Home Decor

Creative Ways to Organize Your Bedroom

Organizing your bedroom doesn’t have to just be about plastic container and shoe racks. There of plenty of ways to organize your bedroom whilst adding a touch of creative flair.

If you have a lot of scarves, shawls or pashminas then a cute wooden ladder is a great way to store them. Many are too pretty to have hidden away in a closet; this way you can display them in a fun way that also helps to organize them. Color code them on the ladders rungs to add an interesting visual effect.

Make use of space under your bed by using low cut boxes to store things in. You can either buy specially made boxes or you can cut down old boxes and paint or decorate them to your tastes. These are great for storing clothes in the winter or summer when you don’t need them. They are also a great place to store shoes.

If you have a big handbag collection, then display them! You can hang them up on a wall on hooks as a feature, or you can even display them on shelves for an interesting twist. This also makes them easy to get to,

If you have lots of books then the obvious place for them is on a bookshelf. Most people organize them alphabetically, which is fine. However if you want something more visually appealing then you can organize them by color. If you don’t have a large number of books and then don’t require a whole bookshelf, you can line them up, color coded, along your desk, or in a creative stack in the corner.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Bedroom, Ladder, Organize

Designer Home Collections

Apartment dwellers are often looking for new and exciting ways to jazz up their space. Designer home collections such as those by Ralph Lauren, Ann Klein and Laura Ashley offer everything from high quality furniture to bedding and curtains. Collections make decorating simple because the furnishings have already been coordinated.

This is valuable because not everyone has a knack for decorating and these collections can spare do-it-yourself’ers from design disasters. There are two usual complaints from those living in apartments, one is the terrible lack of space. Nice roomy apartments exist, but, by definition, apartments are typically on the small side. However, the right collection can make the most of these small spaces and add just the right amount of personality and sparkle.

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The second most popular complaint is the lack of color. Fortunately, many progressive apartment managers are now offering an accent wall option. This may be a small thing to some but a pop of color can turn dull into daring and boring into beautiful. If you currently live in an apartment without this option and the white walls are getting to you, consider making a change. Forrent.com is a great source for finding a new colorful place to call home.

Choose a collection that represents your personal style and use it throughout your space. This will give your apartment or home a sense of unity and high fashion. Designers are all about color and pattern so don’t be afraid to mix both. If you feel that you are in a bit of a rut, check out a designer home collection. Having rooms that “wow” may be easier than you think.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Apartment, Laura Ashley, Ralph Lauren

Decorating Your New Home

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Your first home is an exciting experience. You want to make every inch of that new living space feel like your home. In order to do that you have to decorate it the right way. Decorating isn’t always easy. It takes a lot of thinking and planning. If you are willing to do the work you can give your home that personal touch that people will notice when they walk in the door.

The idea of decorating your home is to know what works for you. While it’s nice to make a house appealing to guests, you have to make sure your home is appealing to you. Don’t worry about fancy frames and high-end furniture if it’s going to make you feel uncomfortable in your home. You have to make sure it’s what you like.

Second, make sure your house has a theme. A big key to decorating, and something that will help you make good decisions, is knowing what the theme of your house is. It’s important to know if you think that perhaps it should have a certain color scheme or maybe a theme of an animal or season. Knowing what the concept is behind your decorating will do wonders.

Another thing to consider is going vintage. It’s popular and you can do it with little money. You can search on Canada 411 for some older items to put in your home. A little money could give it that cool retro look.

Your first home should feel like it’s yours. Decorate it the way you like so you’ll want to come home.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Canada, Home, Home improvement

Decorating on a Budget

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Sometimes making a room or house look fashionable can be expensive. Because, the new, trendy looks cost a lot, right? They don’t have to. Decorating a room doesn’t need to involve buying a lot of pricey pictures, furniture or accessories. Not when it can be done on a budget and look just as good. Here are some easy and cheap decorating tips.

Before starting, think about what sort of look you want. Is there some sort of specific theme or design? Perhaps you can do a little research to help you decide what you want before you begin.
Painting a room is fairly simple and not too expensive. Painting the walls can bring a whole new feel, personality or mood to a room. And you don’t even have to do the entire room. You can paint accents or maybe even just a single wall.
Furniture can be a great decoration, but it can also be pricey. Instead of buying new furniture, you can work with or change what furniture you already have. Paint, stain, or touch-up wooden furniture, buy or make slipcovers or throw blankets to cover a couch or easy chair.
Shop around at garage sales, thrift shops, or flea markets. Sometimes you can find exactly what you want or you could even get new ideas for deciding what direction you want to take a room.
Curtains or other window treatments are fairly inexpensive or can be made inexpensively.

Naturally, there is more you can do to create the look you want. Just remember that a nice looking room doesn’t have to break the bank.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Flea market, Furniture, Interior design

Painting Tips to Remember

Changing the color of a room is not a complicated task. However, many people just walk into a paint store, buy the first brand they find and start painting. Any professional painter will tell you that there is a lot more to painting than just a roller. If you have made the decision to decorate a room with new paint and furniture, these tips will help you create the right atmosphere.

• Ask for help. You do not have to hire a painter to get a bit of instruction on painting. Talk to the salesperson at your local home improvement store. Find out which brand of paint is best for what you are doing. Also, get tips on what brushes, rollers and other supplies you will need. Do not be afraid to talk to more than one store. Make sure you are getting the best price and the best advice.

• Choose your color wisely. Paint is permanent. Although you can repaint a room if you do not like the color, it can be quite a hassle. Instead, buy several paint samples. These little jars of paint are easy to transport. Take them home and sample the colors. Test the colors on the walls and see which one appeals to you the most. If you are keeping your existing furniture, make sure you choose a color that does not clash.

• Prep your room. The use of drop cloths and masking tape will save you a ton of cleanup time after painting. Place the cloths over any furniture and the floor. Tape off windowsill edges, around the baseboards and door frames, and around electrical outlets. The cloths and tape will prevent paint from ending up somewhere it should not be.

Invite some friends and have a painting party. Everyone will have fun and you will have plenty of help to finish the room.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Color, Paint, Paint roller

Ask Questions and Make Lists

When it comes to decorating your home, you may think that you cannot do it without professional help. This is not true! Millions of people do their own decorating, especially people with a limited income. Unless you have unlimited funds for your decorating, you should consider doing it yourself. While it will take more effort on your part, as long as you have the time, you will end up with a home that you adore. You will also have the added pride of knowing you decorated it on your own!

The first step in doing your own decorating is to have an idea of what you are doing. There are many resources available to help you. You can check out interior design books at the library. You can take advantage of the internet and all of the free advice, tips and ideas online. You can even enlist the help of your fashionable friends. Educate yourself on the importance of color, lighting and space. Once you have a grasp of the basic concept of decorating, you can dive in to your project.

When decorating your home, it is essential to have a plan. You do not want to make any drastic changes without thinking it through. Write everything down. Make a list of everything you want to change in each room. Write down what things can stay and which ones must go. Write down your ideas on how you want the room to look. Your home is a reflection of you. It needs to be a place that is warm, welcoming and comfortable. Above all else, it needs to be a place that you love. Decorating your home is not something you should take lightly. Take your time, create the plan you desire and start the process of buying supplies and decorating.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Decorating, Design, Interior design, Living room

Tips for Decorating a Small Room

When you make the decision to re-decorate a room in your home, you have a lot of planning in store. Decorating is not always easy. You have to put thought into your design plan. You want to make sure your plan fits the room. The size of the room you are decorating is a big factor in how you decorate the room. A bigger room leaves you more options. With a bigger room, you have more freedom when it comes to the pieces of furniture. Smaller rooms are harder to decorate because you do not want to make the space feel smaller than it already is.

When you are decorating a small room, space is important. Small rooms do not have to be cramped. You can have minimal furniture in a small room and still have plenty of seating space. With a small room, it is important to choose a light color for the ceiling. Dark colors will make the room seem darker and less roomy. It is also important to let in as much natural light as possible. Choose light-colored window coverings or even sheer coverings. Let the sunlight make the room appear larger to the eye.

With a small room, you want to avoid over-crowding the space. Do not put a full-size sofa in a small room. Instead, opt for a love seat and a mid-sized armchair. The seating will be more intimate and the furniture will take up less space. Artwork on the walls should not be too large. A giant painting will cover too much space on a wall and give the room a crowded feeling. Choose several smaller paintings and hang them in various places to make the walls seem bigger. By doing these few things, you will create the illusion of a space. Decorating a small room may take a bit more thought, but the result will be a comfortable room with the feeling of a large room.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Furniture, Room, Window covering

Tips for Decorating on a Budget

You should be proud of your home and its appearance. From the exterior to the interior, your home is part of you. When people drive by your house, they base their opinions on what your home looks like. When visitors enter your home, they form an opinion about you based on your sense of style. While having a beautiful home is easy to do when you have an unlimited budget, you can still have lovely décor on a fixed budget. You just need to use your imagination.

The first step to decorating on a budget is to know exactly how much money you have to spend. Determine your budget and stick to it, no matter what. This means when you find that extravagant piece of artwork, put it back! If you cannot afford it, do not buy it. Next, do not limit yourself on places to shop. Instead of sticking to only local retailers that may charge higher prices, spread your wings. Utilize the internet for great deals on various pieces to add to your home. When shopping for paint, take your time and ask questions. The most expensive paint is not always the right choice. There are many quality paints available at affordable prices.

Another thing to remember is to take your time. You do not have to redo your entire home at one time. Budget a certain amount each month or every few months and complete one or two rooms at a time. Within a year or so, your entire home will be decorated. Finally, do not rule out used. You can find great deals at yard sales and second-hand shops. As long as the item is in good shape and fits within your budget, buy it. Decorating on a budget takes a little bit of time and a little bit of creative thinking. Before you know it, you will have a home that everyone admires.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Budget, Home improvement, Interior design

Cheap Ways to Decorate a Dorm Room

Most college students don’t have much money to decorate their dorm room, but this is the room that you will be spending the most of your time in. In order to make your room a reflection of you, even if you don’t have much money, check out these cheap ways to decorate a dorm room.

Bedding

Since your bed will most likely be the biggest piece of furniture in your room, pick out a comforter that reflects your personality, but is durable and wont show dirt or stains. The comforter will be the main focal point and provide you with the colors that will be used in the rest of the room. A reversible comforter is a good idea for those that like to change things up every once in a while. Don’t forget that most college dorm room beds are extra long, so make sure your new comforter and sheets will fit properly.

Artwork and Décor

Before you do anything, check the school’s rules about painting, using nails, tacks, and even tape on the walls. Most schools will not allow students to paint, but they can hang things. Posters are the most popular way to decorate dorm room walls, but did you know colored chalk easily wipes off most surfaces? Use colored pencils and huge sheets of butcher paper to create a large mural. Try using laundry line to string across a wall and hang photos, papers, mementos, or anything else you can think of.

Storage

Place RackRisers under each leg of the bed to raise it up and make extra space for clothes, books, dirty laundry, or anything else you can tuck away in plastic crates. Make your furniture dual purpose, such as a table that can double as a TV stand and a desk. Plastic hooks can be hung around to keep things organized, and closet organizers work great too. A fun shower curtain is a great way to cover a closet.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Dormitory, Student

How to Find Furniture You Can Love

How many times have you been mesmerized by a beautiful piece of furniture that you just had to have it right then and there? You put it in the perfect spot in your home and casually show your pride and joy to your friends. In less than a year, you find yourself wondering why you bought the hideous piece.

When you are in the market to buy upholstered furniture, it can be hard to notice poor quality because it is hidden underneath padding and fabric. With these tips, you will learn how to find furniture you can love, for a long time.

Solid Construction

First and foremost, your furniture should be made with a solid frame so it will be durable and time resistant. Always ask the salesperson what type of wood is used for the frame of the item you are interested in. Avoid plywood and pine, as these are very soft woods. Instead, purchase something made with maple or oak, or another hardwood. Of course, kiln-dried hardwood will provide the most strength and durability. And, thickness does matter, so the lumber should be 5/4 to 8/4 inches.

Material

Not only is the color important when purchasing furniture you can love but the actual texture of the material is very important. When purchasing furniture from a big-box store, most likely you’ll have a limited fabric selection. Smaller furniture specialty stores will have a larger choice of fabric choices, or may also allow you to use your own fabric that you purchased elsewhere. Spend some time feeling the fabric and inspecting the furniture and samples to choose a material that is both durable, comfortable, and in the color or colors of your choice.

When the furniture is delivered to your home, immediately inspect it again. Verify that the item is free from tears, rips, or stains. Also make sure that any patterns line up correctly at the seams.

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: Furniture, Upholstery