Lighting Ideas for Your Kitchen

Having a well-lit kitchen is a prerequisite while designing a home. For many decades the design of this space (the most functional one in a home) was treated as an afterthought. Thankfully, that’s not the case anymore. Today, Kitchen interior designers in Bangalore emphasize lighting and often plan their design based on lighting to transform a kitchen into a bright and spacious space. Here are some ideas that will help in brightening your kitchen.

Counters

Kitchen interior designers in Bangalore recommend the usage of recessed lighting to keep your counter-tops bright. The open shelves and upper cabinets are also well illuminated by those lights. However, recessed lighting can also create some shadows, and it is preferable to use multiple smaller recessed lights. By using them, the upper cabinets will be brighter, and there will be a significant reduction in glare making the kitchen more functional and comfortable. This idea works well with the sink area as well to reduce deep shadows.

Down-lights

Instead of adding lights only above the counters, it is best to use a long line of recessed lights in your kitchen lighting scheme. It is a great way to illuminate every cabinet and counter-top evenly. This method might seem to be a little out of place in traditional kitchens but is an excellent addition to modern kitchens of now.

Shelf lighting

Every kitchen is filled with shelves and cabinets needed to store our cooking essentials and crockery. Incidentally, it is also one of the mostly skipped places when it comes to lighting.  Just like recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting should be placed above each partition in the centre. LED lighting tapes are the perfect solution. If the shelves are open, then add lights underneath the bottom shelves. Under shelves lighting should be bright enough to counter the brightness of overhead lights, so using higher watt lighting is always recommended.

Here is a tip! Before installing an LED light, test a strip to see whether it evenly projects the light.

Dimmers

Many kitchen interior designers in Bangalore use dimmers to accentuate mood lighting in the kitchen. Dimmers are an inexpensive addition to your kitchens and help in getting the right amount of light. If there are elderly and young children at home, these dimmers will also double up as a night light.

Kitchen island

If your kitchen has an island, then ceiling or pendant lights can be used to illuminate the area.  Some of the home interior designers in Bangalore even use LED strip lighting to create an intriguing back panel. LED lighting strips can be used for adding the drama effect to the kitchen especially after you are done for the day. It also creates an exciting backdrop for a party or a casual get-together with friends and family.

Here is a tip! Use these strips as a dimmer that is operable either by switch or remote to brighten or lower the lights according to the occasion and the mood you want to create.

Lighting your kitchen the right way is essential. If you want some more ideas to illuminate your kitchen, then we at Design Arc Interiors are here to help.

The Other Side Of Minimalism

Nowadays, many interior design firms in Bangalore have made a subtle shift towards soft minimalism. The striking and opulent designs have now given way to subtle and soft looks that can create a warm and welcoming space. Soft minimalism is all about tonal hues, natural materials and careful organising of things that you cannot be without. This design accentuates how people can engage and experience a space that is open and uncluttered.

So how soft minimalism is implemented?

Base

Most interior design firms in Bangalore start with a clean slate when it comes to soft minimalism. The hues of beige, greige, lavender,mist grey, lilac, dusty rose and sand are some of the favorites for choosing paints. Earthy tones are favorites when it comes to this design.

Layer

When it comes to layers of furniture and furnishings, clean and sleek lines are recommended. Most office or home interior design firms in Bangalore avoid the visual swathes of bright colour. Complementing colours, rounded or organic shapes, natural materials are a central component of this design. Ceiling lights, pendant lights and table lamps are used to create a warm and cosy feel.

Practicality

Soft minimalism is a design that exudes practicality. It declutters your space and enhances functionality and the feel of the room. William Morris, a British designer, said, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". If it's neither practical nor pretty, donate it.  When space needs a thoughtful curating, most home or office interior design firms in Bangalore recommend soft minimalism.

Transition

The convergence of indoors and outdoors is one of the advantages of this design. It seamlessly connects nature to your space by incorporating abundant natural lighting, raw materials and an effortless introduction of greenery. It aims in creating cosy and comfortable spaces for social interaction, family bonding or some me time with a beautiful view.

How to introduce soft minimalism to your home?

It is quite an effortless process to introduce this beautiful design to your home by following these simple steps.

• Use different shades of the same hue and then add some pop of accent colours.
• Use different textures like leather, velvet and linen for warm and comfortable seating.
• Embrace curves like rounded edges or arcs through architecture or furniture is integral to this design. It provides a sense of harmony and gentle on the eyes.
• Invest in a single piece of furniture that gives a refined look, for example; handless cabinetry is a good choice.
• Invest in pieces that will be durable for years like a sofa rather than multiple sections of seating.
• Most home or apartment interior design firms in Bangalore finish off this design with small vignettes. For example, a carefully curated display on your coffee table or book shelves in groups of three for a pare-backed scheme

Soft minimalism helps in creating sanctuaries that give peace of mind in contrast to our hectic lives. Want some more ideas?  Our experts at Design Arc Interiors are at your service.

Using Windows To Make A Style Statement

Our windows are the gateway to the outside world. They have the capability to present us with an unparalleled view of the outdoors and safeguard our privacy in the process. They are an integral part of every home, and most interior decorators in Bangalore recommend styling your windows to give your home a much-needed face-lift.

Seating

If you are looking for additional seating, look no further than your window. Add a slim bench with a mattress beneath your window to accommodate your guests. It can also function as a quiet reading or relaxing nook. This setting will increase the visual appeal of the room. It will be a perfect place for conversations or some me time. Be sure to add some comfy throw pillows, cushions in bold colours and quirky designs. Add some hidden compartments in the bench for storage functionality.

Blinds

Most interior decorators in Bangalore use blinds to give a classic touch to the interiors. They also give privacy when you need them. They are many choices of shades like wooden, fibre, plastic and even cloth fabrics. You can spruce up the window by with statement-making screens like geometrical, floral, polka design and other beautiful designs. It will brighten the room’s aesthetic.

Stained glass

Stained glass is now one of the trending choices when it comes to making statements with windows.Stained glass gives an artistic feel to the room, and it can also be used to provide a dramatic effect. The morning sun will seep through its colours and lights that will give the overall ambience of warmth. Frosted glasses are also another one of the options for a translucent look while filtering those beautiful sun-kissed rays.

Valances

If you like north-American touches, then valances are a beautiful addition. Valances are a length of decorative drapery which is hung above a window to hide the curtain fittings. Most home interior decorators in Bangalore recommend finishing touch by adding anunder window bench with decorative throw pillows and some cushions.

Here is a tip! If you love do-it-yourself items, make your own valance by dupatta or scarf. Drape them at the end of the curtain fittings in the design of arc to create a stunning effect.

Paint or perforate

If you want a touch of twist to your window, then the home or office interior decorators in Bangalore recommend painting your window shutters in rainbow or beautiful colours of gold and silver will reflect those morning hues. Perforated windows are also a great way to filter those blinding sun-rays seep through the window. Another advantage of perforates windows is that it puts up a great show of lights dancing around as the sun changes.

If you are looking for some functionality, then add some urban chic shelves to your windows. However, keep glass utensils so that you don’t block the sunlight.

Giving your windows a makeover is an excellent way to give your home an elegant look. If you want to know some more, then we at Design Arc Interiors are here to help.

Tips To Organise Your Closets Like A Pro

Arranging our cabinets seems to be a never-ending process, and we often don’t find the time to assemble them neatly. It nearly leads to a meltdown when we are in a hurry to get dressed to work. However, home interior designers in Bangalore have come with tips that will help you maintain your closet like a pro.

Empty the closet

The first step in organizing your wardrobe is to make it completely empty. The empty cabinet visual will aid in deciding the use of the drawers devise a way to stack your possessions and the needed storage accessories.

Categorise and purge

Separate your wardrobe items into different categories to arrive at the correct storage method. Separate your accessories, pants, skirts, blouses, salwar kameez, dupatta and so on to know which are more and which less is. In case, some clothes have not been worn for a long time; then it is best to throw them away. Home interior designers in Bangalore are of the view that a closet should hold items that are constant use and should not be used as an attic.

Accessorise

If there are not enough drawers in your cupboard, using storage boxes are an excellent way to store socks, undergarments,necklaces and other knick-knacks. Storage boxes are also a good alternative for storing your occasionally used dresses or seasonal wear.

Label and hang

Labelling and hanging are most handy tips used by home interior designers in Bangalore when organizing closets. If you are using boxes to store away your things, labelling them helps in identification and easy accessibility. Hangers are best suited if there is no more space to keep clothes. It is recommended to colour coordinate them as per your frequency of use. It also helps in separating your wardrobe into daily wear, office wear, party wear and so on. Colour blocking also works on dresses. Arrange your shirts from light to dark or strappers, short sleeves to long sleeves and so on. Once you get used to the system, it will easier to place them back after washing, and you can get ready for office on-time.

Unused space

If you are using only hangers for your clothes, then you can utilise the open space below them to store purses, scarves and other accessories like shoes. Use stackable shoe boxes for that extra space. Add some shelves and rods if your closet is simple in design. Don’t forget to organise your drawers. Use dividers to separate the things from getting mixed up or use stacking trays to store your jewellery.

System

Design Arc Interiors; leading home & office interior designers in Bangalore recommend using a practical system that will be beneficial in the long run. When organising your closet use five bags under the following heads keep, recycle, throw out and not sure. By separating your possessions in these heads, it will help in arranging the things that your closet actually needs. This practice helps in removing unwanted items.

These tips will help you perfectly organise your closets and help you avoid the weekday tension of getting ready.

How To Create Luxurious Spaces Within A Budget?

Having a luxurious space is the dream of many,but in reality, you make do with what’s feasible and possible within your budget. Thankfully many budget interior designers in Bangalore have come up with few ingenious hacks for designing a luxurious space.

Declutter and organise

Most budget interior designers in Bangalore recommend this step when it comes to creating luxurious spaces.  Cleanliness and tidiness are two of the essential factors for creating an elegant space. Cluttered areas give a sense of chaos. Once you have decluttered the space, the next step is to organise. Stacking things as per their frequency of use is an awesome way to get organised.

Paint

Picking the right colour for your walls is an inexpensive way to add drama and glamour to space. Bold colours with shiny hues, neutral shades like beige, grey, greige, and yellow are a great way to stay on trend. Neutral tones go with the most type of furniture and furnishings even bold accents.For example, a dark navy wall with purple and gold furnishings will give a luxurious touch to the room.

Curtains

Most of the luxury homes come with high ceilings that showcase the opulence of the residence.But if you don’t have high ceilings, then the budget interior designers in Bangalore recommend the use of curtains to give the effect of high ceilings. Hang curtains at the very top of the wall that is from the roof to the floor rather than only on the windows. Alternatively, you can also hang vertical decorations to make the room look more luxurious.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the ingenious ideas to make the home look more luxurious. Chandeliers, shaded lamps, decorative LED lights even candles can help in achieving the desired effect. You can keep candles of various sizes or also focus lights that give patterns when switched on. Candles or lamps can be placed in coffee tables, bookshelves, hanged from the ceilings thereby giving a rich impression. Lighting is a very efficient way to create depth in a room. Another trick is to use sheer curtains that will also let natural light stream inside the room.

Pillows

Throw pillows are a fabulous addition when it comes to creating plush spaces. If you are going for small sized pillows of 12-18 inches, cloth them quirky covers that give a pop of colour. If not, use cushions of 24 inches with abstract designs that make them stand out. It also offers the luxurious feel you are looking to achieve. All it needs is some patience,time and effort.

Here is a tip! Use some stencils to write some funny messages or any other designs that can make them bespoke.

Place some potted plants and some fresh flowers on the table every day. Pluck them from your garden or get a bunch when coming back home. Floras provide that instant finishing touches to a room and bring everything together.

By using these simple tips, it is an effortless process to give your home a luxurious feel within a budget.

Lighting Up Your Puja Room

Puja room or Puja Ghar(as it is commonly known)isa staple addition in every Indian household. It is known to bring prosperity, protection,and happiness to the family and according to traditional beliefs, it should be well-lit. These days, puja rooms have shrunk to become wall cabinets or a simple mandap in a nook. Lighting has become a challenge, but many residential interior designers in Bangalore have come up with unique solutions to light up your Puja Ghar.

Spotlights

Many residential interior designers in Bangalore recommend the usage of spotlights to illuminate the puja room. Soft spotlights can give an ethereal glow when the puja room is between walls or in a corner. If the flooring is granite or tiles, the light will bounce off and illuminate the whole area. Electric diyas are a good choice if you are on a budget. Even string LED’s or serial lights are a good choice to light up your mandap as they can be reused and set up in different kinds of ways to decorate the space.

Look up

An illuminated tray ceiling can make the puja room well lit-up. Ceilings lights will give a distinctive look to the puja room in an open floor plan concept. It can also act as a zone separator and provide warm lighting when complemented by the ceiling and floor.

Pendant lights

Many residential home interior designers in Bangalore recommend the use of pendant and chandelier lights as it adds sparkle and artistic influence on the room. For example, hanging some lights in glass and chrome from the metallic dome can brighten up the room. It also adds a dash of modernism with a minimalistic effect.

Panel lights

Panel lights are also a nice touch when looking to brighten up the puja room. Instead of jarring lights, conceal them behind panels to emit a celestial radiance. One of the advantages of these panel lights is that they are pliable and give depth to the room. They can be used in shelves, in backdrops or even the ceiling. These lights are durable and come with many beautifying effects.

Interesting effects

If you want to give a little twist to your puja room, residential interior designers in Bangalore have a solution for that as well. Light fixtures that project interesting patterns is an excellent addition to puja rooms. For example, an intricate dome pendant light that shows-off a beautiful teardrop pattern will add a touch of grandeur, and an illusion of depth. In case, the puja room is near a window, add some skylights to accentuate the natural light and some potted plants to enhance that au naturel feel.

When it comes to choosing lights, it is best to use LED lamps. LED bulbs are a perfect fit as it is energy-efficient, low maintenance and comes with a long life.

If you are looking for some more lighting ideas, then we at Design Arc Interiors are here to help.

Inexpensive and Best Interior Décor Ideas That Wow

Periodic renovations are not the first choice of many as it can often be expensive. Most of the homeowners are on a constant lookout for ideas that can make their interiors look plush and inviting. However, here are some of the wallet-friendly ideas used by cheap and best interior designers to bring that wow factor to your home.

Pick a theme

Establishing a theme and an overall style can help in help in bringing your spaces together instead of being just thrown together. For example, centre an art piece and work with the colours present in the canvas to arrive at a colour scheme. The colour scheme will help in selecting the furnishings like throw pillows, curtains and others.

Storage

Many cheap and best interior designers use this trick to organise space. Store away those loose papers, magazines, pencils, papers and electric chords in a couple of baskets like wicker or wood. This trick works for the kitchen to store your cooking essentials. Baskets are cost-effective and are available in many shapes and sizes to suit your storage needs.Placing the bookshelf perpendicular to the wall will help in dividing the space in open floor plans. Fill the shelves with books, collectables, potted plants and storage baskets in the last shelves.

Plants

Having some house plants around is a great and inexpensive addition to every home. Most cheap and best office & home interior designers use plants extensively to add texture to the interior design. Plants give fragrance and can aid in filling up those bare spots and add height or flow to space.

Gallery wall

Adding a personal touch will give a touch of elegance and an artistic effect. Arrange photo postcards of your vacation or your family photos creatively to create a photo wall. The cheap and best home & office interior designers recommend that the pictures should be placed in the same style frames to bring uniformity to your design. This idea will help in crafting a more intimate and thoughtful setting for any room or space you choose.

Here is a tip! You can also hang your child’s feet or hand impression or their drawings as part of your gallery.

Colours

One of the easiest ways of making a room pop is colours. While a full house painting is not needed, painting one side of the wall will be sufficient enough to create a texture. Bold colours will give make the area dynamic and vibrant whereas muted tones will provide a cosy effect. If painting is not an option, the cheap and best home & apartment interior designers suggest the use of decals as per the usage of the room. For example, if it is a child’s room, animals and alphabets decals are a good choice. Floral stickers are perfect for living rooms and so on.

Here is a tip! Painting the ceiling will give a more drastic effect then painting all four walls.

Using these tricks will aid in giving that wow factor to your home without stressing your wallet. If you want to know some more, then Design Arc Interiors is at your service.