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How To Design Your Backyard Garden From Scratch

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Starting a garden can be a fun as well as a meditative experience where you care for, nurture, and enjoy watching your plants grow and produce fruits or vegetables. Since starting a garden from scratch can feel overwhelming, let’s simplify it into manageable steps to maximize your space and enjoyment. While gardening fundamentals vary based on location, season, microclimate, soil, and plant preferences, here are some general steps to begin your first garden from scratch.

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1. Consider Your Planting Options

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Before starting your journey of creating and nurturing your private garden, it’s important to understand whether you want a vegetable garden, a herb garden, or a flower garden. Whatever you decide, it’s good to grow vegetables your family enjoys, and for flowers, choose between annuals for long blooms or perennials for longevity. It’s always wise to start small and grow gradually until you feel comfortable.

2. Choose a Sunny Spot

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Observe sunlight patterns in your garden to determine plant needs for full sun, part shade, or full shade, and consult online resources for suitable species for your unique conditions. Most vegetables and flowering plants require 6-8 hours of full sun daily, so assess your yard’s sun exposure to identify suitable spots. Even if your yard is mostly shady, certain plants like impatiens and begonias can thrive. Select a flat area for your garden to avoid dealing with slopes, which can be more challenging and costly. Ensure convenient access to a water source for your garden’s requirements and consider the accessibility of your garden space for watering, harvesting, and tending to your plants.

3. Gardening Tools

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Essential gardening tools are important to ensure the successful cultivation of plants. Pruning scissors are important for maintaining plant health, enabling precise trimming and removing dead parts. For soil preparation and planting, a spade, trowel, and garden fork are essential, allowing for efficient digging and root clearance. Watering equipment includes a garden hose for larger areas and a watering can for delicate plants, ensuring optimal hydration without damaging young growth. Combatting weeds necessitates tools like a forked trowel and gardening knife, enabling efficient removal to maintain the vitality of the garden.

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Start by clearing the area of weeds and sod, which refers to a layer of grass and the soil beneath it that is held together by roots. For quick results, cut out the sod using a spade.

4. Test the Soil

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Consider a soil test for insights into your soil’s composition, including nutrient deficiencies and recommended remedies, or opt for DIY kits offering basic insights. Based on your soil test results, amend your soil by adding necessary nutrients or adjusting pH levels to create the optimal growing conditions for your plants. Add 2-3 inches of compost to new beds during preparation or apply it to existing beds, allowing earthworms to incorporate it over time, improving soil structure and nutrient availability for plants.

5. Prepare the Planting Bed

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Loosening the soil in new beds before planting aids root growth and nutrient absorption. Opt for manual digging, especially for smaller beds. Work the soil when moist but not overly wet or dry, about 6-8 inches deep, mixing in organic matter. Note that healthy soil contains numerous bacteria, fungi, and microbes, allowing plant roots to penetrate easily due to their suitable texture and structure, which is determined by the proportions of clay, sand, and silt in the soil.

Another way to garden is called no-till gardening. First, clear away any debris and grass. Then, spread a thick layer of compost over the area, at least four inches deep. If you’re dealing with tough weeds, you can try sheet mulching. This involves using cardboard to compost the weeds while keeping the soil intact. It’s also a good idea to keep your garden beds no wider than 4 feet so you can easily reach the center.

6. Choose Your Plants

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Opt for plants suited to your climate, soil, and sunlight conditions. You can also browse the internet for plant options. Here are a few beginner-friendly choices:

• Annuals: Marigolds, Petunias, Snapdragons, Impatiens, Zinnias, Geraniums
• Perennials: Black-eyed Susans, Daylilies, Hostas, 0Coneflowers (Echinacea), Sedum
• Vegetables: tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce, Carrots, Cucumbers, Squash (zucchini, yellow squash)

7. Plant with Care

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Most seed packets and transplant containers come with basic planting instructions. Once you’ve done the groundwork, begin planting. For seeds, follow guidelines such as planting them three times as deep as their diameter or as specified. Be cautious with seeds needing light for germination, ensuring they’re not buried too deeply. Transplants are usually planted at the same depth as in the pot, with exceptions like tomatoes. Wait until the danger of frost has passed to heat-loving plants. Young plants may require protection or hardening off before being planted outdoors.

When planting seeds, sow them at the specified depth on the packet, firming the soil gently, and water when the soil surface dries out. Some plants prefer cooler temperatures and can be planted in autumn or late winter, while others thrive in warmth and should wait until after the risk of frost has passed. Mid-spring and mid-autumn are optimal for planting perennials. Annuals can be directly sown in the garden or started indoors a few weeks before the last frost date. Alternatively, purchase young plants for transplanting into prepared beds and ensure proper watering after planting.

8. Start Watering

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Water seedlings daily to prevent them from drying out, adjusting frequency as they grow. Newly transplanted seedlings need watering every other day until their roots are established. Afterward, water once a week, considering soil type, humidity, and weather conditions. Clay soil retains moisture longer than sandy soil. Test soil moisture by feeling 3-4 inches below the surface; if dry, water slowly and deeply. Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation.

9. Add Mulch

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Apply a couple of inches of mulch to the soil for moisture retention and weed suppression, choosing from materials like shredded bark, straw, or river rock. Organic mulches, such as bark or compost, enrich the soil as they break down. Avoid covering seeds you want to grow; opt for quickly decomposing mulches for vegetable gardens, and longer-lasting options like bark chips for perennials. Mulch acts as a protective cover, aiding in moisture retention, soil cooling, and weed suppression, while enhancing the garden bed’s appearance. As organic mulches decompose, they enrich soil fertility. Covering the soil with rocks and organic matter inhibits weed germination and maintains soil moisture and warmth while providing nourishment for beneficial soil organisms. Match the right mulch with each crop: wood chips for fruit trees and shrubs, and lighter options like straw or leaves for delicate vegetables.

10. Maintain the Garden

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Regular maintenance involves watering plants before they wilt, removing weeds before they seed, and clearing away dead or diseased vegetation. Support tall plants with trellises or stakes, and harvest vegetables promptly when ripe. Garden maintenance follows a seasonal rhythm; for instance, in spring, prevent weeds, while summer requires vigilant watering, and fall is meant for pruning and cleanup. Throughout the growing season, attend to your plants’ needs: remove yellow or deformed leaves, stake plants for support, and prune dense growth to improve sunlight and air circulation.

Happy Gardening!

The post How To Design Your Backyard Garden From Scratch first appeared on Yanko Design.

What Are The 7 Principles Of Interior Design?

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Interior design is a creative field that incorporates a variety of principles that combine to create visually appealing as well as functional spaces. These principles form the basis upon which designers create their themed compositions that ensure harmony, balance, and coherence within the interiors and also enhance the quality of life of its occupants. Whether planning a renovation with professionals or embarking on a do-it-yourself project, it is important to understand these principles of interior design. The seven fundamental principles of interior design include Balance, Harmony, Rhythm, Proportion and Scale, Emphasis, Contrast, and Detail.

Designer: Hygge by Kate

1. Balance

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In interior design, balance creates a sense of harmony as it pertains to the visual arrangement of furniture and décor that distributes objects evenly to achieve a sense of equilibrium within the room décor. Achieving balance involves careful consideration of the placement of elements within the space so that it visually stabilizes a space, ensuring no single element dominates in terms of visual weight. A well-balanced room feels calm and comfortable, while imbalance creates discomfort and visual discord. Achieving balance, from managing color and texture to furniture arrangement, can be challenging, therefore well-designed spaces achieve visual balance by harmonizing elements like colors, lines, forms, furniture, lighting, and décor. Balance can be broadly classified into three categories.

Symmetrical Balance

Symmetrical or formal balance is the primary method of achieving balance in interior design as it evenly divides space into mirroring sides. For instance, in a living room, symmetrical balance is achieved with two identical armchairs flanking a coffee table. Similarly, in a bedroom, symmetry is attained with matching bedside tables and lamps. Note that too much symmetry in modern design can create a lack of visual interest.

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical balance is a contemporary interior design approach that prioritizes flexibility over the replication of identical objects. Instead, it seeks balance through variations in visual weight, shape, dimensions, and size. Unlike symmetry, which imposes uniform order, asymmetry introduces a dynamic, informal atmosphere. Balancing visual elements such as weight, texture, and color becomes pivotal. Despite its challenges, an asymmetrical design can significantly elevate a space.

Radial Balance

Radial balance employs a central focal point from which design elements extend outward or inward. It uses a more intricate approach and revolves around a central focal point, such as a round rug or pendant light fixture, with all other elements arranged symmetrically around it.

2. Harmony

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Harmony in design involves arranging objects and colors in a space to create a unified and cohesive aesthetic. It’s achieved when everything in a room works together to reinforce a common theme or style throughout the space. This might involve using a dominant color or pattern or selecting furniture pieces with similar shapes and textures. Harmony in interior design principles involves seamlessly blending style, theme, or mood to create a sense of unity and belonging in the room’s design. While not every element needs to match, they should complement each other, such as through the use of a consistent color scheme or pattern.

3. Rhythm

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Rhythm is an important principle in interior design that revolves around the repetition or contrast of design elements to create movement and visual interest. Much like music and poems use repetition to establish rhythm, in interior design, repeating specific elements at regular intervals defines rhythm. This element is crucial for a well-executed design, as it significantly influences both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of a space. Colors, patterns, and textures are employed in rhythm to generate visual interest and guide the eye throughout the space. For example, repeating a geometric pattern across various elements like rugs, throw pillows, and artwork establishes rhythm and cohesion within the overall design. By utilizing these visual techniques, the eye can be directed throughout the space and enhance the room’s overall appeal.

4. Scale and Proportion

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Proportion refers to the relationship between two items, while scale concerns how one object’s size relates to another. For instance, a tiny rug in a spacious living room can appear disproportionate. Conversely, an oversized lamp on a small side table might seem overwhelming in scale. In the industry, both scale and proportion relate to object size. Scale refers to the size of objects to others or the space itself. For example, a bed may be measured in proportion to the average human body. Note that the ancient Greeks unveiled the mystery of proportions through the Golden Ratio, a formula that enhances aesthetic appeal by simplifying proportions into a harmonious equation. This ratio embodies perfect symmetry between two proportions and is not only evident but also widely employed by artists and architects for its profound impact on design.

5. Emphasis

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While balance and harmony are important in interior design, focusing solely on them can result in a lack of dynamism in a space. This is where emphasis becomes crucial as it involves incorporating a focal point, such as a striking piece of art or unique sculpture, to anchor the room. Radial balance complements this concept by directing focus towards the chosen focal point, enhancing its prominence within the space. There are numerous ways to apply this principle, including statement lighting fixtures, bold rugs, or eye-catching architectural features like fireplaces or exposed beams. A focal point catches the viewer’s attention upon entering a room, standing out prominently due to the space’s arrangement. Design elements can highlight a focal point, allowing it to dominate the space and unify the design. Regardless of its nature, a focal point should draw the eye more than other areas of the room. Various techniques, such as the use of color, statement furniture, artwork, or architectural features, can establish emphasis. However, color is a powerful tool for emphasis where using a bold color immediately draws attention, making it effective for highlighting specific areas. Bold patterns can also create emphasis and make a strong statement, while subtle ones add interest without overwhelming the space.

6. Contrast

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Contrast is a cornerstone of interior design, injecting spaces with visual intrigue and vitality. While harmony is crucial, an excess of uniformity can render a space dull and uninspiring, lacking in distinction. Contrast serves to strike the necessary balance, allowing specific room features or design elements to command attention effectively. Contrast infuses playfulness, drama, and visual interest into space through various means like juxtaposing colors, blending geometric patterns with organic ones, unifying modern minimalism with vintage charm, contrasting textures such as rough and smooth surfaces, and integrating circular forms with angular furniture.

7. Details

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Details, the last fundamental principle of interior design, are of immense importance as they form the essence of design. A room, no matter how well-designed, feels incomplete without attention to these elements. This principle provides an opportunity for personal expression, allowing one to truly customize the space. From selecting unique hardware like drawer pulls and faucets to choosing artwork, plants, and textiles, these small elements imbue the room with character.

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In conclusion, the principles of interior design provide a framework for creating highly functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. By applying these principles, designers can achieve harmony, balance, rhythm, emphasis, proportion, and unity within interiors. Every aspect of the design contributes to a cohesive and inviting interior environment. Mastering these principles empowers designers to transform spaces into inspiring reflections of both style and purpose.

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25 Household Hacks That Make Cleaning A Breeze

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Cleaning frequency depends on lifestyle and can feel like a looming task. There’s always a lot of cleaning to be done but with limited time and little desire to spend hours scrubbing after work, an efficient solution is needed. Thankfully, results can be achieved without dedicating hours and using ingredients already on hand, avoiding the need to buy more eco-friendly cleaning products. Here are some tried and tested tips to get you going.

Designer: Roborock

1. Refresh Microwave with Steam

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Steam-clean your microwave by placing a bowl of lemon juice inside and microwaving it for 2 minutes, or until the lemon juice boils. This trick generates steam that helps loosen any residue clinging to the microwave walls. Afterward, wipe down the interior with a cloth, leaving behind a refreshing citrus aroma.

2. Eliminate Wine Stains on Carpets

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Although wine stains can pose a challenge, there’s a solution with club soda. Start by spraying the stain with club soda, then gently blot it with a microfiber cloth. Repeat this procedure until the stain disappears. Note that rubbing alcohol, clear vodka, and even white wine can be utilized for this cleaning technique.

3. Clean your Ceiling Fan Using a Pillowcase

To clean fans, cover each blade with a pillowcase and wipe. This ensures dust is collected inside the pillowcase instead of settling on your furniture and floors.

4. Clean Blinds with Socks

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Start by placing an old sock on one hand and lightly moistening it with water. Next, grasp each blind panel and glide your hand covered with the sock along the length of the slats, effectively removing dust from both sides.

5. Remove Water Marks with Shaving Cream

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Remove water stains from shower glass effectively using shaving cream. Simply apply the shaving cream, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it off.

6. Shine with Lemon Oil and Vinegar

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Woodwork and wooden furnishings accumulate dust and dirt with time, requiring regular cleaning to maintain their shine. For an eco-friendly and shiny cleaning hack, combine equal parts lemon oil and white vinegar.

7. Eliminate Hard Water Stains

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Remove hard water stains by soaking paper towels in undiluted vinegar, placing them on the buildup overnight, then scrubbing and rinsing.

8. Use Microfiber Dusters

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Clean efficiently with microfiber products, which use an electrostatic charge to attract and hold dust. They outperform traditional methods like dry rags and feather dusters. Machine-washable and reusable, they save money over disposable options. Air dry them for continued softness, and avoid bleach or fabric softener to maintain effectiveness.

9. Polish Surfaces Using Olive Oil

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Buff surfaces, such as stainless-steel pots, pans, and appliances, with olive oil applied on a soft cloth in circular motions to effectively clean and polish them.

10. Freshen your Garbage Disposal with Lemons

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Freshen and cleanse your garbage disposal by using lemons or limes. Given the regular dirty work it handles, maintaining cleanliness and preventing clogs is crucial. Simply cut the citrus fruit into quarters, and with the water running, insert the pieces one by one into the disposal.

11. Use Rubber Gloves to Eliminate Pet Hair

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To tackle pet hair that your regular vacuum may miss, opt for rubber gloves, which effectively gather remaining hair when rubbed against fabric due to their elasticity. Simply slide them on, rub down areas needing extra cleaning, and then rinse the gloves under running water to remove the collected hair.

12. Freshen Upholstery

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Banish unpleasant odors from upholstery by blending vinegar, water, and a preferred essential oil like lavender. Pre-test the solution on a hidden spot for colorfastness before applying it to the rest of the upholstery, as it often retains odors. If safe, spray the mixture on the remaining upholstery, then vacuum once dry.

13. Clean the Mattress

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Refresh your mattress by combining baking soda and vinegar. Spray vinegar on the mattress, sprinkle with baking soda, cover with a towel, and let sit for one to two hours before vacuuming. Another method that can be used for mattress cleaning is to employ a garment steamer to thoroughly treat the top, sides, and box springs, eliminating dust mites. Follow up with your vacuum’s upholstery tool to remove deceased mites. Address stains with a carpet and upholstery cleaner, ensuring not to over-wet the mattress.

14. Clean the Gadgets

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Utilize damp microfiber cloths to clean shared tech like TV remotes, keyboards, and game controllers, followed by disinfectant-treated cloths for germs. Make sure to keep surfaces wet for 5 minutes, then wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Repeat twice weekly. For keyboard crevices, tap gently and use a folded sticky note to remove stubborn dirt

15. Clean the Grout

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Clean grimy grout by making a paste of baking soda and water, applying it with an old toothbrush, spraying vinegar over it to create a bubbling mixture, scrubbing with a brush or old electric toothbrush head, and rinsing tiles well with water afterward.

16. Cut the Dirt

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To keep dirt out of the house, use a high-quality dirt-trapping doormat. Regularly shake it outside and vacuum it weekly. Check if it’s machine washable, but be cautious as some mats may be heavy when wet.

17. Sparkling Clean Windows

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Achieve sparkling windows by spraying a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to nine parts water onto the glass and wiping it with a lint-free cloth. Then, use a chamois leather or glass polishing microfiber cloth to buff them to a brilliant shine.

18. Use Soda Crystals

Soda crystals are versatile cleaners, useful for deodorizing washing machines, removing burnt-on residue from pans, keeping sinks and drains fresh, and clearing moss and algae from patios. To unclog plugholes and drains, pour in half a cup of soda crystals followed by boiling water, but remember to wear gloves as they can irritate the skin.

19. Use Lemon to Clean the Cutting Board

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To freshen up your wooden cutting board, sprinkle salt on it and scrub it with half a lemon. Rinse and repeat if necessary for a clean board.

20. Refresh your Refrigerator

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Freshen up your refrigerator with the aroma of coffee. Just place dry ground coffee in a bowl inside the fridge. The coffee grounds will absorb any unpleasant odors, keeping your fridge smelling clean and fresh.

21. Scrub your Cast Iron with a Potato

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Clean your cast-iron skillet with a potato. Sprinkle salt inside, then use a halved potato to scrub in circles. Rinse and dry.

22. Clean the Coffee Maker

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Clean your coffee maker with vinegar. Fill the chamber with equal parts vinegar and water, then run the machine. Flush with water afterward. Repeat until clean.

23. Renew Cloudy Glasses

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Restore clarity to cloudy glasses by soaking them in white vinegar for five minutes to dissolve hard-water mineral buildup. Hand rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth for sparkling results

24. Make an All-Purpose Cleaner

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Create a versatile kitchen cleaner with this homemade recipe. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Apply to surfaces and wipe away messes with a sponge. Rinse with a damp cloth if necessary.

25. Clean your Sponge

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Keep your sponge bacteria-free by microwaving it for 30 seconds or running it through the dishwasher. Remember to let it cool before use.

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How To Design For Wellness In Interior Design

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Wellness design’ is on the rise, focusing on prioritizing people’s health in the design process by considering factors like lighting, air quality, and connections to nature. As interior design significantly affects mental health, it should also support our health and well-being. Note that incorporating wellness into interior spaces is fundamental to fostering successful and healthy lifestyles where physical, emotional, and aesthetic aspects should be considered, leveraging sensory effects. Wellness entails utilizing sustainable natural materials, optimizing natural light and airflow, judiciously employing artificial lighting, designing layouts for social interaction and private contemplation, enhancing existing pieces through upcycling, and manipulating color to influence mood.

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This holistic approach extends beyond interiors, encompassing the broader environment through mindful material sourcing. Key strategies include optimizing natural light and airflow, fostering tranquil private areas with a connection to nature, employing natural materials, and organizing space effectively for seamless functionality. These considerations contribute to creating environments conducive to overall wellness. Here are key factors to take into account when incorporating wellness into interior design.

Natural Light and Ventilation

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As natural light significantly influences circadian rhythms and boosts serotonin levels, it is important to prioritize maximizing natural light in the interior spaces to support a healthy sleep cycle. Wellness architecture prioritizes healthy airflow and toxin elimination, achieved by allowing rooms to breathe and incorporating features like large windows, high ceilings, and vents. Plants are also essential for cleaning the atmosphere, making greenery a must-have for any space.

Artificial Lighting

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Light plays an important role in wellness design, significantly impacting our daily lives by regulating our wakefulness and sleep cycles. This influence stems from our circadian rhythm, a self-regulatory system. Harsh light disrupts our sleep-wake cycle, while low light levels can induce fatigue.

Thermal Comfort

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As thermal comfort is affected by air movement, temperature, humidity, and human behavior, the building should be oriented according to the position of the sun. Strategic placement of windows, treatments, overhangs, and landscaping can enhance the thermal comfort of your home.

A Clutter-free Space

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A cluttered environment tends to drain our energy and impact our mood negatively. When thinking about interior design and mental health, the best thing is to have a functional layout that is easy to organize and tidy up. Optimize your space with fluid, flexible organization to minimize stress. Conceal necessary but unattractive items while displaying meaningful décor. Close off messy areas behind doors for visual clarity and peace of mind. Invest in furniture pieces that suit your needs or are multifunctional so that they take up less space.

Biophilic Design

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The rise of biophilic interior design taps into nature’s mood-boosting power, integrating these principles for functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces that promote mental health. Scientifically supported benefits of nature, such as stress reduction and improved health, emphasize the importance of incorporating plants and natural elements into interiors. These additions not only enhance air quality but also elevate mood and reduce anxiety. Simple touches like hanging baskets or kitchen herb gardens can effortlessly infuse color and charm into living spaces.

Color and Mood

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Color significantly influences a room’s mood and emotions where lighter colors create an airy, spacious feel, while darker tones offer intimacy. Neutrals like black, gray, white, and brown balance passive and active colors. Active hues like yellow and pink stimulate creativity, while passive ones like blue and green promote calmness. Personal preferences should guide color choices, as emotional responses vary. Color plays a significant role in shaping mood, impacting the emotional well-being of the end user. Tailoring the color palette to suit the primary function of each room enhances the space’s intended purpose.

Natural Materials

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To reduce the risk of off-gassing from synthetic fibers in fabrics and paints, avoid manmade materials in your home. Opt for essential oils instead of artificial fresheners to improve air quality. Furnish with natural materials like wood, organic cotton, organic linen, and wool for healthier living spaces. Sustainable organic materials are essential, extending beyond transparency in sourcing to encompass waste reduction, renewability, energy efficiency, and non-toxicity. Note that treated materials, such as chemically stained wood, chemically sealed tiles, flooring with formaldehyde, and fire-retardant fabrics, can release harmful compounds into the air, often unnoticed.

Sleep Well

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Good sleep forms an important component of wellness and rejuvenation. Additionally, comfort is essential in wellness-focused interior design, with ergonomics ensuring user-friendliness. It encompasses psychological, physiological, and anatomical comfort, alongside efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Neglecting any of these elements renders the space ergonomically incomplete.

Designer: Hastens Beds

Find time to relax and get a good night’s sleep on an ergonomic mattress. Hästens beds epitomize the use of premium natural materials, sustainably and ethically sourced, ensuring their potential for future reuse. Renowned for its exceptional properties, horsehair provides unparalleled support and pliability, augmented by its innate ventilation system. Independently tested for allergens, horsehair remains hypoallergenic, boasting natural antibacterial qualities for a hygienic sleep environment. Processed meticulously since the 1800s, horsehair undergoes rigorous cleaning and disinfection, resulting in a pristine, resilient filling material.

Complementing horsehair, soft cotton facilitates airflow, promoting quicker sleep onset and deeper rest. In contrast, non-porous materials lack ventilation, fostering moisture retention and bed mite proliferation. Selectively sourced and meticulously sorted, horsehair variants ensure consistent quality across all products. Additionally, wool and flax are utilized for temperature regulation, static dissipation, and sound absorption, culminating in a harmonious blend of comfort and performance. Crafted with precision, spring systems, including pocket and Bonnell spiral designs, offer tailored support and longevity, backed by a 25-year warranty.

Sustainability

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Having sustainability as a wellness focus in the home involves incorporating eco-friendly materials such as linoleum, floral leather, and cork into furniture, as well as utilizing vintage pieces. Additionally, integrating cutting-edge technology helps optimize energy consumption within the spaces. By employing computer simulations to track the sun’s trajectory, one can accurately determine the necessary cooling and heating requirements for each area. Choose green products free of VOCs and harmful chemicals to optimize a healthy environment. Consider materials like wool, stone, bamboo, cork, hempcrete, clay, and other bio-based options. Recycled steel and plastic are great for architecture and furniture design. Buying secondhand items is an effective way to reduce your footprint.

Lighting

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Light is increasingly pivotal in home design, with spaces crafted around natural light sources and smart lighting systems mimicking daylight. Natural light is central to the discussion, offering significant health and wellness benefits by enhancing productivity, alertness, and mood. It not only influences our day-night rhythm but also impacts our vitamin D balance crucial for bone health. By strategically employing lighting and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we create adaptable lighting schemes that render spaces both versatile and aesthetically pleasing. Customizing lighting to suit each room’s purpose helps regulate mood and enhance productivity. Additionally, minimizing exposure to blue light by reducing screen time before bedtime promotes improved sleep quality and reduces anxiety levels.

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Wellness in design is increasingly prominent across architecture, furniture, and interiors, driven by a growing public awareness. The pandemic has accelerated this trend as people reassess their lifestyles and prioritize mental and physical health. With more time spent at home, there’s a heightened focus on adapting living spaces to accommodate remote work and other needs.

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Elements of Interior Design: Lighting

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Light forms an important design element in interior design that transforms the space, creates different moods and determines the way we perceive color and texture. Natural light can come in via sources like windows or skylights while the different sources of artificial light include pendant lights, lamps, and sconces to name a few. A well-designed lighting scheme transforms the overall look and breathes life into the interiors. Additionally, lighting adds depth, highlights design features, and creates a fine balance between light and shade to create a rejuvenated atmosphere in architecture and interior design.

Designer: Brand van Egmond

What are the three elements of lighting design?

The Lighting design can be broadly classified into three layers or elements namely ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.

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Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting also known as general lighting provides overall basic illumination for a room. It functions as a base layer and factors like the room size, height, aesthetics, and functionality need to be taken into consideration for the lighting design. Ambient lighting, whether from overhead lights like modern pendants or soft sources such as table lamps and wall sconces, forms an essential component of interior design. Some of the common sources of ambient light include natural light and overhead fixtures like pendants, ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, lighting panels, and so on. While essential for illumination, ambient lighting works in conjunction with other layers to create a comprehensive lighting solution. It creates a warm and soothing atmosphere that allows flexibility in illuminating fixtures and determines the room’s ambiance.

Task Lighting

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Task lighting combines with ambient illumination to provide focused lighting while eliminating shadows and reducing eyestrain. It can be used for illuminating a kitchen countertop for food preparation, cooking, and cleaning, a study table, or an office workstation for working. Kitchen LED fixtures over the island, provide bright task lighting while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the kitchen, and this stylish yet functional lighting approach is used for bedside tables with reading lights. The different types of light fixtures that are suitable for task lighting include floor lamps, table lamps, bathroom vanity lights, and cabinet lights. The lighting intensity is more and some task lights utilize focused beams to intensify the lighting intensity so that it can cater to specific needs. The combination of ambient and task lighting not only enhances the functionality of the lighting but also provides a decorative look to the interiors.

Accent Lighting

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Accent lighting is the most decorative layer as it complements other design elements and highlights specific architectural features or decorations. This layer allows for customization based on individual preferences and belongings and can be used to highlight columns, wall art, photographs, decorative vases, and sculptures to name a few. Some of the common light fixtures that are used for accent lighting include wall sconces, track lighting, LED tape, and rope lighting. The best part about accent lighting is that it creates a focal point in a room by highlighting specific features, such as a fireplace, paintings, or furniture, through adjustable spotlights and wall lights so that they create visual interest and accentuate the unique characteristics of the home decor.

Natural Light

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Natural light plays a vital role in interior design as it combines with sunlight to influence the mood and overall décor of the home. Note that bright colors are best suited for rooms that receive less natural light and it is highly recommended to go for cool and neutral tones for spaces that receive abundant sunlight.

Natural lighting enters the home through windows, skylights, or mirrors to enhance the overall look of the interiors and create a brilliant connection with the outdoors. As per studies, natural light is important for the well-being of individuals and large windows or skylights create a bright and airy environment that is perfect for relaxation. However, one must make sure to use light-filtering blinds or curtains to regulate the amount of light that enters the interiors.

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How to create a layered lighting scheme?

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Different layers of light combine to create a layered lighting scheme. The first layer comprises ceiling lights that provide general illumination and set the overall tone of the interiors. The second layer focuses on specific areas or activities, such as table lamps for reading or under-cabinet lighting for the kitchen countertop. The third layer of light or accent lighting highlights specific features or objects, using elements like track lighting or floor lamps. This layering technique helps to control the light intensity and create a balanced and harmonious environment within the room.

What factors should be taken into consideration in lighting design?

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Various factors should be taken into consideration when designing the lighting for any space. Some of the considerations include determining the functions and activities that will take place within the space, specifying the tasks to be performed, highlighting architectural features, the furniture placement for seating, and establishing the desired mood within the décor.

Color Temperature

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Light Color Temperature, measured in Kelvin, is crucial for achieving the desired ambiance as lower Kelvins produce warmer light, while higher Kelvins result in cooler light. Hence if you want to achieve a warm temperature, opt for lower Kelvin lights while cooler Kelvins are highly recommended for brighter environments.

Intensity of Light

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Light intensity is as crucial as the color temperature of the lights. The intensity of lights should be adjusted based on the coverage needs to avoid spaces being too bright and unwelcoming causing eye strain, or spaces that are dim and gloomy.

Glare

It is important to manage glare for comfort in homes, offices, and commercial spaces as it might strain the eyes and reduce the overall productivity within the workspace.

Even the Distribution of Light

When lighting any space, make sure that there is an even distribution of light to avoid dark spots and shadows. Keep in mind that adequate illumination is crucial for areas connecting different spaces so that one does not trip while walking.

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How does lighting transform space?

Looks Spacious

Lighting, both natural and artificial, impacts the perceived size of space as well-lit rooms appear larger and more spacious, while darker rooms feel smaller and more confined.

Good Ambiance

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Interior lighting design shapes a room’s atmosphere by selecting from various color temperatures as lighting shapes our moods and behavior. Note that bright, cool-toned lighting boosts focus, while dimmer, warmer lighting promotes relaxation. Additionally, the cool white lighting boosts productivity in offices, while warm whites create a cozy ambiance in bedrooms and living rooms.

Accents

Lighting design also serves to emphasize specific elements within a room, whether it be a piece of furniture, artwork, or the lighting fixture itself.

Adds Depth and Dimension

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Light creates depth and dimension by highlighting areas and casting shadows. For instance, directional lighting adds drama to a room, emphasizing texture and shape in objects or artwork.

Enhances Texture and Pattern

Lighting enhances textures and patterns by strategically directing accent lights. These lights can highlight feature walls, create an interesting play of shadows, or draw attention to unique textures or patterns that are present in the interiors.

Highlight Color

Lighting significantly enhances a room’s color scheme. Cool-toned lights emphasize blues and greens, while warm-toned lighting highlights yellows, oranges, and reds.

The post Elements of Interior Design: Lighting 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.

How To Make Compost At Home

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Composting is an aerobic procedure that requires oxygen and transforms organic substances into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer or mulch via the process of natural decomposition. Microorganisms consume materials in the compost pile, utilizing carbon and nitrogen for growth, water for digestion, and oxygen for respiration, resulting in compost—a dark, crumbly material with an earthy smell. Composting is nature’s method of recycling naturally, helping in reducing waste, combating climate change, and enhancing the quality of the soil. The biggest advantage is that one can compost kitchen food scraps along with dry leaves and woody debris from your yard at home.

Designer: Otis Oat

What are the benefits of composting?

• Composting allows one to recycle food scrap and manage waste more sustainably.
• It helps in reducing the volume of materials that may get disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators, thereby reducing the emission of powerful greenhouse gases.

Designer: Homesteading Where You Are

• Composting requires minimal effort and is a cost-effective way to produce high-quality soil amendments while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Another advantage is that composting is that it creates nutrient-rich soil, prevents soil erosion, conserves water, and improves plant growth.

What are the different types of composting?

Composting can be broadly classified into backyard composting and vermicomposting.

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting includes carbon-rich materials or browns like dry leaves, twigs, plant stalks, nitrogen-rich materials, or greens like grass clippings and food scraps. Composting involves the presence of water and oxygen, where carbon-rich materials serve as food for microorganisms, and nitrogen-rich materials generate heat in the pile.

Image Source: Plantophiles

• For backyard composting, the first step is to decide on a method for gathering and storing browns outdoors and collect fruit and vegetable scraps in a sealed container either on your kitchen counter, under your sink, or in your fridge or freezer.
• Identify an accessible, well-draining space in your yard for a compost pile, and select a bin type, that can be constructed from materials like wire, wood, cinder blocks, or enclosed options such as barrels and tumblers.
• Chop and break down the browns and greens into smaller pieces before adding them to the pile to expedite the decomposition process.
• Construct the compost pile with a four- to six-inch layer of substantial browns, like twigs and wood chips, to absorb excess liquids, elevate the pile, and facilitate air circulation at the base. Follow by layering greens and, add a bit of water to moisten the pile. Note that the browns should be at least three times the greens.
• As the compost pile decomposes, the center temperature initially rises. One can speed up decomposition and aerate by turning and mixing the pile with a garden fork. Monitor moisture, odor, and temperature, adjusting as needed. Adjust the compost by moistening and turning if it’s too dry, adding browns and turning if there’s an odor, mixing in greens, and turning if it’s not heating up.
• Once your compost pile stops heating up and shows no visible food scraps after mixing, let it cure for at least four weeks, relocating the oldest compost if desired. Note that after curing, the pile will be reduced to about one-third.
• Well-maintained compost is ready in three to five months, looking dark, loose, and crumbly with a soil-like smell. Screen or sift the finished compost to remove undecomposed materials, such as twigs or fruit pits, and add them back to the active or new pile if desired.
• Well-constructed and properly maintained compost piles, whether in bins or open, should not attract pests or rodents. If using a bin, reinforce it with a lid and potentially a floor, ensuring no holes or gaps larger than ¼ inch. Cover and bury food scraps in the pile, and avoid adding meat, dairy, or greasy foods.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting employs specific earthworm species to enhance the organic waste conversion process, utilizing microorganisms and earthworms in a mesophilic environment. Earthworms consume organic materials, producing granular excrement known as vermicompost, which, in simple terms, improves soil’s biological, chemical, and physical properties. The earthworm’s digestive tract secretions aid in breaking down soil and organic matter, enriching the castings with readily available nutrients for plants. Various organic residues, including straw, husk, leaves, stalks, and livestock or poultry wastes, can be transformed into vermicompost, with earthworms reducing waste volume by 40–60 percent.

Types of Compost Bins

Here is a curated assortment of innovative compost bins.

1. Handheld Composting Machine

Designer: Shihcheng Chen

The ReGreen is a compact handheld device simulates the look of a miniature waste-disposal machine and incorporates an aluminum grinder that efficiently crushes and pulverizes waste while promoting quick biodegradation. The device features a top opening for waste input, a rotating arm that facilitates gentle pulverization and its base allows water drainage for compost drying. After waste is processed, one can introduce enzymes to speed up composting and convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

2. Plant Cultivator and Compost Bin

Designer: Robin Akira

Paradise is an automated plant cultivator and compost bin designed to decrease domestic waste via the use of integrated technology that notifies users about compost and plant care needs. Inspired by the pandemic-driven shift to home-centric living, designer Robin Akira created Paradise to integrate greenery into interior spaces while addressing the global rise in domestic waste with its composting features and odor-sealing lid.

3. Compost Bin cum Indoor Garden

Designer: Chaozhi Lin

In a changing world where sustainability is a personal commitment, KAGURA, a self-sustaining indoor gardening system created by Chaozhi Lin, facilitates composting and vegetable cultivation. Consisting of a food waste container, elevated light structure, and three soil pots, KAGURA transforms scraps into compost, nourishing plants with an attractive, compact light fixture. Designed to fit any kitchen or living space, this system caters to environmentally conscious individuals in urban settings, addressing the challenge of limited yard space and making sustainable living feasible for city homes.

4. Compost Sleek Bin

Designer: Alp Çakın

Homepost, an innovative composting station, addresses waste challenges in office environments by accelerating the composting process, containing odors, and providing additional storage space. Its efficient design allows for the transformation of diverse organic waste, including plastics, paper, nutshells, teabags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and eggshells. The system’s environmentally friendly construction, made from sustainable green polyethylene, absorbs carbon dioxide during production. Featuring a rotating arm for easy transportation, Homepost’s modules nest efficiently for minimal space occupancy during transit.

5. Composting Machine

Designer: Jinhwi Bang

Reencle tackles the escalating food waste issue in the USA by efficiently breaking down household food-prep waste, bones, peels, leftovers, and expired products into compost within 24 hours. Roughly the size of a trash bin, Reencle features an automatic opening lid and a control panel, with microorganisms inside its chamber facilitating the composting process. The mechanical churning system reduces waste volume through vigorous mixing, and any emissions are filtered to release trace amounts of water vapor and clean air. This at-home solution transforms food waste into nutrient-rich compost for gardens or disposal, mitigating environmental harm caused by landfill decomposition.

6. Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Designer: Adrian Moro

Kamoro’s Compost Bin is crafted with a streamlined airflow design that both dries out waste and provides essential oxygen for microbial survival, ensuring the effortless cultivation of a healthy compost batch. Its double-walled construction consists of an outer stainless-steel container and an inner plastic bucket. The stainless-steel container incorporates a perforated base to establish an airflow pattern, and an activated carbon filter on top effectively filters outgoing air, reducing any odors generated during the organic breakdown process.

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