Home Environment

Manuals available.

State Fair Entries:

Each county may be allowed to send two exhibits from each level.

** Fair Entry – You MUST register your 4-H project in Fair Entry if you plan to exhibit at the 4-H Fair. See page 21. **

4-H members at each grade level may choose from 3 possible exhibit categories: a furniture item and notebook, a design board (poster and notebook), or a portfolio (notebook). All exhibits must include the Home Environment Exhibit Card, 4-H-1011-D-W.  

NOTE: Each level has several options per category from which to choose. We suggest that you either choose a different option each year or show how you expanded on the same option (portfolio and furniture categories only) used in previous years.

Exhibit Categories:

• Furniture Item and Notebook – An actual piece of furniture accompanied by a standard notebook (3-ring binder) explaining the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the chosen project. We suggest including pictures showing where the item will be used. Also, we encourage you to include pictures of yourself doing the project, but this is not required. Always place your identification information in the notebook and on the furniture.
• Design Board and Notebook – Standard 22” x 28” poster displayed horizontally with a firm backing. Design boards must be covered with plastic to protect and help hold items in place. An identification name tag must be attached in the lower right corner. The notebook is to help explain the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the chosen design. This can be a “before and after” project or “plan in the future” project.
• Portfolio – Standard notebook (3-ring binder). If you choose to do this option more than one year, we suggest that you keep the previous year’s materials in the notebook. Place materials for the current year in the front, with the previous year’s materials clearly marked or labeled at the back. Always place your identification information in the notebook.

Other information:

• Color samples – These can be paint samples from a paint or hardware store, or color samples you make with paints or colored pencils.
• Other samples – Many hardware or home improvement stores have free samples of wall coverings, flooring, countertops, and cabinet materials that can be used with your design board or portfolio.
• Colored pencils – We suggest using colored pencils when coloring the design board or portfolio. Colored pencils are what professionals use! Keep in mind that the entire area does not need to be colored in, but be sure to apply enough color to adequately express design ideas. Other methods for coloring will also be accepted. These could include (but are not limited to): crayons, watercolor pencils, markers, or printing on the computer.

Level 1: Grades 3–5

Manual available: Home Environment: Color, Texture, Line, and Shape.

Options for Level 1:

Furniture

   Exhibit any of the following items demonstrating color, texture, and/or line and shape that would help complete a room. Include your notebook. (See “Furniture Item and Notebook” explanation above.)

• A hanging or wall item
• A storage item or organizer item for room or the home
• 3–5 accessory items for your chosen room

Design Board

• Color the line drawing found in 4-H 1011 Home Environment manual titled Color, Texture, Line, and Shape with colored pencils. Print a line drawing from the options available on the Indiana 4-H website: https://extension.purdue.edu/4h . Look under “projects” and then Home Environment. Create 3 different color schemes for the line drawing you have chosen. Label the type of color scheme used in each (i.e., monochromatic, analogous, complementary, warm, or cool). Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Color the line drawing found in 4-H 1011 Home Environment manual titled Color, Texture, Line, and Shape using 1 color option. Line drawings can be printed from the Indiana 4-H website: https://extension.purdue.edu/4h look under “projects” and then Home Environment. Use color to explain dominant and supportive colors. Attach color samples to identify two additional color options. Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Display a floor plan for a bedroom showing line and shape where furniture would be placed (could be your own). Include pictures (magazine or photographs) of the furniture that would be used. We suggest using graph paper to help get the drawing close to scale and to show how line and shape work with the furniture. Include your 3-ring notebook.

Portfolio

• Collect samples of different color schemes (minimum of 3), and label the type represented by each (i.e., monochromatic, analogous, complementary, warm, or cool).
• Collect samples from magazines or photographs of formal vs. informal balance, dominant and supportive color, and use of pattern. Include comments explaining each.
• Collect samples from magazines of 3 different furniture designs. Label each style (i.e., traditional, modern, country, formal, or retro). Include information explaining each style.

Level 2: Grades 6–8

Manual available: Home Environment: Design Decisions. This manual is to be used for grades 6–12 as a resource and a reference.

Options for Level 2:  

Furniture

Exhibit any of the following items demonstrating color, texture, and/or line and shape that would help complete a room. Include your notebook. (See “Furniture Item and Notebook” explanation above.)

• One piece of furniture you have refinished.
• One piece of furniture you have changed using decoupage, paint, fabric, etc.
• One cushion or one 2-piece set of cushions, preferably made by you, displayed with intended furniture.
• One window treatment, including picture of the treatment in use. (Should not be displayed on an actual window; use false walls or plywood no-glass window cutouts, or make special display rods.)
• One piece of furniture you have reupholstered.
• One item that you are using for a different purpose than it was originally designed (i.e., bedsheet used to make a window treatment, drawer used as a wall shelf).
• A collection of 3-5 similar items (baskets, wicker items, wicker furniture, bentwood furniture, etc.) you have made and/or purchased for future use. (For example, a collection of baskets made to use as desk accessories or bathroom accessories, outdoor furniture and accessories, etc.)

Design Board

• Display a floor plan for a living room, den, or family room. Include pictures (magazine or photographs) of the furniture that would be used. We suggest using graph paper to help get the drawing close to scale and to show where the furniture would be placed. Include paint samples and/or wall-treatment samples. Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Display a floor plan for a full bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower and/or bathtub). Include pictures (magazine or photographs) of the fixtures that would be used. We suggest using graph paper to help get the drawing close to scale and to show where the fixtures would go. Include paint samples and/or wall-treatment samples and flooring samples. Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Display a floor plan for a kitchen (including appliances and sink). Include pictures (magazine, appliance brochures, or photographs). We suggest using graph paper to help get the drawing close to scale and to show where the fixtures would go. Include paint samples and/or wall-treatment samples, flooring samples, and cabinet and/or countertop samples. Include your 3-ring notebook.

Portfolio

• Samples of 3 different types of wall treatments with an explanation for each. Examples can include but are not limited to: paint only, wallpaper only, or combination of paint and wallpaper.
• Samples of 3 different floor treatments (pictures or flooring samples). Examples can include but are not limited to: hardwood, carpet and/or tile. Include information on the advantages and disadvantages of each. Also include information on where it would be appropriate to use each flooring type.
• Samples of 3 different cabinet/countertop combinations (pictures or samples). Examples can include but are not limited to: granite, laminate and/or stainless steel. Include information about the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• An energy-savings plan. Design an energy-savings plan for your family’s home or room(s). List the current energy use along with your plan to conserve energy. Plan should include techniques, how to conserve energy, cost savings, etc. You may add additional rooms or other plans to extend this option over a few years. Include each previous year’s work, but be sure that you indicate which information represents the current year’s work.

Level 3: Grades 9–12

Manual available: Home Environment: Design Decisions. This one manual is to be used for grades 6–12 as a resource and a reference.

Options for Level 3:

Furniture

Exhibit any of the following items demonstrating color, texture, and/or line and shape that would help complete your room along with your notebook. (See “Furniture Item and Notebook” explanation above.)

• • One piece of furniture you have refinished.
  • One piece of furniture you have changed using decoupage, paint, fabric, etc.
  • One cushion or one two-piece set of cushions, preferably made by you, displayed with intended furniture.
  • One window treatment, including picture of the treatment in use. (Should not be displayed on an actual window; use false walls or plywood no-glass window cutouts, or make special display rods.)
  • One piece of furniture you have reupholstered.

• One item that you are using for a different purpose than it was originally designed for (i.e., bedsheet used to make a window treatment, drawer used as a wall shelf).

• A collection of 3-5 similar items (baskets, wicker items, wicker furniture, bentwood furniture, etc.) you have made and/or purchased for future use. (For example, a collection of baskets made to use as desk accessories or bathroom accessories, outdoor furniture and accessories, etc.)

Design Board

• Display a floor plan for a child’s or teen’s bedroom. Include a special “theme” appropriate for a child or teen (i.e., princess, cartoon character, music group, favorite book, or special hobby). Include pictures (magazine or photographs) of the furniture that would be used. Floor plan should be to scale with general measurements included. Include samples of window, wall, and flooring treatments. Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Display a floor plan for a game room or family hobby room (i.e., room with pool table, ping pong table, and/or game table; home theater; or music room). Include pictures (magazine or photographs) of the furniture that would be used. Floor plan should be to scale with general measurements included. Include samples of window, wall, and flooring treatments. Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Display a floor plan of a master suite (bedroom and bath). Include pictures (magazine or photographs) of the furniture that would be used. Floor plan should be to scale with general measurements included. Include samples of window, wall, and flooring treatments, etc. This exhibit must also include fabric samples (i.e., bedspread, window treatment). Include your 3-ring notebook.
• Display a floor plan of a 1- or 2-bedroom home or apartment. Include color scheme samples and furniture layouts. Floor plan should be to scale with general measurements included. Window, wall, and flooring treatment samples should be included for each room. (Pictures of furniture are not a requirement.) Include your 3-ring notebook.

Portfolio

• Samples of 3 different lighting treatments. Explain how and when each is appropriate for use. Examples include but are not limited to: overhead, recessed, and table/floor lamps. Include information as it relates to energy use and efficiency.
• Samples of 3 different types of window treatments. Include information on the use of each kind and in what room each would be appropriate. Include information on the advantages/disadvantages of each. Also include information as it relates to energy use and efficiency.
• Using the same window (size and shape), apply 3 different types of window treatments. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each. Explain what type of setting (formal, country, traditional, modern, etc.) would be appropriate for each treatment. Include information related to energy use and efficiency.
• A career plan. Interview an interior designer. Include the advantages and disadvantages of being a professional interior designer. Research 2 different design schools or training programs. Include the advantages and disadvantages of each program. Include the cost of attaining a degree or completing the program.
• An energy-savings plan. Design an energy-savings plan for your family’s home or room(s). List the current energy use along with your plan to conserve energy. Plan should include techniques, how to conserve energy, cost savings, etc. You may add additional rooms or other plans to extend this option over a few years. Include each previous year’s work, but be sure that you indicate which information represents the current year’s work.