Make the most of your space

Laminate flooring can be made to look like other materials. FILE | NATION

What you need to know:

  • The first consideration when picking out flooring is the activities that will take place in the room.
  • For public spaces, taps with sensors are best since they conserve water and have customised water flow that prevents water from splash around.
  • "A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy."

Interior decor is a lot more than just getting the decoration of your space right. The true value of quality interior design is that it ensures the maximisation of your space, while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing environment.

The main goal of good interior decor is to ensure improved use of space by managing it well. This enhances the quality of life and one’s productivity.

Before furnishing and accessorising a space, there are crucial considerations. These include, flooring, type of walls, sinks and taps. These items not only enhance the aesthetic feel of your space, but also raise its value in an era in which visual impact is highly valued. So why not imprint your personality in your environment through tasteful interior decor.

Deciding on the finishing touches of your space before all the furnishing is done is like being given a blank canvas and complete freedom to let your creativity shine through. This sets the tone for what will be added afterwards, guaranteeing that the space will be to your liking and hence enable you to maximise on the productivity you intended it for. With such guarantees, who wouldn’t want a blank canvas to work with?

Flooring

When picking out flooring, you should consider several factors, chief among them the activities that will take place in the room. For instance, a kitchen floor calls for flooring that is durable, water-resistance, easy to clean and maintain, and can withstand pressure such as heavy things falling on it.

Today, there is a wide range of flooring to choose from, but the most preferable are those that offer a high-end feel, but are durable, affordable and easy to maintain. Some of the most common types of flooring are:

1. Tiles

Tiles are one of the best options for waterproof flooring. They come in a wide range and can be used indoors or outdoors, on the wall, say as a backsplash in the kitchen, as a protective layer in bathroom and even on countertops. Besides, they can be customised to look like other types of flooring. For instance, they can be made to look like hardwood or stone.

But they have a downside: some types scratch and stain easily, while some are hard and not suitable for areas in which people stand for long periods. Also, many types don’t retain heat, which is a crucial consideration, especially if you live in a cold area. They also take time to install, and some are heavy and, therefore, not suitable for upper floors in multistorey buildings.

2. Hardwood

This type of flooring combines durability and beauty. Among the most common types of hardwood floors are walnut, oak, pine, and beech. Some of the factors to consider when installing hardwood floors are the cost, since some are very expensive; maintenance, since some need frequent service to retain their original look, and type of wood, because some shrink or expand, or darken with time.

3. Laminate flooring

This flooring is affordable and easy to maintain. It is durable and can resist chipping, scratching and burning. In addition, laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of colours and designs and is These qualities make laminate flooring ideal for areas for high-traffic areas like restaurants, salons and even corporate offices.

However, laminate flooring doesn’t look natural and is not water resistant. It also scratches easily and is not durable, and might give your space a cheap look since it is no match for tiles or hardwood.

For a public place, all you need is a pedestal sink that takes up little space, and not one with storage space below. PHOTO| FILE


Sinks and taps

When choosing a sink, one of the most important considerations is the available space. For instance, if you have a small bathroom, you should have a sink with storage space underneath for your towels and cleaning materials. This makes best use on the space.

However, the exact opposite applies when it comes to public spaces. A sink with storage space is unnecessary in such a setting. The ideal here is a pedestal sink, or one with a user station that can serve more than one person at a same time.

When it comes to taps, those with sensors are best for public spaces. They conserve water and energy, and has customised water flow, so water doesn’t splash around. However, sensor taps are expensive, and don’t work during power outages.

In addition, they have few replaceable parts so if they develop a fault, you might have to replace the whole unit.

According to interior designer Juan Montoya, “A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy.”

So always ensure your that your space reflects who you are, since this will make you more productive.