Cheap Decorations: Decorating Ideas for those low on Cash
Do it yourself decorations are perfect for this time of economic down trend. However, your home’s aesthetic appeal should not be neglected just because of the credit crunch. Do it your self and find cheap or even free materials. DIY is especially a great idea to try out during the Christmas or the fall winter season. Before you cancel your decorating plans, read these cool and easy tips to complete the beauty and sanctity of your lovely home.
If you think you aren’t good at doing it yourself (DIY), then consider this the best time for you to learn and master these skills to use for the rest of your years. Think of all the money you’ll save and all of the cool stuff or essentials you’ll finally be able to buy for yourself. Woodworks, sewing, painting, and cutting are quite easy to learn. All you need to do is want to learn. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can do these things. If you don’t have anyone to teach you and you do not want to spend some money on a book, then look no further because all the easy instructions you need are right here on the internet. Aside from the obvious benefit of saving money, you will also find that DIY decorating or creation of decorations is a very therapeutic project. Loosing yourself in the pursuit of your knowledge of perfection will be very fun.
* Paint your wall.
Look at your house and see which base wall you would like to paint. Painting a single wall is very easy to do, however the effect it has on the entire room would be quite big. For one thing, the shade and the tint in the room are permanently altered by the colored wall. It will reflect its color into the entire room.
* Keep an eye out for bargains.
This might be a little harder to master. You need a well-educated taste in furniture before being a master at buying the best decorations. Decorating your house with other people’s stuff might be an idea that takes some getting used to for some individuals. Also, you need to know which items would blend in harmoniously with everything that already exists in your house.
* Rearrange your furniture
You have probably thought of doing this thing for years. It is never too late to start now. Take out a useless ottoman, push everything to the right, change one long seat for another, and remove unnecessary stuff. You will be surprised at how new your house would feel like once you simply move a few things. The effect of this would be to freshen up the place once instead of buying new decorations or decorating by using home based materials.
Home Decorating | Comment (0)Decorating Ideas for a Tuscan Kitchen
As the concept of Tuscan kitchen decor becomes more popular, homeowners are attracted to the simplicity of this decoration scheme. As with anything, you can spend a lot of money to get this look in your kitchen, but here we take a look at some simple low cost ideas to decorate your kitchen with a Tuscan decor.
More and more people today find the thought of a sunny cottage kitchen in the Tuscan countryside as their ideal. If you long to have that cozy-cottage feel in your own kitchen, the good news is that it’s easy to do-it-yourself!
One of the reasons Tuscan kitchen is such a hot decorating trend is that it celebrates the simple things in life: Food, friends, and family. A Tuscan kitchen is functional, not fussy, and decorating in this theme is as simple as paint and a few touches.
The walls in a Tuscan kitchen have a unique, old-world look. You can achieve this using a faux painting technique. First, you paint the walls a bright base color such as butterscotch or butter yellow. Then, sponge on a deeper shade so that the walls look as though they have faded in some spots. There are many books and Internet sites that can give you step-by-step directions on this method of applying paint, as well as product suggestions. If you want to go the extra mile, you can texturize your walls using joint compound mixed with paint. “Pouncing” the mixture onto the walls creates a colored, rustic roughness characteristic of an authentic country kitchen in Tuscany.
The next places to paint are cabinet doors. Use a strong, contrasting color to really give your Tuscan county kitchen character. Deep reds and bright forest greens are especially popular on cupboard doors. While you’re out looking for just the right shade of paint, spend some time in the hardware section of your home improvement store. This is where you’ll find the pulls and handles to add the finishing touch to your Tuscan cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Heavy, burnished metal or ceramic knobs will both look great in your kitchen.
Now that you have the background set, it’s time for the focus pieces. A Tuscan country kitchen harkens thoughts of family and friends. A large table with simple chairs is a sure invitation to your own family to spend quality time in the kitchen. Brightly colored seat cushions make the chairs even more inviting, and a wooden bowl of fruit and nuts encourages a long visit.
Browse through kitchen supply stores and you’ll find a dazzling array of decanters for oils and spices. In a Tuscan county kitchen, cooking ingredients are often stored in plain sight. Glass jars filled with dried beans and pasta should line your counters, along with terra cotta planters and cooking utensil holders. Pewter and copper vessels are also a good choice you’re your Tuscan kitchen. If you have the floor space, freestanding metal or wooden racks can be used to hold commonly used pots and pans, as well as sunflower-print table linens. Pots of herbs on a windowsill and trailing houseplants on top of the refrigerator add even more of an Old World feel to your new kitchen look.
Author: Kathy Burns-Millyard
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Bed Decorating Ideas That Will Spice up the Bedroom
Having the right bed decorating ideas can instantly spice up your bedroom. It sound basic, but before I start dishing out some great bed decorating ideas, I want you make sure that you know the basics. The bedroom is one of the most private rooms in your home, so don’t be afraid to have a little fun and let your imagination run.
When you first enter a bedroom, what is the first thing you notice? In most cases, it would be the bed. Typically, the bed has a huge influence on the presentation the bedroom. So if a bed is boring, uneventful and stale, then it would be safe to assume that the room is the same. If a bed is fun, exciting and a pleasure to be in, then most likely the bed the biggest reason why.
There are so many bed decorating ideas available to you the list is endless. Take for example a comforter set. The comforter is the iron horse of bed design and function. Not only can you get a comforter that is comfy and warm you can change up the design and color by merely switching duvet covers.
With just one item you can change the whole feel of an entire bedroom. You can go from modern luxury to rustic simplicity all with the change of a cover. And, in this case you sacrifice nothing because you get comfort and design all in one.
Once you have had your fun with your comforter covers
, the another bed decorating idea would be doing something creative with your pillows. Pillows come in various shapes and sizes, so you have tons of choices to choose from. Picking pillows for your bed can be fun and it can really get the creative juices flowing.
There are pillows and throw sets that go together wonderfully and are often thematic in nature. The possibilities are truly endless with throws and pillows. The only trouble here is making up such an ornate bed in the morning! But, it is worth it when you think about the beauty of a well decorated bed. Your guests will certainly appreciate it.
Possibly the most special part of using bed decorating ideas to spice up a bedroom is the price. Bed decoration is relatively inexpensive compared to, lets say, a total makeover for your bedroom. You can change up your bedroom many times a year or even every week if you want to at very little cost. If you want to change the look of a comforter, just purchase a duvet. If you think you pillows need a little help, get a pillow case. It is very simple and very cheap.
Let your imagination run rampant and start thinking up bed Decorating ideas for your bed. There is no end to the possibilities. If you need additional help, ask your friends and family for suggestions and use combinations of your ideas and others to create something truly unique. Decorating your bed is cheap and can be lots of fun, so get to it and see what you can come up with.
Author: Zachry Nest
Home Decorating | Comment (1)Decorating the Laundry Room – Function Doesn’t Have to Be Boring …
When you think of “laundry room,” a dark, dingy basement may come to mind. Or, a small closet with a washer and dryer hidden next to, or…shudder…IN, the garage. But, these days, laundry rooms are coming out of the closet. They can be decorated, and look just as nice, as the rest of your home.
Of course, you still have to pay attention to the natural function of the room. Hiding the washer and dryer is an option, but how much trouble will it be to get to if it’s draped with fabric or covered by a “counter” that can be lifted off. Personally, I’d rather be able to use them without having to work too hard to get to them.
First, take a good look at the space available. Maybe you do just have a closet. If so, you’re options are limited. If there are no cupboards above the machines, or if the shelves are inadequate, it shouldn’t cost too much to replace them. Choose quality cabinets that look high end…even if they’re not.
If you’re lucky enough to have a real laundry room, you have a host of options. You will need cabinets of some sort to hide detergent, fabric softener and such, but you can also add other, more decorative, items. Even though the cabinets should look good, they should also have enough shelving inside to keep everything organized. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to move a bunch of stuff out of your way to reach the fabric softener.
If there’s room, provide a counter or even a small table for folding your laundry. It’s very inconvenient to have to carry laundry to another room just to fold it.
Paint can give your room a huge boost. I tend to choose more cheery colors such as yellows or a melon color. Laundry room walls don’t “have” to be white! Whatever color you choose, make it one that you can live in harmony with; you’ll be spending a lot of time there.
Choose window coverings that are pretty but make sure they are washable. The natural moistness of the room can cause dampness and dirt to stick to fabrics that remain in the room long term.
Use rugs on the floor. They can not only add bright splashes of color, but can add comfort to an area where you might need to stand for some time. Especially, if you have an ironing area in the room. Bathroom rugs work well because they are meant to absorb water. They are available in a multitude of colors so you’re sure to find something to fit your color scheme. And, while thinking about the floor, carpet just doesn’t work where water is likely to be spilled; tile or vinyl flooring is a much more sensible choice.
Posters and pictures in the room can add whimsy. I’ve seen some very cute posters that would be suitable for a laundry room on eBay. Humorous pictures can give a utilitarian room character. Fun murals painted on a wall can also be a great way to add fun and color to the laundry area.
Make sure your laundry room has plenty of light. Lighting will brighten the space as well as make it easier to see those pesky stains.
There are also some things you must have in a laundry room. A waste basket hampers for sorting laundry, and someplace to hang delicate items. Buy pretty ones! Using colors that are appropriate to your color scheme go a long way to making the room more inviting.
Some homemakers create a kind of “family center” in the laundry area for leaving messages, and sometimes a craft area to keep children’s inevitable messes from the rest of the house. My daughter even has a small television in her basement laundry room so her kids can go watch their favorite shows when mommy has something she’d rather watch in the family room.
Decorating the laundry room is important to anyone who has to spend a lot of time in one…which is the majority of us! Why should the laundry area be dark and grungy…make it a room you want to be in.
Home Decorating | Comment (0)Stumbles for March 1, 2008
Home Decorating Tips Using Mirrors | AfrikBoutik
Uncategorized | Comment (0)Mirrors can significantly enhance the beauty of any room by using their light reflection properties. They can add depth to any closed space like a small room and focus any beautiful object to create a unique aura.
Recharge Your Home With Your Own Decorating Ideas
A tastefully decorated home speaks volumes about your personality. It reflects your aesthetic sense and creative spirit. Decorating a home to match your personal aura may not always be a very expensive proposition. Your ideas and your ability to use small things to decorate your home can even work wonders.
The first point about home decoration begins with adopting a holistic approach. Consider your home in its entirety and not in segments. Whatever theme you choose should preferably be applicable for the entire room. Mixing of themes in one room generally does not go well. If you belong to the classical old school, go for gothic furniture, subtle colors and ornate decor. If you are absolutely modern in style, then you must be looking for new generation furniture in wrought iron or steel, dark and bold shades of color, lots of gadgets and contemporary decor to spruce up your room.
Small things like vases, murals, wall hangings, lamp shades, antique items, pictures, wall papers, mirrors and show items carry lot of importance in giving your home decor the right dimension. Vases with ornate or floral designs have unique appeal. If you have a particular theme for a room, your murals, wall papers, wall hangings and pictures must match that theme. Say, you are doing a room on an African Safari theme. Use Savannah wall papers, African masks, jungle decor, animal pictures and knick knacks, rugs looking like animal skins on the floor and lots of bamboo items here and there to create a lively jungle ambience in your room. Lamp shades always create special effects with their light and shade. If you are having a party, you can switch on to bright lights and twinkling LEDs, but when you are planning to listen to some music in a pensive mood, corner lamp stands with their mystic shades are always the perfect choice.
In order to prevent your home from getting a stale look, you must always change the room decor periodically. Rearranging the furniture, changing the cushion covers, hanging a new set of curtains, bringing in some new plants, changing the showcase artifacts and decor items and laying a new area rug are some good ideas. Removing clutter always creates additional space and breathes life into your home. This must be done regularly. Ideas are all that create the best decorated homes. The best tip in home decorating, therefore, is to continuously refurbish your idea bank and experiment on new things.
Home Decorating | Comment (0)Home Decorating Tips Using Mirrors
Mirrors can significantly enhance the beauty of any room by using their light reflection properties. They can add depth to any closed space like a small room and focus any beautiful object to create a unique aura. Mirrors can illuminate spaces more brightly, and the shine on them can make even ordinary things look exotic.
Here are some good tips on how to best use mirrors to decorate your home:
Large sized, wall-to-wall mirrors can create a special ambience in your room. With ceiling-to-floor spans, you can add depth to your room. If some part of your wall is damaged like scrapping of plaster or fading away of paint due to moisture, instead of repairing it, you can place a big mirror over the damaged area. By intelligently placing a light source in front of the mirror, you can create a brightening effect in the room due to reflection of light from the surface of the mirror.
If there is some special decor item in your room, like an ornate vase, a beautiful wall hanging or some antique piece, you can place a mirror close to it and use the reflection effects to create multiple visuals across the room. The item gets extra prominence and simulates a unique appeal.
If you place a mirror on both sides of the fireplace, the span of the fireplace increases and all the objects around the room get reflected on it creating a very stimulating environment in the room. Since mirror effects are always enhanced by light, placing lights in strategic positions around the mirror can create series of reflections and brilliantly illuminate the room. You have seen how mirrors reflect light in chandeliers to simulate a royal grandeur in your room.
Peer mirrors on windows create additional depth and liven up the atmosphere in the room. You can even place small mirrors on cabinet ceilings, so that you get better visibility of the upper shelves. If you want to create the skylight effect in your living room, you can fix mirrors on the ceiling of your room and enjoy the delightful ambience.
Mirrors come in different sizes and shapes. You can use the traditional rectangular or oval versions and even go for the most modern designer and decorative versions. However, the most important thing about the mirror is the quality of glass. Highly polished and perfectly cut glasses create optimum reflection levels and add unmatched sparkle to any object. You must be sure about the quality of glass in the mirrors that you buy. There is one point of caution about mirrors. Keep children away from mirrors and glass objects, and when you are positioning mirrors in your room, you must keep them away from the reach of small children as far as possible.
If it’s about enhancing the beauty and brilliance of your home by using a natural resource like light, mirrors can be your excellent option.
Home Decorating | Comment (0)
