These new-generation candles add a calming process to your bedtime routine

Posted on 28/05/2023 by Tanvi Joshi

Don’t we all fall asleep every night while scrolling through our phones? Attending to all of the notifications received throughout the day feels like a responsibility. However, responding to any of these notifications opens up an entire thread of messages, causing you to lose track of time and fall behind on your sleep routine.

People in the pre-tech era had better sleeping habits. Blue light is harmful to the eyes and affects one’s circadian rhythms (aka sleep-wake cycle) which is why it is recommended that one does not look at any screen till two hours before sleeping in order to have a good and well-rested sleep.

Designer: Pelin Özbalcı

Candles were utilized for purposes other than fragrance in the past. Candle timers are thin candles with evenly spaced markings that, when lighted, represent the passage of time. They also provided a soothing environment to promote one’s circadian rhythms but lacked the ease and dependability of modern technologies. Many people find it difficult merely to lie down and sleep. Our minds are glued to the distractions that the screens offer. We wait till our eyes fatigue and dry out and we can no longer stay awake. This one-of-a-kind method for truly unwinding and relaxing your mind is exactly what you need to incorporate into your everyday sleep regimen.

CClock is a modern-day candle timer that incorporates simple mechanic controls while retaining the simplicity and tranquility of traditional candle clocks. This product allows one to reap the benefits without having to worry about running out of wax.

The clock features an adjustable lever and a darkened timer, allowing customers to personalize their experience and adapt it to their preferred ambiance. This keeps a person preoccupied and disconnected from the screen one can zone out and eventually fall asleep by watching the candle burn out. The approach encourages a healthy sleep cycle. However, the use of yellow light as an alternative to the currently recommended white light can be looked into it. Yellow light is better suitable for resting eyes and would improve the peaceful experience by proving beneficial for circadian rhythms.

The body of the battery-operated CClock has a sleek and modern appearance and is accented with six orange dots, each signifying 10 minutes of total timer capacity for a maximum of 60 minutes. This allows customers to set their desired relaxation time easily and correctly, with clear and easy indicators that improve usage and convenience.

CClock can also be used as part of the ambient lighting in a room. To illuminate the entire product, flip the lever upwards once it has reached its maximum position and has darkened entirely. This operation will disable the timer and allow the candle to burn completely and indefinitely. This function gives users more freedom in how they use the device by allowing them to switch from timed relaxation to full candlelight as needed.

The design can be upgraded by adding a feature of the sunlight alarm. Sunlight alarms are lights that progressively brighten up at a set time allowing you to gradually experience and wake up as the sun rises. Combining the 2 products would undoubtedly upsell this thoughtful design.

The candle’s framework is intended to be versatile. In addition to serving as a stable platform for the electronic candle and lever mechanism, the base has a small compartment for rings or other small things. This enhanced functionality allows consumers to store jewelry, hair accessories, chains, earphones, or any other valuables while using the device in a convenient and secure location.

The post These new-generation candles add a calming process to your bedtime routine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sleek Hitachi-inspired shower heater concept simplifies the process of getting hot water

Posted on 27/05/2023 by Ida Torres

When you take a shower in a hotel or an Air BnB, you rarely think about the design of your shower heater. All you care about is that it works and that you figure out how it works. There are a lot of times, at least in my experience, when I just open the shower and wait for the heater to do its thing. And if it doesn’t, then I’ll have to work with a cold shower as I have no patience to tinker with something that might just figuratively (or literally) blow up in my face.

Designer: Sinan Anayurt

This concept for a Hitachi New Shower Heater might be able to solve that heater problem. Not only is it designed to be unobtrusive and simple enough to use, it also aims to bring the simple Japanese aesthetics of minimalism with a priority on safety. And hopefully, it will just give you the right amount of heat that you need without you having to solve complex design problems.

The heater has a central circle which is the main “hearth” and is connected to the power button and the knob that determines how hot or cold the device should give you. The circular form and the convex shape lets the water flow over the heater. It also has a back design that is able to hide the piping details and gives you a slimmer heater that should not get in the way of your other bathroom activities.

The design for the new shower heater also makes sure that it is safe enough for your bathroom since it’s waterproof and will not put you in danger of electrical shock. The designer also says that the production is easy and the heater is slim enough to minimize the materials needed, therefore saving on costs and waste.

The post Sleek Hitachi-inspired shower heater concept simplifies the process of getting hot water first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 sustainable homes designed to be the ultimate eco-friendly dwellings

Posted on 27/05/2023 by Srishti Mitra

Living in a sustainable, conscious, and smart manner has become not only a necessity but our moral obligation and duty toward the planet. Our homes should seamlessly integrate with, and nourish the planet, not drain her resources and reduce her lifespan. Being at one with Planet Earth, while taking rigorous care of her has never been more of a priority. In an effort to encourage an eco-friendly way of life, sustainable architecture has been gaining immense popularity among architects. They have been designing sustainable homes. These homes aim to harmoniously merge with nature, co-existing with it in peace, and allowing us to live in equilibrium with the environment. They reduce their carbon footprint and encourage a sustainable and clean lifestyle. And, not to mention they’re aesthetically and visually pleasing as well! From a tiny sustainable home that only measures 3×3 meters to a hostel in Shanghai built using recycled red bricks, natural clay, and reed bundles – these amazing designs will convert you into a sustainable architecture advocate!

1. The Coodo

A couple of years ago, German entrepreneur Mark Dare Schmiedel got pretty fed up with the chaos of Berlin and decided to move to the countryside, building his own quaint loft along the banks of the River Spree. The peace, calm, and zen that followed, got him wondering whether it would be possible to create a similar, but a mobile form of home, that could provide the same sanctuary to others. In his quest for such a retreat, he came across a mobile home concept designed by a group of Slovenian architects called ‘Coodo’. Schmiedel went on to procure the design rights of the concept, through his company LTG (Lofts to Go) and kickstarted the production of the units. The modular homes aim to bring you closer to nature, to a space away from the crowds, where you can truly enjoy the beauty of a moment.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a curved, minimal steel frame with rounded edges and stunning floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The beautiful glass walls allow a generous stream of sunlight to enter the home. Whether on rooftops in the city, on beaches, on mountains, or alongside a river, the Coodo can be easily installed almost anywhere.

What we like

Integrated utilization of smart home technology.
Adherence to Passive House standards.

What we dislike

With its focus on natural settings, we wish there was a way to enclose the open patio space to close up when away from the home

2. Haus Hoinka

Located in the district of Pfaffenhofen, Germany is a small house called Haus Hoinka. Designed by Atelier Kaiser Shen, the Haus Hoinka is nestled in a little village that is dominated by half-timbered 16th and 17th-century houses, a rustic church setting, and vineyards.

Why is it noteworthy?

A major initiative of this project is to utilize and encourage sustainable building construction using simple and clean materials that can be easily and efficiently recycled separately. The project aims to use natural and renewable materials that can be released into the natural cycle later. Bales of straw and a mixture of clay plaster were employed as the materials of choice for this initiative.

What we like

The late 19th-century construction practice used by the architects focuses heavily on straw as it is renewable and recyclable

What we dislike

The aesthetics and style of the home are pretty traditional, which won’t be appreciated by everyone

3. Octothorpe House

Called the Octothorpe House, this impressive home in the Oregon high desert area near Bend was commissioned by a couple Mike and Katherine to Mork-Ulnes Architects. They wanted a home that would harmoniously merge with the desert landscape, and be environmentally friendly as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

To meet the client’s desire for a sustainable home, Mork-Ulnes Architects decided to use ‘cross-laminated timber’ in the construction of the home. What makes this timber sustainable is the fact that it has a strength-to-weight ratio that’s similar to concrete, but it is five times lighter as compared to it. CLT is pre-cut off-site, which also reduces construction waste immensely.

What we like

The architects utilized CLT to build the interiors and the exterior of the Octothorpe House, this prevented them from releasing almost 15 metric tons of greenhouse gases into the air

What we dislike

The central courtyard has an open design, which we hope has a retractable roof

4. 3×3 Retreat

Tucked away in the rainforest landscape near Southern Chile’s La Unión city is a tiny cabin called the 3×3 retreat. Designed by Estudio Diagonal Architects, the tiny home was designed to create a sense of cohesion between the ‘radical geometry’ of the structure, and the natural and organic essence of the site.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cabin aims to function as a comfortable, cozy, and functional dwelling in the raw rainforest, without disturbing or causing harm to the forest in the least. It is placed on a slope, that subtly overlooks the Radimadi River. This was a genius move since it allows the cabin to provide its residents with stunning views of nature.

What we like

The entire cabin was constructed by using common and economical building materials, such as standard pre-dimensional pine wood
Local construction techniques were utilized

What we dislike

The small footprint may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may find it too tiny

5. The Nokken Cabins

Called the Nokken Cabin, these prefab cabins can be purchased by anyone, but the designer duo has bigger plans for them. They want clusters of them to be placed in beautiful and remote locations to create “landscape hotels”, that can provide a luxurious glamping experience. You would be able to connect with nature and unwind, but in a comfortable and cozy space – without having to roughen it out basically.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nokken Cabin was created for the purpose of expansion and was meant to be a pretty flexible structure. It can be used as a travel accommodation, a workspace, a retail element, a spa, a restaurant, or even as a simple home.

What we like

A beautiful picture window in front of the bed provides surreal views of the landscape.

What we dislike

While we love the minimal black structure, would be great if there was an optional open space/terrace space to better appreciate the surroundings

6. SOM LAND

Chinese design studio RooMoo transformed a pre-existing building into a hostel on the Chongming Island of Shanghai. Called the ‘SOM LAND’, the hostel is named after the traditional Chinese color of warm green, which makes a reference to the gaps found in between tree shadows and is a tribute to a slow-paced life.

Why is it noteworthy?

The construction of the hostel involved the utilization of local customs and handicrafts and caused minimum damage to the surrounding land. In fact, it incorporated the surrounding environment into the architectural scheme.

What we like

To incorporate sustainability into the structure, it was built using recycled old wood boards, wasted red bricks, tree branches, reed bundles found on the site, and bamboo and other locally sourced and discarded materials

What we dislike

Despite being renovated, the aesthetics of the hostel are old-school and can be considered out of style

7. LILELO

Nestled away in the center of Piedmont, Italy, surrounded by vineyards and woodlands is LILELO (Little Leisure Lodges). It includes a group of four adorable wooden cabins.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cabins are inspired by traditional haystacks, creating a triangular silhouette, which is supported by a trunk-like base. The cabins have been elevated off the ground, ensuring they don’t touch it, in an attempt to adopt a sustainable approach. This approach lays an emphasis on energy efficiency and eco-compatibility materiality.

What we like

The elevated cabins ensure that there is minimal impact on the ground, while also beautifully complementing the sloping topography
The eco-cabins artfully merge with their surrounding, creating the impression that is it at one with nature around it

What we dislike

There’s only one door in the entire cabin, which can lead to a lack of privacy

8. Casa ZGZ

Montevideo-based architecture firm iHouse constructs prefabricated homes using the latest dry construction methods currently trending on the international stage. With only 70 days to build a home for Conrado, an Uruguayan living in London, on his family’s property in Colonia, iHouse was well-equipped to take on the project. Formed by the merging of two modules, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite and then installed on the family’s property in just five days.

Why is it noteworthy?

As Colonia is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, the team behind Casa ZGZ hoped to maintain the spirit of the region’s historical architecture while contemporizing the cabin to accommodate modern needs. The single-level residence is clad in black in an effort to present hide the home in plain sight amongst the many elements of nature that surround it. The black exterior also warms up the home’s wooden interior, which is paneled with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

What we like

Minimizing the home’s impact on the region’s environment and land, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite in two modules
Coexists in harmony with a space alien to its language

What we dislike

It could have been equipped with another level/story

9. Koto Design x Adobu’s Prefab Home

Based in the English seaside village of Westward Ho!, the architecture studio Koto Design captures the mellow vibe of a day spent at the seashore and translates it into a home space. Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese minimalism, the result comes through breezy, open floor layouts and organic building materials.

Why is it noteworthy?

The architecture studio is known for its extensive catalog of sustainable, prefabricated tiny homes that can be transported to locations across the globe. In a recent collaboration with the USA-based, backyard home-building company Adobu, the two studios worked together to construct a tiny, prefabricated home that marries Scandinavian design with a Californian twist.

What we like

Provides a semi-outdoor lifestyle
Is carbon-neutral, and provides off-grid capabilities

What we dislike

With its sloped roof, it will be difficult to grow the space vertically

10. The Folding Dream House

Michael Jantzen, a multidisciplinary artist based in New Mexico, is one artist who seems endlessly inspired by geometry. Merging sustainability, architecture, and technology, Jantzen developed an adaptable modern home called The Folding Dream House that expands from an enclosed, cubic structure into a multi-layered, dream home.

Why is it noteworthy?

From its initial conception, the Folding Dream House was designed as a place to sleep. Amounting to the size of a conventional hotel room, the Folding Dream House consists of two prefabricated, portable modules. Each rectangular module is envisioned mounted atop an elevated, triangular foundation that connects the home’s expandable support beams to its frame. On each facade of the Folding Dream House, Jantzen envisioned triangular overhangs and partitions as foldable panels that expand from the home’s frame.

What we like

The panels can be folded open or closed in many different ways around the modules in order to accommodate various functional and/or aesthetic requirements

What we dislike

It’s still in the conceptual phase, which means that there could be fundamental changes as the material restrictions come in the production phase

The post Top 10 sustainable homes designed to be the ultimate eco-friendly dwellings first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 products to create the perfect bedroom for you

Posted on 18/05/2023 by Srishti Mitra

Our bedroom is our haven, our safe space, to which we rush after a bad day at work, or simply a bad day in general! I love cozying up in my bed, snacking, and watching some Netflix, with my favorite PJs on! So, making my bedroom as comfortable as possible is a major priority for me. And one way of doing this is by filling it up with innovative designs, that just help make our lives easier and more comfortable. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of products that work perfectly for your bedroom! From a lamp that gives your room a dreamlike atmosphere to a bedside lamp that released fragrance without you having to light it – these designs will add a whole lot of value to your bedroom, and make it whole. You won’t feel like leaving your bedroom at all, once these products enter it.

1. The Seiko Mai

Meet the Seiko Mai, a scaled-up version of the Japanese watchmaker’s famed SKX dive-watch collection. Designed, instead, as a tabletop clock, the Mai has an aesthetic that isn’t easy to miss.

Why is it noteworthy?

It’s pretty impressively true to its inspiration and comes with the numbered bezel sitting against the clock’s minimalist body. The bezel doesn’t rotate, but the clock DOES come with a night feature that mimics the original, and an alarm function that can be toggled from the back, and snoozed on days when you just want those 5 more minutes in bed.

What we like

The clocks are portable for travel, running on a single AA battery, with a quartz movement on the inside and a silent sweeping seconds hand that eschews the annoying ticking sound found on most table clocks

What we dislike

Caters to a niche taste and preference

2. The Air-Shape Lamp

It’s not difficult to deduce the inspiration for this work of art that’s also meant to be a design for an actual lamp. Many of us would have had fond memories of blowing bubbles through circular devices, sometimes screaming in glee as each ephemeral sphere floated and then popped. There is something otherworldly about bubbles as they display the different colors of the rainbow on their translucent surfaces

Why is it noteworthy?

It is this emotion that the Air-Shape concept design tries to capture in an almost ethereal manner. It’s as if the bubble is frozen in time, stuck at the moment of its birth when it wavers and trembles against gentle winds until it takes its final spherical shape.

What we like

Has an element of uncertainty and fragility that also sends a message of potential and birthing
The Air-Shape lamp can be hung in different ways

What we dislike

Looks easily breakable/fragile

3. The Brume

Part sunset lamp (or rather, spotlight), and part incense burner, Brume casts a glow of light against your wall, while the smoke from the incense sticks helps create fog-like wispy patterns against the light, and simultaneously fills your room with a pleasant aroma to make you forget the world around you.

Why is it noteworthy?

The beauty of the Brume is its multisensory nature. It’s a lamp but more than just that. Designed to fill your room with ambient light while also helping you escape reality, the Brume does a wonderful job of being greater than the sum of its parts.

What we like

The light and smoke come together to remind you of the mountains, and the clouds at eye level

What we dislike

The lack of a height-adjustable design removes a level of customization for the user.

4. Two-toned Mirrors

Designed by Parisian studio AC/AL Studio for Petite Friture, these innovative mirrors feature transparent two-toned glass frames that cast out a stunning colorful halo on its surroundings.

Why is it noteworthy?

The mirrors are mounted through a unique hanging system, allowing them to sit at a slight distance from the wall, which enables light to pass through the stained-colored glass, projecting the colors on the wall the mirror is mounted on.

What we like

The varying color shades perfectly contrast one another, creating a stunning visual

What we dislike

Cleaning and maintaining the mirrors might be difficult

5. The Retro Candle Lamp

Meet the Retro Candle Lamp, a nifty, vintage-inspired lamp designed for your bedside table. Not only does it do the obvious job of lighting up your area with soft, ambient light, but its unique design also comes with an empty platform in which you can place scented candles.

Why is it noteworthy?

The warmth from the lamp helps activate the fragrance molecules in the candle, making it emit its sweet smell without needing to light it and potentially risk having an open flame right by your bedside!

What we like

The lamp’s light can be dimmed as per your needs
A handle on the top also lets you rotate, carry, and position the lamp anywhere without coming in contact with any part that may be hot to the touch

What we dislike

Some people do enjoy watching an open flame flickering, so this may not work for them

6. The Alada Desk

Designed by Daniel Garcia Sanchez for Woodendot, the Alada folding desk is a nifty space-saving desk that doubles up as a super cute decorative shelf. Within seconds you can transform the Alada desk into a display shelf that can hold your favorite souvenirs from picture frames to even potted little plants.

Why is it noteworthy?

Sanchez designed the Alada desk, as he witnessed an ever-growing need for smart and flexible desk designs for working at home. Since work from home is a pretty common norm nowadays, it’s important to have a transformative and space-saving workspace at home – one that can be neatly tucked away when your workday ends!

What we like

The multifunctional desk has also been equipped with hidden storage spaces when it is folded up, to provide neat hiding spots for your laptop and notebooks

What we dislike

Not suitable for people who need a larger and more elaborate working space

7. The Drift Gaming Bed

The Drift Gaming Bed is created specifically for those who would rather spend the entire day playing games in bed instead of going out to smell the roses or something.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bed has a built-in 43-inch screen TV with a 4K display at the foot of your bed that you can put away when you feel like sleeping. The bed also has other “features” that are still part of the dream scenario for gamers and video bingers. The headboard is the space to put all your remote controls, consoles, and headsets. There are even some USB ports on the sides if you need to connect or charge your smartphone and other devices.

What we like

Under the bed, you get an ottoman storage
There are also LED lights on the headboard and the edges of the bed for gamers

What we dislike

This isn’t the healthiest piece of furniture to have if you’re trying to wean yourself away from screens

8. BOOF

To elevate the pleasure of reading to a state when a book itself is the source of light, BOOF deserves a mention! Shaped like a house, the reading lamp basically comes on a metallic disk, but the fun is added when you put a book on top of its roof. BOOF, the lamp lights up, embodying the appearance of a house lit during the night.

Why is it noteworthy?

The subtle light on the window and the ground floor of the house light up when the book is placed on top. Here, the triangular roof serves as a natural bookmark for the book you place on it. The light is soft and inspiring which will allow you to focus on the handwriting you’re flipping through in the pitch-dark ambiance of your room.

What we like

Merges with the bedroom decor

What we dislike

Consumes space for being kept on a bedside table

9. The +CLOCK

Snagging the coveted Red Dot Design Concept Award in the Best of Best category, the +CLOCK is an automatic pill organizer and dispenser that functions like a clock but distributes pills at the time set by the user.

Why is it noteworthy?

The +CLOCK isn’t merely a clock. It’s more of a habit-building device that also happens to tell the time, hence the name +CLOCK for the fact that it’s also a clock. The gizmo sits on any bedside table and comes with an appearance comparable to the Tmall Genie Queen smart mirror. Underneath its large clock face sits a carousel featuring 28 slots for daily meds.

What we like

You can input medicines based on days or the time of the day, with the ability to fill up to 28 slots
Helps you build a habit to take your medicines

What we dislike

There is no reminder of when the medicines placed in the clock might get over, leading to a missed dose.

10. MAGEPAN

MAGEPAN is a concept for a small box that frees that socket from limitations. It’s small enough to pack inside your bag or even stashed in your pocket. And while it was designed specifically with the bedside socket in mind, its design lends itself well to other purposes.

Why is it noteworthy?

In a nutshell, it’s a magnetic wireless charger whose body plugs directly into a power socket, removing the middle man of a long cord. While that might not make sense in normal cases where such sockets are far away, hotel rooms are filled with such facilities that don’t get used that much because of their location.

What we like

The charger has a handy night light that will keep you from groping in the dark

What we dislike

The bottom of the device has 2 USB-C outlets, which will not be compatible with other cables that use a USB-A connector.

The post Top 10 products to create the perfect bedroom for you first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 wooden cabins to plan a getaway to this upcoming summer

Posted on 15/05/2023 by Srishti Mitra

There’s something about wooden architecture that is simply so humble and endearing. Wood has been a material of choice for construction for ages galore. Wood ages beautifully – anything built with wood will retain the character of your house. And it also manages to incorporate an aura of warmth and serenity within the living space. The rustic and homely appeal of a wooden space instantly makes you feel at ease and welcome. It’s material of choice that has stood strong through the ages and continues to do so. Whether modern or traditional, wood can be bent and molded to create a living space of your choice and style. From a tiny wooden cabin assembled on-site in three weeks to a tiny cabin that merges perfectly with the Norwegian archipelago it is placed in – this collection of architectural designs will leave you mesmerized and completely in awe of the wonderful yet simple material that is wood!

1. Kjerringholmen

This is the Hvaler archipelago, a true island paradise in Norway where you will find the ‘Kjerringholmen’ cabin. With just 63 square meters in size, the plan/design of the cabin still showcases plenty of space to give a very spacious and airy effect.

Why is it noteworthy?

Kjerringholmen is proof “that large houses don’t necessarily mean more quality of life. In just 63 square meters, with smart planning, it still has plenty of usable space,” said the studio. Occupying 63 square meters, the cabin is supported by steel pillars and surrounded by a dusky rocky landscape.

What we like

Blends perfectly with the natural landscape
Designed extremely efficiently to support a smart way of living

What we dislike

Birds may not notice the home and could crash into it since it merges so perfectly with its surroundings

2. McGee’s Tiny Cabin

Nestled at the bottom of a rocky hillside is a tiny wooden cabin surrounded by cypress trees and buchus. The little home overlooks Muizenberg, one of Cape Town’s best-known surfing spots, and occupies 390-square-foot of space.

Why is it noteworthy?

The home was an interesting experiment for McGee. How well and how fast could he craft a house in a remote location? To do so, McGee and his team built the entire home off-site in a warehouse, where they could play around and experiment with the details and make different modifications and customizations, before finally assembling the cabin on-site. McGee abandoned the traditional brick-and-mortar and instead opted for lightweight cross-laminated timber (CLT) to construct the home.

What we like

The home provides excellent thermal and sound insulation and creates almost zero waste during the construction process
Salvaged materials were introduced wherever possible in the home

What we dislike

The bed does not have a base, which may not be comfortable for everyone

3. The Trakt Forest Hotel

Swedish architecture studio Wingårdhs designed a collection of five quaint suites for the Trakt Forest Hotel in Småland. Supported by five metal stilts, the suites allow the visitors to feel as if they’re chilling amongst the tree canopy! Designed to “put nature in focus”, the cabins are accompanied by a restaurant and sauna in the complex, and they’re all connected via narrow woodland paths.

Why is it noteworthy?

While building the cabins, the studio wanted to create minimal disturbance to the surrounding landscape, and hence they positioned the suites on steel columns placed on concrete plinths. The cabins were constructed using locally-grown wood.

What we like

Let’s you chill amongst the tree canopy
Constructed using locally sourced wood

What we dislike

Deserves a gallery/balcony to improve the experience

4. MiniMod

Nestled in the redwood forest of the popular and beautiful Sea Ranch community along the Sonoma, California coastline is a 684-square-foot weekend cabin that was originally designed by the acclaimed Bay Area architect Joseph Esherick. Called MiniMod, this cabin was lovingly restored and refurbished by Framestudio after it was purchased by its creative director Chad DeWitt, and his husband James Cook.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cabin was originally built to show how a comfortable and affordable home could be constructed while following the Sea Ranch building guidelines. The midcentury modern cabin has a stunning wooden exterior that allows it to effortlessly blend with the surrounding natural environment

What we like

Midcentury aesthetics but modern amenities
The history and heritage of the cabin have been maintained

What we dislike

They don’t offer unique wood finishes/materials to approach one’s individuality

5. Cabins in Farouche Tremblant

Nestled within the Devil River’s Valley, with the Mont-Tremblant National Park in the backdrop is a series of A-frame buildings in the ‘Farouche Tremblant’ agrotourism site that includes a cafe, farm, and four rental micro-cabins. “The cabins, though minimal, are designed for visitors to comfortably experience the changing beauty of the site throughout all four seasons,” said Atelier l’Abri founding partner Nicolas Lapierre “The structures’ organization and proximity really bring in a more social and communal experience which is great.”

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by the Canadian architecture studio Atelier l’Abri, the buildings are meant to “recede in the landscape”. The studio designed that function as a basecamp for visitors who want to visit Devil’s River and Valley.

What we like

Amped with outdoor decking and a glazed gable end which allows the visitors to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape

What we dislike

The aesthetics of the cabins are a bit old-school

The post Top 5 wooden cabins to plan a getaway to this upcoming summer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 designs to make your tiny home comfier

Posted on 09/05/2023 by Srishti Mitra

Tiny homes gained popularity a couple of years ago, and since then they’ve cemented their place in the world of architecture. What started off as a cute little trend is now turning into a serious option for home spaces. They are a space-saving and eco-friendly living solution that reduces the load on Mother Earth. They’re simple and minimal alternatives to the imposing and materialistic homes that seem to have taken over. However, since tiny homes are essentially the miniature version of modern homes, the traditional products and furniture that we use for usual apartments & homes, don’t work well for them. Tiny homes need well-designed, compact, and functional designs that have been created and curated, especially for them. These designs need to provide maximum functionality while occupying minimum space. And, we’ve curated the top 10 innovative designs that we believe will make your tiny home super comfortable and cozy. These designs are here to simplify + elevate micro-living setups. Dive in!

1. That Stool

Small stools can come in handy anywhere. And, especially for tiny homes. They’re comfortable furniture to sit on, while occupying minimum space, without forcing you to sit on the ground. And they come even handier when they’re super easy to assemble and store since whipping them out and keeping them away becomes super efficient when living in a tiny home.

Developed by Alondra Elizalde, That Stool is a flatpack DIY small stool designed with easy assembly to provide a practical means of having a stool anywhere, at any time. It is comprised of only a few parts: a seat rest, five legs, a couple of star-shaped spindles, and some connecting nuts and bolts, and comes in a flat-packed corrugated cardboard box.

2. Small Living Kitchens

Tiny homes and small apartments have become increasingly popular today, as people are beginning to prefer more modest and compact accommodations. Of course, the other fact is that smaller apartments are more widely available and more economical too. You can’t expect to fit full-sized complex kitchens in our modern-day cramped apartments and tiny homes, and this is where we need well-designed kitchen islands that occupy minimum space while providing maximum functionality. And the bathroom brand Falper has dipped its toes into kitchen design with the Small Living Kitchens concept.

With the Small Living Kitchens, Falper wanted to transform the experience of kitchens in small homes. It includes islands that are designed to make tiny kitchens feel spacious and luxurious. It brings the sophisticated layouts of larger kitchens to small homes in a more compact and streamlined form.

3. Flora

Every home – whether big or small needs a touch of green. And if you want to add a hint of green to your tiny home, then Flora may just be the right product for you. Flora is a WFH wall accessory that combines an organizational cork pinboard with hanging planters molded from jesmonite.

Although designed especially for your workdesk or home office, Flora is the kind of versatile product that could comfortably fit into any space in your tiny home. You could add it to your kitchen, which would make it easier to water, or in your living room so your guests can enjoy your little planters as well! Flora features specks of color for a modern take on terrazzo, a form of composite material originating in 16th-century Italy.

4. Gradient Space

Designed by Metre Architect, this sculptural landscape serves as a bed, seating, and storage, and is called Gradient Space. The furniture/sculpture looks like it is cascading down the wall like a waterfall! The multifunctional design features multiple ‘gradients’ that can be used in various ways.

The lowest level of the sculpture is equipped with an upholstered seating area, an integrated side table, and an extra surface for a guest to sit on. The client can lounge about and work in the seating area, or binge-watch some Netflix on the television screen mounted on the opposite wall. Design interventions like the Gradient Space can completely transform tiny homes. They don’t necessarily have to feel small, with innovative and smart additions like these. Gradient Space is a major lifesaver for modern tiny homeowners!

5. Minepot

A tiny home usually has a tiny but hopefully, well-designed kitchen, which needs small but functional kitchen appliances. And an innovative appliance that would be the perfect addition to your kitchen is Minepot.

Designed by Yifeeling, the design inspiration for this concept is to use hazy and mellow colors, and in the renders it ends up as mint green but there also seems to be a light yellow version as well. The part where the food is cooked looks to be opaque or semi-transparent which should give you a good view of what’s being cooked inside. The idea is for this cooking or heating appliance to be part of your cooking and eating ritual especially as you’re preparing and eating just for yourself.

6. D-Tach

D-Tach is a versatile stool that transforms into a small workspace designed to accommodate today’s mobile work culture. With each day, our world seems to become more and more mobile. Mobile offices, working from home, and freelance careers are increasing in popularity as we move away from corporate offices.

With work culture making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should reflect that. It makes for the perfect makeshift office for tiny homes! You can set it up when it’s time to work, and then keep it away when office hours are over, ensuring that space isn’t being wasted on furniture that is only utilized for a limited amount of time. It is a modular stool design that functions as a traditional office chair, only to disassemble into parts that provide a small working space on the go.

7. Wall-it

The rise in tiny homes has also spurred some creative thinking in new storage solutions with minimal footprints. However, in this case, traditional products like containers and cabinets just don’t cut it. Fortunately, a few new designs have started appearing lately, including one that lets you use the wall for something more functional and less decorative but still aesthetic.

Brunetti’s Wall-it concept is a storage solution that can also be a decorative wall piece. Rather than limiting what you can hang on your wall to the manufacturer’s specifications, Wall-it lets owners decide where and how to hold different kinds of objects. This modular capability is thanks to the power of strong magnets that not only let you decide which containers to attach but also which boards to use.

8. The NOOK Built-in Water Purifier

NOOK Built-in Water Purifier Specs

NOOK Built-in Water Purifier Concept

The NOOK Built-in Water Purifier was designed by South Korean Hyunbin Yan and is the kind of nifty water purifier that can be installed in the corner. It will not interfere with the rest of your sink or kitchen counter because of its slim and sleek build. It does not take up much space in a small sink, so it can be the perfect choice for tiny homes or apartments. It features an attachable drip tray, and a magnet at the bottom of the body that can be customized to the user’s preference.

Although it has the looks of a sleek coffee machine, it is simply a water purifier. You can even set the amount of water and temperature by touching the controller.

9. The-O Exercise Bike

Meet “The-O” exercise bike designed to be minimalistic, sans all the fancy features you’ll never end up using in your daily fitness routine. The fitness accessory is designed keeping in mind the quirks of owning one. First up is the space requirement and the non-flexibility of usage. Then there is the complexity of use which mars the whole purpose of a simple fitness regime.

The-O has none of them, and it doubles as a functional piece of furniture when your fitness is kept on hold for some days or even weeks. Use it as a seat for your casual work regime or turn it into a bar chair for parties – the options are endless. You can even turn it into a base for keeping indoor plants.

10. Solar

A tiny home may not always be the best option for your pet! But if you do live in one, and also happen to own a cat, then the Solar might just be the right product for you. Shaped like the sun, Solar is a small, but sturdy floating cat bed that’s built from pinewood. In a similar fashion to their other pieces of cat furniture, MyZoo lined Solar with a slotted resting platform for safe jumping.

Ideal for small spaces, Solar provides a resting spot and jumping platform for your cat and saves space in the meantime.

The post Top 10 designs to make your tiny home comfier first appeared on Yanko Design.

How metallic hues can add sparkle to your home décor

Posted on 08/05/2023 by Pooja Khanna Tyagi

Decorating with metallic accents is trending in the décor space and can add a dash of glamor and panache. From furniture to accessories and wall paint, metallic hues work as a decorative accent making their way into the interior design space. Metallic tones add a shimmering look and can be found in any finish or medium, like artwork, upholstery, and wallpaper. Its reflective surface bounces light back into the room and makes it look brighter and more spacious than it is. However, the art of using metallic tones is to strike the right balance within a space so that your interior doesn’t appear gaudy. Here is how you can infuse glam, sophistication, or visual intrigue into the décor with metallic accents.

Types of Metallic Hues

There are a variety of metal hues to consider, and they can be classified into warm and cool metallic tones. From high to low luster, the different types of metal finishes include polished finish followed by a satin finish, antique finish, and finally, matte finish. The warm metallic includes shades of brass, bronze, gold, and rose gold that are warm and inviting and go well with a warm color palette. Note that gold has always been a symbol of luxury that steals the limelight and has emerged as one of the classiest metallic hues. One can infuse an old-world charm with the golden-brown hues of brass and bronze that look glamorous; it’s a warm and lively metal with a rich patina that infuses elegance and luxury.

Cool metallic includes shades of silver, nickel, chrome, and pewter, offering a sleek metallic aesthetic and going with cool tones and contemporary interiors.

Designer: FORMUS

Functional Hardware

Choose between gold and silver metal for the cabinetry door pulls, door hardware, door pulls, and exterior door hardware. Move a step further and introduce metallic in the knobs and handles of the TV units, drawers, and wardrobes that are available in a wide range of modern, vintage, traditional, and minimalist designs. These shiny functional elements add a wow factor and enhance the overall glamor quotient of the home.

Designer: Aluminr

Furniture

Metallic pieces of furniture, such as a metal coffee table, nesting tables, chairs, and bar stools, add bling to the décor of the home’s bedroom, living room, and other entertainment areas. Don’t be afraid of mixing metals; they provide a sleek and sophisticated look. Let a common design element, like wood, glass, natural stone, or a complementary shape, weave the pieces together when mixing different metal tones. A trick here is to let one metal be the focal point so that it can effortlessly combine with two or more metals that serve as accents to create a synergy. Finally, never clutter the space with too many metal hues. Experiment with a mix of gold and silver hues, as it is a great way to add depth and dimension to the home décor.

Designer: Aura Living

Color Palette

Metal finishes enhance the aesthetics of a white space or a neutral-toned palette. For a maximalist look, combine warm metal with jewel tones or other shades of pink, dark navy, white, and black. The best part about warm metallic is that it is amiable and goes very well with wood and earth tones, especially if it has a little patina. If you don’t prefer gold accents, throw some warm light on the silver finishes to look like gold.

For a chic look, use silver or chrome tones that blend well with shades of gray, white, and sage green. If you want to achieve an industrial look, it is highly recommended to go for galvanized metal.

Designer: Rowen Homes

Lighting Fixtures

A light fixture with a dramatic sheen always makes a good first impression once you enter the room. Warm your space with a gold or copper chandelier that can form the showstopper element in a modern or traditional interior. Incorporate warm and cool metallic tones with light fixtures like bracket lights, chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights, and table lamps that also form a decorative accent.

Designer: White Teak

Textiles

Add bling and bring a luxe vibe into the interiors with gold and silver-hued textiles. These finishes add instant class and sophistication to the soft furnishing and upholstery. Metallic threads are used for embroidery and design motifs to highlight the fabric and offer a rich and refreshing look. Use metallic in small doses for the accent pillow, throws, and cushions, and combine it with soft textures like mohair, wool, velvet, leather, and suede to complete the look.

Designer: Kylie Minogue

Look Up To The Ceiling

Install wallpaper and feel glamorous under the ceiling of the entrance foyer, as it is one of the most unexpected places to use metallic hues. One can also consider a metallic-hued grasscloth to add texture and dimension to the space and take the décor to a whole new level.

Designer: Lilly Bunn

Create Balance

The dynamic nature of metallic lends an intriguing contrast and visual depth. With the right balance, the décor can feel elegant and eclectic. Contrast is the key, so pair warm and cool metallic undertones and combine it with the soft textures of the rugs and the upholstery. Pay attention to areas like the kitchen and bathroom, as steel finishes dominate them and make these spaces feel cold. A good way to offset the steeliness of appliances and faucets is to offset the space with bronze finish handles, hanging crockery, and gold pendant lights. If there are too many warm tones in any room, go for a chrome finish pendant light or table lamp, and if the space feels cold, add warmth with warm meal accessories or a statement piece of furniture. In a large room, you can demarcate the area into two zones: one section has more gold, and the other has more silver. Another way to use metals is to create a harmonious look by combining similar metal tones in different finishes or the high and low shine options.

Designer: Nora

Statement Pieces

Accessorize the space with statement pieces of furniture that form the center stage and do not look OTT. Metal adds sparkle and offers a glamorous pop of color that can blend with the most commonly used colors in a well-designed space. Installing a large decorative piece in copper, silver, or gold for a bolder look can add richness and not look blingy. Another metallic trend is introducing a large metal framed mirror, mirrored wall panel, and furniture into the home decor. It mimics the sparkle and shine of polished silver. Its reflective qualities visually expand the space and make it look brighter.

Designer: Scarlet Splendour

Curated Accessories

Start small and strategically introduce smaller metal accessories as they reflect light and impart spaciousness. Metallic can be presented subtly in the tablescape, in bookcases, vignettes, trays, candle stands, and vases that are easy to change and move around. Hang photographs in a golden or silver frame. It works beautifully in the entrance foyer or hallway. Also, one can introduce metallic finish wallpaper with gold and silver accessories to create an exciting composition.

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Hence, even a tiny hint of metallic adds loads of character and subtle glamor. It’s a great way to add shine and impart an interesting touch to a dull space.

The post How metallic hues can add sparkle to your home décor first appeared on Yanko Design.

Balcony design ideas for your home

Posted on 07/05/2023 by Pooja Khanna Tyagi

A balcony forms a great private outdoor space perfect for unwinding and relaxing, especially if living in a city apartment. Yet, the balcony is one of the most overlooked spaces in the home. However, with some innovative designs, one can enjoy the outdoors from the privacy of the indoors. It can quickly transform into a space perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests. Even the tiniest balcony has the potential to transform into a beautiful exterior space and provide the indoors with fresh light and air. Before renovating the balcony, the first step is to consider its functionality alongside the various activities one would like to incorporate within the space.

Rethink The Furniture Layout

The first step is to clear the clutter and create a furniture layout that offers maximum open space. Transform the balcony into a functional zone with a pair of chairs and a center table, go for a built-in seating table, or hang a swing from the ceiling as it allows one to enjoy the outdoor views from a greater height. If the balcony is spacious, then go for a wicker sofa and center table and divide it into two functional zones. Treat the other section of your balcony like a living room by introducing a comfy chair and throw pillows so that it can doubly function as an exciting reading nook. Go for only a few pieces of furniture and choose space-saving furniture that can be folded after use. A shelf can be attached to the balcony railing, as it is ideal for serving food and beverages—built-in seating is one of the easiest ways to maximize space.

Go for outdoor furniture materials like wicker, resin, plastic, or wrought iron, as they can resist external weather conditions. In addition, synthetic wicker or faux wicker is resistant to outdoor conditions. When not in use, the furniture can be covered with water-repellent covers. For an organic vibe, it is highly recommended to go for curvaceous furniture. If the balcony layout permits, include a hammock as it is perfect for open-air naps.

Designers: Peter Hawrylewicz and Ken Lieber

Add Storage

A balcony can emerge into a potential storage zone, especially if there is a lack of storage space within the interiors of the home. Hence, enhance the storage of the home and the utility of the balcony by introducing a chest of drawers and making optimum use of the walls with vertical storage. Since the walls form the under-used part of the balcony, fix a storage cabinet to the wall or add floating shelves. Multifunctional pieces of furniture are best suited for compact balconies. Choose a bench with built-in storage and introduce slim wall shelves, to name a few.

Introduce Color

A good dose of color can add life and enliven the overall ambiance of the balcony. Two or three colors can be introduced so that the balcony imparts a neat and uncluttered look. Layer it in the walls, soft upholstery, pretty outdoor-friendly cushions, and outdoor rugs to create a comfortable and vibrant space. Also, experiment with texture and pattern to add a tactile quality and beautify the overall look of the balcony. For example, an outdoor rug can be from the focal point of the balcony in moisture-resistant materials like nylon, propylene, or polyester, and one can surround it with furniture.

Designer: unTag Architecture

Accessorize

Make sure to accessorize the balcony according to the season and occasion. Some accessories include a floor lamp, a bohemian rug, a mural, and string lights. Add an artistic vibe with pottery and outdoor statues in weather-friendly materials like clay, stone, or ceramic. A patterned rug can add oodles of character and softness to the outdoor space.

Look At The Flooring

A good flooring design can instantly upgrade the overall look of the balcony. Some of the best flooring materials include porcelain tiles, cement tiles, and natural stone. You can also spruce up the face of a concrete slab with interlocking wood deck tiles, as they are effortless to install. Plus, artificial grass can be included as it mimics the look of a lawn.

Designer: GJ Associates

Decorate With Plants

Surround yourself with nature and spruce up the balcony with lush green plants. Create a green thumb with potted plants, and bring in flowering plants with a sweet fragrance. If you love to cook, grow microgreens like coriander, basil, mint, and rosemary, and eat fresh produce from your garden. Do some research and pick the right plants according to the climatic conditions and the amount of sunlight the balcony receives. Hang planters on the walls and vines on the railing.

Designer: Veena Rathi

Use Earthy Materials

Nothing beats the earthy combination of wood, brick, and lush green plants outdoors. Go for wooden furniture in materials like cedar, teak, or redwood. Protect the wooden pieces with a sealer and clad the walls with sleek brick tiles.

Designer: ZDesign at Home

Add Decorative Lights

Good lighting plays an integral part in the balcony design. Add warm lighting with a pendant light, wall mounted bracket lights. Introduce mood lighting by wrapping string lights around the plants and railings, making it a cozy space.

Designer: ARQ Designer

Pay Attention To Privacy

Do not compromise the balcony’s privacy and protect it from the prying eyes of the neighbors. Some of the best ways to achieve privacy are with privacy screens made of metal or bamboo. Awnings are an excellent way to achieve some privacy as well as shade from the harsh sunlight. Tall plants, climbing vines, and shrubs are also effective in achieving some privacy.

Design It As An Extension

The balcony can be designed as an extension of the living room or bedroom. Use a similar indoor and outdoor flooring material and create a brilliant inside-outside connection. Make sure that all the furniture looks into the outdoors and only include a few pieces of furniture on the balcony as they can block the view from the indoors. Large spans of glass door panels can be used to separate the balcony from the indoor room without breaking the visual connection, making the balcony feel larger. Coordinate the space with similar colors and choose a color palette that is an extension of your home and personality.

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Designer: iA Design

Opt For Zen Décor

Convert your balcony into a zen or dry landscape garden with an elegant combination of boulders and rocks with shrubs, gravel, cacti, and grass. Note that a zen garden is a low-maintenance garden with white pebbles, wood, and green plants that come together to create an interesting textural contrast.

Add Shade

Although the balcony is a great place to enjoy the sun, the scorching heat might make it challenging to use, especially during summer. Some of the best ways to add shade are with a pergola or an open roof system which comprises equidistant slats of wood with plants or climbers growing within it. The best part about a pergola is that it provides shade without blocking the warmth of the sun. An awning offers seasonal shading and works as an accent feature, as it is available in a variety of colors, patterns as well as fabrics.

Designer: Dipen Gada & Associates

The balcony allows you to create a brilliant connection with the outdoor environment. With these tips, you can surely transform the balcony into a relaxing oasis and enjoy your slice of the outdoors.

The post Balcony design ideas for your home first appeared on Yanko Design.

The ultimate table lamp is perfect for studying, parties, midnight fridge-raids, and can even charge your phone

Posted on 03/05/2023 by Vincent Nguyen

Back in the 20th century, a lamp was just a lamp. It had a bulb, a switch, and either a battery or a cable that connected to a plug socket. Today, the term Lamp doesn’t have those simpler definitions. Meet the rather ironically named Boring Lamp – it comes with a power source as well as a built-in battery. It can be both height and angle-adjusted on its sleek base, or detached entirely to be used as a light baton for walking around the house, or a lightsaber for play-fights with your friends, siblings, or kids. The lamp features individually addressable LEDs that shine in a variety of colors (including gradients) and even respond to music, and if all that wasn’t enough, the Boring Lamp’s base comes with a 15W wireless charger for your phone and TWS earbuds.

Designer: The Boring Lamp

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 ~~$199~~ (50% off). Hurry, only 23 left!

The first thing that strikes you with the Boring Lamp (aside from that name) is the design. It’s slick, to say the least, and features a baton-shaped light attached to a cylindrical stand, with the ability to adjust its angle, tilt, and height. The entire lamp, base and all, is made from metal, giving it a minimalism that the modern tech enthusiast would appreciate, while also allowing the lamp to easily dissipate any heat generated by the 54 high-quality LEDs built into the lamp’s lighting system. The LEDs can be activated by a simple tap on the end of the lamp, and tapping again can let you cycle between warm, cool, gradient, and music-reactive modes, while long-tapping lets you adjust the LED brightness.

The Boring Lamp’s modular, magnetic design makes it easy to install, disassemble, and replace.

The slide rail design allows for height adjustment, and the lamp arm rotates 360° for perfect illumination, exactly where you need it.

The Boring Lamp’s modular magnetic design and unique lamp bracket make it easy to transform into a monitor light bar which you can place above your screen for a space-saving solution.

It comes with a built-in mic that syncs with the beat of your music or even clapping and stomps.

Colors can sync with the colors of movies and games- experience a new level of immersion like you’ve never seen before.

Can also use a battery module to transform into a portable Light Sword.

Where the Boring Lamp really differs from others is in its ability to detach from its base to become a battery-powered wireless light. When you don’t need a table lamp, just unplug the lamp element from its stand and use it as a standalone handheld torch instead of your smartphone flashlight. The lamp also plugs right into its base as a vertical pillar of light, or even onto desktop monitor mounts that let it double as a much more tailor-made light-bar that illuminates your keyboard and workspace without the base eating into your table’s real estate. This versatile approach to lighting allows the Boring Lamp to transform into jus the kind of light you need, whether it’s a warm light to read a book under, a cool light to keep you alert as you send that important email, or just a glowing, ever-changing ambient gradient that dances to music to keep the party going, and to keep your life anything EXCEPT boring…

The name Boring Lamp probably comes from the fact that it’s the antithesis of a ‘smart’ lamp that has its own app and interface. The Boring Lamp doesn’t require an app, given that it works just fine entirely on its own, providing versatility and functionality in the same heartbeat. The lamp does, however, charge your smartphone thanks to a 15W wireless charger built right into its base. Designed to work with a device kept at any orientation, the Boring Lamp’s base can fast-charge your phone or even your TWS earbuds simply by placing them in the charging zone.

Each Boring Lamp is built with a design that’s equal parts sleek and durable. The slim outer frame comes made from aluminum, offering a lightweight design while being able to rapidly dissipate heat, while the LEDs in the lamp are rated with a 60,000 hour lifespan, giving your Boring Lamp more than a decade’s worth of use. The Boring Lamp starts at $79 for its bare-basics version, although for $99 you can grab the lamp along with all its accessories, including the desktop monitor mount.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 ~~$199~~ (50% off). Hurry, only 23 left!

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How to design your bedroom for better sleep

Posted on 02/05/2023 by Pooja Khanna Tyagi

Designer: Lago Design

Bedroom décor plays a crucial role in providing optimal sleep that is essential for good health and the emotional well-being of its occupants. Considering we spend nearly one-third of our life resting, appropriate décor can transform the bedroom into a sleep haven and offer the perfect environment for rest and positivity. Note that even small changes can positively impact our sleep cycle and help control insomnia or sleep disorders. Here are tips for creating a relaxing ambiance and a décor best suited for sound slumber.

1. Incorporate A Relaxing Color Palette

A soothing color palette with muted colors is conducive to sleep and helps create a calm atmosphere. A soft color palette of grays, light blue, silver, lavender, pale yellow, moss green, and peach contribute to a sound sleeping pattern. The best part about pastel colors is that it adds color and imparts a balanced look to the space. Going for cool colors and avoiding warm colors like red and yellow is highly recommended. Don’t forget to introduce your personal style, and make sure to choose a color that relaxes you. To create a cocoon-like atmosphere, create an accent wall in a deep emerald green or navy blue shade and combine it with white or off-white walls. One can introduce pops of colors in cushions, rugs, art, and statement furniture. Additionally, it is advisable to go for a matte paint finish instead of a glossy finish for a restful look.

Designer: Tathya Macwan

2. Invest in a Comfortable Bed

The bed forms the bedroom’s centerpiece, so position the bed in the center of the interior wall and make space for side tables on either side. The bed should be ergonomically designed according to the height of the end user. In particular, the design should allow the hips and knees of the occupant to be aligned, and the feet should be flat on the floor when sitting. Consider a reading nook near a window to encourage reading so that it is also a transition to bed during the night.

Designer: Kreatika

3. Use Comfortable Bedding

Maximize comfort in the bedroom and create the mood for sound sleep. Use crisp and luxurious white or ivory sheets with a thread count of 300 to 400. Change the linen at least once a week, and add a soothing fragrance while washing to prevent the build-up of dust and allergens. By neatly making the bed daily, one can add to the aesthetics and imbibe positivity. Also, do not clutter the bed with too many pillows. Pick the right pillow for a sound sleep so that the neck and spine are aligned, and go for two standard pillows and just one accent pillow. For the sheets, quilts, and blankets, opt for natural fabrics and materials like cotton, linen, bamboo, wool, and linen. They are responsive to body temperature and do not trap heat. Note that synthetic materials tend to absorb heat and result in perspiration or discomfort during the night.

Invest in a new mattress that offers optimum comfort, balance, and back support. Don’t go for a mattress that is too soft or firm; changing it every 7 to 10 years is essential.

Tip: As changes in body temperature can disturb sleep, consider a mattress that allows good airflow and less heat retention. The best materials for the mattress are memory or latex foam with a thin breathable cover.

Designer: Chelsea Allen (Down Home Projects)

4. Use Warm White Light

Light plays an integral part in maintaining our natural circadian rhythm. Go for warm white light instead of bright overhead lights, as soft lighting allows one to sleep better. Install dimmer lights so that the body can unwind and enter sleep mode. Some of the best light fixtures for the bedroom include table lamps, reading sconces, and recessed lighting to lightly wash the walls.

Designer: Cheatham Fletcher Scott

5. Go for Blackout Curtains

For restorative sleep, it is essential to block any light that is filtering into the indoors. Transform the bedroom into a dark, serene space by adding blackout liners for the Roman blinds or drapery. One can also opt for curtains with heavy fabric and light-blocking properties. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent natural light penetration during the wee hours of the day.

6. Create a Clutter-free Space

A messy and cluttered bedroom can affect our sleep, create stress, and cause anxiety. For a relaxing bedroom décor, getting rid of clutter and keeping the storage items out of view with adequate built-in storage is essential. Nothing that is not required in the bedroom, like extra books and to-be-folded laundry, should be there. Make optimum use of wall space with shelves to free up floor space and impart an airier feel to the room. Also, make it a habit to clear clutter and organize it daily so that space does not get overwhelmed. Finally, go for a storage bed and make sure that the underside of the bed does not become a dumping station for keeping extra items, as it may release negative energy.

Designer: LANAI Design Studio

7. Absence of Electronics

Minimizing or eliminating distractions by removing electronic items like the laptop away can remind you of office assignments, tablets, or TV, as the light from electronic items can affect your sleep. Keep the charging station of the phone outside the bedroom or in a spot where you can hear the ring in case of an emergency. It is always good to camouflage the TV in a cabinet or armoire. Watching TV can result in disturbed sleep.

Tip: As per studies, avoid using electronic devices an hour before sleep. This is because screen time may expose one’s eyes to blue light. It can disturb the circadian rhythm and negatively affect the quality of sleep.

Designer: Norvo Design

8. Create A Healthy Space

Ensure proper ventilation and airflow to create a healthy space promoting good sleep. This is also one of the best ways to control dampness and mold growth. Additionally, bringing in sunlight during the day can uplift our mood and energy and enable a good sleep pattern during the night. Live plants and flowers can help one feel calm and bring an outdoorsy vibe into the interiors. It’s also a great way to add life, personality, and color into the space. Finally, infuse warmth with family pictures that depict good memories so that the bedroom is your personal abode and is also rich in detail. The temperature should be between 60 and 67 degrees, and humidity should range from 30% to 40%.

Designer: Barn & Willow

9. Reduce Noise

External noise may disturb sleep and have an adverse effect on our health. The area around the bed is equally important, so add a rug as it helps in reducing noise; go for premium quality rugs and carpets as they provide a warm and comfortable underfoot. Finally, go for double-glazed windows that drastically reduce noise and create the ideal environment for good sleep.

10. Add Fragrance

Aromatherapy creates a calming ambiance, transforming the bedroom into a stress-free and anti-anxiety zone. Fragrant flowers, scented candles, and essential oils like lavender and jasmine are perfect for creating a calm and relaxed vibe within the interiors.