In the large volume of information on creating or changing the interior of a home, apartment, or office, it is easy to get lost. There are basic rules for creating interiors for every type of space.
Interior designer recommendations for property owners
Raise the ceiling — this will help make the room look taller. In this case the ceiling is built at different levels — in the rooms it stays at the usual height, and in the corridor it is lowered. That combination creates the illusion of higher ceilings throughout the apartment.
A wallpaper pattern will give the effect of “high ceilings” — a vertically arranged motif (stripes, ornament, banded patterns) will visually “lift” the ceiling
Repeat elements — if the project includes curved podiums, arches, curvilinear wall elements and other non-straight surfaces and lines, they must be repeated in several variations. Designers of contemporary interiors follow an unchanging rule — every significant detail finds a continuation in other, harmoniously matching elements.
Moderate use of colors and forms — sometimes it is enough to accent the main feature in a few places and achieve harmony in the interior. A vividly highlighted wall drape or wall color, exclusive furniture, should be coordinated with the other elements of the interior.
Pay special attention to doors. Designers prefer to install sliding closet-style doors, fixed at the top and bottom. Fixed only at the upper connections, such doors are unstable; under the action of an air current (when the room is aired) they can “wander,” making rattling sounds. All doors in the premises must be executed in a single style.
Windows will attract attention if they are executed in the same design solution together with the doors. That solution will create the impression of a finished scheme. Windows with symmetrical mullions look more attractive. Asymmetrical windows should be installed only when that is the only possible way to fit a window.
Especially important are the interior designer’s proposals for the kitchen, which must contain three zones opposite in function: for cooking (the stove), for storing food (the refrigerator), and for washing dishes (the sink). Each of these zones must have its own minimum space.
But for the proper organization of work in the kitchen and to save time, these zones should be located next to one another. Access to the stove, refrigerator, and sink must be free. When designing a kitchen, the experience of contemporary interior designers will be indispensable. The furniture layout must allow free movement through the space.
To conceal electrical wiring, radiators, and gas, water, and heating pipes, on the interior designer’s recommendation the walls should be covered with a “plastic apron.” This is especially important in older buildings, where all utilities were mounted on the outside of the walls. If necessary, such a cover can be removed easily and quickly.
An important place in every apartment is the toilet and bathroom. Designers of contemporary interiors do not recommend raising the floors in these rooms. A low threshold at the entrance will protect the apartment from a flow of water in an emergency.
If there is a small leak when a valve fails, and the joints around the perimeter are sealed tightly, that volume will fill with “emergency” water over 12 hours; in that time the apartment’s owners will have time to return from work and fix the problem.
Studio apartment design
Interior designers will help furnish a contemporary studio apartment
The contemporary studio apartment — a new direction in design solutions for interior decoration. The advantage of such an apartment is the large open space of the room.
So that the large “airfield” does not quickly become boring and irritating, but remains cozy and comfortable, designers of contemporary interiors recommend:
Divide the space into zones — using materials of different color and texture (contrasting or in the same color range) for the floor, mark out different zones
A carpet piece will suit a bedroom or relaxation zone, a living-room or children’s zone
For the kitchen it is better to choose ceramic tile or stone slabs. Such a floor will also suit the hallway and bathroom
For the living-room zone, a study, or a dining area, parquet will fit well
According to the designer’s project, the transition between zones can be treated as a podium that raises one zone above another.
Zones can also be divided by a change in room height, creating a multilevel ceiling or arches. Special lighting can highlight any of the zones.
To single out particular interior details (a writing desk or an exclusive sofa), part of the ceiling can be given a more complex configuration and a frosted-glass shade attached, which will light the piece of furniture.
Columns, a bar counter, and other decorative elements will give a studio apartment its unique character. Modern building materials make it possible to execute them as light and elegant.
For your apartment to become a cozy home hearth, you need to get advice from designers of contemporary interiors.
