INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN MOVING INTO A NEW HOME

There’s so much to think about before moving into a new home that it’s hard to even figure out where to start. Our advice is to be organized and to start thinking of ideas long before you actually change homes. Look for inspiration, visit stores and ask for opinions. We’ve gathered a few ideas you might like. They’re things to take into consideration not just when moving into a new home but also when considering a renovation for your home or simply making some changes and updates.

Wine Storage.

It would be nice to have the space for a wine cellar and the basement would be a perfect choice but, if you don’t you can still find a way to incorporate some great-looking wine racks into the interior design. For example, here’s a living area with a wine wall.

Smart Storage.

Don’t waste floor space with storage units. Be smart and find ways to incorporate storage compartments into places like the staircase wall, under the bed or inside the stairs.

Have A Media Room.

If you’re the type that enjoying watching movies with friends or TV shows with your loved ones late at night, then having a media room is a must. If you have the basement, then waste no more time and start planning its décor.

Entertainment Space In The Basement.

The basement is perfect for lots of things. It can be a wine cellar, a media room, a play room for the kids or an entertainment space for the grown ups. You can have a pool table, a bar, a big TV screen and lots of other fun things in here.

A swing chair.

After you’ve designated a function for each room of the house, it’s time to think of the details such as the furniture. If there’s one thing I’d love to have in my home that would be a swing chair. You could have one in the living room, in the bedroom or in your home office. It’s also something the kids would enjoy.

Platform Beds.

Platform beds are very stylish. They have a modern look and they beautifully match simple and minimalist interior designs. Also, it’s easy to pair a platform bed with built-in nightstands.

Glass-encased Fireplace.

A fireplace is a marvelous focal point in any home. If you’re set on a modern or contemporary interior design, then you could opt for a glass-encased fireplace built into a wall. The best place for it would be between the living and dining areas.

Hammock Floors.

Trying to come up with an unusual idea for a casual and fun interior design. Try hammock floors. They take relaxation to a whole new level. It’s something you might like to include into the bedroom design but it could also be fun to have in a home office or, to save space, above the staircase.

Scandinavian Touch.

If you want a simple and soothing interior design for your home, then Scandinavian décor can offer you lots of great ideas. You can try using elements such as crisp white walls, light wooden finishes and black and white combinations.

Floor-to-ceiling Windows.

If part of your home project includes making big changes such as replacing the windows or actually building a new structure, then you should definitely consider having floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s an especially wonderful feature if you have beautiful views which can be admired from your home.

A Walk-in Closet.

Walk-in closets are considered to be wonderful features in any home. So, if your home doesn’t have one, maybe you can transform a small bedroom or a home studio into one. Use the space wisely.

Glass Walls For the En-suite Bathroom.

By replacing the walls that separate the bedroom from the en-suite bathroom with glass you make the room feel more spacious and more airy. If you’re worried about privacy you can install curtains.

An Infinity Bathtub.

An infinity tub or an overflow tub is one that has no drainage. Instead, the water overflows the tub and drains beneath it where there’s a platform. The water drains into the shower.

A Fireplace In The Bathroom.

Having a fireplace in the bathroom is truly wonderful. You can create a very cozy and inviting mood and turn the bathroom into a spa. Of course, small bathrooms can’t have this feature so you might have to make some changes.

An Original Headboard Design.

In the case of the bedroom, there’s not much you can do in terms of customization. The headboard, however, is a piece which you can personalize. So choose an unusual material, an interesting shape or come up with your own ideas for its design.

Pallet Coffee Table.

Making a coffee table out of wooden pallets is extremely easy. It’s basically a project you can do on a weekend. The coffee table will give your living room a rustic charm and it will also be a way in which you can personalize the décor.

Unusual Window Designs For The Balcony.

Build yourself a beautiful and airy rooftop balcony by simply choosing the right windows. Take a look at these ones. It’s an innovative and ingenious idea which can allow you to take advantage of the views.

Smart Wall Dividers.

Don’t waste any space in your home. Instead of regular walls to separate the areas, try something smarter like this rotating wall divider. Mount the TV on it and you’ll be able to watch your favorite shoes either from the bedroom or the living room.

A Murphy bed for the kids’ room.

Don’t waste the floor space in the kids’ room with furniture. Opt instead for features like a Murphy bed which dis spears into the wall unit when not needed, leaving not lots of room for the kids to play in.

IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTNING IN INTERIOR DESIGN

The lighting in a home changes the mood of a room just as it does the perceived size of a room. Placement and type are important aspects of interior design, and they work in conjunction with color selections, room size, availability of natural light and furniture selection. The elements that come together when the right lighting is achieved transform a room into a seamless combination of functionality and style.

Color Management

The use of lighting can add to or subtract from the overall colors of a room or from only those surfaces the light is meant to enhance. Darker colors make a room feel smaller and cramped, while light-colored walls do the opposite. The illusion of space is defined by light reflected off of the surfaces of the walls. Some types of lighting help with this illusion by further illuminating the walls. In addition, directional lighting, such as a track light, can soften the wall colors. There is also recessed can lighting, which has a soft, downward glow that illuminates the floors, not walls. This is opposed to lights hung from the center of the room, which provide ambient illumination, or wall lighting. In both cases, this can affect how light or dark a colored section can appear.

Directional Lighting

The lighting in a room either provides illumination for the entirety of the room, or it highlights very specific elements. Track lighting is the perfect example of positional lighting. Hung from the ceiling, the adjustable necks and lamps can be pointed at specific elements, such as a wall painting, the vase of flowers on an entryway table or the bar top or kitchen island. Consider mounting them on the walls, also. Special picture and mirror frames also have built-in lighting to highlight specific areas on a wall. Recessed lighting can be used in floors and ceilings to create vertical beams of light as opposed to an overall glow from central light fixtures hanging from a ceiling.

 Functionality

One major role of lighting in the interior setting is functionality. Lighting needs to serve a purpose, or it simply wastes electricity. Chandeliers are not only used in large, open foyers, entryways and rooms because of their centrally themed placement but also because they provide excellent illumination for the room. Wall lights add length and size, visually, to an entryway hall, as well as light the way. Consider the style of lighting you want to ensure you get the best directional or luminescent type for the setting. Look into task-specific lighting for desks and other work areas where functionality is more important than overall room illumination.

Space

Both natural and man-made lighting help with the illusion of space. For a darker room, find ways to bring in more full-spectrum natural light. If the room does not have sufficient lighting, it will feel cramped. This is worsened by close-proximity furniture arrangements, such as coffee table, end table, sofa, chair and love seat combinations in a smaller setting. Corner lamps, wall sconces and centrally hanging lights on the ceiling help brighten a room if natural lighting is not available and help create a visually larger space. This applies to any setting -- home or office. Natural lighting is preferred above man-made lighting because it shows off colors better and adds to the visual space of a room by bouncing off reflective surfaces. Consider skylights or large windows if you want more natural light, or use sheer drapes and curtains to allow the maximum amount of light from your current windows.

EXPLANATION FOR WINDOW BLINDS BY GOLDENSCAPE INTERIORS

Blinds are generally used in offices and homes to provide shade and privacy. One of the main attractions of blinds is that opening and closing the blinds to varying degrees can control the amount of light they let in. 
Vertical blinds, Venetian blinds, VELUX blinds and Roller blinds are stylish, versatile and practical. They are a modern solution, easy to adjust, to control light filtration and allow you privacy, also they prevent damage to your furnishings. However, the effect of the blinds on light, privacy and the look of the room is dependant on the type of blinds you choose.

If you are looking for an efficient way of getting the privacy you need, protect the furniture of your room form the damaging effects of the sun and complete the décor of your home at the same time, then any of the blinds available from us, are the perfect choice.
These window treatments are an affordable solution for home improvement and sun protection.here offer you a few helpful hints.

Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds have Vertical panels that can be adjusted to control the amount of light that enters the room. The blinds can also be pulled to one or both sides of the window if you want to allow all the light to enter. Vertical blinds are available in different widths and lengths, and they are a popular choice for full-length windows, conservatory windows or patio doors.
Many people use Vertical blinds to control the amount of light that enters a conservatory or sunroom in order to protect the furniture from damaging sunlight. Vertical blinds can be bought in a range of colours, textures and patterns, while many of the fabrics are machine washable.
When it comes to measuring and installing blinds, there are a few things you should remember. To get accurate measurements, you should use a steel ruler, and it is worth bearing in mind that the blind should be unobstructed when it is fully extended to allow it to hang freely.

Venetian blinds
Perhaps the most well known and most popular type of blind, Venetian blinds have horizontal panels and are made of Wood or Aluminium, which can be adjusted to control the amount of sunlight allowed into the room. Venetian blinds are available in various widths and lengths, Blindology Blinds offer made-to-measure Venetian blinds.
These types of blinds are so well loved because they offer a clean, uncluttered look and you can choose a style or material to compliment the look of your room. There are many options from dark Wood Venetian blinds to striking metallic blinds.

Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are made from opaque or vinyl fabric that is wrapped around a dowel, which can be rolled up or down by using a cord system. Roller blinds are particularly popular in rooms where you might want complete privacy, such as a bathroom or bedroom. This type of blind offers a simple, practical but stylish option, as roller blinds are available in many different colours and styles, such as straight, shaped or decorative hems.
VELUX Blinds

• Siesta Blinds:
  Blackout effect, to turn day into night. Aluminium backing (as standard) to reduce heat gain and heat loss. Available in a wide range of colours and designs.
• Roller Blinds:
  Provide basic privacy and control of sunlight, wide range of colours and patterns available to choose from.
• Pleated Blinds:
  Provide privacy and sun screening without total blackout of daylight. Create elegant, soft, decorative effect. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns.
• Venetian Blinds:
  Control both the amount and direction of light. Classic style combined with practical simplicity. Aluminium coating option available to reduce heat gain and heat loss.
• Awning Blinds:
  The external Awning blind provides effective protection against the heat of the sun, while allowing a pleasant diffused light into the room. (Fabric 5060 and 6060).

THE MOST COMMON INTERIOR DESIGNS MISTAKES TO AVOID

A few small tweaks to your space can make all the difference. Knowing right from wrong can transpire a cramped and chaotic space into one that is organized and tranquil, can create a sense of order and balance. Read on as we help clarify what’s right and what’s wrong.

1. Don’t over-furnish your room

It doesn’t take much for a room to turn from well planned and thought out to one that closely resembles a dumping ground of collected furniture and accessories. Your furniture should fill your space and create a space that is both appealing as well as functional. There should be enough space in the room to create movement and flow. A room should never look and feel cramped. If it does, try moving or removing one piece to see if this helps.
Sometimes it’s not a matter of too much furniture, but the placement of the furniture itself. If after moving a piece or two around, your space still feels tight, then remove a piece altogether. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Overly furnished rooms not only make your room seem smaller than it is, but can also make it hard to maneuver around. This tip is extremely important when trying to sell your home as it will turn off potential buyers.

2. Don’t try to squeeze into something that doesn’t fit.

Like a pair of jeans that are too small, furniture must also fit. Furniture that is too small will make your room seem unbalanced and awkward and might even make it seem more like a dollhouse – this is certainly not a look we’re after! Conversely a room whose furniture is too large will also feel unbalanced and cramped.
Before you move your furniture, and certainly before you purchase new furniture – whether couches, tables, dressers or beds – be sure to measure both the furniture as well as the room, for height, width and depth. Not doing so could end up being a very costly mistake.

3. Don’t be a clutter-bug!

There’s no need to over-clutter. In terms of accessories less is more, as with furniture. A sense of order balance, calm, flow and movement are essential to any well decorated space. When there is too much clutter there is too much distraction and order becomes discord. Clutter can be easily remedied by removing a few things. Take a look at what you have and divide them into three categories:

1. The things that matter
2. The things that are important
3. Those things that you can do without.
4. Remove all that you can do without. If necessary repeat until you have removed enough items and order and balance has been restored.

4. Don’t be a victim of poor lighting.

Lighting is key. It is one of the most important elements of design. Your space should have as much natural lighting as possible.  Do not block natural light sources with poorly placed curtains and accessories. Even a cloudy day allows for a lot of natural light to pour in. Enhance natural light with the placement of mirrors directly across your source to allow the light to bounce around the room. You will want to add to your overhead lighting.
You should have more than one source illuminating your room. Add proportionally sized and well placed lamps and sconces  to enhance your lighting when needed. Your lighting should be bright enough to to function under but not so bright that it is jarring. Dimmers should be added to all ceiling and overhead lighting.

5. Don’t pick your furniture before you pick your paint colors.

Choosing your paint color before your furnishings (couches, rugs, etc.) It will be much harder to match to match furniture to an already painted wall than the other way around. We suggest working first with your couch or couches. Do bring fabric swatches to your paint store to help select your color palette. This mistake is common and can create more work for yourself while designing your interiors.
Bring several paint swatches home and test again at home. We also strongly encourage you to test out several shades of your preferred color on your walls before you start painting them. While paint swatches are very accurate a room’s natural lighting at various stages of the day does change and this will affect the color of your walls. Leave your paint swatches on for at least 24 hours before selecting your final color.

6. Don’t underestimate the importance of budgeting.

Don’t be too eager. Don’t buy too much. Don’t buy everything all at once. And don’t overspend. Buy the best that you can afford today – not what you think you will be able to afford tomorrow. Make a budget and stick to it. You don’t have to have everything all at once. A well decorated space is one that is curated over time so it’s best to go slowly and build slowly.

7. Not enough variety.

Don’t buy all your stuff from the same source or store. You do want everything to coordinate, but you don’t want everything to match. A well decorated space has personality and dimension and this simply cannot happen if everything looks the same. You may want to recreate a look from your favorite mail order catalog, but chances are your space will still not look the same.

8. Don’t hide your windows.

Hanging curtain rods too low is a very common mistake. Curtain rods should be hung as close to the ceiling as possible to create a sense of height and largess. Rods that are hung too low make a ceiling feel lower, and can make a room feel a lot smaller than it is. A sense of scale and proportion has been tossed and most likely windows will appear dwarfed and valuable, natural sunlight will be blocked.

9. Don’t back your furniture up against the walls.

This may be, perhaps, the most common mistake novices make. What you want to do is to push your furniture together and create an intimate setting  that is conducive to good conversation. By creating this grouping you will create a flow that will allow people to move in between and around the furniture.
By pushing the pieces together you’re creating a small scene. Of course, we are not telling you not to place any furniture along the walls, we just don’t want you to put it all there… unless you’re planning on having a large party and want to create a dance floor in the middle!

10. Don’t have a focal point.

A focal point gives you direction and order. Find that one thing that you want people to take notice of when they enter a room. It should be something large and bold – something that makes a statement. Opt for something like a large bay window, fireplace or a large piece of artwork. Work from there and build out and around it. Your room will look well thought out, organized and balanced. It is possible, and acceptable, to have more than one focal point.

MSASANI PENINSULA DAR TANZANIA INTERIOR DESIGNING

COUNTRY PROJECT:        TANZANIA
SPECIFIC LOCALITY:       MSASANI PENINSULA DAREESALAM
CLIENT:                                    MR. NICK
PROJECT SPECIFIC:         FULL MAKE OVER INTERIOR DESIGNING
SERVICE PROVIDER:       GOLDENSCAPE 
COMMENCED DATE:         09 FEBRUARY 2012
COMPLETION DATE:        28 MARCH 2012

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project involved the full make over interior designing of all rooms, suggesting new furniture for each and every room  to recreate them again

HOW TO LAY OUT INTERIOR LIGHTINING

Lighting solutions vary by room and by design, and understanding the principles of light helps you get the most out of your lighting choices. The type of lights you choose change the mood and feel of a room, because different lights illuminate surfaces differently. Layout is an important element in making sure you have the right light for the right situation, so your rooms and design features are well lit year-round.

Chandeliers and Pendant Lights

As a rule, chandeliers and pendant lights benefit the most from being centered in a space. One ideal spot for a chandelier is directly above the center of an entryway. Or, if there is a larger foyer beyond that, you should center it in that area, where people can appreciate the beauty of the lighting feature as they enter. Pendant lights are similar to chandeliers in that they hang from the ceiling, but they are generally far less grandiose in terms of size and design. Pendant lights are more common above kitchen tables or in the middle of a kitchen. Hang a pendant light in a central location to light the whole room, or center it above a table to combine design with functionality.

Wall Lights

The best layout for wall lights is to space them evenly on the wall across its length. For example, on a 9-foot long wall, the best placement would be lights hung every 3 feet across the wall. The number of lights is based entirely upon personal preference, the caveat being that even spacing creates the most visually appealing layout. As far as height, eye level is the best option, but you can place them higher or lower based on personal preference.

Track Lighting

If you want to illuminate specific design features, adjustable track lighting, which can be pointed in any direction, is your best choice. An example of a good spot for track lighting is on the ceiling of a hallway with three wall paintings, the lamps pointed to illuminate the paintings. Track lights are common above bars and kitchen islands and are distinct from pendant lighting, which illuminates the whole room. Stationary track lighting systems also are available. You can mount track systems anywhere you desire, on ceilings or walls.

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting isn't a solution to illuminate a room but to shine on specific elements directly below. Because the lights are recessed in cans within the ceiling, the majority of the light from the bulbs is trapped within the recess, as opposed to spreading out and hitting the walls, where the eye perceives how well-lit a room is. Recessed lighting is ideal for creating a focal point, such as a pool or dining table, a bar area, a kitchen island or a desk. They can be used in conjunction with traditional lights, but as a rule they don't work as a lighting solution for an entire room. If you're using them to add a subtle glow to a room, place them across the ceiling, spaced out depending on how many lights you want.

HOW TO DECORATE A LONG INTERIOR WALL.

Hanging mirrors on a wall helps illuminate the space.

Techniques for decorating a long interior wall depend on the wall's function. A narrow hallway can feel claustrophobic or underdesigned, and decorations can solve either problem. The wall of an open-plan great room can guide the eye through the transition from one living space to another, provide storage or showcase your taste. When you set out to decorate a long wall, know what effect you want to create or what problem you want to solve. It will help you whittle down the wealth of options a large expanse of wall provides.

Hang light-colored wallpaper with a quiet or subtle pattern in a narrow hallway. Narrow spaces become overwhelming when you decorate them too extensively, so keep it simple. At about eye level, install two or three wall pouches containing dried flowers or short willow branches along the wall to add interest.

2

Install a chair rail or wainscoting in a wider hallway or on a wall in a great room. Above the molding, hang sconce lights at regular intervals. Choose light fixtures in the same color family as the wainscoting or chair rail so they coordinate. Hang fine artwork between the sconces if desired to heighten the formality.

3

Attach wooden planks from floor to ceiling at regular intervals along a hallway to create a rustic effect. Paint the walls between the planks in a textured or distressed white.

4

Separate a great room into usable living spaces by hanging different types of decor on the wall in the different areas. For example, hang clusters of family photographs in the living space, paneled wall art in the dining area and mirrors to bring extra light into the kitchen.

5

Build shelves into a long wall for extra storage, then use them to display accessories, books or kitchen supplies, depending on what room the wall borders. Combining form and function like this turns a long wall into usable space.

MBEZI BEACH INTERIOR DESIGN RESIDENTIAL PROJECT IN DAR TANZANIA

COUNTRY PROJECT:        TANZANIA
SPECIFIC LOCALITY:       MBEZI BEACH DAREESALAM
CLIENT:                                MRS. AGNES
PROJECT SPECIFIC:         FULL MAKE OVER INTERIOR DESIGNING
SERVICE PROVIDER:       GOLDENSCAPE 
COMMENCED DATE:        12 MARCH 2013
 COMPLETION DATE:       16 APRIL 2013

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project involved full interior design makeover, paneling, painting, interior renovations, flooring etc.

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LIGHTING FOR INTERIOR CEILINGS

When it comes to lighting your home from the ceiling, you can choose styles ranging from chandeliers to recessed lighting, track lighting, fluorescent bars and more. Each style has its own way of lighting a room, so you'll want to choose the fixture based on a mixture of functionality and design, depending on the room.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers provide a large, central fixture. They commonly appear in entryways, but you may find them in dining rooms, bedrooms or any area where there is a wide-open space and sufficient ceiling height to allow for the chandelier to be hung and still provide clearance for individuals walking through. One way to tie in chandeliers with the overall design of the home is to use them in conjunction with centralized floor patterns, such as a hardwood floor inset in the middle of a living room or a natural stone tile medallion set in the center of an entryway.

Track Lighting

Track lighting can be on stable tracks, hung from flexible cables, be straight or spiraled, have open bulbs or be encased. One way to use track lighting is above a stand-alone bar, such as in the kitchen or a finished basement, with the lighting focusing directly downward onto the surface. The earliest versions of track lighting were straight tracks, but modern variants can include complex patterns and lights that are set at different heights. Many track lighting systems are fully adjustable so you can point the lights in the direction you desire.

Ceiling Fan Combo

A ceiling fan and light combination is more useful in bedrooms and small areas as opposed to wide-open spaces. Ceiling fans often are mounted in a centralized location, and if you are working with a single unit, you are limited by however many light fixtures that particular ceiling fan has. However, multi-fixture units are available that disperse more light. In addition, if you are working in a larger, more open space and have the room to mount more than one ceiling fan, you can generate more light than just a single unit. On top of the light provided, you have the dual-purpose benefit of air circulation, which can help circulate cold or warm air depending on the direction of the fan blades, helping you be warmer or cooler.

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is more for design purposes than for actually lighting an entire room. Because human beings perceive light based upon vertical surfaces more than horizontal, recessed lighting -- also known as can lighting -- does not always provide the most illumination. However, it is ideal for areas where the light specifically shines down onto a surface, such as a desk, shower or bar top. Recessed lights do little toward providing lighting for an entire room, but they create a certain visual appeal that may help define a space within a room while a chandelier or drop-down light fixture provides illumination for the rest of the room.

WHY INTERIOR DESIGN IS VERY ESSENTIAL WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME

The decision to list your home for resale is a big one. No doubt it came about after much thought, weighing pros and cons, and series of long discussions. However, once you decide to put your home on the market, get ready for the next big discussion: interior design.
Many times sellers assume that interior design is a waste. If you are look to get as much money as possible out of your home, why would you put money back into it just to make look prettier for the new owners?
While this line of thinking seems reasonable at first, listing a home without at least tweaking the interior design can seriously harm your chances of finding a buyer and lower your final profit. Read on to find out why interior design is essential when listing your home.

Interior Design Generates Traffic

The first step toward putting any home up for sale is marketing it. When potential buyers look for a home, they are sent listings via email. Each property listing includes a short bio of the home, figures about how many bedrooms/bathrooms/square feet, etc, and some photos. Based on this information, the buyers decide which homes they would like to see.
Since buyers often look at multiple listings at once, it’s critical that you make your property stand out in the crowd – and that’s where interior design comes into play.
There are often lots of homes with similar in terms of square footage and number of bedrooms, so the choice to view one home over another comes down to the photos. Given the choice of two like properties, would choose the one that has newer appliances and a cohesive design or the one that looks like it hasn’t been updated in over a decade?
At the end of the day, interior design helps bring traffic to your property. The greater the number of people that view your home, the more likely it is that someone will submit an offer to purchase. Why not use interior design to give you that extra edge? 

Interior Design Defines Purpose

After all the years spent living in your home, you undoubtedly have a pretty solid idea of how to use the space. For instance, you may know that your kitchen table will comfortably seat four, but for anything bigger you need to use the dining room. Or, that your spare bedroom is the perfect spot for a home office.
Potential buyers want you to share that knowledge. When they look at a home during a showing, they are looking for visual clues on how to use the space most effectively. If they aren’t clues, that confusion can cause them to look toward another property. Use interior design to make sure they get a clear picture.
When working on your interior design for resale. Make sure to give every room a specific purpose. Leave only the furniture, appliances, and accessories needed to communicate that purpose in the room and get rid of any clutter.

Interior Design Adds a Fresh Approach

Yes, since your home has been previously owned, potential buyers should walk in expecting to see a certain amount of wear and tear. If they are opposed to that, they should be looking exclusively at new construction. That said, taking the time to spruce things up may generate more offers.
Think about if you were to buy a used car. Before you drive it off the lot, you’d expect the dealership to have washed and buffed the exterior, vacuumed out the inside, and even taken the time to spray some of that infamous “new car smell”. And, rightly so. You wouldn’t want to purchase a car that was full of someone else’s food crumbs and muddy footprints, would you?
Revamping the interior design in your home works in much the same way. Though you are still leaving the bones of the house intact, a new coat of paint or some fresh carpeting will leave the home feeling fresh and new, which will leave buyers feeling better about the final product they’ll receive for the (considerably large) amount of money they’re about to spend. That comfort level could generate more offers.

Interior Design Adds Value

There’s no dying that selling a house is about money. As a seller, it’s only natural that you would want the biggest return possible on your home’s resale. Believe it or not, putting some money into interior design now can help you get a bigger purchase price later.
When a real estate agent determines the correct list price for your home, he or she looks at the features that your home has to offer and then compares those features to similar homes that are currently on the market or have been sold recently. Some of these features include: location, square footage, and interior design.
There’s nothing you can do to improve the first two factors. If your lot is near a major road it will always sell for less than a similar property in a quiet neighborhood. Same for a property with tiny rooms compared to a home with spacious ones. But, the interior design is well within your control.
Factors such as kitchen upgrades, bathroom remodels, and whether or not you have a finished basement are taken into account when deciding to list one property higher than another. They are also a consideration when the buyers decide how much to offer. Sloppy design is more likely to generate a low-ball offer than one where pulled together interior lends credence to value
The right interior design investment now may pay off big later.

It’s easy to understand why the debate on whether to refresh your interior design for resale can be a fierce one. While it may seem silly to invest money into a property that you intend to sell, the benefits far outweigh the initial payout. With an increase of traffic, buyer appeal, and value, it’s easy to see why interior design is essential when listing your home. Use this as a springboard to help you get started.
What’s your favorite interior design tip? We’d love to know what helps influence your home.

WINDOW TREATMENT AND LIGHTING MAKE OVERS

While changing your window treatments and doing a lighting makeover may seem like two separate projects, they both focus on one of the most important elements of your interior decor: light. An important part of the ambiance you create in your home is the light you let in and allow to radiate out. While time must be spent choosing curtains and lamps, successful makeovers depend on choosing the quality of light you want to create.

Varieties of Interior Light

In planning both natural and artificial light, design professionals identify four categories of light: ambient, task, accent and decorative. Both ambient and task lighting can be strongly affected by the size and placement of windows and the curtains, shades or other decorative treatment you choose for them. Ambient light describes the overall atmosphere of a room; task lighting is related to how well you can see what you want to do in a specific room. Some portion of both ambient and task lighting is natural light. Accent and decorative lighting are primarily created by lighting fixtures, are chosen on the basis of how they highlight and reinforce the decorative scheme of the space.

Ambient Light

To create a comfortable ambiance, examine your window-treatment choices in both natural and artificial light -- that is, both day and night. While some decorators may favor dramatic differences between daytime and nighttime looks in a room, lush dark drapes can look overly formal in a den during the day, while frilly, light-accommodating curtains can make a kitchen or bedroom look chilly at night. Natural light may itself cause problems, glaring in the living room during the afternoon or keeping north-facing bedrooms dim for most of the day. Ceiling fixtures may produce a downward glare or even cast shadows. Lamps alone may create pools of light bordered with darkness. One solution may be to add indirect lighting to your overall plan; window valances can perform a dual function. The goals of both window treatments and lighting choices for ambient light should be to produce consistent illumination at all times of day.

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Task Lighting

Anyone who has ever taken a needle to be threaded into the bathroom or the front hall is familiar with problems in task lighting. Task lighting makes it possible to see what you're doing, whatever that may be in any room. Usually, task-oriented window treatments let you control natural light easily; curtains can be parted, shades easily raised and shutters moved as needed. Washable, durable materials and sturdy hardware make it easy to use natural light for chores, then quickly restore the look of the window treatment. Artificial task lighting is all about focus. For counter-based tasks, under-cabinet fixtures bring light exactly where it is needed. Recessed or pendant lights illuminate just the area where you are working.

Accent and Decorative Lighting

Both accent and decorative lighting play important roles in pulling colors and stylistic elements of your decor scheme together. Use a turquoise-shaded pendant light to emphasize the blue in your paisley-print drapes. Echo the cream and muted red of your curtains with red-based table lamps. The echo resounds in both directions: back an ornately shaded Victorian lamp with ruffly sheer priscilla curtains to create an old-fashioned vignette in the upstairs hall.

Flexibility

While redoing window treatments or lighting arrangements involves making decisions, one of the secrets to long-lasting satisfaction is flexibility. Plantation shutters may be securely installed, but their louvers can be adjusted to let in more or less light as needed. A window rod with classic finials can accommodate a variety of scarves and swags as the seasons or other elements of your decor change. You can also make lighting choices both firm and flexible. Designers note that adding switches in different locations lets you get the most out of your lighting design because you can make more frequent adjustments and use lights in different configurations. Using different kinds of light bulbs and placing fixtures at different heights within a room offer you flexibility in lighting arrangements.

Green Choices

When doing a window-treatment makeover or redesigning lighting, keep energy efficiency clearly in mind. Fabrics that insulate or reduce sun damage save energy as well as expense. Innovations in light-bulb technology deliver more light for less money than was the case even a few years ago. Directly and indirectly, window treatments and lighting choices strategies make energy-use more efficient and effective in your home.