Simply Home Design

Having a cozy reading nook is vital for every house: it provides a space to relax and escape from things. It doesn’t require a large space, but it is crucial to have good lighting and a comfortable and appealing seating. The area next to a window is a perfect spot, which will provide not only plenty of natural light but also a beautiful view. Matching footrest will enhance the experience of relaxation and comfort. The bookshelves are a great way to not only showcase the library, but also the owner’s personality and values. Tastefully arranged bookshelf will certainly add to the experience and make the nook the most liked space in the house.

Design and rendering by SimplyHomeDesign

When furnishing and decorating, leave some negative space. Not all surfaces need to be filled. Empty space helps to emphasize what is there.

Mixing interior styles is not as difficult, as it may seem, as long as you maintain the coherent and unified look.

When mixing different eras and styles spread the furniture pieces and accessories evenly throughout the room. A vintage sideboard with a modern artwork above it, will bring these two styles together. Make sure to keep all pieces balanced and in the same scale.

You can also mix metal finishes which is one way to add visual interest to the space. However, to avoid creating chaos, try to limit your finish choices to maximum three.

Send us DM if you need help with your space and furniture planning.

To create a modern feel in your room, go for large windows with plenty of natural daylight, muted colour scheme with neutral shades, and streamlined furniture and organic shapes. Opting for simplicity and minimum furnishing and accessories is a modern choice.

To ensure that the space is not too sleek and cold, add some warmth and interest through texture, shape, wood and colour.

Some useful tips about designing a practical kitchen - from kitchen basics to storage and materials. And don’t forget about lighting: there are so many great ‘task’ and ‘mood’ lighting options out there, it makes the whole process fun and enjoyable.

10 ways I balance practicality and style in a kitchen when I'm designing As an interior designer form and function have equal importance. This is how I reach the perfect balance in a kitchen

To create a beautiful design, it is not enough to have an inspiration or a good idea, it is essential to understand how the design elements work to achieve a balanced and harmonious look.

Texture is a vital element when it comes to design. It can add depth, warmth and dimension to a room making it look more welcoming. The choice of texture will make a huge impact on the mood and the style of the room. Sleek, shiny finishes will give the room a contemporary feel, while timber, bricks and wall panelling will create a rustic farmhouse look. However, when creating a design, texture is very often overlooked leaving the space feel flat and uninviting.

So how can you add texture to your room? It can be applied through flooring and wall finishes, fabric and lighting fixtures, furniture and accessories. Rugs, throws, curtains, woven baskets, rattan, ceramic accessories are some of the easy ways to bring in texture. The look and the feel that you want to achieve, will define your choice of texture.

10 Questions With… Marie Kondo - Interior Design Marie Kondo shares insights on the evolution of her craft, the influence of her grandmother, Noriko, and her go-to source of inspiration.

House plants are one of my must-have accessories in the house. They make the space alive and add fresh and clean look to the interior. No matter what your plant-caring skills are, or how much light your room has, you can always find ones that suit your situation: from easy-to-care to low-light plants. Just make sure to follow the room, light and care requirements. If you have pets, check which plants are suitable in your house, since some plants may be toxic to pets. And of course, don’t forget about the plant container: it is part of your interior decoration and should be in harmony and balance with the space.

If you are looking for low maintenance plants, here are some good options to start with.

Snake Plant (also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue) is one of the most carefree house plants which will grow in any light condition and can tolerate neglect. It is also good for purifying the air and absorbing toxins.

Peace Lily is another of my favourites. This easy to care plant is also known for cleaning the air. It tolerates underwatering better than overwatering, so make sure to check the soil for dryness before watering it.

ZZ plant is an easy to grow plant that will grow well in low light condition as well as with bright light. Just make sure not to overwater it.

Spider plant is another resilient plant that will grow well in most situations. It is also suitable as a hanging plant.

Before you decide what finish or material to choose, always request samples first, especially if you are ordering online (but also in-store). Samples will allow you feel the product in person, see how it works with surrounding products, finishes and the lighting. This will help you purchase the right product.

Kitchen, undoubtedly, is the heart of the house. These days, the family life is centred around this multi-purpose room: from cooking and eating, to storing, working, studying, and socialising. Kitchen is also the most complex area in the house that has more rules from the design perspective. Ergonomics and safety planning, as well as functionality and the aesthetics are important considerations when designing kitchens.

Most of the time the small size is the main challenge for kitchen planning, but with some expertise the strengths of the existing space could be fully utilised to achieve an efficient design.

If you are planning a kitchen renovation or just want to revamp your kitchen, we are happy to help. Send a message to book a complimentary consultation to discuss your project.

Yellow is always welcoming, filled with light and sunshine. If you like the colour but can’t take the risk of buying a yellow sofa or painting your walls yellow, then you can add some burst of your favourite colour with a bowl of lemons, a bunch of yellow flowers or a set of cushions.

When you are designing or renovating a room or your entire house, the first important step is to analyse your needs. How do you want to use the space? What purpose do you want it to serve? What is your lifestyle? What do you like and what you don’t like? Do you or people who will use the space have any practical needs? Answering these questions will give you an idea how to design and furnish the room to suit your personality and the way you want to live.

If you are sociable and like to entertain friends and family at your place, then you will need an open plan with large sofa and dining table, and lots of seating. If you are a reserved person and like to have your own space to rest, work or study, then a comfortable and cozy room with a door is what you need. If you want to encourage appetite, laughter, and conversation, then it is a good idea to add orange colour to the space, and for calm, serenity and peace – green is your colour.

Your home is the place where you need peace and comfort and with some adjustments you can turn your house into home.

Follow our page for more tips and advice.