Features

Make Your House a Home

by BTM

Sat, 02 September 2017

Make Your House a Home

Whether you’re decorating your home for the first time or are looking to revamp your current living space, the secret to a great design lies in the details. BTM rounds up the latest trends and the Kingdom’s leading home furnishing companies.

The weather in Bahrain is still unbearably hot but that doesn’t mean you can’t revive your living space with the coolest autumn/winter trends from across the globe.

Themes

You don’t have to rip up the floorboards and start from scratch (unless you want to), there are many ways to spruce things up without breaking the bank and a good starting point is a fresh lick of paint.

According to home décor experts, midnight blue is ‘in’ this season and is perfect for any room. You can use it as a base colour to create a rich and warm environment or, if you are looking for something subtler, introduce it through accessories like rugs, lamps or throws. You can find great value options at The One at Al Aali Shopping Complex.

Warm metallics like copper are making a comeback because the colour and texture is ideal for covering large surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. However, experts say that smaller items can add life to tired bedrooms or studies and recommend pairing with natural materials such as wood and marble for an elegant look. Behzad Group, which includes kitchens by Elames, has a wonderful range of marble and natural stone finish porcelain tiles and stocks brands such as Marazzi, Venis, Portinari, Ragno and Rex.

If you’re not afraid to go against the grain, there are plenty of fun ways to make your living room unique. The interiors world is taking escapist inspiration from historical explorers and naturalists – think vintage globes and suitcases along with large wall-mounted maps – to create a stunning overall look. Check out Spirit for Antiques & Handicrafts at Enma Mall and Innovation Themes at Galleria Mall for a range of premium-quality and exclusively selected artefacts.

Catering to local tastes, Soft Touch Décor in West Riffa has pieces with an Arabic calligraphy theme. The designer carefully merges beautiful words and phrases into furniture such as chairs, coffee tables and more.

Casa Cucina, from the well-known Kumar’s Group, is the ideal place for those seeking to make an individual interiors statement, whether in the home, office or commercial premises. The store offers luxurious and stylish options that are unique and elegantly designed to perfection from a range of renowned brands.

K Home & Kitchen prides itself on delivering innovative, high performance products to an ever-changing hospitality and restaurant market.

If you are looking for a reliable kitchen partner to help you whip up healthy meals in a hurry, you may consider using the new Moulinex Double Force range of food processors from Intercol. These machines take the time and effort out of common kitchen tasks, such as chopping, cutting, slicing, pureeing, kneading, grinding, grating and shredding.

When it comes to kids’ bedrooms, the right look is a must. Home Centre has launched an exclusive collection of bright and playful children’s room accessories featuring Spider- Man, Cars and Disney Princess themes. The meticulously crafted collection includes table lamps, cushions, rugs, mugs, clocks, posters and more.

Furniture

Over the years, furniture is prone to wear and tear, leaving you with no choice but to invest in new pieces. While vintage is definitely cool right now, many people prefer a more contemporary vibe.

If your budget allows, invest in some highquality, swanky furniture that makes an immediate impression – Seef has some great options. Pay a visit to Bo Concept, Roche Bobois and Phoenicia Décor, which is the dealer in Bahrain for international brands such as Natuzzi and Gautier.

On the flip side, Premia Enterprises on Shaikh Salman Highway, Zinj, has a wide variety of products at affordable prices, including dining tables, bedroom sets, kitchen units, patios and even outdoor barbeque sets. Home Box at Marina Mall is also a great place for home staples with reasonable prices and regular sales.

Arguably the most important piece of furniture in the entire home is the bed, and finding the right style, firmness and size can be a challenge. American Beds in Manama has a number of comfortable options to choose from, and there’s a selection of pillows, duvets, mattress toppers and bed linen too. The Home Store at Bahrain Mall also has a number of different sized beds available at affordable prices.

ID Design in Sitra has a range of furniture so, whether you want to completely redecorate your living room or are just looking for a trendy accessory to spice up the ambience, there’s lots on offer.

Speaking of ambience, there’s more to a home than just furniture and fittings. Bath & Body Works stocks a range of scented candles that not only set the mood, they make everything smell great. Even supermarkets like Al Jazira have diffusers and battery-powered air fresheners that go off at timed intervals.

SPACE-SAVING IDEAS

If you live in a rented apartment, small spaces can be a real pain. However, they can also be a catalyst for change – forcing you to clear the clutter and find inventive ways to store your belongings.

Instead of boring, regular chairs, opt for seating that doubles up, like storage couches and ottomans. Keeping with the theme, a hanging clothing rack can help you make the most of your vertical space. If floor space is limited, use the walls to show off mementos with floating shelves – check out Home Centre for some options.

ELECTRONICS

So, you’ve sorted the furniture and the décor but something’s missing – the tech! No home in 2017 is complete without a hefty helping of flat screens, theatre systems and gaming consoles. Sharaf DG is a popular destination thanks to its wide array of all things electronic, while LuLu Hypermarket has a number of special offers on a variety of TVs and gaming systems, including the PS4.

Ashrafs is a tech geek’s dream come true and it even has full HD 3D home theatre projectors so you can get that cinema experience from the comfort of your sofa. On a side note, if you’re looking for kitchen appliances, Home Base has an extensive selection of TEKA products.

LIGHTING

Changing the lighting can transform the way you feel in your home. Whether you need to brighten a room to carry out tasks or would love to have some softer mood lighting to relax in the evenings, there are lots of choices, such as pendants, lamps, spotlights and wallmounted lights. Behzad Lighting has several great options to choose from, and stocks a plethora of brands, including Onok, Leds C4, Iris Crystal Chandeliers, Robus, Kinglong, Jingri, One Light and DiLux.

So, now that you’re up-to-date, the only thing standing between you and transforming your home is your imagination (or your budget, a picky landlord/spouse, or a lack of spare time/ the urge to procrastinate).

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