An independent reference on designing your own home and garden. We do not sell products or carry out works and are not connected with the previous website on this domain. Leave electrical work, remodeling and complex installation to professionals.

Materials

Materials

An interior is not assembled from separate purchases but from several layers: light, color, textures, textiles and furniture. Each layer affects the others. A gray sofa looks different in a north-facing room than in a sunny one, and a glossy floor reflects evening lamps in its own way. In this section we describe what to look for in each layer before you order anything.

You need to see a paint sample on your own wall in the morning, afternoon and evening; a catalog cannot show you that.

— Our take

How this section works: we describe the layers of an interior in general terms, where they fit and what to avoid, without brands, models or costs. Check the composition and use of specific materials in the manufacturer's instructions.

The layers of your design

What creates the mood of a room, from light to furniture.

Daylight

First look at which way the windows face and how the sun moves through the room. Light matte surfaces scatter light; dark, heavy curtains absorb it.

How-to

Artificial light

A single ceiling fixture is almost never enough. Plan general light, task light and soft evening light so you can switch them separately. Leave the wiring to an electrician.

Planning

Color

Choose a calm main color, a secondary one and a small accent. Test shades with swatches right on the wall and under different lighting.

Ideas

Textures

Wood, linen, stone, ceramics, metal: mixing matte and smooth brings a room to life even in one color range. Too many different textures is tiring.

Care

Textiles

Curtains, rugs, cushions and throws soften sound and light. They are the easiest to change with the seasons, which makes them the right place to try bold ideas.

Care

Furniture and walkways

Furniture is a design material too. First decide where people walk and where they sit, and only then choose pieces, keeping walkways clear.

Tools

Article catalog for English-speaking readers

This is where standalone Mydiz articles on designing your own home and garden will appear. We write them specifically for English-speaking readers and publish them as they are ready.

What we are working on

  • How to plan an open-plan living and dining space so each part has its own purpose
  • Choosing wall colors for a room with little daylight
  • Planning a backyard that works for both relaxing and outdoor meals
  • How to measure an awkward room with sloped ceilings or alcoves
  • Linking a deck or patio to the rooms that open onto it

Editorial rules

  • Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
  • Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
  • We do not publish advertising for shops, studios or contractors, rankings, prices or reviews.

Interior layers and how to handle them

LayerWhat to look atWhat to avoid
DaylightWhich way the room faces, trees and buildings outside the window, reflections from the floorHeavy curtains where light is already scarce
Artificial lightSeparate scenes for general, task and evening lightDoing the wiring yourself; a single fixture on the ceiling
ColorSwatches on the wall in daylight and evening lightChoosing a shade from a phone screen
TexturesA mix of matte and smooth, warm and coolA busy jumble where every piece competes with its neighbor
Paints and coatingsThe material's purpose and application method as given in the manufacturer's instructionsWorking in a room without ventilation
FurnitureWalkways, room for doors and drawers to open, stabilityTall cabinets and shelving that are not anchored to the wall
  • Ideas

    Ideas by zone: living room, kitchen, bedroom, kids' room, entryway, deck and the garden by the house, with no brands.

  • Planning

    Stages from idea to works: the plan, a rough budget, the order of works and agreements with a contractor.

  • Tools

    What helps when designing a home and garden: tape measure, laser distance meter, level, graph paper, samples, stakes and string.

What we rely on

  • Manufacturers' instructions for materials and equipment
  • Mydiz editorial materials

The advice in this reference is general and based on material manufacturers' instructions and widely accepted safety rules for the home and garden. Check paint composition, installation methods and work requirements in the instructions for the specific material and with your building management, and leave electrical work, remodeling and complex installation to professionals.