Housing, Interior Decoration and Household Equipment
What this domain tests
This domain tests the functions and requirements of a good house, the principles of interior decoration and colour, and the selection and care of household equipment.
Functions of a house
Shelter and protection from weather and danger, space for family activities, privacy, rest, and a base for healthy living.
Requirements of good housing
Sound location, adequate ventilation and lighting, safe drinking water, sanitation and drainage, protection from damp and pests, safety of stairs and wiring, and privacy for members.
Principles of interior decoration
- Balance - symmetrical or asymmetrical.
- Rhythm - repetition of line, colour or shape guiding the eye.
- Proportion and scale - furniture size relative to the room.
- Emphasis - one focal point.
- Harmony and unity - everything belongs together.
Colour
Primary colours are red, yellow and blue; secondary are green, orange and violet. Warm colours (red, orange, yellow) appear to advance and are suited to large rooms; cool colours (blue, green, violet) recede and make small rooms look larger. Schemes may be monochromatic, analogous or complementary.
Household equipment
Select on need, size, quality, safety, cost of running, after-sales service, and availability of power. Care includes cleaning, correct fuel and periodic servicing - especially LPG stoves and pressure cookers.
Worked example
A small north-facing room feels cramped and dull. Reasoning: use cool, light colours on walls, keep furniture to scale, avoid heavy curtains, and place a mirror to brighten. The principle applied is cool colours recede, plus proportion and emphasis.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing harmony (suitability of parts) with unity (overall wholeness).
- Treating warm colours as space-enlarging.
- Listing ventilation as decoration rather than a health requirement.