Creating a beautiful space, whether inside your home or place of work is not merely decorating and rearranging the furniture, it is about making maximum use of the available space to create the desired appearance, atmosphere and mood. To get it right, there has to be harmony between the colours, the lighting, the fixtures and fittings, the fabrics, the texture the patterns and of course the furniture. Together they create an overall impression, which if done well can be breathtakingly beautiful as well as functional and comfortable, but without careful thought and planning, the results can be simply disastrous.

Leather

Naturally in any home or business, the type of furniture you choose is important. One thing you cannot really go wrong with is leather sofas and chairs. Not only do they add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any room and can fit in with any theme, there are countless different styles to choose from and so there is bound to be something to suit you regardless of your taste. There are also different types of leather to choose from and the following represents a brief description of some of the most popular.

? Semi aniline leather - this type of leather has a fine protective pigmented coating making it one of the easiest types of leather to clean. It has a two tone colour effect to imitate the properties of full aniline leather.

? Full aniline leather - this is leather that has had very little processing so has a natural finish and is softer and more delicate than other types of leather, however it can also stain more easily. It can also fade in sunlight so shouldn't be placed in position where it will be exposed to direct sunlight.

? Distressed Leather - this type has a rugged, antique look to it although it still retains its natural markings and is hard wearing leather.

? Suede - suede is leather that has the surface worn away to produce a velvet like feel to it.

Altogether, leather is a practical material that is hardwearing, it is also easy to clean with the right materials and more importantly, extremely comfortable and attractive so leather sofas and chairs are a worthwhile investment for any room because if looked after well, they can last you a lifetime.

Fabrics

Different fabrics can help create the mood you want and can make or break a room. Popular fabrics include cotton, silk, linen and wool, but there are countless other fabrics to choose from. Texture is important as the feel of any material combined with how it looks will contribute to the overall atmosphere in a room. Silk pillows for example, can look and feel amazing in the bedroom and they can create a mood of sensuality, romance and elegance.

Cotton table cloths work very well with a country cottage theme. Deep pile pale coloured carpets that you can sink your feet into set off with luxurious matching curtains can give a room a bright, airy and spacious look and yet still feel warm and homely so perfect for living rooms and bedrooms. Heavier curtains made of velvet or other heavy material need to be lined properly to protect them from the elements and to help them hang properly, they also give off an air of affluence so perfect for a period theme.

Brightly coloured cushions, pillows, rugs and wall hangings in different textures can help create a more playful and frivolous ambience. However, in your study or office you may want to reflect a more serious and business-like impression and go for the clean cut efficient look with leather chairs, sturdier plainer fabrics with little or no bold patterns or statements.

Take note of what others have done with fabric to get an idea of how the different fabrics create an effect and contribute to the ambience of a room and then experiment with your own ideas. There really are no specific rules, it's all down to your own taste and personality, but you do need an eye for detail to get the desired effect as the end result will depend on how you combine the various elements in a room together.

Your Own Interior Design Project

If you are thinking of re-designing your interiors, either in your own home or in the office, and you don't feel up to tackling the job yourself, you can call in the services of a professional interior designer who will work within your budget to help you create your desired style or effect, one that suits the purpose of each room and one that reflects who you are. The advantages attached to this are obvious, you tell the designer what you want and they get it done. All you have to do is stand back and admire the end result.