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The Nordic design style is characterized by the use of natural materials and cool shades of pastel colors. This is a design style that is known to be closely similar to the Scandinavian interior design style. The only difference is that the Nordic design style has a slightly darker edge with the use of colors like blue, green, and gray. Add different textures and you will have a room that is comfy and spacious. 

Nordic design style – its origin

Nordic interior design style has its origin from the Scandinavian region. The style rose to popularity during the 19th century. This is the period when Arts and Crafts movement had influenced the interior design industry. Nordic design style became part of different design movements. 

During the 1920s, designers from the Scandinavian region incorporated the principles of Nordic design style to modernism. Though it took many years, it was in the 1950s when the Nordic design style was widely accepted. From 1954 to 1957, the design style was observed to participate in traveling exhibits in the United States and Canada. 

The characteristics of Nordic design style

The characteristics of Nordic design style have its great influence by the Scandinavians with a touch of German. It is a combination of natural and practical ideas that are observed from everyday objects. The design style features wood, plastic, anodized metal, pressed steel, and aluminum. 

Gray and white walls

The design style primarily features crisp, clean colors, such as hues of gray, white, and cream. The colors add beauty to any room and can make them appear clean. In addition to these, the materials make the furniture and other decorative items be the highlight of the room. 

Natural textiles and plants

Indoor plants are common with the design style. Experts also have suggested that the incorporation of plants gives benefits to the mind and body. In addition to these, the plants add attractive accents to your homes. Natural textiles like burlap, linen, and cotton are likewise recommended to further enhance the Nordic-inspired home. 

Minimalist kitchens

The design style is also known for its minimalist rooms. The kitchen, for instance, appears clear, solid-colored, and clutterless. The cabinets often appear flat, plain, and simple. The rooms are usually seen in white color. 

Dark grout lines

The use of dark grout lines can give any tile a touch of pop color. The bathroom and the kitchen can have an impressive look with dark grout lines. In addition to these, white tiles can give sterility and a clean look to the rooms. 

Fireplace

Add comfort and warmth to your room with the incorporation of a fireplace. This can create a visually comfortable interior with a clean and crisp appearance. As such, the fireplace can be the focal point of your home making it look more inviting and relaxing. 

Patterns and textures

Patterns and textures in Nordic design style are usually in a monochromatic style. As such, this can be an opportunity to add a color theme. Think of the monochromatic style as a blank canvas to paint your art. 

Contemporary room design is one of the favorite design styles of many homeowners these days. There are many reasons why it is on top of the list. From the furniture pieces up to the wall design, contemporary room design will surely capture your attention and interest. Read on to learn more about the design style of the century.

The contemporary design style in your room

For some time now, contemporary design style has been one of the best choices of people when designing their homes, offices, and public spaces. If simplicity and clean lines are your preferences, then this design style is the ideal interior design for you and your family. It may be hard to find the exact definition for the design style as it encompasses many embodiments. Contemporary design style has its origins that is traced from the modern art movement. 

Contemporary design style characteristics

The design style makes use of shapes as one of the key elements. It uses geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles with smooth curves, circles, and ovals. In general, it highlights simplicity with the use of few ornaments. The ornaments used though are believed to interrupt the even unbroken lines and flat surfaces. 

Contemporary design style also uses different materials and the most preferred are wood and plastic. Wood is usually painted with an opaque finish that covers the natural wood grain. Shiny and glossy metals are also added to highlight the contemporary design style. For instance, chair legs and body of lamps are usually made from stainless steel. In addition to these, glass and plastic are used to smoothen surfaces. 

Its origin and evolution

Contemporary design style can be traced back during the World War 2 era. It has influences from the decorative arts in the early 20th century particularly during the Art Deco period. The rise of fresh concepts and modern materials like plastics also contributed to the development of the design style. 

The 1940s

In the 1940s, the design style was observed to have the combination of different styles, such as Art Deco and Jazz, with the sunny, sentimental, and patriotic accents. During this period, the decorative items were lighter and more affordable. These are then appropriate to the growing population. Furniture pieces appear simple and linear with the combination of wood and chrome. 

The 1950s

The 1950s was observed to have a rise in the number of consumers. As such the demand for decorative items and other products also increased. As a result, there was a growth in the mass production of materials such as fabric and home furnishings. This mass production has made the materials more affordable for the general public. The design style during this period focused more on simplicity and functionality. 

Vintage period

During the 1960s, there was a change in interior design style. Colors and patterns became more conspicuous and the appearance and style of furnishings became more relaxed. The 1970s, on the other hand, depended on earth tone colors. Moreover, hand-crafted furnishings were highlighted. 

The psychedelic era

The 80s, however, are completely different. The economy is getting better, inspiring homeowners to build bigger houses. As such, furniture pieces and other decorative items also became larger. The use of bold colors is commonly seen and this is the reason why the 80s is called the psychedelic era. 

The 90s

The 1990s toned down as compared to the previous decade. Furnishings were sleeker and more refined. It is also common to see walk-in closets, kitchen islands, and home entertainment rooms. As such, the design style during the decade emphasized on functionality of the style. 

The design style these days

During the 21st century, functionality is still the highlight. Though, styles were improved to make them look more sophisticated. The design style has the combination of modern and eclectic elements with the addition of elements from the previous decade. 

Contemporary design style has an open floor plan, the presence of primary colors, minimal design, and built-in cabinets and shelves.

School is considered to be the second home of our kids. Especially preschoolers who will have much fun and memorable experiences. The appearance of the classroom is one of the most important things to consider to make learning more exciting. This is important so that during their formative years, kids will learn more. 

The overall appearance of the classroom

The appearance of the classroom is vital in the learning of kids these days. Experts believe that the environment of the classroom can have significant effects on the learning of kids. It was also observed that academic progress can go up to 25%. Classroom design should also be on the top of the list of every school or preschool. 

The design of the classroom should be able to strike the balance between teaching methodologies and learning styles. The overall appearance of the classroom including the arrangement of furniture pieces and decorative items should facilitate the learning of kids. Therefore, the learning experience will be memorable and successful.

Kids’ classroom arrangement

Over the years, teaching and learning have been continuously evolving. The technology we have these days is of great help to teachers. They tend to have more interaction with the learners instead of taking the spotlight all throughout the class. This style can give the teachers more time to guide their learners. In this case, the appearance of the classroom should facilitate both the teachers and learners in accomplishing their tasks.

The design or arrangement of the classroom should be planned carefully. Both of them should have easy access to the different areas of the classroom. It is also a fact that students are more dynamic these days. As such, more activities are given to them rather than just sitting and reading books. The classroom must also have areas for the various activities that kids will do. Examples are areas for reading, playing, and cooperative learning. 

Wall decorations of the classroom

It is also of utmost importance to choose the wall decorations properly. In many instances, the wall decors are also used as learning materials. For example, it is common to see preschool classrooms decorated with posters of the alphabet, numbers, animals, plants, and others. These materials will help kids in familiarizing themselves with the fundamentals. 

The colors are also important as it has been observed that different colors can affect the behavior of kids. Warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow tend to be stimulating. On the other hand, cool colors like blue, green, and purple can be calming and relaxing. Nursery-themed posters are perfect for preschoolers as these have subtle colors and are not offensive to the sense of vision. 

Classroom temperature and acoustics

The level of sound is also vital to the learning of kids. To create the right sound level, it is recommended to minimize the background noise and amplify the voice of the teacher. The right flooring, baffle boards, noticeboards, and soft seating can help in adjusting sound levels. 

In addition to these, it is also advised to regularly check the classroom temperature. Kids learn well in a classroom with optimum temperature. Warm temperatures make students sleepy and lose concentration in their studies. 

The storage solutions

Keep the classroom clutter-free with the addition of clever storage solutions. Clean classrooms make learning better for kids. There are different innovative storage solutions available, such as wall units. Fixed storage behind closed doors, and others.

Consider the kid’s room as one of the versatile areas of your home. There are different things that can be done in their room. Kids benefit so much from it as it is primarily used for playing. Playing can stimulate the imagination and creativity that are needed for their growth and development. As parents, it is our duty to help our kids in their endeavors. 

The kids’ room – the reality

The kids’ room can be messy at times. Toddlers, for instance, tend to scatter their toys and other belongings. As such, it is sometimes pointless to clear all the clutter while they are still awake. The best solution for this is to come up with storage solutions to minimize clutter. Storage solutions that are appropriate for their rooms need to be attractive and functional. As a result, the kids’ room can look appealing and interesting.

Storage solution for the kids’ room

Kids, even teens, tend to mess their rooms with their personal belongings. Shirts, toys, school items, and other keepsakes can be seen everywhere. For parents, this can be an eyesore. There is only one solution for this and that is by adding storage areas to minimize the clutter. 

Choosing a cute and practical storage solution for the kids’ room can sometimes be challenging. Especially if you cannot do major installations, picking the right storage solution can be confusing. The good thing is, there are different ways to keep the kids’ room clutter-free. For example, items like old drawers and boxes can be repurposed and be used for storage. These items can also be tucked away under the bed to keep them out of sight. 

Storage solution ideas you can use

Shelves are still in use these days. These can provide a lot of benefits in making the kids’ room free from mess. There are available DIY shelves in shops that are easy to install and use. The kids’ beds can also be added with skirts. Skirts can make the bed look fantastic and can likewise cover storage solutions that are kept under the bed. 

Toys can be displayed on wall-mounted shelves. In addition to toys, books can also be displayed so that your kids can have a mini-library. It is also smart to choose a bed with built-in storage so that every inch of space is used in the kids’ room. 

Trunk and wire baskets are cute and useful. No need to buy the expensive ones as you can always check garage sales for preloved items. Tables with drawers are still the favorite of many homeowners and kids. This item can have different uses. Kids can use them for studying or reading, while the drawers can be used to store various items like toys and school stuff. 

Final Thoughts

The kids’ room requires a lot of storage solutions. Small kids need storage that can be accessible for them. It is also best to consider the safety of your kids by choosing the appropriate storage options. As your kids mature, they will need different styles of storage items. In fact, you may opt for more stylish and trendy storage options.