If you have cats in your home, you realize they actually run the home and you’re merely a guest! You are no longer the King of your Castle…the cats are! Here are some ideas to add functional items for kitty while maintaining a stylish look for their (your) home.
Stylish design for classy cats by Terrys Fabrics.
With the upcoming release of Batman vs Superman, we found this cool infographic on an epic battle of the bedroom decor ideas. Who will win? Batman or Superman?
We think you’ll be the winner by adding some of these awesome superhero design ideas to your bedroom!
Batman vs Superman – battle of the bedrooms by Terrys Fabrics.
The modern times have prompted our working spaces to evolve and transported them to our homes. For some it’s a convenience, for some an extra burden, but the fact that the job has to be done remains. From this arises a new demand for an adequate home office or at least an adapted working space.
As many people unfortunately don’t have the benefit of owning a single room for the office due to budget or space limitations, they’re left stranded not knowing what to do. However, the answer to this problem is oh so simple – exploit the guest room! Since neither guest room nor office are used 24/7, the formula is perfect. Here’s how.
In search of balance
Although working from home appears dreamy to some people, making an optimal operational setting is far from child’s play. The private room arrangement can sometimes distract us from the tasks at hand since it is primarily designed for our enjoyment.
That’s why the all the important checkpoints on the road to a successful room makeover have to be honoured properly and completely.
These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself to devise a highly productive environment that evicts objects that interfere.
Start with making peace with the fact that this space is hardly ever going to be a full-fledged office but a unique update of its kind. Distractions aside, we have to find a way to take advantage of the positive sides of the homey atmosphere this office provides, like pose flexibility or helpful props. Combine meticulous planning from your part with the given material to accomplish a much needed equilibrium.
Two-way functionality
Even though we have tackled the subject of the room’s office role, we mustn’t forget that the room in question is destined for a guest’s abode at the same time. This translates into some interior requirements that don’t let the office dominate. The arrangement should also allow the users to enjoy the space at an aesthetic level by means of local artworks or clever paintjob.
Opt for a furniture to your liking and why not put a TV set too (a widely prohibited object in the downtown office) – it’s a guest room as well. Don’t neglect the choice of draping that effectively complements the room and acts as sunlight controller. Installing simple but strong pallet racking instead of ordinary shelves will provide you with sufficient storage space both for your business supplies and your guest’s luggage, regardless of the weight of all these objects.
Also, most of my home-based friends advise that we introduce a nice, cosy area rug to boost the comfort of the room and, at the same time, maximise its practical side. A good, thick shag can efficiently absorb the noise pollution coming from both the outside and other rooms in the house, so remember to incorporate this into your two-fold plan. The one fold indicates the happy marriage of regular and office items, like cushions and stationery. The other makes sure we stick to the allocated budget.
Clean and tidy room = Clear and organised mind
Some people thrive in their own specific inspirational clutter. For the good deal of people though, scientist concluded that maintaining a tidy and clean home improves our mental state. Basically, you can cheaply and easily boost your productivity and reduce the impact of stress simply by cleaning and decluttering the room. We’re reminding you of this as the logic of this step often escapes us when we prioritise and hurry to meet the crucial deadlines.
Whether your guest setting is going to be messy or pleasant and organised chiefly represents your attitude and hospitality. Not to mention the wrong negative impression they might form after you let them into your private office pandemonium.
I am certain no one wants to come off as an insensitive, disrespectful and thoroughly negligent person. Don’t make up excuses. Vacuum at least once or twice a week, change the linens and curtains regularly and take out the room trash at the end of the day. You’d feel better too in that space.
As you can see, no more than a tad of willpower, perseverance and proper planning is needed to convert an unused spare room. The result: a multifunctional, one-of-a-kind specialized environment that more than successfully moonlights as a guest room.
Your kid’s bedroom needs to be decorated in a way that will reflect their personality with a combination of what they enjoy the most. Make sure not to decorate it in a way that will make you happy only, as it will be fulfilling your own dreams and not helping your child. The aim of the redo of the bedroom when designing is to create an entertaining and warm environment where they can relax, learn and have fun.
Pick a Colour Together
The colour of your kid’s room will be a crucial aspect as it can help them focus and concentrate better. Make sure that you go together with your child when choosing the colour, as it will 
be hard to find what they like the most on your own. Nevertheless, if you want to ensure that you are doing your best in creating a fun environment for them to grow up, look through what some of the most influential colours are.
Create a Creative Corner
Make sure that you have a part of the room dedicated to creativity, where your kid can draw and play to their heart’s content. It is possible to apply chalkboard paint as one of the main aspects, as it will be easy to clean it up, and your child will not get into trouble for drawing on the wall. Set up a perimeter which will help separate this part of the room, as it can help focus their energy into various creative projects.
Sound-Proofing the Floor
Keep in mind that your kid will want to jump around a lot, which could be very noisy, especially if their room is on the first floor. You can make sure that they will not hurt themselves nor make a lot of sound if they have a rug in their room. On the other hand, it will be a good chance to get carpeting which will educational for your kid, you can have the map of the world, the alphabet and many other interesting designs printed.
Shelves Are More than Just for Storage
Pick out a theme to go with the room’s overall design, which can make it easy to combine other elements as well. Be sure to install shelves as a means to decorate and to help your kid get introduced to the wonders of reading books. Moreover, some books are simply amazing when put away on shelves and will be a great addition to the room’s look, and when you child is bored, they can pick it up and read.
Kids Will Be Kids
No matter the age, your child will have childhood heroes they will adore and will want to have palpable memorabilia. Sideshow Collectibles offers a large variety of action figures and figurines which will look amazing in any child’s room. Then again, it could become a tradition your child can nurture on as they will be able to expand their collection as they grow older. Nevertheless, having their favourite character on display will make their room look better and make your child happy.
Create Pictures to Hang
Every child has a favourite movie or cartoon they will grow up with, and one way to make their rooms truly unique is to create special pictures you can hang. Find posters and characters 
which you can frame and hang up in their room. Not only will it look amazing, but it will make their friends come over to bask in the room’s beauty.
Always ask your child what they like to be able to help them with decorations and to provide a good idea in order to make their bedroom one-of-a-kind. Then again, try to create, or continue a tradition that they will be able to carry on further. In the end though, your kid’s room will be where they will spend most of their time, which is why it should be adjusted to their taste.
About author:
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She feels she knows a thing or two about raising happy, healthy and confident kids, and offers helpful advice in hers parenting articles. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” Find her on Facebook.
2015 has been an innovative and vibrant year – we have been introduced to some brilliant new ideas and designs, like the first 3-D printed furniture pieces, we have witnessed the comeback of some classic styles like the elegant minimalism and we have seen an array of different metals gracing entire room interiors bringing an edge to the soft home décor. This year, the winds are about to change, the buzz about the latest design trends has already begun and it will leave us begging for a renovation of our most beloved rooms. Here’s an outlook of what we can expect to see in this year’s showrooms;
Colors – 50 shades of purple
First of all, we need to sort out the color palette. We have seen a lot of natural tones in 2015, with beiges and alabasters being the base color of a room. This will give way to more lively colors this year and purple will be taking the lead. Look for decoration in various shades of pink, lavender, lilac or plum purple while shopping for drapery, lamp shades and cushions. In fact, the internationally acclaimed company Pantone has declared two new hottest colors for the year 2016: gentle nuances of pinkish cloud – rose quartz and the blue wonder – serenity.
Warm welcome – heated hallway floors
What better way to greet your guests then by a warm welcome? Literally, providing adjustable floor heating for your entrance room and hallways is a fantastic way to pimp up your home. This is a priceless perk for families with small children who spend most of their day time crawling around the house on all fours or playing time-consuming games on marble or stone floor. Wet winter footwear will no longer be a problem as the warm floors will dry your feet in a matter of minutes. Don’t worry, this option does not mean that summers will be intolerable or warmer – the marble will remain cool and pleasant as ever.
Mix and match – bringing outdoor materials indoors
The industrial design has shown us how to make a room sharp by combining two to three different types of metal, however this year we are going to go for warmer options. Picture a bright living room which has dark oak wooden floors with a beautiful cozy rug in the center, a three piece beige couch with fluffed purple cushions and painted champagne-colored walls, all but one which is made entirely out of dark brown stone. This will give the room an entirely different dimension and still keep the room feeling inviting and warm.
Cooking heaven – open and spacious kitchens
Imagine feeling like a celebrity chef every time you prepare a meal in your own home – well, that is the key to this year’s hottest new kitchen designs. The room should be very open, preferably with a working island counter top in the middle of the room, separating the cooking from the dining area. Also, this year is all about mixing and matching so forget about the monochromatic, unified color schemes, instead go for different colors of bottom and top counter tops, just try and keep them in similar or compatible tones. For an extra touch of luxury, renew your kitchen by introducing new and specialized appliances like steam ovens or warming drawers – practical and stylish at the same time-
Back to basics – switching from virtual to spiritual
Another wonderful change we will be embracing this year is organizing your living room so it may be tech-free. We know it’s hard to imagine any focal room in the 21st century without a single electronic gadget: no TV sets, no Play Stations, no radios or computers. A room ideal for family night board games or quiet study sessions, it’s the place to go to when you need to cool your head and relax from the annoying buzzing and radiation that accompanies modern-day devices.
Be on the lookout for these new design settings in your local home décor salons and make your home as fashionable as it deserved to be.
Guest Post By:
Chloe is an art historian, recreational ballet dancer and a contributor at smoothdecorator.com. She is passionate about photography, dance and music. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world with her husband and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. She also enjoys learning and writing about home design, since she is crazy about aesthetics. You can find Chloe on FB, Twitter, and G+.
There is no better way to welcome the cold months ahead than to turn up the heating, curl up in a soft blanket by the fireplace and enjoy your favorite indoor leisure activities. Once you are done with seasonal decluttering, add a note of warmth and comfort to your living area with the help of a few snug accessories that combine aesthetics with functionality. Do not know where to start? Here are some convenient tips on how to revamp the decor with a few inexpensive modifications and turn your home into a lovely spot for relaxation and enjoyment in the face of the cold outside.
Off with the chilling view: Cover your windows
Most homes leak heat like sieves, windows being one of the main culprits for energy loss and sky-high electricity bills. To trap warmth indoors, use rich, heavy drapery and other window coverings: this simple trick will prove a rewarding investment in terms of lower energy waste, added privacy from gossip mongering neighbors and improved room look. If you are not a big fan of lavish drapery, you can install custom blinds and shades that will allow you to weatherproof your home, keep out nosy peepers and protect the rooms from intense sunlight come spring and summer.
Put your foot down and enjoy it: Add soft, colorful carpets 
Another aspect of your home that may use a little tender, love and care, floors will both look and feel better if you shod them with soft carpeting this winter. Elegant, thick rugs in either monochromatic designs or bold color combinations will provide an extra layer of insulation and add visual interest to your living area decor. When choosing new carpeting, avoid brash tones, go for soft, full carpets and make sure you match the floor cover color scheme to the rest of the décor (single-tone rugs and carpets with tastefully contrasted colors will work well in most settings).
Colors of windy weather: Use warm tones for comfort
Warm colors such as red, brown and gold will help create a cozy atmosphere indoors so in case your home is lacking in visual warmth, you can add details in one (or more) of these tones to liven up the room feel. Warm-colored knit motifs such as cushion covers, blankets and sofa throws will prove both a functional and appealing addition to your living room. Or, you can use ornaments and functional accessories such as brown, yellow or orange scented candles, golden mirror frames, red or coffee-colored jewelry boxes and lacquered wicker baskets to achieve the inviting look.
Light that shines through cold nights: Use candles and dimmer switches
Winter nights filled with the sounds of raging blizzards and stormy winds outside can truly be daunting. Do away with the common cold and creepy monsters that lurk in the night with 
the help of a subtle flicker of tea candles and dimmer lights. While scented candles offer an inexpensive and efficient way to add a little warmth to your home, dimmer switches and dimmable bulbs provide an endlessly customizable source of light for rooms which require different lighting for special occasions or different times of day.
Is your home ready for yet another winter fairytale? Follow these simple tips and add a note of warmth to your living area without breaking the bank. Remember: a home that feels cozy is the one which blends function and visual interest. If your house is lacking in the latter of the two, now is the best time to do something about it, before snow and freezing temperatures come knocking on your door and lock you in until springtime.
This article was written by Zoe Clark. Zoe is an environmentalist, home decorator and DIY enthusiast. When not obsessing about designing perfect homes, she is spending time with her family.
Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed when we walk into a new house and see all that must be done to get it looking like home. Thankfully there are many ways to get that extra design inspiration to completely transform your new space, including enlisting the aid of a professional interior designer.
If you buy furniture that is the wrong size for the room, there’s little you can do to correct the visual balance without getting new pieces. Mistakes involving flow and space concerns can be costly to correct, as well. If you make a mistake in planning your rooms, fixing the error can be time-consuming and expensive. Your designer will help you get it right the first time and save you money.
A designer knows just where to find those draperies you want at a good price, along with knowing where to get the best reupholster service. They know where to get great deals on everything from art to materials and everything in between. This can save you countless hours hunting and negotiating for the best price, which will save you a lot of money over the course of the renovation.
One of the biggest obstacles with attempting to design your own space comes when everything is already in place and, for some reason, the room looks ‘off.’ You can’t pinpoint what’s wrong, exactly, but you know it doesn’t look or feel right. This can lead to countless hours of rearranging furniture and other items to find something workable. A designer can look at a room and know precisely what needs to happen for optimum flow and balance.
Whether you like to entertain a lot or are hoping to sell your home post-renovation, an interior designer can get you to look you want. For example, Susan Hopkins, interior designer in Philadelphia, creates a gorgeous white-on-white look that is clean, crisp and inviting. No matter what style you’re shooting for, your designer will be able to give you, your guests and potential buyers the ‘wow’ factor you want.
Hiring a professional interior designer to help you with your renovation is a smart move that pays big dividends. If you’re renovating, get professional help to give you the look, feel and tone you’ve always wanted in your home.
It is impossible to incorrectly dress up a home for the holidays, because decorating rules do not apply to the Christmas season. Since not everyone wants to have their home look exactly the same as their neighbor’s, taking a little time to think creatively about how to add some special touches to each room will make all the difference. The perfect Christmas decorations can be bought, made, or found in nature, so there is no limit to what can be done or incorporated.
The holidays are the perfect time to throw dinner parties, so this makes Christmas-themed dinnerware a great investment. There are casual dishes with cute snowmen or Santa patterns, as well as elegant settings with beautiful seasonal floral patterns and colors. Drape greenery over the dining room chandelier and suspend Disney Christmas ornaments beneath it. Cut small tree branches and suspend them from the curtain rods in all the dining room windows. Make “curtains” by attaching strings of ornaments, snowflakes or holiday cards to the branches. Use pine cones as placeholders, or make individual “gingerbread” houses from graham crackers and label them with the guest’s name.
Make Christmas trees stand-out with themes like all handmade ornaments or all vintage designs. An edible tree is unique as well. Use cranberries and popcorn for garland and make gingerbread ornaments. After Christmas the tree can be placed in the yard for the birds to enjoy. Beautifully decorated ornaments should not be hidden away within the branches of the tree. Display your favorites on shelves or fireplace mantels. Fill a large wooden bowl with ornaments and place on the coffee table. Purchase throw pillows in colors that match the theme to use for the sofa and on the floor around the tree.
For a special touch in your family room, make a collage of all Christmas cards that have been received and saved over the previous years. Put this collage in a gold or silver frame and display over the mantle or over a table that is displaying cards from the current year.
Hang a wreath or evergreen swag on the wall or window of the bathroom and add a dish or two of seasonal-themed soap. These could be hand-crafted bars of red and green, or soaps with
holiday scents like pine or peppermint. Hang Christmas lights around the mirror and add ornaments to the shower curtain hooks.
In the bedrooms, create a dramatic look by surrounding the bed with flowing white curtains resembling a canopy, and add strings of lights around the entire perimeter. Tie varying lengths of fishing line to snowflake ornaments and attach to the ceiling above the bed. In nurseries, place alphabet blocks on shelves, spelling out holiday messages. Use decals of Christmas trees on the wall, or create a tree from felt so toddlers can decorate (and redecorate) how they like.
It is easy to purchase items that will look holiday-appropriate, but can be used through the rest of the year as well. Red and white striped tablecloths, red, green or blue throw pillows, blankets, and candlesticks colored silver and gold are just a few examples of items that can be used every day. While there will always be trendy colors or themes, Christmas is a great time to be eclectic and daring. Everyone should feel free to use whatever colors or designs they like the best.
For many families, one of the highlights of the holiday season is decking the halls. As you wrap lights around your tree or light candles in the menorah, though, you are not just spreading holiday cheer – you’re also increasing the chances of fire in your home.
The holiday season is notorious for home fires, with an average of 47,000 occurring at this time of year, every year. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to protect your home and, more importantly, your family. Follow these four tips for a cozy, safe holiday season.
1. Keep Your Tree Hydrated
One of the biggest fire hazards in your home is your Christmas tree. Many homeowners neglect to regularly water their tree, which results in it drying out. Having a dry tree is a recipe for
disaster. Think of it this way: Pine trees are used to make turpentine, an incredibly flammable substance. Your dried-out tree could light up in as little as 30 seconds.
That’s why it’s imperative that you properly care for your tree. First and foremost, buy one that’s not already dried out: Check the needles to make sure they’re still healthy. Have the seller chop the trunk to reveal a healthy, thirsty new layer. Then, stay on top of your watering schedule. It turns out that a well-watered tree is very, very difficult to set on fire, because it has water within its branches and leaves.
Finally, you can prevent a fire by putting your tree in a spot that’s far from any sources of heat. Newer string lights don’t emit much heat, either, so perhaps you’ll have to upgrade your decor as well. To further reduce your risk, you could even swap out your live tree for an artificial one.
2. Mind Your Candles
Flickering candles set a romantic, festive scene, but they also pose a fire hazard when left unattended. The number of candle fires is higher in December than in any other month, likely due to the fact that so many people use them to decorate. The best way to avoid this is to invest in a set of LED flameless candles, which glow and flicker like lit candles do. You could even pair them with a scent diffuser if you miss the fragrance of your candles.
This is especially troubling as a recent study by Fisher-Price found that only 29% of children engage in outdoor play, and that number is assuredly lower in the winter. Meaning there is a high risk of your little one possibly injuring themselves from a candle flame, or worse. If you love traditional candles too much to say goodbye, always supervise them while they’re burning and be sure to blow everything out before you leave the house. Also, be sure to leave space around and above your candle so it doesn’t ignite other pieces of decor.
3. Clear the Fireplace
Another fire hazard to consider in December: your fireplace. Everyone loves to gather around a crackling fire, but only do so after you have cleaned out the chimney. Have an expert inspect chimney walls to make sure they’re clear of any hardened soot, which becomes flammable. You should also invest in a screen if your mantle doesn’t have a built-in door to stop embers from crackling out and onto something flammable, like your carpet, furniture or tree.
Also, while many Christmas mornings involve homeowners throwing wrapping paper into the flames, you’re better off sticking to wood only, even when starting your fire. Accelerants and other liquids can cause things to get out of control.
4. Inspect Your String Lights
You probably only use your string lights once a year, meaning they sit in a box for the other 11 months. During that time – and during last year’s use
– they may have become frayed to expose wires, whether they’re bent the wrong way or chewed by some type of pest. Exposed wires can be the spark to start a fire on Christmas, so make sure all of your string lights’ inner workings are protected before plugging them in.
Be aware of how you hang your lights, too. The convenience offered by a staple gun is negated by the fact that staples can cause your wires to break and open, increasing the risk of a fire. The same goes for nails. The safest way to hang your lights is with hooks or another type of hanger that simply holds the wires without piercing them. Finally, always turn your lights off when you go to bed or leave the house. If you must display your outdoor lighting masterpiece regardless of whether or not you’re inside, put your lights on a timer so that they’re not overworked.
Clearly, it takes a bit of preparation and dedication in order to safeguard your home over the holidays. With these precautions, the only thing you’ll have to worry about this December is whether or not you’ve got a gift for everyone on your list – that one is on you.
Megan Wild is a home improvement writer who cares deeply about function and form in the home. You can read more of her musings at Your Wild Home.
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