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7 Designs for Creating a More Relaxing Atmosphere At Home

spa bathroom

Our lives have become very stressful and fast paced due to work, family obligations and numerous other responsibilities. It is so important to make a concerted effort to take time to decompress, slow down and relax at the end of the day. One way to relax is to create a peaceful atmosphere at home that begins as soon as you walk through the front door. Make an assessment of your home. A space that is disorganized, full of discord and chaotic does not contribute to a sense of peace and should be removed. A relaxing atmosphere should be one that is harmonious, peaceful and tranquil. It should be designed to feel like a retreat after the hustle and bustle of a busy and stressful day. Everything from the furniture in the home to the colors of the room are key elements in creating a peaceful environment. Consider these seven additions that create a more relaxing atmosphere in the home.

Shower

Designing a shower that intensifies your daily experience is key. Upgrade the space with steam features, multiple showerheads and wall mounted body sprays to create a spa-like atmosphere. Be sure to include a seating bench in your shower for added comfort.

Meditation Garden

A meditation garden should be an outdoor retreat tucked away in a private section of the yard. It should invoke a sense of calmness and serenity when entered. Include comfortable seating, fire pit and water feature as well as a beautiful array of greenery in various sizes, textures and colors.

Sauna

Another great way to create a relaxing atmosphere in the home is with the installation of an indoor sauna. Significant health benefits include the improvement of blood circulation and the maintaining of muscle tone. Saunas are also instrumental in helping the body recover after an intense workout.

feng shui

Feng Shui

Translated from Chinese to mean “wind-water” this ancient art teaches how to design your space to enjoy better health and comfort while giving your home a more peaceful and harmonious vibe.

Bedroom Window Seat

The bedroom is the most intimate room in the home. Many of us love to spend time in our bedroom watching television and spending quality time with the family. Add a comfortable upholstered window seat perfect for gazing at the stars at night or catching up with a favorite book. To make it luxurious, add faux fur pillows and a mink throw.

Outdoor Spa

There is no better way to relieve your tired muscles than with the addition of a soothing and relaxing outdoor spa. Outdoor spas are ideal for year-round family use and great for private time with a loved one. Companies like Robert Allen Pools and Spas offer a variety of designs, shapes and sizes that fit any backyard space. Soak your cares away in the comfort of a home spa.

Lighting

Lighting is an important element in a room. It not only uplifts our spirits, but effects our mood and mental health. Light at lower levels will create a sense of warmth and intimacy. Select table lamps, decorative wall sconces, recessed or track lighting. Install a dimmer on ceiling fixtures to set the mood for the space. This will create a soothing and calming place to relax.

Designing a space is a very personal decision. Take the time to think about what you would like to have in your home that will allow you to relax and enjoy a better quality of life. Think about how you want to make the transformations. The result will be a calm and peaceful retreat that you will want to spend the majority of your time in. It’s your space, make it your own.

 

10 Ways to Bring Vintage Chic into Your Home

Vintage is the new modern, says Farthing, and the huge surge in the sale of vintage furniture and home décor items in the past few years attests to that fact. So if you are searching for inspiration to redo your living room or simply want to increase your knowledge of vintage home décor and design, why not take a look at the below infographic? From tips on how to use vintage mirrors to make a wall come alive to the art of using statement lighting, it has everything you need to know about this raging trend!
Interior Design: Vintage Is The New Modern

Winterize Your Home Decor & Liven Up Chilly Days

living-room-fireplace

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 dog-carpet

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 candlesthe 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.

Cabin in the Suburbs: How to Give Your Home a Rustic Theme

Rustic-themed homes have quickly become popular as homeowners want the benefits of a relaxed country lifestyle without giving up the benefits of living in the suburbs. Unless you have a country cabin already, there are fun and even inexpensive ways to create the peaceful, rustic look in any home, even one nestled in a suburban neighborhood. These ideas range from big to small and can be used in part or in whole.

rustic seating area

Remodeling Options

Homeowners starting a major home remodel have the most leeway when it comes to choosing a design theme for the home. According to Zillow, rustic homes are generally open concept with soaring ceilings, such as those found in a barn and use very little or no drywall. Instead, homes can use bare, stained or painted plank walls or even brick or stone accent walls, particularly surrounding fireplaces. Other design ideas include using salvaged metal for walls, having stained open beams in ceilings and choosing large farmhouse sinks with apron fronts.

Natural Colors

Rustic homes make use of natural colors, particularly browns and grays. However, to avoid a home that is entirely brown, homeowners can bring in other tones found in nature, such as soft blues and greens as well as creams and soft whites. Colors to stay away from are bright, glaring ones.

Furniture from Nature

Homeowners can choose from numerous pieces of furniture that are designed with the country in mind. For example, farmhouse tables with bench seating have become popular, especially for large families. Other options to look for include end tables made from tree trunks, log bed frames, plank headboards and tables or mantelpieces with roughhewn edges.

Rustic Touches

rustic bedroomTo complete the rustic look, individuals can add some quaint touches to make their homes inviting and comfortable. Many stores, such as MyBarnwoodFrames.com, specialize in these accent pieces and make it easy to pull the look together. One can look for bare wood picture frames, vintage metal signs and chunky cable-knit blankets to create a cohesive rustic look.

Country-themed homes are the perfect antidote to a long winter with their cozy wood accents and cable-knit blankets. However, the rustic style is equally suited to summertime when the natural colors inside blend with the beauty of nature outside the home. Whether a homeowner is remodeling with the help of a designer or making some do-it-yourself changes, these ideas are sure to create a country oasis in the midst of the suburbs.

Guest Post By:
Anica Oaks

Freelance writer and web enthusiast
Read some of my published work on my Google+ page.

Hands-off Renovation: 4 Reasons to Hire a Professional Interior Designer

interior design

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.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

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.

Access to the Best Discounts and Materials

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.

Save a Lot of Frustration

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.

Give You the ‘Wow’ Factor

living-roomWhether 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.

Home for the Holidays: Great Christmas Decor Ideas for Your Abode

christmas decorating

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 Kitchen and Dining Room

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.

Family Rooms and Dens

christmas decorMake 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.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

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 withmerry christmas 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.

Simple Changes That Can Make a Big Impact in Your Home

living-room

Your home’s interior space affects your mood, creativity and happiness. If your interior space leaves a lot to be desired, it is time to shake things up a bit. Here are six simple changes that can make a big impact on your home.

Paint Your Walls

Refreshing the paint on your walls is an inexpensive change you can make. Outdated or dingy paint is depressing in a room. Select a new paint color that reflects your personality and style. A new coat of paint on your walls will give you a fresh outlook on life.

Change Your Lighting

There is a direct correlation between the lighting in your home and your mood. In fact, the right lighting can put you in a positive mood. Consider different options like floor lamps, hanging lamps and more. Lamps found at Treasure Shop Gallery can also make for a unique home décor. Bright lights will focus your attention on various aspects of your room. Softer lights can help create a relaxing environment. Choose the correct lighting for each room of your home.

Change Your Window Treatmentsinterior-design

Many people use the same window treatments in every season. If you have blinds, this is a good idea. However, windows with heavy curtains should be changed in the spring and summer. The purpose of your window treatments is to allow the proper amount of sunshine to shine through the windows.

Change Your Fixtures

Fixtures in a home are like accessories in your wardrobe. They give you the ability to make simple changes without doing a complete overhaul. If you cannot afford new cabinets, change the handles on your doors and drawers. You can also change your electrical plates and light fixtures.

Accessorize Your Home

Over time, even the best furniture and homes can appear to be dull. A solution to make your home livelier is to add pictures to your walls. To enhance your furniture, you can change the pillows and add decorative coverings.

Rearrange Your Furnitureliving-room decor

Rearranging your furniture can give your rooms a whole new feel. You may discover this is the only change you need to make. You can make a room feel larger simply by moving the couches.

Clear the Clutter

Take time to throw away things in your home that you do not need. Clearing the clutter will change the flow of energy in your home. This includes home décor. Too many small pieces cluttered on shelves and tables can make a home feel disorderly.

Making changes to your home does not have to ruin your budget. By making these simple changes, you can impact your home in a big way.

 

 

Handmade Crafts for Christmas

If you consider yourself to be one of the people who love to decorate their home for Christmas, then you have clicked on the right link. Here we’ll share easy Christmas décor ideas that will spice up your home for the holidays and make it more festive.

1.  DIY snow globe

What you need:

  1. Mason jar
  2. Fake snow
  3. Styrofoam balls
  4. Small twigs
  5. Sharpie
  6. Felt

To make the snowman, start off by sticking two Styrofoam balls together and glue twigs to their sides for the illusion of its hands.  Now place felt at the top of the lid and stick the snowman on it. You can also draw some snowflakes on the back of the mason jar and then pour fake snow inside it. Now just put the lid back on and turn the mason jar upside down and you have your snow globe ready to be placed on the mantel.

 DIY snow globe

Credits: www.pinterest.com

2.  Chalkboard sign

What you need:

  1. Flat wood
  2. Chalkboard paint
  3. Tape
  4. Paint brush
  5. Chalk

Start off by taping the edges of the wood so that you have a clean line when you remove the tape. Paint the wood with two coats of chalkboard paint and let it dry overnight. Once it’s dry you can write whatever message you want on it. To give it a Christmas feel draw snowflakes on it. This is a fun way to add holiday cheer to your house and the best part is that you can change the message whenever you want to fit whatever time of the year it is.

 chalkboard sign

Photo credits: www.pinterest.com

3.  Colorful pinecones

What you need:

  1. Pinecones
  2. Paint
  3. Paintbrush
  4. Cinnamon(optional)
  5. Glitter

This is a very easy craft idea. All you need to do is to paint the pinecones with the color you want and if you want the pinecones to be sparkly then you can add glitter as well. Place the finished pinecones in a bowl, glass jar or vase.

 colorful pinecones

Photo credits: www.lifehacker.com

4.  Tinsel tree

What you need:

  1. Styrofoam
  2. Tinsel
  3. Bells
  4. Hot glue

You can make tinsel trees in different colors and sizes and put them all around your house. Start off by wrapping the tinsel around Styrofoam and hot glue it as you place it. Stick the bells to finish it off and that’s it. You have your tinsel tree ready.

 tinsel tree

Photo credits: www.sodahead.com

 Author Bio: This article was written by Rida Maqbool. She has recently written an article about weight lifting liquid chalk.

 

Compact and urban decor ideas for small places

Booming cities provide many benefits of modern living, but one resource is scarce- space.  Those who make an effort to tackle this limitation discover that small spaces are fit for many unique design exploits. So, it’s time to get creative and arrange an abode high on personality and low on clutter. There are extensive upgrades such as renovating and remodeling, but also some smart and inexpensive steps towards owning an appealing and well-organized home.

Step by step

The first thing to note is that every inch counts. Thus, one of the perquisites for visual overhaul is a de-cluttering process. To keep the rooms clutter-free, it’s advisable to use storage space such as the wall shelving. It’s quite functional all right, but also provides a chance to display décor and arrange a collection of books. Even better, create a DIY sculpture by the desk with a tall stack of books and surprise your visitors with ingenuity.

declutter your home

Now, choosing a light color palette is a safe bet for small apartments because it gives the feeling of more space. That’s not to say that people shouldn’t add any life with splashes of color. No need to shy away from mixing patterns, textures and styles, but syncing them is crucial. Scale down when it comes to accessories, so place a few bold-printed throws and cushions, for example. One of the ways to showcase collections and sentimental pieces is to group them in one place.

paint color options

In other cases, the best ways to enhance a small space is a divide and conquer strategy.  Those who have a large room that serves multiple purposes should consider setting boundaries. Why not do it with some style by putting the ceiling-mounted curtains and transforming the home into a chic retreat? Another option is to use an open bookshelf as a room divider, as it establishes the feel of an open design we are aiming for.

Let there be light and space

Lighting is an essential element of any interior space, and one that makes it shine. Solutions like LED wall lights or DIY pendant lights are a perfect match for contemporary environments. Apart from being a treat for the eyes, LED lights are also energy-efficient.  Furthermore, using large mirrors complements the lighting and creates an illusion of space.  Floor-to-ceiling ones transform blank walls to reflect the surroundings and brighten up the environment. 

compact furnishings

When choosing furnishing one should be cautious, but still prepared to take bold risks. So, how about acrylic ghost chairs and other see-through fittings that take the mesmerizing atmosphere to the even higher level? Designers opt for clean lines and simple round forms that introduce a sense of a compact living area and add an organic component with natural elements like wooden stools, potted plants and custom woodworking.

Modular furnishing is a great acquisition that boosts the versatility of the small area. These movable pieces allow us to assemble different formations for a number of purposes. An ottoman can serve as a foot rest but also an impromptu coffee table, and it’s easily moved aside when not needed. Dual-purpose furniture provides the same benefits, so why not turn your sofa into a dining banquette, or transform the banquette into a guest bed? Thinking outside the box enables people to make the most of the ones they live in.

modular furniture

A small secret

Small homes are both challenging and rewarding environments. They are quite limited when it comes to space, and yet that holds the secret to their true power. Know when to go by the book and when is the time to push the boundaries.  Think multipurpose, and steer away from big pieces that eat up the room. To make a statement, it’s important to pay attention to detail and keep it clean and functional. Use unexpected tools and killer décor as a focal point to elevate the style of even the smallest of shelter

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