Category Archives: home interior designs

WFH Series – Creating Learning Spaces To Nurture & Grow!

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This is one is for the teaching community – who are tirelessly working to learn new ways to teach so that the students continue their education.

For educators across the world, 2020 has come with a new challenge – of how to ensure safety of the students by keeping them at home, while continuing to facilitate their education. This has given birth to new learning spaces and innovative methods of teaching & learning. While every teacher-student community is unique and will have their own preferred methods, here are a few simple tips for using things available at home to make online teaching more seamless, interesting and to bond with students virtually!!

Learn how the platform works

For many of the teachers who are not computer savvy, using the internet to teach can seem daunting. Not only is the method new, you have the added pressure of an audience in the form of parents. In many cases you also have the challenge of converting a part of the home interior into a virtual classroom. The first thing is to do is master the method by understanding the platform or app that you are going to be using. Spend time to watch videos on how the platform works, run mock sessions where required to familiarise yourself with all the functions & presentations, and always be prepared to handle surprises!

Create a comfortable space

As mentioned in our earlier post in the WFH series, it is important to identify and create a space where you can work without disturbance. This is all the more important when you are teaching – if you are distracted then chances of you making an error or not communicating clearly is increased.

Choose a room like a study or a spare bedroom that offers you privacy and that can comparatively be shut out from the noise of the rest of the house. Others in your house who are not learning or working from home could want some amusement. An entertainment unit in the living room with a blaring TV or music in the background will obviously be distracting to your students. Hence, the need for relative quietness.

Create a comfortable work space with an ergonomic chair, a spacious desk to accommodate your books & notes and power sockets close-by. You could also put up a peel-off whiteboard sticker behind your desk if you prefer to write as you teach. Keep supplies that you may use to teach within reach like markers, reference books etc. Since you will be speaking continuously for some time, it is a good idea to also have cool glass of water or a water bottle handy. Ensure the room has good light and ventilation.

Set out basic rules

As you are starting your session, set ground rules. These could be standard ones for all your classes or for each session based on the activity that you have planned. Rules could include answering when questions are asked to gain attendance or taking breaks or level of overall participation. You could also insist on students being present on camera to gauge their receptiveness. In this case, don’t forget to have neutral décor as your backdrop and of course be presentable & professional.

Get creative with your teaching

While in a face-to-face session you could use the classroom décor itself to inspire or as a learning tool, this would prove to be a challenge in a virtual classroom session. So look for creative ways to capture the students’ attention. If you are teaching younger kids, use bright colours around you. You could use vinyl wall decals that are easily removable to make your virtual session more vibrant. For older kids, ensure engagement by asking them to take over small presentations or asking questions. If you are using audio-visuals on any particular day, you could temporarily move the virtual classroom in front of the TV Unit. You could also use a few videos to teach or make your presentations interactive and interesting.

Understand the shortcomings

Not everyone has a laptop for each member of the family. There are many of us who share a computer within the family and it may not always be viable to invest in another one for online sessions. Understand this as a reality for both you & your students and work around that. The solution that most of us turn to is smartphones. Keep this in mind and optimise for screen size while creating your teaching material.

If you yourself don’t have access to a laptop and use your phone for teaching, make the most of the available home décor – like creating a stand for the phone or projecting it to a TV for better readability. You could also speak to your students on a one-to-one basis and share these tips so that they are comfortable and hence more focused during class.

Many students will need handholding during virtual sessions as they may have problem relating to what you teach when they don’t have physical support of a teacher or classmates. Understand this and put in extra effort with such students. At the end of each topic, check if they have understood it. Ask questions to confirm their understanding. More importantly, be approachable so that the students can stop you and ask you to repeat if they have not understood anything. You could also assign a “buddy” classmate who can help them out.

Structure your sessions

Set a routine and try to structure your sessions in terms of standardizing how you present, what audio-visual aids you include, participation needed, assignments to be delivered etc. This will help both you and the students as you know what to expect and can be prepared accordingly.

Record

Most of the tools available for online teaching now allow sessions to be recorded. Make use of this feature, but don’t forget to inform your students that you are recording. On many days the internet connectivity is not very good and the students may not be able to log in or may get disconnected midway. Having a recording helps in these instances. Also, a student may need to revisit a lesson to understand if they are not comfortable with virtual sessions. You could set guidelines on how you share these recordings and with whom, to protect your own copyrights.

Did you find these tips helpful? Do you teach online too? Share some of your best practices, ideas and views with the Flapto community. We would love to hear from you.

Millennials Designs

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Millennials or Gen-Y refers to the people born between 1981 and 1996. This group, now in their 30’s, are looking to build and set up their own homes. This generation of first-time buyers is picky of how they do up their houses. And so, just like everything else, their tastes vary widely from the preferences of the previous generations.

Millennials face the need for versatile spaces. Amidst the issue of a small house within the city, they have several needs that have to be fulfilled. Whether it is a living room that doubles as an office space or a dining space for 2 that occasionally has to be able to fit in 6 people, the needs are endless.

Millennial décor is a very distinctive style when it comes to the way spaces are used and interiors and décor of houses is done.

PASTEL SHADES

They mostly pick simplistic style and lighter colours like white or millennial pink. This can be attributed largely to the fact that most of the houses bought are comparatively smaller since they are within the city. Hence, light colours and white help make the rooms look larger.

    MINIMALISTIC DÉCOR

    A minimalistic arrangement keeps the room spaced out and gives the impression of a larger room rather than a crowded, dingy and small house. A simple décor also helps in easy redesigning or addition of small pieces. Millennials are resorting to this contemporary décor trend for their homes. 

    A favourite piece of accessory is small potted plants or succulents that do not need much effort and yet give the room a pop of colour and life.

    COLOUR BLOCKING

    Colour blocking is another millennial trend that is setting in. Colour blocking is essentially picking out colours from opposite sides of the colour palette and teaming them together. Mustard, deep purple or blue are very popular choices with reference to colour blocking. This trend also gives a fun and quirky splash of colour to a room that might otherwise come across as dull and monotonous and giving it a contemporary decor.  

    Colour blocking can be done in the form of a big change like painting one wall in a room a different colour or something as small as placing a different coloured cushion on the couch or a piece of art on the wall.

    CUSTOMISATION

    Another trend that is picking up popularity is customisation. Millennial décor is all about customising small articles as a way of putting in a personal touch to their homes.

    Customisation too has a broad spectrum. It can anything from a large picture personalised picture to neon lights with a message.

    It might even be a quirky doormat or an out-of-place bookshelf or even just a simple string of fairy lights.

    Some houses may also see a combination of different trends.

    For instance, people might prefer paring minimalistic décor with colour blocking. Or some may have a favourite colour that they want to feature with respect to accessories or overall décor and design the rest of the house around the colour accordingly.

    However, the most important thing to remember is that one’s house should reflect their personality and that an individual should be comfortable in the house they build and live in.

      FLAPTO Home Series – Work From Home (WFH)

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      Work From Home.

      These 3 simple words have taken on a new meaning in the recent times, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. What was once considered a luxury or a “break-day” is now the new way of life for most of us.

      While there were initial apprehensions about its effectiveness, Work From Home culture (or WFH as it is popularly referred to) is now seen as being productive with numerous benefits of having a virtual office, like

      • Zero travel time, hence no traffic-related stress
      • Better work-life balance, leading to employee satisfaction, better productivity & performance
      • Monetary savings for both the company (real estate, overhead etc.) and the employee (transport, professional wardrobe, team outings etc.)
      • Positive impact on the environment as pollution levels come down

      Most of us usually consider our home as a space where we can relax and unwind with family and friends. However, these changing times have also necessitated establishing a dedicated workspace that lets us continue to work in the safety and security of our home, even as the pandemic rages on. Not only are we working, we are also learning from home. The key to making the Work From Home experience seamless for you and your family is to know how you can create an exclusive space with simple interior design ideas, where each of you can concentrate and work without disturbing the other.

      We bring to you a series of posts with tips on how to work from home and make your experience great, starting with this one for creating a dedicated Home Office space.

      1. Identify A Dedicated Space

      While it may sound like a good idea to lounge around the house and make most of the freedom by working wherever you fancy, it actually is not! Having a dedicated space ensures that you are able to take a break from work when needed and move to a different setting to clear your head. Also, you will have a designated place to keep your work-related files & notes and not have to hunt all around the house for it.

      If you have a spare bedroom or a study – you have your home office space! If not, create one in any part of the house which is not in the way of other family members. This ensures privacy for you while you are working and also for others as they go about their daily routines.

      1. Create A Good & Comfortable Seating Arrangement

      It may sound basic but it is very essential. Because you will be sitting for long hours, it is not a good idea to put the laptop on your lap all the time and work. You need a proper seating arrangement so that you don’t hunch and develop posture-related problems. While you may not have a proper office desk or chair lying around the house for your use, you can use any table and a straight back chair. Or if you are the kind who prefers to sit cross-legged or stretch your legs out while working (because you have the luxury do it while working from home), get a laptop table from the many options available. This will ensure that the laptop does not weigh you down constantly or harm you with the heat it emits. In this scenario, also get a good back support, like a stiff cushion or pillow.

      1. Ensure Your Work Space Is Well Lit & Ventilated

      Place your desk close to an open window for good natural light and ventilation. Apart from this, ensure that you are able to focus ample artificial light on the work area for the evening times or on dark, cloudy days. You could use an overhead light or even get a desk lamp. A ceiling fan will provide you with additional air and help maintain a healthy temperature by circulating the air. Good light and ventilation ensures that you are comfortable while working and don’t strain your eyes or end up with a headache.

      1. Stay Connected!

      Most of our work requires constant and continuous internet connectivity. Ensure that the space you choose receives good internet connectivity to enjoy an uninterrupted work experience. Similarly, the space you choose should also receive good mobile signals in case you need to speak to people during your work. A power socket close-by guarantees that your phone and computer get the necessary power supply when low on battery. You also won’t trip over wires running over the floor.

      1. Background Check! Ensure A Neutral Or Professional Background

      Many of us have been guilty of this! Yes, we are working from home and don’t expect a sterile office environment. However, a messy background or one with inappropriate posters while on video call is not recommended. See if you can place painting, artwork or even a nice picture of the family as your backdrop. If not, just go in for a plain, clean wall. This is better than a messy background. Also, be presentable when on video calls – you don’t want to look sleepy or unkempt when talking to your colleagues or your boss.

      1. Make It Your Own!

      Make the space your own and let it inspire you. Since you will be spending most of your work day here, make it a pleasant space. Add a pop of colour to your desk with a bright pen holder or picture or even a small green indoor plant. You can also create a contemporary décor around your desk so that the space visually stimulates you!

      These simple, easily doable suggestions will make your work life at home more enjoyable. Do you have any other suggestions for improving the work space at home? Do leave us your suggestions – we would love to hear from you!

       

      #wardrobedesigns #interiordesign #modularkitchen #lshapedkitchen #ushapedkitchen #entertainmentunits

      HOW IMPORTANT IS A WELL-DESIGNED BEDROOM

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      Bedrooms are the primary place of relaxation, where we all retire to take a good sleep and refresh, away from the world and worries. The bedroom interior design is extremely important in order to provide that instant feel of relaxation and here are a few tips: the first thing that meets the eyes are the colours used on the walls, carpets and bed set so, they all must be soothing in pastel colours in order to provide a relaxing effect.

      For anyone who wants to end a day would need is a bedroom that will help you relax and reduce the stress of the day. Therefore you must design your bedroom in a way that will make you feel good a part from providing you with a good sleep where you can dream and loosen up. With a well decorated bedroom, you will have a more relaxed and happy life because you will start each and every morning strong and relaxed after a good sleep at night. Here are some tips that will help you come up with the best kind of design.

      DRAMATIC CURTAINS

      A room is never completely finished until you address your window dressing situation. Drapery is not merely to cover your windows but drapery is something that defines whether your room would be welcoming or everyone would rather be sitting upright and uptight! You can see some fabulous examples of how simple drapery can make all the difference. Invest in a good designer curtain or get yourself someone to design a curtain that encapsulates the essence of your room perfectly.

      RIGHT BED

      This is the most important thing in your bedroom and you must make sure to go for the right one. If your bedroom is not that big, you need not to go for a large bed because this will make your room look more crowded and awkward. You must go for the right size of bed if you want your bedroom to look perfect. Also make sure you choose the right mattress one that is comfortable and soft if you are to have a good sleeping time.

      LAYERED BEDDING

      Beds take up lots of room in a bedroom. They not only take up lots of actual space, but visual space as well. That’s why a beautifully made bed can make the whole room look amazing! Designers know this and use bed linens to their maximum potential! A fabulously made bed can make the whole room appear updated and chic and beautiful, even if the rest of it is very ordinary!  And layering bedding really amps the up the wow factor even more! Here are some tips and tricks for layering bedding like a designer! We can all do this!

      Don’t sacrifice on lighting:

      Remember that light fixtures and the tone of your lighting can help dress up your room. Always invest in good light fixtures and fit in light dimmers. Like how jewellery establishes your style, similarly lighting of a room sets its style. Don’t compromise! This will be an investment that will definitely pay off. It will enhance your soft furnishings, designer curtains etc.

      If you can put all these factors into consideration then you will have the best bedroom design for you, which will make your life more fun and relaxed.

       

      Contemporary Interior Designing

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      Contemporary style of decorating is constantly evolving and connects with the growing styles and modern things. It’s a wrong assumption many make that contemporary interior design is all about achieving cold and ultra minimalist look. Contemporary designs create an environment of comfort, simplicity, subtly sophisticated and welcoming without being cluttered and dark. It’s equally appropriate for work place, stores and home as it showcases the beauty of space rather than things, clean lines and uncomplicated clarity.

      Trying to achieve contemporary interior designs, it’s important to stick to some basic rules which focus on colour, space, style, neutrals and geometric shapes. Contemporary interiors are sleek and fresh.

      Use of colour     

      When we talk about contemporary interior design the main colours we concentrate are neutrals, black and white. If the walls are of neutral colour then the accessories can be bright or can make use of antic pieces and vice versa works well to. Black defines the contemporary style room and palette is often punched up and accented with bright and bold colour. For classy contemporary look you can go for crisp white and grey with metallic finish.

      Line and space   

      As we already spoke the important focus is space and design in line. Replace the empty walls with few hangings which would go with the wall colour, make sure they not to crowded and keep enough spacing. To draw attention the structural elements can either be painted bold with contrasting colours or diminish importance by blending them with walls.

      Let it light 

      We all know that lighting plays a key role. This is actually the final step and should pay attention to natural lights. Use plenty of lightings throughout the room so that it doesn’t look to dark. Windowed walls are necessary to bring in lots of natural light and air. Making use of spotlights and enhancing the painting, poster or painting can draw eyes.

      Art works and Accessories

      When you have enough space or a particular place looks to empty, you can just add on accessories. You can probably go with art works such as wooden carvings or metallic finishes. At the same time do not crowd a single place with many, probably just one or two would do well. In case you got many frames, you can hang them close together so they give the feeling of one large piece instead of many small pieces.