Home & Interior Design
You should love your space. Everything from the color of your walls to the furniture you choose can reflect you. I love helping readers create the home of their dreams,
down to the smallest details.
Read some of my home and interior design articles below.
TOP TRENDS FOR BATHROOM RENOVATIONS IN 2022
After a long day, you want to come home and relax. What better place to do that than in your spa-like bathroom? But if you neglected your bathroom's style, relaxing may not feel like the spa getaway it should be.
So how do you turn your bathroom into your personal oasis? The answer is simple: with these top trends for bathroom renovations, of course.
Here is a little insight into the colours, textures, and features that will dominate the design magazines in 2022. You can use these to turn your bathroom into the stuff of a professional designer's dreams.
BOLD MARBLE ACCENTS
Marble is no stranger to bathrooms or home remodels. But this material will be having a moment in 2022 in a big way. It's time to go bold with marble accents in your bathroom renovation.
Think chic marble tile and floor-to-ceiling marble accent walls. These add a touch of elegance and luxury to make any bathroom feel high-end.
STATEMENT MURALS
Want to add a bit of pattern and colour to your bathroom? Then a statement mural is a must for 2022. We've seen wallpaper in other parts of a home renovation, but now it's time to add the scenic design to the bathroom.
The days of plain white and sterile walls are gone. Murals add a bold accent to an otherwise straightforward space.
A TOUCH OF LUXURY
Luxury doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. Although, feel free to splurge on the right piece. Adding a touch of luxury means finding those striking and unique pieces that will stand out among the rest of your design.
Luxury bathroom renovation ideas could be a sparkling chandelier or a vintage clawfoot tub. These details make your bathroom feel more customized.
MIX AND MATCH TEXTURES
It's all about creating a visually interesting space. And to do that, you have to mix and match your textures. Monotone creates a flat room, while a combination of wood, tile, and stone makes the eye bounce around.
Don't be afraid to try different combinations of colours, materials, and textures to create a design that's truly one of a kind.
NATURAL MATERIALS
Using natural materials allows you to add neutrals without the space feeling cold and clinical. A plain white tile can feel like a doctor's office. But an off-white, cream, or tan stone feels much more warm and welcoming.
Natural materials like stone, bamboo, and wood pair well with bold colours and patterns, so they help add accents that keep the room from feeling too visually overwhelming.
SCHEDULE YOUR BATHROOM RENOVATION
You may not have given much thought to your bathroom before, but 2022 is the year to do it. It's time to turn that dated space into your own relaxing oasis.
These trends for bathroom renovations are a great place to start. To get started on renovating your home’s bathroom, contact the design and renovation experts at Interiors With Elegance in Calgary. We can help you achieve your dream bathroom with modern style.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TAPS FOR BATHROOMS–A COMPLETE GUIDE
Details to look for with bathroom taps
Because bathroom taps are a combination of style and function, it's important to make the decision with both of these factors in mind.
You don't want to fall in love with a tap that's completely incompatible with the anatomy of your bathroom. So here are a few basic details to look for before choosing a tap style.
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Size of the fixture
One of the very first details you should be looking at is the size of the fixture. This is especially true of sink taps where space may be limited or has to be precise.
The size of the base may not fit on every countertop, or it may take up too much of the shower wall. The size of the faucet may be too large or too small for the area you're installing it.
Be sure to keep in mind the dimensions of the tap and the space you have.
Number of tap holes
This can go unnoticed very easily until you realise the tap you purchased is incompatible. How many holes does the tap need to function, and how many are available where you want to put it?
You'll often find taps that require either one, two, or three holes. Though with added accessories, they can use more. The number of required holes can also play a role in the look of the tap.
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Hidden hardware
It's possible to fall in love with the look of a tap and think that it will work for your space, only to find out that it won't because of hidden hardware.
That's hardware in the walls like tubes and pipes that could dictate what kind of taps your bathroom can use. Before looking at taps, try to see if you have any hardware that would limit your choices.
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Where can you mount taps?
When it comes to where you can mount your tap, you have three different options: the floor, the wall, or the deck. Each location has its own benefits, disadvantages, and style.
Wall-mounted taps
Wall-mounted taps attach directly to the wall above the sink or bath. They have become popular in recent years for the sleek designs they offer. This style of tap is easy to clean and looks great with any design.
However, they can be tricky to install because the plumbing is behind the wall of the sink or tub.
You'll probably need to hire a professional to do the work to install the tap. It may also be necessary to hire a professional to address any issues or maintenance the tap would require.
Floor-mounted taps
Floor-mounted taps are have taken the design world by storm for the sleek and stylish look they add to the bathroom furniture. These taps add a bit of vintage flair when positioned next to a freestanding or clawfoot tub.
They're mostly used for bathtubs rather than sinks. They're loved for flexibility when it comes to bathtub placement, allowing you to place the bathtub anywhere in the room.
But the dimensions can be tricky with floor-mounted taps. You have to take placement and tub size into consideration.
Deck-mounted taps
The most common mount is the deck-mounted tap. These are taps directly installed on the sink, countertop, or side of the bathtub. They can lean more vintage or traditional.
However, with deck-mounted taps, you're often limited in style, as there are only certain taps that work with the space that the deck provides.
Common styles of taps
With modern interior bathroom design comes a variety of tap styles, from ultra-modern to more traditional. However, you can categorise every tap into a style family. Here are the most common tap styles.
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Mixer taps
Mixer taps are popular in modern bathrooms and kitchens. These taps feature a single nozzle that will run both hot and cold water.
This style allows you to create the perfect temperature based on how much hot and cold you let run. Mixer taps are especially great for those who like to have baths and want to control the temperature of the bathwater.
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Pillar taps
The pillar tap has independent valves to control the water flow. There are two tap holes for hot and cold water, respectively. This is a standard tap for most homes but often comes in a variety of styles to match any bathroom design.
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Monoblock taps
The monoblock tap has a single control to turn on the water and adjust the temperature. Loved for their sleek design, they're mounted on the countertop or the basin of the sink.
A monoblock tap is ideal for a simple and functional bathroom.
Filler taps
Filler taps have two taps that flow into a shared water outlet. This allows you to customise a temperature and is ideal for those who like to run a bath. Filler taps also work great with low water pressure.
Ball taps
Ball taps are more common in commercial uses, but you can find these taps for home use in kitchens and bathrooms. These have a hollow ball inside that controls the temperature and the flow.
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One complaint of this style of tap is that it leaks more often.
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Know the different types of taps for bathroom sinks and tubs
One often overlooked detail in a bathroom renovation is the tap. A bathroom tap provides both aesthetic and function to the interior design of your bathroom. Knowing the different types of taps for bathroom sinks and tubs is key to elevating these fixtures to ones that will work well, look stylish and stand the test of time.
DRAMATIC LIGHTING FOR OPEN FLOOR PLAN HOMES: HOW TO PULL IT OFF
There’s one detail you’re missing while you’re decorating the inside of your home. No, it’s not the furniture or the small decorative details. It’s lighting.
Many interior designers will tell you that lighting is one of the most important factors to having a well-designed room. Despite that fact, many homeowners and DIY decorators overlook this detail.
There are rules to lighting that will transform your space into something off the glossy pages of an interior design magazine. Let’s start with lighting open floor plans. Here’s how to pull off dramatic lighting for open floor plans.
Start with a Lighting Plan
Before you go out and buy a bunch of fixtures for your home, you should create a lighting plan. This plan can help guide you as you design your space. A lighting plan is especially important with open floor plans.
No one fixture can equally light a large, open space. Don’t go looking for one single piece that will satisfy an open room. You’ll probably need a few fixtures to light your entire space.
These three factors should be top of mind when your start creating your lighting plan.
Break Down the Space
Before jumping in with the lighting fixtures, break down the space you’re working with. With a large open room, you can often break it down into multiple functions. Some open rooms may already have these divisions.
Take a look at your room. It is a large two-floor living room? Is it a combination like a living room with a dining room or kitchen? Or is the entire living space an open floor plan?
With each of these separate spaces, you will probably need individual lighting rather than a single fixture.
Create Separate Areas with Lighting
Now that you have an idea of the breakdown of your space separate these areas. Your home may already have some separation with half walls or a change in flooring.
However, if you have one large room, map out what each area will be. Most commonly, these rooms will break down as a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. You may also have a library, office, or kids’ playroom.
You’ll want to give each of these spaces its own separate lighting scheme. For example, the dining space may feature a large overhead light, while the living space has a combination of floor lamps and table lamps.
Design the lighting specifically for that space while maintaining harmony in style and brightness. You don’t want to over- or under-light the space.
Don’t Forget To Check Electrical Outlets
Common in every home but easily forgotten, electrical outlets can determine where you place your furniture. Do a check for the placement of the electrical outlets in your space to make sure your lighting design is possible.
If the electrical outlets aren’t optimally placed, you may be able to use and hide extension cords and power strips. However, you do want to be careful not to have cords crossing your space.
Consider Architectural Features
To make your lighting feel customizable, you’ll want to keep any of your home’s architectural features at the front of your mind. Do you have high ceilings, exposed beams, or built-in shelving?
How about large windows that bring in natural light or no interior walls at all? If you have any architectural features, it may be worth using lighting to draw the eyes to those features.
Light in Layers
No matter what room you’re trying to decorate, you want to light in layers. Not only is this aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also practical. You don’t always need large overhead lights, and small table lamps might not always cut it.
Here are the three basic lighting layers to incorporate into your design.
Ambient Lighting
Think of this kind of lighting as general, overall lighting. These are often ceiling lights that will brighten the entire space. Ambient lighting should be installed evenly throughout the open floor plan to illuminate the entire room.
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Recessed lights, track lights, and ceiling-mounted fixtures are all great ambient styles for open floor plan lighting.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting will illuminate specific parts of your design. This kind of lighting can fit anywhere in your design, from small objects to large features. Think of accent lighting as a spotlight of anything your want to highlight in your home.
This interesting lighting can highlight a piece of art on the wall, a collection on wall shelves, or create shadows from a plant’s leafy foliage.
Task Lighting
For specific activities, you need task lighting. These are important, especially in a large open room, to allow you to focus without straining your eyes. Task lighting requires a bit of strategic placement, but the extra thought will pay off.
In the living room, you may want to use task lighting for reading or playing games. Or, in the kitchen, under-cabinet lighting can help you prep dinner.
Choose Stylish Fixtures
Besides the mechanics, one of the keys to dramatic lighting is choosing the right fixture. This has to do more with aesthetic style rather than the practicality of lighting.
Break down your interior style into broad categories you can easily search. For example, you may like modern and contemporary or bohemian and eclectic. You can even combine styles like a modern eclectic interior design.
For dramatic lighting for open floor plans, a statement piece from a retailer like Interior Deluxe can be the missing piece your space has been needing.
Transform Your Space with Dramatic Lighting
Have you wanted your space to look like a professional designed it, but something is missing that you can’t put your finger on? The missing factor might be the lighting.
Interior design professionals use dramatic lighting to convey a mood and bring an extra element to their design. While you may focus on your furniture and decor, it’s the lighting in your home that may need some attention.
Need a few tips to transform your home? Check out more articles on our blog today!
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SAN DIEGO BACKYARD HARDSCAPING:
THE OFFICIAL GUIDE
At first glance of a house, you probably can't see the backyard. But that doesn't mean the backyard shouldn't be eyecatching. The backyard should be a homeowner's oasis, which means a stunning design is a must.
The cornerstone to a well-designed backyard is hardscaping. With a large selection of materials and a plethora of ideas, you can create the outdoor space of your dreams.
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Not sure what features to add to your backyard project to-do list? Our San Diego backyard hardscaping experts know exactly how to transform your space. Here is your essential guide to hardscaping ideas for your home.
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Pathways
You can use pathways to navigate through the grass in your backyard. Despite their utility function, you can still make pathways a stylish feature in your backyard.
There is a huge variety of materials you can use to create a pathway. From large concrete stones to small paving tiles, you can walk through your yard in style.
For yards that embrace natural beauty, try neutral-colored stones that enhance your backyard's beauty. Or, if you're looking to add a bit of color, try brick or tile pavers. You can also add texture by using pavers to create designs.
Gazebos and Pergolas
Gazebos and pergolas add some shaded area to your backyard, which is ideal if you get a lot of direct sunlight. These are freestanding structures in your backyard that you can use as another space to sit and relax.
They can be small structures to add some visual interest or large enough to add furniture underneath. With a variety of shapes and sizes available, you find the perfect structure for your backyard style.
Consider a gazebo with a few chairs that you can use to sip coffee on weekend mornings. Or add a pergola with climbing plants and host a dinner party underneath.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are mostly used for utility purposes, but you can still incorporate them into the hardscape design of your backyard.
Usually, retaining walls help to hold back landscaping or natural features like hills. The walls help to keep dirt and water runoff from overrunning the backyard.
Use similar materials to other features in your backyard like pavers or patios to incorporate the retaining wall into the overall design. This will make this utility feature feel more like a purposeful and stylistic choice.
You can use retaining walls to highlight landscaping like flower beds, tree saplings, and gardens.
Firepits
Consider a summer night spent cozy by the fire, and you don't even have to leave your backyard to enjoy it. That is if you add a firepit to your list of must-have backyard features.
Firepits are one of the best backyard hardscaping features because homeowners get so much use out of them. They're a project that easily adds value to your home.
A built-in fireplace is typically made with brick or stone as a surround. They're often accompanied by a small patio so you can place chairs around them. However, sunken conversation pits with a firepit have grown in popularity.
Decks and Patios
When asked to give backyard hardscaping advice, experts will always tell you that a deck or patio is a good idea. In fact, these structures are often the first feature many homeowners consider when going a backyard remodel.
That's because a well-designed deck or patio creates a base for a fantastic backyard. These structures extend your living space into the outdoors, allowing you to eat, entertain, and relax in your backyard with ease.
You can also achieve a deck or patio with simple materials, which is great for homeowners on a budget. But you can also go grand and add features like a built-in kitchen, fireplace, or bar area.
Driveways
You may not consider your driveway an essential part of your landscape design. But that doesn't mean you should let it fall by the wayside. Homeowners can do interesting things with their driveways if they get creative enough.
The classic option is to use poured concrete to create a driveway. And while that will always work, you do have the option of getting a little more creative.
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Brick and stone can provide some much-needed color and texture to a plain driveway. As long as the material is load-bearing and weather-resistant, you can use it to transform your driveway.
Large Stones and Boulders
Add some texture to your landscaping by breaking up the silhouette. You can do this by using large stones and boulders among your plants and trees. This can give your backyard a rustic and natural feel when arranged properly.
One of the best backyard hardscaping tips is to incorporate large stones and boulders with other forms of landscaping and hardscaping. Use these large features to accent patio edges, gazebos, and water features.
Fountains and Water Features
Many people associate fountains in yards with luxury, but you don't have to break the bank to have a water feature in your backyard. All you have to do is get a little creative.
Water features can include ponds, streams, swimming pools, and waterfalls. Allow creativity to flow and combine water elements for something truly unique.
Consider a pool with a waterfall feature or a bubbling stream that runs under a gazebo. Or go classic with a koi pond and fountain combination.
Water adds a tranquil element, so it's ideal for homeowners looking to make their backyard a relaxing oasis.
Your San Diego Backyard Hardscaping Experts
Imagine sitting out on your patio in the evening or hosting friends and family around a firepit. When you look at your backyard, can you enjoy it as you want? If not, you should consider a transformation with hardscaping.
Hire a San Diego backyard hardscaping expert to turn your backyard into a personal oasis. You have a variety of options to create the exact kind of outdoor space you want to spend your time in.
Looking to remodel your backyard with client-focused expert contractors? Designs 4 You is ready to take your space to the next level. Contact us today for a free estimate on your backyard project.