MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS & IDEAS

Nathalie Martin

WHAT MAKES A HOME?

Everyone has the perfect image for their home. Whether it’s something traditional or modern, we all want a place that feels distinctly ours. Developing the interior design in your home helps in multiple ways:

• Increases value and interest from potential buyers

• Helps make your home more unique and tailored to your interests

• Adds useful functions to your home, such as heating and lighting

• Improves your mood through use of colour and patterns

These are just a few of the many benefits. Let’s look at some of the many ways to achieve this interior design bliss.

COLOURS

The colours you choose for your home play a big part in the overall aesthetic. Instead of choosing just one colour, you should focus on creating a palette for you home,

which consists of multiple colours which each complement each other.

Cooler colours, such as

blue and green, give

the impression of a

lighter or breezier

colour scheme.

Neutral colours are in-

between warmer and

cooler colours. This

includes white and

beige.

Warmer colours, such

as red and yellow, are

used to give a

distinctly brighter or

sunnier composition.

FABRICS & MATERIALS

The fabrics and materials you choose for your various furnishings and other in-house items will have a knock-on effect on the rest of your home.

• Always make sure you pick a material that suits your climate. For example, when choosing a curtain fabric, pick something that will either keep heat in or let it escape easily.

• Pick patterned materials which flow easily, such as florals and paisley. Whilst patterns will add diversity and flavour to your interiors, solid coloured objects such as sofas and tables help anchor the space.

• With predominately-white or all-white spaces, textures and martials are all the more important. These will help add some variety to the appearance of your furnishings, so whilst being the same colour, they can still stand out as different.

SMALLER SPACES

When working with smaller spaces, there are a number of methods you can use to create more space, as well as create the illusion of a much larger space.

• Use mirrors, as well as other reflective surfaces, in smaller rooms. This will not only make the room look bigger, but also reflect light around the room and make it seem much brighter.

• Take advantage of every possible storage space within your home. This avoids from clutter piling up and taking up valuable floor space in your home. Try and find large objects, such as tables and sofas, which also double as extra storage.

• The ceiling can also provide useful storage space through hanging items. If you can, see which furnishing can be hung from the ceiling to save space.

• Also use layered fabrics and materials to create the feeling of a comfy and cosy space.

DESIGN IDEAS

Wooden decorative

elements will give a room

a rustic feel. Be careful

not to go too far,

otherwise your home

could look like an old log

cabin.

Stone-based interior

design has become

increasingly popular in

2015. The cool and

neutral, yet very natural

colours help a home feel

more relaxed.

Use green to best

replicate a natural and

organic feel to a room.

The colour green

translates well to both

wallpaper / paint and

furnishings.

A metallic room will

provide a crisp, sharp,

and an overall

sophisticated look. Be

careful not to go

overboard, or it could

end up looking too sterile.

THANKS FOR READING

Slideshare – Nat_Mar

Twitter - @martinnathalie9