Module Summary
When designing a room, it is necessary to consider the appearance of all available surfaces and how to make good use of texture to enhance the aesthetics of the space. For most projects, the floors and ceilings will be given the most attention. Stone, wood, carpet, lino and other floor coverings all have their advantages and drawbacks. The most appropriate choice will depend on the client’s budget, how the space is to be used, the temperature of the space and practical considerations such as the amount of traffic passing through the space and the moisture levels in the surrounding air. When decorating walls, there are two main options – paint and wallpaper. Both should be chosen with colour and texture in mind. Paints can broadly be divided into matt and gloss finishes, which create smooth wall textures, but special textured paints are available. The way in which paint is applied can create the illusion of texture and there are a number of techniques designers can use to produce visual interest. Wallpaper is available in smooth and textured varieties and can be used to simulate other materials. Both floor and wall coverings change the tone of a room, as their materials will all have some kind of colour and texture.