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Small Modern Living Room Ideas

June 30, 2015adminHome Improvement Tips, Interior Designdecorating, design, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

Designing any room in a home is challenging, however, it is the living room where people spend most of their time, and it automatically makes it more exposed to a critical eye. That is where you entertain your guests and spend a lot of family moments, celebrations, important events, etc. When decorating and shaping a small living room, the designer must overcome the imbalance between making it as spacious as it gets, but also providing it with sufficient seating – making it functional to the most. These guidelines will help you find the right path.

Mirror Play

In order to avoid the boxy feeling of a small living room, especially one with not enough window space, you need to create the illusion of extra space by combining wallpapers and a large wall mirror. By positioning the mirror opposite the window (sorry, feng shui people) you can create an impression of an extra window, as it reflects the garden view from a real window. In this case you can focus your living room furniture on a love seat set against the wall, flanked by two identical side tables and lamps. Throw in a coffee table and if possible two slim chairs opposite the love seat.

photography by Zara for Kate Forma

https://decostudioblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/foto-once1.jpg

Scale it down

With current trends of conserving space, there is little use for cumbersome armchairs and bulky full-fledged sofas. Small scale furniture can be equally interesting and practical. Antique shops offer a good deal on small furniture pieces, as rooms used to be much smaller more than half a century ago. Ask for small benches, love seats and chairs. By centering a love seat in front of the window, and including side walls. small tables on each side, you can save more space than with a full armchairs/sofa set. Add a pair of subdued period armchairs opposite the sofa, and you are all set. Small living rooms benefit from a dual use of pieces, like using a trunk as a central coffee table. This setting allows for a chaise lounge on one of

Ceiling is the Limit

If you are lucky enough to have a small living room with a high ceiling, there is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of that vertical dimension to create an impression of more space. Of course, you cannot add another seat vertically, but what you can do is attract the viewer’s attention up, persuading them that they are sitting in more spacious room. Turn your high living room walls into a private gallery of intricate small pieces. The effect won’t fall out.

Making the most out of a Corner

Contrary to sound logic, if you have a small living room, a good strategy is to take up that corner with a large piece of furniture you can find, like a sectional sofa. Such an array can make the living room look bigger than it really is, because it relies on one piece only, and more importantly can seat a dozen of people. Opt for a modern sectional with clean straight lines. Complement the sectional with a natural fabric rug Sydney style, in small prints or plain colors, to achieve the expansive effect. And if you are always in need for extra seating, involve a pair of leather folding stools opposite the sectional.

Foto Shift Interiors

http://i1.wp.com/adelaparvu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Foto-Shift-Interiors.jpg?resize=770%2C1113

Double Approach

If your living room arrangement dictates for an open-space sofa position, try a backless model. It has many advantages, especially if you are left with only a small sofa option. Apart from being a chic alternative to a traditional couch, it can be used from both sides, which kind of doubles the seats when the room gets crowded with people. In another scenario, a backless sofa can act as a divider between a living room and a dining area. Another way to create impression of spaciousness, apart from wallpapers and mirrors is the use of plants. Greenery softens the corners and draws a conclusion that there is more room behind than it really is.

There are many solutions for making a small living room space look bigger. There are two approaches, which often combine beautifully: making the impression of larger space and using furniture pieces that take little space and provide substantial seating.

Author Bio: Zoe Clark is a home decorator from the land down under. She loves playing with colours and spaces, and has a tender spot in her heart for everything vintage. You can find her on Google+, Twitter and Facebook.

5 Tips for Decorating Your Walls With Tile

June 16, 2015adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodeling, Kitchen Remodelingbathroom remodeling, decorating, DIY projects, home improvement, home trends, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

If you’re tired of the same old boring paint and flat walls, there is a solution that adds dimension and a modern flare to your walls – wall tiles. Tile can be anything from stone to 3-D wallpaper tiles, or even tiles made into beautiful murals.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, most tiles are some type of clay or a clay mixture and are classified as porcelain or non-porcelain – red or white clay fired in a kiln. What you need to know for your decorating needs is that porcelain tiles have better water resistance and hold up longer to wear and tear or heavy traffic. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are less expensive but better suited for lower traffic, such as walls or out-of-the-way places.

1. Choose Your Material

Your first step is to choose which tiles will appear in which part of your home. For example, a glass tile may look perfect in your bathroom but not look quite right in a master bedroom. If you’re unsure which tiles to add where, ask to take home a few samples of each and set them up against the wall. This will show you how they blend with the other décor and also give you an idea of how well the tile colors go with the overall color scheme and look of your home.

2. Decide on a Color Palette

Tiles come in every color you could possibly imagine. You may want to think of about three to five colors you’d like to use throughout your house to tie everything together. You can also choose a general color palette before you ever go shopping for tiles to make sure color combinations work well together and have enough contrast.

3. Paint Existing Tiles

If you have tile in your home but it is outdated or a horrendous color, take heart. You can paint tiles for a more uniform look or just to update the overall theme. Most painters use either latex or epoxy paint to freshen up old tile. Use a combination of colors to create a textured look, paint the tile wall a solid color or paint a mural on the tiles. You can even leave plain tiles alone but add a detail such as a floral accent or geometric pattern.

4. Create a 3-D Pattern

Another option for wall tiles are 3D patterns. Typically, these tiles come in sections, but when placed side by side you can create forms such as waves, circles or flowers. You can combine different types of tiles to create a wall story or simply stick with one design and paint it a simple white. You can make this an accent wall with touches of color or create the pattern in an entire room.

5. Don’t Be Afraid of Unique Materials

Don’t be afraid to try unique ideas, especially for accent. For example, create a beautiful mural backsplash from tiny glass tiles of the French countryside. Take copper or stainless steel ceiling tiles and use them behind your sink for a sleek, modern, industrial look. Use huge marble floor tiles for the walls in your bathroom for a Grecian design.

When it comes to adding interest to your home by placing tiles on the walls, take the time to lay a few pieces against the wall, hold them up and make sure it is a look you’ll love for years to come. There is only one thing that is more challenging than choosing the tile you want for your home: That’s trying to take it back out if you decide you don’t like it. With just a little planning, you’ll find something you love and the time and effort will be worth it. You’ll be thrilled that the tile is there to stay.

9 Best Decorating Tips For Your Nursery

June 2, 2015adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, Home Organization Tips, Interior Designdecorating, DIY projects, home organization, remodeling tips1 Comment

When it is time to decorate a nursery or create one, most mothers or fathers comes up with many ideas on how to create the best appearance. No matter how you plan to improve the nursery, you should ensure that it serves the purpose. When putting up the nursery, always consider the level of security and practicality.

But once you have put up the nursery, you should now use your imagination to make some improvements. The space in your room should not limit the nursery subdivision into several zones. Each zone should serve a different function. A well organized nursery will save your energy and time. By defining each zone within the nursery, you will have an easier time while furnishing and decorating the space.

Tips on decorating the nursery:

1. Know the Space in Your Room

Start by measuring your room before you start shopping. Its can be painful if you fall in love with a changer, a glider or a crib that will hardly fit in your nursery. To correctly measure the space before purchasing furniture, spread some newspapers on the floor right on the space you will position the furniture. You should also go with the measurements to a store for the designer to assist you in achievement of the best room layout.

2. Plan Ahead

Generally, Nursery shopping is hard for parents mostly if they have no idea about the sex of the child. Therefore, it is important to think of everything before you begin the shopping. Mostly, you will need to specify whether you need a gender specific décor/furniture, whether to mix the furniture with any other furniture that is within your home.

3. Get Inspired

You should make use of blogs and magazines. They provide you with many ideas and pictures you may not have thought of before. This will ensure that you get a range of what you want. Furthermore, it assists you in making of an olioboard, a pinterest or a pinboard that you can use while shopping. However, if you want to stay original, ensure that you don’t stick too much in one design or one concept.

4. Have a Great Starting Point

Sometimes, it is better to concentrate on one element and make it the center of your decoration. For example, you can use a wall paper you have noticed as interesting or use a fabric that will improve the look of your window. Setting up the starting point makes the planning of the entire room easier. It will assist you to remain in line with an overall design tone and color scheme.

5. Paint the Room for a Statement

It is hard to find a rug or a fabric to match the paint in your house than it is to find a paint that will match a rug or fabric. Therefore, while decorating a room select the paint to use last. Stencils, broad stripes and giving your ceiling a new tone can be an easier and inexpensive way of getting a new custom look and without investing in any wallpaper.

6. Use Flair

When your room space is scarce and also you can’t fill the entire room with furniture, try to use flair to fill it. Murals and wall art easily personalize a space and can easily leave their mark regardless the size of your nursery.

7. Add Something Personal

You should add lots of family photos and colorful pictures to the walls of the nursery. Your baby will need something to stimulate them around their changing tables. The baby will like to look at the photos that you have posted on the wall while changing them. Including family photos can make the baby start recognizing some familiar faces.

8. Keep The Decoration Simple

Due to the many gorgeous accessories and nursery furniture, it is easier to over decorate your nursery. Therefore always work to keep it simple. Also decide on the focus of the room early. You can choose an artwork or a piece of furniture. Always think of child friendly things and not childish things. Choose a neutral background. Then mix it with age appropriate accessories. This will reduce the need of redecorating the room after a few years.

9. Think About Safety

When buying a new crib, you should ensure that it meets all the safety standards. The standards ascertain that the crib is deep enough to allow the safety of your baby. To create a safe environment around the crib, position it away from lamps, window heaters, cords and wall decoration. Any furniture that the child can clamber onto should be away from the crib.

This Article is Sponsored By – Nanny Poppinz

Author Bio:

Derek Fraser is an Online Blogger for Nanny Poppinz which provides Nanny Service, Childcare Service, Newborn Specialist, Emergency Nanny Service, After School Nanny, Live in Nanny Services, Part-Full Time Nanny Service etc. You can Follow Him On @derekfraser84.

How to Set up the Perfect Nursery for your Child

May 9, 2015adminDIY Projects, Home Organization Tips, Interior Designbedroom remodeling, color schemes, decorating, DIY projects, home improvement, home trends, paintingLeave a comment

Having a baby is the happiest moment in everyone’s life and everything that is connected to this wonderful event is beautiful. This also includes decorating and setting up a nursery for the upcoming child. It is an exciting decorating project and if it is done right, it will result in the best possible space for your child’s first months and years. So, what exactly does one need to take care of in order to set up the perfect nursery for one’s child?

Theme or no theme?

Many parents decide to go with a certain theme when they are decorating the nursery. Either they want to keep things simple and go with a theme or they are fans of a certain motif that will pervade the new nursery. Most themes are gender-based, with princesses for girls and sports for boys, for example. There are also plenty of nursery themes that are gender neutral and that will work for any child, like animal kingdom or something retro. Other parents choose against a theme and they come up with the design and the “feel” on their own.

Best furniture you can afford

If there is one thing where you will not want to skimp is buying furniture for your nursery. We think there is no need to list everything you will need for your nursery, but we will tell you this – make sure you get the highest-quality furniture you can afford. Try to make it natural and untreated with anything that might harm the baby. We are not saying that you should spend thousands on a bassinette, but do not skimp either. A good idea is also to put in “support” furniture that will not be for the baby itself, like a chair and a coffee table for the parents who spend time in the nursery.

Choosing the color

You have to be very careful when choosing the color for the nursery. Painting services professionals we talked to recommended something mild and calming, as opposed to something very aggressive and exciting. We are talking shades of beige, milder shades of blue and green or even yellow or orange, but making sure the actual shades are airy and easy on the eyes. Some of the colors you will want to avoid in the nursery are red, strong yellows and orange, as well as aggressive shades of pink or purple.

Controlling light and warmth

A baby needs to spend time in warm and comfortable environment with enough light, but not too much. Because of this, most experts will recommend that you enable precise control of lighting in the nursery. For instance, you can put in shades that will allow you to control how much natural light gets in at any given moment. Also, when artificial lighting is in question, it is always a good idea to install dimmers. You should also install air-conditioning and heating that will enable you to finely tune the temperature in the nursery at all times.

Things to Avoid When Decorating Your Home Office

April 21, 2015adminDIY Projects, Home Organization Tips, Interior Designdecorating, home decor, home office, home organization, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

No matter if you’re a full time stay-at-home employee, or sometimes you just need to finish some extra to do’s at home, everything is easier when you have a home office. That space shouldn’t be just a desk and a chair in an empty room, but it should also increase your productivity and reduce the stress. So you should make it as pleasant as possible. Here we will mention some things you should avoid in the process of creating your home office space.

Failing to Mind Your Surroundings

It is a no-brainer that leaving your boring walls empty will make the impression that you are working in a cubicle. Why don’t you turn them into something more inviting, or even better home-like? Painting the walls in fresh colors will break monotony that drains you every day and the pictures of your family or the other things you love will always put a smile on your face. Same rules apply for the floor. If you can’t move in something bigger, even a small oriental rug can really make a difference.

Uncomfortable Chair

What good would be a good home office without a good, pleasant chair? The answer is – a place of frustration and increased back pain. So, unless you want to feel as comfortable as if you are sitting on the Iron Throne, listen to what we learned from the people who own and operate a Sydney-based company specialized in office furniture. There are five things your chair needs to provide to you: easily adjustable height, enough depth and width to accommodate any user, lumbar support, large enough backrest and, of course, enough padding to be comfortable for sitting for extended periods of time.

Improper Lighting

If your home office has a natural light source, utilize it as much as possible. Natural light reduces the eyestrain. But be aware that you will have to place your monitor in such a way that you avoid irritating glare. When the sun goes down, try to complement your office light, especially if you are casting the shadow over the desk, with another bright desk lamp. It is good for your eyes and your headache.

Style over Substance

Nice furniture is pleasing for the eye, but without a real purpose it only obstructs your everyday activities and annoys you. Be sure that, aside from looking great, your desk and shelves are equipped with enough drawers and cabinet doors to hide away a whole plethora of things you don’t want to see on a regular basis.

Cable Clutter

One of the few things that makes you instantly nervous and gives away an impression of overall sloppiness is the sight of messy wires and cables under your desk. Try not to show them to anyone and, if you must, at least make the cables look tidy, ASAP. Once they start forming knots, the chance is that you will lose your will to even tackle this problem.

As we’ve seen, you don’t have to be a Feng Shui master to make your workplace more inviting and pleasant. All you need is a little bit of will and creativity. Now, transform your room into the best possible home office!

Going Oriental with Your Rugs

March 27, 2015adminHome Improvement Tips, Interior Designdecorating, DIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home trends1 Comment

The most beautiful thing about our incredible green planet is all the diversity that just seems to blossom everywhere. You may take literally any aspect and field of Earth and there is simply no way that you will come upon the same result twice. Human cultures and civilizations are, naturally, not excluded from this phenomenon. Yes, we are all different, but this, often controversial aspect of our society and our species in general, is at the same time what is best about us.

Every culture and every region has its own unique thing, something that separates them, something that sets it above everyone else. For example, if going for the classy and elegant suit, you will naturally go for a suit of Italian make, for the choice of your car there is no better advice than to buy German, but when the rugs are in question it is the Orient that is second to none. This is where east and west were always as one.

The Right Fit

Because of their dazzling beauty, oriental rugs have been a symbol of prosperity and one’s social status for centuries. Still, it is not enough to just select a random oriental rug and simply install it in your living room. There are several criteria that need to be satisfied prior to this, one of which is naturally the shape and the size of the rug. This step, although not as easy as it may seem, can be quite simple with the help of the proper research on the topic. By following just a couple of simple yet logical rules, you will be able in no time to pick the perfect rug size for your home.

The size and the shape of your oriental rug should mostly depend on three things. These factors are the size of your room, the furniture in the room and the room’s design. Although, sometimes it is quite easy to imagine the rug that you want and even if that same rug looks good in your mind, sometimes it will simply not be the same when you bring it home, as you imagined that it will. One of the little tricks, which may help you determine the perfect size is to align a bunch of old newspapers in your room, so that they cover the area that the aforementioned rug should later occupy. This way, you will be able to see exactly what it will look like in your room, size and position-wise.

An Integral Part of Your Room

Although you may invest a lot of effort in selecting the rug that you like the best, it is crucial that you always have one thing in mind. Rug, your rug, should be one with the room, not be above or be hiding behind it, in any way. What this means is that in order to select the right color for your area rug, you need to always keep in mind both the texture and even the theme of your room, especially if you plan to design with oriental patterns in contemporary spaces.

While on the topic, people working for some of the most renowned online suppliers of quality rugs claim that there are various techniques that some of their clients use in order to select the perfect rug. One of the most interesting and at the same time most effective methods is to take a picture of your room prior to the purchase, and then take that picture with you when you go shopping. In this way, you’ll find out whether your room’s overall design can really benefit from adding an oriental flooring item or not.

As you can see, selecting a truly amazing oriental rug for your home is in no way easy. Still, it is one of the most important things for the general aesthetic impression of both your room and your home. The key thing here is to remain calm, do a proper research and show some genuine dedication to the matter at hands. With all this in mind, your perfect selection will be almost completely fail-proof.

Author Bio: If one thing can be said with certainty for about Lillian Connors, her mind is nothing if not utterly curious. That’s the reason why she simply can’t resist the urge to embark on all sorts of home improvement/DIY projects and spread the word about them. She’s also deeply into green living practices, being in charge of the sustainability segment at SmoothDecorator. You can check her out on Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

How To Create A Minimalist Designed Home Space

January 27, 2015adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, Home Organization Tips, Interior Designdecorating, DIY projects, home decor, home organization, home trends1 Comment

The minimalist look is a design icon and trend that has been around for many, many years; never falling out of fashion, we long been in love with the clean, sleek lines a true minimalist designed home and business can bring.

But we live in an increasingly consumer based society; we buy so much from food to technology, that finding places to put or hide all this stuff in a minimalist design can present a dilemma. But, it is not just about the stuff we accumulate; the fixings used to mount shelves and the like can look huge, ugly and cumbersome in a minimalist design.

But there is hope and help of the horizon; technology and manufacture is moving on at a pace so that now, for those seeking a true minimalist design to their home or business there are now all kinds of fixings, such as glass shelf brackets, that allow for a sleek fixings that complement the room.

But why opt for a minimalist design?

There are many benefits to living in a minimalist designed space and although many of us hanker after this kind of design, it can be hard to achieve but, pushed on by the thought of these benefits, you will continue your pledge to live and work in a less cluttered, freer moving space…

Much less stressful – if nothing else, the absence of clutter around us makes the space less stressful. You will instantly notice that you are less ‘busy’ looking in the space, seeking out shapes and colours. This is because clutter has a habit of drawing the eye to a heap or shape of things; it will attracted to colour and then, the eye and the brain must try and work out ‘what is it?’ With less clutter and cumbersome stuff around, the space is calmer… as are you and so whatever it is you normally do in the space – sleep, eat, socialise or work – you will notice an instant change.
Much more appealing – as humans, we naturally accumulate all kinds of things and we need somewhere to keep these items. Some of these things do not need to be obvious or on display, but some items, more precious to us we may want to see and glass shelving is a fantastic way of showing these items to the best of beauty and ability. But again, with glass shelving in particular, cumbersome, noticeable brackets can instantly remove any minimalist appeal that the space has; after all, who wants a minimalist glass shelf, with huge brackets on the wall?
Easy to clean (and keep clean) – regardless of where you live or where your business premises are, there is a job that is never ending – cleaning! Some people love the satisfaction of cleaning every day but, there are some of us who do it as and when necessary. But, imagine if there was no clutter in the way! Just clean, smooth and clutter free surfaces that take seconds to clean because they can just be wiped over?

How to create the minimalist look

It is not just about chucking out stacks of clutter or hiding it in the cupboard under the stairs so that the next time this is opened the stuff all falls out or you cannot find anything when you want or need it. Minimalism is about living with what we have, accessing it and being able to enjoy a clutter free zone or space. It is not about a home or business being devoid of all personality.

Step 1: start with one room… live with it and see if you like it

Some people start and stop with this one room. They have a space that offers uncluttered space, where the mind, body and soul can rest. And if this is something you like and get along with, you can then extend it to the rest of your home or space.

Step 2: Choosing the right items

A minimalist design is not just about ‘lack of stuff’, it is about creating a design statement with the items you do have. Some people choose to replace all furniture and art work on walls, but some people decide to use the items that they have.

Step 3: you can still accessorise the space!

Many people assume that a minimalist space is devoid of all accessories but this is not the case. You can accessorise but these items need to be carefully chosen, offering clean lines and a non-fussy design. This is why glass shelving makes such an excellent addition to any minimalist design space. The fact they allow light through and bounce around off their surface is perfect for this kind of space.

Step 4: choosing quality over quantity

The essence of minimalist design is that everything is clearly thought about and is there for a reason; shelving is not there for reasons of clutter; they are there to add essential accessories to a room. Furniture is chosen because it offers the look and tone that you want from them; art work is delightful, adding a splash of colour, if that is what you want; it is not just about filling the space of a bare wall.

Step 5: enjoy!

Enjoy your calming, relaxing space… and wonder, as you sit enjoying the serenity, why you never did it before!

5 Simple Tips To Brighten Your Interior Design

May 16, 2014adminInterior Design, Summer Tipsdecorating, design, home decor, home trends, summer7 Comments

Try these tips to brighten your interior design for Summer!

wood look wall tile — Source: www.porcelanosa-usa.com

As warm weather arrives, the changing scenery outdoors is natural inspiration for homeowners to update their interior design. Luxurious textures, bright colors and bold accents help to define today’s most popular summer decor trends, adding emotion and energy to any space.

For those redecorating or looking to make a change in their home, the season’s top interior design tips and trends will help you inject magazine-worthy style into your home for an elegant look guaranteed to impress:

Wood alternatives

The organic look of wood is timeless, providing a warm and rustic elegance to rooms. Wooden walls and floors have broad appeal, but homeowners often tire at how quickly dents and scratches appear. In addition, these blemishes require constant maintenance and upkeep. To avoid this expensive maintenance, many homeowners in are turning to wood porcelain tiles. The Porcelanosa Parker Oxford Collection features porcelain tiles designed to look like luxury hardwood, but with all the maintenance and performance benefits characteristic of tile. Choose traditional patterns or get creative with unique inlays for a look that’s one of a kind, durable and easy to maintain.

Metal hardware

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to update interior spaces within a home is to replace hardware. Just as accessories pull together an outfit, knobs, backplates handles and hinges help to define a space and give it personality. Oil-rubbed hardware continues to be popular, and gold tones are gaining interest once again. Mixing various metals in different sheens and textures adds a unique element that dresses up a space instantly.

Tile trends

More designers are paying special attention to how textures and patterns effect the emotion of different rooms, and tile is being used to achieve stunning results. The Suede Collection of wall tiles from Porcelanosa are designed with reliefs that form overlapping patterns emulating pressed cement. The result is flowing patterns of curvilinear lines that add beautiful texture to walls. Another top tile trend is hand-assembled mosaics made from geometrically cut tiles to create spectacular wall and floor coverings.

Bathroom furniture lines

Sleek furniture and flowing lines creates a larger sense of space throughout a home, but this trend is particularly prevalent in bathrooms where space is at a premium.

crystal accents — Source: www.porcelanosa.com

The Ciclo Bath Collection features KRION, a material that is smooth to the touch and endlessly customizable because it can be molded like plastic. With virtually invisible joints, the collection of sinks, mirrors, vanities and shelving makes it simple to integrate clean line design concepts.

Accent colors

Warm weather often calls for refreshed color palates within home design, but it’s not necessary to do a complete overhaul to inject the season’s hottest hues. Whether you go for vivid tones like radiant orchid, the Pantone color of the year, or you prefer more subdued gray and blue hues that are currently trending with interior designers, home decor accents make it easy to integrate color for seasonal updates. For example, swapping pillows, throws, paintings and photography takes minimal effort and little investment.

Crystal elements

A touch of sparkle is an attractive addition to rooms, particularly in unexpected spaces. Light fixtures like crystal chandeliers are no longer reserved only for dining rooms and entranceways – many now grace bedrooms and powder rooms, adding visual drama. In the bathroom, the Swarovski Crystal Elements Collection features dazzling decorative elements that reflect light and can be used to separate surface transitions on walls, showers and backsplashes. Try mixing crystal accents with organic materials like marble or wood for a striking and chic contrast look.

Guide To Decorating Your Dream Home

May 2, 2014adminHome Improvement Tipsdecorating, home decor, home trends2 Comments

A Small Guide to Help You Decorate Your Dream Home

“Home sweet home” is not just an adage. It is a manifestation of human emotions towards his dwelling; a habitat which offers comfort, shelter, social refuge, enjoyment, and blissful sleep. A home is a place where family members share their life together. However, a home is not set up every now and then. It is an asset which most people buy once in their life time. If you bought one recently or simply swapped your old home for a new one, decorating turns out to be number one priority.

Decorating your home is not an easy task. Mentioned below are some pointers which will help you overcome hurdles associated with it. This guide will help even those owners who have brought in old furniture while migrating to a new house.

1. Plan your budget

Buying a house in itself is financially challenging. After paying off everyone, there is hardly any money left for sprucing up the house. However, you can adopt the below mentioned strategies.

a) Decorate your house in sections.

b) For each section allocate a budget.

The above tactics will ensure that you never run out of money and abandon the task midway. By decorating your house section wise, you make sure that over a definite timeline your entire habitat is graced, from ceiling to floor, the way you planned.

2. Consider family members

While decorating your home be sure to consider the views and requirements of every member. A lot depends on the number of individuals and their tastes. A couple would decorate a house in a different way than a family consisting of children. It becomes mandatory to provide a separate room for them and decorate accordingly.

If your house is frequently visited by friends and relatives you need to set up a guest room or even a guest suite if you have bought a property which is expandable. In short, you will need to create additional space and accommodate the aspirations of family and also make arrangement for the guests.

3. Is this your first house or are you migrating

If you are migrating to a bigger house, chances are you will be accompanied by some of the old furniture and accessories. A word of advice here; try to dispose of as much stuff as possible except for high value fixtures and heirloom pieces. Fewer carryovers simply mean more flexibility while decorating the house. Secondly, unwanted articles can result in a house which looks cluttered, disorganized and unplanned. You don’t want to create a maze of furnishings and accessories scattered over the entire place, making it difficult to even walk or breathe.

4. Prioritize – bedroom, living room and bathroom

Finally, when the budget and requirements are taken care of, it is time to put your plan into action. Master bedroom and living room will obviously be at the top of the list followed by dining and bathroom. The rest of the areas will follow over a period of time.

5. Decorating Guide

I. Bedroom –

Although this space is extremely private, it demands extra time and efforts. At the every outset, choose a theme. You need to consult with your spouse because this is one place where you will be spending a large chunk of your life. It will be your everyday retreat. The thumb rule is to go in for wall colors which are soft, offer largeness, and soothing ambiance. Wallpaper and wall decoration is yet another option. Choose designs which match your theme. It should relax the mind and body and not cast a gloomy shadow. As for the furniture, make the best use of the space but avoid cluttering. The idea is to offer maximum luxury and breathing space.

Look up to some inspiration; either internet or magazines. Deck up the bed with light colored bedding, comforters and contrasting pillows. Curtains can either be complementing or contradicting. Either way, make sure it blends with the rest of the furnishings. As mentioned above, if you have selected a theme, stick to the rules and do not experiment.

II. Living room –

Your next target or priority will be your living room, which incidentally is the busiest area of any house. It typically means opting for flooring which can withstand continuous human traffic. Don’t forget this room is used for an array of recreational activities such as watching TV, listening to music, enjoying drinks and even for a quick bite. This requires some imagination and innovation while decorating. Simply divide this space in mini sections using various sofa pieces or other pieces of furniture.

If you brought your old furniture, now is the time to use your creativity. Make separate zones for them. If the need arises, apply a fresh coat of paint; adorn it with new upholstery and throw pillows. All this will offer a new lease of life to your old belongings. Give your living room some depth by putting up large mirrors and transparent coffee table. However, make sure you also provide enough space to move around freely. Use pedestal lamps which look inspiring from a distance and occupy little space.

Walls can be pepped up with contrasting shades of color. Use your imagination. Experiment with multiple shades, wallpaper or wall stickers. Avoid using a theme in case you are utilizing some of the old furniture along with the new ones. A theme here just won’t work. Offer a sense of belonging and warmth by laying out a large carpet or even a couple of them. Make sure the color and the design stand out against the flooring.

III. Bathroom –

The next important space is your bathroom. Now, this can be instantly glamorized by changing the basic fittings and furnishings such as towel rods, curtain rods, bathmats, dispensers, lighting fixtures and various holders. Make sure you accessorize your bathroom to complement the paint color or tiles. If your budget permits, avoid curtains all together and instead create a glass cubicle which offers all in bath solution such as sauna or steam, hot and cold water sprays, and even a Jacuzzi.

If your bathroom is small, you can make it appear larger by using full length multiple mirrors, recessed furniture and single colored wall paint or tile. Sconces are a great way to illuminate a particular section of the bathroom, especially above the mirror. Brushed aluminium or nickel faucets, transparent sinks, anti-skid flooring with heating feature are some of the other elements which can add a touch of character and class to your bathroom.

6. Miscellaneous guidelines

Refurbish whenever and wherever possible. This will save you money. Always opt for a minimalist approach. Your dream house will look cleaner and leaner. It also means the entire habitat is easily manageable, one of the essential qualities of a well designed home. Envious glances are just a bonus.

About the Author:

Robert Bryant is a blogger and passionate writer. He likes to write about Health Issues, Online Marketing, Legal Issues, and SEO etc. You can add him on Google+.

Children’s Room Interior Design Tips

March 30, 2014adminBedrooms, Home Organization Tipsbedroom remodeling, decorating, DIY projects, home organization1 Comment

Design Tips For Your Children’s Room

There are many ways you can keep your kids room vibrant, well-organized and inspired. The following tips will give you some great ideas you can use to handle this in a more creative way:

• First of all, you should keep in mind that colors play a huge part in the overall ambiance of a room so; in this case, you might want to stick to the more soothing hues. You can work with colors such as lavender or soft, warm colors. These will help your kids sleep well and relax when they’re not running about the place.

• You can put up a sturdy piece of art or a favorite photo of you and your little ones and finding a cool frame at a garage sale or resale shop. You can take a photo of a favorite place you’ve been together, enlarging it and cutting it to smaller pieces you can frame and then hang up on the wall.

• You can also use chalkboard paint to create a giant blackboard where your kids may draw with chalkboard or some washable markers. You can see if you can buy some re-purposed school lockers to add to the corner or you could just go with a less school-oriented furniture piece.

• You can also create a nice reading corner for your kids complete with their own bookcase, a good light and some comfy seating.

• Buy some frames and use them to showcase the best art works of your child in their room. This will serve a dual purpose of function and decoration, as they will have a chance to feel your pride in their creations.

• You can use a number of organizers with multiple pockets to hang on a closet door. This will help your kids store their trinkets and smaller objects without having a huge number of them on display around the room or on the floor, ready to step on.

• You can help improve the storage closet by installing a mirror, light boxes and some magnetic boards. These will help with their projects or just having fun in general.

• Your kids will also need a nice and comfortable study space where they can deal with their homework in peace. This will greatly help with school in the long run.

• You can stock a number of cubbies with any supplies your kids may need at school or at home. These will allow them to access everything with ease, while at the same time keeping it simple and even mobile when needed, depending on what the cubby looks like. One with pull-out bins would be excellent for this situation.

• Try getting creative and make your own DIY storage solution. Whether its bins made of something you have at home or another way, it can be a fun project for you to enjoy with your kids.

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