How to achieve indirect lighting in interior design.

For our planet the sun is a major lighting source. The light which we receive on earth varies in intensity and quantity dependingupon the geographical location on earth.

For normal human activities inside the building what we require isindirect light. There is a major difference between direct andindirect light. Direct light from the sun produces light inhigh quantities but also generates a lot of heat, which may notbe required or at sometimes can be uncomfortable.

Indirect lighting produces a good quality diffused light by eliminating the heat that's being produced from sunlight. Interior designers always look for various ways that will increasethe chances of achieving good quality sunlight into a room.

the basic principle behind indirect lighting is easy. Obstructthe direct sunlight on a surface that will absorb the heat andthrow our or disperse the light alone uniformly inside the room.

This requires a good study of various light entry points of a given room and selecting surfaces that will receive direct sunlight.Then applying finishes to these materials that will absorb the heat but at the same time reflect a lot of light to the interiors.

There is a major challenge in doing this.

Let's say that I select a bedroom to be treated for indirect lighting.I select a plane wall opposite or adjacent to the window opening thatwill receive direct sunlight. If I paint the wall with a brightcolor, it will definitely reflect the light in the entire room, butat the same time create a "glare" that can be quite uncomfortablefor the users.

So just creating reflecting surfaces is not the solution. The surfaces that will reflect the direct light and at the same time won't produce a glare are recommended here.

This can be easily achieved using artificial lighting. The greatestadvantage of artificial lighting is that you can select the numberof light sources in the first place. Then light sources can be very creatively be hidden using shaders and other design elements, so thatthe light spots can be directed towards reflective surfaces.

A very common use of this technique is, project the light spots ona bright reflective ceiling and the ceiling will uniformly dispersethe light in the rest of the room. Projecting the light on ceiling will eliminate the problem of causing glare, since the ceiling is always above the normal eye level.

Using a centralized light source on the ceiling and throwing the light on adjacent walls is also a good solution. This will also save a lotof wiring lengths, cutting your cost in the fixing up of the totalelectrical system.

A careful choice of reflective surfaces inside a room can greatly enhance the light qualities in a room. In interiors there are hundredsof objects that receive light. Objects such as walls, furnitureceiling, floor will have a tendency to reflect light away from them.Objects like windowpanes, glass panels in the furniture will absorb or will allow the light to pass away the light thought themb reducing the heat and intensity of light.

That's why careful selection of materials during design stage cancause a good lighting solution. Also the lighting solution willdiffer from room to room depending upon which direction theroom faces outwards. For this the sun path must be taken intoconsideration. By careful study of the sun path it will be easy todecide the color schemes and finishes for satisfactory resultin indirect lighting.

I hope this article was helpful to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya
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Shrinivas Vaidya discusses some excellent tips on home renovation at Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .You will also find some great concept level thinking on bedrooms and decorating ideas.
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5 External climatic factors that affect an interior design project.

Dear friends, the emergence of architecture in human societyhas taken a wide and distinct role in itself. Starting fromearly eras where man used to live in caves, we have seen aremarkable growth in architecture and allied fields, which includes landscape and interior design

The recent being the use of computers and "Computer Aided Design"in architecture, which allows a kind of perfection in designand execution process of any building and its interiors.

In spite of all the technological advances, the primary functionof any building structure remains the same, protection fromoutside environment and natural calamities.

Starting from a place to "protect yourself' from nature, interiordesign has become a "status symbol". Today's interior spaces havea two way channel, first and the obvious one is the function andsecond one is aesthetical, which is a little complex one.

It is quite obvious that the interior design of a space is directlyrelated to the function of the space. This means that two spaceslike a home and an office have two well defined functions, henceit will reflect in every aspect of the interior design solution.

But apart from the there is one more important factor thatwill affect each and every aspect of the final design solution,and that's the geographical location of the architectural structure.

A hotel building at seashore and the other one at a hill station will have a completely different sets of problems to deal with.Lets see in a short way what are the external factors that canaffect an interior design solution

1) Amount of direct sunlight.
Locations on the far northern or southern hemisphere receive less amount of sunlight than those at the equator. That's why here thebuilding with more use of plane glass are used. Also artificiallighting is given much importance.

2) External temperature.
External temperature directly affects the comfort level of internalspaces. Since external walls act as a "buffer" between internaland external climate, it is necessary to use the right constructionmaterial for walls. Depending upon the wall material the internalfinishes also have limitations. This is especially true forstructure that face extreme climatic ups and downs, such as locations in the gulf countries.

Hence selecting materials that can sustain heavy climatic changeson a daily scale is challenging.

3) Humidity and Rainfall.
Because of the salty nature of air around coastal areas extra careis taken for building construction materials, which can directlyaffect the entire budget of the project.

4)Wind Direction.
Wind direction and wind speed also has direct affect on the interiors.Heavy winds exert a load on the external walls of the structure,thus affecting the construction technology.

5)Land Structure and Topography.
Land structure is the nature of land on which the structure stands.Various types of land structures include rock solid, marshy land,etc...Topography of land is classified as plane or a site with slope.If the site of the structure is on a hill slope, extra precautionsare taken to allow the natural flow of rainwater that the structuremight block. Depending upon the quality of land surface the construction technology will change.

As far as interiors are concerned a well planned structure withproperly thought spaces is a must because internally the spacesget divided into various floors.

From the above short discussion it can be said that external factorsand environment greatly affect the way structures are built and thus directly affecting the interior qualities of the structure.

Technological advancements have allowed us to artificially controlthe internal environment of a building irrespective of what's happening outside. But a carefully studied and well planned architectural space can easily cut the extra cost of air conditioningand other ventilation services.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

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Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .
Here you will find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets
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5 Essential Factors Of a Good Bedroom Design

Dear friends, successful design is a relative term. What is goodor successful for me may not be so from your point of view.

But when it comes to interior design, there are certain factorswhich are always present no matter what the use of the space is.Let's have a look at the bare minimum design factors a spacemust have so that it can be called a comfortable and habitable space.

1) Proportions of the room.

The word "proportions" is always used in the design field. Everyinterior space which is being used by humans must be proportionate.Proportions are extremely important in any design.

Every 3 dimensional object has properties such as length, width andheight. When these 3 are in accordance with the proportions ofvarious parts of human body we call it a "proportionate" design.

For example a handle of a wardrobe must have dimensions such that our fingers can hold it properly for effortless and smooth action.or a chair seat must have enough are so that we can sit comfortably.Again the type of seating will change the dimensions of the chair.A chair in waiting lobby of a bank will be different than a sofa.
So proportions play a major role in interior design and furniturein your bedroom must also follow these rules. The dimensions ofthe double bed, it's height from floor level, height of wardrobe,dimensions of dressing table, etc...all these matter as far asfunction is concerned.

2) Natural light entering the room.

There is no alternative for naturally lit spaces. Sun being thestrongest source of light and also helps to keep the biologicalbalance of the planet Earth, it is very much necessary in the interior spaces.

Study shows that natural light can penetrate in an interior spaceup to 20 feet (Approx. 7 meters). Using appropriate position for window opening can easily achieve this.

3) Natural Ventilation

A free and unobstructed flow of air can be a great way to keepthe atmosphere cool and clean in an interior space. This is possiblewhere bedrooms are located at the corner of the building where 2sides of the bedrooms have external faces.

Where it is not possible to provide windows on adjacent faces oropposite faces, a ventilator above the window is used. The concept behind the ventilator is simple. The lower half the bedroom height is always used by the habitants. Because of the constant use of thisare the air temperature rises and air becomes light weight.

This hot air rises above and must need an escape. At such times ventilators above the window openings play a major role ofcirculating the flow through the room in an upward direction. When the lower portion of the room becomes empty fresh air from window takes its position, thus maintaining a balance.

4) Clear Movement Patterns.

Every bedroom has certain exit points attached to it. Such asa) Exit to balcony/ terrace.b) Exit to toilet block/ walk in closetc) Exit to backyard (if on ground floor)

If we draw an imaginary line from the entry point to all theseexit points, ideally the should not intersect. Since all otherareas are already occupied with furniture, keeping the insidecirculation space clear, helps to achieve a comfortablespace.

5) Good Provision For Inclusion Of Accessories.

Accessories in a bedroom have equal importance. When all otherfactors mentioned above are fairly met what remains is theuse of accessories which can make quite a lot of difference in thecomfort level of the habitants.
a) The first and the most important is a good provision ofartificial lighting. This includes basic lighting as well as special decorative lighting for decorative purposes.b) Special provision for upholstery and linen. Small details suchas curtain rods, provision for bed canopies can make the room extra decorative.c) Use materials that are easy to clean and maintain. For exampleif you are using PVC flooring sheets on top of standard tiled flooring,is it washable? Think of what will happen if your child uses it as a painting canvas.

The discussion above was an attempt to look for some universalfactor that can affect the comfort level of the users in a bedroom.Finally the feeling which you get when you use your bedroom is mostimportant and is a good measure to decide the success factor ofthe design project.

However it is important to note that these are not the only factorsthat need to be looked upon, but I'm sure these can help as a startingpoint for further creative thinking.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.
Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya
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Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit today to find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets.
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A Study of Furniture Elements For Smaller Bedrooms

When we enter any bedroom the first thing we notice is thefurniture. All humans always see interiors and all decoratingideas that are executed in "elevation". This means we alwayssee the face of the furniture.

Every object in the bedroom large or small has a direct relationto dimensions of the human body. This relation with our body decidesthe comfort level in a bedroom. If a double bed is oversized, itwill naturally occupy more floor space by reducing the volumeof empty space. That's why proportions of every furniture piece are vital to maintain comfort levels.

Let's examine some important factors about bedroom furniture units.

1) Double Bed....

This piece of furniture occupies the maximum amount of floorspace. A typical double bed measures about 1800mmX1800mmX450mm height.Of course this is a comfortable sized bed but can vary depending upon the requirements at the interior site.

Double beds come in steel/wrought iron/wooden frames. The most important point to note here is that 80% of the structuralframework gets covered by linen. The mattress, bed sheets, pillowscover most of the part that supports the load of the users.That's why the real beauty of a double bed lies in the linen used. Linen defines the shape of a double bed to some extent.

The patterns and decorations used on the linen also ads to the overall design theme of the bedroom. The headboard of the double bed (the part of the double bed which stands behind the head when we lie down on the bed) is a prominent feature and can beused effectively by using semi-circular shapes.

One creative use of the headboard is that we can add artificial lighting in it by providing blur glass and the effect ofindirect lighting can be created. This is helpful if the masterwants to read a book or magazine by relaxing in the bed itself.

Most of the time we see that the space below the mattress is usedfor storing linen. This is done in the form of sliding drawers which slide out from sides.

I have seen one more creative way of supporting the platform where the master lies down. By giving an angular slant to thesupporting structure of the bed we can save valuable circulationspace in a small bedroom. To understand what exactly I am talkingabout, just visit the webpage below. (Scroll down to the bottomto see a pictorial presentation of this method)
Teen Bedroom Design And Decorating Ideas

2) Wardrobe....

A wardrobe is another element in a bedroom that creates a significant impact on the entire interior design theme. We always see a wardrobe in elevation. A typical wardrobe ismost of the times measures 2100mm in height. The length anddepth of the wardrobe differs from location to location butis typically around 1200mm in length and 600mm in depth fora single person's wardrobe.

The internal compartments of a wardrobe are divided keeping in mind the various styles and sizes of clothes we wear. Theinternal design of a wardrobe also depends upon regional influences.For example in Japan, women wear a typical kind of dress orin Indian, most women wear a dress code called as "Saree" whichneeds much more space similar to trousers.

Depending upon the requirements a wardrobe might also includea small "money safe" with locking arrangements, drawers for keepingsmaller sized clothes such as under-garments.

3) Dressing Table....

A dressing table is a place to be happy about. This is theplace where we spend a lot of time shaping our faces. A small bedroom may not have enough space for a dressing table. At such times the outer faces of the wardrobe can be used to fix a full height mirror. This also creates a reflection of the rest of the room itand thus creates an illusion of more space.

A wardrobe needs special spotlight arrangements to throw lightspot on the person in front of the mirror. This will includea flat mirror and small storage spaces for the makeup-kits, perfumes, etc...

In a case where the mirror is fixed on the outer surface of thewardrobe shutter,(as mentioned above) the storage space formake-up kit can be arranged inside the wardrobe.

4) Study Table with extra storage desk....

A study table is just a place to do some important daily tasksSometimes it is useful to keep a computer on it. This study table can bedesigned to include an elevated storage space for books/files.

This combination of a study table and a book shelf is a greatway to save space in small bedrooms. If the table top in notoccupied by a computer or other objects, it can be made to foldand thus increasing more floor area.
This was a very basic study of the most commonly used furniture items in a bedroom. There are hundreds of creative ways toimprove the performance and efficiency of furniture items in interior design. This article was just a starting point totrigger the creative genius in you.

I hope you have benefited from these words.
Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Here you will find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets. Visit today.

How to use picture frames in interior Design.

We all have seen paintings being used in our home interiors.They play a major role when it comes to decorating an interiorspace.

There are basically two types of frames, first are the photographs captured using a camera and others are hand drawn sketches or paintings. There are two major aspects to a picture frame, theframe itself and the subject of the picture.

When it comes to the subject of the picture a vast majorityand almost infinite subjects are available to choose from. Photosor hand drawn pictures of birds, animals, natural beauty, people,portraits, birds, scenery, architecture, cityscapes, mountains, oceans and sea, geometric shapes, non-geometric shapes, abstractshapes, strokes, flowers, interiors, vehicles, and a whole lotmore...can be "framed" to form a beautiful picture frame.

When it comes to choosing the exact subject of the picture frame,one must recognize the surroundings of the interior space, location where the picture frame is going to appear, the quality and dimensions of the wall surface where the picture frame will appear. It is always not true that the picture will be put on the wall. Sometimes small frames standing on the table can greatly add the liveliness of a room.

It is important to consider that we are going to use the painting as a "filler" on the wall. The space on the wall, which is empty, gets filled up with interesting array of colors present in the picture.Colors attract the attention of the visitor and creates moods in his/hermind.

Let's see an example of how a picture frame creates moods in our mind. Here I use 4 photographs of kittens and frame them to for picture frames to use on an empty wall in my bedroom. I locate theseframes such that I see them prominently when I enter the bedroom.The real life photos of kittens instantly create a soothing andcompassionate feelings in me which are in tune with how I feel in my bedroom sleeping on my bed.

On the other hand if I use a photo of the "Ford Mustang" , my feelings would be more of a alert nature because of the various memories attached to it previously. On the other hand if I usethe Ford Mustang photo in my study room, that would greatly helpto warm up the atmosphere.
That's why subjects that create a soothing mindset such as naturalbeauty, photos/portraits of children, etc.. can be used where thehuman activity is of low nature such as bedrooms, bathrooms, etc..

There is one more element that can affect the choice of a pictureframe in an interior space. The "design theme" of a space must be given importance while selecting the picture. If the interior design theme is of oriental nature, then picture with more use of colors will look good. This is because in an oriental designstyle more emphasis is given on "decorative elements" such as drapes, cornices, tiny plaster treatments, window and door frames,decorations in brass, etc..

To enhance the continuity of this theme on the empty wall surface a painting with more detailed subject should be used. Picture ofnatural scenery is best suited for this, because "nature" is full of variety of colors and their shades, that can greatly enhance the beauty of the space.

A little creative thinking can add some more interest to the picture. For example what if I totally remove the frame which holds the picture intact and "press" the picture between two glass plates.Only metallic clamps at the four corners can be used to hold theglass plates together. Artificial light used in the room will thencast a shadow of the picture on the wall behind and can add "depth"to the picture surface.

You can also go for your own design and style for the frame that goes around the picture. Picture frames with the ability to replace the picture is a good starting point. This gives to control to test what's good and impressive in your room. This article was just a starting pointto ignite the imagination in your mind. I hope it has helped you and you have enjoyed the text.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit today to find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets

An overview of commonly used materials in interior design

Every interior space has some unique qualities attached to it.If you have visited a natural outdoor space like a forest, youwill notice thousands of varieties of "textures" in the form ofwooden barks, leaves, ground surfaces, stones, water etc...
All these natural elements create a unique visual effect andall visual effects have a corresponding effect on human mind.That's why when used carefully textures can create wonders in interior design.
The most commonly used materials in interior design and decorationare wood for furniture, cloth for linen, rubber/leather for flooringor upholstery, paper as wallpapers, plastic for accessories like lampshades and other decorative items, steel for furniture.
Let's take a closer look at these materials and their textural qualities.
1) Wood....
Most commonly used for furniture, door frames, shutters. Themain reason behind this is it is easy to work with wood. Theart of carpentry is an age old profession. Because of thenature of wood like softness and the same time the amount ofstrength it can withstand, makes it a popular choice amongstfurniture designers.
A fully polished wood surface gives a very rich finish and projects user friendliness. Also wood comes in many varietiesand colors, each having its own pros and cons.
2) Cloth....
A very natural choice for linen. Since a cloth finish is a smoothone it is most suitable in a bedroom where comfort is a veryvital factor. The biggest advantage of various types of clothis that most types are washable so maintenance is easy.
Cloth has one more important quality that it can be "painted" for expressing detailed decorative patterns, that can greatlyadd to the beauty of the space.
It is also possible to do "embroidery" on cloth, if painting isnot a good choice or budget doesn't allow. Depending upon the weave of the cloth strands the thickness, transparency, etc. can beeasily achieved. This makes the cloth most suitable for variouskinds of uses such as linen, curtains, bed sheets, etc...

3) Rubber/Leather....
Rubber is used in the form of PVC flooring, is easily availableand most importantly is wash proof and durable. It can be printed uponusing design patterns of any style, rich with colors. Comes in theform of large sheets or even individual tiles.
Unlike tiled flooring the PVC flooring is much less affected byatmospheric changes. Other types of tiled floorings or even wooden flooring can have a direct effect on the surface because of theexpansion and contraction of the flooring material. A PVC flooring is glued to the tiled flooring I hope you have benefited from thesewords.
4) Plastic....
There are infinite uses of this great material. The only disadvantageenvironmentalist have pointed out that it is not bio-degradable.
Because of its artificial nature it can be "manufactured" in various.colors, shapes, sizes, strength. The biggest advantage of plastic isit is waterproof and electrical shockproof. That's why mainlyused for electrical accessories. It is lightweight as compared to othermaterial types. Entire furniture pieces such as chairs, tablescan be easily molded out as a seamless model in plastic.
5) Steel/Iron....
Steel is mostly used in interior design where the main purpose isto give support and carry weight to the floor. That's why main use of steel is done to create the structural frame that carriesthe weight of the people who are going to use the furniturepiece.
A very common type of steel is the "Stainless Steel". Because of itsshining nature, it very quickly gives a rich quality to the objectbeing used on and enhances the overall quality of the interiorspace.
Furniture objects that have been designed with a combinationof wood and steel look much balanced from aesthetic point of view.But doing so requires a careful study of the joiner details,especially where wood and steel joint together.
The following discussion was only a brief introduction of the types of material being used in interior design industry. Everyday more and more good quality and cheaper material types arebeing presented in the market. I hope this article was informative to everyone.
Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya
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Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Here you will find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets.Visit today
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