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MODULE 6

In this module we will be looking in detail about

the best ways to design individual spaces within

a home. While many interior design concepts

will apply across all kinds of living and working

environments, there are certain specifics which

are helpful for the designer to consider which

are particular to certain types of space. Here we

will be giving you some tips and tricks to create fabulous yet functional

spaces for the key areas in any home.

6.1 Living room

6.2 Kitchen

6.3 Bedroom

6.4 Bathroom

6.5 Kid’s room

Room by room designing

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6.1 Living room

The living rooms within a home are often the

sanctuary at the end of a long day. This is the space

where you will want to relax and unwind, to listen to

music, read a book, watch TV, play games and so on.

It is also where you may want to entertain friends and

host family gatherings. Whilst the living room for some

is kept as a more formal, special place reserved for

special occasions more usually nowadays it will be

used on a daily basis for comfort, a place to recharge

and kick back.

The design of a living room will depend on a number

of factors:

Who will be using the space? - The current occupants of the home will of

course be the main drivers in deciding how the living room is laid out. A young

family for example may want to include a space for toys, smaller seating, easy to

wash fabrics and hang proud displays of children’s artwork. A music lover may

need extra shelving to hold their precious vintage record collection or a dedicated

corner for their musical instruments.

How will the space be used? – Are the

occupants, party animals who will have the

room filled with guests every weekend? Or

do they love the peace and quiet and will be

usually alone reading in the room? Will the

space need to be flexible with furniture that

can be easily pushed out of the way so that

a large craft project or paperwork can be

spread out? Usage of the room is a great

starting point for any living room design.

How big is the space? – This will of course be crucial. Depending on the size of

the room, careful planning will need to take place to create a look which works.

The available area will need to be carefully measured and any furniture, rugs,

wall hangings, window dressing and lighting will need to be sourced accordingly.

Small and large living rooms do in fact a slightly different approach.

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What are the architectural features? – Any design plans will be heavily

influenced by the existing features in the room. This can be a great help to the

designer – fabulous windows looking out onto a stunning garden will provide a

great showcase for your curtains or other window dressings while the natural light

will be a joy to incorporate. On the flipside a space for example which has lots of

doors leading off it will restrict the space available to place sofas and to establish

flow through the room. Sometimes architectural features can be adapted for

example by blocking off unused doors, but this may be a step too far for some

homeowners in terms of budget and disruption so the designer will need to learn

to be flexible in their approach.

Having considered the what, how and who of the space, you can now get into planning your

design. Here is a good checklist of how to build your design:

1

What is the

focal point of

the room?

2

Seating

The best living rooms start with a focal

point and everything else is framed

around that anchor point. Oftentimes

this is a TV set but it’s good to think of

more imaginative alternatives. Is there

a fabulous fireplace? Or how about a

floor to ceiling window? Is there a

large accessory which needs to take

pride of place?

Next step is to arrange the furniture

sympathetically around your focal

point. Make sure you include enough seating to accommodate the usual number of people who will be

using the space. Mix up sofas and armchairs to create interest and if you

want to bring new life to an old sofa, a great throw or beautiful cushions are

a good choice. The sofa will probably be the biggest investment in the

room, so choose wisely. Armless sofas can look sleek especially in small

spaces, but they are not known for comfort. Lighter fabrics work better in

smaller living rooms and do avoid high backed chairs. If you have a through living

room, a large sofa carefully placed can work as a

successful room divider. Also think about how the furniture

looks when you walk into the room. A row of seat backs

won’t be the most inviting welcome. It’s best practice to

choose the sofa before selecting your wall color, easier to

find a complementary paint shade to match a sofa fabric

than the other way around.

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3

Mantelpiece

Often a central feature in a room. Give

it a good declutter and choose great

objects to display on it and artwork or a

mirror to hang above it. If there is no

fire in the hearth, think of something of

interest to fill the space. How about

oversized church candles or a vase of

beautiful flowers?

4

Traffic

5

Storage

6

Finishing

touches

There can often be lots of

comings and goings in a

living room. Make sure that

you arrange furniture so that

movement around the room doesn’t

disturb anyone who may for

example be watching TV.

Also keep the arrangement

flexible so that is can be

adapted for example when

more guests are expected.

Whatever you

do, don’t overcrowd the space. An overstuffed living room won’t feel relaxing and will feel cluttered.

Make sure you think about where

things are going to be kept in a

living room. Books, photo albums,

sewing boxes, multimedia, music

etc. will all need a home.

Rugs, pictures, lighting, accessories, throws, cushions, window dressings, coffee tables all need the designer’s attention too. Creating a vibrant mood board is a great way to start choosing these items.

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6.2 Kitchen

The kitchen really is at the heart of the home. It is where all the

cooking, eating and lots of socializing take place. It is also often

where work is laid out across the kitchen table, homework is

completed, bills are paid, admin is done, paint is splashed by

excited children, cakes are iced and of courses many meals are

consumed. Not to mention where all the parties end up! The

designer really needs to understand the many tips and tricks to get

this vital space singing; whether it is a big space or a tiny corner,

the kitchen is one you need to get right.

Here are some pointers to take into account to pull off a kitchen design which packs a real

punch:

The kitchen triangle – This is where all kitchen design starts. It’s

the area of the kitchen which sees the most activity and the one

which needs the most careful planning. The kitchen triangle refers

to fridge, cooker and sink. These three key zones in a kitchen will

need to be used for the preparation of all meals and so need to be

installed near enough to each other to provide easy access.

Between the three, a useful area of worktop needs to be factored

in. The space in the kitchen triangle should be measured so that it

is not so large that it is cumbersome to work in and not so small

that people will trip over one another.

Worktops – The worktop will be a key to the look of the kitchen as

it will occupy the largest area so it is worth investing a decent chunk of any budget here.

Granite, marble, Corian and concrete work well as do certain better quality laminates. You can

think about using the same material for a splashback for a sense of continuity. If the wall area

doesn’t give you enough space for a decent run of worktop, creating a kitchen island, breakfast

bar or peninsula would help. Kitchen islands have the advantage of also adding extra storage

space below but do remember to factor in a workable space around the island for people to

move around easily; don’t ever be tempted to squeeze an island into too small a space.

Splashbacks – These can sometimes be left as an afterthought in a kitchen design which is a

bit of a mistake. Leaving a wall without a splashback will inevitably lead to dirty walls as the

grease and steam do their worst. You are much better off installing your splashback at the same

time as your worktop. At this time any joins can be properly made good and electrical sockets

and so forth positioned correctly.

Storage – Key here is to pick a look and stick to it. Keep the size

and style of cabinetry as similar as you can. Make sure you use

every available space even tricky corners can be used with

thoughtful use of ironmongery such as spinners and pull

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out drawers. If budget is a consideration, select cheaper carcasses

and splash your budget on the doors and handles, which will have

the most impact on the finish. Appliances can also be concealed

inside cabinets to give a sleek finish and don’t forget to think

carefully about under counter lighting. One tip to make a small

kitchen feel bigger is to recess the kickboards under the counters

rather than flush with the edge. This will give the sense of more

width and depth to the space.

Lighting – The kitchen is one area

where there is a place for all three

types of lighting. Task lighting

will be needed to illuminate areas where for example sharp knives

are used; general lighting such as a central pendant or under

counter lighting will be useful at all times; and mood lighting is also

great especially if the kitchen also acts as a dining room and you

want to be able to create atmosphere for a dinner party for

example. Installing different types of lighting and especially making

use of dimmer switches will give the kitchen the ability to move from

the practical to the celebratory, the functional to the intimate, to

cover all the roles a kitchen fulfils.

Ventilation – There will inevitably be a lot of different smells and lots of heat coming from a

kitchen so it’s important to factor ventilation into any design. There’s nothing worse than the

lingering smell of stale food hanging around long after the meal has been eaten. Extractor fans

above the hob are a good start and there are so many models and styles on the market that

matching one to your design has never been easier. Do make sure that you assess the fan for

its power and noise levels before you buy.

Rubbish – Not the most exciting subject but really important to consider. Modern households

will be used to separating waste into paper, food, glass and tins and general containers.

Unsightly bins won’t look very appealing, so try to think where you might be able to locate

smaller receptacles perhaps two deep and on runners inside a low level storage unit. You need

to stay mindful of the practicalities of a kitchen while keeping your interior designer’s hat on.

Investment – The design and quality of a kitchen is one of the most important considerations in

a property. It can have a major bearing on the sale price if and when the property is sold. With

this in mind, it is worth making sure that you think of the length of life of the kitchen. Make sure

that you vet and select a professional tradesperson to fit the kitchen, there are many

complexities involved in fitting, and a DIY approach is not advisable. Also keep a sensible head

when choosing style. The kitchen may last upwards of ten or even

twenty years so be mindful that what is achingly on trend now will

probably date and make the kitchen seem older than it is. Better to

stick to more classic design and add in fashionable accents in the

accessories and wall color as these can be easily replaced as

fashions change.

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6.3 Bedroom

The bedroom is where you go dream, relax and sleep. As such it needs to be cozy, comfortable

and inviting. The best designs for this most private space in a home will create a welcoming

cocoon, a fantastic place to wind down and refresh, ready for a new day.

A bedroom needs to contain as a minimum – a bed, bedside

tables, wardrobes, a floor length mirror and suitable lighting.

For larger spaces you may have the luxury of also fitting in a

dressing table, comfortable chair or other shelving. Don’t

forget the other details like blackout blinds, hooks behind

doors and beautiful artwork for the walls.

Begin by placing the bed in the middle of one of

the longest walls. Then you will have the space to

add a bedside table with a reading light on either

side with enough room to get in and out of bed

comfortably. For smaller rooms, it’s a good idea to

get a bedside table with drawers underneath for

storing any bits and pieces.

When it comes to wardrobe space your choices will

of course be dictated by the space. While for the

real clothes horse, a walk in wardrobe may be their

dream but oftentimes, there won’t be enough space. Nevertheless installing either built in or freestanding floor to

ceiling wardrobes should give a decent amount for clothing. When you are planning out a

wardrobe, think too about the inside. Provide spaces for hanging items as well as folded

ones, shoes, jumpers, ties etc. etc. The better thought out these details are, the more

likely the room is to remain tidy and therefore relaxing. If space is tight, sliding doors on a wardrobe can work

well and you can always incorporate a large mirror on either side of a door if

there is limited wall space elsewhere.

In terms of color, less is definitely more in a bedroom. Keep the color palette

to neutral. This will both help to lighten the space and add to the sense of

relaxation. Add in splashes of color to the window dressing, bedding and

rugs. When it comes to the bed, choose the best that can be afforded and

make sure that the client chooses the best mattress for their posture. Always

use a mattress protector and great quality cotton sheets. For a luxurious,

hotel feel, style the bed with plump pillows and cushions and throws to match

the color scheme.

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6.4 Bathroom

Along with the kitchen the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in terms of adding value

to a property, cost to refit and flexibility in design. Even though the bathrooms are normally the

smallest spaces in the home, the variety available to the designer is amazing. In designing a

bathroom, you need to first consider practicalities of the space and then choose a design which

will work.

PRACTICALITIES

Any design will be constrained of course by the architectural features such as the doors

and windows but also by the piping and waste. If the budget is not an issue, then

pipework can be relocated if it is not in the right place but this can be highly disruptive to

the rest of the building. It is usually cheaper, easier and quicker to keep a bathroom in

the original location in the building as it will already be logically connected to the existing

water and waste supplies. Likewise within the bathroom itself, although making layout

changes is less onerous, you will find a quicker solution if you place any new sanitary

ware in the same location as the old.

Another thing to consider before planning a bathroom is the water pressure. The types of

shower you can install will be dependent on the pressure coming into the building. If

there is low mains pressure then not all shower types will be suitable for example. So

before you make any final selections for products in

a bathroom you would be wise to consult a

professional plumber for advice. Various kinds of

pumps and so forth can be installed if necessary but

be warned - there’s no point in installing a beautiful

new shower when only a trickle of water comes out!

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You will also need to take advice from a builder on the available cavity depth available

behind a bathroom wall or under the floor. This is important because if you choose to

install recessed rather than wall mounted taps for example, there needs to be room

behind the wall or under the floor for you to fit all of the relevant piping. This is a very real

issue. Making big structural alternations to walls and floors will be very disruptive so just

make sure that you are aware.

A final consideration is the strength of the floor. This will not always be relevant but if for

example you want to install a beautiful cast iron bath you may need to check the load

bearing ability of the floor to make sure that it can take the weight especially when full of

water and an occupant. Finally do make sure that any large bath can get up any stairs

and through doorways!

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DESIGN STYLE

When you come to choosing the design for a bathroom you will be dazzled by the array of

products available. Bathrooms come in many shapes and sizes from the downstairs cloakroom

to the ensuite shower room; from the family bathroom to the walk in wet room. Product ranges

have been developed and adapted for all these different sizes and needs.

There are many styles available to the designer of a bathroom. As with the kitchen, a bathroom

refurbishment will usually last a good number of years. It is therefore important to make the right

choices to that your look will withstand the test of time. Choosing good quality products will also

pay dividends. You can particularly gauge the finish of a bathroom by the quality of the taps and

other brassware. This is not an area to skimp on.

Any bathroom needs to contain the same basic components – bath and/or shower, WC, washbasin, storage, ventilation, heating and flooring. A few tips on each here:

Baths – Roll top, slipper, Victorian, sleek modern, acrylic, metal, long, short, deep,

shallow – wow the choices go on. Although it may seem like overkill, it’s good practice to

get the main users of the bath to lie in them in the bathroom showroom to see which

feels the most comfortable. While you may need to shape your choice on

cost and/or space in the bathroom, you need to

make sure that it will give the user the best

relaxing experience.

Showers – Again lots of choice here. Do you

want to install a cubicle separate to the bath if

space allows? Will the shower need to be above

the bath? If so make sure you factor in a shower

screen into your design. Newer water systems

will allow a bath mixer to divert the water flow

from a bath tap to a head height shower to a

hand held shower in one control device, so lots of

options there.

WC – Here you need to consider the

style of the sanitary ware. WC’s can be

obtained in many different sizes so

make sure you choose accordingly and

that you fit the appropriate size into the

correct shape of bathroom. If you

choose to install a WC with a recessed

cistern, do make sure that you factor in

an access panel for any maintenance

down the line.

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Washbasins – Lots of options here. Do you want a single or double washbasin? How

about mounting the basin on top of the vanity unit or will it be built in? Can you build in

any storage around the basin? Space is often at a premium in a bathroom so utilizing the

space under and to the sides of a washbasin is a good move.

Ventilation – Here there are two main options. You can use natural ventilation. If there is

a big enough openable window with decent air flow and the user is disciplined enough to

open it regularly then this can provide sufficient ventilation. However more often than not

a fan of some sort will be needed. These can be cut into a window but for a more stylish

look, it is better to recess them into the wall. Fans are normally activated when a light is

put on. Some models can be noisy so do your research here.

Heating – Three main options here which

can be used alone or in combination.

Firstly there are traditional radiators. They

will do the job but can take up quite a bit

of space and are not great at drying

towels and so forth. Secondly consider

installing a towel rail. Two functions

covered in one here – heat and drying.

Very popular in design at the moment.

Thirdly, for a really luxurious feel, think

about installing underfloor heating. A

wonderful addition to the comfort of a

bathroom. Take advice from a bathroom

fitter on which type best suits your project

and remember that installation will need

to be factored in right at the start of the

project.

Flooring – Lots of options here. Large

profile tiles work well and can harmonize

effectively with the wall tiling too. Good

quality vinyl and some laminates are also

worth considering. Wooden flooring can be

a risky choice as it doesn’t perform

brilliantly in wet and humid conditions.

Whatever you choose make sure that it is

non slip and easy to clean.

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6.5 Kid’s room

Styling a child’s bedroom is great fun. Your starting point will of course be the child. Discuss their favorite colors, fairytales, cartoon characters, interests and enthusiasms. This will give you a feel for what they like and you can reflect that in your design. A child’s bedroom needs to fulfill numerous functions. It is of course a place to rest and sleep but will also be a place to play, to have fun with friends and in particular for the older child, a place to study.

One difficulty in styling a child’s bedroom is that inevitably what they like will change quite frequently. The dinosaur loving three year old won’t want the stegosaurus wallpaper as they approach the end of primary school; the ballet mad little girl may well have moved onto loving boy bands a few short years later. So the key to getting a child’s room right is to make sure that the important

building blocks of the room such as the bed, wardrobe, shelving, flooring and storage are as far

as possible going to last for a decent number of years. Then the theme can be brought in with

the less expensive and easy to change elements such as the bedding, wall covering, rugs and

curtains. In this way you can create a good basic set up for a room which could last for the

majority of a child’s early years but have the flexibility to move on in terms of style every few

years as the child’s tastes change and develop.

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For shared bedrooms, bunk beds or cabin beds can work

well. You can also make interesting use of freestanding

shelving, wall decorations and rugs to create different

zones within the room so that each child feels they have

their own unique space even if they are sharing a room.

Incorporating good storage is really important in a child’s

room for all ages. The many books and toys which a child

has will all need a place to be kept along with their clothes,

shoes, dressing up etc. There are lots of options in terms of

shape and size for storage and you can even buy basic

wooden or cardboard storage and get the child involved in

customizing it with their own designs.