I saw this post on Domainand I thought it would be fun to share with you all, the design ideas that architects including me, would definitely avoid in their own houses. Though we as architects, agree to incorporate these features in accordance with the clients desires, practically speaking, they could be problematic and actually avoidable.

So here’s a list of finishes, materials that I will not have in my own house and recommend that you should also avoid, even though they look good or snazzy.

Polished concrete:Polished concrete can look amazing but it is very difficult to achieve, because very few skilled persons can actually pull it off. Even if it turns out the way you want, there is a chance of it cracking, (movement joints are required to reduce the risk) and there is ongoing maintenance and cleaning. So though it is a new flooring option,

I say, avoid it:Though marble bench tops are aesthetically pleasing, they absorb so many stains and are not practical, particularly for the price and especially in spicy Indian kitchens. Even the best sealers don’t prevent all stains, and once stained there is no going back. Even using the wrong type of cleaning product can degrade the sealer, leaving areas like the kitchen prone to stains from food spills even if wiped up straight away. So it is a definite no-no for me.

Marble Flooring:Marble floor provides elegance, beauty and luxury to a room. It is low maintenance, durable and available in a variety of colours. Marble is suitable in residential interiors, but not for large commercial areas or heavily trafficked areas due to its soft nature (scratches easily), high absorbency (stains easily) and acid sensitivity.

Granite Flooring:Granite is hard, very durable, doesn’t easily scratch and is stain-resistant making it suitable for residential flooring, but is sparingly used in commercial buildings due to its high cost.

Kota Stone Flooring:Kota stone is a natural limestone that is hard and strong, yet economical. In its rough state, Kota is non-slippery and hence useful in exteriors and high traffic areas like swimming pool etc. When polished, Kota has a shiny finish and so is suitable for house and commercial interiors and circulation areas.

The Bedroom is the private place, where you can unwind, retire after a hard day’s work and sleep. It is a space where you need to have sound sleep to gain energy for the next day. Therefore the energy in the bedroom must be positive, snug and relaxing. An Architect shares guidelines for the design and planning of a Bedroom.

While a bedroom is a personal space which guests may never see, it is a space where you will spend one third of your life. Therefore the design of a bedroom is of utmost importance. A well-designed bedroom should be comfortable, relaxing, soothing and incorporate all the furniture that you require without making it a cramped space. Simple ideas and innovative tips and tricks can elevate the space, creating a room that reflects as it restores, impresses as it invigorates.

As An Architect practicing in Bangalore, India, I have designed bedrooms of all types- master bedroom, children’s and guest bedrooms. And I have done them in different styles, contemporary, modern traditional etc. I cannot say that a particular style is the best because it is a matter of personal taste. But the most important thing for me is that, a well-designed bedroom should look spacious, un-cluttered and the furniture should be easily accessible. So here are some tips on the planning of well-designed bedrooms:

People have been environment-conscious for the past couple of decades. However, the primary focus was on reducing pollution from industries and on utilising renewable resources. It is only in recent years that people have realised that buildings and building construction activities are the largest consumers of energy on the planet. That is how the Green Building Movement was started. An Architect Delves Into The Latest Trend, Green Architecture, And Shares The Creative Solutions For Sustainable Buildings That Consume Less And Conserve More…….

Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. As an I have become very conscious of my responsibility in “Greening’ the buildings that I design. Though my knowledge of this relatively new trend is limited.

Paint is used to protect, preserve, decorate or add functionality to an object or surface by covering it with a pigmented coating. Physically, paint is a mixture of four important elements: Pigments, Additives, Binders and Solvents. The choice of paint and the choice of colour is an important decision as it can dramatically transform a space or a building. An Architect guides you in choosing the right paint and colours for your building

PAINTS – COLOURS: The incredible choice and colours that are available in today’s market will confuse anyone. So for deciding the right colours, I prefer to guide my clients to the following pages, wherein I have discussed the Colour wheel, Colour groups, Colour themes and their effects on our well-being: