Algarve Interior Design – Planning & Execution
One of the most exciting projects after buying your Algarve dream home is planning and executing the decoration and interior design to stamp your mark on your new surroundings.
From personal experience, here are some ideas for planning, buying and installing your new fixtures and fittings to make your new space usable and stylish without breaking the bank.
Once you have decorated in your chosen colour scheme, you must find the finishing details to bring everything together to complete the package.
Choosing Your Fixtures and Fittings
When choosing fixtures and fittings, it’s essential to consider the overall style of your home. For example, if you have a traditional home, you might want to choose brass or copper fixtures. If you have a more modern home, you might want to choose chrome or stainless steel fixtures.
Look for fixtures and fittings that complement your interior design style. Many lights and electrical fittings are found at home improvement stores or online retailers. Make sure to hire a licensed electrician to install them safely.
Some new builds and, indeed, older homes will come as an empty shells, so a lot of planning is needed to get the finished living space of your dreams.
If you are lucky enough to find a new build with everything included, you can work with the constructor to choose your interior appliances and fittings as you go along. However, you should note that the price may change depending on your choices.
Planning Cabinets & Kitchen Appliances
When choosing kitchen appliances, it’s essential to consider your needs and budget. If you cook a lot, you’ll need devices that can handle heavy use. If you don’t cook often, you can get away with less expensive appliances.
In the first instance, it is always advisable to measure up your space and have the kitchen designed to fit the room; most kitchen outlets offer this as a free service. This way, you can make the most of the space available and avoid unusable corners or leaving unwanted gaps between the cabinets.
The standard rule of the triangle between the fridge, sink, and cooker always seems to work for the best layout!
You will find stores for appliances in every one of the Algarve shopping centres. Most stock the usual well know makes and offer the same guarantees, in my opinion, taking goods back to a store in the Algarve is much less hassle than back in the UK!
Planning the Bathroom & Suite
When choosing a bathroom suite, it’s essential to consider the size of your bathroom and your taste. If you have a small bathroom, you’ll need a compact suite, and you can get a more spacious suite if you have a large bathroom.
A jacuzzi bathtub, shower, bidet, and basin are all essential components of a new modern bathroom. Consider the size and layout of your bathroom when choosing these fixtures, and look for high-quality materials that are easy to clean and maintain.
Ensure you have your measurements worked out correctly, or you could make an expensive mistake! Again there are plenty of professionals on hand if you need help designing the whole bathroom and choosing a suite that will complement the design perfectly.
Built-in Wardrobes vs Ready-Made
Built-in wardrobes are a great way to maximise storage space in your bedroom. However, they can be expensive to install, and ready-made wardrobes are more affordable but may not fit your space perfectly.
It depends on your preference when it comes to built-in wardrobes vs ready-made ones. Built-in cabinets are more expensive but custom-made to fit your space perfectly. Ready-made wardrobes are cheaper, but they may also not provide your area. However, they do come in a wide range of styles and sizes.
The obvious plus of built-in wardrobes is ease; we all know how long the flat packs can be assembled!
Buying Furniture to Bring Your Space to Life
When choosing furniture, it’s essential to consider the style of your home and the size of your rooms. For example, if you have a small living room, you’ll need furniture that doesn’t require too much space. If you have a large living room, you can get away with more oversized furniture.
Buying Furniture: Ready-built furniture is pre-assembled and can be more expensive than flat-pack furniture, but you don’t have to worry about putting it together yourself. However, it would be best to consider transport costs unless the store delivers for free.
Flat-pack furniture can be cost-effective if you are on a budget and easily transported in an average-sized car. However, do make sure to follow the building instructions carefully when assembling it and always allow for that obligatory missing piece or screw!
One tip, if you are moving your furniture from your previous home, is to measure everything and ensure it will fit in the spaces you have before moving; unless you have lots of storage space for unwanted furniture, it can be difficult and costly to store.
Art Decor & Paintings
When choosing paintings to hang on your newly painted walls, it’s essential to consider the style of your home and the size of your walls. It’s no use buying a massive masterpiece only to find it too big for the room.
If you have a traditional home, you might want to choose paintings with classic subjects like landscapes or portraits. You might want to select images with abstract or contemporary designs if you have a more modern home.
You can find affordable art at online retailers or local galleries.
As for art galleries in the area, I suggest you check out the following websites:
Tableware & Crockery
When choosing tableware, it’s essential to consider the style of your home and the number of guests you typically entertain. For example, if you have a traditional home, you might want to choose fine china and crystal. If you have a more modern home, you might want to go big and white like you find in the Nouveau cuisine restaurants.
Cutlery and Crockery: Look for high-quality cutlery and crockery that is durable and easy to clean. You can find many options at home superstores such as Espaço Casa, Ikea or Leroy Merlin.
Light Fittings & Electrical Switches
Planning your lighting can make life much easier in the long run. Deciding on the position beforehand can save a lot of work if the lighting is incorrect. Cutting out channels for cables in newly painted walls causes a mess and leaves patchy walls, however careful you are.
Ensure all the rooms are well-lit and have enough electrical outlets for all your appliances. It is always better to have too many than too few.
Conclusion
It can be great fun and very rewarding designing and putting together your new Algarve home. Following our tips above should give you a head start and make life easier. However, should you have any questions or need advice, please do not hesitate to contact us. Here at Gatehouse International, we have over 20 years in the Algarve property market, selling and renovating many homes. With a wealth of local knowledge and experience to call upon to help you achieve your dream Algarve home.
I have lived in the Algarve for over 20 years and love the experience. Now writing about and photographing the Algarve experience to share with others.
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