior design or design in general. After getting the associate degree, one could decide to start working directly in the professional world, or could also continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree. 

Getting a license

Not all states require licensed interior designers, but one has to make sure that they are licensed as some states ban or prohibit unlicensed designers from doing any kind of work. There are also some other states that allow unlicensed designers to work, but they cannot use the title “interior designer” in their job description. To get the license, one must pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, which one can appear if they possess a bachelor’s degree. This exam is approved by the state and requires a combination of education and experience of a minimum of 2 years to qualify.

Work on your portfolio

If an interior designer wants to look attractive to clients, the best way to do that is to build a strong portfolio. The portfolio must showcase all the skills and design ideas that one possesses. This helps in showcasing your work and presenting you as an organized professional. One can display their portfolios online, or one could also create a flipbook as clients love to flip through pages of books while in a design studio/office.

Volunteer work

Yes, you read that right, work for free. Without experience, one doesn’t simply get hired. Therefore, one has to work for free for some time so that they can gather experience, learn about the craft, and develop their skills for when paying jobs do come their way. Hence, don’t hesitate to offer your volunteering services to family members, friends, nonprofit organizations, etc.

Finding a job

After you are done with all the four steps mentioned above, it will be time for you to take up a job in a design firm or company. One can also skip the whole job searching option and directly start working for yourself.

Conclusion

People think that interior design is all about painting walls and arranging furniture. On the contrary, interior design is actually an art form. Many people think that art is only those things that can be displayed on paper or a canvas, but people do not know that even a room can be converted into art with imagination and creativity. Interior Designers or designers, in general, must be considered artists as much as a painter or sculptors as it takes the same amount of effort to think and design spaces.

Assam-type houses are the most common type of houses found in the northeastern states of India. These are multifamily houses, that are mostly single-dwelling units. After the massive earthquake that hit Assam in 1897, the colonial British administration developed a type of house design known as the Assam Type House.

Before the earthquake, all the houses that were made by the British were of the common type, i.e., with thick walls, but the earthquake destroyed most of those buildings which made the British think and develop a type of housing that was made specifically for earthquake-prone areas. Things that are required for a good earthquake-resistant building include good configuration, lightweight materials, etc. which form the basis of an Assam Type House. However, the houses are quite vulnerable to fire because of all the wooden elements present in the design.

Assam-type house design

Assam Type House construction has been in practice for more than 200 years. These houses are found in both rural and urban areas, more in the former than the latter. The Assam-type house design plan incorporates a living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and verandah. Some may also feature long corridors and connecting rooms. These houses are mostly single-storied but two-story houses are also found in some places. They are made mostly by using bamboo or wood-based materials. The plinths of the houses are raised from the ground to avoid reptiles and the marshy land, and water. The posts and roof trusses are made of sal wood, and the walls and roof are made from a weed that grows in the river plains and nearby lakes shores called Ikra. People who can afford more expensive materials choose to use a metal sheet for roofing rather than ikra. 

When we talk about the Assam-type house design, there are many aspects that are to be considered while planning such types of houses. Let us learn about a few of those aspects.

Location

Assam-type houses are found in flat, sloped, or hilly terrains. These houses are usually made in areas that are at a height from the existing road. As roads in hilly areas are mostly on the ridgelines, Assam-type houses rise along the road from which it is accessible. These types of houses do not share any common walls with the other houses nearby, they are planned as a standalone unit. The minimum distance of an Assam-type house from its neighboring house is roughly around 10 to 15 meters.

Shape

Assam-type houses built on flatlands usually have a rectangular plan. For single or two-family houses, the plan is just a rectangular block, and for multifamily houses, the plan is L or C shaped.  Assam-type houses built on a slope also have rectangular plans, the longer side running along the slope. The entrance is from the hillside, with a full-length verandah facing the valley. The roofs of such houses are pitched with a high gable, in both hilly and flat areas, due to the heavy rainfall that occurs in the northeastern part of India.

Configuration

Assam-type houses are not only used as residential units but are also used in the commercial sector. These types of houses are adopted in the making of offices, institutions, and other such commercial buildings as well. The functional requirements are a huge impact on the shaping and changing of an Assam-type house. If the house has to operate as a government building, it is made into 2 stories with large openings. Similarly, if the house has to operate as a school, the windows, roof, doors, etc. will be built completely differently. Escape routes are also a very important aspect of Assam-type house plans. There is always a back door entry or escape route located in the rear end of such houses. Typically, such houses do not have elevators or any kind of fire-protected exit staircases.

Conclusion

The main factor of Assam-type houses is the fact that even though they are made mostly of locally available materials and indigenous engineering, these houses have withstood the test of time and many natural disasters mostly earthquakes. Instead of considering such houses to be outdated, the new-age architects, planners, and designers must develop new housing schemes and technologies and merge them with the Assam-type housing pattern, so as to develop an eco-friendly and sustainable housing solution for the new world.

White Bathroom Interior Design

The bathroom is the space in a house used for all personal hygiene activities. It is the area in a residential space that contains a shower or a bathtub. Washbasins are also generally found inside a bathroom. In most parts of the world, toilets are also included inside a bathroom. Bathrooms might not be considered as the most important space in a household but it is a space that people cannot do without. Bathrooms have to be functional, efficient, free of unnecessary clutter, and must also look good. Keeping your bathroom clean and hygienic is one thing, but making sure your bathroom looks stylish is also a requirement in the current scenario.

When planning a bathroom, there are various requirements that we need to consider. The first thing one must consider is the type of bathroom he or she wants. Types of bathrooms include a 3-fixture bathroom, a utility bathroom, and a compartment bathroom. 3 fixture bathrooms are the one that includes a sink, a toilet, and a plus one other fixture. A utility bathroom is one where one can do laundry and mostly contains laundry equipment along with the basic bathroom fixtures. A compartment bathroom is one where the bath area is located in a compartment with a separate door, and the toilet and basin are located in another compartment.

While designing a bathroom, an architect has to make sure that all the bathroom fixtures and fittings are fixed at the right location and height so that the whole space doesn’t look cramped. A well-designed bathroom must have a spacious look and all the equipment must be easily accessible. Nowadays, many people prefer to spend time in their bathrooms to relax and chill as it is the most private space located in a house. Hence, a bathroom must be very carefully designed keeping into account the client’s view and ideas. If you are looking for design ideas for your bathroom, you have come to the right location. Get beautiful ideas and design inspiration from some of the best bathroom layouts and renders that we have on our site.

Landscaping is not gardening. Landscaping is designing everything that is under the sky and outside the built structures. It is the bridge that connects the outdoor and the indoor spaces and does justice to the concept of the design. Even a well-designed building loses its value if landscaping is neglected. The value of landscape architecture can be understood when the comparison is done between a well-landscaped site and a site that neglected the same. It is the evergreen landscaping that makes the design blend with the surroundings and the building. Landscaping is not just planting trees or introducing water bodies, it is beyond that. It requires observation and design skills as well as knowledge of both science and art. One must understand the elements of nature and human construction before designing the landscape.

Elements of Landscape Architecture

These elements form the foundation of landscape architecture. Landscaping should be done taking these elements into consideration.

Natural elements

Water bodies, terrain, climate, and landforms are taken into consideration before jumping into the drafting desk. Proper analyses of these elements are a must or else the landscape might not be a blessing to the design.

Living elements

Flora and fauna can be used while designing the evergreen landscape of the site. Requirements and availability of flora and fauna are studied before designing.

Man-made elements

Buildings, boundary wall, fences or other things that are constructed or installed in the site by human comes into manmade elements. Positioning of these structures should be taken into consideration like designing the landscape.

Principles of Landscape Architecture

Not just elements, there are some principles that influence designers to create more interesting, pleasing, and comfortable spaces. These principles are the guidelines that are used by landscape architects in order to grab the viewers’ attention.

Unity

The landscape of a site might have different parts but all the parts must have continuity to it. All the parts must symbolize unity and express their purpose in a single harmonious composition. The composition of the building and landscape should be on the same page. They should not tell a separate tale but a tale that unifies both of them together.

Proportion

The blend of various shapes and objects laid in the landscaping must be proportionate enough so that the visual effect creates a relationship among the objects. The harmonious proportion of the object gives a pleasing experience to the viewer’s eyes. This proportion in landscaping is a must.

Balance

The distribution of visual weight in such a way that visual forces achieve a state of equilibrium is balance. It can be achieved symmetrically or asymmetrically.  Even radial balance can also be achieved if arrangements of elements are done around a center point.  Symmetrical balance is about the identical arrangement of elements about an imaginary common axis. Both the sides are like the mirror image of each other. It is more formal and strict. Asymmetrical balance is about achieving a sense of visual balance with two dissimilar sides about the imaginary common axis.

Emphasis

It is the idea of creating a center of attraction in the landscaping in order to draw the viewer’s attention.  Any object or an area can be the emphasis in landscaping. It is the focal point in the design that kind of creates a lasting impression in the viewer’s mind.

One can by heart the elements, and principles and take a degree in landscaping and still couldn’t design interesting outdoor spaces. Designing is not something that could be taught to someone. It comes with constant observation, practice, and imagination. What one wants to create he/she must try to visualize it in his/her thoughts and work accordingly. Landscaping is an important part of designing without which a site is blank and undoubtedly boring. 

Evergreen landscaping

Evergreen landscaping

The first space or room that we see when we enter a residential house or apartment is the living room. Living Spaces in a house or residence can be described as the spaces that are used for the common or social activities of the occupants. This is the space that visitors mostly see directly and the area acts as a showplace for the entire house. The design of the living room sets the theme of the entire house since social gatherings, parties, and conversations happen here.

When we talk about living rooms, the first thing that comes to our mind is the sitting space. Sofas are the most common piece of furniture in a living room. It is that element of a living room that can give the entire room a sense of style. Yet, people do not take the time to think before investing in a sofa. Yes, comfort and versatility are important, but so are the style and design. A sofa must not only act as a piece of furniture but should also add to the décor of the entire space.

When we talk about sofas, the color of the sofa helps to define the theme of the entire living space. Opting for bold colors is a trendy way to add style to any space. Blue is a color that goes with, well, everything. Blue sofas are becoming very popular nowadays as they are versatile and they complement any style that one wants in a living room. The blue sofa is not a classic but it is unique and has the ability to attract anybody’s eye. It helps to bring personality and creativity to a space. It can be used in a variety of ways such as to add a pop of color, to give a luxurious feel to a space, to create a cozy ambiance, etc. Here are a few ways to create some fun living room decor with a blue sofa:

Living Room Decor with Blue Sofa

Make it cozy

Blue is one such color that even though is dark and gloomy can transform a dull space into cozy and comfortable. Darker hues in a living room help in setting up a great environment. Dark blue paired with white woodwork, with bright orange decor and accessories, looks like a dream if worked with correctly.

Fusion with lighter colors

The color blue might look dull and boring but using blue with colors like white, beige, or even cream gives the entire room a magical look. Royal blue paired with white helps give a room a fresh feeling. This type of combination helps give a space an easy and relaxing vibe.

Mixing with a variety of colors

The color blue is one of the most versatile colors. It is one color that can be used with a variety of different colors without making the décor look cheap or unsophisticated. Blue, anyway, is an emotionally strong color, and once it gets paired with other colors such as grey, gold, or even pink, it can create a very quirky and aesthetically pleasing space.

Gold is the way to go

To achieve a royal and aristocratic look, the combination of blue and gold is a must. As we all know, blue is a calm color, and when that calm color is used with gold accessories, it gives a very lavish feel. To give a living room some sort of glamorous feel that can adapt well to different styles from industrial to country, blue and gold are the way to go.

Magic of blue textures

Blue and white textures in the living room help give the space a fresh vibe. Although, sometimes it may also look clinical, incorporating other things such as linen cushions and wooden accessories helps give the entire space a rustic look.

Work from home

We all know that blue is a timeless color. It never goes out of style and has a very calming effect on everyone. It also helps create a relaxing environment thereby improving focus and productivity. Hence, blue is nowadays the most common choice for working spaces at home as work from home has become the survival strategy.

These were some of the ideas to create a fun living room decor with a blue sofa.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shade of blue depends on the person, whether one wants a saturated blue or a soft blue of a playful blue. Selecting the type of blue would help define the theme of the space. The color blue reacts extremely well with natural light and hence it has a very welcoming and relaxing effect on people. Therefore, blue is an excellent color choice for living rooms.