Organizing a home bar, although not difficult, requires prior research so as not to spend too much money and not to buy unnecessary accessories and drinks. Here is a guide on how to organize a home bar without too much effort and expense.
Bar tools
You should start with the most basic tools. As your bar grows, you will understand what you need and buy more. For starters, you need:
an oversized shaker that allows you to mix more than one cocktail at a time;
a sharp knife with a serrated blade for slicing citrus fruits;
cutting board;
a jigger, a double-sided measuring utensil of the shot glass type, used for measuring alcohol;
several easy-to-clean glass bottles or jars for storing simple syrups and fresh juices;
a basic corkscrew;
a bottle opener for crown corks;
a set of towels.
Subsequently, you can buy a blender and citrus press, with which it will be easier to prepare citrus juices.
If you can not invest in good equipment, use homemade utensils: instead of a shaker – a jar with a tightly closing lid, instead of jigger – a shot glass, and replace the bar spoon to ordinary. Nevertheless, do not forget that the quality of cocktails and the aesthetics of the preparation directly depend on the equipment. If you do decide to splurge, order high-quality, durable, metal accessories at professional bartending sites.
Glass
The right glasses are an essential part of a good home bar. Yes, they take up space, yes, they often break, and yes, you have to splurge on quality and beautiful glass. For starters, you can limit yourself to low and wide rox glasses for classic cocktails like Americano and Manhattan. They can also be used to serve sauerkraut and long drinks. If you plan to make Aperol Spritz at home, get versatile wine glasses. Fragile cocktail glasses in a home bar are optional, unless you plan to surprise guests with Bond and Gatsby-style parties.
Ice
Ice will be needed to make most cocktails. It’s best to buy special ice packs or silicone molds. Always freeze large quantities at once, or you may run out of ice at the most inopportune moment. Do not use tap water, it may give the ice, and hence the drink, an unpleasant aroma and taste.
Non-alcoholic drinks
The so-called mixers are an essential part of a proper home bar. Guided by your taste, but in all likelihood you will sooner or later need: carbonated (soda) water, tonic, Coca-Cola, cranberry morsel, tomato and orange juices. Ideally, the citrus juices should be freshly squeezed so that your cocktails will taste much better. Another important ingredient is sugar syrup. You can make it at home by mixing 1 kg of sugar with 1 liter of hot water. Boil the mixture in a saucepan, cool it down and pour it into a jar or bottle. This syrup can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks. Over time, you may need other syrups, such as grenadine. This is best purchased at a health food store.
Garnishes
You should always have oranges, lemons and limes in your home bar, as they are indispensable for many recipes. Chunky or loose cane sugar is equally mandatory. If you like Mojitos, don’t forget the mint. And for Bloody Mary fans, salt, pepper, Tabasco and Worcester sauce are essential ingredients.
Alcohol
Many bartenders say the minimum assortment of a home bar is 12 basic drinks. But beginners can start with as few as six. Focus first and foremost on your taste. In our list, the ingredients are arranged in decreasing order of importance.
Gin
The base of many classic cocktails such as gin and tonic, Tom Collins, White lady and of course Martini Cocktail, gin is the favorite drink of many bartenders. For a home bar, it’s best to choose the classic London Dry Gin, not overloaded with trendy herbal additives.
Bourbon
Another classic strong alcohol, without which no bar can be imagined. It is used for Manhattan, Old Fashioned and other strong cocktails.
Light rum
Without rum, you can’t make everyone’s favorite Mojitos and Daiquiris. You can just mix it with lime juice and cola for a refreshing Cuba Libre.
Red vermouth
Vermouth is rarely the basis of a cocktail, but most bartenders are crazy about it. They add depth and complexity to a drink. A good red vermouth is the key to the success of many classic mixes.
Orange Liqueur
Cointreau or Triple Sec are orange liqueurs that are part of many basic cocktails. Strong and citrus, they add a refreshing fruity taste to the drink.
Bitter
Bitters, or bitters, are a return to the roots of cocktail culture. Today they are coming back into fashion. No decent bar can operate without at least one bitter. For a home bar, get the classic and versatile Angostura Aromatic Bitters.
Scotch Whiskey
For cocktails, it’s best to choose a not too smoky, classic blended whiskey. Beware, however, of the cheap options, they’re only good for whiskey cola.
Tequila
Tequila cocktails are always refreshing and bright. Don’t skimp on this drink. Get tequila made from 100% agave to fully experience the grassy, fresh taste of this Mexican alcohol.
Dark Rum
A good aged rum can add color to any cocktail. Even the classic Cuba Libre opens up differently. Try rums from Latin America and the Caribbean and find the one that appeals to you.
Cognac
Cognac is a multifaceted alcoholic beverage with a strong grape flavor, making it ideal for cocktails as well as for drinking pure.
Campari (or another similar bitter)
Campari is part of many classic cocktails, such as Negroni and Garibaldi. It can be substituted for Aperol in a “Spritz” or simply served with sparkling water as an apéritif.
Vodka
Vodka rounds out the list of must-have drinks for the home bar. It doesn’t have its own distinct flavor, so it’s good for mixing with fruit juices.
Office design in the 21st century is not just about ergonomics, as it was a couple of decades ago. A well-designed office shows customers the concept of the entire company. The interior should sell products before the potential customer sees them. A cozy and beautiful office makes jobseekers want to work in that firm, which means the design solves the issue of hiring employees.
Global corporations often allow employees to work freelance hours. Including at night. And everything in the office should be arranged so that a person would feel comfortable to be in it as at home.
Taking care of employees’ health, large companies equip gyms near their offices.
Ergonomics of the workplace is aimed at productivity and, consequently, at the development of the company as a whole. Thus, the office today solves many problems and the design project should take into account each of them.
The main differences in the design of office and living space
It is important for the designer to understand that working on a commercial project is different from the process of designing a house or apartment.
Office renovation has a clear deadline. Any delay means unnecessary costs. Therefore, the work of design is regulated and threatened by large fines in case of schedule violations. In the design of private homes, there are no such boundaries.
Work on the interior of a commercial facility begins most often without a contract. This is due to the peculiarities of the coordination of all processes related to the legal side of the issue. The contract is signed about a month after the customer has confirmed his agreement to work with the designer. In order not to lose time, the performer begins work on the basis of a letter of guarantee.
Unlike private clients, corporations have virtually no emotional component when making decisions.
Office design in general has a clear structure. Work on a commercial project is faster if it is broken down into tasks and parallelized processes.
When working on an office, the designer has fewer meetings with decision makers than with private clients. But he is obliged to get these meetings, not to solve serious questions through intermediaries.
If a designer makes mistakes in a commercial project, it will affect his reputation. For several years, he will not be able to participate in tenders.
For a residential project, money can be received more quickly. Companies can pay only 3 months after the project is delivered.
Commercial objects for the designer are more profitable than residential.
Realized office interiors are easier to place in the portfolio because they are not private.
Layout: defining zones
Developing an office plan, the designer takes into account the interests of the company executives, all employees and clients, whose reception will take place in this building. It is necessary to maintain the general style, but keep in mind the tasks that each zone solves.
Reception
The reception introduces clients, partners who come to negotiate, and potential employees to the company. Everyone who is unfamiliar with the company makes the first impression by this area. Therefore, the design should evoke only positive emotions.
The interior of the reception reflects the corporate style. For the receptionist, a counter is set up that is convenient for the employee and guests. This is the main object, and it is often made to order.
It is necessary to create a corner where guests will spend their waiting time in comfort. It is better not to use partitions designed for the working area, and replace them with live plants in tubs.
Conference room and meeting room
The meeting room differs from other office spaces with its strict design. Minimal decor – all the attention of visitors should be focused on the issues at hand. The area of the conference room is calculated on the maximum number of participants of large meetings.
The central object in the interior of the hall is a massive negotiation table. For safety reasons and from a psychological point of view, it is better to have a round table. This also applies to furniture for the meeting room. At a round table, there are no dominant faces, everyone speaks as equals.
Office of the head
The interior should distinguish the head of the company, but it is important not to overdo it. It is unethical to put leather sofas for millions in the office and cover the floor with expensive carpets, when all the other rooms are equipped with chipboard furniture and sustained in a minimalistic style.
The design of the executive space should be quite austere. Business processes allow company heads to receive clients in their own office, but not at their desks. In this room, there should be a corner for receiving guests. Zones can be divided by mobile partitions, screens, furniture.
It is appropriate to hang award sheets on the walls, set aside a corner for the appropriate items.
Do not forget about personal space. Ideally, if the office provides an enclosed area for rest, where you can place more decor than in the rest of the room.
Recreation room, relaxation area, gym
Most often, employees of companies rest in the kitchen, where they can talk about personal matters over a cup of tea or lunch. Here the interior design should provide storage areas, installed appliances. A refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, kettle – the bare minimum. Tables, sofas and chairs are installed.
The main principle in the planning of areas: relaxation is both a change of place and a change of activity.
In the offices of large corporations, in addition to the kitchen is allocated space for relaxation areas and / or gyms. The relaxation room can only partially match the overall style of the office. The decoration, furniture, sound and light are all aimed at allowing the employee to forget about the work processes for a while and switch their minds to a different direction.
A sports hall is equipped according to the area allocated for it. A running track is installed, a place for exercises with free weights is determined. Often a separate room is arranged for yoga classes. If such rooms are provided by the project, one should not forget about the rooms where employees can change their clothes and take a shower.
Working place
In the working areas all the principles of ergonomics are used: safety, functionality, aesthetics, health care.
Most often, offices are planned according to the principle of open space, but even with such an arrangement, each employee has the right to a personal area when no one disturbs anyone. Places are divided by mobile partitions with soundproofing. You can separate the desk of each employee or divide the room into microzones of 4-5 jobs. It should not be allowed to feel that the room is cramped.
Desks are organized so that the surface looks neat and there is no sense of clutter. The task is solved with the help of thought-out organizers on the desktop, drawers for storing personal belongings. It is important to understand what office equipment each employee needs, and to consider its location.
The world factories that produce office furniture for several years offer a collection of mobile models and furniture-transformers. Firstly, pay attention to desks, the height of which can be changed without taking away from the work process. The employee can change body position, work standing or sitting, which has a positive effect on health and improves performance.
Choosing the type of layout
Having understood the business processes of the company, having defined the zones, it is possible to discuss the type of the layout.
Open space
In favor of open spaces, managers are often in favor of economic considerations. After all, according to the norms for each room should be installed its own engineering systems.
Leaving the space completely without partitions is not recommended. Many people find it psychologically difficult to work, knowing that there is someone behind. And if there are constantly more than four people in front of their eyes, it also has a negative effect on productivity.
In open space are organized so-called cubicles – individual partitioned zones. The choice of partitioning material comes from the budget of the project. But it is preferable to take screens with a sound-absorbing effect. Especially if the office is set up for call centers.
The work zone has a minimum of decor. Elements reminiscent of corporate style are acceptable. It is possible to include in the interior design live plants without fragrance, not blooming.
Cabinet type of office
Rooms are provided for different departments of the company. This type of layout favorably affects the performance of employees, causing a more trusting relationship. With the cabinet type, it is necessary to carefully think through the routes of communication between departments.
Despite the division of office space by walls, the unified style in the design of all rooms is preserved.
Mixed layout
Large workspaces are combined with offices. But the rooms may not be separated by a solid wall. The boundary can be set with the help of glass partitions.
The Japanese variant
Japan has a strict hierarchy, including in interior design. The workplace of the head is placed in the center of the office. The company’s chief executives sit facing the employees. Partitions are not allowed and as such there is no personal space.
The classic Japanese type is not common in Russia, but is acceptable in the design of commercial offices for a number of areas.
Selection of furniture for workspaces
Desks
The best desk models are those with adjustable height. The tabletop area should be large enough to accommodate a monitor, papers, office supplies, and a landline phone. Office equipment is not placed on the desk. More often set up a remote connection to the printer and other office equipment. But the path to it should not take much time.
If customized equipment is required, it is placed on shelves, freestanding tables, but not on the work surface.
Modern desk design provides cable channels in which you can hide wires.
Furniture for sitting
Work in the office assumes that a person spends more time at the computer, a lot of sitting. It is important not to skimp on quality office chair models. The chair should have a high back, equipped with a headrest and armrests. The base on five wheels provides mobility of the chair, which will allow you to change the position of the body during the day. The castors themselves are ideally rubberized. Such chairs move almost silently.
According to European standards, the seat is at a height of 70-75 cm. But everyone’s physiology is different, so it is worth paying attention to models with adjustable seat height and back tilt angle.
Storage systems
Each workstation is provided with a drawer for storing office supplies, documents and personal belongings. If the furniture is often planned to move, consider rolling models. Looks neat in the interior design of side tables.
Stationery that is generally accessible is better stored in a separate room or in a cabinet. Stored on open racks of pens, stacks of paper, notebooks look messy.
Racks with through shelves will help to zone the space and serve as a place to store books.
Do not forget about the placement of outdoor clothing and shoes. It is undesirable to use open hangers – they create visual chaos in the interior. It is better if employees hang jackets and coats in a closed closet. Often in the design of commercial spaces, forget about places to store outdoor shoes. It is ideal to think about where boots and boots and replacement shoes can be stored. At the same time, do not forget about the slushy weather and provide easy-to-clean containers.
Office design should not be left without decor. Commercial space is decorated in accordance with the kind of activity of the company
Decor in the interior of the office
In firms where there are a lot of creative positions, there is more decor. But the elements do not distract from the work. Each detail performs its function.
A firm that sells air conditioners or is engaged in financial operations is more likely to choose a strict style. Visual clutter will not be tolerated here. But even in a stylistically austere interior, you can’t do without accessories. Ideally, the design of decorative elements is subordinate to the corporate style of the company.
There are a number of objects that are appropriate in any office. The appearance depends on the general style of the premises:
Clocks;
Flip charts, magnetic marker boards for notes;
Motivational posters;
Diplomas and awards;
Books corresponding to the company’s activities;
Live plants, panels of stabilized moss.
Lighting
Natural light is the most comfortable for the human eye. Placement of workstations should be designed so that on a clear day there is no need to turn on additional lighting.
Employees should not be seated with their backs to the window. The gaze will constantly fall on the dark corner, which will soon reduce vision.
The light from the lamps should not be dim. For offices, choose lamps with a neutral or white light. Warm lighting promotes relaxation and reduces performance. For the workplace of employees who work with papers, it is worth providing compact lamps on a clip or clothespin. Lamps with directional light will not distract others.
Many modern companies have switched from general overhead lighting to spot lighting for each workstation.
The design of relaxation areas includes soft, warm light with the ability to adjust a comfortable level of brightness.
Materials
Renovations in offices are carried out less frequently than in residential areas. The finishing should be durable, non-marking and easy to clean. For ceilings, walls, floor it is necessary to choose materials with sound-absorbing properties. Particular care should be taken about soundproofing in the gym, meeting rooms.
Metal, concrete, marble and ceramic tiles reflect sound and do a poor job of sound absorption.
Glass partitions instead of walls help to visually increase the space and avoid the feeling of a maze. If the budget allows, install walls made of smart glass, the transparency of which can be adjusted.
If the interior design allows for homely comfort, you can include more textiles. For example, hang light curtains on the windows instead of blinds. But it should be considered to what extent the company can afford the timely cleaning of such curtains.
Color in the interior of commercial premises
For the office, a neutral basic palette is often chosen. But the interior in a solid pastel palette looks boring and leads to despondency. Accents can be placed with the help of corporate colors, and pay attention to the colorful decor. Intense shades of blue, lemon, turquoise and green enhance performance.
Strict interior design is well-supported by the beige and chocolate palette. In such a range is easy to fit the furniture made of natural materials. Shades of gray are harmoniously diluted with orange, lilac or blue.
Take into account what side of the building the windows face. If on the north side, take as the basis warm colors. For the south side, it is better to take a cold palette.
Ergonomics in office design
The main task of a commercial space project is to increase the efficiency of employees. In addition to properly selected furniture, lighting, the designer can lay down other parameters that affect productivity.
Study the business processes during the collection of the ToR. By understanding the internal structure of the company, you can create an interior that is comfortable for each employee.
Take into account the interaction between departments. Build the layout based on how people communicate with each other on work issues. Do not allow long distances between closely interacting structures.
Keep in mind that in the summer, it is hot for those who sit by south-facing windows. 80% of people complain about drafts if the air movement in the room is higher than 1 m/sec. Consider the ventilation system, types of air conditioners, and other technical features that affect thermal comfort.
Find out how comfortable the chosen type of layout is for the employees. Managers are more likely to choose open space, while not always most team members want to work in a large open space. Studies show that people are more comfortable if they have a wall behind them. And in the field of vision enters no more than 4-5 people (these tasks are solved by seating at an angle in relation to each other and the placement of mobile partitions).
The way to the HR department should be in such a way that a jobseeker sees the best moments of the company. This way, the company will psychologically arrange the applicant to join the team beforehand.
Style
The style of the office reflects the essence of the company. Ideally, if the interior design continues logically corporate style, provided that it has established itself in the market and the firm does not plan to rebrand.
Classic
Strict design, not suffering experiments. Expensive furniture made of natural materials. The style is more suitable for a cabinet type of layout. Choose classical style for respectable companies with long tradition in business.
Modern, Art Deco
A freer version of the classic style. Lots of lines taken from nature. Allows you to include in the interior luxurious, sometimes pompous elements – wood carvings, stained-glass. The main thing is that the decor should not distract from the work.
New York, American style
The best design option for open space, which, in principle, came from the United States. There are no superfluous details, the walls are mainly made of glass. The furniture can be inexpensive, a lot of shelving, low partitions are allowed.
Scandinavian
Strict, minimalist and light. Furnishings made of natural materials. Respects personal space of everyone. Reflects steadiness and solidity of the company.
High-tech
Unusual, experimental look of the interior, strict lines, absence of decor and maintaining order. But the main materials of this style are metal and glass, which doesn’t solve the problem with soundproofing. Suitable for small offices and office type of layout.
Futurism
Futuristic design is ideal for commercial IT-space. Reflects desire to develop digital technologies, desire to solve non-standard tasks.
Loft
Great for offices, located in buildings of former factories and plants. Brick walls, open communications, high ceilings themselves dictate how to decorate the office interior. The loft is ideal for creative spaces. It is not easy to combine it with a strict corporate style.
Minimalism
Only functional furniture, no superfluous, impractical elements. Minimalism is combined with the principles of ergonomics as much as possible.
What makes up the cost of an office design project?
The designer calculates the cost of the project based on the following factors:
The area of the object.
Whether a turnkey repair or a cosmetic upgrade of the space is required.
Whether the design project includes 3D-visualization.
The timing of the project. Urgent work is paid higher.
The features of the room, the differences between the existing and desired layout.
If the customer wants to reduce the cost of implementing a design project, the designer can help with this. For example, rework the interior layout. Open spaces are more advantageous than the cabinet system due to the fact that each room with a door requires its own set of engineering systems. And this significantly affects the cost of repairs. You can reduce the number of rooms. For example, consider how much the company needs separate meeting rooms.
Perhaps not all employees require assigned workstations. For people who are often away on business trips, you don’t need personal desks and computers. Mobile desks with the ability to accommodate a laptop are sufficient.
Avoiding brand-name vendors will affect the total amount of the project. A designer with extensive experience has a large base and can offer quality alternatives to expensive furniture, materials, and engineering systems.
Choosing sound-absorbing materials, you can stop at PVC, which copes well with sound insulation.
When it comes to commercial interior design, you need to consider not only current trends, but also a futuristic view of the future. A commercial space needs to look good for a significant period of time, so a one-time investment is all that is needed.
Interior Design
If the environment is so important in the home, it’s easy to imagine the positive impact it can have on commercial interaction when continuous activity and stress flare up.
If you think it’s worth creating a warm space for people working in the commercial sector, here are nine incredible commercial decor trends you can follow.
Elements of Complexity
Commercial spaces should reflect an element of complexity. Marble has always been associated with princely states and standards. It is a timeless decor that creates a sense of class in a commercial space.
A variety of marble, such as patterned marble or even polished marble, will make the floor of a commercial space look like a kingdom.
Next come the walls, which can be given a solid panel look to match the overall layout of the retail space. You can choose wavy wall panels or even interlock wall panels for an interesting design.
Space in design
The whole image of the perfect commercial space will be completely wasted if the proper mechanisms are not in place to keep the space clean and clutter-free. No one wants to see pieces of paper lying on the floor and dust flying in the air.
Make sure there are enough cabinets on the walls of the retail space. To give a fancy look, these cabinets can have a wood texture.
The scent from air fresheners installed on the equidistant will always give a pleasant feeling to the workforce and visitors alike.
The key to lighting in design
The decor can be especially welcoming with the right amount of lighting that gives a combination of natural light as well as artificial light.
Having cross-over windows and a glass slab on the ceiling will make the retail space bright and piercing with sunlight.
LED lights not only give a very subtle look to a commercial interior, but they are also energy efficient and accent the space.
The risk of coloring
Contrary to popular belief, commercial spaces should be more or less black and white; figurative color coordination can have a positive effect on spaces. Go ahead and give an orange hue against pastel colors that are neutral and feel energetic.
Colors also serve the purpose of creating boundaries between different departments in a commercial workspace.
Furniture comfort
Go back to the early days of classic sofas with a wood base and buffalo leather, which is the epitome of total relaxation. As opposed to personal decor and lightness, furniture chosen for commercial interiors should have a formal touch.
You can have furniture that is completely symmetrical or abstract. Avoid mixing and matching different sections in a commercial space.
Surety is what every commercial space needs!
Freshness of plants
To relieve the stress of workers, having fresh flowers and plants is an inexpensive idea that works best. Your commercial interior can be a symbol of the responsibility you have toward the environment by simply incorporating a little bit of nature into your workspace.
Environmental designs are becoming popular day by day because it makes any business sector more responsible and eco-friendly.
Instead of having a red carpet, use a green grass walkway.
If bringing in natural pants is too bothersome, in terms of upkeep, there are many options for beautiful artificial flowers and plants that look almost real but require almost no attention.
A little non-commercial art
There are so many different types of art on the market to choose from for commercial interior decor. Move a little away from the typical billboards and advertisements and invite art that speaks to something bigger than finances.
Current social issues are best portrayed in the form of art, and a commercial workspace may well be representative of such issues, simply by showcasing art created by revolutionaries.
Public Meeting Space
Gone are the days of boxes and clear divisions between the various subsectors of any commercial space. Now is the era of open workspaces, where people work together under the radar of communication.
It’s important to keep this new trend in mind and have special corners where people can gather and have their pep talks.
Food is a vital element in bringing people together. Even more important is the customization of food preparation. Instead of individual tables and chairs, large dining areas will ensure that people meet for lunch or even coffee and talk about the day’s events.
A touch of home
Commercial settings can be so tiring that they require a lighthearted, homey atmosphere. Little details like rugs, fluffy pillows, pleasant scents, chairs, etc. etc. Make the buildings a little less concrete and a little more lively.
Frames that capture personal moments of workforce or customer interaction create a personal touch to the whole formal structure.
Commercial space planning is an integration of popular trends and a futuristic vision. Whether it’s a hotel or a corporate office, planning for the perfect design is very important to both customers and working people. This may be the reason why investing in decor is gaining popularity at such a tremendous rate.
Be a part of this race; at this point, you have the perfect tips for creating any elegant commercial interior.
We asked professional designer, how to make a comfortable and beautiful recreation room from a practically service room.
1. Arrange the bathroom according to your needs.
When designing a bathroom, it is important to understand that it is a space for “ritual,” and not just a room in which to come in and out.
It should be understood that everyone has his own habits and characteristics, and they can not be forgotten, and based on them to plan the space. For example, someone does not need a whirlpool bath that takes up half the room – then a small bowl is enough. Water is soothing, and a person should feel comfortable.
Some people need to brush their teeth next to their loved one, so a double sink is necessary for their morning harmony. Others need a bidet, and still others need a mini shower next to the toilet. All this affects the layout and overall area.
By the way, many people do not know what you can come up with other than a shower enclosure, and in fact it can be replaced by a shower enclosure – it all depends on the needs and preferences of the person.
2. Avoid common design mistakes.
For example, do not forget about the aesthetics of design in general. When customers ask me to lay out the tiles, I say that it’s not up to me. Any employee of the store will do it, they don’t care how you live there. Create an atmosphere – that’s the main thing.
Do not forget about the lighting scenarios: in a dark bathroom you will simply be uncomfortable.
Think in advance, what do you want to store in the bathroom: only cosmetics or will there be means for washing? For everything you need to find a convenient place.
Also, compare your wishes with the height and age of the family members. Is it convenient for a child to climb into the bathroom, do not need a handrail for elderly parents, whether the husband will not hit his head on the shelf in the shower – all these things should be taken into account in the planning stage.
3. Choose your bathroom fixtures carefully.
Sanitary ware should be good brands like Dornbracht, Villeroy & Boch, Duravit, Roca… These companies do not just create toilets and sinks. They create philosophy, which clients want to live by. In addition, their sanitary ware is convenient, aesthetic and durable.
It is important to pay attention to size and dimensions: to fit everything into a small bathroom so that it seemed large and functional, and to leave enough free space in a large bathroom.
4. Do not ignore trends.
For example, now in fashion style of the late 60’s, strict and laconic: a minimum of decor, interesting color combinations and forms, furniture in complex shades of green, carrot and even pink. The style is a bit naive and playful. All this was well represented at the Maison & Objet exhibition in Paris in January.
6 tricks for the bathroom from a designer
Everyone wants their bathroom to look as modern and have some features as possible. That’s why we turned to an interior designer for ideas and perhaps secrets
What should be in the interior of a modern bathroom? Only what makes this room comfortable and convenient for you. And it’s not even about the style of the bathroom, but about the functional content or the materials used. And about this the best thing an interior designer can tell you. That’s why we contacted Alexander Krivov to give him some valuable ideas and advice.
1. Using wood in the interior
The most popular flooring for the bathroom is tile. But nothing can replace natural wood in terms of tactile effect, environmental friendliness, comfort and beauty. Such a coating will be a pleasure to step on, with proper treatment it is not afraid of water. In addition, there will be no need to install a system of “underfloor heating”, since wood is not a cold material.
2. Defining a zone for washing
If the limited space in the apartment does not allow you to make a separate laundry room, and you do not want your machine to bother you, you can install a built-in model. And in the next cabinet hide a drawer for laundry.
3. The sink is for the dog.
Sometimes we are willing to do everything for our beloved pets. Therefore, if you have a dog in your house, a “pawwash” is a necessary thing! You can forget about the times when after a walk on snow-covered sidewalks you had to drag the dog into the tub to wash his paws and belly.
4. Shower Trap.
Instead of installing a shower tray, a floor-mounted shower drain or a drainage duct would be better. The editors of Roomble recommend the use of products brand TECE. Drainage channels are built into the floor of the bathroom so that the resulting shower enclosure or corner do not have any obstacles in the form of a curb or step. Thus the surface of the floor is immediately divided into dry and wet zones, which allows using the area of the bathroom as efficiently as possible.
5. Where to place the mirror
A small bathroom can be visually enlarged with the help of a large mirror. This is the simplest and at the same time the most effective solution for expanding the space. A full-width mirror pushes the boundaries, and what was three square meters, can turn into a long and bright corridor!
6. In-wall installations
The modern bathroom should not have any unnecessary details. Designer Alexander Krivov showed us a very interesting solution. In the partition separating the shower area, both the sewer pipe and the tank for the toilet flush-mounted toilet were hidden at the same time, and a niche with shelves for shower accessories was built into the outside.
Open floor plans have become almost an absolute necessity in almost every modern home. Long gone are the days when boxed rooms had a clearly defined space of their own and their exclusive function.
Today’s buildings are more and more inclined to have rooms, smoothly and seamlessly transitioning one into another without sharp, clearly marked boundaries.
Modern interior design, of course, for this reason cannot be limited to design themes and color schemes, furniture and accessories.
It’s about managing space and making full use of it. This is what an open floor plan does with style and flaunting!
The openness of the layout does not mean that each person loses the right to a private area with his or her individual identity. Still, having the boundaries between the kitchen, living room and dining room, albeit very subtle, but quite distinguishable, made in an open floor plan makes the interior more appealing.
Therefore, we took the risk to share some tips with you, dear guests of the Design Museum! Organize your space beautifully, even without enclosing it in strict boxes like boxes.
Ways to move around the room
The best way to begin your work on your outdoor space is to make a list of the functional areas you intend to place there. This isn’t hard, especially if you have a clear idea of what you want.
Perhaps it will be a small kitchen next to a spacious dining room, with both areas served by the same fireplace. In general, work out the requirements for the space according to your needs.
After sorting out the arrangement of the areas, we will see how to take their own routes of movement in the room, where passageways and corridors create a virtual boundary, while the walls are almost not involved in this demarcation.
Transparent partitions made of glass
The widespread use of glass in modern homes is no accident. Its transparent, shiny presence provides a visual contrast and reduces the textural dominance of stone, concrete and wood in the room.
Glass partitions and sliding glass doors are a great way to organize and divide a large room into compartments without opaque obstructions.
Because the partitions do not obstruct direct line of sight, the appeal of an open and spacious room is not lost.
The flow of natural light and the direction of view inherent in the room are not affected by the use of glass partitions, which, by the way, can easily be removed if necessary.
If you are not tempted by large transparent doors, replace them with small dividing sheets of the same material.
Using rugs and palates is another surprisingly easy way to organize an open space. In doing so, sophistication and elegance will come into your home.
And perhaps even chic. We will not dwell on such properties of rugs, as an abundance of sizes, styles, colors, patterns – about this in more detail in the area rugs are available in a variety of styles.
The affordability of such products is appealing. With their help, you can easily create a fashionable atmosphere in the room. You can even arrange a seasonal change of these accessories. For the dining room it is acceptable to pick up mats simpler, in the living room you need something that brings light and freshness.
The room in the room
The whole idea of arranging the space methodically and aesthetically is an open layout. Essentially, it’s about creating a large room out of several smaller ones.
Doing it without walls means using clear visual markers that separate one corner from another to create functional zones. A slightly raised floor in one part of the room easily creates a distinction between sections, making the transition smooth and inviting.
This approach is often used in modern homes to distinguish the kitchen, which becomes the focal point, from the rest of the room. A few touches are left to add to refine and complete the composition.
The top surface of the room can be more than just part of the roof for your residence. Suspended ceilings with built-in lighting can easily help separate a part of the common space into a separate compartment. Wooden beams at the top of the room can also contribute to this.
Recessed and theatrical lighting
It may sound trivial, but lighting is the most important feature in decorating any interior. Regardless of the quality of the decor or layout, poor lighting can create a blackout and a lack of lightness and airiness in the atmosphere.
Use a set of lights recessed evenly across the floor to create a base. Then add a few layers on other levels all the way to the top, to eliminate gaps in the light field.
A theatrical chandelier over the dining table or beautiful pendant lights illuminating the kitchen island will certainly be the key to creating an attractive look for your apartment.
Stylish shelving units
Shelving is another way to functionally divide a room into functional compartments without creating an obstacle to transition from one room to another.
A modern, stylish shelf at the dining table or an entertainment unit in the living room gives the respective areas of the room an organized and personalized look.
Make sure the shelves don’t encroach on freedom of movement and are compact enough to fit within a certain space. Since most modern kitchens use shelving, the idea of using such storage for food, utensils, etc. to delineate areas is not bad at all!
Wooden slats and drywall
Cleverly placed wooden slats that extend like elegant walls and drywall partitions with windows are an option for those who want the best of both worlds.
These additions are not as rigid as conventional walls, but they offer privacy and convenience. Both solutions are especially useful in creating a semi-enclosed kitchen in an open floor plan that shares a common theme with the adjoining area.
An open floor plan requires the formation of a single uniform background for the entire floor. Consequently, using one neutral color for the walls. But playing with the colors and patterns of pillows, upholstery furniture, tables, chairs and cabinets can highlight several color areal of the rooms in a large room. Interesting artwork and well-chosen carpets complete the creation of a lively and stylish design.
Curtains as part of the decor
Curtains and curtains also make it easy to break up the room into sections. In addition, rational placement of furniture contributes to the same goal.
By grouping pieces of furniture, you get a number of small functional islands. Do not be afraid to use sofas, small shelves or shelving units as primitive space dividers.
These ideas should help you create spaces with different types of boundaries in an open floor plan. Implementing them will make your home much more organized, neat and inviting.
Just make sure that each element of the decor looks proportionate in combination with the others. And you’ll see a cozy, modern home that combines openness with grace!
