The interiors of a home are nothing but a reflection of you. Interiors bring life and soul into the house which is otherwise just a brick and mortar structure. A thoughtful design can even change the way you live by enhancing your quality of life. Hence it is essential to plan and make a proper checklist of things you want to consider when designing your home.
This is especially important if you own a bigger abode like a 4BHK home as there will be lots of minor things that may need attention and can often be overlooked. So the more extensive your home, the broader your checklist should be. Here we give you essential things to consider when designing your 4 BHK.
Things to Consider While Designing your 4BHK
A comprehensive 4BHK interior design checklist must cover three main categories:
(A) Scope
(B) Elements
(C) Individual Room Interior checklist
(A) SCOPE:
This includes aspects like your personality, functionality, and budget. It is better to have a clear idea of these three aspects, to begin with. Designing interiors can end up being costly if you do not plan your budget beforehand. Hence plan your design based on your budget and your living style so that you can create a design plan that suits your personality and functionality.
For this, you can research by browsing magazines or design websites, collect fabric samples, paint colours, etc., beforehand. Regarding planning your budget, make a list of things you definitely need and things you would like to have but are not a must.
(B) ELEMENTS:
The above aspect covers various areas like Space, Woodwork and Furniture, Lighting, Colour, Electrical and Plumbing points, Flooring materials and design, False Ceilings (if required), Home Accessories, and Furnishing.
#1. Space:
This is the first and foremost aspect. Decide on the space requirements of each room depending on how many people live in the house. This will set the base for deciding other factors. Have a clear floor plan that offers ample space for walking. Do not crowd the room with too many objects that restrict movement. Also, if your family includes elderly people or babies, plan appropriate space requirements for them.
#2. Woodwork and Furniture:
Decide if you want to get your furniture designed and customised or buy it readymade. In the first case, it helps to have a fair knowledge about the types of materials and woodwork. Plan the purpose of furniture and woodwork. Remember aesthetics must be combined with functionality. It makes sense to get furniture with adequate storage space, especially if you are a large family.
#3. Lighting Placements:
Lighting forms the most important element of any home interior design. If placed at the correct spots, lighting can enhance the look of any room. Lights should be placed at strategic points to illuminate each and every spot and all nooks and corners of the room effectively. This is true, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Also, in the case of older people, one must ensure that there is enough focus lighting so that they can perform their daily chores with ease. For instance, placing lights over the mirrors in bathrooms or bedrooms can help better view for elders. One must also plan for proper task lighting beside the bed or in study areas. Adequate task lighting will help to avoid shadows and eye strain and are really useful for elderly bedtime readers or children during their study.
#4. Colour:
Choosing colours is an interesting element of any checklist. Choose a good colour scheme for each room. The colour chosen should gel with the type of furniture in that room. Choose colours that are pleasing to the eye and those that make the room feel cozy and comfy. Remember colours also have a connection with the mood, and hence must be chosen based on the dweller's mindset and psychology. So take time to see all the colour palettes and choose wisely. Also, decide if you want to give a textured finish, matt finish, etc.
#5. Electrical and Plumbing Points:
Electrical and plumbing points must be decided well in advance before you get the rooms painted. If you have kids, ensure that all the electrical points are not within their reach.
#6. Flooring Materials and Designs:
Selecting the right flooring is always a daunting task. One should keep in mind the cost, area to be covered, and the pros and cons of each type of flooring. For instance, in the bathroom, one must check if the material used is anti-skid or not. One can also opt for separate floor tiles that can be used for wet and dry spaces in the bathroom and kitchen.
#7. False Ceiling:
False ceiling is normally made one foot below the ceiling. False ceilings are gaining traction these days as they offer multiple benefits like fire protection, thermal insulation,sound insulation, less electricity usage (especially in case of AC’s as the area to be cooled is less), better aesthetic look and so on.All electrical wirings are concealed behind these ceilings.So in case you want a false ceiling you must get to know the types of false ceilings, where they can be installed, etc. and make a provision in your checklist accordingly.
#8. Home Accessories and Furnishing:
Each room may require various accessories. For instance, colourful accessories in the living room and bedroom can accentuate the space. Curtains form another essential aspect. The type of curtain fabric (transparent, semi-transparent, blackout curtains) can impact the lighting. Check if you want to install blinds instead of curtains. Also, for bathrooms, plan the accessories like faucets and shower types, bathtub, shower curtains, etc. So plan the accessories well in advance to avoid disappointment later.
(C) INDIVIDUAL ROOM INTERIORS CHECKLIST
Prepare items required for each room individually.
For instance, in the kitchen, you may need elements like:
kitchen cabinets and storage options
island counter, pantry corner
under countertop storage
numerous racks
dedicated space for appliances like a chimney, dishwasher, microwave, water filter, etc.
Similarly, for the entryway and foyer:
one must plan for security systems and camera installations,
shoe cabinets with storage,
seating space for wearing shoes, and the like.
Keeping in mind the above aspects and making a detailed checklist will help you plan your interiors with the designers in a hassle-free manner and complete them on time.
True to the maxim a good beginning paves the way for a good ending, plan your interiors properly with our experts now and have a happy entry into your dream abode.
If you are looking to get your 4BHK interiors done or planning to revamp your home, feel free to speak to an expert from Hipcouch. Get in touch with us here.