How High Should You Hang Curtains and Drapes?

Curtains and other types of drapery are an important feature of your interior space. Without window treatments, a room will look incomplete. When curtains are well installed, they can transform a lacklustre wall into an elegant feature that becomes an integral part of the décor and art featured in the room.

Curtains come in various forms, styles, fullness, and lengths, and include pinch-pleated drapes, cased-heading curtains, box pleated, eyelet, tailored pleat, tab-top, and goblet curtains.

Currently, the popular trend in curtains and similar window treatments is floor-length, ceiling-height curtain panels. They are hung with iron rods or other decorative curtain rods with different styles of finials.

Because they are the final feature that completes a room's design, it is important to know the best ways to hang them and how high to install them so that they become an enhancement to other interior décor elements.

The Most Appealing Heights

For a professional and stylish look, the most appealing height is the full wall height, meaning a drop from the ceiling. That complete vertical adds a great dimension to the interior design and gives walls the illusion of extra height.

For those who prefer not to install their curtains at the ceiling height, it is important to position the rod a minimum of 6” from the top of the window and a maximum of 12” above it.

If you have high ceilings, you must go higher so your window treatments don’t appear squat. So, the higher your ceiling, the higher your curtains must be installed.

If you are using a valance or swags, install them so that their top ends are about 12” to 15” from the ceiling if you have high ceilings. If your ceiling height is low, install your curtains with a gap of a maximum of 12” from the ceiling.

To summarise it all, the most important rule for beautiful and professional-looking window treatments is to hang your curtains and drapery high.

Tips

• One trick you can employ to make your curtains appear taller and make them more eye-catching is to combine two window treatments. This adds to the design of both the wall and the interior space.
• To achieve this, hang the curtain rod at least 12 inches above the window and hang bamboo shades or roman blinds directly under the pole. When the curtains are drawn open and the blinds are pulled one-third way down the window, it will conceal the blank wall between the rod and the window frame. 
• Remember to leave an allowance of about 1” from the curtain hem to the floor, to allow for cleaning. 
• Extend the curtain rods beyond the width of the window by a minimum of 4” on each side. This measurement must be taken without the finials to give the illusion that the window is wide. 
• Steam iron the curtains to remove any wrinkles, because if you think that the wrinkles will “fall out” in time, they will not.

Further reading:
What is a Roman Shade?
Soft Window Treatments - Basics of Window Dressing
Home Decorating Fabrics by the Yard Online
How to Clean Honeycomb Window Blinds
How to Clean Bamboo Window Shades the Easy Way

Where to Put Indoor Water Features in Your Home and Why Their Position Matters

You might think a water feature is just a decorative extra, something for fancy hotels or spa waiting rooms, but once you understand what moving water actually does to you and a space, you will want one in your home, ASAP.

The sound of flowing water naturally lowers stress. It is not just a feeling. Studies on biophilic design (the practice of bringing nature into interiors) show that moving water reduces cortisol levels and blood pressure. That gentle trickle of water is also white noise, which blocks out distracting sounds and helps you focus or sleep better. 

So yes, water features are both a style upgrade and a genuinely useful addition to your home.

But the real question is where to place it.

Below are nine different ways to use water features in your home.

 

Indoor water features - A good enhancement for your interior space.

At the Front Door or On the Porch

If you have a porch or covered veranda, this is one of the best spots for a freestanding fountain or a tiered pond-style feature. Add a few potted plants around it, and the whole entrance feels like a garden retreat. 

Bonus: the sound of moving water near the entrance softens street noise before it reaches inside.

In the Foyer

The foyer sets the tone for your entire home. A wall-mounted waterfall placed opposite the entrance door is one of the simplest ways to make a strong first impression. Wall-mounted designs are smart here because they do not eat into floor space, which is usually limited in an entrance area. The moment people walk in and hear that sound, their mood shifts instantly.

Along the Hallway

Many hallways are forgotten spaces. Most are. A compact tabletop water feature on a console table completely changes that. Keep the scale and size in proportion to the hallway width and go vertical rather than wide, if the space is narrow.

In the Living Room

This is where you have the most options for indoor water features. 

A tabletop fountain on a coffee table puts the movement of water right in your line of sight when you are seated, and becomes part of the room rather than something you only notice when you walk past. Larger living rooms can take a freestanding floor feature that doubles as a room divider. The sound also helps soften hard surfaces like timber floors and big windows, making the room feel more comfortable and less echoey.

On a Feature Wall

Do you have a blank wall that needs enhancements? Turn it into a feature wall with a wall-mounted waterfall panel. Many of these types come with built-in LED lighting, adjustable flow rates, and remote controls that let you reduce the flow or switch it on/off while relaxing on the sofa. Slate and natural stone panels look especially good because of their texture and the way the water moves over them. Water flowing over stone works beautifully together.

In a Niche or Alcove

If you have a recessed niche or an alcove and are not sure what to do with it, put a water feature there. A tall freestanding waterfall column with some smooth river pebbles at the base and a couple of low-light plants, like peace lilies or lucky bamboo, will turn an awkward corner into the best spot in the room.

In the Bedroom

This one surprises people, but it makes a lot of sense. Research on sleep shows that consistent white noise reduces the time it takes to fall asleep. It also reduces nighttime waking. A small tabletop fountain on your bedside table or dresser does the same job as an electronic white noise machine, but it looks far better and is aesthetically appealing. Some models even have a built-in lamp. Just make sure the pump has an adjustable flow rate so you can control the volume and flow.

In Your Home Office or Study Area

Unpredictable noise, a conversation nearby, traffic outside, or a notification going off can be the biggest focus killers when you are trying to work or study. A water feature on or near your desk creates a steady, consistent sound layer that your brain quickly tunes in to. The soft cascading sounds effectively cancel the distraction of random or irritating noises. Looking at moving water during a work break is also genuinely restful for the eyes.

In a Courtyard or Indoor Atrium

If you are lucky enough to have an atrium or internal courtyard, this is where a water feature can really shine. A pond-style setup with stone edging, tropical plants, pebbles, and soft lighting engages your sight and hearing, and the air around you. Moving water adds a slight humidity that can make a space feel fresher. This is the closest you can get to an actual garden, without going outside.

Materials Indoor Water Features are Typically Made From?

Indoor water features come in a wide range of materials:

• Ceramic
• Slate
• Terracotta
• Granite
• Marble
• Bronze
• Glass
• High-quality faux stone resin. 

That range means there is always a finish that will suit your existing interior style, whether it is modern, rustic, traditional, or somewhere in between.

One Simple Rule for Placement 

It is best to place your water feature where you spend the most time. Allow the sound and the sight of moving water to do its thing quietly, continuously, and without you having to think about it. 

Further reading:
How to Decorate Your Home with Accent Chairs 

What are Plant Terrariums?

Study Interior Design Course Online

If you've always wanted to study interior design or interior decoration, whether you want to become a professional, or you simply want to be a part of a high-flying career, and you have scheduling conflicts - a job or family commitments, long-distance' study is a great option to consider.

Today, it is now a fact that you can become a professional in most fields of endeavour by being schooled and tutored in the comfort of your own home.

Isn’t it time to embrace this opportunity?

When you study interior design in a school, college, or university, online or off, you allow yourself the opportunity to be a professional in the field. You can also be a part of a high-flying career in the building and real estate industry.

Before You Decide to Study Interior Design

Before you make your decision, you'll first have to know which program you intend to pursue, a diploma in interior design, or a BA degree program that is a more advanced study.

You'll also want to know where to study online, requirements for enrollment, financial obligations, and the job opportunities in the interior design industry.

Having answers to these will help in your decision making.

Which Program Should You Pursue?

To be a professional in the field, formal training is essential. You don't really need formal training if you don't plan to go commercial with your skills. There are many that have a God-given talent of being creative and don't plan to go beyond doing decorating tasks for their own homes, their friend's, or their family's but if you want to go steps further and approach it as a business venture, you want to pursue this educationally.

Interior design, a highly competitive career, is a lucrative market in the building industry and services of interior designers are always required, especially by private and commercial clients, architects, the real estate industry, the movie industry, retailers of furniture and furnishings, property developers, and builders, just to mention a few. 

So, depending on how extensive your dreams are, you can opt to go for the diploma course or for a degree program.

Diploma Course – It’s always best to start at this stage where you are taught the fundamentals of interior design, like drawing, decorating, and simple perspectives. The topics covered in most online schools include:

• Form and space
• Colour and texture
• Technical expertise
• Environmental and global awareness
• Expressions of creative sensibilities

HND Interior Design Course - If you already have a foundation course in interior design and decoration and wish to up your status to become more professional, you can enrol in an HND course. With this, you will also learn marketing and business skills required in the industry, and will know how to:

• Design and know all the factors of space planning and interior layouts
• Remodel, renovate and reconstruct interiors
• Offer simple project management services related to interior design

BA Degree - This is a more advanced study where you’ll learn the elements and principles of design with its practical applications, including (but not limited to):

• Problem-solving in space planning
• Exploring creative designs
• Business aspects of interior design
• Use of CAD (computer-aided designs) software
• Relationship between people and spaces

You will also be taught on how interiors if designed properly and inventively, can influence human interaction, emotional responses, and improve the quality of human lives.

All class projects including attendance will be done by telephone, email, the internet, online forums, and courier services.

When you pursue a degree program, you will have the opportunity to work in an equally lucrative niche in interior design - rendering and perspectives, the good old-fashioned way, before the advent of CAD technology.

Where Can You Study Interior Design Online

A decade ago I’ll probably tell you there were just a handful of colleges offering interior design as an online course, however, things are now different and you will find more schools and colleges offering interior design course, with a majority of them in the USA, Britain, Canada, some parts of Europe, and South Africa.

Some of the top schools and colleges that offer an interior design online course include:

• New York School of Interior Design
• University of Nebraska 
• Brenau University
• Baker College Online
• Ball State University

Requirements for Enrollment

You are probably aspiring to become a professional interior designer if you are reading this. But there are many who may not be reading this article because they believe that to become an interior designer, you must be creative and have the ability to draw. This is true to some extent, but I'd like you to know that some have become professionals in the field, just by getting an education to become one.

Truth be told though, there is no doubt that being creative is an added plus.

If you aspire to go for the associates or diploma course, you don’t require much more than your academic marks and your creative abilities which must be demonstrated through a portfolio submission of your artistic and creative works.

However, to obtain a degree, you'll need to fulfil the following conditions (the general requirements stated under Colleges of Arts and Sciences):

• 75 hours of art courses.
• Foundation in fine arts courses
• Required courses in art history
• Credit hours selected from ceramics, advanced drawing, advanced design, printmaking, painting, photography, sculpture or visual communications.
• Required fine arts courses in the interior design concentration.

And if you are a transfer student, to study interior design, you must take a minimum of 12 credit hours of 100-level fine arts courses at a university, with 9 hours of it being in their area of specialization.

Financial Obligations

You might consider applying for financial aid to study interior design online but it can be a bit complicated in that you need to start the process of applying at least three months before you plan to enrol for the course. If you can, apply for a scholarship or grant. They are the best options because you don't have to repay.

Outside or private funding is another option worth considering. If you start your research early enough, you’ll discover some charities, benevolent individuals, charitable businesses, and community organizations that offer scholarships to study.

And of course, there is self-financed. If you are blessed enough to have funds at your disposal, that means you are good to go ahead to pursue your dreams conveniently. 

Job Opportunities

Formal training is required if you want to get a headway in this competitive job market, however, in a number of cases, an associate's degree in interior design is sufficient to get your foot through the door of the industry.

As a professional designer, you can either opt to work for an establishment, a small firm, or privately for yourself. It all depends on your aspirations. Job opportunities include working for:

• Interior design firms
• Architectural firms
• Hospitality design firms
• Design departments of corporations and institutions
• Carpet manufacturing industries
• Commercial furniture dealerships and retailers
• Real estate firms
• Contract design firms
• Home design magazine publications
• Kitchen and bathroom manufacturers
• Product, accessory, and furniture retailers
• Stage set design firms

The great thing about interior design is that there are many ‘branches and twigs’ (niches) that sprout out from a huge ‘tree trunk'. Additionally, here are some entry-level jobs you will also qualify for:

• Interior Designer Assistant
• Junior Designer
• Business Development Coordinator
• Interior Decorator
• Colour Consultant

Studying Interior Design Online Requires Discipline

Like any other distance learning education, with interior design, you will have to be committed and disciplined as there is no tutor 'breathing down your neck' during class. You work at your own pace. Learning can be slowed down or accelerated to suit your needs thus offering flexibility that'll fit into your busy lifestyle.

So, though it takes discipline and motivation to stick with an online course, you will still find it exciting, beneficial, and satisfying.



Further Reading:
Distance Education: Pros and Cons of Online Study
What Is the Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

How Do Interior Designers Bill their Clients for Design Services?

Niche-Specific Interior Design Career Opportunities
   

Pets Furniture Ideas for People with Stylish Interiors

Have you ever wondered how the pets of designers, decorators, and other design-savvy people live? Typically, the homes of designers are expressions of their style, and the way their pets live is always stylishly incorporated into their interiors. Not only are private pet zones created, but furniture and furnishings are also planned to fit into the theme of the interior. After all, their fur babies require their own nicely made-up space as well.

Pet lovers are particular about the well-being and comfort of their furry family members. And their well-being isn't limited to healthy diets and regular visits to the vet. Their comfort is just as important too. From Pekinese cats and Chihuahua dogs to pugs, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Japanese Bobtails, Siberian cats, and Collies, having a nice and comfortable place to relax or sleep is vital to their well-being.

Stylish and Affordable Pet Furniture

There are many favourites. Most will fit well into any home. Popular types range from simple floor cushions to multi-purpose play/sleep furniture, sleek snuggle and lounge beds, crate mats, towers, cat trees, and doughnut beds. Other pet furniture are hooded outdoor chaise lounges and hammock-style beds.

The Pet Zone

Set up your pet zone with furniture that complements your interior space, and give your pets the luxury living they deserve. Remember that dogs sleep as much as eighteen hours a day and cats as much as twenty so they deserve something special to chase their dreams in unconditional comfort.

And remember, if you are looking for a great gift idea for your pet(s), beautiful furniture like these collections is what you should be looking for.

Articles of interest:

How to Create Different Zones Within a Room

Before You Design Interior Spaces, Do This Important Thing First

Is It Wise (or not) to Use Marble for Kitchen Countertops?

As a kitchen countertop, marble is really very attractive. With their beautiful sheen and characteristic veins, marble worktops have been the first choice of many homeowners. Some believe it is even more appealing than granite and slate.

There is no doubt that marble possesses a classy, timeless look, aside from the fact that it is sturdy, heat resistant, and easy to clean, just like granite, but its life span is shorter. Not only that.  With time, marble gets pitted and scratched as it ages, but not so with granite or quartz.

Also, because marble is porous, it retains stains if it's not carefully managed. For instance, if you accidentally spill some red wine on a marble countertop, if it’s not cleaned off within some minutes, the wine will gradually seep through (marble is porous) and become stained. This stain cannot be removed entirely.

The same will happen if you spill something like turmeric drink or beet juice. The stain becomes hard-set if it's left on the counter surface for more than ten minutes. And because of marble's porosity, it can become a breeding surface for bacteria and salmonella if say, you cut and prepare foods like meat and fish directly on its surface and do not clean it up thoroughly after.

Kitchen cabinets with marble countertops. Notice its lustre and beauty, but how long will this retain that shine?

Having said all this, marble is still a great natural stone material for your kitchen countertop and with good maintenance and extra care, it can last for quite a long while. It may not retain its initial glossy look after a couple of years or so, but you can always have it resealed/re-glazed if the dullness bothers you.

It has a beautiful glazed sheen when polished, and its natural colours and hues make it a popular choice of solid worktops not only for kitchen worktops but for flat surfaces and counters in hotels, clubs, and restaurants.

Related articles:

Slate Kitchen Worktops: 16 Reasons Why They Are Getting Popular

Top 5 Materials for Kitchen Worktops 

How to Design Your Kitchen Layout 

5 Best Kitchen Layouts: How to Design Efficient Kitchens