With construction costs and material prices escalating due to the financial crisis, it becomes necessary to look for cost-effective ways to furnish interior spaces. The main components that make up the basic fabric of any house are flooring and walls. The easiest way to reduce material costs is to go for those that are readily available in and around your locality. This will drastically reduce costs, as there is no cost of transportation involved.

FLOORING  There are many options in floor tiles that work out quite cost-effective - vitrified, terracotta, ceramic, Cuddapah, Sadarahalli granite, Tandoor blue, Kotah and mosaic tiles. Vitrified tiles come in three varieties - polished finish (glossy finish), matte finish, and the anti-skid variety. The cost of the vitrified variety depends on the tile size and designs on the tile.

Mosaic tiles:  They come in different varieties, are among the cheapest options available in the market these days. They come at a price range of Rs 10-25 per sqft. They can be used in all the rooms of the house other than the bathroom since they become very smooth once they have been polished. They have a life of almost 15-20 years. Its biggest advantage over other cost-effective flooring options like ceramic, vitrified, and terracotta tiles are its thickness. While all the others have a thickness of 10-12 mm, mosaic tiles come with a thickness of 18-20 mm. So, they will not get chipped off or damaged easily.

Ceramic tiles:  These are another option if you are working within a budget. They come in a price range of Rs 15-25 per sqft. They come in matte and gloss finishes.  Cuddapah tiles:  Tiles made from natural materials. They are a good option as they are cost-effective and also lend a rustic charm to your home. Cuddapah tiles, which start at Rs 15 per sqft, can be used for floors in bedrooms and living rooms. But since they are very smooth, they are not recommended for bathrooms, kitchens, and service areas. Moreover, they should not be used in small spaces due to their dark colour as this will tend to make a space look smaller.

Tandoor blue tiles: They are good for small spaces and are used in the same spaces as Cuddapah tiles. But since they are light in colour, they reflect light and can give an illusion of space. They start at Rs 20 per sqft. A stronger version of the Tandoor blue tiles are the Kotah tiles that come in the price range of Rs 25-30 per sqft. These are good for high-traffic areas and can take on heavy loads. They are more abrasion-resistant as compared to the Tandoor blue variety and their strength almost equals granite. They also have a high polish (mirror polish).

Terracotta tiles: These are a good option and come in a price range of Rs 12-15 per sqft. However, they can't take abrasion and heavy loads. There is a likelihood that they can crack if something relatively heavy falls on them. They can be used only in living and dining rooms.

WALLS: For the walls, after the surface has been sufficiently prepared with the required double layer of primer and a layer of putty, it has to be painted. There are two different types of paints - emulsions and solvent-based wall finishes. Emulsions are water-based and have high 'breath ability' or the capacity to reduce room temperature. They are typically used in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. Solvent-based wall finishes usually have a turpentine base and do not have as much 'breath ability’. They are generally used in high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and passageways, and are easily washable. They come in four different varieties.