Sustainable living is one of the key mantras in today’s world. It influences the latest trends in the field of interior design as well. Upcycling in interior design represents a growing movement towards sustainability and creativity in furnishing spaces. 

The process of upcycling emphasises creativity and innovation to repurpose items by transforming discarded or old materials into improved products. It adds value to the original material while reducing waste. 

This eco-conscious approach helps foster a culture of reimagining the potential of discarded materials and promoting resourcefulness while lowering environmental impact.

 

Why Should Furniture Be Upcycled?

With authenticity and sustainability becoming the essence of many client briefs, the upcycling furniture market offers environmentally responsible alternatives. Moreover, furniture has always been part of family heirlooms passed down through generations. Upcycling furniture allows showcasing unique designs with unexpected combinations, textures, and colours, imbuing a historical richness with a reimagined aesthetic. The distinctiveness of upcycled items also exhibits personality and individuality.

Process of Upcycling

The process of upcycling begins with a comprehensive study of the furniture piece. Continuous research, networking with artisans, reading, and staying updated in the upcycling industry are crucial to the process. Some of the crucial steps of upcycling are-

• Identification of salvageable parts.
• Evaluation of materials like wood, veneer, boards, and hardware.
• Condition assessment of wood and hardware. 
• Address the issues found by repairs, reinforcement, or replacement to guarantee the product's longevity.

It is essential to consider the amount of resources in terms of money, materials, and labour needed to revive these furniture pieces. 

Sometimes, simple and effective methods like re-painting, re-varnishing or re-polishing can be done to breathe life into these old pieces. Similarly, if underlying structures are solid and durable, they can be revived to have their original charm in a modern aesthetic setting. For example, sofas can be transformed using new cushions and upholstery if their frame is solid and durable.

Upcycling as a Sustainable Alternative

Upcycling, involving the sustainable reuse and regeneration of materials or products, can seamlessly integrate into the circular economy. Reenvisioning and adding renewed material value represents a step toward ecological and social responsibility.

In India, the recycling and upcycling culture stems from our forefathers' non-wasteful attitude, thus commonly salvaging aged items. While not intending to replace traditional furniture entirely, upcycled furniture possesses the potential to carve a niche for itself. Amid the enduring impact of sustainability on consumer choices, the unique charm and eco-conscious allure of upcycled pieces will hold significance.

Towards a Greener Future

The process of upcycling is a conscious choice towards reducing waste and fostering a more responsible, eco-friendly future. While embracing upcycling, it's crucial to maintain a balance, preserving the distinctiveness of the process without compromising on design quality and consistently assessing its sustainability for the long term. 

Upcycling continues to inspire and lead the charge towards a more sustainable world through its creative reimagining and regeneration of materials.

Interior design trends shape the way we experience our living spaces. The trends reflect homeowners' evolving needs, wants and desires, which are also aesthetically in sync with the current era.  In this exploration of interior design trends, we look into the exciting and innovative concepts that are shaping the world of interior design in contemporary times.

 

‘Dopamine Decor’ is one of the latest home styling trends that is used to create/ increase the happiness quotient in any space. In this blog, we closely look at the latest interior styling trend of ‘Dopamine Decor’ with tips on styling your home interior.

 

Understanding the dopamine effect in decor

Inspired by the Kitsch style (playful and colourful style that embraces unconventional and nostalgic elements), ‘Dopamine Decor’ styling uses vintage with bold patterns or bright colours to elevate spaces. This interior styling mainly plays around with bright pops of colours, patterns and textures to brighten up the space, resulting in a positive and happy environment. The colour palette mainly consists of oranges, pinks, yellows, lime green, and cobalt blues. The usage of recycled, vintage and upcycled pieces in furniture and art, makes this home decor style a highly sustainable option. 

 

How to start styling

Each space has certain requirements to decorate it in a particular style. To begin with, create a mood board to test your understanding of the Dopamine Decor and see how elements play with each other in the context of your home interior. Following are steps on how to create your Dopamine Decor moodboard:

• Pick a colour and play with the tones of a similar shade
• Add layers to these colours by using patterns and textures in neutral tones
• Begin with lighter tones on the walls or try brightening up a part, like a niche or smaller wall.
• Use rugs and curtains to bring in texture and patterns
• Add accent pieces with popping upholstery
• Pick larger furniture items like sofas that are neutral.
• Use correct lighting to produce proper effects 

Remember to keep the interior light to avoid feeling tired of seeing it every day and avoid creating an overwhelming effect by doing the following:

• Use the colour wheel as a tool to help understand contrasting colours
• Do not clutter the space with too many elements
• Do not paint the entire space with bright colours instead, paint smaller walls/niches in bright colours
• Use colours that reflect your personality/taste and avoid being solely influenced by Pinterest
• Avoid bright lights as it may conflict with existing pops of colours on the walls or upholstery

 

Home styling tips using Dopamine Decor

 

To transform homes into designer homes, the residential interiors can be easily styled in the Dopamine decor by understanding the aspects of walls, flooring, ceiling, furniture, window dressing, artwork, and lighting, in each type of room.

 

1. Living Room- should evoke a sense of comfort, warmth, and relaxation that feels welcoming and inviting 

Walls can have pastel hues with pops of colour used in furniture pieces like a console table, a credenza or an end table. The seating, like lounge chairs, can have bright upholstery that contrasts with the neutral tones on sofas. Another option is to have brighter walls and furniture upholstery with lighter colours. The aim is to make certain colours and textures stand out by pairing other aspects with subtle hues.

 

2. Bedroom- should evoke calmness and relaxation

Following a similar approach to the living room decor, the bedroom can be styled with the walls having pastel shades and the rugs/ curtains being the textural element. Soft pastels and soothing patterns are recommended, with the opportunity to experiment with brighter colours on the bedding and use patterns/art works on cushions.

 

3. Study- A focused space with a sense of privacy and a nurturing environment

Shades of green are recommended to promote thinking. The natural wood grains complement pastel green with some cane work as a textural element. A neon-lit inspiring quote can also be put on the wall to complete the look.

 

4. Kitchen- essence of a home

Vibrant yellows can be paired with natural wood or whites while experimenting with vintage appliance collections. The walls can have coloured backsplash with mosaic or subway tiles to achieve a dopamine effect.

 

 

Dopamine decor has the ability to brighten up any space if executed well. The above home styling tips can help you create your dream interiors and increase your happiness quotient.

The Kitchen is one of the most used spaces in residential interiors, especially in an Indian household. According to the best designers in India, it is also one of the most crucial areas that need to be functionally sound and materially solid and durable. Here are some of the popular materials available for Kitchen in the market.

1. Granite

This is the most commonly used countertop material in home interiors is granite, as they work best for Indian kitchens. The material is easy to clean and maintain over time as this is scratch and stain-proof. This natural stone is available in a variety of alluring options, from black granite to a dusty brown coloured in both matte and polished options.

2. Quartz

Designers in India often use Quartz as an alternative to high-end granite. However, it is a little more porous than granite and hence needs to be properly cleaned, maintained and kept cautious of hot vessels and liquids. The material comes in a lot of beautiful colours and patterns to aesthetically complement the kitchen interiors in your home.

3. Natural stone

These are durable and non-porous and give a beautiful, sustainable look to the kitchen counters. Natural stone is economically low on pockets; however, designers in India prefer to use it in holiday homes or platforms with limited usage as it tends to gain scratches and stains due to heat and rough cooking with time.

4. Stainless steel

A commonly used material in commercial kitchens, stainless steel countertops can be used in residential kitchens to give an industrial look. It is one of the most hygienic options as it can be easily cleaned with a wet cloth. However, heavy utensils sometimes leave dents on the material.

5. Natural wood

Natural wood imparts a beautiful cottage or a holiday home look to the kitchen. The material is non-porous, so there is no worry about hot pans and heavy utensils. However, these can observe scratches if used roughly or as a base for chopping. Hence, it is best suitable for dry cooking in house interiors and can prove to be expensive as well.

Art has become an integral part of home decor. It is a tool of expression that is seen in various forms inside a home, such as painting, images, sculptures, wall murals and even through wallpapers. Designers in India believe that elements of art add an individualistic personality to a space and are an insight into the choices of the homeowners. However, displaying art requires skill and appropriate technical know-how. Here are ways some insights into the art of displaying art.

Planning

While conceptualising and planning the home interiors, art should be a part of the primary process and not be selected as an afterthought.

Balance

Best designers in India opt for asymmetrical symmetry. The visual concept of balance is key to effective design. In other words, with balance comes harmony. A composition with unequal visual weight on both sides has an asymmetrical balance that stands out while seeming holistic, especially in the case of residential interiors.

Frame

House designers in Delhi recommend using your frames wisely. Do not neglect the frame when thinking about the focal piece of the artwork.

Height

One of the most important rules is to hang your artwork at the right height. Most people make the mistake of hanging artwork too high in both residential and commercial designs. House desigers centre the artwork about 57” from the floor.

Placement

In residential interiors, one could place art either above the sofa, behind the bed or on a large free wall in a room. While placing it, ensure that the chosen artwork resonates with the aesthetic of the rest of the room. It could be in line with the same or sit in contrast to the room’s design to create the focal point, as practised by a large group of designers in India

Lighting

One should also be mindful of the illumination required for the artwork; some pieces look good under normal light, and then some in a secluded darker spot. Scout the spaces in your home interiors to map the light through the day and take a call based on that.

In residential interiors, the living room has grown to become a versatile space. For the past few years, most of us have had to work from our homes. With the entire family sharing these common spaces, its design and utility need more emphasis and thought. Besides that, with the variety of furniture, materials, fabrics, accessories and decorations to choose from, it could get difficult to decide on the look and execute that efficiently for your home interiors. Therefore, here is a cheat sheet, curated from the practices of the best interior designers in India, to help you plan your living rooms.

1. Pick your style

What is your kind of furniture aesthetic? The main thing with furniture in residential interiors is that one needs to determine the vibe and style of the space for a cohesive look. Hence, designers in Delhi recommend picking your preference – whether it is modern, mid-century modern, contemporary, minimalistic, essentialism, eclectic or anything else.

2. Don’t forget functionality and comfort

Best designers in India vouch that functionality and design are both equally crucial aspects while designing or sourcing furniture pieces for home interiors. Make sure the length, height and depth are based on the size and space of the living room. The ideal height should be 17’ for a sofa, and the depth can range anything from 30” to 36”. Depth depends on the space and how much sitting space one needs.

3. Consoles and Tables

In residential designs, coffee tables and consoles are equally important features of the living room and must be paid attention to. Best designers in India press that selecting the correct shape, design details, and materiality is crucial. Whether the finish is a veneer, a stone, coloured or textured is a significant detail and plays a hand in putting together the space’s design aesthetic.

4. Upholstery for furniture

A vital element of sofa and lounge chairs is the upholstery which has an expansive landscape of options, ranging from cotton, linen, and polyester in vivid colours, prints and textures. Assess the purpose and use of the furniture with respect to home interiors and narrow down the fabric accordingly. For instance, delicate silk on a sofa that will be used extensively is a no-no; instead, opt for a sturdy material like linen. The delicate silk can be used on a cushion instead.

5. Accessorise right

Besides furniture, accessories play a defining role in manifesting the overall look of a living room in residential interiors. Decor items like plants freshen up the space and make for calming elements in a home. Similarly, art in the form of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and wall art are a great way to bind the look while expressing your style.

In the design world, trends are seasonal; they come and go. However, spaces are a permanent part of our lives, especially in the case of a home, which is one of the most personal spaces. Moreover, with the pandemic, people spent a lot of time at home and realised the importance of a timeless space that reflects one’s personality. Hence, it is imperative to create evergreen residential interiors that always appeal to the residents. Here are a few ways the best interior designers in India design spaces with a timeless aesthetic:

1. Create a layout

Designers in India focus on the bigger picture and address all the needs of the space through a layout, trying to accommodate your needs for the next few decades. For instance, depending on your needs, the breakfast counter can be designed as a makeshift work-from-home desk, or your study can accommodate a projector and be converted into a home theatre when required.

2. Assemble a mood board

Creating a visual palette of materials and aesthetics for your home interiors that speak to you is the next step to grounding the ambience of your space before construction begins. Remember, well-balanced residential interiors will never go out of fashion. And best interior designers in India swear by the fact that a mood board allows you to try different permutations and combinations because while you like different materials in isolation, they might not always complement each other. Designers in India believe that with visual boards, one can explore materiality, and the end product acts as a reference to come back to in case of confusion at a later stage, say during selections.

3. Sort your services

Once the layout and visual palette of the residential interiors are finalised, focus on the core of the structure- the services. These include plumbing, electrification, HVAC system and essential elements like flooring, ceiling and walls. Best residential designs in India ensure uncompromised quality so that there is little, to no maintenance, in these to achieve timeless aesthetics.

4. Understand the decor elements

The decor creates the personality of a space, and hence designers in India think that it is vital to curate pieces in a way that reflects your choices to interest you for a long time. There are two parts of decor- the built-in elements and the dynamic elements. The former is a more permanent part of the interior space, whereas the latter can be experimented with. To balance both in home interiors, it’s essential to understand your own style, likes and dislikes.

5. Fixed elements

The more permanent elements of residential interiors like the wall colours, flooring material and fixed furniture like wardrobes and kitchen counters should ideally be in a neutral palette like creams and beiges. Additionally, the best designers in India use natural materials like wood and stone to create a wholesome look because they can be amalgamated with most design sensibilities. Finally, consider your materials from a durability and maintenance perspective and choose wisely.

6. Explore with fluid elements

According to the best interior designers in India, decor elements such as lounge chairs, ottomans, centre tables, rugs, and cushions can be playful and be changed periodically. It could be neutral that blends with the overall aesthetic or an eye-catching element in home interiors that makes a statement. However, it is feasible if a proportion of them are versatile to be paired with any other piece of furniture; for a change of look.

7. Upcycle and reuse

Recycle the old and blend it with the new to personalise the space with nostalgia, making home decor more meaningful. It could be an old mantel, a storage cabinet, or a traditional chair inherited from your family. Such items bring warmth and belonging to residential interiors while ensuring it feels like home.

8. Playful patterns and upholstery

Prints and patterns are eye-catching elements that are an excellent way to dramatise a space, as demonstrated in the best residential designs in India. Classic patterns like chevron, herringbone, houndstooth, gingham, and plaids, if done correctly and in the right proportions, can bring eccentricity to neutral spaces. These can be explored in elements like cushions, curtains, rugs and throws.

9. Art and Biophilia for the win

Travel souvenirs, photographs, books and art pieces make the best decor pieces; such a collection is as personal as it gets. Designers in India adorn spaces with elements that tell your story and create a timeless appeal. Additionally, the pandemic blurred the boundaries between the inside and the outside. Hence, green leafy plants are an economical and eco-friendly way to make any home interior come alive; these decor elements can never go out of style.

The notion of sustainability has been making rounds for a couple of decades now, especially in interior design. The climate crisis has made the matter pressing; however, what fails to be understood is that sustainability is not limited to safeguarding the future but also about nurturing the present in the best capacity. In interior design for houses, the idea of being sustainable has been hyped up to become a trend that showcases adapting extensive interventions; however, it is also about small contributions that go a long way and can become stepping stones to a great ecologically conscious home and life. Here are some ideas employed by the best interior designers in India to embrace sustainability and attain a natural look at home.

1. Maximise on sunlight and natural air

Invest in larger windows to draw in all the vitamin D and ventilation. It will certainly reduce the electricity consumption of the home. If the sunlight is harsh, designs for homes could incorporate double-glazed windows with well-sealed frames to minimise air leaks and add layers of sheer curtains and drapes to keep the residential interiors warmer in colder seasons.

2. Natural materials for the win

Materials like marble, stone and wood form aesthetically better residential interiors and calmer spaces because they are derived from nature. Using these materials in the designs for houses as a flooring material for furniture and other uses instead of artificial materials like vinyl or other synthetic products is preferable.

3. Refurbish time-honoured pieces

Best designers in India vouch for vintage furniture pieces. They can be pre-owned pieces inherited from the family or a discovery at the local vintage store. These old pieces have stood the test of time and survived because of the quality of the materials used and hence are sturdy even today. Renew its polish, remodel it, and it will be a showstopper.

4. Recycle your fabrics

Fabrics like linens, cotton and silk are biodegradable because they are natural materials and are aesthetically pleasing. Conscious designers in India suggest recycling old dupattas, shawls, and sarees to make upholstery for cushions, furniture pieces, and throws. In addition, natural fibre rugs made from wool and silk for upholstery are ideal options that provide good insulation.

5. Support local brands and homegrown products

Sustainability is also about supporting the local community. Not only does it reduce the carbon footprint due to transportation reduction, it also grants economic stability to the vendors, artisans and craftspersons. It could be an art piece for your bedroom, an embroidered throw for your refurbished sofas or a piece of furniture itself.

6. Verdant and lively interiors

Plants provide oxygen and filter out harmful chemicals from the air. Besides these, they offer a natural ambience and bring freshness to the residential interiors. Designers in India add good indoor plants to add a splash of life to any room.

7. Bamboo, Rattan and Cane

These days, Bamboo, Rattan and Cane are the shining stars of sustainable interior design, making their presence in varied scales of design elements, furniture and decor. They are highly durable materials and the answer to a low-cost solution for interior and exterior design. For instance, they can be used in a rustic interior setting or as a focal point in a room as a headboard for the bed and shutters of the wardrobes. In addition, they are sturdy materials and can be used to make chairs, stools, storage units, partitions, screens etc.

Walls form the largest surface of any space, becoming the enclosure that creates a room, making it one of the most essential interior design and decor elements. In today’s world of technology and innovation, there is a wide range of wall finishes options available like paint, wall-cladding, and wallpapers, with the growing popularity of the latter. Not only is wallpaper aesthetically pleasing and feasible in many options, but it also has a fast application and quick turnaround time, making it a favourite among interior designers and homeowners.

From digital and abstract prints, floral prints and even 3D wallpapers, one can opt for various colours, textures, prints and patterns to create a bold statement for their spaces, depending on the ambience and the aesthetics desired. For example, if one wants a vibrant summer-y or tropical appearance, a floral printed wallpaper is a great option. On the other hand, if the space is neutral and classic, a monochromatic wallpaper with embossed texture or a three-dimensional wall finish will add dynamism to an area. In fact, wallpapers are ideal solutions to aesthetically cover imperfections and old paint, adding a renewed look and feel.

Additionally, today with the peel & stick wallpaper options available, people have the flexibility to keep experimenting and be playful. If one has a particular design in mind, some vendors offer customisation, and some artists even hand-painted the wallpapers. Treat the wall as an artwork and experiment with the space using bold colours and pieces that are sure to add a distinct personality to one’s space.

The Indian traditional design grammar imparts a sense of richness and earthiness to homes, becoming the soul of the space. With time and globalisation, homes have become more minimalist and contemporary, with design aesthetics rooted in functionality. In our practice at TWI, we firmly advocate meaningful and natural spaces which are sleek and modern, yet have a traditional soul. If you wish to craft such a space, here are five easy ways to incorporate traditional Indian elements into a contemporary home -

1. Spatial arrangement - Scale and proportion are crucial in design, especially to the furniture layout. With open plans and multifunctional spaces, you can opt for traditional furniture pieces and lay them, so that they add fluidity to the area and provide ease of movement, thereby losing the rigidity, yet succeeding in using Indian elements.

2. Details in the furniture - The use of wood for furniture has been a popular choice in the Indian context, and it is home to many unique wooden techniques in varied forms like various types of inlays and veneer polishes. Incorporate one or a mix of such styles in the contemporary pieces to add an essence of tradition.

3. Inculcate traditional motifs and fabrics creatively -

India has a rich mix of textiles in vivid materials, unique techniques and exquisite colours. Incorporate them in design elements such as tables, wall panels and even doors. This subtle way of adding a hint of Indian traditional aesthetics to your spaces is dynamic as the design element and can easily be upcycled by changing the fabric.

4. Prints and colours for upholstery and wallpapers - Indian traditional motifs and floral prints can be used in upholstery for sofas and lounge chairs and well as throws, pillow covers, rugs, and carpets to contrast with neutral interiors and solid textures. Apart from these, the visual elements can be used as wallpapers to juxtapose and layer other patterns.

5. Pieces of art - Framing traditional art pieces on walls and making the wall a piece of art are great ways of indulging in a traditional essence in a contemporary home, depending on how much ‘Indianness’ you want in your space. It can be in the form of paintings, murals, wall paintings or even decor pieces.

In today’s fast-paced lives, people want easy-to-maintain spaces that offer flexibility while reminding them of their Indian roots in a not so obvious way, to avoid a clash of aesthetics. The above mentioned are easy ways to add the desired hint of your identity to your spaces and make them feel like home.

In the new fast-paced globalised world, our basic needs and lifestyle patterns have drastically changed with time. With ever-increasing needs, global exposure, self-awareness and many other factors in today's world, the way we perceive the designs for houses have changed.

Traditional Indian homes were simply a response to the local climatic conditions. As times have progressed, homes in Indian cities today have merely become products of the globalised world. For example, we have seen the breakdown of traditional societies, such as joint families, to nuclear families, dramatically affecting homes' matrix and space arrangements. With the lesser availability of land and soaring land value, bungalows and independent homes have been swapped for smaller, more affordable and compact spaces such as apartments with luxurious amenities like clubhouses, gyms, home theatres, etc.

At TWI, in our practice of over two decades, we've seen a wide range of aspirations for building homes from one client to the next. Their brief for designing spaces is so specific to each project and furniture piece. In terms of home interiors and decor, here are the five most common changes we've noticed in people's homes:

1. The luxury of materials

One can choose from a wide range of available materials today for flooring, furniture, or even lighting. Additionally, people are willing to experiment with different looks and materials. As a result, it has become simpler to achieve the kind of feel expected in a room, the desired quality of finish, and a targeted budget for a house.

2. Vivid Interiors

With most of the clients well travelled across the world, they want to bring in the essence of their experiences in their everyday lives, letting their home tell a story that they relate to. Quirky, fun and bold is how the home interiors are prefered by the new homeowners today. The colour palettes are also more playful and suited to set the required mood for a home.

3. Minimalistic furniture

Simpler pieces sans ornamentation, derived from functionality and highlighting a subtle aesthetic through clean lines, are preferred in home interiors nowadays. However, bold elements with curvy and dynamic forms are also being explored as eye-catching centrepieces in subtle spaces to make a strong statement.

4. Open kitchen

With smaller families and all adult members working, there is no longer distinct segregation of rooms, resulting in a more open-plan form with little or no barrier. In addition, the kitchen, which was seen as a service area, has become a part of the living space, incorporating the dining and endow spatial fluidity.

5. Technology-driven spaces

Today, we rely heavily on smart technology, and our homes are moving toward remote-controlled devices and AI operating systems. With the changing nature of work at home, staying connected to the outside world is becoming increasingly important, leading to invisible switchboards and more Alexa's being heard around the house. Furthermore, sustainability has become a pressing need, and its awareness has caused a shift towards energy-efficient homes powered by alternate forms of energy.

There is so much versatility to the plate of designers for homes that it becomes critical to reciprocate reasonably to a client's brief and create sensible and smart homes. Also, it's a boon-bane situation today with the ease of access to social media. Design inspirations are at the tips of everyone's fingers, especially exposing clients' to captivating images, so it becomes essential to have a grounded approach to the whole process.

Although it is more pronounced now, we, at TWI, have always been sustainable in our decisions since the past. And as a practice, we are more aligned to craft a client's desires to create healthy, safe, and soulful environments for this generation and the future. For the past two decades, we have continuously strived to translate ideas, to bind people together through spaces.