A wall mirror is a universal piece of décor that sometimes gets overlooked. Whether used as a focal point, background or accent piece, a wall mirror can be used in any room of your home and can bring intrigue, light and conversation into any space.
Although there are no steadfast rules when decorating with mirrors, if you consider a few things, a mirror can change the entire depth and feeling of your space. Here are a few ways to incorporate a wall mirror into your modern home with class and style:
When I think of the most common place a wall mirror is used, the bathroom immediately comes to mind. Instead of the traditional rectangular looking glass, try a circular or oval mirror. These shapes can serve as both decorative and functional pieces over your vanity.
A frameless mirror with a beveled edge will create visual interest and it will feel lighter than a framed mirror, which is important if your bathroom is smaller. Flanking the mirror with wall sconces to cast an even light and prevent shadows when you're getting ready in the morning is icing on the cake!
A wall mirror can also be a stunning piece for your entryway or foyer. For smaller areas, a wall mirror can open the space and use lighting from the nearby door to make its statement. When selecting a mirror for this space, choose one that symbolizes your house as a whole. There are many mirrors with elaborate frames that are art-like and really make an impact. Greet your guest with your personal and welcoming style. My favorite foyers offer a stunning mirror, offset just a touch, over a console table and unique table lamp balancing it all out. Change the table décor to reflect the season and voila!
The dining room is another ideal place for a decorative mirror. Generally, when used, this room will accommodate many people and sometimes feel cramped. By strategically placing a long, horizontal mirror across from a window or another mirror, the space will seem more open and inviting. Incorporate a couple of buffet-style lamps and allow the mirror and lighting to work in unison, seemingly expanding the room. There's nothing worse than feeling closed in and full all at the same time!
No matter where you hang your mirror though, it is important to contemplate the reflection. When deciding on the precise location to place it, be sure to remember that you're not the only thing looking back when you peer into the looking glass. Consider the surroundings. Does it reflect a blank wall? Does it show off a part of the room you're not particularly fond of or, does it frame the natural landscape outside of an opposing window? By placing the mirror with this in mind, you're sure to be pleased once the holes are in the wall.
So, whether your personal style embraces a sleek, frameless mirror or you lean toward one with an intriguing frame, using these reflective pieces can be the solution to many decorating issues. Accomplish aesthetic and function all at once with the benefit of showing off the rest of your picturesque space in the reflection. After all, it doubles the fun of being at home!
Modern homes and apartments vary in design and basic structure, but they share a common attribute-limited space. The typical concept of what a typical home is has since evolved. Now, when we think of a home we do not just see in our mind's eye the traditional idea of a roomy house where each occupant has his or her own bedroom. In urban centers, people's homes are two or three-room apartments where the children share a bedroom or units in high-rise buildings with pocket gardens and common areas for recreation.
General considerations
When designing a home, it is important to consider longevity-whether it will stand the test of time. Some of the factors that must be considered are the quality of the materials used, the overall design, and the location. Although it is tempting to follow dominant trends, there is a need to exercise caution. Some trends easily become outdated. In addition, it is also important to maximize the interior space and provide allowances for future expansion.
Customization is another important consideration. Instead of going for ready-made cabinets that take up too much space, having customized shelves and storage areas made will not only save plenty of square footage, but lends the interior greater flexibility. Creating more storage, as much as can be squeezed out of the current available space-also increases the overall value of the property.
The choice of color is another basic consideration, especially if there is a plan to sell the property in the future. Bold colors may turn heads, but neutral colors have greater appeal to potential buyers. In today's market, homes with neutral paint colors have relatively higher resale value.
Intertwined living and sleeping areas
Because of the space restrictions, one of the biggest challenges for interior designers is to provide solutions for studio apartments and units where the sleeping and living areas are very much intertwined. Since the space does not allow for the addition of more walls, designers face the challenge of providing occupants with a private space, while still allotting an area to receive visitors. In order to provide the occupants a space that is comfortable and functional at the same time, interior designers face the challenge of choosing design elements and furniture that allows the residents to move and function seamlessly given the overlapping space.
Natural light
Perhaps, one of the most important considerations in modern homes is the utilization of natural light. A home that showcases natural lighting is generally perceived as having positive attributes. Aside from certain specifications in construction that maximize the entry of light from the outside, some interior décor solutions exploit natural lighting better than others do.
Indoor gardens
Lastly, modern homes that are located in the busiest urban areas can still be transformed into havens of comfort, quiet and relaxation with a few interior modifications that allow for the maintenance of a sustainable indoor garden. In the hands of a competent interior decorator, outdoor areas with healthy greenery can also be blended seamlessly with the interior of the home.
More and more people are carrying out their own home renovations, either to try and save money or to ensure the finished design looks exactly how they envisioned it.
However, without extensive design or building experience, this can be a daunting task.
If you are looking to design your dream home, here are some useful tips to ensure your vision becomes a reality.
Work with what you have got
Before starting any renovation work, it is important to think about what you have in place already. If you are adding an extension to your home, this should fit in with what is already there.
An extension that looks out of place is not aesthetically pleasing and is more likely to fall foul to planning laws.
This extends to what is inside the home.
Your home should flow from room to room. Dramatic changes in materials or appearance can be jarring and could spoil the effect you want from your renovation.
Renovation should complement the existing appearance and structure of the home.
Put a budget in place
The budget is one of the most important parts of any renovation project.
The amount of money you have to spend will determine many things, such as:
- Materials used
- The scale of the project
- Deadlines
- Once the budget has been decided, you should ensure you stick to it.
Many ambitious design projects can end up over budget, but deciding the budget early on should help ensure that yours does not.
Be flexible
While you should try to stick to your budget, this may not always be possible. Try to make sure there is enough flexibility in the budget to account for delays, necessary repairs and any required changes to materials.
Reflect your personality
Unless you are renovating a property to sell, you will live with the design for potentially many years.
That is why you should ensure that any changes reflect your personality.
If you want a simple, minimalist home, you should consider installing underfloor heating. This can provide comfortable warmth, without the need for radiators.
Having an invisible heat source will fit in perfectly with a minimalist design.
Alternatively, you can retain traditional central heating and fit it with a minimalist home design if you would prefer.
A wall mounted glass radiator is much more sleek and stylish than traditional radiators. The smooth design also means there are fewer surfaces for dust to cling to, resulting in a healthier home.
Whatever you go for in the end, make sure you think carefully about all your design choices. This will ensure you get the design you want for an amount that fits your budget.
.png)
