Archive for the ‘Decorating’ Category
The Shabby Chic Design
Shabby chic has become a popular interior decorating style and you can take principles from the shabby chic design style and apply them in your home to create a space that is comfortable and functional. It doesn’t hurt if your house already has that lived-in feel; then it only takes a few subtle changes to capture the shabby chic appeal.
The presence of contrasting qualities for your decorations can make your home confusing if you’re not careful with the use of colors. In this case, light colors, neutrals and white are the ideal choices. These colors make great backdrops for a mix of shabby chic furnishings, as well as easy colors to accent with darker or brighter shades if you want to add more hues.
Repainting the furniture and compartments a glossy color gives the space a sophisticated look. If you want the shabby quality for the furniture, you can always shop in thrift stores and flea markets for vintage things. The best part is not having to spend a lot for buying new furniture.
A trip around the neighborhood on the big trash pickup day may be very rewarding; one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Again discretion is necessary, you don’t want to bring home junk, but if you do find a nice sturdy piece of furniture consider bringing it home and painting it white. If you are a little more skilled you may want to consider distressing the wood by hand.
Area rugs are a must with shabby chic since it really goes well with hardwood floors. This may be the one occasion where you can pull off a shag area rug, but please only in moderation. A neutral area rug with faded floral patterns or stripes may accent the rest of your decor well.
Lighting fixtures also add to the shabby chic quality, especially chandeliers and lamps. You may choose an antique-looking chandelier for the living room and candelabras for the dining room, while adorning the rest of the place with modern but simple lamps.
Old souls at heart and the “simplicity is beauty” advocates will benefit from this decorating style. Shabby chic is not all about the old, but is an effortless coming together of the timeless appeal of both classic and modern looks…in one.
Tags: Decorating, home decorating, interior design, shabby chic design, shabby chic home
Create A Healthy Living Room With Simple Decor
It is often said that home is where the heart is. Most people find maximum satisfaction and relaxation in the comforts of their home. The way the decor of the house is done often tells about the tastes and preferences of the people living in it. The decor of the house is in a way the picture of the personalities of the family members. Each and every corner of the house has some relevance in the lives of the people living in the house. The lady of the house might have an affinity towards the kitchen while the male of the house might be spending more time in the study. Young kids might be inclined towards the television room while the adolescents might have liking towards their own rooms or the terrace. The list of choices and preferences is endless.
People devote lots of time, effort and money, in getting their homes decorated just the way that they want it to be. The decor has to be perfect according to their preferences as it is gateway to their relaxation and bonding with other family members. There are a lot of people which follow one standard decor theme for the entire home. Others prefer different decor themes for different rooms or even corners of the house. Whatever the personal preferences are, effective home decor helps in creating an atmosphere in which family members can come in and recharge their batteries.
While creating their living room a lot of people will miss the fact that they haven’t added accessories to their home. Accessories make the room feel more relaxing and comfortable. Most people stop at comfortable not really seeing how they can make it more relaxing with accessories. You can add painting, flower arrangements, area rugs, glassware, area rugs, antiques and more.
The most important of all these accessories is the area rug. The area rug is important for so many reasons. You can use the area rug to pull out a certain color or to add warmth to your floor. Redecorate your home by simply adding an area rug. It’s inexpensive and it can make a statement. If you get tired of that look replace the area rug with a new rug with different colors.
When you add an area rug you will see how much more it relaxes you in your living room, how much warmer your floor is in the winter, and how much cleaner you are keeping your wall to wall carpet underneath the area rug. This will give you a cleaner healthier home.
Tags: Decorating, healthy home decor, healthy room decor, home decorating, interior design
Redesign Your Little Boy’s Room
If your little man is begging for a room of his own it’s time to make that change. It’s hard to picture your little boy growing up but now he is ready for his own big boy room. This is an exciting time for both of you because you get to create this room together. You can personalize his room anyway you want. Take his favorite character, sports, frogs, insects, or you can do a safari or jungle theme.
If you are creating a room for a toddler you will want to keep in mind that he loves bugs and critters, even if you do not. If you want to create a starry night for your child, paint the nighttime sky on their ceiling. Dinosaurs are popular sometime in a child’s life. You can do wallpaper and display the T-Rex. The wallpaper can be very educational. Do a wildlife scene by adding monkeys, birds, and other non-life threatening animals. Of course you can teach your children the basics of ABC’s and 123’s by using simple math on their wallpaper.
Your son will appreciate what you do to decorate his home. You can purchase toy boxes that come in any different shape and size. You can choose frogs, footballs, trucks, baseball, and more. There is wallpaper and paint to use on walls or to create a mural as well. If your son likes a family pet then create a mural of the animal in your child’s room.
You can also add an area rug with or without painting or wallpapering. This is a great way to give the room an instant makeover. You will be able to find an area rug that displays your child’s interest; trucks, cars, dinosaurs, boats, and more. If your little one wants to be a cowboy then you can do a horse and cowboy theme for his room and top it with a nice area rug of horses running. A musician may need some inspiring so find a rug that features a guitar or other musical instrument. An underwater theme is gorgeous on an area rug; dolphins, star fish, fish, and more.
Creating a little boys room is fun and can be a fun thing for you both to do. If you want to create style, comfort, and safety allow your child to help you.
Tags: bedroom decorating, children's bedroom decor, Decorating, home decorating, interior decorating
Memory Foam Mattresses Can Help Your Back
If you suffer from chronic back pain, then you know already know how difficult — or downright impossible — it is to get a good night’s sleep. That’s because ordinary mattresses and box springs don’t provide evenly distributed support for your body. As a result, you spend most of the night tossing and turning rather than sleeping soundly, and you’re likely to wake up feeling more exhausted and in even greater pain than when you went to bed in the first place. But there’s no reason for you to continue on in this manner. Tens of thousands of people just like you have found relief to similar problems by replacing their old bedding with a memory foam mattress.
The material used in memory foam mattresses was first invented by NASA, and is sensitive to pressure and temperature. That allows it to conform to the natural contours of your body, providing extra support where you need it and when you need it. Memory foam mattresses allow you to enjoy a deep, pleasant sleep that’ll help your body rest, relax, and heal from a long day.
If there’s one drawback to this exciting technology, it’s the cost. Name-brand memory foam mattresses can set you back well over one thousand dollars, which is quite a bit of money for most people. Fortunately, there are a number of retail outlets, both traditional and online, that offer these products at significantly reduced prices. Not all of the discounted versions of memory foam mattresses are of comparable quality, however, so there are a few things you should watch out for.
The most important characteristic of a memory foam mattress is its density. The foam’s density will give you an idea of how responsive it is to pressure and temperature. A general rule of thumb is the higher the density, the better the material. The most expensive products in the industry have a density of 5.3 pounds. Some discount versions are rated at just 3.0 pounds, and the difference really is quite noticeable. You should choose a memory foam mattress that has a density of at least 4.0 pounds if you want to experience the most benefits.
In addition to the density rating, pay attention to the reputation of brands you’re thinking about buying, since a few are known for their low durability. No one wants to spend several hundred dollars buying a new memory foam mattress that gives out within two to three years of service.
Finally, many reputable stores offer a long-term money-back guarantee for any memory foam mattress that they sell. The specifics of the guarantee will of course vary from retailer to retailer, but most places will allow you to try out your new memory foam mattress for anywhere from one month to one year, after which time you can return your purchase for a full refund. The benefits of buying from a retailer with this kind of policy are obvious, so it’s definitely something to look for when you’re shopping.
There’s no reason for you to continue suffering through sleepless nights filled with constant tossing and turning as you try in vain to find relief for your aching back. A memory foam mattress could be the answer that you’ve been looking for, so give one a try!
Tags: bedding, decor, Decorating, Home, interior design
Horse Theme For Your Child’s Room
When you need to decorate a child’s room, try using horses as the theme. You can create a real cowboy look and feel for your youngster who will think he is home on the range.
The wallpaper or a mural will set the tone for the room, so be sure to choose wisely. A group of wild mustangs running across the prairie or a display showing formal competition works well as a mural. Wall paper comes in a variety of styles and colors, so don’t settle for the first thing you come across. Take some time to select the perfect wall paper for your horse-themed space. Just remember to pick something that your child will associate with horses and you are on the right track. Try to think horse with every item you pick, even accessories.
An area rug is one accessory you want to include. You may find a horse raring up, shaking his head, or just running for your child’s room. An area rug can keep their little feet warm on cold nights and make a fall more cushiony when rough playing.
Bedding is important to consider as well. The bedding must coordinate with the rest of the room. If you are going with a theme like the wild mustang you can’t have any tame pictures hanging on the walls. Go with a wild horse theme instead so there is no conflict in the room. If bedding is too hard to match then try using a solid color that will match.
If your child shows or competes you can use this to blend into the theme even more. Try placing pictures of them competing all around the room. Take several poses of their horse and use it in the mural or collage. Trinkets that are won during competition can be used to highlight the theme.
A horse themed room needs special attention to the individual details. The wallpaper or the mural will be the main importance of the decor but it won’t look complete without everything.
Tags: bedroom decorating, childrens bedroom decorating, Decorating, home decorating, horse theme bedroom decor
Preparing A Guest Room
When you least expect it, company comes to stay over. It may be your college buddies, exchange student from school, or your in-laws. You want a room ready for them to stay without panicking when you see them at the door with their luggage.
Furniture should be the first thought in designing your guest room. Do you want to add a full, queen, or twin beds to the room. Since you never know how many guests you will have you may want to decide on two twin beds in the guest room. You will also need a dresser, nightstand, chest of drawers, and a chair to the guest room.
When you decide on a guest room you will need to make sure that it is close to the bathroom for the convenience of your guests. This is very important to guests.
You want to decorate your guest room so it is a welcoming oasis. A place they can relax and unwind after a day of travel and visiting. To achieve this feel you want to use light colors. Accent and highlight and accent with pastel colors for comforters and pillow shams. Add a bouquet of flowers on the dresser or nightstand.
You will also want to add an area rug to the guest room. If the guest room also has a bath you want to combine the look and feel of the bath and bedroom. Place the same area rug in the bathroom as you do in the bathroom.
Now it’s time to add those personal touches like scented candles or potpourri. This will give the room a warm and inviting smell. Place to scented candles and potpourri on a dresser but not near the bed.
Storage space is important to the guest room. Make sure that your guests have a place to sort their clothes. You will need to have a mirror somewhere in the room if the bathroom is not adjoining.
You want the room to be welcoming and inviting. Make sure you add those final touches to the room like an extra blanket, clean towels and linens, and a soft pillow for a good nights sleep. When cleaning the guest room be sure you flip the mattress every time you change the sheets. Also keep a soft area rug on the floor to keep their feet warm.
Tags: bedroom decor, Decorating, guestroom decor, home decor, interior design
How To Decorate A Bachelor’s Home
I raise my hand in agreement to the notion that it’s much easier to buy presents for girls and a challenging brainstorming session to buy for guys. I would raise my other hand with the idea that decorating a bachelor’s pad can be more difficult compared to designing a lady’s place. Not only are the choices somewhat limited with the absence of frills, ruffles, trinkets and lush materials but beautifying a place without losing its masculine touch can be mentally gripping. Creativity then plays a key role in decorating a man’s home.
First, it’s important to implement his own style. A man’s style in home interiors is not as varied as the women’s but nevertheless, the differences in preferences and favorites bring a personal touch to a man’s home. Designs can be influenced by the love of sports, outdoors, arts, music, travel or architecture among others.
A house or pad has more or less an interesting element that can be worked on. It can be a sloped ceiling, winding staircase or huge windows. Whatever it is that can instantly catch attention should be maximized for an effortless centerpiece.
Floor to ceiling would be the best path for a guy to take when decorating any room. Prioritize comfort in your decor, so choose a material that you’ll enjoy feeling against your feet. Plain, solid colored rugs are best because they go with just about anything. White or cream rugs are particularly elegant, especially when paired with a dark or industrial themed room. If you’re not the diligent type when it comes to cleaning, though, dark rugs might be a wiser idea to make dirt less obvious.
If there’s one decor that is hassle-free, functional and attractive, area rug is the “it” item. A minimally decorated bachelor’s pad will look better with area rugs in strategic places. For instance, a large area rug in the middle of the living room is a direct eye-catcher. An area rug in the bedroom and kitchen can make these rooms cozier and inviting in a snap.
Although the designs of area rugs and other fabrics do not have as much details or mix of colors, these pieces can still stand out with the right choice of color or design. Choose a solid color or one with a conspicuous pattern. A striped pattern looks great in a neutral-colored room. A dark-colored area rug is an attractive work of contrast in a white or plain room.
Lastly, complete the bachelor’s pad decorations with wall arts. Paintings and photographs top the list, but other pieces like an area rug as a wall hanging also make a nice impression.
Tags: bachelor's pad decor, Decorating, home decorating
Time for Spring Cleaning Again?
Spring is here and it’s time to go through all that stuff you’ve been avoiding all winter. Yes, that means your basement with all the storage which sits there all year, the closets, and of course the attic. This is time where you can start fresh and give away items which you have no use for anymore. Another great idea is having a yard sale. If you have a specific design which you’ve seen and you want to try, use the money from the yard sale to purchase the new items which you want to try out. To start you off on the right foot, here are a few tips on what you should try this spring to give yourself a boost for the spring cleaning event!
If you are someone who is scared of change and doesn’t like anything different then start off small. Try switching lamp shades to something which is more updated with the design which is in. You also can use affordable materials to create a great art piece with an old vase which you might have found in the cabinet which has been collecting dust. Anything is possible when it is spring cleaning time.
You can check ahead of time and see just how affordable your decorating needs are going to be. Overall, you should come up with a budget in mind. You would be surprised at how far a couple hundred dollars will take you and your redecorating skills.
As you are searching on the Internet and looking up those prices, we highly recommend you looking into some area rugs. You can find woven rugs, Persian rugs, Oriental rugs and even rugs make of jute or bamboo. In fact, if you have a rug design in your mind right now, we are sure you will be able to find it. You should make sure you choose that rug wisely, because it is the one thing that should fit into all of your designs you have. A rug could easily crash the whole party. With that said, perhaps a little bit of visualization will help you out. Take a look at that empty spot on the floor, could you imagine a red rug there? Or is there a longing for something else? Remember, the choice is yours, but you should make sure it looks good.
If you have time try reading a few home magazines for other ideas which you may like to try. They are always switching it up every year and sometimes every season. You’ll always find something you like so why not try it out this year and start off fresh?
Tags: Decorating, home decor, interior design, spring cleaning
Designing The Master Suite
Master suites are a great area which you can make your own. You can change them whenever possible to give yourself a new look on a budget.
Master bedrooms usually come with their own bathrooms which are connected do you can’t neglect design in the bathroom as well.
In some cases the home owner will change the colors up in the rooms to make it feel as if it matches the seasons which are coming. For example; you’ll have a great floral print bed set in the spring with many accents of brighter colors such as pinks, greens, and yellows. In the winter time you’d have darker palettes such as blues and grays. Just by changing the curtains and the bed set you’ll notice a great difference in the space and it will brighten up the mood.
As you know curtains aren’t that cheap so if you are able to purchase tabbed topped curtains you’ll have your bucks down the road. Just make sure when you choose the curtain rods that they are more on the design side rather than your regular metal white rods. With these types of curtains you’ll notice the rod so you don’t want it to look too cheap.
By carrying these colors into the bathroom you’ll make it seem as if they flow together as one. It is quite simple to change the bathrooms decor around by purchasing new towels, rugs, and curtains every few months, very inexpensive and easy to come across.
Use great lace doilies or a nice colored runner which matches your design for your night stand. Placing a great lamp on top will just give it that little pinch of design onto a basic wooden night stand.
If you have a great balcony area which leads from the bedroom, you’re in luck. This is a great addition to the romantic feel for the bedrooms sake. You can have these doors open on a wonderful cool night and enjoy the breeze. Add a few colored cushions in the colors of the rest of the room and you’ll have yourself your own little getaway just a few feet from the bed.
Tags: Decorating, home decor, interior design, master suite
