Decorating Guides
Top 10 Decorating Problems Solved
Here are answers to the top most common questions when it comes to our home decor
Setting up a new home or simply re-designing your current one can induce a number of decorating dilemmas. What’s the best colour for an accent wall? How to hang artwork? Asking friends (or Pinterest) can leave you even more confused than when you started. Here, we decode some of the most common design-related predicaments.
2. How high should I hang artwork?
The rule of thumb is to hang art at eye level. Ideally the midpoint of your art work should be 60–65 inches from the floor. In rooms with ceilings higher than the usual 8 feet, you can go a few inches higher than 65 inches. If you have a collection of different-sized pieces, simply envision the cluster as one single piece of art.
Find diverse ways to hang your art
The rule of thumb is to hang art at eye level. Ideally the midpoint of your art work should be 60–65 inches from the floor. In rooms with ceilings higher than the usual 8 feet, you can go a few inches higher than 65 inches. If you have a collection of different-sized pieces, simply envision the cluster as one single piece of art.
Find diverse ways to hang your art
3. What are some pocket-friendly solutions to give a living room a makeover?
The easiest way to a makeover is a lick of paint. Paint adds colour; and colour adds ambience. Go all out and create a strikingly coloured feature wall and highlight it with an oversized piece of art. To hold the look together, add a couple of cushions or a rug that match the accent wall. If painting is too much work, use decals instead.
Here are more ideas on decorating within a budget
The easiest way to a makeover is a lick of paint. Paint adds colour; and colour adds ambience. Go all out and create a strikingly coloured feature wall and highlight it with an oversized piece of art. To hold the look together, add a couple of cushions or a rug that match the accent wall. If painting is too much work, use decals instead.
Here are more ideas on decorating within a budget
4. How can I make the TV less obtrusive in the living room?
The most obvious way would be to hide the TV inside a cabinet with sliding shutters. If it is mounted on the wall, create a gallery wall around the screen – this camouflages it and tricks the eye into looking at things other than the TV. Another option could be to create a different zone, however tiny, within the living room. Demarcate the zone with either a folding screen, a decorative hanging divider, or even a bookshelf.
Find more innovative ways to hide the TV
The most obvious way would be to hide the TV inside a cabinet with sliding shutters. If it is mounted on the wall, create a gallery wall around the screen – this camouflages it and tricks the eye into looking at things other than the TV. Another option could be to create a different zone, however tiny, within the living room. Demarcate the zone with either a folding screen, a decorative hanging divider, or even a bookshelf.
Find more innovative ways to hide the TV
5. How to decide between ceramic or vitrified tiles for flooring, considering they are both similar in properties?
It’s true that both types are extremely hardy (vitrified a tad more so), durable, and low on maintenance, so deciding which to use where can get a little confusing. Ideally, use a mix of the two types to their best advantage – vitrified for high-traffic areas such as the living room and bedroom, and ceramic for the kitchen and bathroom, as it can be used on walls, countertops and backsplashes, too.
Find out which tiles are best for Indian floors
It’s true that both types are extremely hardy (vitrified a tad more so), durable, and low on maintenance, so deciding which to use where can get a little confusing. Ideally, use a mix of the two types to their best advantage – vitrified for high-traffic areas such as the living room and bedroom, and ceramic for the kitchen and bathroom, as it can be used on walls, countertops and backsplashes, too.
Find out which tiles are best for Indian floors
6. How to decorate a bedroom shared by kids so they are all happy?
Demarcate zones for each of your children with the aid of a storage unit, or a suspended screen or curtain (it takes up less space), or a bookshelf. Allow them to decorate their own spaces; along with being fun for them, it encourages them to be organised and responsible for their own belongings.
Here are some great tips on decorating a bedroom shared by siblings
Demarcate zones for each of your children with the aid of a storage unit, or a suspended screen or curtain (it takes up less space), or a bookshelf. Allow them to decorate their own spaces; along with being fun for them, it encourages them to be organised and responsible for their own belongings.
Here are some great tips on decorating a bedroom shared by siblings
7. What’s the best way to liven up a dark kitchen that has very little natural lighting?
Lighting is key in order to give any space an open and airy look. Use a mix of ambient (overhead, general lighting) and task lighting (above countertops, under cabinets). Paint the walls and ceiling white, and use reflective appliances and backsplashes. This will amplify the effect of your light fixtures.
12 ways LEDs can add a sparkle to your kitchen
Lighting is key in order to give any space an open and airy look. Use a mix of ambient (overhead, general lighting) and task lighting (above countertops, under cabinets). Paint the walls and ceiling white, and use reflective appliances and backsplashes. This will amplify the effect of your light fixtures.
12 ways LEDs can add a sparkle to your kitchen
8. Which plants can be used to create a green, tranquil indoor space, and are easy to grow?
To create a calm and relaxing ambience, choose plants that have lush, large, soft-looking leaves. Palms, ficus, and vines such as money plant are excellent options. There is also a Zen-like calming feel to succulents such as aloe vera and snake plant – and they are low-maintenance too.
Discover hardy plants ideal for the Indian homes
To create a calm and relaxing ambience, choose plants that have lush, large, soft-looking leaves. Palms, ficus, and vines such as money plant are excellent options. There is also a Zen-like calming feel to succulents such as aloe vera and snake plant – and they are low-maintenance too.
Discover hardy plants ideal for the Indian homes
9. How can I display souvenirs and travel memorabilia without cluttering my living space?
Limiting your showcase space is key to avoiding clutter. Designate shelves to display your knick-knacks and stick to that space; breaking this rule will result in their spilling over everywhere, leading to a jumbled and messy look. Keep collections well-ordered and don’t display all your accessories all at once, especially if you lack space. Group a few of them into a theme and store the rest. Rotate your cache from time to time. This allows you to enjoy your little treasures without the risk of them taking over your home.
Limiting your showcase space is key to avoiding clutter. Designate shelves to display your knick-knacks and stick to that space; breaking this rule will result in their spilling over everywhere, leading to a jumbled and messy look. Keep collections well-ordered and don’t display all your accessories all at once, especially if you lack space. Group a few of them into a theme and store the rest. Rotate your cache from time to time. This allows you to enjoy your little treasures without the risk of them taking over your home.
10. Which to choose – drapes or blinds?
While both look good and can serve your purpose of affording just enough light and privacy at the same time, double drapery panels have a slight advantage over blinds. You can draw the sheers if the light is too harsh in the day and the heavier ones for privacy. With the dual layers of curtains, you have the benefit of choosing an appropriate solid or semi-transparent fabric, depending on your privacy requirements.
If you are still unsure, you can read up the pros and cons of each, here
Read more:
Must-Have Accessories in an Urban Indian Apartment
Tile Guide: Where to Use Which Tile Type
Tell us:
What are some of the design dilemmas you have faced and how did you solve them? Tell us in the Comments section below.
While both look good and can serve your purpose of affording just enough light and privacy at the same time, double drapery panels have a slight advantage over blinds. You can draw the sheers if the light is too harsh in the day and the heavier ones for privacy. With the dual layers of curtains, you have the benefit of choosing an appropriate solid or semi-transparent fabric, depending on your privacy requirements.
If you are still unsure, you can read up the pros and cons of each, here
Read more:
Must-Have Accessories in an Urban Indian Apartment
Tile Guide: Where to Use Which Tile Type
Tell us:
What are some of the design dilemmas you have faced and how did you solve them? Tell us in the Comments section below.
The good thing about neutrals is that they match with most colours. However, it’s best to avoid energetic shades in the bedroom – your private space should be calm and restful. Cool colours (as opposed to warm colours) from the family of blues and greens are a good option. Teal blue, particularly, makes for a great accent colour amidst neutral shades – it’s a sophisticated hue, neither too masculine nor too feminine, giving your shared space just the right amount of pop.
Read what colours are best for your bedroom according to vastu