5 Interior Decoration Ideas From The Experts

Some people have a natural eye for design but most of us don’t. In spite of having an affinity for sophisticated interiors, most of the times we fall short to accomplish our ideas. A consultation with the professionals is helpful but the expectation does not always meet the reality. We present some easy yet chic interior decor trends that are easy to work with, without much of professional intervention.

Here’s a look at the five major trends which are being incorporated in one of our client’s premium residential flat near Airport. From flamboyant wallpapers to patterned ceiling decor, she has embraced everything in the right amount, so as to bring out the exuberance of the decor drama.

  1. Establish a Colour Scheme

Selecting the perfect colour scheme plays a major role in any decoration. The first step for a perfect head-to-toe makeover is creating a palette. If you are a novice, you can try out the basic colour scheme in pastel shades for the entire house. Since the pastel shades are soothing to the eyes, any decor items from picture frame to wall decor, light fixtures and artefacts will appear bright and animated. You can also go for textured surface, if you think the walls are looking too ordinary.

  1. Play with Textiles

This is one of the most important segments, which we tend to overlook. Most of the times, the textile and the colour scheme are a complete mismatch. So, always remember that a perfect selection does the trick. For a home covered mostly with neutral colours, you can think of multicoloured textiles to give a different feel in the space. While planning the outdoor textiles, opt for something in jute. Natural materials and bright tones are always chic, but right application is important.

  1. Mirrors are Essential

Mirrors are on high demand these days due to its versatility. It looks elegant and helps in making a space appear bigger. Also, it reflects the light thus making your space look bigger and brighter. Mirrored panels are elegant, but don’t just place them side by side. Large sheets of mirror are ideal for commercial space, so try a sectioned pattern in a traditional French style instead.

  1. Think of the Sofa

One may  have messy kids, but it doesn’t mean that you would avoid investing in a comfortable and a stylish sofa. Put your money in a trendy yet sturdy sofa, so that it looks sophisticated when placed at the center of your living space. Do not forget to complement the seating with a curvy center table. For an extra pizzazz, place colourful throw pillows on the sofa.

  1. Incorporate Curtains

Curtains add a luxe appeal in the most sophisticated manner. For a classic look opt for sheer drapes. You can get it customized depending on the look and feel of your living space. However, a wide variety of ready-made drapes are also available which are classy and chic.

When it comes to interior designing, we like to be ahead of the trends, but to notch up the perfect look, all that is required is your creativity. Check out these easy and achievable ideas from the experts to impart a characteristic sophistication to your living space.

Importance of Having a Clubhouse in the Residential Premises

Today, when you are buying a home in a residential complex, small things do really matter. That’s the reason, why most of the real estate developers are focused on improving the convenience quotient of the residential complex. The focus is always given on the amenities with an aim to improve their lifestyle. Irrespective of the pricing, smart and modern residential complexes are nowadays featured with convenience amenities and one the most important one is a Clubhouse. Let’s see how having a clubhouse directly impacts the lifestyle of the residents.

How Important is a Clubhouse

A clubhouse in a residential complex comes with a world of benefits. From providing fitness arena to recreation hub, a Clubhouse gets you everything under one roof. Nowadays most of the builders emphasizes on building a clubhouse within the residential premises which at a time increase the convenience quotient of the customers and at the same time helps a builder to get an increased value of the property. According to the owner of a 2 BHK apartment in Rajarhat, he was essentially focused on choosing the factors that ensure a comfortable living. Quite obviously, having a clubhouse with a series of facilities came off as a luxurious advantage. All he needs is to pay a membership/maintenance charge to avail the benefits of the Clubhouse.

The Many Other Benefits of a Clubhouse

  • A plush and modern living is all about fitness and that’s a reason why clubhouses of the residential complexes are equipped with gym and fitness facilities. As a result, its highly beneficial for the residents as they no longer need to go out and spend a few thousand bucks to remain fit and healthy; they can easily avail the same in the Clubhouse gym by paying a nominal amount. Moreover, with a gym right on the premises will help you follow your fitness schedule diligently.

 

  • Clubhouses in the residential complex offer dedicated areas for holding events, parties, gatherings and so on. Many clubhouses come with both open and closed spaces for holding events. This kind of facility is actually a great advantage for the homebuyers as they do not need to shell out extra cash for booking a banquet outside to hold the event along with the huge convenience of being next to home.

 

  • Clubhouses often serve as a recreation arena, where kids and adults can have a good time. Modern clubhouses are equipped with secured kids play zones, where your children can have fun time with the other children of the community. This way your kids are not going far away from your reach and at the same time having a great physical activity. At the same time there are the provisions of indoor games for the adults.

 

  • A clubhouse in the complex encourages community living that further helps in growing good habits in children as well as improves social connection between the adults.

How the colours of your room affect your mood

According to the Vastu experts, the color of your home is the direct reflection of your personality. No matter, what the experts suggest, you would always end up choosing a colour that reflects your personality the most. Though, we tend to spend a lot of time in thinking about the room color, in the end we choose the one that it affects us every day.

The Experts’ Take on Room Colours

Colours often have a psychological impact, depending on the age, gender, ethnic background and climate. Though certain colours especially the pastel shades like white, yellow or green tend to get similar reaction from most people, perspective differs with the bright colours. According to Mr. Agarwal, who has recently purchased a residential apartment near Salt Lake, it is extremely important to choose colors effectively when it comes to decorating.

Room Colours & their Respective Effects

Usually, colors act in three basic ways: active, passive and neutral. The idea behind choosing the room’s colors is to match with someone’s personal desires. It should cater to your taste as well as meet out the functional purpose of the room. Let’s take a closer look at colors and learn what colours can do to a room.

Red: It’s known for lifting up the room’s energy level. Being the most vibrant colour of the palette, it pumps the adrenaline like no other hue. It’s better for that part of the house which is all about excitement, partying and having fun with friends and family particularly at night. Thus, in the living room red draws people together and stimulates healthy conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression.

Yellow : The colour is often known as happy hue and it make an excellent choice for the kitchen, dining rooms and bathrooms. Moreover, the colours stir energy and uplifts your mood. But, in spite of being a happy colour, yellow might affect your mood and you are likely to lose the temper if it’s being used in the bedrooms. Babies also seem to cry more in yellow rooms

Blue: It helps in bringing down the blood pressure and have a calming effect on the mind, body and soul. This is why, it is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. But, use this colour smartly and if you are using the light shade of blue as a primary colour, balance it effectively with the warm hues for the furnishings and fabrics.

Green: The refreshing green is an eye candy and the lighter hues are suitable for any room in the house. Be it the kitchen, a family room or living room, green spreads warmth and notch up a comfortable ambiance.

Purple: The dramatic and sophisticated hue is perfectly apt for luxury and creativity. It is essentially used as a secondary color, instead of being a primary one and in most cases, the lighter versions of purple are found in cosy bedrooms.

Orange: It is often touted as the colour of fire, which evokes excitement and enthusiasm. While this is not a wise option for the living room and bedrooms, orange suits best in the exercise room or places where the energy level us always high.
The Prime Takeaway

Choosing a colour scheme for your home is extremely personal and you have to live with it. So, choose it according to your taste, preference and the lifestyle, so that it does not make you feel exhausted and fatigued after you come back home.

Advantages of Investing in a 3 BHK Living Space

Buying a house is one of the most important decisions of our life. But, at times, we get so confused about choosing a 2 BHK or 3 BHK that we often end up making a wrong decision. So, we decided to cut your confusion and to settle on the right choice, here we have a detailed guide with useful tips. But, before we go further with this discussion, we would suggest that a right decision needs a proper research and comprehensive knowledge about the real estate.

But, that’s not everything. Even after doing a proper research and arranging the finances, the dilemma between 2BHK or 3 BHK seems to bother you. Let’s discuss here, what actually should be taken into consideration while making a choice.

1. Think about the future
If you are a person, who is highly focused on safeguarding your future, invest in a 3 BHK flat. Since our home is an asset for a lifetime, it’s important to get something that serves even in our future. So, when you are buying a home, remember that your family is going to grow bigger and you need to make sure there is enough space for everyone. According to the experts’ suggestion, always think about your future when it comes to buying an apartment. If you own a 3 BHK apartment near Salt Lake, you can actually have a spacious living space and that too pretty close to your office (if you are an IT/ITeS employee).

2. Space is never an issue
There are certain times, when we have to think of managing space. With a 3 BHK home and if you are a single couple with one or two children, you already have an additional bedroom, where the guests can stay. Or, may be you need a guest room or some extra space for your kid who is growing up now and needs a study room. With a 3 BHK apartment, the problem is sorted.

3. A Competitive Pricing
People often end up making a decision of buying a 2 BHK flat considering it an affordable option. But, in consideration of various other factors you need to keep in mind that in terms of price a 3 BHK flat is not much higher than a 2 BHK home. So, if you can manage the finances and invest in a 3 BHK home it would be a wise decision. Nowadays a lot of real estate developers are coming up with smart 3 BHK apartments at quite a competitive price. Moreover, with the increasing facility in the house loan schemes, investing in a 3 BHK property is more realistic than ever before. Plus, you are getting the perks of better quality life with all the amenities at your doorstep.

A dream to buy an apartment with all the modern amenities is a dream for many. But, when it comes to choose the perfect one, we mostly sneak around the internet, friends or family to find suggestions on choosing the one that meets our needs. From this perspective, investing in a 3 BHK apartment is indeed a great decision.

Coloured Rugs Can Make Your Living Room Graceful

Despite being an IT professional, I have always been passionate about interior designing. This is why, I did not consider hiring a professional designer when we shifted to our new house. I did it all by myself and to go unique I made the best use of coloured rugs to decorate the flooring of my entire house. It’s true that rugs have always been my obsession and I have used it so many times before, but this time, it’s a bit different and way better than my previous designs. After all, it’s my new home and in no way I want to mess up with the decor goals.

Let’s take a look at how I used coloured rugs to decorate my new flat near Airport.

The large, rectangular area rug with bright reddish tinges looks amazing in the midst of my white marble floor. There’s nothing ostentatious, but the brightness of red lends it a characteristic flamboyance in every possible way. No wonder, it has brought energy to an otherwise nondescript room.

Although I have always been gripped with the idea that light colors add serenity, this time I wanted to try out something new. Thanks to the internet, where I come across a blog (I don’t remember its name however) talking about coloured rugs. Right they are! Utilizing colors on the living room floor not only changes its very appearance, but also impacts your lifestyle. Most often than not, we use bright colors for throw pillows, accent pieces and also on walls, but hardly we muster up the nerve to opt for bright coloured rugs for living rooms. But, using it properly can do wonders. If you can’t paint your walls bright, go for a perky floor and you can certainly feel the difference it makes to your living space.

These days, I am also in charge of designing one of my friend’s houses and I think I would like to go for bright emerald or a rich cocoa for her. The aim is to perk up the look for small 1 BHk flat in one of the posh locality of Kolkata. Bright oval or rectangular rugs are just perfect for such spaces. Choosing the right kind of texture as well as size of the rugs matters a lot, when it comes to design a floor. To complement the same, accurate accent decorations are also required.

Personally, I feel that an area rugs make a wonderful base for an entire decoration scheme. In case, you already have a theme in mind, finish it off with a colourful floor rug. In my living room, I have used some decorations around my red rug to add some grace. Red pillows on the dark couch and over-sized red chair on a comfortable corner of my living room accentuate the poise even more.

A red rug is certainly a bold choice, but to perk up a space that is not structurally splendid, all bright colors are most viable options. It makes your living room visually spectacular while lending it a chic flamboyance.

Glass Shutters Can Add Elegance to your Balcony

No matter how they are used, glass shutters are one of the amazing decor items that add a sheer touch of chic glamour to your interiors. With a wide range of options to choose from (transparent, luminous, stained and translucent), glass shutters & accessories bring in oodles of light inside while making any space appear bigger. So, if you are planning to install glass shutter to separate your large veranda from your living room, it’s certainly a wise decision.

Let’s see, how the glass shutters can amp up your interiors. Here’s what Mr. Naidu has done to make his 3 BHK apartment in Rajarhat just look awesome.

 Making a grand statement at the living room entrance

Elaborate and intricate work on the glass and wooden doors at the entrance to the living room make quite an amazing impression. In the apartment of Mr. Naidu, the glass door is placed to separate the balcony from the living room. The stained glass on the wooden door has lent his room a characteristic charm and made it appear quite elegant. Moreover, the arrangement is getting the room a lot of sunlight.

Providing security in an elegant way

Glass shutters are known to provide frill and function. They can be installed to cover up the decorative doorway in your balcony to save it from possible wears & tears. The shutters can be custom built to fit the exact size, shape and contour of the doorway. In Mr. Naidu’s place, the shutters are curved inward in the middle to make it look more chic. It is important to hire an interior designer to get the glass shutters aptly crafted according to your needs. You can also check out some designer shutters that can be just the perfect fit for your home.

 Pointers to keep in mind while doing a full-fledged decoration

While getting your interiors designed with glass shutters there are certain things that you should always keep in your mind.

  • To add some elegance, opt for coloured glass. Choose colours like blue, yellow, green, and neutral colors for balconies & living rooms.
  • Use beautiful chandeliers to add a zing to the area where the glass shutter is placed. The fixture should be selected in such a way that it matches the design and color palette of the room.

Glass Sliding Doors are Space Saving Addition

Since sliding doors operate without a hinge, they simply glide along a track instead of swinging open. As a result, no extra space is required for the door arc because they simply open up by one door sliding over another panel.

Glass shutters add an instant curb appeal to your existing home decor and impart it a classic timeless beauty

Buying a Flat in Kolkata is Wiser than Renting One

Buying a home is perhaps the most common and the biggest decision we make in our life. It involves a high level of planning; but at the same time, the decision has to be prudent, and backed by financial viability. Quite obviously, a bad decision will lead to financial distress with debt overload. In spite of this fact, people choose to buy a flat instead of renting it out, if they are staying in Kolkata.

The Primary Reason

With the Union Government’s proactive measures to provide affordable housing for all by 2022, significant impact is felt on the home loan interest rates. The rates are currently stable, thus making housing more affordable and lucrative. Moreover, the real estate market in Kolkata is quite affordable when compared to other metro cities, which is also a key reason behind the preference of buying a flat than renting one.

Here are some key parameters that will help you determine whether you should pay monthly rent or buy a flat in Kolkata and pay monthly EMIs.

  • Property Cost vs. Rental Value

Over the past few years, there’s a significant price change in the residential housing segment across India, says the current statistics of NHB Residex. Kolkata is not an exception. The most noticeable aspect of the latest NHB Residex is the inconsistent ratio between the property cost and its corresponding rental value in the metro cities. However, the average residential property price in Kolkata is less than that of Bengaluru and other metro cities across the country. Considering this perspective, buying a flat is undoubtedly a better option in Kolkata than renting out a flat.

  • Rent to Buy Ratio

This is determined on the basis of monthly payments that you have to pay as EMI for buying a flat and the monthly expenses of taking an accommodation on rent. The ratio is calculated according to the monthly average cost of ownership (EMI + Maintenance) and the average monthly spends on renting (Rental + Maintenance). Rent to buy ratio basically determines whether or not the property value is being translated into rental value.

According to various surveys, Kolkata’s rent to buy ratio is highest among the Indian cities. It means the metro city of Kolkata is a great destination for property investment rather than rented accommodation. Check out the upcoming flats in Rajarhat New Town to find your dream home for investment.

  • Rental Returns

Rental yield is the ratio between the property cost and its annual rent. For example, if a property value is Rs.50 Lakhs and the prevailing monthly rent for the property is Rs.15, 000, the rental yield calculation will be as follows: Annual Rent = 15,000 X 12 = Rs.1, 80,000

Rental Yield = Annual Rent/Property Cost, which in this case is – 1, 80,000/50, 00,000 x 100 = 3.60%.

With such a higher rental yield it’s quite obvious that buying a property often makes a better decision than renting out a property in Kolkata.

The Prime Takeaway

Considering from these perspective, buying a property is the most viable option in Kolkata as it would yield high rental returns in the long term ( if you want to rent out your flat after buying).

Storage Issues: Learn the Easiest Hacks for Bedroom Storage

Doing more with the less stuff is the core idea of designing any space, be it your bedroom, living space or the dining arena. But, we often get so accustomed with the existing pieces of furniture and the way they are arranged, that our perception of a room’s architecture becomes limited. And, hardly can we locate the strategic storage spaces, which would have otherwise increased the functionality of the home. When it comes to bedroom, the shortage of storage space poses the biggest problem. But, a little structural makeover can get you some great storage space without compromising on the room’s aesthetics.

Finding out hidden storage space is quite a tricky job. But, if you are creative enough, you can easily spruce up a tiny space with an aesthetic storage utility. So, before you are stuck up with storage dilemma, look at these quick tips to utilize space efficiently.

Top of the closets

One of the most underutilized space in every bedroom is the top of the closets. Most of the time, closets are likely to offer 3-6 feet of vertical storage space on the top. Although a walk-in closet comes with better options, the standalone closets can also be functional in their own way. You might have noticed that even after stuffing the box and bars in a walk-in closet, a considerable amount of space is left out which we are reluctant to use . You can easily use this place to store small items. You can also utilize the vertical space in the separate closets. The flat, vacuum-sealed storage bags offer ideal storage solution for your extra blankets and pillows.

Under the Bed

We often overlook using this space, but if used properly, the space under the bed can serve as a great storage utility. Many people are apprehensive of storing things under the bed as they get too dusty there. But, there are some easy ways (obviously other than frequent cleaning) to make this storage space dust free. Use vacuum sealed bags to pack away your mushy stuff, such as blankets, extra pillows, old tattered sweaters, and so on.

Adding drawers under the bed will build up additional functional space. So, if you are facing storage problems in a petite space, these drawers might serve you a utilitarian solution. You can store your large collection of utilities inside the drawers.

Behind the Doors

This storage option hardly crosses our mind when looking for storage space in a tiny room. But, space behind the doors can offer you a whole new world of options to solve your storage issues. A few fixtures, such as hanging pockets hanging shower caddies, organizers and self-adhesive hooks can help you use the back of the doors in a lot better manner. Right from your clothing to napkins, hot pads, anything can be stored easily over here.

You might think that these places are too small to make any noticeable differences, but nooks and crannies offer a great storage facility as far as your bedroom is concerned. Once you start exploring these options, you will be surely amazed at how much extra space they can open up.

Experience a Better Living in the Upcoming Residential Projects of Kolkata

If you have recently moved to Kolkata and looking for a perfect place to stay, the City of Joy will offer you a bevy of choices. With a large number of smart residential projects coming to the scene, it looks quite obvious that the modern living spaces promise comfort and highest level of convenience to its dwellers. Apart from the basic amenities that we are accustomed with, the upcoming residential projects of the smart segment brings you a platter of convenience amenities to make your life better.

Here’s a look into the factors that make life upbeat at these living spaces.

  1. Smart Designs: The concept of smart design involves a lot of things beyond the design of the living units. Apart from spacious building designs, a smart home comes with multilevel vehicle parking, exclusive space for social and business gatherings, like a community hall or a multipurpose hall, unhindered strolling area right within the complex. There must be well-planned building layout that features ample ventilation and maximum access to natural light
  2. Guaranteed Safety

The concern for safety is the biggest concern, whether you are living in an independent house or in a residential complex. The upcoming gated complexes which are coming up across the City of Joy assure better safety as they have everything in order and in place. From trained security guards to efficient surveillance system and firefighting equipment, everything is at the easiest access, thus making residential complexes quite safe for living. Especially if you are having a family with young children, you can choose to live in the gated complexes, considering safety as your biggest concern.

  1. Benefits of Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your house can be the biggest challenges that one comes across. From plumbing issues to electric concerns, fixing the same and maintaining it from time to time can be tiring. With a modern residential complex, you don’t have to think about this. Maintenance is one of the biggest benefits of a residential housing complex. All you need is to pay a monthly or yearly charge to avail the benefit. Everything from cleanliness, hygiene and other typical concerns that might crop up are taken care of by the management.

  1. Living within a Community

Another important aspect of living in the complex is a well-functioning community. Rather than restricting your social life, the modern residential complexes of Kolkata give you everything to meet one another and develop healthy interactive relationships. The upcoming residential projects are coming up with private community hall for the residents. As a result, organizing functions, events, and festivals within the society is no more a hassle. Thus, living in a community certainly gives you an upbeat and better lifestyle. From having kids’ play area to recreation zone and fitness centers for the adults, these projects offer you everything that your heart desires.

With so many advantages, it’s certainly a great idea to invest in an upcoming residential complex, especially if you are looking for convenient options to live in.

5 Things you Can't Ignore While Searching for a Flat in Kolkata

If you are new in the real estate market of Kolkata with an intention to buy a living space in the city, a lot of things should be taken into consideration. In the first place, you need to keep in mind that plenty of projects are coming up across the city. From affordable to premium, the developers are targeting a comprehensive customer base at the same time. Quite obviously, finding a residential project that aptly fits your preference is no more a big deal. But, there are certain things which you should not ignore while searching for a flat in Kolkata.

Evaluate your requirements: If you are a buyer, you must be perfectly aware about your requirements. Most of the time, we tend to look for king size apartment, considering space as the only determining factor. In some cases the list of requirements includes big garden, calm locality, modular kitchen and that too at an affordable budget. But, keep in mind that ascertaining your needs is important, so that you don’t end up making a wrong decision and shell out a fortune to own your home.

New or resale– which one will serve your purpose: Another significant factor is to decide and evaluate whether a new or resale flat will serve your needs and lifestyle. Resale properties are usually priced less in comparison to new properties. But, you need to make sure that the property is in good condition and you do not need to invest a lot for renovation. If this is the case, it’s wise to buy a new property. You can also opt for an under construction property with a good social infrastructure for affordable price range.

Availability of amenities: This is an important factor to consider before making an investment. Unless you get all the amenities that make life comfortable in a residential complex, there’s no point in making such a big investment. Apart from the convenience amenities like gym, swimming pool, recreation centers & kids’ play area, security & surveillance systems, you also need to make sure that you have an access to a range of civic amenities. The idea is basically to make sure that you don’t need to venture out for socializing.

Right location should be your priority: This is one of the most complicated aspects of property buying and you simply can’t ignore this part. Like every buyer, you must be having your own set of preferences, which may include the distance to work space, school, proximity to bus stops, metro stations and so on. Make sure that the place, where you are buying a flat is well connected with the rest of the city.

Check out developer’s credentials: Prior to making any investment, make sure that you have closely reviewed the property market and the reputation of the developer. The checking process must include the evaluation of the market presence of the developer, status of his past completed projects, his credibility on project delivery, and off course the customer reviews from the past.

Make a note of these pointers, so that you can keep these in mind while searching for a property in Kolkata.