Add Art Deco Design to Your Home

Add Art Deco Design to Your Home

The Art Deco design movement originated in France just over a century ago and influenced everything from interiors to cars to architecture. Recognisable elements of Art Deco design are abstract geometric patterns, vibrant contrasting colours, mirrored panels and stylized imagery of figures, plants and animals.

In recent years, the Art Deco style has remerged into the interior design world and is constantly being re-interpreted and combined with other styles. In this blog, we’ll take you through some key elements of Art Deco in interior design and suggest how you can add Art Deco design to your home.

 

Striking Colours & Bold Contrasts

Art Deco design is defined by vibrant colours and dramatic contrasts. Highly saturated jewel colours such as red, green and blue, are used frequently. Silver, black and gold metallics create rich and glamourous accents. This rich combination is then contrasted and balanced out with more subtle pastel and neutral tones, such as beige and cream.

To add an Art Deco colour scheme to your home, choose dramatic contrasting colours. Start by choosing one or two bright colours; teal green and red or dark blue and orange work well together to create interesting contrasts. Then select gold, silver and/or black for your metallic accessories, and finally pick a neutral pastel colour to balance out the palette

 

Geometric Patterns & Shapes

Art Deco patterns are quite distinguishable, usually made up of geometric shapes, tightly repeated patterns and emphasised vertical lines. Often depicting motifs such as animals, flowers, arches, feathers and fans in a bold line style.

You can make an impact with Art Deco patterns in your home by using patterned wallpapers or geometric tiled flooring. If you prefer a more subtle effect, you could try patterned pillows, art prints or light fixtures.

Art Deco interior in classic style with pink sofa and table

 

The stylised motifs used in Art Deco patterns are also utilised to inspire sculptural furniture and accessory shapes. Sculptures and other works of art were abundant throughout the Art Deco period, so it will complement your theme to add a sculpture or two for decoration. If you have a bigger budget, you could introduce sculptural furniture; curved sofas and waterfall-style consoles create a luxury Art Deco presence.

Art Deco-style lighting is a prominent accessory that can transform your space. Usually, large chandeliers or geometric-shaped pendants are fashioned from steel, polished bronze and glass, often coloured to create a stained-glass effect.

Reflective Surfaces

High gloss surfaces and reflective materials are another important element of the Art Deco style. The rich shine of a lacquered table, a decorative mirror wall or high gloss furniture creates a glamorous and luxurious atmosphere, perfect for an Art Deco interior. Glossy surfaces can be overwhelming so they are more commonly used as accessories or smaller furniture pieces and balanced with patterns or less glossy surfaces.

To add these to your home interior, choose glossy furniture finishes, mirrored tables or metallic accents. Metallics, in particular, have risen in popularity in recent years, so there is an abundance of options when it comes to metallic accessories and furnishings.

Luxury kitchen in art deco style with golden, black and white colours

 

Luxurious Materials

The luxurious feel of the Art Deco style lends itself to working with other elegant and unexpected materials. Interesting wood textures, velvet, crystals, animal prints and marble have all been used to compliment an Art Deco theme.

These materials can be used for large furniture pieces such as a marble worktop or a velvet sofa. Or for a more subtle and budget-friendly option, luxurious accessories such as velvet cushions, crystal decor or marble vases work well.

 

We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and feel inspired to introduce the Art Deco style into your home. Make sure to check out our other blog posts and get inspired by more interior design styles!

 

 

Why choose Made Interiors?

Why choose Made Interiors?

Smart and high-quality storage is the key to an organised and relaxing home. We create unique, made-to-measure interiors that fit your space perfectly and are made to last.

Family-run

We are a family-run small business located in Corby, Northamptonshire. Our co-owner brothers Mat and Jon started Made Interiors with years of experience in joinery and a passion for high-quality bespoke furniture. We employ a small friendly team who value our customers and spend time building trusting relationships. This means you’ll receive a more personal service than the bigger, chain furniture suppliers.

Crafted with care

We construct every piece of fitted furniture in our Corby workshop and assemble every component with care. Every order is made-to-measure and personally made for each customer, using only the highest quality materials. Our fitted furniture is made to last and comes with a 6-year guarantee.

Hassle-free

Our process is built to be smooth and relaxing for our customers. There is no pressure to buy after the first meeting and we provide an estimated quote and image renders so that you are able to make changes prior to production. We handle everything from the first meeting to the full installation, so you can sit back, relax and look forward to your new furniture.

Variety of styles

We have a wide range of door styles and various customisable options including different colour and material finishes, handles and interior colours. Whether you prefer a more traditional shaker door in neutral tones, a modern minimalist door with no handles, or a bright statement piece, we have something for everyone! Our custom options allow you to have the most design flexibility and really make your furniture your own! We can also offer a paint match service if there’s an existing shade you’re looking to match. 

Less environmental impact

The furniture industry can be damaging to the environment so we aim to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible. All of our materials are responsibly sourced; we mostly use timber which is a naturally renewable resource. We use water-based, low-VOC paint, which is healthier for our planet and for us. Our waste also gets recycled to generate energy instead of being sent to landfill.

5-star reviews & awards

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at our 5-star reviews on Trip Advisor or Google. We have also won Build Home & Garden Awards: Best Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes Provider 2022 and Leading Specialists in Fitted Bedroom Furniture 2023.

Home Book Storage Ideas

Home Book Storage Ideas

In light of Book Lovers’ Day this week, we have put together this blog to help you create storage for your books at home. Whether you’re a novel enthusiast with a large collection or a casual reader with a few favourites, this blog is bound to give you some home book storage ideas.

Use the space you have

Our first tip is to use the space you have wisely. Rather than creating one area for all of your books that might not fit or might get in the way, you can display your books in different spaces that you have available. For example, you might have some shelf space in your living room or an empty corner in your bedroom, there’s no reason why you can’t spread your book collection across both of these rooms.

It’s also smart to consider where you’ll want to read or use your books and try to store them in that area. For example, if you have any recipe books, they’re best kept in the kitchen.

Try different storage solutions

When we think of book storage we usually think of bookshelves or bookcases, however, there are some storage ideas that are more outside the box. The space you have available will decide how creative you can be with your storage, but you could utilise high wall space, frame your doorway or even use a glass coffee table with storage to display your books.

If you have an awkward space and you’re struggling with fitting storage in it, we can design and create fitted book storage to fill your space perfectly, contact us to find out more!

Consider adding seating

If you have a larger space available and you want to make more of a feature of your book storage, you could consider arranging some seating or creating a reading corner. A small sofa or fitted seating in a windowsill or corner of a room works well and allows for lots of storage space. If you have a room corner available you can use both surrounding walls for book storage or decor. Or if you’re near a window, the windowsill can be used as a shelf itself.

If you’re not sure what will work best, we can also help you to build seating into your fitted storage unit.

Decide how to organise

Finally, you will need to consider how you want to organise your books. You might like to create an aesthetic display by organising by colour, or if you have a bigger collection you might be able to sort it into genres. You could also think about decorating your shelves with bookends, plant pots or other ornaments.

We hope that this blog has given you some ideas for organising your book collection. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re looking for fitted storage!


How to Create the Perfect Home Office

How to Create the Perfect Home Office

Since the covid pandemic, working from home has become a permanent reality for a lot of people, so creating a suitable home office is important. If you work in the same place that you live, it is essential to separate the spaces so that you can focus when you’re working and relax when you’re not working. This blog will take you through our guide to creating the perfect home office.

Find the right space

The first step to creating the perfect home office is making sure you have an appropriate location. You might already have a dedicated office space in your home or you might need to think about creating one.

The ideal spot for an office is a separate room such as a spare bedroom that doesn’t get used or a large store room that could be converted. However, if you don’t have a whole room to spare, you might need to create an area in your living room or bedroom. It is important to use a space where you can be focused and not get distracted, so think about how you can separate your areas. Bookcases, storage units or room dividers might help to split your workspace from your living space.

Choose colours wisely

It goes without saying that colours are one of the most important factors in interior design and have been proven to influence mood and motivation. Yellow has been shown to create an energetic atmosphere that helps you to concentrate and feel motivated, whereas pale blue and green can help you to feel more relaxed. Read our blog on colour psychology to find out more.

It is also important to create an office space suited to your style. Everyone is different so it is important to consider which colours you prefer and what will fit in with your existing home interiors. A minimalist, white office might work for some, whereas others might prefer brighter colours, such as yellow, to make them feel more alert and inspired.

Keep it tidy

A tidy space is essential for a tidy mind and an organised routine. Although it’s fun to decorate our workspace with personal items, it’s important to not let this turn into clutter! Try to incorporate an organised design and install suitable storage to keep your stationary tidy. Our bespoke fitted interiors can be created to perfectly fit your home office space and personalised to suit your needs. You’ll be surprised at how much more relaxed you will feel when your workspace is organised and you have made the most of your space!

Check out this fitted bedroom desk and storage we created in our customer’s home.

Bring the outdoors in

One of the best ways to bring the outdoors in is by decorating with indoor plants. Plants have many benefits and they’re not just beneficial for aesthetic purposes. Plants can help to improve air quality and have been shown to benefit our mental health by inducing relaxation and stress relief.

Lighting is also another important factor to consider for ultimate productivity. Studies have also shown that poor lighting can lead to drowsiness and loss of motivation at work. After all, most of us associate a dark room with going to bed! If possible, natural light is favourable so try to position your workspace near a window. If natural light isn’t available in the space you have available, there are many desk lamps and lightbulbs that can replicate sunlight.

Get comfy

Another essential aspect to have the perfect home office is making sure you’re comfortable, especially if you work full-time. To protect your back and neck, it is recommended to invest in an ergonomic chair. The best way to sit at a desk is with your back straight, your arms at a 90-degree angle, your eyes at screen level and your feet flat on the floor. Ergonomic chairs help you to sit in this position by allowing you to adjust the chair’s height and armrests and by providing extra back support.

Stylish workplace interior with modern ergonomic office chair

Add some personal touches

Finally, to finish off your home office space, you might want to add some personal touches and decor. In moderation, personal items such as art prints, family photos or colourful accessories can help to spark creativity and motivation.

You might want to inject some personality in more subtle ways, through the interior design of the area. If your home interior already follows a certain style such as a boho natural theme or an industrial style you could match your office decor by bringing elements of these themes in.

Whether you decide on a minimalistic theme or a more colourful personalised style, it is important that you create a home office that inspires focus and makes you feel comfortable. Book a showroom appointment with us to discuss your ideas and find out how we can help you to create perfect your home office.

Using Colour Psychology in Your Home Design

Using Colour Psychology in Your Home Design

Colour is an important factor to consider when designing the interior of our homes, but most of us don’t actually realise how impactful colour can be on our emotions and well-being.

Colour psychology, the relationship between our emotions and colour, has been around for centuries dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece. More recently, chromotherapy has provided us with a deeper understanding of colours. The power of colours is still being studied however, experts have confirmed that the colours we surround ourselves with influence how we feel and act.

As a result, colours have the potential to significantly impact interior design and allow us to achieve a specific mood in our homes. Read on to find out how you can use colour psychology in your home design.

White

White is the colour of reflection and reflects more daylight than other colours. It can signify purity and innocence and relates to a clean and minimal layout. Using white in interior design makes the space appear bigger and allows more ‘room to breathe’. This feeling of spaciousness ultimately makes us feel more relaxed and comfortable.

White is a great base to layer with different colours and textures. However, be careful to not use too much white as this can create a clinical atmosphere with no character.

Yellow

Yellow is often considered a happy colour, relating to the warmth and brightness of the sun. It can create a cheerful and energetic atmosphere that helps you to concentrate and feel motivated. It has been shown to have the most impact in environments that require reflection and decision-making, such as an office space.

Yellow is best used in interior design as an accent colour as too much bright yellow can feel overpowering. However, pastel yellow can be more widely used due to its muted tone and can create a peaceful and joyful atmosphere.

Red

Red is one of the most powerful and striking colours, especially when used in interior design. It is widely used to provoke positive emotions such as love, passion and energy. However, it can have the opposite effect in certain environments, inducing feelings of danger and fear.

In interior design, it can be used to create an ambitious and bold atmosphere usually associated with power and success. For this reason, it is commonly used in offices and creative spaces. There is a wide range of attractive red shades to choose from depending on the look you’re going for. Deeper tones such as maroon or burgundy can create a more luxurious interior. Whereas lighter shades closer to pink or orange tend to be more playful and suited for children’s rooms.

Blue

Blue encapsulates a variety of shades that can create different atmospheres and emotions. However, it is largely associated with calmness and has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Deeper tones of blue such as navy and royal blue are related to confidence, loyalty and trust, therefore widely used for commercial interiors where trust is important. Whereas lighter shades of blue are known to evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity, commonly used in relaxation spaces. If you’re looking to create a relaxing bathroom space or a peaceful bedroom, then using a light blue could be the answer.

Green

In colour psychology, green is a very positive colour full of optimism, balance and peace. It is immediately associated with nature and relates to growth and restoration. This makes it a great way to bring the outdoors into your home. Like blue, green has also been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, due to its peaceful connotations.

Green can come in a range of attractive shades making it suitable for home interior design. Deeper shades such as olive green can create a more grounded and classic interior, perfect for a cosy bedroom. However, lighter shades of green such as mint can create a more subdued and calm atmosphere, perfect for a yoga studio or reading corner.

Grey

A popular choice for modern home design, grey creates a neutral and calm atmosphere. Whilst grey initially feels less exciting than other colours, it can be a great substitute for white to create a neutral base for brighter colours. Its subtle tone means it creates a sophisticated and refined environment that also represents strength and intelligence.

Commonly used in living rooms alongside yellow or pink, grey can be paired with any bright colour to create contrast and layers of interest. It can also look great paired with white and black to create a monotone theme, suited for a contemporary kitchen design.

It’s crucial to think about the kind of mood you want to create in your interior and decide which colours will help you to do so. The colour wheel below gives a simple visual to summarise the feelings that different colours can create.

We hope this blog has helped you to make some more informed decisions when it comes to the colours in your home. Don’t forget to browse through our other blog posts and get in touch if you think we can help with your fitted interiors.

How to Add Scandinavian Design to your Home

How to Add Scandinavian Design to your Home

Scandinavian design is a minimalistic and practical aesthetic known for its neutral colour palettes, clean lines and striking modern furniture. Emerging in the 1950s alongside the modernist movement, Scandinavian modern style prioritized affordable and sleek furnishings and interiors. Its natural feel and everyday practicality make it a popular and timeless choice for home design. Find out more in this blog about how you can add Scandinavian Design to your home.

Use a Soft Colour Scheme

Scandinavian countries get little sunlight, especially throughout winter, so Scandinavian design is focused on creating light spaces. Soft colour schemes that include lots of neutrals and whites reflect the little amount of daylight available. Large windows and minimal blinds or curtains are also prioritised to further maximise the amount of daylight coming in.

A white base is always a good place to start, but deciding on what tone of white can be a little overwhelming. Cooler tones with hints of blue or grey can be harsher and less comforting whereas a warmer white with pink or yellow tones creates a more homely feel. Starting with a white or neutral base allows you to add brighter colours and adapt or change your colour scheme over time.

Create Contrast

Scandinavian interior design uses a blend of textures and contrasts to make sleek, modern decor feel warm and inviting. There are many ways we can create contrast and interest inspired by Scandinavian design. Through contrasting colours, for example, adding darker-toned furniture or accessories to your lighter colour scheme. Using contrasting textures by mixing natural textures such as wood and wool with smooth and glossy manmade materials. Handmade pieces add an interesting feature to a minimalistic Scandi-style interior.

Install Modern Furniture & Smart Storage

Minimalism is at the heart of anything Scandi-style so using minimal furniture and storage is key. Handleless wardrobes and drawers create clean lines and are a modern, practical storage solution suitable for Scandinavian-style interiors. Installing fitted furniture suited to your storage needs helps you to keep clutter stored away resulting in a cleaner, more minimal interior.

Check out our fitted bedrooms and fitted interiors to find out how we can help!