How an interior designer helps you save money

If you are building your home for the first time, it is necessary to consult an interior designer. Even if you are renovating or building your second home, it is important, because you would want to avoid making old mistakes. Interior designers bring experience and valuable insights to your building project. It might sound counterintuitive but hiring a designer actually helps you save money.

Designers understand the fact that you have a budget. They can plan accordingly. The money you save can be later utilised for décor and furniture. Read here how an interior designer helps you save money.

Saves your time

Time is money. When you hire a designer, you do not have to take days off from work. Moreover, interior design in Singapore is their domain and they can handle it better.

The designer will put in the time and effort that this major investment requires. Designers draw up timelines beforehand and prioritise accordingly. You can coordinate with them and track progress on a daily basis.

Gets you more discounts

Designers are a part of a community, which makes them privy to a number of discounts and insider information. Hiring a designer, in effect, means availing décor items at wholesale prices. You can even ask your designer to get you contractors for woodwork, painting, and plumbing at a competitive rate.

Designers and contractors often work together and hence get better rates. Moreover, managing contractors hired separately can be a problem. However, your interior design can liaise between you and your contractor as well.

Help repurpose your old décor items and furniture

Avoid buying new and expensive furniture pieces. Interior designers, basically, are creative people at heart. They like the challenge of having to repurpose old pieces. Be it your flooring, lightings, an old sofa or your cabinets, just ask your designer about the possibility.

The designer, with their training and creativity, can accommodate these pieces in their plan. Getting your old chairs reupholstered instead of splurging on new ones will mean saving a lot of money.

Help avoid costly reworks

Design enthusiasts designing their own home often make costly mistakes that would take a lot more to repair later. This is because as an amateur, there are aspects of interior design that you don't have mastery over. For instance, there could be a problem with lighting. Another common mistake is choosing paint colour before planning the furniture and flooring.

You could also run the risk of over-furnishing a room or buying out of scale furniture. Correcting these errors means undertaking a fresh renovation project. Hiring a professional for interior design helps avoid such costly reworks, so you can save more.

Help raise resale value

Think about the future. You may decide to sale your house sometime. It could also be that you are moving in temporarily and would need to sell it in a couple of years. Hiring a professional for your interior design will help raise the resale value of your house.

Investing a little more in upping the look of your house will impress visitors and prospective buyers no end. You can get higher rates if your interior design is tasteful.

from Articles http://www.summerhaus.com.sg/articles/2016/11/22/how-an-interior-designer-helps-you-save-money
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Tips and ideas for designing your home library

The library is a serene space in an otherwise busy house. Nowadays, it is usually combined with the study or the home office. The interior design of a library is actually a lot more than just about books and shelves. It helps you define what being a bibliophile means to you. Having the right decor and furniture is equally important. Read some tips and ideas on how you can design your home library.

Paint the walls in dark colours

For the shelves, brown and grey are popular colours. Though contemporary styles also favour bright shades like lime and aqua blue. For the walls, dark colours help add drama and depth to the space. You should experiment with darker shades of colours like red as well. To keep the interior design consistent, make sure that you do not use too many colours in your library.

Shelves and furniture

Keep the theme flowing throughout the shelves, flooring and furniture. Add a dash of pop, with ottomans in warm colours. You can use dark-stained wood for the shelves. Use comfortable fabrics like leather or chenille for your seating furniture. A coffee and an end table are a must. You can even mark out the seating area with an area rug.

Vary your lighting

Unless you have a light flooded library with glazed windows et al, adequate lighting is an absolute must. Lighted bookshelves are an interesting idea. Floor lamps can be fixed adjacent to a couch or chair. Other options for lighting include recessed ceiling lighting and brass-base lighting. There would be times when you would want to dim the lights and create a cosy ambience. A fireplace can provide that.

Decor and accessories

A home library is incomplete without accessories. Display your valuables and prized possessions in the shelves. An entire wall or an awkward corner can be decorated with a series of paintings or wall hangings. A wide range of accessories, including French lamps, portraits, chandeliers, seashells and even a chessboard, can be employed. Wall décor ideas include plastered walls in rattan shades.

Combine it with your media space

You might not have the dimensions for a round library. But you can still have a luxurious combination of a media room-cum-study. Invest in a decorative wooden ceiling and have shelves all around the space. Include a spacious seating arrangement to the centre, complete with a stylish coffee table and a grand media centre.

Opt for masculine vibes

Adding elements of masculine interior design can add a historical feel and grandeur to the library. This is especially exciting for serious readers. Get fully panelled walls, an imposing desk and a custom bench that has corner arms. Incorporate more wood in shelves and furniture for a masculine vibe.

Go ahead with a contemporary design

Contemporary library design demands functionality. Get multipurpose furniture, for instance, a large table for studying and hosting dinner parties as well. Choose ottomans over cocktail tables, especially if you are short on space. Get narrow, open shelving to flank either side of the door. For an industrial feel, have your shelves made from recycled wood and metal rods.

from Articles http://www.summerhaus.com.sg/articles/2016/11/21/tips-and-ideas-for-designing-your-home-library
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How do you know if you need an interior designer?

The interior design of your home needs to follow your own unique sense of style. If your home lacks your characteristic attitude towards life, it would be a good idea to hire an interior designer. If you are too occupied by your job to design your home, which is a time-consuming and exhaustive process. To know when you need an interior designer, read on.

If you want to spend your money wisely

A minimalist design always win as it helps a house owner to spend more wisely. If you want to make sure this money is not spent on the wrong choices, you need an interior designer. You would not want to waste your money, making last minute changes or repairs.

Interior designers provide drawings and insights to help you safely estimate costs. Moreover, you can save money by looking for young designers looking to start out. Hiring a designer helps you save money in the long run.

When you are open to professional suggestions

Hiring a professional for your interior design is not just about physical service. It is about the expertise they are able to bring in. If you have a starting idea and need a professional go-ahead from a professional, you need an interior designer. Moreover, interior design professionals are aware of safety codes and quality standards that you might not be.

Designers talk from education and experience. Technicalities need to be weighed in along with the creative aspects of design.

If you want to get the job done in time

You could be pressed for time, and need to get a project over in a designated duration. Such a situation calls for hiring a designer. Interior designers can help with schedules and thus help contractors monitor progress. Not hiring an interior decorator can mean endless delays because of clients not being able to finalize designs and layouts. In that case, hiring a designer will help figure out a realistic schedule and avoid unnecessary labour costs.

When you want to design your home well

You might have already figured out what elements you would like your home to have. If you are not sure about your choices of furniture, colours, fabrics and accessories, consider hiring a designer. Fitting these into a suitable layout is important. They will offer expertise on colour combination, furniture styles and a cohesive look for the entire house. Hiring a professional also helps you have an interior design that fits your pocket.

If you want to use resources not many know about

Interior designers can access a vast selection of materials, products and furnishings that are available only to insiders. They can let you in on what really would be the best choices for your flooring or the colour of your walls.

There is a difference between visualising the design of a space and actually executing it. No matter how much of an interior design enthusiast you might be, professional intervention has its advantages. Moreover, you can hold only yourself accountable in case of a botch-up.

from Articles http://www.summerhaus.com.sg/articles/2016/11/8/how-do-you-know-if-you-need-an-interior-designer
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Top 7 design ideas for small dining area

A small dining area does not necessarily end every scope for interior design. Whether your dining area is adjoined with an open kitchen or is a small dedicated room, you can still plan it well. Painting the room in bright colors can impart the illusion of spaciousness. Benches provide better seating than chairs in small dining spaces. The idea is to introduce functionality to the space. Read the top 7 design ideas for such small dining areas.

Avoiding visual fragmentation

Interior design for small dining areas is all about doing away with visual fragmentation. This can be done by having transparent dining tables and chairs. You will need circular tables with glass tops and chairs in acrylic for creating this effect. This maximizes the space on the table without the room getting too cramped up.

Using the kitchen island as a dining space

The island is a staple piece of storage furniture in kitchens. It can be further utilized by extending the top that forms a casual dining table for your guests. Moreover, this innovation makes cooking more sociable and enjoyable. You can get your island customized. If not, buy one with a pull-out table. The dining top can be conveniently pushed back inside when not in use.

Increasing the functionality of walls

Devoting four walls to the dining area is a redundant idea when it comes to modern interior design. Open floor plans allow greater functionality and let different areas blend into one harmonious space. Introduce area rugs, recessed lighting and contemporary décor. If you cannot help having walls, work on their functionality. Ideas for this include wall-mounted drop leaf tables and folding chairs.

Setting up breakfast nooks in the corners

Breakfast nooks are a smart addition in dining rooms that are short on space. Add cabinets and storage shelves to utilize vertical space. Breakfast nooks can have two to six seats and provide a cozy space for guests to mingle. Cramped corners can be used by placing two banquettes. Combine interior design with functionality by having hidden storage under seats.

Investing in cafe-style furniture

This can not only provide space saving interior design, but give your dining area a trendy look. Get a bar height table customized for your dining area. It takes less floor space than a traditional dining table. You can opt for higher-than-usual coffee tables as well. Bring the cafe ambience home by bringing a wooden bar to a living room window.

Going for smart shelving

You should not waste storage space in small dining areas. The idea is to avoid cabinets and instead go for open shelves. The doors of cabinets can make a room look stuffy and wastes space. Furthermore, open shelving offers flexible storage options. You can also go for built-in shelves and banquettes along the walls.

Designing for visual illusion

Visual trickery can impart the illusion of the dining area being much larger than it actually is. This can be achieved by getting mirrors to adorn the space. The reflection fakes extra space. Moreover, the bouncing light makes the area brighter. Painting the walls in bright colors gives the illusion of space as well.

from Articles http://www.summerhaus.com.sg/articles/2016/11/8/top-7-design-ideas-for-small-dining-area
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Top 5 tips for designing your balcony

While talking about interior design in Singapore, one generally mentions the interior of a house, for instance the bedroom and the living room. The truth is that the balcony area is as much a part of your home. Balconies are a link between the outside and to your house, therefore, it deserves equal attention. In fact, they present totally different challenges and opportunities for design and décor. Here are 5 tips on designing your balcony.

Go for a green balcony

Potted plants, be it ornamental or flowering give your balcony a fresh feel. You can even have herbs in small pots along the rails. Having plants in the balcony allows you to express your unique interior design. Go for colours that go with your style; aromatic plants and bonsai trees are an interesting choice.

Garden style balconies are especially suited to tropical places like Singapore. Vertical gardens are popular because of their self-irrigating feature. If there is a shortage of space, you can hang plants on the outside.

Light the balcony up

Just like in the rest of your interior design, get proper lighting done for your balcony. Fairy lights can be put up all year long. For subtler ideas, try metal or paper lanterns or even candle stands. Be sure to put candle stands in a place that doesn't get a lot of breeze.

Wall sconces are a sophisticated choice for balcony lighting. However, it is important to ensure that you are not brightening up the area too much.

Fabrics can provide softness

Bring softness to your balcony area by using fabrics. These can be in the form of a waterproof-rug or cushions with coarse fabric covers. Colours like pink, teal and yellow add to the softness. You can bring the indoors outside with a hammock with squishy cushions.

You can also hang woven drapes or those in sheer or lace around the balcony over the rails. Add a swing chair and a matching rug to the scheme and you have a cosy, private 'indoor' balcony.

Have the right seating for the space

The size and shape of the seating will be determined by the area of your balcony. For spacious balconies with a roof to protect from inclement weather, you can have an entire bistro set and deck chairs. Add a bean bag if the space allows.

Mediterranean furniture is an excellent choice if you have a lot of plants in your balcony. For smaller balconies, interior design should be a mix of functionality and creativity. Interesting options are foldaway chairs, ottomans, swing chairs and even chests.

Add the right accessories

Smaller balconies do not allow much scope for large pieces. Accessories provide decorative accents and are in line with your interior design indoors. Table linens, baskets, stuffed toys and colourful cushions are commonly used in balconies.

Even in spacious balconies, accessories add to the flavour of your existing scheme. Have small magazine holders, vases, and even vertical artworks. Smooth pebbles can make for natural doormats. Mini-chandeliers, wind chimes and bamboo-style walls impart an ethnic look to the balcony.

from Articles http://www.summerhaus.com.sg/articles/2016/11/2/top-5-tips-for-designing-your-balcony
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