Interior exterior design blog

In home design, high traffic spaces require special attention. These are the places where daily life leaves its mark. Entryways, hallways, kitchens, and connecting zones that serve both function and flow. While style often takes center stage in design conversations, true luxury lies in the seamless blending of aesthetics with everyday utility. Designing for these areas means considering how materials wear, how fixtures support movement, and how finishes contribute to the over

When we think about sanctuary within the home, the bathroom often tops the list. It is a space defined by its sensory experience—the warmth of the water, the tactile nature of stone underfoot, and the visual harmony of the palette. Whether you are embarking on a full-scale renovation or looking to refresh a tired aesthetic, your choice of surfacing is arguably the most impactful decision you will make. At By Design and Viz, we believe that a truly modern bathroom balances arc

Designing a dorm room is often the first chance to shape a personal living space from scratch. It’s a small room with big expectations: it needs to support studying, relaxing, sleeping, and socializing — sometimes all at once. A well-designed dorm room balances function and style, turning limited square footage into a space that feels intentional rather than improvised. With the right approach, even the most basic dorm setup can become a place that feels comfortable, efficien

If you’ve ever wiped down a shelf, stepped back feeling proud, then noticed a fresh layer of dust appear like it pays rent, you’re not imagining things. Air vents can quietly recirculate dust, lint, and debris throughout a home, especially when cleaning has been focused on surfaces rather than airflow. The good news is that learning how to clean your air vents properly is less about fancy sprays and more about doing a few steps in the right order. Once you know what to look f

A Scandinavian dining room is one of those spaces that looks effortless when it’s done well — the kind of room that makes a Tuesday pasta feel oddly more intentional. But getting it right isn’t about buying a pale wood table and calling it a day. The difference between “Scandi” and “spare” usually comes down to a handful of design decisions most people skip. Many dining spaces also struggle with the same issue: they’re treated like the leftover zone. The living room gets the

If your home has one of those “why is it always dim in here?” rooms, you’ve probably done the usual routine: you buy a plant, you place it near the brightest window you have, you tell yourself you’ll rotate it… and then it slowly gives up anyway. The truth is, low light isn’t a design failure. It’s just a condition you have to design around. And indoor trees low light spaces can support do exist — you just need to choose options that tolerate slower growth, lower energy, and

The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS has earned its best-seller status for a reason: it’s compact, armless, and converts into a double bed without demanding a dedicated guest room. But if you’ve ever sat on one and thought, this feels a bit temporary, you’re not imagining it. Most people start searching for ikea lycksele lovas sofa bed alternatives because they want one of three things: better sleep for guests, a more structured look in daytime mode, or a mechanism that feels straightforward w

Midcentury living rooms have a reputation for being “easy”: a couple of tapered legs, a walnut sideboard, maybe a bold rug, done. In real homes, it’s rarely that simple. The look can swing from flat to chaotic fast, especially when proportions are off, the wood tones clash, or the room is missing the one thing midcentury style depends on: an intelligent layout. This guide breaks down how we design midcentury living rooms so they still feel current in 2026—clean, intentional,

Check all your usual feeds, google results, or fancy magazines for “luxury exterior design”, and it’s easy to walk away thinking luxury = “pristine.” Like nobody actually sits out there. No juice boxes. No muddy paws. No flying soccer balls. But unless you’re decorating for a photo shoot, that’s just not very realistic if you’ve got pets, kids, or just want a space that’s both beautiful and  functional. I mean, there has to be a way to create an outdoor or patio space that’s

A great exterior renovation balances good planning with smart choices that stand up to weather and time. Focus on projects that cut energy use, simplify upkeep, and return value at resale. These tips keep your budget working hard while your home looks sharp. Plan Around Code, Climate, And Budget Start with a clear scope, a realistic number for contingencies, and the permits you’ll need. Map your local climate risks and choose materials rated for wind, hail, and freeze-thaw cy

Wabi sabi interior design is one of those styles people misunderstand instantly. They think it means “unfinished,” “rustic,” or “I don’t have time to decorate.” In reality, it’s highly intentional. The difference is that the intention is about restraint, materials, and honesty — not matching sets and perfect symmetry. This is also why wabi sabi interior design can be a relief if you’re stuck in a loop of buying, styling, editing, and still feeling like something is slightly

There’s a very specific kind of frustration we hear from clients: “Everything matches, everything is new, I’ve followed the rules… so why does it still feel off?” It’s the design version of following a recipe perfectly and ending up with a meal that somehow tastes like nothing. The wabi sabi meaning is often explained in a way that sounds poetic, then promptly disappears into mist. But when you translate it into design decisions, it becomes surprisingly practical. It gives y

Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore has a reputation. It’s the colour people pick when they want a neutral that is not stark white, not deep grey, and not obviously beige. It sits right in that middle ground where a lot of homes actually live. But here’s the part no one tells you at the start: the same colour can look like three different decisions depending on your light, your finishes, and what you place next to it. That’s why Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore is both loved and blame

At trade shows, visitors make decisions faster than they realize. About 76% of visitors walk past a booth if it doesn’t spark interest within the first 3–5 seconds. That’s why a quality exhibition stand is not about a visual appeal alone, but about a comprehensive sense of professionalism, convenience, and trust. A good stand is immediately noticeable, even without in-depth analysis. At trade shows, visitors make decisions faster than they realize. About 76% of visitors walk