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INTERIOR DESIGN &

HOME STYLING

Module 10

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10. Module 10: Designing rooms.

Table of Contents

10. Module 10: Designing rooms. ....................................................................................................................... 1

10.1 Room by room design ............................................................................................................................................. 2

10.2 Living room ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

10.3 Kitchen .................................................................................................................................................................... 8

10.4 Bedroom ............................................................................................................................................................... 12

10.5 Bathroom .............................................................................................................................................................. 14

10.6 Kid’s room ............................................................................................................................................................. 18

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10.1 Room by room design

What you’ll learn in this module:

Living room

Kitchen

Bedroom

Bathroom

Kid’s room

In this module we will be looking in detail about the best ways to design individual spaces within a home.

While many interior design concepts will apply across all kinds of living and working environments, there are

certain specifics which are helpful for the designer to consider which are particular to certain types of space.

Here we will be giving you some tips and tricks to create fabulous yet functional spaces for the key areas in

any home.

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10.2 Living room

The living rooms within a home are often the sanctuary at the end of a long day. This is the space where you

will want to relax and unwind, to listen to music, read a book, watch TV, play games and so on. It is also

where you may want to entertain friends and host family gatherings. Whilst the living room for some is kept

as a more formal, special place reserved for special occasions more usually nowadays it will be used on a

daily basis for comfort, a place to recharge and kick back.

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The design of a living room will depend on a number of factors:

Who will be using the space? - The current occupants of the home will of course be the main drivers in

deciding how the living room is laid out. A young family for example may want to include a space for toys,

smaller seating, easy to wash fabrics and hang proud displays of children’s artwork. A music lover may need

extra shelving to hold their precious vintage record collection or a dedicated corner for their musical

instruments.

How will the space be used? – Are the occupants, party animals who will have the room filled with guests

every weekend? Or do they love the peace and quiet and will be usually alone reading in the room? Will the

space need to be flexible with furniture that can be easily pushed out of the way so that a large craft project

or paperwork can be spread out? Usage of the room is a great starting point for any living room design.

How big is the space? – This will of course be crucial. Depending on the size of the room, careful planning

will need to take place to create a look which works. The available area will need to be carefully measured

and any furniture, rugs, wall hangings, window dressing and lighting will need to be sourced accordingly.

Small and large living rooms do in fact a slightly different approach.

What are the architectural features? – Any design plans will be heavily influenced by the existing features

in the room. This can be a great help to the designer – fabulous windows looking out onto a stunning garden

will provide a great showcase for your curtains or other window dressings while the natural light will be a

joy to incorporate. On the flipside a space for example which has lots of doors leading off it will restrict the

space available to place sofas and to establish flow through the room. Sometimes architectural features can

be adapted for example by blocking off unused doors, but this may be a step too far for some homeowners

in terms of budget and disruption so the designer will need to learn to be flexible in their approach.

Having considered the what, how and who of the space, you can now get into planning your design. Here is

a good checklist of how to build your design:

1. What is the focal point of the room? – The best living rooms start with a focal point and everything else

is framed around that anchor point. Oftentimes this is a TV set but it’s good to think of more imaginative

alternatives. Is there a fabulous fireplace? Or how about a floor to ceiling window? Is there a large accessory

which needs to take pride of place?

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2. Seating - Focal point chosen. Now what? – Next step is to arrange the furniture sympathetically around

your focal point. Make sure you include enough seating to accommodate the usual number of people who

will be using the space. Mix up sofas and armchairs to create interest and if you want to bring new life to an

old sofa, a great throw or beautiful cushions are a good choice. The sofa will probably be the biggest

investment in the room, so choose wisely. Armless sofas can look sleek especially in small spaces, but they

are not known for comfort. Lighter fabrics work better in smaller living rooms and do avoid high backed

chairs. If you have a through living room, a large sofa carefully placed can work as a successful room divider.

Also think about how the furniture looks when you walk into the room. A row of seat backs won’t be the

most inviting welcome. It’s best practice to choose the sofa before selecting your wall color, easier to find a

complementary paint shade to match a sofa fabric than the other way around.

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10.3 Kitchen

The kitchen really is at the heart of the home. It is where all the cooking, eating and lots of socializing take

place. It is also often where work is laid out across the kitchen table, homework is completed, bills are paid,

admin is done, paint is splashed by excited children, cakes are iced and of courses many meals are consumed.

Not to mention where all the parties end up! The designer really needs to understand the many tips and

tricks to get this vital space singing; whether it is a big space or a tiny corner, the kitchen is one you need to

get right.

Here are some pointers to take into account to pull off a kitchen design which packs a real punch:

The kitchen triangle – This is where all kitchen design starts. It’s the area of the kitchen which sees the most

activity and the one which needs the most careful planning. The kitchen triangle refers to fridge, cooker and

sink. These three key zones in a kitchen will need to be used for the preparation of all meals and so need to

be installed near enough to each other to provide easy access. Between the three, a useful area of worktop

needs to be factored in. The space in the kitchen triangle should be measured so that it is not so large that

it is cumbersome to work in and not so small that people will trip over one another.

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Worktops – The worktop will be a key to the look of the kitchen as it will occupy the largest area so it is

worth investing a decent chunk of any budget here. Granite, marble, Corian and concrete work well as do

certain better quality laminates. You can think about using the same material for a splashback for a sense of

continuity. If the wall area doesn’t give you enough space for a decent run of worktop, creating a kitchen

island, breakfast bar or peninsula would help. Kitchen islands have the advantage of also adding extra storage

space below but do remember to factor in a workable space around the island for people to move around

easily; don’t ever be tempted to squeeze an island into too small a space.

Splashbacks – These can sometimes be left as an afterthought in a kitchen design which is a bit of a mistake.

Leaving a wall without a splashback will inevitably lead to dirty walls as the grease and steam do their worst.

You are much better off installing your splashback at the same time as your worktop. At this time any joins

can be properly made good and electrical sockets and so forth positioned correctly.

Storage – Key here is to pick a look and stick to it. Keep the size and style of cabinetry as similar as you can.

Make sure you use every available space even tricky corners can be used with thoughtful use of ironmongery

such as spinners and pull out drawers. If budget is a consideration, select cheaper carcasses and splash your

budget on the doors and handles, which will have the most impact on the finish. Appliances can also be

concealed inside cabinets to give a sleek finish and don’t forget to think carefully about under counter

lighting. One tip to make a small kitchen feel bigger is to recess the kickboards under the counters rather

than flush with the edge. This will give the sense of more width and depth to the space.

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Lighting – The kitchen is one area where there is a place for all three types of lighting. Task lighting will be

needed to illuminate areas where for example sharp knives are used; general lighting such as a central

pendant or under counter lighting will be useful at all times; and mood lighting is also great especially if the

kitchen also acts as a dining room and you want to be able to create atmosphere for a dinner party for

example. Installing different types of lighting and especially making use of dimmer switches will give the

kitchen the ability to move from the practical to the celebratory, the functional to the intimate, to cover all

the roles a kitchen fulfils.

Ventilation – There will inevitably be a lot of different smells and lots of heat coming from a kitchen so it’s

important to factor ventilation into any design. There’s nothing worse than the lingering smell of stale food

hanging around long after the meal has been eaten. Extractor fans above the hob are a good start and there

are so many models and styles on the market that matching one to your design has never been easier. Do

make sure that you assess the fan for its power and noise levels before you buy.

Rubbish – Not the most exciting subject but really important to consider. Modern households will be used

to separating waste into paper, food, glass and tins and general containers. Unsightly bins won’t look very

appealing, so try to think where you might be able to locate smaller receptacles perhaps two deep and on

runners inside a low level storage unit. You need to stay mindful of the practicalities of a kitchen while

keeping your interior designer’s hat on.

Investment – The design and quality of a kitchen is one of the most important considerations in a property.

It can have a major bearing on the sale price if and when the property is sold. With this in mind, it is worth

making sure that you think of the length of life of the kitchen. Make sure that you vet and select a

professional tradesperson to fit the kitchen, there are many complexities involved in fitting, and a DIY

approach is not advisable. Also keep a sensible head when choosing style. The kitchen may last upwards of

ten or even twenty years so be mindful that what is achingly on trend now will probably date and make the

kitchen seem older than it is. Better to stick to more classic design and add in fashionable accents in the

accessories and wall color as these can be easily replaced as fashions change.

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10.4 Bedroom

The bedroom is where you go dream, relax and sleep. As such it needs to be cozy, comfortable and inviting.

The best designs for this most private space in a home will create a welcoming cocoon, a fantastic place to

wind down and refresh, ready for a new day.

A bedroom needs to contain as a minimum – a bed, bedside tables, wardrobes, a floor length mirror and

suitable lighting. For larger spaces you may have the luxury of also fitting in a dressing table, comfortable

chair or other shelving. Don’t forget the other details like blackout blinds, hooks behind doors and beautiful

artwork for the walls.

Begin by placing the bed in the middle of one of the longest walls. Then you will have the space to add a

bedside table with a reading light on either side with enough room to get in and out of bed comfortably. For

smaller rooms, it’s a good idea to get a bedside table with drawers underneath for storing any bits and

pieces.

When it comes to wardrobe space your choices will of course be dictated by the space. While for the real

clothes horse, a walk in wardrobe may be their dream but oftentimes, there won’t be enough space.

Nevertheless installing either built in or freestanding floor to ceiling wardrobes should give a decent amount

for clothing. When you are planning out a wardrobe, think too about the inside. Provide spaces for hanging

items as well as folded ones, shoes, jumpers, ties etc. etc. The better thought out these details are, the more

likely the room is to remain tidy and therefore relaxing. If space is tight, sliding doors on a wardrobe can

work well and you can always incorporate a large mirror on either side of a door if there is limited wall space

elsewhere.

In terms of color, less is definitely more in a bedroom. Keep the color palette to neutral. This will both help

to lighten the space and add to the sense of relaxation. Add in splashes of color to the window dressing,

bedding and rugs. When it comes to the bed, choose the best that can be afforded and make sure that the

client chooses the best mattress for their posture. Always use a mattress protector and great quality cotton

sheets. For a luxurious, hotel feel, style the bed with plump pillows and cushions and throws to match the

color scheme.

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10.5 Bathroom

Along with the kitchen the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in terms of adding value to a

property, cost to refit and flexibility in design. Even though the bathrooms are normally the smallest spaces

in the home, the variety available to the designer is amazing. In designing a bathroom, you need to first

consider practicalities of the space and then choose a design which will work.

Practicalities

Any design will be constrained of course by the architectural features such as the doors and

windows but also by the piping and waste. If the budget is not an issue, then pipework can be

relocated if it is not in the right place but this can be highly disruptive to the rest of the building.

It is usually cheaper, easier and quicker to keep a bathroom in the original location in the building

as it will already be logically connected to the existing water and waste supplies. Likewise within

the bathroom itself, although making layout changes is less onerous, you will find a quicker

solution if you place any new sanitary ware in the same location as the old.

Another thing to consider before planning a bathroom is the water pressure. The types of

shower you can install will be dependent on the pressure coming into the building. If there is

low mains pressure then not all shower types will be suitable for example. So before you make

any final selections for products in a bathroom you would be wise to consult a professional

plumber for advice. Various kinds of pumps and so forth can be installed if necessary but be

warned - there’s no point in installing a beautiful new shower when only a trickle of water comes

out!

You will also need to take advice from a builder on the available cavity depth available behind a

bathroom wall or under the floor. This is important because if you choose to install recessed

rather than wall mounted taps for example, there needs to be room behind the wall or under

the floor for you to fit all of the relevant piping. This is a very real issue. Making big structural

alternations to walls and floors will be very disruptive so just make sure that you are aware.

A final consideration is the strength of the floor. This will not always be relevant but if for

example you want to install a beautiful cast iron bath you may need to check the load bearing

ability of the floor to make sure that it can take the weight especially when full of water and an

occupant. Finally domake sure that any large bath can get up any stairs and through doorways!

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Design style

When you come to choosing the design for a bathroom you will be dazzled by the array of

products available. Bathrooms come in many shapes and sizes from the downstairs cloakroom

to the ensuite shower room; from the family bathroom to the walk in wet room. Product ranges

have been developed and adapted for all these different sizes and needs.

There are many styles available to the designer of a bathroom. As with the kitchen, a bathroom

refurbishment will usually last a good number of years. It is therefore important to make the

right choices to that your look will withstand the test of time. Choosing good quality products

will also pay dividends. You can particularly gauge the finish of a bathroom by the quality of the

taps and other brassware. This is not an area to skimp on.

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Any bathroom needs to contain the same basic components – bath and/or shower, WC, washbasin, storage,

ventilation, heating and flooring. A few tips on each here:

Baths – Roll top, slipper, Victorian, sleek modern, acrylic, metal, long, short, deep, shallow – wow the choices

go on. Although it may seem like overkill, it’s good practice to get the main users of the bath to lie in them

in the bathroom showroom to see which feels the most comfortable. While you may need to shape your

choice on cost and/or space in the bathroom, you need to make sure that it will give the user the best relaxing

experience.

Showers – Again lots of choice here. Do you want to install a cubicle separate to the bath if space allows?

Will the shower need to be above the bath? If so make sure you factor in a shower screen into your design.

Newer water systems will allow a bath mixer to divert the water flow from a bath tap to a head height shower

to a hand held shower in one control device, so lots of options there.

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WC – Here you need to consider the style of the sanitary ware. WC’s can be obtained in many

different sizes so make sure you choose accordingly and that you fit the appropriate size into

the correct shape of bathroom. If you choose to install a WC with a recessed cistern, do make

sure that you factor in an access panel for any maintenance down the line.

Washbasins – Lots of options here. Do you want a single or double washbasin? How about

mounting the basin on top of the vanity unit or will it be built in? Can you build in any storage

around the basin? Space is often at a premium in a bathroom so utilizing the space under and to

the sides of a washbasin is a good move.

Ventilation – Here there are two main options. You can use natural ventilation. If there is a big

enough openable window with decent air flow and the user is disciplined enough to open it

regularly then this can provide sufficient ventilation. However more often than not a fan of some

sort will be needed. These can be cut into a window but for a more stylish look, it is better to

recess them into the wall. Fans are normally activated when a light is put on. Some models can

be noisy so do your research here.

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Heating – Three main options here which can be used alone or in combination. Firstly there are

traditional radiators. They will do the job but can take up quite a bit of space and are not great

at drying towels and so forth. Secondly consider installing a towel rail. Two functions covered in

one here – heat and drying. Very popular in design at the moment. Thirdly, for a really luxurious

feel, think about installing underfloor heating. A wonderful addition to the comfort of a

bathroom. Take advice from a bathroom fitter on which type best suits your project and

remember that installation will need to be factored in right at the start of the project.

Flooring – Lots of options here. Large profile tiles work well and can harmonize effectively with

the wall tiling too. Good quality vinyl and some laminates are also worth considering. Wooden

flooring can be a risky choice as it doesn’t perform brilliantly in wet and humid conditions.

Whatever you choose make sure that it is non slip and easy to clean.

10.6 Kid’s room

Styling a child’s bedroom is great fun. Your starting point will of course be the child. Discuss their favorite

colors, fairytales, cartoon characters, interests and enthusiasms. This will give you a feel for what they like

and you can reflect that in your design. A child’s bedroom needs to fulfill numerous functions. It is of course

a place to rest and sleep but will also be a place to play, to have fun with friends and in particular for the

older child, a place to study.

One difficulty in styling a child’s bedroom is that inevitably what they like will change quite frequently. The

dinosaur loving three year old won’t want the stegosaurus wallpaper as they approach the end of primary

school; the ballet mad little girl may well have moved onto loving boy bands a few short years later.

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So the key to getting a child’s room right is to make sure that the important building blocks of the room such

as the bed, wardrobe, shelving, flooring and storage are as far as possible going to last for a decent number

of years. Then the theme can be brought in with the less expensive and easy to change elements such as the

bedding, wall covering, rugs and curtains. In this way you can create a good basic set up for a room which

could last for the majority of a child’s early years but have the flexibility to move on in terms of style every

few years as the child’s tastes change and develop.

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For shared bedrooms, bunk beds or cabin beds can work well. You can also make interesting use of

freestanding shelving, wall decorations and rugs to create different zones within the room so that each child

feels they have their own unique space even if they are sharing a room.

Incorporating good storage is really important in a child’s room for all ages. The many books and toys which

a child has will all need a place to be kept along with their clothes, shoes, dressing up etc. There are lots of

options in terms of shape and size for storage and you can even buy basic wooden or cardboard storage and

get the child involved in customizing it with their own designs.