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Office interior designer in Noida West_9891050117
Interior Designer
Interior designers create the decorative interior layout of working and living spaces. They generally have a strong interest in business, possess strong communication skills and prefer to work in many different environments.
Interior designers create spaces that combine beauty, safety and functionality. While interior designing requires an artistic flair, this must be combined with a working knowledge of design software, building codes and laws, and management skills. Interior designers are often required to work with contractors, designers and clients to design spaces that meet building codes and work with the design of the building. These spaces must also offer the client an aesthetically appealing, safe and functional environment.
Interior design is a profession merging artistic, analytical and technical disciplines to provide an interior solution dictated by the needs of a client. This requires a unique personality, one who can understand and manage divergent concepts. Interior designers must be familiar with color, fabrics and furnishings, as well as construction materials, electrical capacity and building codes. Excellent organizational, communication and business skills are also critical to the success of designers.
A career in interior designing includes more than just being able to arrange an appealing room. Interior designing also requires knowledge of blueprints, safety hazards and building codes, as well as an eye for fashion and design.
Interior designers plan and create interiors to client specifications. Some interior designers work on residential properties, while others specialize in commercial environments, such as offices, retirement homes or hotels. Many in the profession are self-employed. In addition to decorating design elements like color palettes and different fabrics, designers must understand building codes, health and safety regulations and building blueprints. Interior designers often utilize computer design software to create design plans. An associate or bachelor's degree is typically required for an entry level position.
Designing functional and welcoming spaces lies at the heart of an interior designer's focus. Sought after by corporations, retailers and individuals, an interior designer can help to create a relaxing and productive environment no matter what the setting. Experts at bringing together colors, textures and individual design elements, interior designers receive education, training and certification to ensure they meet the standards of the industry. Studying and training to become an interior designer can lead to a fulfilling career.
Structural Design for interior designer
There are two types of interior design: structural and decorative. Good structural design is based on simplicity, good proportion, appropriate materials and suitability for the way the room will be used.
Decorative Design of interior designer
Good decorative design is based on appropriateness to the basic structure, good placement and proper proportion.
Design Elements of interior designer
There are four basic elements of design: Space, form, line, texture and color
Design Principles for interior designer
The seven design principles are unity, balance, focal point, rhythm, scale and proportion, color and details.
Styles of interior designer
All the elements and principles of design are applied within the style of the room, whether it is Contemporary, Victorian, Colonial, Country, French provincial, Traditional, Eclectic or another style
Modern History of interior designer
The interior design profession, as we know it, flourished as a result of the Industrial Revolution. This era created an affluent middle class and an abundance of affordable products and materials. For the first time in history, modern conveniences and services once afforded only to the wealthy were available to a wider population. The modern interior design profession was in its infancy and a number of home and interior magazines began publishing at this time.
Specialties for interior designer
Interior Designers can specialize in one or more categories of interior design. The two core specialties are residential and commercial design. Residential interior design deals with planning and design of private residences. Commercial design is concerned with the planning and design of interiors used for commercial, government or educational purposes. Subcategories include sustainable/green design, accessible design, entertainment design, facilities management, government/institutional design, health care design and hospitality/restaurant design.
Academic Requirements for interior designer
Interior design has strict academic requirements compared to other design disciplines. It is recommended an interior designer have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Architecture, engineering, design and art courses are recommended areas of study within these degree programs. A number of colleges have specialized degrees in interior design. Design schools offer two-, three- and four-year interior design programs. A few colleges and universities have Masters and Ph.D. level degrees in interior design. Depending on the level of education completed, aspiring designers can qualify for assistant positions or enter full apprenticeship programs.
Types of interior designer
Today there are many applications for interior design and different types of jobs to suit. An interior designer can be a sole practitioner developing a reputation in residential design, a member of team creating a hotel lobby, or anything in between. Designers are assigned to such varied projects as creating the interiors of cruise ships, casinos, retail spaces, showrooms, office buildings, museums, movie and television sets and more.
Function for interior designer
Design is everywhere and most people spend approximately 90 percent of their day in some sort of designed environment. When you shop, you encounter design in department store windows and displays, at lunch you eat in rooms that have specially made booths and with art and artifacts to look at. Even at the library there are shelves, niches and relaxed public seating that foster comfort and quiet design. Really, wherever we seek professional services, areas have been touched by an individual who planned the interior to meet building, safety, fire and accessibility codes--all with cost and design in mind.
Features for interior designer
An interior designer has practical considerations, professional requirements, business needs and management of staff and clients to attend to, creating a varied and demanding work day. They must learn design fee methods, how to select vendors, where to buy products such as fabric or shelving at discount, how to hire and oversee tradesmen, what type of permits to get how to communicate and work with clients and more. They will master contract negotiation and legal responsibilities, cost analysis, spatial planning and client presentation, all the while juggling sample boards and swatches.
Considerations of interior designer
An interior designer needs to understand the profession and seek to become a member of professional organizations in order to prosper and build a reputation. While the traditional roots of interior design were in fine arts, home economics and architecture, today there are interior design academic programs at colleges, universities and professional schools.
Prevention/Solution for interior designer
Value is an important commodity in the world of design today. While interior design has been transformed from simply a luxury aesthetic to a necessity to improve a built environment, it is not enough to know the trends. Interior designers must deal with political, economic, sociological, environmental and technological problem solving. Through consistent research, thinking and planning, the potential business owner needs to stay abreast of industry standards, fulfill client expectations, know the liability risks and manage in a responsible, visible manner. To achieve these demands, the hours will be long, marketing will be a mainstay and greater stress with establishing customer service is now required, along with a viable business plan for success.
Expert interior designer
While there is no right way to become an interior designer, attention should be put to education and research (including Internet accessibility). A perfect template for design industry success does not exist and there is no fill-in-the-blanks opportunity. An interior design business owner and worker must face the realities of having to learn and deal with attorneys, accountants and banks in order to set up their own practice. After education, an internship with a reputable firm may be the best way to start.
Understand that as an interior designer you will need to know more than how to decorate a space. For example, you will need to fully understand flammability and toxicity standards, be able to easily read a blueprint and know how to communicate with engineers, architects and clients.
Include computer-aided design (CAD) courses in your electives. As a designer you will be expected to know how to use computers to create your space designs.
Misconceptions for interior designer
A career in interior designing involves more than just an eye for decorating. Beyond placing furniture and matching color schemes, interior designers understand business management and have strong people skills. Interior designers communicate with and work with many people, including clients, architects, plumbers, electricians, and others involved in constructing or refurbishing a building. Business management and organizational skills are requirements for interior designers, who ensure that the project stays within budget, in addition to design responsibilities.
Work Experience for interior designer
Upon completing your interior design degree, a period of qualified work experience must follow to qualify for a certification exam. This usually means two to three years of work experience. Candidates should find their own work placements and work with a licensed interior designer or architect who offers interior design services.
Further Training for interior designer
Many interior design professionals take part in further training. Changes in rules and regulations, as well as laws, may necessitate updating professional know how. Developments in technology and change in fashions may also affect client needs and desires. Many colleges offer courses online.
Characteristics of interior designer
Most interior designers are required to have an interest in art and design, demonstrate solid communication skills in order to connect with clients, and be able to manage others and give support teams direction.
Duties of interior designer
Most interior designers will spend their days analyzing spaces and clients' needs, sketching plans, selecting appropriate furnishings, textiles, as well as administrative work, such as completing contracts, pricing estimates, and negotiations.
Work Environment for interior designer
While some interior designers will spend part of their day in an office, most of their time will be spent on the job site, purchasing supplies, and meeting with contractors.
Job Outlook for interior designer
Work as an interior designer is expected grows at an average rate. Due to an increased interest in interior design, most professionals must obtain a four-year degree to compete with other talent in this field.
Identifying the best use of space, taking advantage of natural resources and displaying one's treasures are challenges that have beset mankind ever since he started living indoors. As far back as the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, the upper classes were not only obsessed with creating comfortable dwellings for themselves during their lifetimes but ensuring they would be surrounded by beauty in the hereafter as well. It was the dawn of the Renaissance and the later emergence of the Industrial Revolution, however, that shaped what the role of future interior designers would be. Specifically, the celebration of the arts and architecture during the Renaissance thrust wealthy patrons into an acquisitive mode to try to outdo one another; the subsequent development of machinery in the Industrial Revolution made it possible for the merchant class to finally be able to purchase more goods for their homes and, accordingly, require more advice on where to put all of it so that it didn't look cluttered.
An interior designer's job is to take a look at the existing room(s) a client wants her to work on and to listen carefully to what the client wants the finished result to be. These discussions will address such items as how the room is going to be used by the individual and/or her family; what kind of tone the client wants the room to project (i.e., elegant, whimsical, soothing); what colors, textures and fabrics the client likes; whether building permits will be required to add or remove walls; and how much of the existing furniture, window treatments and/or artwork does the client want to retain as a part of the new look. The interior designer then proceeds to draft a plan of action, show the client preliminary sketches and color swatches based on their discussions, and put together a budget and timeline for completion. Once the details have been locked down and a contract signed, the interior designer works with a wide range of experts and vendors to ensure the work is completed to the client's satisfaction.
Time Frame
Sometimes the quickest fix to give a room a dramatic new look is simply a coat of paint, a switching-out of window treatments and accent pillows, or just finding the right painting to hang above a couch. Changes such as these can be done in as little as a few weeks. If multiple rooms are being redesigned, however, or if the home is still in the early stages of being built, a client may be looking at several months or even a year of waiting for everything to be picture-perfect. Interior designers also need to take into account the amount of disruption to a family's routine (if they're going to be living in the house during renovations), the impact of weather, and the availability of the professionals he wants to contract to do the work. In the case of vintage homes where it may be important to maintain a certain level of architectural integrity to the period, it may take longer to complete a job if special materials need to be ordered from overseas or re-created from scratch.
One of the biggest complaints against interior designers is when they try to impose their personal style on a client who is either indecisive about what he wants or who caves easily to pressure because interior designer makes his feel that her choices are all wrong. It takes excellent communication and diplomacy skills to be a successful designer, especially when it comes to the challenges of helping today's empty-nesters decide how to downsize their belongings to fit a smaller house or working with blended families in compromising on a style that will allow both sides to keep the respective treasures that are important to them. Hiring a professional interior designer is never a decision that should be rushed into. Interview multiple candidates, ask to see portfolios of his work, and ask to talk to some of his former clients.
Regarding interior Decorator
An interior decorator is someone who focuses on designing architectural interiors and furniture. They make visual enhancements, but don't make structural modifications like interior designers. Additionally, interior decorators don't need to be familiar with building and safety codes.
Interior decorating is the art of designing the interior of a space to reflect the tastes and needs of the resident. It includes both aesthetic and functional components. Aesthetically, interior decorating involves the careful selection of paint, furniture, fabric, lighting and flooring to create a specific look. Functionally, interior decorators help lay out furniture and other room components to allow easy traffic flow and make the space look larger. While the walls and basic shape of the space are not part of interior decorating, everything that goes within the space is considered a part of this art.
Interior decorating is less technical than interior design, so there is really no education or licensing prerequisites to carry out. Nevertheless, enrolling in interior design classes can assist you in enhancing your abilities and provide you with a leg up on the competition as you start your career.
While many homeowners struggle to put together the right colors and finishes, an interior decorator can combine these elements to create a look that is both beautiful and functional. With the right decorating eye, one can choose paints, furnishings, flooring and other design elements that reflect an individual's tastes and personality. To understand the basics of interior decorating one must also learn to distinguish between designers and decorators, as well as learn the role each plays in the design world.
An interior decorator finds ways to enhance embellish or redecorate rooms in private or public spaces. They can provide decoration and furnishings for homes, offices, and even do updates or accessorize yachts, restaurants, model homes and other interior spaces. Whether they work on one room or an entire building, their goal is to make livable, comfortable and lovable spaces.
The profession of interior decorating focuses on the aesthetics and functionality of a space. Following the principles and elements of design, an interior decorator uses paint, fabric, furnishings and accessories to create a visually pleasing, comfortable and functional space. Interior decorators need not be licensed, but certification is available through educational institutes and field mentoring programs.
In addition to the creative side of design, an interior decorator must be a businessperson first and foremost. They will know how to get the best deals, how to price, write and negotiate a contract; be adept at keeping accurate accounts --- including purchasing, billing and filing taxes. They will need to know the fairest tradesmen on the one hand, while trying to decipher home design software and web site content on the other.
One of the best ways to become an interior decorator would be to intern with an established business.
Develop your eye for design. If you are considering interior decorating as an occupation, you probably already have a great sense of style. However, the most gifted decorators have to continually train to determine the preferences of various clients and to keep up with shifting industry trends. You can do this by looking at design and architecture publications, visiting art and furniture galleries and checking out the websites of interior decorating and design professional organizations.
Study the field. While you don't need a formal education to be an interior decorator, clients and employees insist on you being well-informed about decorating essentials including space arrangement, accurate color use, textures, lighting and more. You can learn many of this by studying on your own, but the quickest and most thorough way is to take an interior design class. Additionally, formal training gives you and your future clients more confidence in your abilities.
Apply your skills at home. It's essential to have concrete decorating practice prior to working on others' properties. Many interior decorators use their homes to get the necessary experience. No matter where you live, you just need a room to modify and test different styles. Try a new paint color or just change the furniture around.
Volunteer your help to family and friends. This is another great way to boost your skills by offering to decorate their homes or offices. Do the whole procedure as if you are working with actual clients. For example, have them complete a questionnaire, offer a proposal and decide on a timeline and a budget. Remember that your actual clients might not be as lenient as your family and friends.
Create a portfolio. When you begin searching for work, clients and firms will want to look at your portfolio. You'll need about 15-20 'before and after' photos of your work; you should also have 'design boards' that show some of your favorite material. Even if you don't have conventional work experience, you can compose a portfolio that illustrates work you've done for yourself or family and/or jobs done during your education.
Find employment in the design or decorating field or start your own business. Although your objective may be to ultimately create an interior decorating business, it's beneficial to start your career in a business linked to the field. You can acquire decorating occupations in interior design or decorating firms and in other places like furniture and house wares, hotel chains and furniture stores. By doing this, you will keep developing your skills and encounter prospective customers and suppliers.
Difference between a Decorator and a Designer
Too often the terms "decorator" and "designer" are used interchangeably. In fact, they are very different practices with wildly different educational and licensing requirements.
The interior designer is responsible for safely laying out the building's floor plan in accordance with local building codes, fire safety principles and accessibility guidelines. The designer may also choose finishes and aesthetic elements, but these are only a very small portion of the designer's responsibilities. They often work mainly on commercial projects and is required to complete a four-year degree and to have a license.
Interior decorators differ from interior designers in that decorators do not concern themselves with the structural or architectural aspects of a room or rooms beyond their connections to the decor of the space. For example, an interior designer may work directly with an architect and contractor in a renovation in which the floor plan and infrastructure of a home is altered. A decorator works within the existing floor plan, and is concerned only with the elements added to the space. An interior designer may act as an interior decorator, but a decorator may not act as a designer.
Training for Interior decorator
While an interior decorator is not required to earn a degree, he often pursues some training. This offers the dual benefit of keeping skills up-to-date while providing a third-party verification of a decorator's abilities. Some art and design schools offer interior decorating courses, but many people who wish to enter this field pursue traditional certificate or two-year degree programs at local colleges. These programs teach the basic of design, lighting and color, but also provide an introduction to business and marketing classes. These classes can be very helpful later, as the majority of interior decorators are self-employed.
Careers for interior decorator
The majorities of interior decorators work for small firms or are self-employed. They often specialize in residential work, helping homeowners decorate their houses. An average day may include meeting with clients to discuss design ideas, searching for the perfect carpet or paint color, and putting together color and furniture selections for current projects. Most interior decorators make material purchases on behalf of their clients, so they will take frequent trips to furniture and home improvement stores. Some interior decorators may take on a variety of projects, while others choose a specialty niche, such as green building or high-end residential design.
How to Become an Interior Decorator
With little or no educational or licensing components necessary, the entry barriers to the decorating field are minimal. While some may want to pursue training, others may find they have a natural eye for matching colors and furnishings to create a great look. As you get started in your decorating career, you'll need to build a network of clients and contacts. Keep your own home in great shape, and let friends and family know about your new business. If you can't seem to find work at first, offer to do some decorating work for free. This will help you build your portfolio and give you some references to use with other clients. In addition, start getting to know the various furniture and design stores in your area. As your business grows, you'll know exactly where to find the perfect light fixture or sofa for your customers, making your job easier and helping to impress your clients. To help gain the trust of potential clients, you can even get certified by the Certified Interior Decorators Association. While this is optional, it will act as a validation of your skills and may help you land work
Duties of an interior decorator
The responsibility of an interior decorator involves some of these jobs: utilizing the floor plan and space planning of a room, picking a color palette, finding distinctive wallpapers, choosing flooring, carpeting and lighting, finding upholstered pieces and fabrics, and coordinating all the accessories, including plants, art work and artifacts.
Skill sets for an interior decorator
In order to facilitate her job, an interior decorator advertises his services, meets with clients, provides a plan and sample board for approval, takes measurements, hires subcontractors to do the painting, floor work, etc., selects furniture and the other elements of design, in addition to working within a budget. There is no formal education or association certification needed to work in this field, although there are organizations to highlight expertise and help her to organize her business.
Business of an interior decorator
There are many jobs available to the interior decorators, they can work in department stores and furniture stores consulting for retail clients, they can design shop windows, set up scenes for television and film, decorate for event planners, work in the textiles industry or they might even do some of the crafting themselves such as designing trompe l'oeil painting or murals for a client's home or business.
Interior Decorator Know-How
In addition to the creative side of design, an interior decorator must be a businessperson first and foremost. They will know how to get the best deals, how to price, write and negotiate a contract; be adept at keeping accurate accounts --- including purchasing, billing and filing taxes. They will need to know the fairest tradesmen on the one hand, while trying to decipher home design software and web site content on the other.
One of the best ways to become an interior decorator would be to intern with an established business.
Interior Decorator as a Profession
An interior decorator hired in a professional capacity to redecorate a room or rooms develops a design plan for the client. The plan includes a color palette, a selection of fabrics for upholstered furnishings, a selection of furniture, window treatments and accessories. He also includes a scaled drawing of the room's floor plan detailing the furniture arrangement, as well as artistic renditions of certain areas of the room.
Specialties for an interior decorator
One option available to the professional interior decorator is to specialize in a specific aspect of interior decorating. These include color applications, furniture layout, artwork selection, window treatments and home staging for sales or specific events such as weddings. An interior decorator may also specialize in consultations, in which he provides the client with specific information regarding a potential decorating application. A homeowner, for example, may be planning a kitchen renovation and wants only a consultation about how to achieve a certain look or theme in the room. In this type of job, an interior decorator may provide a sample board displaying swatches of fabric, paint color samples, and photographs of furnishings and accessories. An interior decorator may also include drawings and a list of possible retail outlets for the various items required to achieve the style the client desires. The client then does the "work" himself, using the products of the consultation as a guide.
Commercial interior Designer
A commercial interior designer creates and designs the interiors of commercial properties, such as office buildings, hotels, schools and industrial facilities. Finding employment with architectural firms, furniture retailers or as independent consultants, these individuals provide a wide range of duties over the course of each project.
Prior to accepting an assignment, a commercial interior designer meets with a prospective client to gain an understanding of the scope of a project. This is done to ensure that the designer is a match for the project.
Once a commercial interior designer has accepted an engagement, an initial design concept is created along with a budget estimate which is submitted to the client for approval.
Partnering with various furniture and fabric retailers, art galleries and hardware manufacturer, the commercial interior designer sources various building materials, submitting a final design plan to a construction inspector to ensure that the concept complies with building codes.
A commercial interior designer oversees the entire building process, working closely with the general contractor to ensure that all deadlines are adhered to.
Through the design and construction process, the commercial interior designer liaises with clients, ensuring that all updates and/or changes are communicated.
In designing the interior of a commercial operation, you want to make sure that you create a space representative of the brand or the lifestyle that the business espouses. To this end, it is crucial that the designer and business owner come together to design a space that fuses good design principles and the characteristics of the brand itself. A highly effective space can be created by remembering the target customer base that the business caters to, maintaining a focus on the product and creating an inviting space that leaves an impression.
Remember the Target Customer
A commercial space should be focused, first and foremost, on the business's target customer—this should be a space that reflects those customers through and through and makes them feel they've found the business, be it a restaurant or a retail store that speaks to them. For example, if the target customer is an urban bachelor, make the interior sleek, sophisticated and expensive-looking, with rich colors and dark woods; if the business is directed toward families, create a space that is colorful, fun and kid-oriented. Keep the focus on the customer—NOT the personal tastes of the owner or employees.
Focus on the Product
In any commercial venue, the design and layout of the space should promote the product itself. If the space gets too bogged down in design, the focus will come off the point: delicious and masterfully prepared food, exquisite clothing or beautiful home goods, for example. Though you want to infuse the brand into the space, you also want to leave an element of simplicity that showcases the product. This is the principle behind art galleries often being plain and white (to keep visitors homed in on the art) and black-box theater (to keep audiences focused on the actors in the production). You don't want prospective customers to come in and gawk at the interior, then walk out without the product ever catching their eye.
Make Your Space Inviting
A successful commercial interior space beckons to prospective customers and draws in passers-by. There is something to be said for an Italian restaurant feeling appropriately homey and warm (bring in large, family-style tables and a blazing hearth), or a jewelry boutique feeling elegant and classy (wow customers upon their arrival with stunning displays and have Champagne or sparkling water waiting). These touches are what prospective customers look for when visiting these businesses, and what will lead to them becoming repeat customers—always the No. 1 goal of the proprietor who has hired you to design the interior of their commercial space.
The design of a commercial office's interior conveys a subtle impression about the values and character of the company. Also, it can affect the mood and overall well-being of the people who work in it. These design ideas will inspire you to choose a distinctive yet comfortable working environment.
Seaside Style
People gravitate toward seaside vacations for a logical reason: The sea is beautiful and soothing. Promote a sense of calm by drawing on the beachfront aesthetic. Lay down wood flooring (use certified sustainably harvested wood) and augment with grass mats. Paint the walls off-white or the sun-weathered gray of a house on Martha's Vineyard. Hang green or blue shutters on the walls as if covering a window that looks out on the sea. Also hang large, unframed photo prints (on canvas stretched over wood frames) showing sand dunes, beach grass, sailboats and rolling waves. This look particularly suits companies located near a coastline or with roots in a coastal area.
Cafe Style
For an offbeat yet sophisticated look, transport the office to a café. Put up a full-wall wallpaper mural depicting the City of Lights. Hang soft lights on black chains over each work space. If yours is the kind of workplace that plays ambient music, choose Edith Piaf or a mix that evokes a smoky, sultry nightclub.
Design encourages thoughtful, minimalist use of space---which just might influence people to keep their desks free of clutter. Paint walls white and apply a textured finish to create a rough look. Furnish with sleek, almost sculptural desks, chairs, tables and couches. Be selective about decorative pieces; the overall effect of this look should be spare. Use natural materials such as bamboo (for window blinds), stone (try lamps with bases made of stacked river stones) and water (in a smooth wall-fixture waterfall). Bring in a consultant who will advise you on use of the space and proper placement of mirrors, water, plants and furniture. Divide space with rice-paper screens. Stock a small intra-office library---in a place where waiting visitors can browse---with books on Japanese design, history, literature, art and culture. This style can be costly to implement but conveys a sophisticated, worldly impression.
When designing a business office, there are several factors to take into consideration. Most important among them is the type of business you will be designing for. A doctor's office, for example, would have a different aesthetic than an office in a car dealership. But no matter what you're designing and what your skill level is when it comes to decorating, you can create a professional-looking office design with just a bit of research and effort.
Creating an Atmosphere
Creating a cozy feel that has some of the qualities of home is an appropriate direction to take with your design if your profession is geared toward assisting clients with their personal needs. For example, if you are a counselor, creating a comfortable environment for your clients to feel free to discuss their feelings and other personal details can greatly enhance the success of their sessions with you. On the other hand, an office for a business that repairs electronics might benefit from a more modernistic design.
Using Color
If your office is relatively small, creating a larger-looking space is often a matter of choosing smaller pieces of furniture and decorating the walls with white paint or wallpaper. On the other hand, if you want to create a more cozy space, use a deeper color like burgundy and pair it with decorative items that blend well with the color. Lighter furnishings create a feeling of space or sophistication, while warmer, deeper colors provide a homier aesthetic.
Find Your Furnishings
Collect fabric samples you like as well as pictures of furniture and rooms from magazines. Check catalogs that are specifically geared toward furnishings, decor and other items for businesses. When it comes time to arrange your office space, consider utilizing a program like Google Sketch Up that can help you come up with a workable design. It even has a two-dimensional person that can help you assess the available space and plan your furniture placement.
Professional office spaces often look dull, and many of them look similar, with the same neutral shades and office furniture. Seeing these colors and pieces on a daily basis can dampen the creativity of employees and may keep them from doing their best. There are ways, however, to be creative with office decor and liven up the workplace.
Using artwork around your office is a fast and easy way to dress up the space. It doesn't have to be original pieces or even expensive artwork. If you find a few prints that are affordable, have those pieces framed and hung. Put the artwork on the walls near your employees, but also include a piece over your reception area. This gives a focal point to customers or clients entering the office.
Add decorative plants and fresh flowers for a classic office look. OfficeDecoratingIdeas.net suggests using plants that grows and flourishes in the amount of light you have available in the office. If you don't have a lot of natural light, the site suggests using artificial plants. You can even encourage employees to bring their own plants and flowers into the office, giving each desk or table its own look. Use fresh flowers near your entrance or at the reception desk, which shows clients that you care what they think.
Use the office as a place to display your favorite antiques. It can be as simple as changing out your existing plain desks for antique desks or adding an antique table near the front of the office. Use antique tables to store extra printer paper, documents for clients or information on upcoming company events. Add an antique armoire in a common area for storing extra office supplies, or use antique cabinets in your kitchen area and let employees store their food and lunches there.
Corner Fillers
The corners of most professional offices are often neglected. This open space is the perfect place to display favorite items--yours, and those belonging to your employees. Add corner shelves and let employees display family photos or other important items. Alternatively, decorate the corner shelves with candles, old photos of your building or other items relating to the history of your company, such as the first dollar you made.
Employees who work for a commercial company spend a lot of time each week at the office interacting with clients, processing data, answering phones and maintaining important business documents. Whether you already run a commercial office or you are opening up a new business, consider employees and clients when decorating the office space. A stimulating and positive work environment can have a significant impact on employee productivity, teamwork and customer satisfaction. Use a variety of decorations to make your commercial office a pleasant environment.
Decorate the office walls with framed art and stimulating photography. Choose images with a theme that relates to your business or simply select landscape paintings, portraits or pictures that employees can enjoy looking at on a daily basis.
Place a small water fountain in the office to provide a soothing background sound for your employees as they work. Fill an aquarium with small fish and brightly colored rocks and keep it in the reception area. A 2001 article in "Psychology Today" states that listening to the relaxing musical sounds of trickling water has a meditative effect and can even reduce stress.
Purchase greenery, such as hanging plants and potted trees, and place the plants throughout the office to introduce elements of nature and make the space appear more open. Buy inexpensive flowers like carnations and keep the fresh flowers in a vase at the reception desk to welcome clients.
Stock the employee break room with kitchen basics, including a sink, refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs. Keep board games, books, magazines, newspapers and puzzles in the break room to encourage staff to relax, unwind and bond with each other.
Display employee awards and certificates of achievement on shelving or in frames around the reception area and client meeting rooms to highlight your company's success and give the employees a sense of pride in their work. Place chairs or couches around the reception area where guests can sit comfortably as they wait for service.
Great work environments inspire great work
Where you work and how it looks directly affect the type of work you do in that place. That's why highly creative corporations usually have highly creative office space, as it can subconsciously influence and inspire the mind. It also may, sadly, be why the decor of old government buildings and factories are rather drab, as whoever designed them may have thought little inspiration was needed to do those jobs. It's important to give employees something to keep them interested in their work, and good office decor helps.
There should be a separate workstation for each employee with outlets for all the things they may need. It should have enough space to roll a chair from one side to the other. Versions of cubicles that you can easily see over or that have windows will work, but small offices are preferable as they give employees more privacy, which allows them to concentrate on their work---and they appreciate it.
Wall Art and Photography
The walls, which should be painted a color other than white or black, should bear something worth looking at---something that shows off a certain creativity or interest in the space itself. Good art is subjective of course, but good photography is not as difficult to find. Cool movie posters or classic advertisements are great options, as are accolades the company has won.
Florescent lighting is flat and uninspiring, and people working under it often claim it saps you of energy. While this type of lighting is the most economical, mixing in concentrated soft white bulb light can work quite well. This way, the lighting can also be changed in the office, especially if dimmers are installed, giving a sense of change and uniqueness to different areas of the office.
Liven up a plain conference room with an unusual chandelier and some art on the walls.
The popular statement "dress to impress" does not only apply to people. It also applies to any corporate office space. The corporate office is usually where the headquarters of a company is located. This is where the business of running a company is accomplished. In fact, the corporate office may be the only "face" of the business that partners see. For this reason, it is important to decorate corporate office spaces carefully, with an eye to quality and style. While it is always nice to save money, the corporate office decor is not where corners should be cut.
Choose colors that reflect your particular business. A bank or other financial institution should stick with subdued but elegant colors such as luminescent grays and soft creams. A graphic design or advertising office should astonish and impress with bold, bright colors.
Select a style and stick with it throughout the offices. After you choose your colors, choose the style of your furnishings. The corporate offices for an architectural company, for example, might prefer sleek, modern desks and chairs, while the offices for a decorating company might want to stick with furnishings in a classic and timeless design. Do not mix styles, as this will give an overall impression of disorganization.
Create a warm, light-filled space. While most offices have fluorescent lighting, it is unflattering. Soften up the offices with white light fixtures, such as floor and table lamps or even a unique chandelier hung over the conference table.
Take care of your customers and employees. Splurge on highly comfortable chairs. Higher-quality chairs are not that much more expensive than ordinary desk chairs, but they can make a world of difference in how your employees and customers feel, which in turn can affect the bottom line.
Make it welcoming. Many corporate office spaces are cold and unfriendly. Create a positive first impression by making your offices attractive. Hang framed pieces of art or photographs on the walls. Bring the outdoors in by placing green plants on shelves and desks. Mirrors high on the walls reflect light but don't make customers uncomfortable (hang them above eye level).
When decorating a new office, your first priority should be to make it functional. You will want the space to cultivate as much productivity as possible. Make a list of the items you will need in order to function at full capacity. These items will likely include a desk, chair, filing cabinets, shelving, lighting, waste paper basket, a table and chairs and a couch if you intend to have brainstorming sessions with colleagues. Keep in mind that you will need storage space to help keep clutter off your desk as well.
Envision your Space
Once you have decided on the items that you will need for your office, look around the room and decide where you would like things placed. Do you want your desk in front of the window with filing cabinet beside you or will you be more productive if you are not facing the window? Measure the space where you would like your items placed and writes the measurements down so that you will know the size limitations for the items you purchase.
Go to an office supply or furniture store and check out its selection of office furniture. Decide what type of look you prefer, whether it be contemporary, classic or entirely unique. Make sure to sit on the desk chairs and at the desk to make sure they are comfortable. You will also want to note the number of drawers on the desk to make sure it provides enough storage space. Measure the furniture to make sure it is the appropriate size for your space. You may also want to pick out a coat hook if you wear a suit, and organizational items such as a pen holder to keep your desk clear from clutter.
Wall Decor
Choose any wall color that you like. A pleasing color will make you want to be in the room. Decorate the walls with inspirational art, whether it be motivational quotes with inspiring pictures or scripture. You may choose a framed photo of your family or a favorite vacation destination to inspire you. Add a dry erase board or calendar to the wall so you can keep track of important dates and information. Be careful not to over decorate your walls as you do not want them to distract you from your work.
Choose blinds and curtains that will block out the sun. This will help you focus by keeping the sun out of your eyes if you are in front of the window and will keep the outdoors from being a distraction on a beautiful afternoon.
Although there are many opinions and preferences regarding office décor, an employer will often give you freedom to decorate your office in your own way. As you begin planning your workspace transformation, you should keep several things in mind: budget, organization and professionalism. It is possible to have a stylish, professional work office. As you will see, planning plays a major role.
Budget and Limitations
Make sure to do your research on what your company's policies are with regard to office set-up and décor. In many organizations, the company may use existing furniture in your new space and may decide not to purchase new furniture. However, if you are permitted to select your own furniture, take your specific needs into account. For example, think about how much storage space and shelving you need. If you host meetings, consider the number of attendees and plan for chairs. At the same time, the company may give you a budget---this alone will limit your furniture selection. Along with furniture selection comes the topic of space limitations. If your company is contracted with an office supply vendor, make an appointment for the sales representative to measure your new office. Inform her of your needs, and allow her to draft a plan for what will fit into your new office. Not only will this save you time, it will also save you the time and expense that will occur should you have to return items that do not fit. Additionally, your office space may require fresh paint; if so, keep it simple and choose a neutral color that will match any flooring color or furniture upholstery.
Take an inventory of things you might need like a bulletin board or a white board; if you need both, ensure that the frames match each other and, if possible, your office furniture. Consider where those items will be placed on walls and how large they should be. Plan where necessary items will be placed, such as your computer, printer, phone or any other equipment.
The secret to keeping a tidy work space is being organized. Although your company may provide you with standard office and desk supplies, office supply stores have dozens of desk organizers and planners from which to choose. When possible, select a desk with ample drawer space for things like hanging files or extra office supplies so that you can keep as much out of sight as possible. A neat office is an inviting office.
Keeping your office looking professional may be the most important of all, as your office provides a snapshot of who you are as a worker. If you decide to purchase your own desk accessories that are different from standard black, make sure that they coordinate with each other and that they maintain an appropriate level of professionalism. For example, if you are a lawyer, do not pick out desk accessories with children's crayons on them; this does not suit the type of office in which you work. However, something like that would work if you are an elementary school teacher.
Be aware of your organization's corporate culture. In most cases, family pictures are OK to some degree; however it is wise to keep the word "professional" in the back of your mind when you are selecting pictures and artwork for display in your office. For a more professional and organized look, place them in attractive, coordinating frames.
One last thing to think of is that you should desire for your office to be a neutral, peaceful place. Do not display offensive content that is highly confrontational or debatable, since doing so does not suggest a welcoming environment. Choose professionalism above all else.
An office needs to be well-organized and comfortable, but that isn't enough. A barren, unattractive office is unappealing to be in and may reduce both your productivity and the enjoyment you get out of work. Take the time to give your office a few personal, decorative touches, and your work day will go much more smoothly.
One of the easiest ways to brighten an office is by adding some greenery. Place low-maintenance plants adapted for the low-to-moderate light level in an office. Emphasize plants with attractive and lasting foliage. Ferns, lucky bamboo, ivy and snake plant are common indoor office plants. If you hunger for something a bit more exotic, grow hostels, or (if you have a sunny window) cacti and succulents. Combine plants at different levels, growing larger specimens in planters on the ground and placing smaller plants on tables, shelves and window sills to create a layered look.
Oriental rugs are useful in a variety of office decoration applications. Place a large oriental rug under a wooden desk to protect the floor and create a nice contrast. Place a small rug near the doorway to fill in the space and create a welcoming and classy entrance way. Hang a colorful oriental rug from the wall as a tapestry to give your office a formal, decorous look.
For an upbeat and informal look, decorate your office with a tropical theme. Use floral wallpaper and bright, colorful draperies to set the mood. Add a couch with multi-colored throw pillows in front of a wicker coffee table. Decorate your office with vases filled with exotic silk flowers such as birds of paradise. Use carved wooden masks, seashells and other tropical adornments to complete your tropical room decor.
Leave a spot in your home office for a small, understated seasonal display. In autumn, place a few decorative gourds around the office to remind you of the fall harvest. In the dark winter months, place a sprig of holly on your shelf to brighten up the room. In spring, put a bouquet of wildflowers on your desk to bring the vernal blooms indoors. In the summer, put a bowl of fresh, locally grown fruit on a table in your office as both a decoration and a healthy, seasonal snack.
Get creative when decorating your office walls.
You can create an atmosphere in your office that is stylish and invigorating, without causing distraction. By paying close attention to function first, style second, you will steer clear of too much clutter and too many nonessentials. Once you have established the needs of your space and what will (or won't) work, you are ready to move forward with confidence. Enhance the walls of your office with pieces that inspire employees and prompt conversation from visitors and clients.
Paint a subtle damask pattern on a single accent wall. Use a color that is only two shades lighter or darker than the other walls, especially if you are limited by color or paint restrictions due to office codes. This inconspicuous work of art will create an air of beauty and inspire creativity.
Hang awards and news clips. Create a wall that highlights milestones within your company. Newspaper articles about contributions to the community can be framed and hung alongside company and individual awards. Display personal certificates and degrees that are sure to be noticed by clients and guests.
Paint a 5-foot tall by 3-foot wide chalkboard on the center of one wall using chalkboard paint. Hang a simple metal frame around it. Use the chalkboard to write down notes or reminders during meetings or brainstorming sessions.
Next to the chalkboard, hang shelving that fulfills dual roles in functionality and style. Place modern vases on the shelves that have been revamped to hold pencils, plants, fresh flowers and small desk supplies. Stagger the shelves around the chalkboard, or create an entire grouping with the shelving that can hang next to the chalkboard.
Hang or paint modern art. If your office space is not hindered by corporate rules that limit your freedom, then go for it. The brighter and the more outlandish, the better. Spark conversation and creativity with the piece you choose. When choosing wilder prints or paintings, be careful to choose art that is not so busy that it detracts from overall productivity.
A vibrant piece of art adds color to a modern office.
Most people have a photo or two of their family on their desk at work, which is lovely, but there is more you can do for that desk and the walls around it, for that matter. Make going to work a more pleasant experience by creating a space that is comfortable and uniquely yours. Whether you work in a cubicle, home office or modern high-rise building, there are some things you can do to make your work environment more attractive.
If you feel as if you've been stuck inside all day long when you are in your office, consider bringing some elements of nature inside with you. Adding a water element, for example, is a good idea for reducing stress, because the sound of water is calming. A tabletop fountain or even an aquarium can have a soothing effect in an office. In addition, bring in some plants. Even a small plant perched on the edge of your desk can have a tremendously positive impact. Try placing plants on top of bookshelves, or hanging in a corner.
Consider upgrading some of your storage options. If you have plastic crates holding books and a tin jar holding your pens, invest in some nicer storage options. This will make your office feel more luxurious and won't cost much at all. In addition, add some finer touches, such as an area rug to cover up a cold tile floor, a leather office chair and even a new top to your desk. You can get a piece of glass cut to fit any desktop at your local home and garden center.
Finally, look at your artwork. A lovely piece of art is ruined if placed in a cheap plastic gold frame. Try matting and reframing your existing art if you like it. If you are looking for new art, consider enlarging some black and white photos. This is an inexpensive way to make a large impact on your walls. You can even take your own black and white photos of items that relate to your business. Be creative. If your office is very modern, consider adding a splash of color with a modern oil painting.
Regarding furniture
Any piece of furniture that you decide to move to your bedroom can become a piece of bedroom furniture, but traditionally certain types of furniture are considered bedroom furniture. Some pieces of bedroom furniture may function well when moved to other rooms. Bedroom furniture may be purchased in sets or separately. Furniture could make at your place by a carpenter as per your requirement.
Furniture will always add a certain amount of depth to a room, but the more decorative the furniture piece is, the more it adds to the decoration. Distressing wooden furniture can add character and also showcase a unique style you may not see in other homes.
Deciding on a living room furniture layout depends on the room's primary use. Most people entertain guests or watch television in their living rooms. For families with children, the living room may double playroom. Regardless of how you use your living room, you can arrange it in a way to get the most from the room.
Designing furniture for children can be a bit of a challenge, since children have different needs, wants and requirements compared to the adults. Style, height, size, durability and safety features should all be considered. Nowadays, it is also more common for high-quality furniture to be designed with the future in mind, avoiding too much juvenile details so that the furniture will grow with the child.
When creating a home office, design the furniture to help separate home and work lives. Building furniture into the office itself creates a certain permanence of work space, which keeps you concentrated on your work. Having a plan about the layout and design of your home office before construction begins is worthwhile as it will save you time and money and allow you to start working from home more quickly and efficiently.
Building your own furniture ensures that you have something that serves more than just a basic function in your home; you are creating something that you can pass down to your children and grandchildren. Furthermore, building your furniture allows you to create something according to your exact personal tastes.
Building wooden furniture is much more than simply cutting out wood pieces and nailing it together. While it may seem simple to build furniture for someone who has little experience with woodworking, building furniture is a skill that takes time and patience. There are a few steps that beginners should follow to learn the basics of woodworking, even though the steps and process varies greatly depending on the type of furniture being constructed.
Modern office furniture design must achieve a balance between form and function. Since this design emphasizes minimalism and clean lines, a furniture piece must achieve this aesthetic while incorporating electronic devices with cords and accessories that may detract from it. The task of the modern furniture designer is thus to make today's work space feel organic and uncluttered.
Plan and sketch a design of the furniture in mind. This needs to be as specific as possible, including details such as each piece of wood required and potential measurements. This will make the process much easier and much more organized.
Shopping for living room furniture can be a daunting task. There are so many styles available on the market today, and not all of them will complement the layout of your living space.
If you are considering a furniture upgrade in your current living room, or you are purchasing furniture for your living space for the first time, there are a few helpful tips that will guide you through the process. If you are on a budget, then strategize which pieces of furniture are the most important to you, and purchase those first. That way, you can build on your living room decoration as time goes on without feeling like you are missing a vital piece of furniture.
The term "staging" is a relatively new word that is used by home fashion designers to describe the planning and layout for your living space. If you don't stage your living room before your purchase your furniture, you might wind up with pieces that are too big or too small for your space. In addition, it is imperative that the right number of items is purchased to adequately furnish your living space, or your room might wind up looking too empty or too cluttered. In order to stage the room appropriately, use some ribbon or painters' tape to mark off the area where you would like to put a couch, table, loveseat etc. You can also use pillows and blankets to help mark off these areas. Now, stand in a corner of your room and carefully observe the layout. Is there too much open floor space left? Is there adequate room to walk around without bumping into the marked off areas? Unless you have an exceptionally large living room, your living space can probably only handle three to five pieces of furniture.
All too often, people choose pieces of furniture that have busy designs or complicated fabric patterns only to wish they had chosen differently. There is absolutely nothing wrong with adding some flavor and zest to a living space. However, the most practical way to accomplish this is to embellish with accessories, not with the major pieces of furniture. Fashion changes rapidly, so you want to choose basic pieces of furniture for your living space that will not limit your ability to change with the times. In addition, you might want to avoid pieces of furniture that have an overly powerful and dramatic style. For example, couches and tables that have an abundance of hardware can seem dramatic, but can also detract from the overall glamour of the room. Stick with neutral colors, patterns, and hardware so you are accessorizing options will be limitless. In addition, stick with neutral fabrics, including leather, so you will have a basic medium to work with.
Furniture is expensive, but it can be long-lasting. If you choose brands and furniture items that are known for having a good reputation, then you might be able to use them for a decade or more without having to worry about replacement costs. That doesn't mean that you have to go to expensive furniture dealers! Some high quality pieces of furniture for your living space can be found at furniture outlets and discount stores. If you are trying to stay on a budget, purchase a high quality couch first. Your living room will look incomplete without this basic and critical piece of furniture.
If you stage your area, stick with neutral pieces of furniture, and buy quality pieces, your living room will quickly become your favorite room in the house.
Determine the focal point of your room. You might choose the entertainment center, a piece of furniture or a fireplace. Place your chosen piece at one end of the room. Arrange the rest of your furniture to complement the focal point.
Arrange a conversation area opposite your focal point. It could be a sofa or two smaller chairs with a table between them. Pull the chairs out from the walls at a slight angle facing each other. If you line all your furniture up against the walls, the room takes on a boxy look that emphasizes its small size. Further define your conversation area by putting an area rug under or in front of your sofa or chairs. Keep the colors in the area rug soft so it does not divide the room. Place your other chairs or sofa so they complement this arrangement. Ideally you should be able to seat six people.
Create good traffic flow. It is important that your guests be able to move easily through the room. Get rid of excess clutter, excess furniture or furniture that is too large for the room.
Choose a palette of softer neutral colors for the walls, window treatments and major pieces of furniture.
Look for furniture whose color matches your wall color. For example, paint wood furniture and look for pieces such as the couch or side chair that has fabric of the same color. Because the furniture blends in with the wall, the space won't look broken up. This makes a room appear larger.
Hang mirrors on the walls. Mirrors add more light to a room by reflecting the light that's already in there. Additionally, mirrors reflect the room back, creating of the illusion of more space.
Position the furniture away from the walls to create a sense of space. Lay a throw rug on the floor and place the furniture around it, making sure to leave a walkway behind pieces like the couch, a bench and armchairs.
Create more floor space by building a loft with work or living space underneath. Place a mattress for a bed on top or use the top of the loft for a sitting area if the ceiling is high enough. Store your work desk or other furniture in the space below.
Use nesting tables beside your bed or couch. Pull out the smaller tables if you need more table space to set drinks or books on.
Choose pieces of furniture that you can use for more than one function. For example, a trunk at the foot of your bed doubles as a sitting bench or as a coffee table in the living room.
Don't place furniture up against a window unless the furniture height is lower than the bottom of the window pane. Couches and end tables are generally shorter than the window pane, but this depends on the style of the furniture.
Determine the purpose of the furniture. Find out it this furniture is going to be used for sleeping, sitting or writing.
Determine the size. It is a good idea to consider the size of the room where the furniture will be used. Measure the size of the room, making sure to keep in mind how the new furniture will fit into this room and where it will be placed. Measure the width, height and length of the room to get the total dimension.
Keep in mind the age of the child you are designing the furniture for. Add safety features on a bed for children who tend to roll-over when sleeping. You may also need to design furniture that would not be too high for the child to reach. Adding an adjustable platform to make beds easily accessible for younger kids is a great idea.
Avoid designing for the "ages." As much as possible, do not design furniture that the child will outgrow in a couple of years. If you are designing a toddler's bed, for example, design it in a way that it can be easily converted into a teenager's bed. If you want to add embellishments like wheels for a sports car theme, make sure that it is easily removable. Avoiding too many juvenile details can help in making the furniture mature as the child does. There are some cribs that can be converted into a toddler's bed, then into an older child's bed and all the way to college years, by adjusting or loosening some of the pieces. The crib will lose the side railings, the legs will go lower to become a toddler's bed and the bed frame will then be removed to yield a single bed headboard as the child grows older.
Bedroom furniture should provide an appropriate place to sleep, storage for you clothes and space to store personal belongings.
Bedroom furniture should be comfortable and inviting and clearly identify the room as a place to relax and sleep.
Each piece of furniture should serve a purpose. The bed should include a quality, comfortable mattress. Quality mattresses are expensive, but the investment is well worth it. A good quality mattress will make the difference in a peaceful slumber or a restless night.
When shopping for a chest of drawers, be sure to find one with deep drawers. A chest of drawers serves as both a beautiful piece of furniture, as well as a place to store clothing.
Armoires were used as wardrobe storage until houses were built with closets. Today, armoires can be used to store clothing or hide entertainment centers.
There are many types of bedroom furniture, but most are made of wood. Occasionally, you will find beds and other pieces of bedroom furniture made of metal. Metal bedroom furniture pieces are commonly used when decorating in a contemporary style.
When shopping for bedroom furniture, consider the size of the occupant. A small child should have a small bed and a dresser-mirror that he or she can easily reach the top of.
Twin beds are perfect for small children. Trundle beds are also available with some twin beds. A trundle bed is hidden under the twin bed frame. It can be easily set up to create extra sleeping space during sleep overs.
A small bedroom should not be overcrowded with large pieces of furniture. If you have a small bedroom, a king-size bed will probably not be appropriate.
If you have a large room, large furniture should be used. Large furniture will pull the room together and create an atmosphere that is cozy and comfortable.
Before choosing bedroom furniture, shop around to be able to compare the styles and colors that you prefer. Consider the color of the room as well as decorating motif.
Before making a purchase, measure each piece of furniture to ensure that everything will fit in the bedroom.
The bed is the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom; it is what defines the room as a bedroom. Beds may be a single mattress on the floor--if that is all you can afford--mattress and box springs on a simple bed frame, or elaborate head and foot boards. Canopy, sleigh and four-poster are styles of bed frames with posts and head and foot boards. You can paint or attach faux headboards to the wall at the head of the bed.
A chest of drawers or bureau holds folded articles of clothing. Many people use drawers to hold socks, underwear, pajamas, T-shirts and jeans while placing easily wrinkled items in the closet. Clothes may also be stored in a wardrobe; wardrobes are cabinet-like closets, or closets you can move from one room to another.
Bedroom benches are designed to be placed at the end of a bed or in front of a window. They have no backs. Many master bedrooms are built with extra room that many architects call a bedroom retreat. The bedroom retreat is designed to provide room for lounge chairs and sofas so parents have a sanctuary away from their children.
Nightstands and vanities are two table types of bedroom furniture. Nightstands resemble end tables placed on the sides of the bed. Nightstands hold lamps, glasses and pictures and are also normally equipped with a drawer for private items you may wish to keep at the bedside. Vanity tables resemble desks with mirrors. Vanities may be placed in large bathrooms and are typically used by women applying makeup.
Bedroom furniture pieces like hope chests, trunks, jewelry boxes and armoires are additional storage pieces. Some armoires house bedroom televisions and hid them behind closed doors. Hope chests and trunks are often placed at the ends of the bed but may also be placed in other rooms of the house.
Also known as a convertible sofa, a sofa bed is a couch/sofa that converts into a bed by pulling off the cushions and pulling out the folded mechanism beneath them. It's a great way to accommodate overnight guests.
Sectional furniture comes in complementary pieces that you can use together to form one large piece of furniture, depending on your needs. It is typically upholstered couches, recliners and ottomans.
Typical placement for this small table is next to a couch or chair. The purpose of an end table is to house table lamps and provide somewhere to conveniently set drinks or other small items you may bring into the living room.
A curio cabinet consists of several shelves encased in glass with a glass door in the front. Designed to fit in the corner, curios usually take up a limited amount of space. Their purpose is to display collectibles or other items you want people to see.
Choose seating that will be comfortable and match the theme you have selected for your living room. Arrange sofas, love seats, chairs and ottomans to create conversation areas. Add padded benches, with removable tops, that can also serve as storage. Choose colors, patterns and textures that will complement each other, but not necessarily match perfectly. This will add visual interest to your living room.
Add a chest to your living room. Remember there are no rules that specific furniture has to be used in certain rooms. Use a short, narrow chest as a sofa table. Place a taller chest across from your fireplace or long window to balance the room. Store items in the drawers of your living room chest to save space.
Add tables of various sizes and shapes to your living room . Place them in the conversation areas you created. Avoid cluttering your tables with unnecessary accessories.
Place bookcases in your living room. Display your personal library or use the shelves for other items such as collections, photos and framed artwork. Place children's books on the lowest shelves so children will be able to reach them easily. Add lighting under the upper shelves to help showcase the items.
Add a desk to your living room. Make sure it has enough drawers and cabinets to store mail and other personal papers. Keep the cords to your computer, modem, printer, and lamps tucked out of sight by using cord organizers or even trash bag ties. Consider a roll top desk to keep the computer out of sight when not in use.
Furniture placement emphasizes certain items or areas of a room. If you use the living room primarily to watch television, put the television in a prominent area. Arrange the furniture so the television is visible from every seat. You'll end up with a U- or an L-shaped arrangement depending on the amount of furniture in the room. Make sure there are tables within reach of every seat for drinks and snacks. Use an entertainment stand with enough storage to keep all the videos and video equipment accessible. Allow plenty of room for people to enter and exit the room by keeping the furniture an appropriate distance away from the television or by placing the television on the wall opposite the entrance.
If you use the living room to entertain guests, avoid making the television the main focus of the room. Consider two couches rather than a couch and a love seat. Put the two couches, facing each other, on either side of the room. Place a coffee table between the couches to create a comfortable separation. Place the television to the side of the two couches. It will still be visible, but it will not be visually intrusive.
Place lamps on either end of the couches to provide plenty of light, and end tables on each side to provide space for drinks and snacks. Add Armchairs to the side of the room opposite the television to increase the available seating in the room.
The living room often has a variety of purposes. It may be the room for watching television, visiting with friends and entertaining children. In this case, it is helpful to create zones. Space furniture close together and away from one wall to create an area for conversation and visiting with guests.
Place the television in a location visible from all seats, but consider using an entertainment stand with doors that close over the television. This will allow you to visually eliminate the television when you don't want it to be the room's focus.
On the side of the room opposite the television, leave an area between the wall and the furniture for children to play and move around. Establishing a distinct children's area will allow them to play at the same time others are watching television or visiting.
This living room area is designed for socializing and relaxing.
Make a list of all the different things you do in your living room and arrange the items on the list in order of frequency. For most people, the list will start with watching TV or gaming. The list may also include things like crafting, reading, hosting wine-and-cheese parties (or beer-and-cupcakes parties), writing romance novels, or helping kids with homework. Next to each item, write what you need, furniture-wise, to make accomplishing that activity comfortable, such as, "Comfortable chair with footrest and nearby, adjustable-brightness lighting." A lot of these will overlap.
Start with the furniture arrangements that fit the top activities--meaning, put the sofa in front of the television. Then start experimenting with ways to create mini-spaces for other activities. For example, move the lamp from the corner to the end of the couch where you like to sit and read but always get a headache from eyestrain. Move the decorative trunk out of the sunlit alcove and put in a cafe table and chairs so you can drink your morning coffee there.
A wall-hugging style can still look sleek and professional.
Arrange your biggest pieces of furniture along the walls, especially if you have a small living room. "Anchor" the open space with functional accent pieces, like coffee tables. Creating little pockets of social space along the walls -- like a pair of chairs facing each other next to the window -- will enable and encourage meaningful interaction, which is a particularly important consideration if you like to host parties.
Lay out the pieces in logical order. Group pieces together that goes together: for example, table legs and skirt in one group, table top pieces and expansion leaf in another.
Assemble your furniture in sections, building from the ground up. Attach table legs to the skirt to build the frame of the table. Assemble the table top and expansion leaf hardware as a separate piece.
Build shelves into the walls of the office, for books, binders and other helpful work items, so that they do not extend out into the workspace. A custom bookshelf behind the desk keeps everything you need in one place, giving all of your materials a natural organization. The shelves can be classically rectangular or square, depending on the look and style of the office. However, they must be deep enough to hold binders and larger research books, depending on your home business.
A variety of desks can be built into a home office; though building one in the center of the room to follow directives might be a little risky, in case the room does not remain a home office. A hinged desk that folds down against the wall is an inventive solution, especially when the wall is covered with wood paneling. A built-in bookshelf with a fold-down or slide-out section for a desk in the corner is also a good option. This creates shelves and desk in one piece of built-in office furniture.
Rather than lugging in heavy steel filing cabinets, create a design that allows drawers to slide in and out of the wall itself. This produces more floor space. Other drawers can be built in for supplies, tools and other office equipment.
A cabinet can be built into the wall with a cover to hide a desktop computer monitor and hard drive, with a sliding tray that holds the keyboard and a space to sit at in front of the computer. Cubbies and other drawers can be built into the wall around it, sized for computer speakers, printers and software packages you'll need to stow somewhere. It's important for all computer hardware and accessories to be stowed in one place so that they aren't misplaced when you need them.
Select a system of cubes for storing supplies and files in your office. Many furniture stores and office supply stores carry such systems. Made of laminated press board or actual wood, these mobile cubes can be mixed and matched and come in a variety of options. Some are simple shelving cubes. Others are large open cubes for storing large boxes or bins. Some have drawers perfect for filing. Others have cupboard doors that open for the storage supplies like paper, envelopes and ink.
Switch these mobile cubes around to the style that best fits your office needs. Reserve the top of your cube design for your computer printer, a scanner or a paper shredder. These simple cubes can provide numerous functions. Most sets are fairly affordable as well.
Consider some modern options for office furniture that actually lean on the wall instead of standing on four feet. Leaning office desks may be secured to the wall with a simple bolt or two, but actually stand on two legs and provide a work space as well as shelving. Additional units may be purchased for either side of the leaning desk or include bookshelves and options for holding additional media units.
The ease with which these leaning pieces fit into a modern design is astounding, and the simplicity of changing a room's decor is even more profound. Rather than tugging and pushing heavy desks and shelving units, these take barely any effort to lift and move, as they are lightweight and easy to manage.
Armoires designed for offices are excellent options for stashing clutter before a prospective client walks through the door. Also perfect for storing your computer, they serve a number of functions, and the doors may simply be closed when you need a break from work. Most of these office armoires come in various types of wood to blend in with nearly all office styles.
Utilize all of the shelves as well as the very top of an office armoire by selecting a few canvas bins that may be labeled and filled with office supplies.
Browse through online images of modern office furniture for design inspiration. Look for designs that stand out, and pick a certain element in your overall desk design to serve as the focal point. Capture the essence of modern design by combining clean lines and an organic or reclaimed element.
Make the top of the desk the focal point. Design the desk to include a reclaimed barn board top. Use the distressed boards to add an organic element that will contrast with the other parts of the design.
Draw a storage drawer underneath the desk top. Conceal the drawer by adding an apron that is set inside the top by at least six inches. Make the apron continue around the entire desk. Indicate holes in the back of the desktop to allow for cords and cables to be routed neatly off the desk top and concealed behind the desk.
Give yourself plenty of time and enlist some help before you rearrange furniture. What looked good on paper may not look good in the room. You may need to try two or three combinations of things, in which case you don't want to rush or move heavy furniture on your own.
Clear your furniture of all items. You may think you can balance that knickknack on the coffee table or those CDs on top of the television, but if do that for every piece of furniture, you're going to have at least one accident. Save yourself the regret and put everything in a box. Then you can clean the furniture without having to carefully dust around everything on it.
Remove all drawers from tables, dressers and desks to lighten your load. Use the same philosophy to break up heavy items in the room, such as sectional sofas and dining room tables with multiple leaves.
Make sure the corners of your furniture are not close to the door or protruding into high-traffic areas. You want your passage through every room to feel as smooth and easy as possible.
The most important piece of furniture in most office spaces is the work station . Depending on the type of work you do, a traditional desk may be the best work station for you. If you're an artist or crafter, a traditional desk may not provide the space you need to create your pieces. Instead of a traditional desk, you may find that a large table provides you with the space you need to spread out and use your art or craft supplies.
Consider whether you need storage attached to your workspace . Do you have common reference books that you need to keep close at hand? If you're an artist, are there tools that you need to store within easy reach? Answers to these questions will determine whether you need a workspace that has drawers or a hutch or some other type of built-in storage.
The type of storage you need in your office depends on what equipment you use regularly to complete your work. If you're a writer, for example, you may need a simple bookcase to give you space to store reference books and a personal printer. A textile artist might need cabinets to store fabric, a place to store multiple sewing machines and multiple shelves to hold sewing paraphernalia like thread and scissors. What you have to store as well as the quantity of it will determine whether a bookshelf or a complete modular storage system is the best choice for your office.
You may not immediately think of your chair as an important piece of office furniture , but if you will be sitting for extended periods of time, it's important to have a comfortable seat that will offer adequate support. A good, ergonomically designed chair can eliminate end-of-the-day lower back pain. Features to consider when selecting your chair include adjustable seating height, lumbar support for the lower back and appropriate seat width and depth for comfortable positioning.
Will you have meetings in your office space? If so, consider having additional seating and work space for your guests. If you have a large table as a work station, you may just need to keep an additional pair of chairs available. If you have a smaller work station, you may want to incorporate a second small table somewhere in your office for times when you're working collaboratively.
Map out the room to help you decide where to put all the furniture. Your map doesn't have to be an artistic masterpiece; even a quick sketch will make it easier to see flaws in your home office design. Mark the placement of electrical outlets to make sure you will have a suitable place to plug in your computer, printer and other office equipment.
Decide how much desktop space you need, and figure out the best place for the desk. Do you want it by the window so you can look outside while working, or will that be too distracting for you? Will there be enough light where you put the desk, or will you need a lamp? Where would you like the desk in relation to the doorway?
Find a chair that will be comfortable for you to sit in for long periods of time. If your chair is uncomfortable, you'll be miserable the entire time you're working.
Decide where you will put the printer. Will you have a table especially for the printer or will you put it on top of another piece of furniture, such as a file cabinet?
Ask yourself if you need a filing cabinet. If so, do you have room for one and where? Set it up in a spot where it will be convenient for you to get to. You may also want to add a message board or corkboard in this area as well as a basket for papers that need to be filed at a later date.
Consider if you will need extra chairs in your office. If you will be meeting clients in your home office, you will need to have a comfortable place for them to sit. In a small office, the chairs can be facing your desk, but the ideal setup would be to have a separate corner for client meetings with chairs and a coffee table.
Assemble each piece of office furniture, starting with your desk. Count all of the included pieces and gather any necessary tools before you begin. Most ready-to-assemble furniture is not difficult to put together, but many people find the task is easier if a friend or family member helps.
Decide what kind of furniture will benefit your type of business. For example if you are an architect, your office will need different furniture to function properly than an accountant will.
Measure your available office space. Tape measures can be used to measure each length of the wall. Draw a sketch of your office space and record the measurements for future use.
Surround the furniture which you will use personally around the desk in a way to optimize available space and functionality. Place a trash can next to your desk. Your chair will be at your desk. File cabinets and other pieces of furniture that hold frequently used materials should be within an arm's reach.
Place additional furniture for clients if necessary in a friendly and welcoming fashion. Consider your profession when choosing where to put extra seating. As a psychiatrist your office furniture should be set up in an inviting and open fashion.
Regarding flat designing
It can be challenging to decorate an apartment, as you want to include all of your personal items in the apartment. The key to decorating an apartment is storage and utilizing storage possibilities in tables and empty corners. The overall goal when decorating an apartment is to aim for a well-lit and clean apartment that allows you to move around and add decorations without giving the apartment a cluttered feel.
Paint the walls of the apartment a light color, such as white, beige or one of the various shades in between. Lighter colored walls will make the room appear larger and brighter, compared to a room with darker walls.
Create a color palette or a theme that you want in your apartment. This theme or color selection will help you decide on your furniture, fabrics and even decorations for the apartment. Each time you see something you like, place it beside your chosen theme or colors to determine whether or not it fits into the theme. The apartment can end up looking random and cluttered if the items do not match the theme.
Use storage units, such as shelving units, drawers and cabinets, to store your smaller items. If you live in a smaller apartment, use a coffee table that also functions as a storage box, for example. These dual-function solutions can help you save space and money when decorating your apartment and are ideal solutions for small items, like DVDs, magazines and games. Place larger items, such as jackets, shoes, vacuums and sporting equipment, in closets or in storage facilities on the property.
Add proper lighting to the space without using larger lighting fixtures like chandeliers and hanging lights. Instead, use floor lamps, table lamps or ceiling lights that are fixed directly to the ceiling. This will help save space and light up the entire apartment, so it looks well-lit and larger due to the lighting.
Place smaller furniture in the apartment, such as two love-seat sofas and a chair instead of a corner couch. Having smaller furniture in your apartment makes the room look larger, due to the use of many smaller items compared to a few large ones. Instead of adding a large coffee table, add two square tables that have storage underneath them.
Use corners to create corner storage or a corner desk for working. Corners are often underestimated in terms of usage and are often left empty. Install a corner desk if you need working space or create a corner storage shelf for books, movies or even an entertainment unit.
A modular kitchen could have one of several different cabinet plans, depending on how you will use it. You can design a modular Kitchen for cooking only, or a multi-functional kitchen where you will cook, serve food and entertain guests. Issues such as the appliances you will use and their location, the design of a center island and the counter layout will determine where your cabinets go. Decide which counter layout you prefer: an open plan galley layout a U-shaped or an L-shaped layout.
When designing a modular Kitchen for commercial use, consider a few important factors. Size is key in a restaurant or other food service facility, and the ability to install proper ventilation is important. Factor in enough storage space. Think about aspects of modular Kitchen design beyond the obvious to get the most out of your space and make it a good place to work.
Modular kitchens contain all the latest appliances and gadgets and are structured for maximum efficiency. Most modular kitchens include an eating area that often is situated on a counter with stools arranged around it. Modular kitchens allow the cook to interact with guests while preparing the meal and cleaning up. In a Modular Kitchen, openness and ease of use are the keys. Previously unattractive items such as trash disposals and dishwashers are given new fronts so they blend in with the rest of the décor. While no two kitchens are exactly alike, modular kitchens share many of the same features
In the L-kitchen, the cabinets occupy two adjacent walls. Again, the work triangle is preserved, and there may even be space for an additional table at a third wall, provided it does not intersect the triangle.
A U-kitchen has cabinets along three walls, typically with the sink at the base of the "U". This is a typical work kitchen, too, unless the two other cabinet rows are short enough to place a table at the fourth wall
Architects specialize in designing an area. One good reason to use an architect is that their insight and overall approach leaves the door open for expansion. A commercial kitchen designer may give you a working plan based on your operating experience. An architect can look at your current operation and design your kitchen to function efficiently and effectively. He can allow you the options of growing at the pace you set in your existing space. Later, you can change what you have into another location or multiple locations as the case may require.
Kitchen cabinet colors
Picking kitchen cabinet colors can be a big decision. You may have paint chips & swatches taped up all over your kitchen. Since you will probably have to paint several coats, you want to make sure you get the color right the first time. There is nothing worse than finishing a project that took several weeks only to discover that you hate the finished result. Here is how to pick kitchen cabinet colors that you will love for years to come
Base your kitchen cabinet colors around a subtle theme. This doesn't mean that your kitchen has to end up looking like a tacky restaurant. Instead follow the lead of Trading Spaces designers & look at food or flowers for your inspiration. It might seem like a kitchen based around a lemon would be too bright. However, if you cut open a lemon you will notice that there are many tones of yellow & even white. Stop thinking of an asparagus as being just green & really look to the things surrounding you for inspiration.
Keep it neutral. After you finish painting your cupboards, you will probably never want to do it again. So, choose kitchen cabinet colors that will work with a lot of different styles. This way you won't have to repaint when your decorating sensibilities change in a few years. This also ensures that if you need to sell your house you probably won't need to go through all of that work again.
Think of the kitchen cabinet colors en mass. Bright turquoise might be your favorite color so it seems like a fantastic idea to slap it on the cupboards. However, you probably have more cabinet space than you do wall space in your kitchen. This means that bright color will be the dominate one in the room & it will probably seem overwhelming. Instead, use a funky color on the window treatments, light fixture or get a new set of fun dishes.
White is a classic color for kitchen walls and cabinets since it can be paired with bold hues or softer, pastel shades. Bright white looks good with other eye-catching colors like Kelly green or sunshine yellow; these shades can be used to paint the cabinet handles or the kitchen backsplash. The same colors in pastel form, such as pistachio green and light yellow, complement a white kitchen as well; a yellow gingham tablecloth for the breakfast nook or white cabinets lined in pastel green will make the kitchen inviting with modest splashes of color.
Taupe or Tan
A neutral color scheme in the kitchen, particularly when a color like tan or taupe is the shade of the cabinets and walls, means you can decorate with metallic shades for an elegant and slightly monochromatic look. Or you can opt for a couple of striking shades that look good with brown, like navy blue or eggplant. For instance, taupe cabinets look particularly attractive with bronze handles or a bronze paint border. Dark purple area rugs and decorative china in dark blue against tan walls are particularly noticeable but not too overwhelming. Additional brown accents like tablecloths and vases can also be accented with a chocolate brown table runner or bronze synthetic flowers for a more sophisticated kitchen.
Red is an energizing color that increases the appetite, so it's the ideal color for the walls in your kitchen. Painting the cabinets red is also a bold yet smart decorative idea, especially if you have black or silver accents in the space. A striking cherry red for the larger kitchen cabinets is best if you want to "wake up" the kitchen area and have appliances that are a neutral shade. A darker shade of red, like cranberry or burgundy, is a sophisticated color addition to the kitchen; a burgundy accent wall is complementary to dark brown kitchen furniture.
Using yellow as the main color in the kitchen makes the area bright, cheery and welcoming. Off white or cream decorations, like plates or a mosaic backsplash, look good against a lemon yellow wall; black trim or handles are ideal in a kitchen where pastel yellow is the feature color. Add yellow kitchen accents, like a mixer or blender, against a black or gray counter to spread the color throughout the space. A bouquet of yellow roses on the kitchen table to match the accent wall or cabinets are a demure addition and a symbol of friendship that will make your loved ones feel especially comfortable.
Light Blue
Robin's egg or pewter blue is a pretty pairing with cabinets that are an intense chocolate color. Blue and brown provide a combination of calm and coziness to the kitchen, and this subdued shade of blue on the counters and wall is attractively noticeable, but makes the cabinets the feature. Dark toffee-colored cabinetry looks even more striking with grayish blue shades such as slate blue. Adding light blue decorative dishes to the tops of dark cabinet sets adds a sense of sophistication and comfort, and still draws attention to the wooden cabinets.
Cream or off-white counters and walls will make dark brown or gray-black wooden cabinetry the main attraction in the kitchen. Black and white are always a classic color pairing, and making a shade of near white the main neutral color in a kitchen with dark cabinets means you can add small splashes of bright color without overwhelming the space. For instance, electric blue or turquoise dish towels are striking against dark gray cabinets and make the lightly colored walls appear less drab. Warm colors such as neon orange will add even more warmth to the deep brown tones of the cabinets, and give the room an enthusiastic feel
Keep accessories to a minimum in modern design. This is perfect for a small kitchen where space is at a premium. Keep your countertops free of clutter so you can use every square inch of countertop as a work surface. Store appliances in cupboards for a cleaner look. If you have a brightly colored mixer display it on a sturdy floating shelf for added color in the room. Use magnet strips on the wall to store knives and metal spice jars while giving your space modern style.
Appliances may dwarf a small kitchen. Consider slightly smaller appliances to free up space. Space-saving appliances often appear in condos or rentals and are fully functional. Stainless steel is popular in modern kitchens but black or white appliances will also blend into a modern color palette if you're working on a budget.
Make a 1/2-inch-scale drawing of your kitchen room. Draw the 24-inch-deep counter areas according to the counter layout you have chosen. If you plan to have one, add the outline of a center island. Select the stove, refrigerator and sink you will use. Make scale cutouts of each and position them on the design. The counter areas without sink, stove and refrigerator cutouts will become your base cabinets.
Choose a Cabinet Type
Frameless cabinets, sometimes called "Euro cabinets," have faces (the drawer fronts and cabinet doors) with a minimum of detail, producing a contemporary look. Face-frame cabinets, as the name suggests, have face frames separate from cabinet carcasses. Within the outer face frame, individual drawers and doors have their own frames. This results in a more traditional look. Make this decision early, because the two cabinet types have entirely different construction methods.
Upper Cabinets
The design of your upper cabinets will match the basic look of the base cabinets, but you have some choices. You can pair a laminate frameless base cabinet with upper cabinets in the same laminate color. Alternatively, select frameless glass doors for the upper cabinets, in either clear or milk white. Traditional face-frame base cabinets can also have matching upper cabinet faces. Alternatively, you can select glass center panels that fit into the upper cabinet door frames. The glass panels could be etched or sand-blasted.
Flooring is an important aspect of commercial kitchen design. Floors should be durable and easy to clean. Employees should find them safe and comfortable.
Ceramic tile and painted concrete area durable choices that you can personalize for commercial kitchen floors. Both ceramic tile and concrete are easily cleaned with a mop each day, and the materials hold up to the high traffic and abuse in a busy kitchen. Slip-resistant paint additives may be applied to paint on concrete to minimize the risk of slips and falls. Some styles of ceramic tile also have a slightly grainy finish to help prevent accidents.
Lay rubber flooring to increase comfort and safety. Install safety mats over areas where cooks will be standing for long periods of time and in places where spills are likely. Rubber flooring adds another degree of safety in accident-prone areas and also reduces impact on feet and joints of workers.
Implement Proper Lighting
Lighting can have a large effect on how your kitchen looks and feels and should not be underestimated. Incorporating the correct lighting can be difficult, however, especially for those who are not familiar with the many different effects that can be achieved with various types of lighting. Strive to incorporate as much overhead lighting as possible, which is best done in the form of either recessed or track lighting. Additionally, you can add more light to a room by placing lamps in various areas. Try adding a lamp to each corner, which can have a dramatic effect on the room's appearance.
A modern office interior decoration should offer decoration and amenities that encourage employees to be more productive. A metal desk, putty-gray filing cabinets and a wastebasket do little to add to efficiency. By contrast, variations in light, color, and texture offer relief from the monotony of basic office interior decoration. Office interior decoration should include comfortable work zones and furniture that's adapted to the use and needs of the office user. Work with the user when designing the interior of an office.
Office interior decoration is more than just hanging a few posters on the wall. When you're choosing decorative items for your office interior decoration, it's important to select elements that have universal appeal and reflect the personality of your company. Whether you're self-employed or decorating an office for your staff, there are several ideas you can use to create an attractive space, without spending a fortune.
Whether your office is at home or a cubicle at work, making it feel like your own is important. Before making any decisions about office interior decoration, think about the style you are going for and what components are acceptable in your particular workplace. Think about other offices interior decoration you have seen and what you liked about them. Keep in mind that all office interior decorations should be tasteful and professional.
Where you work and how it looks directly affect the type of work you do in that place. That's why highly creative corporations usually have highly creative office interior decoration, as it can subconsciously influence and inspire the mind. It also may, sadly, be why the decor of old government buildings and factories are rather drab, as whoever designed them may have thought little inspiration was needed to do those jobs. It's important to give employees something to keep them interested in their work, and good office interior decoration helps.
Whether you work at home or in a corporation, office interior decoration can make your working life much more pleasurable. For a home office, you'll have more freedom to decorate according to your likes and dislikes. Outside the home, if you're decorating your own office, you may have to follow some corporate guidelines.
If you spend your workdays in an office, you know that comfortable work zones and an efficient layout promote good work habits. Colors, texture and light also play an important role. Most offices interior decoration shares the same basics--a desk, a chair and a file cabinet. Office interior decoration doesn't need to be dull and utilitarian. Leave your design open for personalization. Start with these ideas to decorate offices and then modify each space for the needs of the office user.
When you step into a professional workspace, you immediately notice not just the employees but their surroundings. Choosing the right office décor doesn't just make things "look nice"---it can positively affect visitors' opinions of a company. It can also affect employee productivity and even employee health. Even if you have no input over the overall office interior decoration, there are ways for you to customize your personal space.
Office interior decoration does not have to be dull and boring, and there are ways to have a stylish office interior decoration while maintaining a professional appearance. Office interior decoration does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. Office interior decoration can even boost employee morale.
There are many opinions and preferences regarding office interior decoration, an employer will often give you freedom to decorate your office in your own way. As you begin planning your workspace transformation, you should keep several things in mind: budget, organization and professionalism.
Budget and Limitations for office interior decoration
Make sure to do your research on what your company's policies are with regard to office interior decoration set-up and décor. In many organizations, the company may use existing furniture in your new space and may decide not to purchase new furniture. However, if you are permitted to select your own furniture, take your specific needs into account. For example, think about how much storage space and shelving you need. If you host meetings, consider the number of attendees and plan for chairs. At the same time, the company may give you a budget for office interior decoration ---this alone will limit your furniture selection. Along with furniture selection comes the topic of space limitations. If your company is contracted with an office supply vendor, make an appointment for the sales representative to measure your new office interior decoration. Inform her of your needs, and allow her to draft a plan for what will fit into your new office. Not only will this save you time, it will also save you the time and expense that will occur should you have to return items that do not fit. Additionally, your office space may require fresh paint; if so, keep it simple and choose a neutral color that will match any flooring color or furniture upholstery.
Take an inventory of things you might need like a bulletin board or a white board; if you need both, ensure that the frames match each other and, if possible, your office furniture. Consider where those items will be placed on walls and how large they should be. Plan where necessary items will be placed, such as your computer, printer, phone or any other equipment.
The secret to keeping a tidy work space is being organized. Although your company may provide you with standard office and desk supplies, office supply stores have dozens of desk organizers and planners from which to choose. When possible, select a desk with ample drawer space for things like hanging files or extra office supplies so that you can keep as much out of sight as possible. A neat office is an inviting office.
Keeping your office looking professional may be the most important of all, as your office provides a snapshot of who you are as a worker. If you decide to purchase your own desk accessories that are different from standard black, make sure that they coordinate with each other and that they maintain an appropriate level of professionalism. For example, if you are a lawyer, do not pick out desk accessories with children's crayons on them; this does not suit the type of office in which you work. However, something like that would work if you are an elementary school teacher.
Be aware of your organization's corporate culture. In most cases, family pictures are OK to some degree; however it is wise to keep the word "professional" in the back of your mind when you are selecting pictures and artwork for display in your office. For a more professional and organized look, place them in attractive, coordinating frames.
One last thing to think of is that you should desire for your office to be a neutral, peaceful place. Do not display offensive content that is highly confrontational or debatable, since doing so does not suggest a welcoming environment. Choose professionalism above all else.
Employee Working Areas
There should be a separate workstation for each employee with outlets for all the things they may need. It should have enough space to roll a chair from one side to the other. Versions of cubicles that you can easily see over or that have windows will work, but small offices are preferable as they give employees more privacy, which allows them to concentrate on their work---and they appreciate it.
Wall Art and Photography
The walls, which should be painted a color other than white or black, should bear something worth looking at---something that shows off a certain creativity or interest in the space itself. Good art is subjective of course, but good photography is not as difficult to find. Cool movie posters or classic advertisements are great options, as are accolades the company has won.
Florescent lighting is flat and uninspiring, and people working under it often claim it saps you of energy. While this type of lighting is the most economical, mixing in concentrated soft white bulb light can work quite well. This way, the lighting can also be changed in the office, especially if dimmers are installed, giving a sense of change and uniqueness to different areas of the office.
Wall Color
Your business may have established colors through its logo and branding materials. You can either decorate with these colors or choose complementary colors. Try painting your building's walls a coordinating color other than the standard off-white or white. Pick a pale or neutral hue to keep the room from becoming overwhelming.
If your business does not have set colors, these combinations are attractive and professional: sage and mocha; black, cream and gold; or light blue, tan and brown.
Floral arrangements instantly brighten up any office. Many florists will establish corporate accounts and deliver fresh flowers on a set schedule. Silks can be just as nice as fresh flowers, and they last much longer and come in a wider range of colors.
Instead of roses for the office, try tulips, gerbera daisies, amaryllis, peonies or orchids.
Table Runners
Table runners are an easy way to add a touch of color to your business's decor. Reception and conference tables are perfect for this decoration. There is no need to buy expensive table runners; you can get fabric that coordinates with your office's color scheme from hobby and craft stores. Be sure each strip of fabric is the same width. For double the color, place a piece of narrower fabric on top of each table runner.
Framed Art
Hanging framed originals or prints on your business's walls adds color and visual interest. Make sure the genre of art suits your business. For example, if your business is a video game software company, choose modern art and avant-garde prints as opposed to classical art.
Consider featuring work from local artists on a rotating basis. This gives your business a fresh supply of new art and helps local artists gain exposure.
Office decoration is the decoration and furnishing of a workplace---not only the desks and chairs, but walls, desk layout, lighting, and other decoration. Different layouts and designs may be appropriate, depending on the purpose of the office. For example, a bank may have a conservative design, with neutral-colored paint and few decorations, while a commercial design office may be colorful, with modern or funky furnishings that reflect the taste of the owners.
Closed-plan offices provide each employee with her own office---either a room or an area with floor-to-ceiling walls. Open-plan offices erase these boundaries and place employees in cubicles or partitioned areas. Closed-plan offices may reduce productivity but employees enjoy privacy. Open-planned offices promote communication but can be noisy and crowded. Many offices have a mix of both types, with higher-ranking employees placed in offices while lower-ranking employees sit in cubicles or at tables.
Since most people spend many hours at the office, it's important that office décor be not only attractive but comfortable. Using the wrong kind of furniture can even lead to ill health in the long run. Ergonomic chairs and keyboards help reduce aches and pains, such as back strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Some offices use large exercise balls as chairs, which may look odd but promote spine alignment and burn calories (and are also cheaper than ergonomic chairs). There is even a computer desk with a built-in treadmill.
You can usually make your own personal space more comfortable, even if you can't redesign an entire poorly done office. If you feel overwhelmed by paper and clutter, buy your own organization supplies---you're more likely to use them if you get them yourself. In some cases, human resource departments will pay for these supplies, as well as for ergonomic chairs and keyboards if you have a medical problem. Photos from home, pictures, and posters can add a personal touch.
Simple and elegant furniture with dark wood and leather or subtle upholstery is appropriate for professional offices such as attorneys, accountants, and banks. In the home office, you can get away with brighter colors and prints if this suits your personality or working style. If you hold meetings in your office with clients or coworkers, rather than the typical round table and office chairs, arrange comfortable chairs around a coffee table to create an informal and open feeling and encourage participation.
Water can enhance any office. Many styles of tabletop water fountains are available, and they provide a soothing background sound while you're working. A fish tank not only adds the water element, but also injects some colorful interest into your office.
Office Storage Space
To keep office storage space looking nice, be sure to choose models with decorative cabinetry, instead of the sterile looking file cabinets and aluminum desks of yesteryear. Those might be fine in a hospital, but for a nice-looking office with style, choose hardwoods or laminate surfaces for filing cabinets, shelving and desks.
Allow Personalization
Allowing your staff to bring in a few personal decor items helps improve morale, giving co-workers a sampling of each other's personalities, likes and dislikes. You may want to limit the amount of personal items, by restricting them to a bulletin board or one shelf, and consider placing a restriction on racist, sexual, political or religious messages, so that no one feels uncomfortable.
Motivational Posters
Framed, motivational posters are not only attractive, they can improve morale and inspire a creative workforce. Hang them opposite doorways, across from the toilet, or in the break room. Small plaques with inspirational quotes are available at decorating shops, as well as office supply stores online and in many cities.
Work Station
The most important piece of furniture in most office spaces is the work station. Depending on the type of work you do, a traditional desk may be the best work station for you. If you're an artist or crafter, a traditional desk may not provide the space you need to create your pieces. Instead of a traditional desk, you may find that a large table provides you with the space you need to spread out and use your art or craft supplies.
Consider whether you need storage attached to your workspace. Do you have common reference books that you need to keep close at hand? If you're an artist, are there tools that you need to store within easy reach? Answers to these questions will determine whether you need a workspace that has drawers or a hutch or some other type of built-in storage.
You may not immediately think of your chair as an important piece of office furniture, but if you will be sitting for extended periods of time, it's important to have a comfortable seat that will offer adequate support. A good, ergonomically designed chair can eliminate end-of-the-day lower back pain. Features to consider when selecting your chair include adjustable seating height, lumbar support for the lower back and appropriate seat width and depth for comfortable positioning.
Space to Collaborate
Will you have meetings in your office space? If so, consider having additional seating and work space for your guests. If you have a large table as a work station, you may just need to keep an additional pair of chairs available. If you have a smaller work station, you may want to incorporate a second small table somewhere in your office for times when you're working collaboratively.
Without something on which to sit comfortably, a desk is not a very practical piece of furniture, so a chair plays a significant role in office decor. Workers who spend entire shifts in front of a computer or on the phone rely heavily on their office chair, so comfort is crucial. Depending on the nature of the office, seating for guests might prove just as necessary as a desk chair. A company executive, for instance, needs to provide at least a few additional chairs for visitors and to accommodate meetings.
File Cabinet
Most offices need a place to store information, records or various company resources on paper. For this reason, a file cabinet is a staple of any office location. Though all file cabinets provide the same function, a wide variety of styles and colors exist for those looking to customize the decor in an office. They come in metal, wood or even leather, and have a lock to keep files confidential.
Though a bookshelf may not have a place in every office, it proves useful in some settings, such as a law office where a large number of books are kept as resources. Reference books, dictionaries and even binders with non-confidential information are perfect fits for a bookshelf, providing the owner of the office easy access to the information he needs.
Consider what elements are appropriate for the office user. A computer programmer needs ergonomic furnishings. A contractor might need large tables for spreading plans on.
Paint the walls a neutral color like beige, pale blue or soft green. Hang photographs or bold artwork on the walls. Rotate the art twice a year to keep it fresh.
Use low-pile carpeting in neutral colors. Accent the carpet with throw rugs in informal seating areas.
Install floor-to-ceiling shelving for books, mementos and decorative pieces. Put doors on one section to hide filing cabinets and computer peripherals like printers and fax machines. Use matching baskets for storage of items that otherwise create clutter.
Choose a desk that addresses the worker's needs. Customize the height of desks and chairs to meet special needs. Use a chair that's both ergonomic and attractive.
Select ergonomic furniture. Create a seating area away from the desk with a sofa or two chairs and a coffee table for a less formal workspace. Make a separate work station for computer work that can be closed in a cabinet in offices where computers aren't the primary work tools.
Position plants around the office to help keep the air clean, and to soften the decor. Choose hardy plants that will handle low-light situations.
Hang sheer drapes to diffuse sunlight. Position the desk so that the sun never shines directly into the eyes of the office worker. Provide both overhead lighting and spot lighting on desks and in seating areas.
Wood working
Determining Your Skill Level
Be honest when it comes to your woodworking ability. If you are an amateur you should start with the most basic of projects. These might include a step stool, child's pull toy, wooden bowl or rolling pin. Focus on perfecting a few items rather than attempting something that is more complicated or demands a higher skill level. It is equally important to start with projects that require little more than a cutting tool—a skill saw, band saw or jigsaw—and sandpaper. As you increase your production and hone your craft, you can add projects that require additional tools and knowledge.
Picking a Pattern
You can find patterns for wood projects a number of ways. The easiest is to visit the woodworking section of your local library or bookstore. Here you will find plans for projects appropriate for all levels of experience and skill. Coloring books and children's books often have figures that can be enlarged and used as a pattern for toys and puzzles. A simply drawn outline of an apple or pear can be used as a template for a cutting board. A three-legged stool is another pattern that can be easily mastered for a beginner. Of course if you are an experienced woodworker, an attempt at a trestle table or bench could pay off in customer interest and sales.
Finding a Mentor
If you have a community of woodworkers in your own backyard, consider yourself blessed. By all means seek them out. These artisans are often eager to show a newcomer the ropes. You could be fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship or just an invitation to hang around the shop and watch. Either way you will become acquainted with woodworking tools and techniques that will ultimately help you to progress.
Woodworking is relaxing and creative. You can build small woodworking projects in a shorter time frame -- perfect for beginner woodworkers or woodworkers who are teaching projects to children or teens with little or no experience. Small handmade woodworking projects make the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
You can complete beginner birdhouse projects in a few hours.
Birdhouses are small woodworking projects. The Family Fun site features a birdhouse design constructed from only one board. If you have a specific bird species that you wish to build a house for, such as wood ducks, robins, wrens or martins, you will need to construct specific types or sizes of birdhouses. All Woodwork Online offers some examples of small woodworking birdhouse projects. Birdhouse kits with instructions and tips are available at hobby stores or through online stores, such as Finish Carpentry Help Online.
Shelves are enjoyable to build and serve a purpose within the home, workshop or office. Shelf projects can be as small as an over-the-sink shelf. An example of a small shelf project, a corner shelf, is described at Home Shelving Guide Online. This shelf only requires a 24-inch round piece of plywood, a power tool and a table saw to complete.
Keepsake Box
Keepsake boxes can become treasures of their own.
Keepsake boxes are small woodworking projects that you can present as gifts. Keepsake boxes can be round or rectangular. Keepsake box plans are available for free in many hobby stores or online websites, such as Woodworkers Workshop Online. Contact your local high school wood shop teacher for simple keepsake box woodworking plans. If you are a beginner in woodworking, ask the teacher for any tips he can offer you as you begin your keepsake box project.
Picture Frame
Picture frames are good projects for beginner woodworkers.
The tools required to make a picture frame are a saw, a router and a sander. The example at Amateur Woodworker Online uses hard maple. This website explains the process of making the picture frame, step-by-step. You can create picture frames in just a few hours.
The right woodworking plans are crucial to the success of your projects. Whether you're crafting small toys or building a large shed, you want a plan that is easy to follow and suits your needs. Examine the detail of the plan, dimensions, supplies and clarity to find the best woodworking plans.
Look at the details of the woodworking plans. Check the supplies, types of tools and skill level needed to do the project. You should have a basic idea of what you want to do with your project and your skill level. A plan that is too difficult for you will be useless. One that is too simplistic will not give enough information to take the project to your level and skills. Checking the details of the woodworking plans enables you to find one that will use all of your skills to give you the best results for your project.
Look at the dimensions of the woodworking plans. You can find many plans for building a wood shed or designing a wood clock. The size of the finished product is important. Select a plan that has dimensions that will fit into the area where you will
put the completed project. For example, if you're building a wood shed you want plans for one that will fit the area where you plan on erecting the building.
Examine the list of supplies on the plans. Some projects are not feasible if you don't have all of the woodworking tools and supplies needed to follow them. You can select a plan that has your specific tools or choose a different project. Often, it's not realistic to attempt a plan if you don't have access to the right supplies to complete it.
Examine how clear the directions are for the woodworking plans. Some plans don't have any directions at all. They're for the advanced woodworker who only needs the schematics and dimensions of a project. Make certain the woodworking plans have enough clarity in the instructions for you to actually be able to complete the project.
Starting with clear, organized and easy-to-follow instructions is essential to beginning woodworkers. Woodworking is about finding projects you can handle and that you will find use for after finishing. Finding the right project will give you more satisfaction and make woodworking a great pastime. Start with some simple projects that can help get you accustomed to woodworking and build up your skill and knowledge.
CD Holder
A great project for woodworking beginners, who are also music enthusiasts, is building a CD holder or CD rack. A cross-half join rack can be a quick and easy project that will make a great storage unit for your CDs. Building either a CD rack or holder can teach you about joint making, layout precision, squaring boards, sanding procedures and rounding an edge. A CD rack project will also give you practice with applying stains and finishes to the wood.
Jewelry Box
A simple jewelry box, or any all-purpose box, can get you started with the basics of woodworking, such as miter cuts, joints and applying liners. A jewelry box can also provide a personalized storage compartment for you or a family member. Use your woodworking hobby to make an items that's handcrafted and personalized for use around the house.
Stackable Shelves
Shelves are a great place to start your woodworking endeavors. Stackable shelves help get you acquainted with some basic skills like gluing, drilling, measuring and cutting curves, measuring, layout and dowel joining. Applying stains and finishes to the shelves will give them a nice clean look making them excellent for any situation. You can make as many stacks as you want and personalized them for the person you are making them for.
Wood workers.
Woodworkers require a number of skills including mechanical expertise, manual dexterity and the ability to read blueprints and plans. Today, woodworkers involve the use of different types of machines as well as hand tools. It is important for woodworkers that woodworkers are skilled in the use of saws and other tools that can cause injury if not used properly. Woodworkers may be self-employed or employed in a small shop or a large assembly factory.
Mechanical Skills for woodworkers
Woodworkers must possess mechanical skills necessary to operate a number of different machines. Modern woodworkers are expected to know how to set and operate drill presses, sanders, planers, routers and wood shapers. Woodworkers must know how to operate powerful table saws properly and safely. In addition to shaping, cutting and finishing wood products using machines, woodworkers must also be mechanically skilled to add handles, fasteners and use adhesives and automated nail machines properly. Woodworkers must know how to properly measure using a variety of measuring devices like calipers as well as tape measures and rules. Woodworkers must also understand angles and degrees to properly assemble a wood product.
When you are a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you are not going to use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it. You will know it is there, so you are going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back.
Steve Jobs.
Carpenter is a big topic, carpenters are playing a big role in real estate industry they are the backbone of interior decoration industry they are able to give great work they are not educated enough but they give their best and they make each and every thing whatever is requirement of their architect and interior designer.
Carpenter comes from near of they are mostly from rural area and they do their duty with responsibilities. A carpenter is defined as a craftsman with a skill and experience level greater than a helper. A carpenter is backbone of any projects, carpenter works indoors and outdoors. A carpenter completes a variety of task on a daily basis.
Carpentry field is a popular field, but there are many different kinds of carpenters. Those who work as furniture carpenters require different skills than people who build houses.
A carpenter has many skills in his work. A carpenter is able to measure accurately and calculate dimensions, as well as read blueprints. A carpenter has skills in exterior and interior finish work, including the ability to use specific tools and equipment.
A carpenter is defined as a craftsman with a skill and experience level greater than a helper or laborer, but less than a lead carpenter. The carpenter will generally have a smaller tool inventory and may need direction to perform more advanced carpentry skills.
A skilled worker who makes, finishes, and repairs wooden objects and structures.
Carpenters are skilled craftsman who build, finish and repair residential and commercial structures. These structures may be made of wood or metal.
Carpenters are highly skilled craft persons who fall into two basic categories. Structural carpenters are involved in the construction of buildings, whereas detail carpenters work to create, maintain or refinish items such as furniture.
Carpenters are the backbone of any construction crew. In residential projects, they build the rooms for a home and add the finishing touches to construction projects. In nonresidential projects, carpenters build forms for concrete and braces for tunnels and bridges. Those wishing to become carpenters can find a paid apprenticeship through a local carpenters' union. Carpenters may work outdoors or indoors and complete a variety of tasks on a daily basis.
Carpenters are responsible for the "bones" of any good house and can be called on to fashion quality frames and trusses. Carpenters are also an essential part of the renovation process, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms where cabinetmakers are relied on to whip up and install the cabinetry. They're extremely productive outside too, crafting a range of recreational structures including timber decking and pergolas.
Carpentry is a popular field, but there are many different kinds of carpenters. Those who work as furniture carpenters require different skills than people who build houses.
Carpentry is an essential part of the construction industry that involves building structures from many different types of material, such as wood, ceramic and metal. Carpenters are key workers who assist with the construction of a range of things, from bathroom cabinets to bridges. Carpenters have many duties and responsibilities.
Skills for carpenter
Carpenters must be able to measure accurately and calculate dimensions, as well as read blueprints. They possess skills in exterior and interior finish work, including the ability to use specific tools and equipment.
Knowledge for carpenter
Carpenters must be knowledgeable of policies relating to safety, quality control and cost control. They must be organized and able to complete paperwork on time
Carpenters plan the execution of projects based on blueprints and interior designer's drawings or models. Carpenters also supervise other carpenters or carpentry assistants on the job. In addition, carpenters plan and execute basic outdoor building projects, including patios and decks. Carpenters may build fences or accessibility ramps for residential or commercial projects.
Physical Requirements
This job requires the ability to climb ladders and withstand heights, and to lift heavy objects and carry them limited distances. Good eye-hand coordination is also needed.
Carpenters install the flooring material in a house or building. This may be wooden flooring, linoleum, tile or other flooring material. Carpenters also install cabinets and countertops.
Furniture carpentry requires more than just common sense in working with wood. Furniture carpenters make all types of furniture, from large pieces that go in grand houses to furniture for the smallest of dollhouses. Some of them work together to create different kinds of furniture, such as large pieces that have a lot of intricacies. Furniture carpenters go to school to learn their basic trade, and they also apprentice with other carpenters to get more comfortable and to further hone their skills. Once they have completed an apprenticeship, they can become master carpenters.
Carpenters are the backbone of any construction crew. In residential projects, they build the rooms for a home and add the finishing...
Carpenters inspect buildings for damage. They maintain doors, windows and furniture, repairing any deficiencies. By preserving the interior and exterior of residences and buildings, carpenters are responsible for preserving structural elements as well as any electrical wiring running throughout. Carpenters inspect tile, walls, siding, glass and woodwork for signs of damage. They also investigate and repair less serious problems, such as replacing weather stripping and fixing furniture.
Many carpenters focus on cabinetmaking, where they create custom designs for a variety of fixtures, such as cabinets, shelves and other structures for residential and commercial buildings. Some cabinetmaking carpenters concentrate on constructing fine handmade furniture.
Other Duties for carpenter
Some carpenters complete a variety of other tasks, such as constructing sets for the
entertainment industry. Others work for manufacturing companies, where they create already-assembled structures, such as cabinets, walls and sliding doors. Many carpenters who work in other industries besides construction perform many different installation and repair tasks. Examples of activities include repairing and replacing doors, ceiling materials and furniture. Some carpenters install windows and doors, and others provide assistance with transporting and setting up equipment and machinery.
Finish Work
Carpenters perform fine-finish work, such as molding, stair trim, windows, cabinets and other small projects. Carpenters also refinish and repair items in a residential home.
Misconceptions for carpenter
The most common complaint people have with carpenters is that they do not understand why the person who framed their house cannot make their cabinets or build them a dining room set, because they think that it will be less expensive that way. Not only would it likely end up costing more, but they really would not want someone who has never made a table and chairs to make the dining set that will be in their home for many years. Furniture carpentry is much more than just cutting some wood and putting it together. There are math skills involved, and many furniture carpenters also have architectural and design skill, as they come up with their own drawings and plans for the furniture they create.
Read Blueprints and Plans for woodworkers
Woodworkers must be skilled in reading and interpreting blueprints and project plans. A blueprint or a plan will contain all the information necessary to complete a woodworking project from start to finish. The blueprint will contain all the measurements, cutting instructions and assembly instructions for any wood working project. Often blueprints and plans are highly technical and require that the woodworkers have a good knowledge of math. Woodworkers must be able to conceptualize the blueprint and translate the abstract plan to create a wood product. The woodworkers must be skilled in determining which tools will be needed to complete a project by reading the blueprint or technical plan for a project.