Interior Design Ideas and Tips
Get some interior design ideas for managing design projects and making good design decisions. Planning design projects efficiently is the best way to ensure a good result. Making decisions as the process moves along is way too late, you need to plan at the beginning, get ideas for this here.
Additive planning means spaces added together. Divisitive planning is dividing the space. When planning, list the spaces and their requirements. Then use a bubble diagram to establish their relationships before starting the sketch plan.
Raising the edges of a kitchen or bathroom bench top will reduce water spillage.
When starting a project even at design stage, list all the participants and their roles. Outline an expected time frame for those participating and confirm it with all.
If planning cupboards or shelves, the top shelf should always be at a maximum of two metres or six feet so that it can be safely reached.
When a project is running you will often find that one day lost takes two or even three to make up. Monitor the project on a daily basis by confirming the status of each task against the gant chart. If it’s out by even one day, address the situation and delays immediately.
When running clients, contractors or suppliers assume nothing. Always ensure that you receive everything in writing and in return, you confirm everything back in writing.
Use the golden mean to help reach pleasing proportions.
Always remember to brace your construction.
When designing joinery such as a side board, chest of drawers or a kitchen bench, always allow space for the toes to slip under the unit when standing against it.
Design Tips and Helpful Hints
Plan ahead, you may not be able to afford an additional room, ensuite etc now, but while you are renovating adjacent walls, put in plumbing and wiring, this will provide less disruption for when you can begin the additional work.
While double-glazing will increase thermal insulation significantly it is not so good for added sound insulation. To achieve this use double windows with a distance of at least 100mm or 4 inches between the windows, sealing all openings.
Select and purchase as many of the fittings and fixtures as you can so that you don’t have to make rushed last minute decisions that can cost extra money.
Remember to get the building checked out by a professional for example a builder or engineer before you start knocking down walls. They are very easy to take down and very expensive to put back up! (Some walls may be load bearing and supporting the roof or something else that is vitally important).
When embarking on a project itemize expected dates for parts of the project to commence and be completed, then detail them in a gant chart. Confirm that the participant responsible for that part of the project has the available resources to complete their items within this time frame.
A thickened horizontal line will help define a plane’s top or bottom edge. For example, using a trim to the top of a freestanding cupboard will help stop the eye.
Distinguish what style of doors and window joinery you have and what new system you require. There are many selvage companies that may have just what you are looking for at a lower cost than new items. They will also look more authentic.
Divide the work into stages, commencing with the areas that require the most attention.
Always set up a budget before embarking on any design project, and try and stick to it.
You can’t always know it all, so if in doubt hire a professional, they are worth their weight in gold, the time you save (and money) by only having to do the job once is well worth the initial expense.
Always get a quotation or estimate in writing from the contractor, consultant or manufacturer, and accept it in writing. If anything goes wrong later on it is your word against theirs and can take the polish off your design project. This is even more essential when dealing with friends! Read about how to get a quotation.
Take photos of the space you are going to work with, it provides a great source of reference when you are planning or trying to match furniture, fabrics etc and is much easier to carry than the sofa. Therefore when you are in the store trying to explain what fabric you have and what new fabric you want, as they say “a picture paints a thousand words”. It can also save you a lot of time by getting straight to the point.
Written by Lee Brown
