To begin this journey, first an attempt must be made to answer the question, ‘What is Interior Design?’; The National Council for Interior Design Qualification offers up the following definition: ‘Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive’. Comparing this to the definitions provided by The Free Dictionary for an interior decorator: ‘also called interior designer a person whose profession is the planning of the decoration and furnishings of the interior of houses, shops, etc.’ and ‘a person whose profession is the painting and wallpapering of houses’

Well it is understandable, based on the two definitions above, why there are two camps. One camp holds that the interior designer is held to a higher standard and has significantly more training and design responsibilities than the interior decorator, and then there are those that bunch them all together as one and the same. There are those that look at the interior designer as a version of an architect and those that look at them as being a house painter. No wonder there is confusion amongst the ranks.

In an attempt to answer the question, ‘Is there a difference or not?’, a Google search was performed for ‘Interior Decorator Degree’ and the response overwhelmingly returned results for ‘Interior Designer’; and not the keyword as searched. One can reasonably conclude that since one can get a degree in interior design, but not as an interior decorator, that there is a difference.

Read the rest of this entry »

Going green is becoming more and more popular all over the world, from Belgium to New Zealand, from Japan to the United States. Most people simply view this as supporting recycling and environmentally friendly items, but they do not understand even half of what this growing movement is all about. Odds are they have not heard about green interior design, and if they have, then they usually do not understand what it entails. Fortunately, the information is gradually spreading throughout the world. More and more people are becoming educated about what green interior design and other aspects of the environmental movement are.

So, what exactly is green interior design?

Green interior design is a way of designing and making your home, workplace, or other areas more comfortable and healthier to work, live, play, and study in. After all, we do spend 90% of our time indoors. Therefore, it is highly important that these areas are healthy and comfortable for us. Green interior design does this by using reusable materials, promoting energy conservation, improving the air quality, conserving all of our natural resources, and minimizing waste via environmentally responsible design and construction techniques.

Read the rest of this entry »

Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese philosophy of bringing balance and harmony into your environment is over 3,000 years old and its origins are shrouded in the mystery of time. It is both an art form and a natural science that is based on the belief that the land we live on is a living body filled with the energy of life, or Chi. It utilizes the natural elements that surround us as part of our daily lives, and the words Feng and Shui are literal translations of the Chinese for Wind and Water, but the philosophy also encompasses other elements including Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal.

Devotees of Feng Shui believe that it is associated with luck, good Feng Shui (FS) bringing about good luck, and bad FS bringing bad luck. But what do we mean by good and bad FS?

By aligning certain things within your environment in a friendly Feng Shui way, you can encourage the natural life forces (Chi) around you, to fashion a calm and peaceful atmosphere in which good luck and good fortune will thrive. But by the same token, ignoring or contradicting good FS doctrine and practice will block these routes that nurture good luck, thereby allowing bad luck or poor misfortune to materialize.

Read the rest of this entry »

Using interior design services is just one of the methods that you have to create your own perfect décor in your house. However, the downside of using professionals is the fact that they are very expensive. They also won’t know how to decorate your house exactly as you want it, and the best way to ensure that your house comes out just the way you want it is to do the decorating yourself.

Doing your own interior décor can not only save you money, but it can be a great way to exercise your creative talent. You can have a lot of fun decorating your house creatively, and you can easily create your own perfect interior design exactly how you want it. Here are some tips to help you as you take a look at your house to evaluate your interior design:

• The best way to give your house a face lift is to get rid of all of the junk that is unnecessary. Many people fill their houses with a good deal of junk that simply makes things look messy, but getting rid of the least important items can help you to give your house a new look. Cleaning it is another great way to give it a face lift. Dusting the mantelpiece and decorations, washing those throw rugs and place mats, and doing a number of little cleanup jobs around your house can be the best way to make your house look new.

Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever walked into someone’s home and noticed that it had a unique look to it? And by unique, it is not meant that the look was slightly different from what you are used to seeing. Rather, it means you walk into the home and notice that the interior embodies a look that totally catches you off guard in a good way. The look can range from a futuristic metropolitan one, a completely original art deco appearance, a retro look that twists the common cliche of a retro look, or a new and innovative design that greatly departs from traditional looks.

And this ‘great departure’ still maintains a positive aesthetic look. Being different for no purpose other than to just be different will not make an interior look aesthetically pleasing. A solid professional designer will, however, craft an innovative design that makes an interior look so brilliantly different that even the highly “hip and modern” would appreciate it.

What is it that the masters of interior design understand that the novices cannot pick up on? The answer to this is not a uniform one. Different interior designers will have equally different insights into what makes an excellent interior design concept. However, if there was one thing that most ‘with it’ professional interior designers realize is that a modern, neo-experimental design can work tremendously well.

Read the rest of this entry »

For anyone interested in giving their home or a room within their home a face lift, there are a number of useful options that are available. For instance there is the option of hiring a professional to handle the whole job on your behalf. Alternatively you might prefer to take on the task yourself and opt for the do-it-yourself approach. It is important to bear in mind that when it comes to interior design and choosing to do the job yourself there are a few problems that you need to consider, not least of which is the financial cost involved. Suitably trained and qualified interior designers understand the costs but they are also aware of various tips and tricks of the trade which makes it possible for them to keep expenses down while at the same time rendering a quality service that is complete with both creativity and talent.

A professional interior designer is well aware of the best places at which to find the most suitable furniture, window treatments, and even artwork, etc. so as to be able to best compliment your home or room. They are also able to source the most appropriate accessories which would include plants, flooring, and whatever else is deemed to be both necessary and appropriate.

By choosing to hire an interior designer you will be able to relax in the knowledge that they can access the most up to date and current software that is available so that they are able to plan virtual designs and layouts of your home before they even begin, allowing you to offer your input on what the final result will look like. However if you are determined to handle the process yourself you can rest assured that there are resources that are available to you. The Internet is a great place to start as there is plenty of relevant information on interior design, including modern interior design available. There is also the option of visiting your local library where you will be sure to find numerous books on the subject and from these you will also be able to garner some ideas as well as tips and advice so that you can redo your home or room with minimal difficulty.

Read the rest of this entry »

Owning your own home is a fantastic feeling, and opens up a huge array of choices and decisions for the interior design. There are many different design ideas that you may want to consider. Although you may have had a specific taste in the past, there is nothing stopping you being brave and deciding on an entirely different one. Decorating should be fun, and you can give your home a new look very easily.

If you have a large budget, you will be able to consider modern interior design ideas for every area and room. However, many people can only afford to fully decorate certain rooms in the house. You may want to consider purchasing smaller pieces, or decorating with unique touches to enhance the area. Small bold statements can make all of the difference, when looking at modern interior styles.

Modern interior design is often clean and uncomplicated concepts, making them perfect to add a touch of sophistication to every home. If you like the concept of modern interior design, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have it in your home. If you are more cautious, it can be added subtly with different colors and textures. You will be amazed that changing one wall color can make your whole room look so different.

Read the rest of this entry »

As most homeowners are aware the kitchen is very often the most popular room in the home. A home is certainly going to enjoy a higher financial value if the kitchen is aesthetically pleasing, functional, practical, and of a good size. This is partly why so many people choose to invest in kitchen interior design. We live in a fast-paced world and the kitchen is often the room where the family is able to get together over breakfast and dinner therefore you want a kitchen that is functional. Your kitchen needs to be inviting for those occasions when you entertain and all of this plays a vital role in the type of interior design concept you ultimately choose for your kitchen.

Should you do it yourself or hire an interior designer?

Due to the fact that most people have to work within a budget they very often choose to handle the whole process themselves and forgo hiring a professional interior designer. You will find that there is a lot of information available at your local library or on the Internet that will help you to come up with ideas and give you step-by-step instructions so that you can take on the undertaking yourself. However if your budget permits it is always more advisable to hire a professional interior designer who will know where to find the best deals, is familiar with all the tricks and tips of the trade, and knows what must done from start to finish.

Read the rest of this entry »

Every element of a restaurant needs to be perfect, from the food to the interior design. Many people do not realize that how the interior of the restaurant looks can influence the overall experience of the diners.  From the moment, they enter the restaurant all of their senses are influenced by the different factors surrounding them.

Good food is essential to make any restaurant a success; however, the decor is equally as important.  First impressions count in the restaurant business, and getting the restaurant interior design perfect is essential.  Deciding the atmosphere that is wanted for the restaurant is important. Every different style of food will need a different ambience and interior design.

Making diners feel comfortable and welcomed is essential and this can be done with color, lighting and furniture. All of these elements put together can create the perfect restaurant and ensure that customers feel relaxed and happy before and during their meal.  The ambience that is created can make a huge difference to the experience that the diners have.

Read the rest of this entry »

What would life be without the colors of the rainbow? From red to yellow and from blue to purple, the number of colors to choose from in the world of interior design are almost unlimited. Yet it’s a crucial decision that make or break and entire room. So when planning the interior design of a particular room, it’s crucial to choose the most effective color scheme possible.

When creating a color scheme for a particular room, you should think like a professional architectural designer and consider both the form and function of the colors that you’ll ultimately choose. First, there’s the issue of the colors’ aesthetic value-how well do the colors look together in the room? Secondly, there’s the issue of style-how do the colors work to create the overall design of the room?

OK, so since there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ colors to choose for a particular room, which issues should you consider when selecting them? Although it might sound like a case of stating the obvious, you should certainly consider if the people using the room after any personal preferences. For instance, if the room will be a particular person’s bedroom or office, then you should certainly take into account which colors he or she prefers. Who wants to walk into a room daily that’s plastered with his or her least favorite colors, right?

Read the rest of this entry »

Interior design comes in many different forms, and although there are a number of guidelines the actual design can be very different. When people are looking at the best way to design their office space there are several things that need to be considered. Office interior design ideas can be anything from traditional and classic to extremely sleek and modern.

The office space that you use is very important, and just like your home the way it looks and feels has to be perfect. The office needs to be what you like in terms of design, colors and style. However, it has also got to be appealing to other employees and customers that will enter the office.

If the office space is at home you need to consider the overall look and feel of the space. More people are choosing to work from home, but do not want the office to take over the area. This can be difficult, but with the right amount of research it is possible.

Read the rest of this entry »