Author Archives: Pooja Khanna Tyagi

Top Ten Bathroom Trends for 2024

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In 2024, the bathroom design is a blend of practical features and aesthetic appeal, incorporating natural elements, earthy hues, and a strong emphasis on a clutter-free layout. This year nature-inspired elements and sustainable design features are more dominant than in previous years with rich earth tones taking center stage that create an immersive ambiance. If you are planning a bathroom renovation this year, here are tips to get you going.

1. Timeless Design Style

Homeowners are leaning towards timeless spaces, seeking a style that is characterized by enduring materials. Even modern homes incorporate elements like brick, handmade clay tiles, and rustic wood for a touch of understated luxury into the bathroom decor.

Designer: Agape x Jean Nouvel

Agape, the Italian bathroom brand, collaborates with French architect Jean Nouvel for the Face à Face collection of sinks and baths that emphasizes the materiality and functionality of the products in bathing. The collection features a stunning sink and bathtub with angular designs, showcasing upright marble slabs and a tilted backrest for a distinct aesthetic. Crafted from flat marble sheets, the collection elegantly highlights the stone’s detail and veining.

Image courtesy of: photocreo

Designer: Annabella Hevesi

Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar’ inspired a dual-function bathroom accessory. Named after the book, it serves as both a showerhead and bath spout, seamlessly transforming based on preference. With a hidden cable and fixed adaptor, it embodies the book’s themes of the human condition and mental states.

2. Sustainable Design

The new-age bathroom focuses on sustainable design and the importance of features water- and energy-saving fixtures, LED lightbulbs, dimmers, and sustainable bathroom essentials.

Image courtesy of: OleksandrShcherban

Designer: Cloudandco Design Studio

Cloudandco Design Studio introduces a Smart Bathtub, not just for bathing but tailored for automated relaxation and personalized massages. This innovative tub learns your preferences over time, ensuring every bath is a bespoke and blissful experience. The embedded artificial intelligence analyzes past sessions, addressing specific areas of discomfort. Adjustments are easily made via an onboard knob or connected smartphone. This Smart Bathtub redefines comfort and convenience, turning each bath into a customized and delightful ritual with its intelligent design.

Designer: BBDO Guerrero

Dissolving Bottle’s shampoo bars are more than just a practical choice; they symbolize a commitment to a sustainable, plastic-free future. As users lather and wet the Dissolving Bottle, it gradually diminishes until it disappears, eliminating the need for traditional toiletry containers. This innovative approach offers a convenient and eco-friendly solution to daily hygiene, responding to the escalating plastic pollution crisis caused by the personal care industry, which produces over 500 billion single-use plastic items annually.

3. Artisan Touch

Image courtesy of: Lelia_Milaya

Bathrooms are no longer just functional spaces but have emerged into artistic and creative areas that deserve the same attention as prominent spaces like the living room, bedroom, or kitchen. There is an inclination towards handmade details and features, such as handmade tiles, wallpaper, elegant mirrors, customized bathroom vanities, and other bespoke elements that contribute to the overall ambiance of the bathroom.

4. Natural Materials

Image courtesy of: tampatra

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

Vibrant marbles and natural stones emerged as significant bathroom trends post-COVID, and they will still be prominent in 2024. Shades of deep reds and browns, striking veining, and black stones enhance bathroom aesthetics.

Designer: Woodio

Woodio, a Finnish design company, introduced the ‘Block’ toilet, entirely crafted from wood composite. Founder Petro Lahtinen developed the material using 80% wood volume, sourced locally from aspen and Finnish forest industry offcuts. The composite, a mix of fossil-based polyester and bioplastic resins, ensures waterproof and durable properties. Woodio emphasizes sustainability with a claim of 99% fewer emissions during production than ceramics. The innovative approach significantly reduces water and energy usage, circumventing the high heat requirements of traditional ceramic manufacturing. However, emission claims exclude considerations of material sourcing and disposal impacts.

Designer: Marco Carini for Agape

Italian brand Agape’s bathroom seating collection, designed by Marco Carini, prioritizes comfort and sustainability. Featuring two designs crafted from recycled cork, the Vis-à-vis stool serves as a lightweight and sturdy option with a distinctive cylindrical form, while also doubling as a side table. The Rendez-vous bench offers extensive seating, utilizing hand-woven cork ropes wrapped around recycled aluminum tubing. Both designs provide comfortable and inviting spaces for relaxation in the bathroom, combining functionality with eco-friendly materials.

5. Earthy Hues

Image courtesy of: RossHelen

Apart from natural materials, nature-inspired colors, and wall treatments are also on the rise, enhancing the soothing indoor-outdoor aesthetic. Current trends include earth-toned paint colors, plaster, and accent hues.

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

Designer: Lusso

British bathroom brand Lusso has launched the Amore which is a freestanding bathtub made from translucent resin. Designed by the Lusso founder Wayne Spriggs, the choice of material for Amore is truly ingenious which imparts it with a unique appearance and a seductive appeal.

6. Warm Wood Vanity

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

Image courtesy of: wirestock

A natural stone countertop paired with a warm wood vanity in different tones of wood is another emerging trend. As nothing surpasses the beauty and warmth of wood, the wood cabinetry not only enhances storage but also contributes to the aesthetics.

Image courtesy of: vanitjan

7. Integration of Technology

In 2024, the integration of speakers and bathtub trends emphasizes luxury, comfort, and style, seamlessly combining relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether it’s a freestanding tub with smart temperature control or a built-in soaking tub surrounded by mood lighting, bathtubs serve as the foundation for ultimate luxury.

Designer: Lush

Lush’s upcoming “digital bath bomb,” Bath Bot, is set to revolutionize bath time. Resembling traditional bath bombs, it’s a waterproof speaker that can be placed in the bath or near the shower. Offering a 180-degree sound experience, it allows you to enjoy music, audiobooks, or podcasts while bathing. With customizable full-spectrum lights in colors like lavender and pink, Bath Bot creates a spa or rave atmosphere. The compact device also features tiny bubbles for an immersive, multi-sensory experience.

8. Spa-style Bathroom

Over the past few years, the movement to transform primary bathrooms into in-home spas has gained momentum. Steam showers, towel heaters, massaging shower heads, soaker tubs, and heated floors are increasingly sought-after features. The concept of a bathroom being not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also serving as a personal spa represents one of the latest trends. Additionally, bathrooms are transforming into areas that promote mindfulness and provide moments to unwind and relax after a long day.

Designer: Kohler

Kohler has introduced the ‘future of bathing’ with its Sprig Shower Infusion System. Attachable to any showerhead, it supports ‘Sprig Shower Pods’ for a non-coffee infusion experience. These pods offer therapeutic aromas like eucalyptus, chamomile, rose, lavender, and lemongrass, along with skin-friendly elements such as hyaluronic acid and sodium. Providing infusions for several minutes, the pods bring a spa-like touch to showering. Kohler aims to redefine the bathing experience with this innovative and fragrant solution.

Designer: Gessi

Gessi’s Jacqueline tap, part of the Spa Collection, stands out with its bamboo construction. The bamboo, carefully selected and shaped using hot bending techniques, is transformed into a waterproof faucet with integrated plumbing elements. With ten finish options, including nickel and brass, the spout combines aesthetics and functionality. Unlike traditional materials, bamboo offers sustainability and flexibility. Gessi’s meticulous craftsmanship ensures Jacqueline not only serves a functional purpose but also adds a touch of beauty to bathroom design.

Image courtesy of: bialasiewicz

9. Decorative Light Fixtures

Image courtesy of: Vailery

As bathrooms are usually compact, the lighting serves as a medium to convert functional elements into decorative objects.

Image courtesy of: polga2

10. Bold Countertop

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

Homeowners with a penchant for neutral aesthetics are now embracing bold choices, such as experimenting with colored marble with rich natural vein patterns and opting for waterfall edges, for their bathroom countertops.

The post Top Ten Bathroom Trends for 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

How to Design a Children’s Nursery

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Creating a nursery can be an enjoyable process for expectant parents but anticipating the needs of a yet-to-arrive child is a daunting challenge. After all, it’s a place where you can unleash your inner child, exploring creative ideas, playful colors, and patterns. Figuring out where to start and what essentials to assemble before the baby comes home can be overwhelming.

Before designing the nursery, make sure that the nursery complements the overall decor of your home and can embrace various styles such as contemporary, minimalist, modern, or a blend of eclectic elements, much like any other room in the house. If you planning to create a nursery at home, here are tips to get you going.

Designer: Amanda Lewis

1. Assess the Space

Begin by assessing the area where you plan to establish the nursery. Is it in proximity to your bedroom? Check the size of the room, the level of natural light it receives, notable features like niches, and the amount of available storage. Also, check whether the room will be shared with a sibling.

2. Design the Layout

Designer: courkylynn

Create an efficient layout by dividing the nursery into sleeping, feeding, and diaper-changing zones. It is important to select the right furniture as baby furniture is available in various sizes and not every piece fits into every home. It is important to measure the space and check the dimensions of the furniture before purchasing it.

3. Make Space for Parents or Caregivers

Designer: Rafaella Grasnoff

The nursery is not just for the baby but also the parents, as they will also be spending maximum time there. It is important to create an atmosphere that is not only pleasing for the baby but also soothing and relaxing atmosphere for the parents as they will be spending sleepless nights there. It is advisable to have a sofa bed to provide a comfortable space for the mom or a caregiver to rest during nap times.

4. Pick a Color Palette

Go through some inspirational photos and choose a color palette for your baby’s nursery. Consider pastel colors like pale pink and soft yellow to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Note that gender-neutral colors like grey, beige, and white can reflect light and create the illusion of more space. It is highly recommended to achieve a serene and understated atmosphere by adhering to a soft and minimal color palette.

5. Choose a Theme

Designer: La Petite Bebê Boutique

Choose a theme for your baby’s room and consider options like butterflies, flowers, space, nursery rhymes, or animals are endless. Popular decor themes include baby animals, dinosaurs, cartoon characters, or nautical motifs. Opting for a neutral paint color paired with simple decor can create a room your child can ‘age into,’ saving money in the long run.

6. Go for Eco-Friendly Materials

Prioritize your baby’s health over aesthetics and avoid purchasing attractive furniture made from PVC or opting for paint colors with high VOC levels. Note that many new products, including paint, flooring, and furniture, contain harmful toxins.

7. Soft Furnishing

Decorate the space with soft textures and easy-to-maintain natural materials. Opt for a durable, washable rug like wool or short-pile carpet to add flair to the room, providing cushioning for your little one while avoiding potential choking hazards.

8. Add Visual Interest

Designer: bohobraidteacher

Create visual interest in your nursery by incorporating a wallpaper accent wall, providing an opportunity to elevate the room’s appearance and explore various textures and prints. You can also apply wallpaper to the ceiling to introduce a playful element without overwhelming the space, considering that babies spend a lot of time on their backs. If you do not want to commit, opt for removable wallpaper or wall stickers that can be changed as the baby grows.

9. Lighting

Designer: Bebê Casa

Incorporate various lighting elements as nursery lighting plays a vital role, with ceiling lights, floor lamps, and adjustable table lamps being essential options to have distributed throughout the room.

10. Window Treatment

Designer: Cozy Nursery

Select window treatments like blinds, shades, or curtains with blackout features to ensure essential darkness in the nursery for optimal baby sleep. This will manage the level of light entering the nursery and help maintain a regulated temperature in the space.

11. Add Functional Storage

Designer: Rafaella Velasque

Opt for attractive and functional baskets in cute animal designs like elephants, lions, or bears to add texture to your nursery design while serving as storage for diapers, sheets, toys, and other items.

12. Beautify with Plants

Designer: Tracy Danet

In nurseries, incorporating houseplants can contribute to air purification, with non-toxic plants not only promoting clean air but also fostering a serene ambiance.

13. Soft Toys

Designer: Nadine

The nursery will be incomplete with soft toys so utilize stuffed animals as decorative accents that also entertain babies during diaper changes.

14. Storage Solutions

Designer: Scandi Nursery Decor & Toys

Irrespective of your space’s square footage, maintaining organization while preserving style can be challenging. Effective nursery storage is a game-changer so explore storage concepts such as cubbies, shelving, bookcases, and toy boxes.

15. Add a Personal Touch

Bring personal elements into the nursery to craft a space that resonates with your preferences. Contemplate incorporating family photos and cherished heirlooms to add a special and meaningful touch to the environment.

16. Assess the Costs

Planning the design of a nursery is a financial commitment, hence it is advisable to determine your budget for the nursery design before formulating the design plan.

What are the Nursery Furniture Essentials?

When buying nursery furniture, prioritize safety by securely anchoring furniture and safely tucking away cords. Opt for durable, eco-friendly, non-toxic furniture that is responsibly made. Choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain for a more compact and manageable nursery setup.

• The Crib

Designer: Brooke Schultz

Regardless of whether your crib is a standard one or convertible, your baby will spend a substantial amount of time in it. Enhance the environment by adding a mobile featuring felt animals or colorful stars for your baby to play with. Opting for a convertible crib that transforms into a toddler bed or a full-sized mattress ensures longevity as your baby grows. If there’s a worry about your child attempting to crawl out of the crib, investing in a toddler rail can offer added security. You can also consider that are designed with built-in drawers that provide extra storage space for blankets, sheets, baby gear, and toys.

• Diaper Changing Station

Designer: Kelly Foyt

If space permits, you have the option to incorporate a changing table into your nursery. However, many parents opt for changing toppers that can be securely attached to a dresser or choose a combo crib to make the most of the available square footage.

• Introduce a Rocking Chair

You’ll invest a significant amount of time feeding, burping, reading, and bonding with your baby, therefore, comfortable seating is essential. Consider incorporating a spacious, comfortable rocking chair for late-night feedings and a side table with a lamp to enhance the room’s cozy ambiance.

• Add Wall Shelves

Designer: Gemma Deighan

Open shelves provide an excellent storage solution for bedtime storybooks. Wall shelves also serve to store items you want to keep nearby but out of the baby’s reach. Beyond their practicality, shelves offer a wonderful space to enhance the ambiance by adding items like a plant or a small stuffed animal.

By following these tips, nurseries can become memorable spaces where you’ll spend significant time with your baby right from the moment you bring them home to the transition into big kid beds.

The post How to Design a Children’s Nursery first appeared on Yanko Design.

How to Maximize Vertical Storage to Minimize Clutter

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In a world where space is at a premium, the focus lies in enhancing the storage with vertical storage offering a plethora of possibilities. Let’s delve into some fantastic vertical storage concepts that can be effortlessly integrated into your space. These ideas not only facilitate efficient storage but also allow you to do so with a touch of style, ensuring you never have to make compromises. Here are tips to get you going.

Designer: Gabriel Contreira

1. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves enhance storage efficiency, accommodate various items, and free up precious kitchen and bathroom counter space. The living room can transform into a gallery wall, showcasing beloved photos, travel souvenirs, and more.

2. Introduce Tall Bookshelves

Image courtesy of Decozilla

Tall bookshelves are a clever storage solution that provides essential storage and maximizes vertical space. In contrast to wider bookshelves that encroach on room space, tall bookshelves ascend vertically, efficiently using the room’s height. This is especially valuable in small apartments or homes with limited square footage. Opting for height over width optimizes storage without compromising floor space.

3. Optimize Door Storage

Designer: GLAM

Over-the-door storage is a great way to enhance the storage advantage and setting up these hooks or racks provides quick storage and no significant installation. This versatile storage can be used for storing shoes, various household items, and bags so doors maintain their shape. Hooks can also be used for hanging hats, scarves, belts, and jewelry.

4. Ceiling Hanging Storage

Designer: LCYCN

For homes with high ceilings, adding hanging storage can optimize space and elevate your interiors with style. Use the ceiling in the kitchen for displaying pots and cookware in the kitchen, and hang succulents from the ceiling.

Designers: Jorge Álvarez x NOS Design

Wholeder’s storage system employs suction to optimize storage space in every room, and it comes with a clever-sounding name too. The suctioned lid enables easy application on any wall or flat surface, making it functional not only in the kitchen but virtually any room. Wholeder is suitable for stowing away various items for later use, and its compact storage bins are also travel-friendly, available in different sizes to accommodate your specific needs.

5. Vertical Cabinets

Extending cabinetry vertically to the ceiling is a popular trend for maximizing unused spaces and achieving a modern look in kitchens and bathrooms. This approach optimizes storage and enhances aesthetics by eliminating wasted gaps between cabinets and ceilings. In bathrooms, tall cabinets efficiently store essentials without occupying floor space, contributing to a sleek and functional design.

6. Create a Vertical Garden

Designer: Mingzhu Nerval

Instead of purchasing numerous potted plants and placing them in the corners or on windowsills, you can consider vertical gardening. Go for a wall-mounted vertical garden or a hydroponic setup. This will provide a green wall for herbs and small vegetables.

7. Headboard Storage

Designer: Buffets and Cabinets

The headboard presents an opportunity to transform into a fantastic storage space that not only serves a practical purpose but also enhances the overall aesthetic. By incorporating storage with a display in the headboard, you can optimize vertical storage, making it an ideal solution for both small and large spaces.

8. Go for a Murphy Bed

Designer: WWBeds Custom Furniture

Guest rooms are frequently impractical for small spaces; however, a Murphy bed stands out as a brilliant illustration of maximizing vertical space. What may serve as your lounge or study on most days can effortlessly transform into a fully-equipped guest room when needed, all thanks to a bed seamlessly integrated into the wall.

9. Room Divider Storage

Designer: Samana

Many modern designs feature open-plan layouts, seamlessly combining dining and living spaces. Introducing a room divider with storage not only allows you to establish distinct areas but also provides additional functionality for storage and display. Additionally, you can elevate its versatility by incorporating wheels underneath, enabling easy mobility. This way, you can effortlessly shift the divider to either create separation within the space or open it up by positioning it against a wall as needed.

Designer: Jean Couvreur for Kabata

The Fréquence shelf stands out as a minimal and refined shelving design that serves as a versatile piece of modular furniture. With its clean aesthetics in a striking white color, what distinguishes Fréquence is its ability to function as a bookcase, base unit, or room divider. Comprising a set of geometrically shaped modules, it allows for combinations and mix-and-match possibilities, enabling the creation of various designs tailored to your personal taste and your home’s specific requirements.

10. Decorative Shelving

Designer: Maryam Pousti for Studio Pousti

The Cheft Bookshelf is a geometric shelving unit created from interlocking sheets of wood, offering assembly without the need for nails, screws, or glue. In addition to serving as a functional bookshelf, it can double as a room divider or provide shelving for various items in your home. Drawing inspiration from the geometric patterns of traditional Persian architecture, the warm wooden aesthetics of the bookshelf seamlessly blend with the interiors of any modern contemporary home.

Designer: Guille Cameron Mac Lean

Listón is an innovative furniture system that employs cable ties and wooden slats to construct modular storage units. The cable tie system enables users to fashion an array of configurations, varying in sizes and shapes, resulting in essentialist shelving units suitable for any room. This system eliminates the need for traditional hardware and tools, as the cable ties securely fasten each module that comes with Listón.

11. Wardrobes as Bedroom Walls

A smart technique for optimizing vertical storage is to install cabinets that extend continuously from one end to the other, spanning from floor to ceiling.

12. Add Wall-Mounted Shelves

Designer: Tomás Alonso

Crafted by Tomás Alonso, this wooden wall system draws inspiration from the ‘Kamoi,’ a wooden rail commonly found around the perimeters of rooms in Japanese homes. This minimal and gentle storage system is versatile enough to accommodate a range of items, from personal belongings to kitchen utensils, depending on its placement. The storage solution’s Japanese aesthetics bring a warm and clean element to any room where it is positioned.

13. Innovative Furniture

Designer: Michael Hilgers for OTTO

The COBBO bed features a minimalist Nordic-inspired design, incorporating solid oak legs and white storage cabinets positioned above the sleeping area. The bed’s subtly tapered design serves a dual purpose, providing both visual and physical lightness to the furniture. The cabinet above the bed is notably slimmer than the bed itself, allowing for the use of slim wooden pillars instead of metal ones to avoid excessive weight. The slender cabinet/shelf is equipped with four doors (two on each side), opening to reveal a neatly slim space for storing items such as books, quilts, throws, and cushions.

14. Multifunctional Furniture

Designer: Alessio Romano

Orte combines a full shelf and a mirror into a single, space-saving unit. With a limestone base supporting a rotating wooden frame, it features a mirror on one side and six hidden shelves on the other. The addition of a vibrant red hue brings a lively touch to the corner, and its elongated shape ensures easy fitting in any space. Orte serves multiple functions, functioning as a dresser, bookshelf, or discreet storage unit for quick-access items without always being on display.

15. Corner Storage

Designer: NOOOK

The Noook Becky Corner Shelf consists of stackable shelves designed to transform otherwise unused corners into practical storage areas. Specifically crafted for bathrooms, this innovative shelving solution maximizes space efficiency.

The post How to Maximize Vertical Storage to Minimize Clutter first appeared on Yanko Design.

Big Kitchen Trends for the Year 2024

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The kitchen forms one of the most frequently used areas of any home and it is constantly evolving in terms of design and functionality. With a dynamic shift towards contemporary trends, the new-age kitchen design highlights an interesting fusion of inventive materials, intelligent technology, and a hint of eclectic charm. Additionally, the predominant kitchen trends in 2024 focus on making the kitchen more efficient, organized, interactive and less hectic with a more minimalistic approach towards the design. If you considering a makeover for your kitchen’s design, check out the latest kitchen trends of 2024!

Image courtesy of pro_creator

1. Warm Woods

Image courtesy of Picsuite

Kitchens are embracing the warmth of natural wood tones by incorporating natural high texture and wood patterns on cabinets to infuse an organic ambiance, particularly within contemporary, midcentury, or Scandinavian designs. White oak and walnut are currently leading the trend in wood species in both modern and traditional kitchen designs.

2. Green Hues

Image courtesy of staRRush

According to the kitchen color trends for 2024, greens emerge as the leading choice. Whether it’s the soothing sage green or the vibrant emerald green, incorporating green into your kitchen’s color palette is effortlessly achievable and brings a refreshing and calming vibe to kitchen designs. Perfect for walls, backsplash tiles, countertops, or islands, green quickly adds a touch of nature. It creates a harmonious and inviting atmosphere, complementing various design styles, and is suitable especially when introducing live plants is not an option in the kitchen.

3. Clutter-free Layout

Image courtesy of archideaphoto

Streamline your kitchen by embracing a carefully crafted minimalist layout. Consider cabinets and appliances with push-to-open technology, ample pantry storage, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and easy-to-maintain quartz or granite countertops. These features simplify chores, making cleaning and upkeep a breeze. Also, there is a growing preference for deeper lower cabinets to optimize storage space.

4. Accent Colors

Image courtesy of archideaphoto

Kitchens are becoming more personal, shifting towards colorful choices instead of white. Dramatic color tones are coming back, showcasing interesting contrasts like combining warm, saturated hues with subtle neutrals. Add art, eye-catching wallpaper, and stylish yet functional elements to enhance the vibrancy of the kitchen design. You can elevate the overall look of the kitchen with bold accent colors, a unique backsplash, and lively light fixtures. Blues, greens, rich browns, grey, and purple can bring a cozy feel to kitchens. Also, combining light or dark-stained woods with vibrant colors is a major trend, offering both personality and warmth.

5. Eco-friendly Materials

Image courtesy of bialasiewicz

In 2024’s trending kitchens, eco-friendly practices are at the forefront. Sustainable materials such as reclaimed timber, linoleum, bamboo, cork, and recycled plastic or glass are becoming popular due to their unique aesthetics and minimal environmental impact. Whether used for countertops or backsplashes, these materials make a strong statement, highlighting a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint without compromising style. For eco-conscious design, opt for recycled materials like terrazzo which is a composite of repurposed marble, glass, granite, and quartz chips. This shift towards eco-friendly choices introduces fresh textures and palettes, revitalizing kitchen spaces.

6. Integrated Smart Technology

Image courtesy of staRRush

The best part about 2024 is that the kitchen design will be smarter than ever with the use of advanced technology. Note that culinary tasks are more streamlined and enjoyable with features like voice-controlled lighting, touchless faucets, and AI-driven ovens that auto-adjust cooking times and temperatures. Importantly, these innovations seamlessly integrate into the overall design, enhancing the kitchen’s ambiance and overall aesthetics. Additionally, in the kitchen design, quiet luxury has acquired a fresh significance, with consumers choosing appliances with lower noise levels. The popularity of soft push-to-open cabinet technology reflects a preference for sleek and streamlined aesthetics.

7. Multifunctional Kitchen Island

Image courtesy of wirestock

There is a growing preference for adaptable spaces that can serve multiple purposes, exemplified by the popularity of kitchen islands featuring integrated seating and storage. These designs transform into versatile hubs that can effortlessly accommodate cooking, dining, and social interactions seamlessly. The kitchen island forms the central focal point that can transform into a work of art with unique stones, contrasting colors, or materials. It is evolving into different shapes, enhanced by distinctive and textural cabinetry, resembling a fine furniture piece for your kitchen. With adjustable heights, built-in charging stations, and retractable workspaces, islands now accommodate various tasks like remote work, it functions as a buffet counter and can host intimate gatherings.

8. Biophilic Design

Image courtesy of Mint_Images

Image courtesy of TDyuvbanova

Biophilic design is leaving its imprint on kitchens, enhancing the connection with nature. Kitchen renovation concepts for 2024 involve integrating greenery into statement walls, countertops, and miniature greenhouses. Another ongoing trend involves seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces using large windows, glass doors, and window walls will facilitate bringing the outdoors into the kitchen, matching materials, and complementary color palettes. This design allows for enjoying fresh air while cooking and entertaining, with dedicated green spaces for growing herbs or sprouting microgreens.

9. Layered Lighting

Image courtesy of SkloStudio

In modern kitchens, opt for a versatile lighting approach that blends ambient, task, and accent lighting seamlessly. Consider under-cabinet LED strips, toe-kick lighting, island pendant lights, and subtle hidden lighting working together to create a flexible and comfortable atmosphere. This ensures that every corner and task in the kitchen gets its dedicated spotlight and enhances the efficiency of the kitchen design.

Additionally, the lighting can take on an artistic flair, featuring sizable sculptural fixtures with abstract shapes, a mix of materials, and a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles that shape the character of a kitchen space. Gold pendant lights, brass cabinet handles, or metallic bar stools infuse modern elegance into your kitchen. The interplay of light and metal creates a captivating atmosphere, making the kitchen a welcoming and stylish space where functionality meets high-end luxury and design.

Integrated with home automation, smart lighting systems enable homeowners to customize brightness, color temperature, and hue based on the time of day or mood. These tech-forward fixtures promote energy efficiency and provide a personalized kitchen experience, adapting the space to various moods and activities as per the choice of the homeowners.

10. Eat-in Dining

Image courtesy of archideaphoto

The kitchen is emerging as a tranquil and soothing space that can foster meaningful connections with loved ones. Families are now centering activities in the kitchen, with equal emphasis on lounging as on cooking. Hence the trending kitchen design is encouraging layouts that can encourage children and guests to stay and sit while striking meaningful conversations.

11. Dramatic Stone and Marble

Image courtesy of FollowTheFlowStudio

Rather than opting for traditional ceramic or porcelain tiles, there’s a shift towards using stone or quartz slabs for kitchen backsplashes behind the cooktop and range. Consider striking patterns in the stonework paired with pendant lights hanging low in vibrant designs. Natural materials like marble, especially particularly white marble, are favored for countertops and flooring despite concerns about stains and chips due to their unique veining patterns that create an element of dynamism. Quartzite, with its earthy undertones, is also a popular countertop material, and choosing these materials connects you to the beauty of the natural world. Another trend is to go with a matching countertop and backsplash that introduces natural veining and intriguing details that not only transform into a focal point but also create a seamless surface that is easy to clean and maintain.

The post Big Kitchen Trends for the Year 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

What are the Characteristics of Islamic Architecture

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Islamic architecture, an ancient architectural tradition, is deeply grounded in the principles of Islam. It is renowned for its remarkable sculptural shapes and intricate decorative elements, making Islamic structures among the most awe-inspiring architectural marvels in the world. This distinctive design style originated in the Middle East and later expanded its influence worldwide. Islamic architecture includes various structures like palaces, fortresses, schools, fountains, tombs, public baths, and homes.

Designers: Quad Design Associates, Mohamed Makiya (Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat)

Distinctive Features of Islamic Architecture

Minarets

Location: Minaret on Mizwa Mosque, Oman

Minarets are impressive tall structures with internal staircases and petite openings. They not only possess a striking visual presence but also serve a vital role by issuing the call to prayer, a practice performed five times daily by Muslims.

Domes

Location: Jumeirah Mosque, UAE (courtesy of Donna Corless)

Islamic architecture incorporates the use of pendentives, which enable the placement of circular domes atop rectangular or square buildings. These pendentives are frequently adorned with intricate mosaic tiling.

Arches

Location: Ala’ Darwaza, India

Horseshoes, pointed, scalloped, and ogee arches are common in Islamic architecture.

Ornamental Details

Islamic ornamentation frequently incorporates vibrant mosaic tiles adorned with recurring geometric or floral designs, including the arabesque. It also commonly employs Arabic calligraphy scripts, such as verses from the Qur’an. Additional embellishments in Islamic design encompass wall paintings, stucco sculptures, wall panels, and ornate woodwork.

Mashrabiya

Location: Tunisia

The mashrabiya is a wooden lattice framework, employed on windows for privacy and climate regulation. It occasionally serves as a purely decorative feature or a means of partitioning interior spaces in modern contexts.

Muqarnas Vaulting

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Designer: Peter Vaulin (Saint Petersburg Mosque, Russia)

With a design reminiscent of honeycombs or stalactites, intricate muqarnas vaulting introduces a textural and single-hued element to the ceilings of interiors that are often adorned with intricate and vibrant tiles.

Mihrab

Location: Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain

The Mihrab, an architectural feature, designates the direction of prayer and is often a semicircular niche within the mosque’s wall.

Arabesque Art

Location: Umayyad Mosque, Syria

Islamic ornamentation comprises geometric designs, floral patterns, and calligraphy, with influences from Roman, Greek, and Sasanian cultures emphasizing symmetry. A recurring motif in Islamic art and architecture is the eight-pointed star pattern. All Islamic decorations exhibit symmetry, typically following a spiral path from which leaves and flowers emerge.

Iwan

Location: Mir-i Arab Madrassah, Uzbekistan

An Iwan is a rectangular chamber enclosed by walls on three sides and left open on one side, featuring a vaulted roof, with the entrance, known as a Pishtaq, adorned with calligraphic friezes, glazed tilework, and geometric designs, and this arched entrance typically leads into a courtyard.

Outdoor Landscape

Location: Taj Mahal, India (courtesy of Amos Chapple)

Islamic architectural design frequently includes gardens, enclosed inner courtyards, open spaces with columns supporting a roof and vaulted structures.

Primary Types of Buildings

Mosque

Designer: Mohammed Yasir

Islamic places of worship called mosques or “masjid” in Arabic, serve as hubs for prayer, education, and reflection. They typically feature an open courtyard for gatherings and a prominent minaret for the call to prayer.

Madrasa

Location: Ben Youssef Madrasa, Morocco

The madrasa is an Islamic educational institution with early variations including open and closed courtyard buildings; iwans, distinct archways, are key features, and later madrasas provided student accommodations.

Notable Examples of Islamic Architecture

1. Selimiye Mosque. Edirne, Turkey. 1569-1575

Architect: Mimar Sinan

Designed by the architect Mimar Sinan, this Ottoman Mosque situated in Edrine, Turkey, is hailed as one of the paramount accomplishments in Islamic architecture. The Selimiye mosque features an innovative octagonal support structure that is formed by eight pillars within a square wall framework, along with four domes and arches extending from these pillars.

2. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Israel

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is one of the world’s ancient surviving Islamic structures. Additionally, The Dome of the Rock was the initial Islamic edifice to incorporate a Byzantine-inspired dome, with a gilded wooden dome perched atop an octagonal foundation. It is beautified with intricate floral and geometric mosaics.

3. The Alhambra in Granada, Spain

SONY DSC

The Alhambra is a 14th-century palace and fortress situated on an elevated plateau with a beautiful view of Granada, Spain. Although the passage of 700 years has led to the loss of some original structures, what endures is a magnificent showcase of Islamic architectural adornment. Within the Court of Lions, intricate details such as carved wood and stucco, vibrant tiles, calligraphy, and muqarnas embellish the surroundings.

4. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahori

The Taj Mahal is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It harmoniously blends Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural influences, making this extensive 17th-century mausoleum complex one of the most visited and photographed tourist destinations in the world. Its iconic central white marble tomb immediately catches the eye, while its façade showcases exquisite intricacies and exquisite details with precious inlaid stones and Arabic calligraphy.

5. Suleymaniye Mosque complex, Istanbul

Architect: Mimar Sinan

Suleymaniye Mosque was commissioned by the Ottoman ruler Suleyman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, during the peak of the Ottoman Empire and it forms one of the largest and most exquisite mosque complexes in Istanbul. Inside, the mosque features a spacious square chamber illuminated by over 100 large windows, some adorned with stained glass. Surrounding the mosque is a complex with a hospital, religious schools, shops, a mausoleum, and a bath designed by the accomplished Ottoman architect Sinan, who played an important role in shaping a unique Ottoman architectural style.

6. Great Mosque of Córdoba

The Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain began in the late 8th century on the site of a Christian church, built by the Umayyad ruler Abd al-Rahman I between 784 and 786. It got bigger in the 9th and 10th centuries, and one expansion added a beautifully decorated mihrab, a niche showing the direction of Mecca, set behind a fancy arch. Another striking feature of the mosque is the expansive hypostyle hall, featuring around 850 columns crafted from materials like porphyry, jasper, and marble, which support two-tier horseshoe arches.

7. Great Mosque of Damascus. Old City of Damascus. 715 C.E.

The Great Mosque of Damascus, also referred to as the Umayyad Mosque, stands as one of the world’s largest and most ancient mosques, holding the distinction of being the fourth holiest site in Islam. It features a rectangular layout with a courtyard enclosed by four outer walls. Ever since its construction, this mosque has set the architectural precedent for congregational mosques in Syria.

8. Agra Fort. Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. 11th century

The Agra Fort is a brick fort that exhibits a semicircular design, with its chord running parallel to the river and walls towering at a height of seventy feet. The architects established the base and constructed the core using bricks, while they employed sandstone for the exterior.

9. Sultan Hassan Mosque. Cairo, Egypt. 1353-1363

The Sultan Hassan Mosque stands as a college mosque distinguished by its cruciform layout, iwans, sunken porticos, grand pointed arches, and other impressive architectural features, even though it has minimal ornamentation. It features a domed entrance chamber and an intricately adorned muqarnas-adorned doorway.

10. Bibi-Heybat Mosque. Baku, Azerbaijan. 13th century

Architect: Fahraddin Miralay

The Bibi-Heybat Mosque, a historic place of worship in Baku, encompasses the resting place of Ukeyma Khanum. Also recognized as the “Mosque of Fatima,” it features an intricately ornamented interior. The mosque integrates a 20-meter tall minaret, and its interior consists of a rectangular space with lancet arches.

The post What are the Characteristics of Islamic Architecture first appeared on Yanko Design.

Discover the Top Ten Types of Street Art

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Street art is a form of visual art that is found in public buildings, streets, bridges, trains, and other spaces, particularly for public visibility and to reach a broader audience. Street art not only forms a powerful tool to convey messages to society but also enhances the beauty of public spaces. Street art is found all around the world and street artists are known to transform the streets with their creativity and imagination. The traditional form of street art included graffiti artists who worked with spray paint. Some of the other media include stencil art, mosaic tiling, LED art, and outdoor sculptures while the recent forms of street art include video projections of large city buildings.

Designer: Anthony Howe

How did street art evolve over the years?

The origin of street art can be found in ancient civilizations where graffiti was used to mark territories, express cultural identities, and served as historic records. The modern street art movement started in the 1960s in cities like New York and Philadelphia and 1970s artists in cities like Paris and London. In the 1980s and 1990s street art evolved, and artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Banksy rose to prominence. Today street art is touching new heights with the integration of new technology and adapting to the changing socio-political context.

Designer: BREAKFAST

Types of Street Art

Here are the top ten types of street art that one will often come across on urban streets. Each art comes with its distinct characteristics and techniques.

1. Graffiti Artwork

Designer: Banksy (via Banksy Archive)

Graffiti artwork is one of the most iconic forms of street art that has been around for ages. In this form of art images or text is painted on the building using spray paint, large bubble lettering, and decorative scripts to convey messages, evoke emotions and enhance the beauty of public walls. The term “graffiti” refers to inscriptions, figure drawings, and markings that have been found on the walls of ancient sepulchers or ruins just like those in the Catacombs of Rome or at Pompeii. Graffiti formed a part of the hip-hop culture in the 1970s, it is a form of self-expression and rebellion, allowing youth from disadvantaged communities to gain recognition for their creative ideas in public spaces.

2. 3D Wall Graffiti

Designer: Joe Fafard

3D wall graffiti is also known as anamorphic art which can create an optical illusion of objects popping out from the wall and the artwork coming to life. It makes two-dimensional paintings appear like three-dimensional paintings when viewed from a specific angle. This skill is honed through artists by employing perspective, shading, and anamorphic methods through dedicated time and practice as it appeals to both young and old when exhibited in public spaces. Chalk or paint is used to create these incredible pieces of art.

3. Stencil Graffiti

Designer: selfie_stencils

Stencil Graffiti employs stencils to create images on public spaces like walls, and buildings. The artists use pre-cut templates to reproduce the same image multiple times and then use spray paint to make a clear representation of the design. This ensures faster execution and replication and is effective in communicating ideas to a broader audience in multiple locations.

4. Street Poster Art

Street poster art involves the pasting of posters in public spaces like walls, poles, or any other visible surface to stimulate public thought. The posters may display controversial or abstract visuals to give political statements or social messages to bring forth public awareness about their causes.

Note: Wheatpasting art is the technique of applying posters in public using a mixture of wheat flour or natural adhesives to water to create a paste. These posters are weather resistant in comparison to other simple paper posters.

5. Video Projection

Designer: Eye Studio

Also known as projection mapping street art, it combines the use of video projections to project images, animations, or videos on buildings or other urban surfaces to create an immersive visual experience. The biggest difference between street art is that is static and uses paint for the surface, video projection is dynamic, and special software is used to map the content on the surface, including captivating animations and colorful visuals. It is temporary and used for special events and festivals.

6. Guerrilla Art

Designer: S.c. MeRo

Guerrilla art is also known as street intervention, where impromptu and temporary installations are created in public without seeking permission. It blurs the line between art and activism, raises awareness of social issues, urges the public to question their surroundings, and transforms the urban city into an ever-changing canvas for artistic expression. Some of the innovative methods of incorporating this art include wheat pasting, sculptures, and yarn bombing that aims to disrupt the urban environment.

7. Flash Mobbing

Among the various forms of street art, the flash mob is most enjoyable as it usually involves dancing in a public space. A flash mob involves a spontaneous assembly of individuals in a public space where they perform and then disperse swiftly. The main aim of flash mobbing is to deliver entertainment, satire, or artistic expression. They usually perform in crowded places like malls, parks, and public squares to spread a message. Street plays are also a form of art where a large group wears simple costumes and use banners and posters to attract attention.

8. Street Installations

Designer: Donald Lipski

Designer: BREAKFAST

Designer: Etienne Krähenbühl

Street Installations are 3D structures made by artists that are displayed on the streets. They can be categorized as sculptures with or without historic significance and interactive or temporary art installations. These three-dimensional artworks are usually connected with political, religious, and historic belongings and are made in materials like stone, wood, metal, recycled materials, and fiber to name a few. Unlike conventional street art, street installations occupy physical space. It brings art to the public and blurs the boundaries between artwork and the urban environment. This is a beautiful form of street art as it evokes emotions and reactions from people who pass by. In addition, the installations can be interactive and invite viewers to engage with the art in unique ways. Kinetic sculptures, artworks incorporating movement often powered by natural elements or mechanical means, can be considered a form of street art. Installed in public spaces like streets, parks, and plazas, they offer engaging and interactive art experiences for passersby.

9. Environmental Art

Designer: Theo Jansen

Also known as Earth Art, it aims to bridge the gap between art and nature. Environmental art is an artistic expression where artists create site-specific artworks with natural materials found in the landscape like sand, rock, water, plants, and wood. These artworks are temporary and they emerged in the 1960s and early 1970s in response to the concern about environmental issues and indicate that it is our responsibility to protect it.

From the Beach…

Designer: Subodh Kerkar

10. Mural Art

Designer: Steven Teller

This is a large-scale artwork that is painted onto the walls or public surfaces of urban cities. It’s a great way to beautify public spaces with vibrant colors and themes that cover entire walls, including realistic portraits, landscapes, or abstract designs. The different techniques used in mural art may include spray paint, rollers, brushes, or any other technique. The best part about mural art is that it reflects the local culture, tells stories, and attracts both locals and tourists who appreciate its beauty in public spaces. The impressive artworks effortlessly transform the urban landscapes into iconic landmarks of the city.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co3zKdVsRmA/

Hence, every form of street art leaves a unique impression on urban landscapes and plays a vital role in the dynamic and continuously evolving global street art movement.

The post Discover the Top Ten Types of Street Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

How to Create a Dust-Free Home

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Dust particles originate from various sources like dirt, pollen, mold spores, dead skin cells, pet dander, hair, and fabric fibers alongside airborne pollutants from the outdoors. For those dealing with asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues, knowing how to eliminate airborne dust is crucial, as it can significantly enhance their health and overall well-being. Hence, if you are finding your home dusty, here are some tips that will save you from hours of cleaning and help you reduce the dust levels in your home.

1. Clean with a Microfiber Cloth

Designer: Sobby

Microfiber cloth is one of the best options because it has both positively and negatively charged fibers on its surface which attracts dust and dirt as you wipe. Note that microfiber cloth can remove nearly 99% of surface bacteria and is safe to use because you only need water and chemicals to clean with it. Opt for premium quality microfiber cloths, make sure they are damp after use, and rinse them after each use.

2. Close the Windows

Designer: Universal Windows Direct

Opening windows briefly for fresh air can lead to increased dust indoors. Dust, carried in through doors and windows via pollen, mold spores, and airborne pollutants, accumulates visibly on windowsills. To reduce this issue, keep windows closed, especially during windy days.

3. Invest in an Air Purifier

Designer: Instant Home (Image courtesy of Jar of Lemons)

Air purifiers work by purifying the surrounding air through air filtration and capture particles like dust, pollen, and toxins. Most of the air purifiers incorporate a fan for air circulation and are available in various shapes and sizes. Install an air purifying unit for the entire home or go for a portable unit for a single room.

Designer: Yoonsang Kim of Mosslab

At a glance, Moss Air resembles a miniature terrarium, yet it distinguishes itself effortlessly. With its predominantly white body, transparent front, and sleek, slender design, it effortlessly complements any desk, coffee table, or bedside drawer—essentially anywhere you desire a breath of fresh air and an aesthetically pleasing view. The visible moss filter introduces a welcome touch of green to contemporary living spaces, while its invigorating scent transports you to the tranquil ambiance of a fresh forest during the early morning hours.

4. Use A Vacuum Cleaner

Designer: Shark

For a home free from dust, opt for a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, as it effectively traps dirt, allergens, dust mites, pollen, and mold within the filter bag instead of releasing them back into the air. Vacuuming at least once a week is recommended, and consider more frequent vacuuming in high-traffic areas. Make sure to vacuum the furniture, drapes, mattress, and blinds to achieve the most comprehensive dust removal.

Designer: Roman Riazantsev

This vertical vacuum cleaner concept seamlessly blends a traditional silhouette with modern, futuristic touches. While resembling a classic vacuum with its wide head and robust midsection, its sleek, modular design features smooth surfaces. Specific elements, like the spacecraft-inspired head with three LED lights for improved visibility in dark spaces, contribute to its sci-fi vibe. Its transparent section and white-and-black color scheme enhance the futuristic aesthetic.

Designers: Ivo Erichsen and Tobbias Bihlmeyer

Standing at approximately 45cm in height, this versatile device serves as a functional piece of furniture in the home, doubling as a side table or even a stool. Internally, aside from the vacuum cleaner’s motor, all components are crafted from biodegradable plastic. The cork storage container features interchangeable lids made from darkened ash, allowing it to transform into a chair. The vacuum itself is a cylindrical bagless model, suitable for thorough cleaning sessions, and can be easily repurposed for different uses.

Designer: SwitchBot

The K10+ robot vacuum rivals flagship models, featuring high suction, wet/dry cleaning, smart functions, auto navigation, customizable no-go zones, a quiet motor, and a 4L dustbin doubling as a charging station. Its compact design ensures efficient navigation in tight spaces. With a potent 2500Pa vacuum and SwitchBot’s SilenTech tech, it operates at a quiet 48 decibels, significantly quieter than conventional vacuums.

5. Wash the Bed Sheets

Designer: Sheet Society

Periodically wash your sheets as they contribute to a dusty home, as bedding has the tendency to accumulate dead skin cells and creates an ideal environment for dust mites. Wash bedsheets and pillowcases at least once a month. In case there are pets, the sheets should be washed every 3 or 4 days. Blankets, comforters, and mattress pads should be washed every month, while the pillows and mattresses should be cleaned every season.

6. Remove the Carpet

Designer: Couture Luxury

Consider switching to hard-surface flooring like wood, tile, stone, or vinyl during redecoration, as carpets harbor and release dust with each step, making maintenance easier.

7. Damp Wipe the Floor

Designer: Rubbermaid

A thorough damp mopping and dusting can eliminate around 90 percent of the dust in your home, and plain water is one of the most environmentally friendly cleaning agents available. A damp rag or mop captures and retains dust, easily rinsed down the drain.

8. Install a Humidifier

Designer: Blackbrdstore

Static electricity accumulates in dry indoor environments, attracting and stubbornly clinging dust to surfaces. The remedy involves installing a humidifier, whether it’s a whole-house system or a smaller version for individual rooms. Maintaining relative humidity levels between 40 to 50 percent throughout your home is ideal to reduce static and minimize dust accumulation.

Designer: Gahyun Kim

SOT is a unique humidifier that employs a distinctive and almost whimsical approach to directional spray. Essentially, it dispenses humidity upward, but the nozzle is designed to be rotated and adjusted in a specific direction, allowing the steam to be released at a chosen angle. Unlike automatic rotation, the user has the freedom to manually direct the output wherever desired.

9. Eliminate Clutter

Designer: Avenue Interior Design

One of the easiest ways to prevent the accumulation of dust is by reducing the number of surfaces that can get dusty as different display items can function as dust magnets. Declutter the home once in a while and primarily focus on de-cluttering tabletops, bookshelves, and desks. Periodically deep clean the home and eliminate items that are not required.

10. Remove Shoes

Designer: Damn Good Doormats

Various debris clings to the bottoms of your shoes. To prevent bringing outside dust and dirt into your home, consider having yourself and guests leave shoes at the door. Keep a separate pair of slippers for the indoors.

11. Keep a Doormat

Designer: Wayfair

One of the major contributors of dust is the dirt on the soles of people’s shoes when entering the house. Hence it is important to have a doormat with bristles at the entrance of the house and periodically vacuum clean it. Make sure everyone wipes their shoes before entering the house to prevent the entry of dirt.

12. Pet Grooming

Designer: HappyDogz

Dead skin cells and shed hair constitute a significant origin of dust, and regrettably, our beloved furry companions tend to generate a substantial amount of hair. Maintain a regular grooming routine for your pets to prevent the accumulation of dead skin and hair in your living space. As a positive outcome, both you and your pets will experience an improved sense of well-being.

13. Clean the Plants

Designer: Delineate Your Dwelling

Houseplants accumulate a significant amount of dust, which is detrimental to both health and their ability to absorb sunlight through leaf surfaces. Employ a microfiber cloth to remove dust from the large leaves.

The post How to Create a Dust-Free Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

23 Unique Christmas Tree Décor Ideas For 2023

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Classic Christmas trees, decked out in garland, baubles, and lights, have always been the go-to centerpiece for holiday decorating. If you are working with limited space, facing time constraints, and desiring a distinctive touch this festive season, here are innovative Christmas tree alternatives to bring a touch of charm to your home this holiday season.

1. Rustic Christmas Tree

The twigs contrast against the stone backdrop, finding support on the vintage table clock. Carefully trimmed into a flawless triangle, they boast minimalistic charm with pristine white adornments.

2. All-white Christmas Tree

The all-white Christmas tree in a minimalist home stands out, introducing a wealth of texture to the space. It imparts a snow-covered appearance within a monochromatic color scheme, fitting seamlessly into a neutrally toned environment.

3. Advent Calendar

While traditional 1850s advent calendars featured biblical verses, modern versions, such as IKEA’s Vinterfint Advent Calendar, bring joy with tiny daily gifts. The flat-packed assembly reveals an adorable Christmas diorama with characters, houses, and snowmen, each concealing a trinket or chocolate for the 24 days before Christmas. The scene includes Santa, snowmen, goats, Christmas trees, and countryside-roofed houses on a snowy landscape.

4. Christmas Tree Buns

Elevate your Christmas celebration by introducing Christmas tree-shaped buns to the festive table. It’s a delightful treat for family and friends to savor together. Enjoy the festive charm of bread buns shaped like Christmas trees, paired with roasted Camembert cheese and rosemary, set against a rustic background.

5. Work with Flowers

Authentic flowers are employed to craft a Christmas tree bouquet in this beautiful creation by Sami Riccioli. These flowers are strategically arranged, commencing with warm yellow hues and progressing through orange, pink, blue, and violet, creating a layered appearance. The flowers’ fragrance is certain to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the décor against the all-white backdrop of the walls.

6. Innovative Lighting

Just observe how concentric rings of circular discs of lights are equidistant, forming the shape of a Christmas tree as showcased by the Modern Christmas Tree suspended from the ceiling. The concentric rings create a mesmerizing pattern on the ceiling, achieving a minimalist look.

7. Light and Pattern

Simple and eco-friendly, this Christmas tree by Laura Prestianni is crafted from humble materials like wood, cardboard, and golden ribbons. It’s effortless to assemble and disassemble, presenting a novel design that plays with light and shadow, creating a striking and distinctive Christmas ambiance.

8. Sequin Christmas Tree

Sequin Christmas trees offer a fantastic way to make a statement in your home. These panels are highly versatile, and easily trimmed to any size and shape you desire.

9. Christmas Cake

No Christmas celebration is truly fulfilled without a Christmas cake and this one by Dinara Kasko takes the cake! Imagine turning the Christmas tree into a cake and witnessing how a gorgeous Christmas cake can steal the spotlight on your dining table, offering delightful treats for everyone to enjoy.

10. Floating Christmas Tree

This floating Christmas tree by Marco Zamora and el Creativo Studios emanates the festive spirit and is already set for Christmas. It introduces a completely new dimension to the decor, all while keeping the floor space unoccupied.

11. Veteran’s Day Tree

This tree by Modern Christmas Trees honors and extends gratitude to the courageous individuals who have served the nation. It acknowledges the sacrifices made and the freedom preserved by these brave men and women.

12. Gingerbread Christmas Tree

Transform your Christmas tree into the centerpiece of the table décor, crafting a layered design of macarons in green color surrounded by mini. Allow guests to serve themselves, and let the tree disappear after the consumption of tasty treats—making for a sustainable décor. You can make this with all things baking-related: cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, muffins.

Utilize ingredients from your kitchen to craft an abstract Christmas tree adorned with cinnamon sticks and snowflakes against a dark background. It makes for a perfect holiday decoration, showcasing creativity with common kitchen elements.

13. Just Candles and Snowfall

A few candles and a tree covered with snowfall make this minimalist Christmas tree stand out, providing a unique Christmas flavor and mood.

14. Lady in Red

The red accent chair, Christmas tree, and red presents come together to create a striking picture, adding a dramatic touch to the décor against a backdrop of a grey checkered pattern.

15. Balloon Art

Utilize metallic tones in holographic balloons of various spherical sizes with a metallic finish and beautiful colors or Christmas colors to craft a delightful Christmas tree installation using balloon art as shown by LUMAR Decorations. Complete the design with dried flowers on top.

16. Use Succulents

These unconventional Christmas tree options may deviate from the traditional, yet they are ready to infuse personality into any space and inspire your creativity for this year’s Christmas tree project.

17. Christmas Decorations

A Christmas tree lacks its charm without charming decorations. So, why not engage in a festive activity, involving the children, to create a sense of accomplishment? Explore these Christmas activity ideas filled with holiday spirit from Artoholic’s channel!

You have stumbled upon something ingenious – transforming tomato puree tubes into Christmas decorations. This serves as a splendid illustration of turning waste into a valuable creation and making a sustainable statement this Christmas.

Winter With offers a Christmas-themed range of eco-friendly home decor and accessories like biodegradable candles, side tables, and mugs. Despite the joy of Christmas, the holiday season generates significant waste from decorations, gift wraps, and ornaments, contributing to landfills. To address this issue, designer Jinwook Lee created the Winter With collection, featuring biodegradable Christmas decorations. Lee emphasizes the urgency of environmental concerns, especially the impact of plastic waste on animals and the environment.

18. Embrace Minimalism

The Cubit Modular Shelving System serves as both a functional bookcase and a distinctive decorative option, providing a versatile shelving solution. It’s an ideal choice for a year-round Christmas tree.

19. DIY Tree

Unleash your creativity by crafting your own Christmas tree using recycled materials. In this Christmas tree by Home Depot, differently sized hollow circles form the framework, with beautiful decorations placed inside each circle to create an intriguing composition. At the base, there are silver Christmas decorations and lights for a festive touch.

20. Upcycle

Utilizing recycled bottles to craft a Christmas tree is an excellent way to involve children in a creative crafting activity, as showcased in this post by Upcycled!

21. Moods of a Christmas Tree

The color-changing lights of the Christmas tree transform your space into a winter wonderland, reflecting your distinctive style and leaving a twinkle in everyone’s eyes and transforming into a magical space.

The Govee Christmas String Lights are designed for year-round appeal, they not only create a festive Christmas atmosphere but also function as versatile smart lighting throughout the year. Unlike typical Christmas lights, Govee lights seamlessly integrate into the braided cable, making them nearly invisible with 100 or 200 lamp beads (depending on the length). This discreet design enables seamless installation in different settings, providing flexibility for use beyond the holiday season.

22. Bauhaus Inspiration

Copyright: ProLitteris, Zürich Foto: Kunstmuseum Bern

Observe how this minimalistic Christmas tree draws inspiration from the Bauhaus design school. It displays geometric patterns, using geometry to create a unique and understated aesthetic.

23. Floral Art and Craft

Observe how various colors, sizes, and types of flower art are skillfully combined to craft a creative and festive Christmas tree by the team at My Little Shoebox. With its unique aesthetic, it stands out, featuring a spectrum of colors that adds dynamism to the space.

The post 23 Unique Christmas Tree Décor Ideas For 2023 first appeared on Yanko Design.

20 Indoor Water Features for Home Decor

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Indoor water fountains and water features are becoming a popular design element within the indoors. The soothing sound of water brings an element of tranquility and serenity into the interiors. Some of the indoor design elements include water fountains, waterfalls, or a simple water feature. Note that fountains are decorative water features that use pumps to propel water into the air while waterfalls are man-made formations where water cascades over an edge into another body of water or the ground. Take a look at the different types of waterfalls that can be integrated into the décor of traditional and modern spaces.

1. Wall-Mounted Indoor Waterfall

Designer: WaterfallNow

A huge water fountain serves as the focal point in the atrium, creating a serene ambiance within the indoor space and forming a dominating visual feature in the indoors. The best part of this waterfall is that it can be viewed from various levels of the building, allowing people to enjoy it while ascending or descending the stairs.

2. A Tabletop Water Fountain

Designer: crapelles

Don’t be afraid to have some fun with your water fountain! These fountains are best suited for compact homes and can be placed on the tabletop or on the console. Observe how the presence of live fish infuses vitality into the fountain, with water gently cascading from the leaves. The downward flow of water generates a calming and tranquil sound. This water fountain is not restricted to the living room, but can also be placed in the bedroom, entrance foyer, or home office.

3. Indoor Waterfall in Glass or Acrylic

Designer: Water Fountains Canada

Take a look at this waterfall, its transparent surface allows one to enjoy the view of the flowing water from either side of the waterfall. Another plus is that this waterfall acts as a visual divider that segregates the space into two sections and also allows light to filter through the transparent surface and it is best suited for the common areas of the home.

4. Indoor Koi Pond

The koi pond forms a visual delight as one climbs up and down the stairs. Additionally, koi fish are a popular symbol in feng shui and are believed to bring good luck and prosperity within the home.

5. Staircase with Fountain

Designer: Mascord Design Associates

This staircase integrates a water fountain with a water trough below the staircase. The stone wall cladding forms the perfect backdrop for the staircase as well as the water fountain and infuses a biophilic vibe within the interiors.

6. Zen Water Fountain

This zen water fountain comprises a stone bowl with pebbles and water falling from a bamboo spout via an interior pump that keeps the water flowing. This minimalist water fountain creates healing sounds and is ideal for relaxation and meditation.

7. Water Curtain

Designer: Safe-Rain

Nothing beats the beauty of water flowing continuously from floor to ceiling. Note that the water effect of droplets of water falling from different levels lowing droplets falling from different heights is achieved by mylar clear laces. Additionally, it allows partial visibility on both sides of the water fountain.

8. Gas Fire and Water Bowl

Designer: Woodland Direct

The water-filled fire pits are excellent for the balcony, courtyards or the indoor-outdoor areas of the home. These compact fire units combine the contrasting flames of fire with the calm sounds and visuals of water.

9. Rain Curtain

Designer: Midwest Tropical

Recreate the visual beauty and sound of rain with the rain curtain wall. It is a line of falling water that can be used within the atrium or a stairwell. Special effects can be created by using colored lights to shine on the water and highlight each droplet of water.

10. Miniature Water Garden

This miniature water garden comprises of small plants, a fountain, some nature-inspired aesthetics, and a tree to bring a forest vibe into the décor. The nature-inspired aesthetics transform this fountain into an art piece that adds a biophilic vibe to the decor.

11. Indoor Hot Tub

Designer: Russell Pools

Enjoy a spa like experience from the luxury of your home with an indoor tub integrated with a gas fire and water bowl. Surrounded by an abundance of plants and greenery, the space exudes a meditative ambiance with a soothing vibe. This takes your sensory experience to a whole new level.

12. Beautify with Floating Water Lilies

Designer: Ankit Bhargava

Add an elegant touch to the interiors with the presence of floating water lilies within a bowl as it is a great way of adding understated elegance to the interiors along with a tranquil vibe. The best part of this bowl is that floating flowers gently move in the water.

13. Create an Indoor Water Sculpture

Designer: BIM Arch Studio

Enhance the interior decor with a floor-to-ceiling water sculpture featuring an array of water spouts flowing one into the other, ultimately cascading onto the goddess in an Indian theme. Just see how a wall of spouts adds so much drama to this double-height space. The abundant use of wood combines with green plants to add warmth to the décor and enhance your sensory experience.

14. Bubble Water Walls

Bring in a playful movement of rising water bubbles within a transparent wall. A water bubble wall is a clear panel that display a beautiful water environment and it is made with acrylic and a LED lighted bubble water stream. This water fountain in hues of blue and pink can function as a transparent room divider.

15. Hydrophonic Aquarium

Designer: François Hurtaud

The Eva planter establishes a self-sustaining ecosystem, with fish and plants sharing a symbiotic relationship with each other. Fish produce ammonia, which, when broken down by plant roots, serves as nutrition for the fish. In addition, Eva includes light fixtures that simulate natural sunlight, making it ideal for indoor environments that may not be conducive to plant growth.

16. Aquarium and Terrarium

Designer: James Beardmore

Duo operates on an ingenious principle of symbiosis, wherein two organisms or species mutually support each other. It’s an aquarium cum planter that not only ensures the well-being of the fish but also utilizes the waste produced by the fish to nourish the plants. Subsequently, the oxygen released by the plants oxygenates the water in which the fish reside. This elegant cycle ensures the health of both the fish and the plants. It’s a truly remarkable design for a harmonious coexistence habitat within the home!

17. Multifunctional Water Sculpture

Designer: Midwest Tropical

Seeking inspiration from the grandfather’s clock, this tall and multifunctional water sculpture doubly functions as an aquarium as well as shows the time.

18. Aquatic Terrarium

Designer: Nature Design

How about beautifying the interiors with an aquatic terrarium? An aqua-terrarium, also known as a paludarium, is essentially a fusion of a rainforest terrarium and an aquarium. This terrarium combines with a vertical garden to form an interesting design feature within eh common areas of the home.

19. Water Feature Under Glass

Designer: Mirvac Group

Beneath the glass floor, there is a water feature with a glass panel above it, housing fish within. This arrangement forms a distinctive and innovative setup within this expansive space.

20. Wall Aquarium

The wall aquarium serves as both wall art and a captivating display that captures one’s attention as they ascend. It also helps in illuminating the staircase.

The post 20 Indoor Water Features for Home Decor first appeared on Yanko Design.

23 Christmas Mantel Decor Ideas for 2023

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The fireplace mantel serves as a timeless centerpiece, a focal point for gatherings during the holiday season. It also provides an extra chance to showcase festive decorations and add a touch of holiday sparkle. Given the well-known role of the fireplace as Santa’s grand entrance on Christmas Eve, why not craft a captivating mantel to enhance the festive atmosphere?

Whether your aim is to craft a traditional, modern, minimalist, maximalist, colorful, classic, rustic, or contemporary holiday display, here are some beautiful Christmas mantel ideas for your creative endeavors this holiday season.

1. Opulent and Gleaming

Embrace the timeless allure of silver and gold for the holidays as it outfits one of the mantels with versatile colors in Christmas baubles, candlesticks, stockings, and wreaths against a white backdrop. This classic and festive combination brings a cozy and elegant atmosphere to your festive decorations.

2. Bling of Gold

Craft a whimsical mantel aesthetic with sparkling string lights, opting for a warm white hue for a timeless arrangement. Infuse glamour by designing the décor with clear candle holders, incorporating various shapes and sizes for dimension as shown by designer Shalini Misra. Arrange an assortment of ornaments and small decorative items in a blend of metallic and neutral tones directly atop the mantel and adorn it with gold foliage to achieve the perfect look.

3. Celebrate Tactility

Deviate from the typical mantel design by incorporating a variety of textures in the mantel, stockings, and Christmas trees, adding a tactile quality. The three mirrors contribute to spaciousness, while touches of green infuse a festive atmosphere.

4. Earthy Vibes

Designer: Haneens Haven

Add a whimsical touch to your mantel with Christmas decorations inspired by nature, showcasing colors and textures reminiscent of the natural world. Bring in woodland Santa Claus figurines and Christmas trees in green, gold, white, and natural earthy materials for a minimalist yet charming aesthetic. Observe how the garland elegantly drapes down both sides, evoking a feeling of abundance and celebration.

5. A Dreamy Look

Designer: Lucy and Harly

Craft a warm mantel display with Christmas decorations to achieve a timeless arrangement and cozy festive feel. Stars, candles, and the soft glow of string lights create a relaxing vibe in this minimalist mantel complemented by a circular mirror and characterized by dark green walls.

6. An Evergreen Christmas

The fir trees provide a lovely frame for the garland, allowing the yarrow to stand out. Yarrow is a flowering plant known for its feathery green foliage and clusters of small, tightly packed flowers. The clever and enjoyable use of yellow fosters creative thinking to craft something exceptionally beautiful.

7. Embrace the Holiday Spirit

Designer: Aurelie Erikson

Adorned in soft pastel hues and featuring a sizable pink nutcracker, this mantel exudes a gentle and calming aesthetic. The addition of a large mirror enhances a sense of spaciousness, contributing to an overall bright and airy look.

8. Cool Blue

This minimalist mantel in white stands out against a deep blue backdrop while the red and green Christmas décor creates a bold contrast and makes a striking style statement. The mirror features a chequered grid and its reflections create an element of spaciousness in the décor.

9. Pared Back Look

At times, simplicity proves to be the most effective. Just see how a few elegant touches exude merriment and brightness, whether or not a fire is present. In this minimalist mantel design, just see how textured stockings exude a festive vibe when hung from the wooden base.

10. Just Stockings

Designer: Ballard Designs

Simply hang a few stockings from the mantel to give it a beautiful look. The mantel is impeccably designed with an ornate mirror layered with a beautiful print in front of it and a Christmas garland. A set of vases with a classic design complements the mantel design in this all-white space.

11. Christmas Colors

Adorning the living room with the delightful and timeless hues of Christmas, this mantel showcases red and white berry stems intertwined with various types of greenery. A charming touch is added with a beautiful white velvet ribbon.

12. Seductive in Black

Designer: Hex and Henbane

The seductive allure of the dark black beaded garland complements the green mantel decor. On one side of the mirror, alongside golden candle stands, reindeer, Christmas nutcrackers, and wrapped gifts, the arrangement exudes a luxurious and captivating ambiance.

13. Cozy Mantel

Designer: Christine Higgs

In this all-black mantel, a little faux fire scene is made for a faux fireplace with flameless candles You can enhance the fireplace decor for Christmas and enjoy the creative process of mixing it up and achieving a festive and inviting mantel appearance that exudes coziness.

14. Maximalist Decor

Designer: Sidney Bragiel

This mantel showcases a maximalist aesthetic, incorporating a wrought feature for the fireplace, a striking garland adorned with dense florals, a classic chair, a gilded frame surrounding a painting, and decorative mirrors on either side of the painting. Together, these elements create a maximalist ambiance for the mantel.

15. Focus on Abundance

Photo by Laurey Glenn⁠ and Floral Design by Lagniapp

Adding a touch of elegance to the mantel, a straightforward bouquet complements the classy ambiance. The inclusion of wooden candles, white paneling, contrasting dark wood flooring, and a decorative mirror enhances the sophisticated vibes.

16. Sophisticated Elegance

Designer: Suzanne Zingg

Infuse a tranquil vibe into your Christmas mantel presentation this year. Mix silver Christmas trees, white flowers, and stockings against a white mantel or create a minimalist arrangement with neutral accessories.

17. Winter Inspired Look

This mantel by Janet Clark creates a winter-inspired look with snow garlands, snowflake motifs, and snowy Christmas trees. They combine to create a festive atmosphere on the mantel, striking a holiday chord without the classic red and green.

18. Chic Minimalism

Create a stylish, minimalist mantel with winter whites and metallics that pop against a natural stone backdrop as shown by this setup by Crate and Barrel. This mantel looks visually light and imparts a light and airy look while the differently sized candles and fireplace exude a warm glow.

19. Accentuate with Red

The black mantel provides a bold backdrop which allows the tree print, felt banner, and set of wood trees, with the wood houses, hanging star, wood beads, Christmas plaids, and mantle décor to stand out and provide a wealth of inspiration to the mantel decor.

20. Scandi Inspired Decor

Here is a simple take on Scandinavian-inspired décor that features a wooden Christmas tree, and mantel adorned with Christmas berries, providing just enough to evoke the Christmas feel.

21. Round-the-year Look

This mantel functions as adaptable year-round decor, composed of Christmas tree branches, offcuts, a handful of eucalyptus sprigs, dried gypsophila, and a few foraged sprigs sprayed gold.

22. Ultimate Luxury and Sophistication

Against the black backdrop, the golden mirror frame and reindeer forms the showstopper element of the mantel. The statement-making Christmas décor stands out, emanating a sense of luxury and contemporary elegance at the pinnacle.

23. Festive and Playful

Image: Wayfair

If children are in your home, turn your mantel into a lively and playful area with vibrant Christmas decorations against an orange wallpaper backdrop. An abundance of decorations infuses a dynamic touch to ensure your decor is as festive and cheerful as possible.

The post 23 Christmas Mantel Decor Ideas for 2023 first appeared on Yanko Design.