Navneet's ideas
3. Plan a balcony gardenWith more and more people opting for container gardens and vertical options, it seems there’s no space too small to get growing these days. Create your own green oasis by planting herbs and edibles in pot, then line them along the edge of your balustrade for bonus privacy.How to Grow a Blooming Balcony Garden
Open planThis idea not only encourages more intimate and sociable living but is a great solution for making the most of small spaces. See how The Orange Lane merges the dining and living room into one large area, while giving each space its own identity. Tip: If you have a room with a small floor area, then laying floor tiles along its length or breadth can give the illusion of extending the space, making the place seem larger than it actually is.These spaces show that open-plan concept can work in Indian homes
The location of your balcony is also a deciding factor. A south-facing balcony receives maximum light (both in intensity and duration) while a north-facing balcony receives the least amount of light. The amount of light east- and west-facing balconies get lies somewhere in between. So, again, doing some research before you decide on the plants that you want to bring into your garden is essential.The plants you choose should fit in the balcony space when they are fully grown in size. Keep this in mind when you are planting them as seedlings.Mathur says, “Pick annuals, biennials and perennials so that you have greenery all year round. If you are a new gardener, do not go for plants that require too much looking after.”Tip: “Get a money plant (Epipremnum aureum) as it will help purify the air. Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) also freshens up the air. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) and tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) are good for lessening the pollution and dust in and around your home,” Mathur says.
2. Picking the wrong plantsChoosing the wrong plants can ruin your garden. Every plant has specific requirements in terms of sunlight and water, and also some plants have blooming seasons, hence it is important that you select the right plants that suit your balcony’s and region’s conditions. For example, if you live in a high-humidity region, then bougainvilleas may not make sense as they need hard sunlight and arid air to thrive. So research on what plants are right for your city, and then buy.
1. Not making a planStarting a garden without proper planning is one of the biggest mistakes one tends to make. Just like a garden on the ground, your balcony garden also needs to have a certain physical flow and aesthetics. “Plan in advance; make a simple blueprint of the garden. Figure out basics, like where you will place the pots, how many pots you can accommodate on the floor, if you want creepers on the railings, about adding hanging pots and what kind of garden accessories you want to add to the setup,” the All India Kitchen Garden Association’s Suman Mathur says.Zero in on the design that works for you. “Think about how visually appealing you want the garden to look from the inside of your house as well as how will it look to those from afar,” Mathur suggests.
Double the valueThe enduring style of panelled steel windows and room dividers can be captured with sliding wardrobe doors. In this room, rather than plain glass, mirrored panels have been used, giving the old favourite for wardrobe doors a contemporary update. That doesn’t hold them back from performing the clever trick of making the room look twice the size as the floor space is still reflected.
Stretch the dimensionsA generous wardrobe – even one that takes up a whole wall from top to bottom – needn’t mean a smaller-looking room. In this bedroom, the pale reflective finish of the doors bounces light back into the room to increase the light and airy feel of the space, and even subtly reflects the view of the outside.
Slide awayConsider barn door fixings as an alternative to a track for a sliding door walk-in wardrobe. Designed to take the weight of doors across large openings, they’ll give a scheme a utilitarian twist, and work well in sleek, no-frills schemes as well as in their more traditional settings. In this room, they’re teamed with a black door for a look that’s contemporary, but a rustic wood door would work where a more rugged note is required. Shop around if you’re looking for barn door fixings – you’ll find that prices vary hugely.
4. Matte finish paint for deep-coloured wallsA matte finish goes great with deep wall colours; the paint is non-reflective and has the tendency to absorb light. Such paints work well on poorly-finished walls as it effectively hides imperfections like dents, patches and nail holes.Keep in mind that the usual matte-finish paints are not easy to clean, so I would suggest you to go for washable matte-finish paints. Some paints like Royale Matte come with enhanced burnish-resistance properties, which prevent the walls from getting patchy due to constant rubbing or cleaning.
13. This type of seating also doubles as a hidden storage option, which is perfect for keeping extra place mats, table runners, board games, and anything else.
All white and Zen, with the inclusion of the plushest bed and bleached cabinets (you’ll have to look closely to spot).Architect: Concetto Design Co.Wondering what colour you should paint your bedroom walls?
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