We were delightfully surprised to see vintage aesthetics making updated comebacks along with new interior design trends taking shape. To discover our favorite takes on notable interior design trends 2021, read on to find out what interior designers had to say on what’s in and what’s out for 2021 and beyond.

MAXIMALISM
By now, we’ve all had just about enough of the limitations that come with the heavily trending design style minimalism over the past decade. Call it a refusal to the challenging plainness it brings to a home or an acceptance of the more exuberant furnishings and accessories that have been popular of late, as it was only a matter of time before we saw a major shift in the complete opposite direction. And with more and more clients continuing to follow suit, it makes all the more sense when looking to create a rich and unique space.
When looking to bring in transitional and eclectic design styles into your home, a maximal spirit will afford you so much more freedom when considering interesting decorative objects that anything but standard and streamlined in appeal. With maximalism, you’ll have much more freedom to follow your instinct which in turn, will make the design process so much easier. The key to getting warm maximalism right is to keep a well-judged edit and visual consistency so your efforts don’t appear as heavy-handed or over stimulating. Instead, stick to no more than three contrasting colors, patterns, and finishes for a more timeless take on maximalism that won’t feel dated or tiring anytime soon.
maximalism

SLEEK CONTEMPORARY FIREPLACES
With clients also continuing to ask for thoroughly modern updates to their fireplaces, our interior designers often find themselves suggesting elevated ribbon and strikingly minimal fireplaces that leave a subtle design note in their homes. A contemporary fireplace will always appear timeless while adding defining value to your property.
And with new innovations, come easier to care for and use fireplaces that also take up less visual space while being designed to completely blend in.

SLEEK CONTEMPORARY FIREPLACES


TIN INTERIORS
While we haven’t seen stamped tin panels in vogue for decades and as they tend to evoke a vintage-inspired feel, tin panels are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add brilliant texture in any room in your home.
And while a tin ceiling always looks ultra-glamorous, tin panels also make for seriously chic back splash ideas. Best of all, you can easily find affordable pre cut tin panels at a local hardware store or online that you can install yourself without effecting the condition of the walls behind too drastically.

TIN INTERIORS


PAINTED FLOOR TILES
Of all of the easiest top home trends to implement, painted floors make sense as painting your floor is one of the affordable home upgrades that’ll have an instant impact in your home. And painting your floors is a great idea for quickly transforming out of date linoleum.

PAINTED FLOOR TILES

ONE-OF-A-KIND CONSOLE TABLES
Along with the return of heady maximal design, if your living room design isn’t outfitted with a unique statement-making piece of furniture to start conversations, then update it with an avant-garde console table.That said, if your living room decor budget doesn’t call for a major design splurge, then be on the lookout for more affordable console tables that boast clean, sharp lines in unexpected colors to help evoke the abstract into the everyday.

ONE OF A KIND CONSOLE TABLES

 

CUT OUT THE COUCH
When it comes to the evolution of interior design, a lot has changed when it comes to more rigid, formal design practices. As now there are no set design traditions to follow. And instead of having a standard couch in your living room like everyone else does, why not be a bit more daring and different? Skip a classic couch and go for something more unusual, like bench seating, a mix of plus chairs facing one another, or a chaise or a settee.
A stylish settee will add a distinctively sophisticated air to your living room design, while a group of comfortable chairs set in a grouping will help your living room interior design feel more inviting and intimate. Have your chairs centered around a table to bring everything together, while a bench like the one pictured above is perfect for relaxing after a hard day.
CUT OUT THE COUCH

WALL LAMPS AND SCONCES
When it comes to modern lighting trends for your home, our interior designers often suggest new cover table sconce styles that take the less tabletop space. The best takes on modern wall lamps and sconces feature sleek matte finishes and over sized swing arms. They often also boast an Art Deco-inspired silhouette, making them timeless and handsome to boot. Far from old-fashioned, the new updates to wall lamps and sconces we’ve seen will make for a smart extra for a smartly realized living room design, giving a traditional, yet uniquely modern spirit to your living room interior lighting.

WALL LAMPS AND SCONCES

THE RETURN OF BLACK
You can never go wrong with black, so they say. And as the interior design trends 2021 are being revealed, our interior designers have come to a conclusion that black is now taking over the world of interior design. From black furniture, black prints, black walls, finishes, and fixtures, black is pretty much all over the place.
This year, black is used in multiple ways. For instance, you’ll find that one of the popular home design trends 2021 is having all black walls. This might seem a bit intimidating, but a black wall creates a powerful and elegant statement in home interior design. One of the most common misconceptions about using black for interior design is that it can make the room appear smaller. However, our interior design experts suggested pairing black with light colors since the contrast can help to further enhance the overall size and appearance of the space.

THE RETURN OF BLACK

BRING NATURE INDOORS
The interior design trends this year are taking a more environmentally-friendly approach. Thus, it’s not surprising to see a lot of warm and nature elements being combined with earthen luxury. As a matter of fact, natural elements are seen as the best interior design trends for 2021.
Materials that were obtained from nature or those that mimic the look of nature are addressing this need. These interior design trends are making our spaces look more authentic and unique. You can apply natural wood in your home interior design, along with different stone materials, such as pebbles, granite, marble, and those materials that resemble and complement with natural elements. That being said, our interior designers at Decor Aid are embracing the use of handcrafted and recycled furniture and fixtures for interior trends 2021.

BRING NATURE INDOORS

CURVES AND SMOOTH EDGES
One of the biggest changes taking place in interior design trends 2021 is the use of curves and smooth edges instead of the usual boxy edges and clean lines among furniture designs. From soft and puffy chairs to curved coffee tables, these interior design elements are all about comfort and elegance.
People are already tired of the use of square and rectangular furniture with straight lines and are now moving towards round shaped furniture and smooth fabrics. These shapes often resemble furnishings from previous decades, so it seems like the interior design trends of the 80’s and the 70’s are making a comeback this year as well. The use of curved furniture is also expected in commercial interior design trends 2021.

CURVES AND SMOOTH EDGES interiors
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REFRESHED CLASSICS
Thanks to unexpected colors that are more playful in spirit, decorative goods from celebrated heritage brands like Wedge wood and Lladro seem all the more cover table and collectible. Use them to add a sense of play and visual interest in any room as you can never go wrong with beautifully refreshed and updated classics.

REFRESH CLASSIC interiors

UNIQUE STATEMENT SEATING
Bring in striking conversational pieces with intriguing chairs that will be sure to boost the visual interest of a room while helping to better define it. Plus chairs are just large enough to really make a statement without being as visually heavy as say a table or a sofa. And even better is the fact that they are also easier to move from room to room.
UNIQUE STATEMENT SEATING

 

THREE-ARMED CEILING LAMP
These matte black lighting units have been trending as walls sconces over the past few years and they look all the more viable as overhead lights since you can move and direct light to different zones with ease to create a compelling and comforting lighting scheme.

THREE ARMED CEILING LAMP interiors

STATEMENT CEILING AND FLOOR
Statement ceilings and floors are made an entrance throughout interior design trends 2019. They can come in the form of bold colors and geometric patterns, which you can incorporate in the design of your ceilings or floors. But if you don’t feel like adding this eccentric interior design for your ceiling or floor, you can opt for a patterned floor and ceiling. This is also a great way to make a statement without going overboard with your interior design choices.

STATEMENT CEILING AND FLOOR

EARTHY COLORS
One of the most popular home design trends 2021 is the use of earthy colors. In previous years, gray tones were often all the rage in interior design. Also known as greige, this hue is a combination of gray and beige. This year, grey is still dominant but it’s often combined with softer pastels and earthy tones.
The interior trends 2021 are mainly about colors that appear in nature, such as soft greens and browns. Taupe, for instance, which was dubbed the Color of the Year for last year’s interior design trends, is now becoming a popular choice of color for interior design. Purple is also trending as an accent color, however, this color can be difficult to pull off since it has the tendency to dominate a space.

EARTHY COLORS

GREEN ACCENTS
Speaking of earthy colors, greenery accents and accessories remained a trend this year.  In fact, this was among the most noted interior design trend predictions 2021, as some interior design forecasters believe that last year’s green obsession is still going strong.
Decorating with textured plants and succulents is a great way to bring greenery to your home. And if you’re not a natural green thumb, opt for banana leaf accents. Pillow covers with banana leaf patterns are a great way to add texture to living room interiors. And if you want to be really bold, install banana leaf wallpaper to maximize the effect. This is a great way to bring a tropical vibe into your home interior design.

GREEN ACCENTS interiors

THE RETURN OF WALLPAPER
Forget about blank walls, because one of the best interior design trends for 2021 is the use of mesmerizing wallpapers. Installing wallpaper is a great way to add an interesting twist to your dull living spaces. This years wallpapers were more decorative and bold than ever before and this interior design trend is certain to replace the use of artwork and other art pieces for wall décor. Some of the most popular wallpaper designs for 2021 featured landscape scenery, abstract shapes, and colorful geometric patterns.
THE RETURN OF WALLPAPER

 

DARKER KITCHENS
Since the mid-80’s and on, most contemporary kitchens have been realized in white, from cabinets, counter tops, to kitchen islands. But as we saw at the interior trends 2021 design shows,  darker hues have been reconsidered for many kitchen options. Our interior designers at Decor Aid suggest adding natural hues in your kitchen design, such as incorporating wood tone kitchen cabinets.
If you want to go bold with your kitchen color, paint your cabinets in a bright blue hue or in unexpected shades of green. These bold colors will add more depth to your kitchen space, and why not – your kitchen is the center of your home and is where most entertaining usually takes place. These colors are also much easier to keep clean unlike white, which tends to show every blemish. Painting your kitchen with a brighter color is a great way to hide the flaws brought about by day to day use.

DARKER KITCHENS

PERSONALIZE THE SPACE
Our senior designers believe that the most game-changing interior design trends 2019 is in owning your space, which means personalizing your space by infusing your own character and personality throughout it. In fact, DIY interior design trends are now going mainstream and you’ll find numerous resources online that can help you do the work. By adding a personal touch to your space, you can leave a mark on your own home’s interior design, making it feel customized for your lifestyle.

PERSONALIZE THE SPACE interiors

THE BREAKFAST NOOK RETHOUGHT
For an ultra-cozy way to start your day, one of the best interior design trends for 2019 is the return of proper kitchen dining. As of late, kitchen counters were doing double duty serving as both an informal place for quick meals and a practical spot for preparing meals. However, we’ve noticed a shift in formal dining rooms making way for larger combinations of kitchens and great rooms as one open floor plan.
More common than ever, dining room furniture can now be seen arranged in kitchens, which means removing the counter and the center island to make way for these furnishings. With this kitchen interior design throwback, you can comfortably entertain guests at the dining table while you go on with your tasks in the kitchen area. It’s like combining the dining room and kitchen into one, which not only saves space but also makes preparing and serving food much easier.

THE BREAKFAST NOOK RETHOUGHT

Why Interior Design Mood Boards Are Necessary?
Every designer has struggled with communicating their ideas to a client at some point in their career. This is because designing is sometimes relative to personal preference, especially when it comes to interior design and architecture. This is why mood boards are important. An interior design mood board is a great way of presenting initial ideas to clients in order to get their input. This smoothens the road for further progress on the project. It also makes the client feel like they are an active part of the project and their ideas matter to the designer. Interior design mood boards are also a great way of gaining insight into the thought process behind designers decisions. It dispels the notion that designers choose everything on a whim. They are also a good way to keep personal preferences like the clients favourite colour from creeping into the overall design concept. So let’s look at what exactly is an interior design mood board and how it can help both clients and designers get a better perspective.

Making the decision to paint a room black is a big deal. That was unheard of years ago. The recent design trend has been to go dark on walls, cabinets, and furniture.

6 TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN PAINTING WALLS BLACK

Tip # 1 Black absorbs light, so you won’t get reflections from the walls bouncing the light around, so it’s important to choose your lighting carefully. Adding a chandelier, sconces and lamps with plenty of wattages will ensure you can see the room during the day, especially in rooms where you will spend a lot of time. For example, in a powder room, we have to hang recessed lights overhead and sconces on the walls which are controlled separately so we can have the room very light or very dim.
001 SHINE Luxury Apartment Interior Design Dnipro Ukraine Svoya Studio

Tip # 2 The dark hue should be carried throughout the room, meaning replacing all cover switches and outlets a dark coloured hue. We have to add a black outlet switch plate in a glossy finish to the wall. We can also paint the outlet covers and switch plates the same colour as the walls, and remember to paint the tip of the screws too!
01 Black Interior Design Inspiration yankodesign2

Tip # 3 Choose a sheen of eggshell or higher, matte will show every little scuff mark and leave a chalky residue on the walls. Eggshell is more durable and will retain the rich colour over time, a matte finish will fade quicker if exposed to sunlight.
black

Tip # 4 If you have high ceilings, choose a bright contrasting trim colour for added effect. Our ceilings are 10 ft high, so painting it a semi-gloss white gives a dramatic appearance. But if your ceilings are low, I would suggest painting trim the same colour as the wall, making the walls look taller.

Home Decor Ideas for A Dark And Luxurious Interior 1

Tip # 5 Use light finishes and linens to balance the room. Taking powder room as an example again we can add white hand towels and a white wire basket to hold tissue etc. to brighten the space. The countertop can also be white with slight grey veining. Using bright accents to add dimension and add interest to space, such as pink roses or other accents like pillows will brighten up a dark room.
PaintitBlack DarkInteriorandExteriorDesignIdeas BlackAccentWalls TheNordroom

Tip #6 If you’re apprehensive about painting a room black, start with a small space. Pick “safe” rooms to paint black, a gym and a powder room.
BELLA SEGRETO MATT BLACK 1 1024x683

Modern kitchen cabinets come in many different styles. In this post, we’ll explore several different ideas and tips that you can use to choose cabinets that complete your kitchen’s look.

Read on for all this and more.

Modern Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

White Kitchen Cabinets

White is one of the most versatile colours when it comes to interior design. It looks great in traditional, modern, or contemporary kitchens.

With white kitchen cabinets, you can use the colour in a number of ways. For one, you can use it as part of an overall strategy for making space feel larger. Pair your white kitchen cabinets with a white countertop to make even the smallest of spaces feel expansive.

You can also use white cabinets to create contrast, which is a staple of modern kitchen design. They look great alongside black quartz countertops and dark backsplashes, for example.

If you’re going for a modern look, be sure to avoid any unnecessarily ornate features on your white kitchen cabinets. Go for something sleek with stainless steel hardware - or even no hardware at all.

Grey Kitchen Cabinets

Grey kitchen cabinets can create a very subdued, sleek look in your kitchen. Just think of the colour scheme Apple uses for its retail stores: white mixed with matte grey and wood.

You can follow a similar theme, substituting the iMacs and laptops for stainless steel appliances, of course. To keep the look consistent, you can use a grey countertop

Black Kitchen Cabinets

Continuing our descent into darker hues, let’s talk about black kitchen cabinets. Matte black, in particular, is a consistent staple of modern kitchen design. If you have lots of natural light in your kitchen, you may find that matte black looks better since it doesn’t show smudges as easily as a glossy finish.

Regardless of what finish you choose, though, use darker hues carefully in your kitchen. If you have limited space, black can easily overpower other elements in your kitchen and make the area feel claustrophobic. Mix in some lighter colours on the walls, backsplash or floors to avoid this.

Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets of a single colour can look one dimensional at times. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that but if you want to add greater dimension to your kitchen, consider installing two-tone kitchen cabinets. Some of these cabinets achieve the two-tone look via a frosted glass pane at their centre while others use varying tones for the different sides of the cabinets.

As with all other modern kitchen cabinet ideas, be sure to keep things simple and sleek here. Don’t get too trendy with the tones. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a cabinet that’s more contemporary than modern.

Wood Kitchen Cabinets

People often mistakenly believe that wood kitchen cabinets only look good in traditional spaces. In reality, there are so many different variations of wood to choose from. Modern wood cabinets typically have a matte finish to them and lack any ornate features such as crown moulding. Also, look for wood cabinets with straight graining. Vertical grain lines will make the kitchen feel taller while horizontal lines made it feel wider and more relaxing.

Glass Kitchen Cabinets

Glass kitchen cabinets aren’t as common in modern spaces but they do have their place. If you want to maintain a sleek look in your kitchen, consider using frosted glass instead of entirely clear panes. Clear panes tend to expose what’s inside your cabinets and add to the visual clutter of your kitchen. Frosted glass kitchen cabinets, perhaps paired with creative lighting, will help you avoid this.

Kitchen Storage Cabinets: Maximizing Space

No matter what material you choose, you’ll need to maximize space with your kitchen storage cabinets. One of the most overlooked methods of doing this is to incorporate storage above your existing cabinet if there happens to be a gap between their top and the ceiling.

Use this storage space for pottery and ingredients you don’t need on a regular basis.

Another tip for maximizing space is to ensure you don’t neglect the cabinets on the floor. If you have substantial floor space, maximize it with large cabinets. If you have limited space, consider getting rid of non-essential appliances like dishwashers and putting a cabinet in their place.

Starting up a new office comes with lots of responsibility. One of the main tasks is to design the interiors of your workspace. And you can’t just arrange the furniture and choose a colour for your office interiors without thinking about employees’ productivity, your future clients and your brand.

You need to involve in extensive thought process for designing the interiors that actually make your office look like a modern workspace. You can have a sophisticated and up to date office even if you own small space.

Tip #1 Focus on Space Management:

Space management is should be given great importance when you have to create your entire office in a small space. Having all the data and requirements is essential for managing the space effectively. There can also be some challenges due to the small space. For example, if you have 20 employees but, you don’t have much space to place 20 separate workstations. In such a situation, you can contact office workstation manufacturers and get 4-5 big tables designed with proper partitions as per your needs.

Tip #2 Light and Ventilation is incompetent:

More light and ventilation you have, the more spacious and beautiful your office interiors will look. So, never say ‘no’ to light and ventilation options and add as much as you can to make your office attractive. By this, we don’t mean that invest in too many artificial lights. No, this can affect the eyes of your employees. Instead, invest in big windows and glass walls to have as much natural light as possible. This will add a natural touch in your workspace as employees can also look at the outdoor views. Having much ventilation and natural views will also increase the productivity of your employees.

Tip #3 Spend on Furniture:

Employees spend most part of their office hours by sitting on their chairs in front of their screens. It means that furniture is the most important element of the office interiors as it is related to not only the looks but, also the comfort of your employees. Cheap furniture can lead to general discomfort as well as specific health-related issues like pain in the lower back, neck pain, etc. Buy the most comfortable and modern furniture for your office. Don’t compromise for saving some bucks as good furniture can be used for several years. Buy quality workstations from the office workstations manufacturers.

Tip #4 Put up Quirky Elements:

You can’t let your office have that boring look especially when you are investing so much time and energy into its interiors. So, add some quirky elements to have a personal touch and making your office interesting. Keep your office theme in mind while adding these elements. You can decorate your office with quirky lights, stickers, posters, small accessories, and table pieces. These will provide the needed effect in a budget-friendly way. You can purchase these accessories online at affordable prices.

Tip #5 Keep Things in Order:

No matter what design you choose; ensure that every element is placed in an orderly manner. The main problem with small offices is that due to lack of space they look cluttered every time. Unlike the large offices, there aren’t big storerooms to keep the files and other stationery materials. Due to the scarcity of space, there is no room for separate client areas so; clients usually visit the main working area. So, it’s necessary to keep your office organized. To solve the storage issue, use walls to hang shelves where you can keep files and other office accessories. Otherwise, use big colourful cardboard boxes to place extra materials. You can make beautiful patterns with these boxes near any wall or empty space. They will look better than the piles of files lying here and there on the floor.

Tip #6 Create Informal Break-out Spaces:

Usually, employees remain stuck to their workstation from the moment they enter the office till they leave in the night. They only get up for basic needs or for meetings. This practice is very bad as it invokes lethargy which in turn affects the productivity of the employees. To break this practice, you should make break-out spaces where employees can eat, drink and chill for some time in between their working hours. You can create this space even in a small area as its main motive is to make employees get up from their chairs and communicate with others while having a break. This will make your employees more active.

Tip #7 Experiment without Hesitation:

If you want to make your workspace unique then, you should be open to out of the box ideas. Be ready to implement unique ideas and don’t be afraid of a little bit experimenting, be it a new type of furniture, peppy colour scheme or quirky accessories. You can add different style lamps on each workstation or can design your entire office according to a theme like a green lounge theme or any other theme as per your work area. Experimenting is good as long as you firmly believe in the unique idea that you are going to try.

So, follow these tips to convert your small space into a lovely office!

 

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a great place to entertain. For this reason, it is imperative to create a space that is both functional and beautiful. There are so many trends to consider for your kitchen remodel-such as a timeless rustic design. In today’s modern world, rustic doesn’t have to equal raw wood panelling or floors. Here are some tips for you to consider when bringing your modern rustic kitchen to life.

Rustic Sink
A great way to incorporate rustic elements into your new kitchen is by installing a deep, industrial sink. It works both as a stylistic component and as a truly functional workhorse. This kind of deep sink will fill a soup pot effortlessly, wash your roasting pan with ease, and just make clean-up so much more comfortable. Don’t forget the faucet. Choose a high faucet with a pull-down sprayer so you can reach those hard-to-reach spots for cleanup. And think of how great this kind of sink will look in your new industrial modern rustic kitchen.This black sink is an extreme rustic choice, especially when paired with this white stone countertop. The style is an old fashioned take on monochrome ideals, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less spectacular!
Rustic Sink

 

Rustic Countertops
Another way to achieve a rustic kitchen design is with your countertops. A neutral-toned countertop, such as 6046 Moorland Fog, is a great way to bring your modern rustic kitchen to the next level. The soft and gentle tones of this granite inspired countertop are the perfect balance between the traditional and modern rustic kitchen. Opting for a butcher’s block in lieu of an island is another stylish way to increase the functionality of your new kitchen. When remodeling your kitchen, it’s important to know what direction you want to go stylistically. If you’re someone who likes the feeling of cozying up in a cottage that’s nestled quietly in the countryside, then the rustic look may be for you. From a worn-out wooden appearance to a metallic industrial vibe, there are so many ways in which you can incorporate a rustic look into your kitchen whether you live in a builder-grade home or in the heart of a city.
Rustic Countertops

 

Rustic Flooring
When you're exploring rustic farmhouse kitchen ideas, a wood floor seems almost a given. But don't move so quickly - you have other options as well. Sometimes laminate flooring that looks like wood can give you a great rustic farmhouse kitchen flooring style. Or, you can choose black and white tile or even checkered linoleum. If you go with wood, you can decide to either leave it natural or paint it. Both go with this style. Many of your options will depend on what other design elements you have chosen. If there's already a lot of wood in the kitchen design, a wood floor may seem too much.
On the other hand, if you've chosen shaker-style cabinets or a lot of white in the design, a warm wood tone can be exactly what you need to add depth to the space. If you're ready for your rustic farmhouse kitchen flooring design, choose your flooring material next. Concrete or stone floors is a great way to put an industrial spin on your modern rustic kitchen. The texture and the style are all about living simply but still beautifully. This type of floor is all the rage in the high-tech world of open floor spaces. Or how about the truly classic style of hardwood floors? These floors give the appearance of a rustic lifestyle but can certainly be updated in a cool rustic modern kitchen by adding a sheen or gloss.
Rustic Flooring

 

Rustic Cabinets
For a country kitchen, start with rustic kitchen cabinets. These don’t have to be made out of barn wood or leftover pallets, threatening to give you slivers each time you open a kitchen cabinet door or drawer. Rustic cabinets are every bit as polished and high-quality as something sleek and modern, but they have an unfinished appearance, or wood with grain and knots that give it character, or a distressed look with dings and dents.There is so much you can do with cabinets in a modern rustic kitchen. Take, for example, oak wood cabinets painted white. You can add modern touches, such as metallic handles, to offset the rustic look. Another idea for cabinets is all metal. Why not install metal cabinets and counters? They will help create the look of a truly industrial modern rustic kitchen.
Rustic Cabinets

 

Rustic Lighting

Rustic lighting is loosely defined, but these fixtures typically feature an antique or vintage feel. Look for distressed finishes and open designs that create an inviting glow. Want to capture the farmhouse look in your own home? Try these rustic kitchen lighting tips.

  • Farmhouse Pendants: Often used as entry or foyer lights, these tend to feature an open cage design with a traditional candelabra base. A hot trend in kitchen design is using these pendants in lieu of the typical chandelier over a kitchen table or island. This creates an incredibly warm, inviting look!
  • Rustic Chandeliers: Two alluring trends in chandelier design are distressed or multi-toned finishes and frames that resemble leather strapping. These chandeliers are perfect for homeowners who want to achieve a charming, rustic look while retaining a touch of tradition.
  • Outdoor Lights Inside: Today's outdoor lights are designed with a keen attention to detail, so why not consider using them indoors? (Yes, it's okay to do that!) Try gas lantern-style outdoor lights in the kitchen to transform your space into a rustic paradise reminiscent of inviting inns.
  • Vintage-Style Mini Pendants: Mini pendants may be one of the hottest trends in contemporary kitchen design, but they can certainly be used to create a rustic kitchen design too. Look for styles with antique-inspired elements like gas lantern turnkey accents, metal shades and weathered finishes. Bronze and copper finishes work particularly well.


Rustic Lighting
.It’s exciting to think of all the possibilities when redesigning your modern rustic kitchen. Use this guide as a starting point and see where your imagination takes you.

Covid 19, has changed and is changing behavioural patterns across the globe. One tiny virus has done the unthinkable just a couple of months back - shutting down the entire world and making human beings sit at home! The changes that this is bringing and will bring into the world is unprecedented. Our approach towards life itself will change. Relationships will have new meaning. Words like luxury, satisfaction, comfort, joy will find new definitions.

Once Covid 19 outbreak is under control and the world comes back to normal, India could be one of those countries which will stand to gain the most. There will be anger against China and Chinese products. A lot of international companies are already looking at moving their chinese manufacturing bases to elsewhere in the world. India stands a great chance provided our government cuts red taoism and welcome such investors. International fund flow can be a serious possibility post covid if India comes out without much of a damage as investors look at countries that are less battered for investment growth. These aspects in turn can boos the Indian economy and will turn a boon for the real estate and interior design industries.

For Interior Design Industry, I see a tremendous impact to follow. With real estate trailing for sometime now in India, Interior Design industry too has been going through a rough patch. And with Covid 19 hitting hard across sectors and across the world, the pain is only expected to go north. Real estate is expected to tank with ever more unsold inventories. Builders will be hesitant to launch new projects and new buyers will be hard to come by. For individuals who are not sure of their income in the future, it will be time to put a hold on any high value purchases. However, as with every dark cloud, there is always a silver lining, I would personally like to look more to find the silver linings.

Residential Interiors is one such area that I believe will find silver lining. As everyone got tied down to their homes, people have certainly experienced the need of their homes to be more comfortable to stay in. Many would have mostly seen their homes 100% for the first time and realised a few modifications could have made their stay at home more comfortable. However most people will not go for immediate remodelling or enhancements due to uncertainty. The demand will start picking up once the major scare is over and economy is stabilised.

Secondly, Home Office spaces will see an increasing demand as everyone who is working from home will definitely look for a comfortable space to do so. A space that can both give them the privacy and the comfort to focus on their work and enhance their productivity. Demand for home office spaces will increase drastically. Even with tightened purses, people will make investment in these areas which are the sliver linings for an otherwise cloudy outlook for Interior Design industry in India. At Blucap Interiors, we prefer to look forward to the silver linings!

There are so many doomsday predictions going around for about a number of businesses going into extinction due to Corona times. I believe most of these are overhyped and unwarranted. Among the businesses that are being written off by these prophets of doom are Retail, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality, Automobiles, Restaurants, Local Transport, Real Estate etc. They say the world will never be the same after the Corona and they talk like the above businesses will be extinct. 

I consider the argument absolutely amusing. All that the argument is feeding on is the fear of the businessmen about their businesses going bust for ever and the sadism of those who would love to see others fail. I do not see any more credit to these theories. 

Yes. There will be changes in the way we live and behave. However, no Corona will ever alter basic human needs for ever. We as human beings are deep down Social beings. We are not and cannot be individual islands living connected only via technology. We do not go to a restaurant because we do not have excellent food at home. We go there for an experience that we will never get at home. It is a Social experience. Netflix has been around for sometime now and most of us have been using it as well at home. However we still go to the movies when there is a good movie. We go there for the experience. There is a huge difference in watching a Rajanikant movie at home alone or with family and watching it in the theatre. I believe you know the difference. It is a Social Experience. We Travel not because we are not happy where we are. We travel because, we yearn to see new sights, taste new food, experience new culture. We go for the experience. Even if technology could enable people work from home, the efficiency or the effectiveness of team works can never happen if everyone is physically apart. Because we connect with others better with physical proximity. It is an experience. It is a social experience. We do not go to malls just to buy something which can probably be bought via online as well. We go there to touch, feel and buy. We also go there just to eat out, hang out with friends and family or just to do window shopping. We go there for the experience. It is a social experience. We do not buy a vehicle just for commuting. As a social being it is also a symbol of your success in life. It is an experience of who you are. A social experience. We do not go to a pub just to drink. We can comfortably do it at home as well. We go there for the ambience. We go there to connect with friends and family. We go there to unwind. We go there for an experience. It is a social experience. 

I can go on and on with such examples. Therefore when I hear people talk about these businesses going dead, I rather sigh. Yes. for the next six months to one year there will be a dip in these businesses. These businesses also will go through transformations to a certain extent. However none of them will go extinct. Once Corona is under control and once the economy is back on track, people will long for these experiences again. And then these businesses will boom into new heights. 

If you are in any of these businesses, take a deep breath and think innovatively about surviving the next six months to one year. Take all measures needed to tighten the purse and work out of squeezed budgets. Those who survive will see glory in the future. Essential social needs of human beings will not change. It hasn’t changed in millions of years through famines and pandemics that swept through this world and eliminated millions. We will become more aware of the need to build and nurture our family relationships and friendships. We may also become more spiritual seeing the mortal nature of human life. Corona will certainly change a few behavioural patterns. But our social nature will prevail. And we will come together again in large numbers for building a better world for us and the generations to come. It certainly will be a better world. A more refined one. 

As late renowned American interior designer Albert Hadley once said, “Design is defined by light and shade, and appropriate lighting is enormously important.”

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of your interior, as well as illuminating a room, it can completely transform the look of a space for better or for worse. On one hand, it can turn a drab room into a glossy-magazine-worthy space with the simple flick of a switch or, on the other, it can under- or over-illuminate resulting in headaches, tired eyes, and lighting fatigue.
Lighting should be layered the same way colors and textures are layered in a room.There are many options when it comes to home décor lighting Let’s take a tour of a variety of different lighting types and get ideas on how to style the lighting in your home interior.

TYPES OF LIGHT: There are two main types of lighting – Natural light and Artificial light.

NATURAL LIGHT: Sunlight is the most natural source of light. It is mentally stimulating and absolutely free. But it is also difficult to control. Window coverings are helpful in controlling natural light. For rooms with little natural light, interior designer Sara Cosgrove suggests that “sheers and window treatments are the most effective ways for controlling natural light, along with the use of mirrors.”

                            

 

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: Artificial lighting should be used to add layers to your space. A warm light (opposed to a clear light) is the most welcoming option for residential spaces. As well as adding to the overall interior design style of a space, artificial lighting can be used to highlight features and alter the perceived proportions of a room.

                        

We should always bear in mind the five categories of lights explained below when planning your lighting scheme. Plan to use your space with the range of lighting effects to create the desired looks.

TYPES OF INTERIOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

The five main types of interior lighting are: General, Ambient, Mood, Task, and Accent. Some lights can fit into a few types (depending on their placement, brightness, and use) but a general understanding of each individual type of lighting can be very helpful in planning an effective scheme.

GENERAL LIGHTING: General lighting is the basic foundation of a lighting scheme, providing a uniform light over an entire room and illuminating a space functionally rather than for aesthetic reasons. The defining characteristic of general lighting is that it’s usually direct and should be controlled by a dimmer switch to account for changes in daylight. A central pendant light or Tube light is perhaps the most commonly used source of general lighting and can be an important part of the design of the room. A luxury chandelier make great visual statements in a room and direct the eye. Having said that, these must be accompanied by other lighting layers as a central light source on its own casts unflattering shadows (especially for people) and gives no real life to a room. A lighting scheme this simplified is generally considered vastly inadequate for creating a welcoming space

                             

AMBIENT LIGHTING: The next layer of lighting is ambient lighting which is a great partner to general lighting. Both types share important characteristics – they’re primarily functional and used to light a complete area. The main difference between the two is in the direction of their light. Ambiance lighting is generally used for entertaining – it creates drama to the space. Ambient lighting is indirect and therefore softer than general lighting – because it doesn’t usually use downlighting, it doesn’t create unflattering shadows.

                            

TASK LIGHTING: As its name would suggest task lighting is any light source used for a particular task like reading or cooking. By nature, these lights need to have a stronger wattage than most other lighting. Always combine with adequate ambient light, however, to avoid eye strain caused by the sharp contrast from light to dark areas. Reading and working areas are some of the most obvious areas in need of task lighting. Balanced-arm lamps make great desk designs whilst flexible reading lights fixed near a headboard are great for bedtime reading. Mirror lighting works well in personal grooming areas and bathrooms. The kitchen is another area into which task lighting must be incorporated to make food preparation easier and safer. Under-cabinet spotlights, recessed downlights over worktops, or a long and low pendant light over a preparation island are just a few of the options for kitchen task lighting. Task lighting can also be used to create foot flow paths in a room or hallway or in the form of floor-level directional lights or riser lights on stairs. 

                               

MOOD LIGHTING:  Mood lighting is as important to the overall look of a room than general and ambient lighting and a space would be bare without it. It makes a room pleasantly inviting by creating pools of light that counteract the shadows caused by general lighting. It’s also an important element of a room’s style as it tends to be equally concerned with style as it is with function – popular options being table lamps and floor lamps. Because mood lighting is often the layer of lighting closest to eye level, it’s important to shade any glare from unsightly bare bulbs with a filter. The same goes for your general or ambient lighting if the bare bulb can be seen from below. If the light in your room relies heavily on mood lighting, paler tones are best to allow as much light to shine through; a darker shade is great if you’re going for a moody, atmospheric look. Silver or gold linings are the best for replicating a luxurious glow.

                                    

ACCENT LIGHTING:  Similar to task lighting, accent lighting has a particular function and is any lighting that has specifically been included to highlight a particular feature in a room. Spotlights that highlight artwork, sculptures, and objects in cabinets or on pedestals are examples of accent lighting which enhance the pieces and prevent them from being lost in an under-illuminated space. Similar to task lighting, because of its nature, accent lighting needs more lumens (the light output) – at least three times as much – and therefore requires a higher wattage.

                                 

LIGHTING EFFECTS :

DOWNLIGHTING: Downlighting is a very useful and most popular form of lighting in interiors – most central light sources or spotlights will be downlights. It does cast unflattering shadows (especially for people) so it needs to be counterbalanced with adequate 

UPLIGHTING: Uplighting is a much softer alternative to downlighting as it indirectly introduces light into a room by having it bounce off the ceiling and reflect back into the room.

WALL WASHING:  Wall washing evenly illuminates a vertical surface in a soft way. Place the light at an adequate distance so that the beam reaches the entire surface. As a result, light is washed on the wall and hides blemishes and eliminates shadows.

                     

WALL GRAZING: Wall grazing places a light intentionally close to the surface it’s to illuminate, effectively highlighting its texture. Wall grazing is perfect for accenting stone, brick, and stucco walls. It is also effective on statues and carvings.

                       

WALL SCONES: Mounted to the wall surface, scones have the ability to direct light either upwards or downwards or in both the directions, adding style to the space.

                        

SPOTLIGHTING: Spotlighting is used a lot in task and accent lighting to highlight a particular feature of a room.

                          

VALANCE LIGHTING: In this lighting, the fixtures can either be mounted way high on a wall, in a horizontal shield, metal, wood, on the window, etc. so that light bounces in the downward and upward direction.

                        

TRACK LIGHTING: Here a linear cable with several adjustable heads is fixed along a track.

                         

CHANDELIERS:  These decorative lightings are hung at the ceiling and suspend light towards the entryway or on a table. It brightens up the space beautifully.

                         

CEILING: The fixtures for ceiling lights contain a plastic or glass shade that hides the bulb. This lighting has been used for several decades in homes.
RECESSED: The fixtures for recessed lighting are installed above the ceiling and attached to the opening created in the ceiling. It sends a band of light focused on one direction.

                         

UNDERCABINET:  As the name suggests, these are mounted under the cabinets such as those in a kitchen. It mostly has a puck-shaped fixture.

                         

FLOOR LAMPS: These are placed on the floor and available in different sizes and shapes such as short, tall, bulky, and petite. It is an excellent decorative piece for every home. 

                            

PENDANTS: This kind of fixture is suspended from the ceiling and direct light downwards, for example, a kitchen island or a table. It adds to the decorative elements of a given space.

                              

PERIMETER LIGHTING:  Perimeter lighting accentuates the dimensions of a room and expands its apparent size. Coving or cornice lighting is an effective way to do this and is used often by interior designers and architects.

                                 

 


Reference: Luxdeco/blogs.       

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