Getting a new area rug can be exciting and it’s one of the easiest ways that you can dramatically change your room decor. There are several factors that can help guide you in knowing how to choose an area rug that will elevate your decor.
Rugs are commonly used to complement hard floors such as hardwood, laminate, or tile. In some cases, an area rug can even look great on top of carpeting. Despite the many reasons why area rugs are so popular, many people are reluctant about adding one to their floor. They don’t want to cover up their beautiful new flooring.
While hardwood flooring is beautiful, an elegant area rug can make the flooring look even more spectacular just as a room with 4 nicely painted walls looks better when one of them is an accent wall. It’s all about creating balance.
A rug’s aesthetic appeal is perhaps its most obvious benefit. A room’s area rug can not only bring warmth and texture to its interior, but also coordinate which elements in the room are combined together. For example, they can pull together multiple colors that coordinate well in the room.
Nevertheless, area rugs offer many benefits beyond their aesthetic value. Find out how area rugs can actually improve the look of your space if you’re not sure if an area rug is right for it by reading on.
FAQs
How can you tell if an area rug is good quality?
Line count refers to how many knots or stitches are on each square inch. Higher numbers indicate higher quality. There are rugs with over 6,000 knots per square inch, but most are from 200 to 400 knots per square inch.
What is a good quality area rug made of?
Natural fibers like wool or silk are used to create high quality rugs. The advantages of wool rugs include durability, versatility, and naturalness, which make them an excellent investment for those who want to invest in their home decor. High-quality rugs can be expensive, but they are worth the investment.
What makes a rug luxurious?
Most expensive rugs are made from high-quality natural fibers such as wool, silk, or cotton. Conversely, a rug with a moderate price range is usually made from synthetic materials, such as polyester, olefin, or nylon, or even lower-quality wool or other natural fibers such as jute.
What is a good rug thickness?
Under the bed or dressing table, choose a low to medium pile height of ¼” to ½”, or choose a high pile of ½” to ¾” if no furniture will be placed on the rug. In a kitchen, a low to medium pile height of ¼” or less is your best option as it allows for easy cleaning.
What type of rugs are best for the living room?
Best Rugs for Living Rooms. Wool and sisal rugs are ideal for areas where you entertain a lot, such as family rooms and dens, since they are highly durable.
What rug size is best for a living room?
It is recommended that a rug be large enough to at least rest the front legs of your furniture on. Usually a 6’x9′ or 8’x10′ rug is a good size for a medium size living room. For a larger size living area you’ll probably need 9’x12′ or larger.
Choose either a 6’x9′ or 8’x10′ rug if you have a 6-seater dining table. If you have a large dining table that seats 8 to 10 people you should use a 9’x12′ or larger. A rug of 4’x6′ will do if you have dining table with two seats.
Area rugs significantly reduce noise in a room. A carpet not only makes walking on it quieter than walking on hard surfaces, but it also absorbs any sounds in the air.
If your room has a slight echo, it is because hard surfaces do not absorb sound, in fact they make sounds bounce around from surface to surface until it dies out. Carpets and rugs are soft surfaces that absorb sound which makes the room much more pleasing to be in. Test this out yourself by laying down a carpet and see what a difference it makes.
Rugs Provide Comfort
In addition to feeling softer to your touch on your skin, rugs also have a flexible surface that allows it to absorb some of the impact when you walk on it. Walking or standing on carpet provides much more comfort than hard floors. As a result, your body feels less stressed.
Rugs Provide Warmth
Carpet is not only softer than hard surface flooring but it is also warmer. Rugs have a greater insulating value, especially if the rug has a pad under it. The benefits of this apply throughout the home, but are especially important in basements where the floor can get extremely cold.
Even if they don’t know how or why, people intuitively know that an area rug can ground a space. This is due to a number of factors.
An area rug has several benefits, the first of which is that it can visually anchor furniture in a room, thereby creating a cozier, intimate atmosphere.
If there are four main pieces of furniture – sofa, loveseat, chair, and coffee table – all seated on the rug, or at least the front legs of the furniture are all on the rug, a living room or family room rug should be large enough to accommodate all of them.
The furniture can feel like it floats in the room without a rug. Check out this rug size guide below.
Area rugs also provide a resting place for the body and energy, which can make a space feel grounded and comfortable. An area rug slows the flow of energy in a home, especially if you subscribe to feng-shui or similar beliefs, or if you feel it intuitively. Energy moves more quickly over hard surfaces than over soft surfaces.
Spaces can feel somewhat chaotic with fast-flowing energy as there’s nothing to slow it down, so there can be feelings of anxiety or excitability. Rugs help to calm the energy of a space by slowing it down.
A room can be greatly enhanced by area rugs. The rug can either be neutral or made from natural fibers, which will add texture and comfort to a room without becoming the focal point, or you can choose a rug with bold colors or rug patterns if you would like it to be more of a feature in the room.
In the hallways and near the kitchen sink, long narrow runners can look amazing. In addition to adding comfort, they add color and softness to the room, and they are simple to move around the house if you want to switch things up and use them somewhere else.
The main conversation area of the living room looks better with a larger area rug that can tie together all of the main furniture and helps define the space.
It is recommended that a rug be large enough to at least rest the front legs of your furniture on. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to get the right one but area rugs are usually quite easy to return, at least in comparison to wall-to-wall carpeting. Check out this rug size guide below.
Area Rugs can be a tremendous enhancement to any room, not just for aesthetic purposes, although visual appeal and style are the most important considerations. You may end up choosing a rug that you love and one that you can enjoy for many years to come.
You may also enjoy frequent change and area rugs make this an easy thing to do. You can buy a new rug for your living room and try moving your old one to another room or you could easily sell it on Facebook Marketplace or similar.
White living room rug
Sometimes a white living room rug is just the right thing.
What’s the best type of rug to buy?
The factors that you should consider before buying a rug include:
Style
There are 4 primary style categories to choose from here.
Living Rooms: Generally, all furniture that is grouped together should at least have the front legs resting on the rug. If you have a large living room, all the furniture, front legs and back legs should fit on the rug with ample space around not where the legs are near the edge of the rug.
Kitchens and Entryways: Choose a narrow runner or a small piece (such as a 2′ x 3′ or 4-foot by 6′).
Bedrooms: When decorating a room, choose a rug that is large enough to fit under the bed and night stand, as well as extra width on each side. For small rooms, the rug should cover around 13 percent of the base of the bed, or you can use smaller area rugs along the bed’s side.
Dining Rooms: Use the size of the table as a guide. It is recommended that the rug extend at least 24 inches on all four sides to still allow a pushed-back chair to fit on the rug. This applies to rectangle and round rugs.
Outdoor Spaces: You should use a rug that is 12-24 inches shorter than the perimeter of the space outdoors.
High-traffic areas such as the kitchen are best suited to low-pile rugs since they have shorter fibers and loops.
Rugs with a high pile have longer, looser fibers, making them feel more plush and ideal for bedrooms or living rooms.
Materials
A carefully chosen and placed rug can make a huge difference to a room’s decor. But a rug isn’t just a rug; they come in many different materials, each with their plus and minus points.
1) Wool
Wool is perhaps the most traditional and popular rug material, largely because of its flexibility in color and design. With the right color and pattern, it hides dirt and daily wear and tear. Wools also blends with the rest of the room. As another plus point, it’s easy to keep looking great with ordinary household cleaning products. In the long term, wool rugs make a durable and lasting investment. Know that a brand-new rug will usually shed some fibers for the first few months before settling down.
2) Cotton Weave
Cotton represents a step up in durability compared to wool and also offers an appealing softness, which makes it ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms, and other places where bare feet tread. It’s also easy to care for and clean and doesn’t have the allergy issues which some people come across with wool.
3) Jute
Jute is a plant-based alternative to wool. It’s long-lasting, sustainable, and biodegradable so that it’s kind to the environment as well as your home. It’s also often handwoven to increase its eco-friendly standing even more. However, it’s not particularly flexible in terms of looks and color and is most widely available in rustic shades of straw, beige, or cream.
4) Sisal
As another natural fiber, sisal offers many of the environmental benefits of jute. It’s a little more durable, and so an ideal choice for busy areas where it can take the punishment. The price you pay for this toughness is a certain amount of scratchiness which can irritate tender skin. Also, sisal not as easily cleaned as most other materials.
5) Silk
With it’s elegant, lustrous looks and smooth, gentle feel, silk makes a luxury rug for bathrooms and bedrooms. Unfortunately, a pure silk rug isn’t very resistant to wear and tear. For busier areas of your home, a rug made from silk mixed with a tougher material like wool is a better choice.
6) Polyester
As a synthetic, polyester can sometimes feel a little less warm and welcoming than other rug materials. On the plus side, it makes some of the toughest rugs available, yet is still kind to soft skin. This makes it ideal for playrooms, and anywhere else young people are often around.
7) Polypropylene
Extremely durable and also water repellent, polypropylene is a great choice for outdoor rugs, or for high-traffic areas such as entryways. It’s also a cost-effective option, perfect for heavy-duty use rather than fancy decoration.
8) Nylon
Lastly, nylon is highly durable, cost-effective, and available in a huge range of colors and designs. This makes it a great all-rounder, but as it tends to fade and lose its pattern over time, it won’t produce rugs destined to become family heirlooms. All of these materials have their good and bad sides, depending on how you plan to use them. But take a little time to plan before buying, and you’ll have a rug that both looks great and lasts the distance.
Wondering what rug size to buy?
Click on the Rug Placement guide below to enlarge it…
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We featured some of their products in this article and some have affiliate links. We only make recommendations if we think they are excellent products and good value.
Home improvements are always a good idea and it can certainly make your home value increase, regardless of whether you just enjoy it yourselves or have plans to sell it.
With all of us spending more time at home these past 2 years, it’s not surprising that so many took to the already competitive housing market to look for a new place.
Some of us, though, stayed exactly where we were, remodeling instead to make the most of the homes we know and love.
Can home values be increased beyond the standard equity appreciation? Absolutely.
We collected some tips on what home improvements will increase home value.
This will give you more confidence that when you sell, your home will be worth top dollar.
The biggest takeaway is that most buyers want more space because they are spending so much time at home.
The need for home office space is of course one of the main factors driving that desire for a larger home.
Back in November 2021, Zillow published a forecast that predicted home prices in the U.S. would increase by 13.6% in 2022.
Here are some of the projects that real estate experts say will provide the biggest return and tips to help your home sell faster.
1 | Kitchen Renovations
Your kitchen is probably the hub of activity in your home. A beautiful kitchen that is clean, functional and safe can be inspiring. It just makes you feel good to be there.
If you’re not planning a full kitchen remodel, even simple updates like refinishing kitchen cabinets or installing new flooring can dramatically improve the appearance of your home.
However, if you’re planning on upgrading your kitchen, investing in quality countertops, fixtures, and appliances will benefit you when it’s time to sell.
Improve workspace flow by changing the floorplan if necessary. Make task lighting more efficient. Increase storage accessibility.
The cost and inconvenience of a top-to-bottom kitchen remodel may seem daunting, but remember, it is a significant investment in your home.
2 | Bathroom Remodel
Second, only to a kitchen remodel, the bathroom is the best place to fund improvements. Vanity, mirror, toilet, and fixtures can also be updated with smaller updates.
Or, you can remodel the entire space to add more square footage, install a larger bathtub or shower, or build a walk-in closet.
Your sinks and bathtub can be resurfaced without breaking the bank if they are in good structural condition.
If you are remodeling your bathroom, consider smart home features like lighting and showerheads.
3 | Convert space into a home office
The Flexjobs survey found that 58% of respondents would like to be full-time remote employees after the pandemic, and 39% would like a hybrid work environment.
That’s a staggering 97% of workers who are interested in remote work!
A survey conducted by HomeLight in Fall 2021 found that 60% of top real estate agents cited a home office as a top priority for buyers, a bigger increase any other home quality or feature.
The owners of this 3 bedroom condo (pictured above) converted one of the bedrooms into a beautiful home office. They removed the wall to make it feel much bigger. What was once a narrow hallway is now a very beautiful spacious condo. It can easily be converted back if they want to in the future.
According to our survey, buyers care more about the home office than about its move-in condition or square footage. Some buyers prefer to have multiple offices in a home.
Investing in a home office is likely to be a smart move if you are in a market with a substantial number of telecommuters.
Considering that Americans are settling into remote work routines increasingly, data from HomeLight indicates that a home office will make the home value increase more than $10,000.
4 | Replacing windows
Our lives are largely influenced by windows. The windows provide us with views of the outside world and let in light.
The role of windows in architecture is also important because they create a sense of space.
Windows comes with a unique set of problems. It may not be easy to clean them, they may draft, and there is a possibility that bugs or insects may get inside.
Many people choose window replacement for their homes or offices because of this reason.
It’s not just about window dressing when you address your windows. Both potential buyers and appraisers will take notice of them.
Both wood and vinyl have comparable recoup rates, but wood is more expensive and has a lower recoup rate.
Make sure you get answers to all your questions before buying new windows.
If your budget doesn’t allow for window replacement, consider upgrading your window coverings.
5 | Garage Door Appeal
An important decision to make is the replacement of your garage door. Garage doors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and installation costs vary widely.
First of all, you need to decide what type of garage door you want. The features you need and what you are willing to spend will determine this.
A garage door can range from a manual one to one that is fully automatic.
After you have decided which type you want, you can begin looking for rates and reviews on different companies in your area that provides this service.
If you decide to hire installers, you’ll want to make sure they have good reviews and are trustworthy!
A potential buyer pays close attention to curb appeal. Taking the tour is all about that first impression, and the garage door is a key part of that.
Your garage door is a functional unit of your home, but don’t underestimate the value boost depending on the replacement you choose.
From the moment someone drives up to the house, make a striking statement with a striking door and make your home value increase.
6 | Add square footage for a home value increase
The square footage of your home has a big impact on where you can set your asking price.
Adding square footage is another way you can make your home value increase.
Putting an addition on your home is obviously very expensive and takes time. If your addition is spectacular, your home value increase will be much more than the cost of the addition.
If the time it takes to complete and the cost are not prohibitive, this can be a great investment.
Be sure to consult with a real estate agent to make sure you are not going to make the house too expensive for the neighborhood.
If adding square footage by making the house bigger is not an option, consider adding useable living space by building a deck or finishing the basement.
This can also make your home value increase.
7 | Adding a Deck
You can also add value to your home by improving the outdoor space. Homebuyers want to see how the backyard can be used for entertaining.
Patios, decks, and seating areas with paver stones all add value to any space.
Build the deck near a door leading to the outside of the home, such as the kitchen. If you plan on setting up furniture, make sure it’s spacious and built well.
While an addition adds square footage to a home, a conversion simply repurposes the existing space.
A basement conversion can include converting it into a family room, workout room, office, or additional bedroom.
A third garage bay can be transformed into a room as another example.
If you have an awkward area in your house that could be used in a more efficient manner, converting it is an opportunity to make your home value increase.
9 | Improving your landscaping
Taking a look at the existing landscaping is the first step. By doing so, you’ll know what improvements need to be made. In addition to the type of plants in the area, you should consider what type of soil the area has.
A lot of home listings include the phrase “mature landscaping.”. The best type of yard is one that is low maintenance and relaxing.
Adding to the curb appeal, as well as adding to the value, may motivate potential buyers to make an offer.
10 | Replace the roof
Roofs are among the most important parts of any house. In addition to providing shelter from the elements, it guards against rain, snow, wind, and other weather conditions.
This also prevents water leaks and other problems that can hamper a home’s quality of life.
Repairing roof damage or replacing it when necessary is an important project that will be noticed by home buyers.
You’ll give homebuyers peace of mind and make your home value increase so it can be a good investment.
11 |Remove the fear of high maintenance cost
Homebuyers worry about maintenance on big items when buying a home. Replace any major items if they are on the verge of needing replacement.
When you can tell homebuyers that there is a new furnace, new roof or new appliances, their fears of unexpected expense for repair will be alleviated. This will help get you a higher offer on your home.
Be sure to fix anything that is broken or stained. When a house doesn’t appear to be well-maintained, it causes red flags and the buyer will start to look for what else might be wrong.
Make everything as pristine as possible. If the railings on the front porch need paint or the welcome mat looks warn, be sure to address it.
These small things can have a big impact on the overall first impression.
12 | Basements that are finished increase the home value
The cost of buying a house with an unfinished basement is lower, but a finished basement adds instant value.
Additional usable square footage usually comes at a lower cost than an addition. Plus, the buyers can repurpose the space for their purposes.
Home value increase with minor upgrades
Sometimes it’s the small things that can make a big difference. Here are some minor renovations and upgrades you can do to make your home value increase.
13 | Add a Backsplash to your Kitchen
Kitchen backsplashes do not have to be expensive. It is possible to install a backsplash in just one weekend. Ideally, you should install the backsplash tiles on Saturday, grout them, and seal them on Sunday.
14 | Upgrade the lighting in your kitchen
Increasingly, kitchens are being used as multi-purpose rooms. The kitchen island needs to not only accommodate the cook but also provide a workspace for adults and children, a gathering space for dinner parties and for family meals.
Kitchen lighting plays a vital role in setting the mood for these tasks, but a custom solution can be designed to fit your family’s needs while staying within the constraints of the existing wiring.
15 | The benefits of repainting walls
Repainting walls isn’t something many people would like to do because of the hassle. Nevertheless, repainting your walls has many benefits that make it worthwhile.
Adding a new coat of paint can breathe new life into a room. Adding an accent wall can really add a luxurious lift to a room.
With it, you can de-clutter your home by getting rid of old furniture and decorations that don’t suit your style.
Furthermore, it will be easier to clean and maintain, so you won’t have to spend much time or money getting rid of stains.
It’s common for walls to chip over time or you may have crayon marks on them from kids you’d like to remove.
Fill those holes on the walls created by hanging items by painting them. Using neutral colors is recommended when painting rooms.
16 | Install hardwood or laminate flooring instead of carpeting
The cost of hardwood and laminate flooring is comparable to that of luxury carpets, but you don’t need to vacuum as often.
In addition, these flooring types are durable, and stains are less likely to occur. The installation is also quite straightforward.
In some cases you lay laminate or engineered wood flooring over top of existing tile floors. This can save you from the time and mess of removing tiles.
It’s an easy home improvement that will make your home value increase.
17 | Paint or replace kitchen cabinet doors
Remodel The Kitchen
If a full kitchen remodel is not an option, a good alternative is the refinishing or replacement of your kitchen cabinet doors.
New cabinets for a 10×12 foot kitchen will easily cost $5,000 or more. For a fraction of the cost, you can refinish your existing cabinets by adding a fresh coat of paint.
As a matter of fact, you should be able to paint for about $200, plus your time or the cost of a handyman.
Adding safe and smart devices such as security cameras, door locks, thermostats, fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and lighting controls appeals to most home buyers these days.
It doesn’t always increase the home value but it can make your home more appealing to buyers because they know they don’t have to spend money installing these things themselves. For under $1,000, you can make your home just a little more appealing to home buyers.
You might not know everything that is wrong with your home. Hire an inspector to check out the areas of your home that you don’t normally see.
They may discover hidden problems that could negatively impact your home’s value.
Small problems (such as a hidden water leak) can become big, expensive problems quickly; the longer you put off repairs, the more expensive those repairs will be.
Deteriorating roofs, termite infestation or outdated electrical systems — you can’t fix it if you don’t know it’s broken.
20 | Replace old house numbers with modern house numbers
Make the outside of your home look pristine. Don’t put buyers in a mindset of putting in a lower offer or walking away from the deal.
New house numbers can make a big difference too. There are so many beautiful new designs for house numbers that can really add elegance and sophistication to the exterior of your home.
Do everything you can to enhance the curb appeal of your home. Upgrading your house numbers is a very small expense that can help to make a great and important first impression.
21 | Upgrade the fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms
The modern, cohesive look of matching faucets, drawer knobs, and pulls can give a room a high-end feel for an inexpensive price.
If your home has more classic lines, try oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel for a contemporary style.
Black fixtures are very popular in 2022 and they look amazing if they suit the style of the cabinets and furniture.
Growing up, I was surrounded by Mid Century Modern decor and furniture. I didn’t know it at the time of course because the phrase didn’t exist yet, we were living in it. We had a beautiful teak wood coffee table, a teak wood dining set and credenza. The sofa had simple straight lines with loose cushions. Our love seat and chair had classic mid century curvy lines. We had wall-to-wall green carpet. It was definitely considered “modern” in the 1960’s.
I was always drawn to a modern and minimalistic aesthetic and never really though about why. All these years later I have come to realize that modern furniture has not changed all that much. The designs from that era were so brilliant and appealing that they stood the test of time. There have been countless variations of course but at their core is the fundamental design elegance of the Mid Century Modern era.
If you find yourself drawn to Mid Century Modern decor but don’t know where to begin with your room decor project? Here are some Mid Century Modern Living Room Ideas to help you through the process.
History of Mid Century Modern
Whether people are aware of Mid Century Modern Design or not, it has become one of the most popular design styles in homes today. This design style represents art and creativity that were introduced in the middle part of the 20th century and has since become massively popular across the United States and around the world. Because of this, it is now a very popular type of design for those homeowners who want to create an artistic appeal to their homes but do not necessarily want to spend a lot of money doing so. Mid Century Modern design is simplistic and therein lies its beautiful elegance. The aesthetic is incredibly appealing for those who appreciate simplicity at its best.
Beautifully designed things are all around us. When you to stop and take notice of architecture, cars, furniture, decor, clothing or a brochure, it’s fascinating to see the ideas that people are able to come up with. When designers like Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich come up with a chair design like the Bacelona chair that is still widely popular 90 years later, that is truly remarkable.
Mid Century Modern is a style that has been at the forefront of popularity since its inception and deservedly so. It was just called modern at the time and although it has evolved somewhat, the essence of the design is still the same. While there is a love out there for vintage mid century modern furniture, you have to use discretion when decorating with this style in mind.
If you overdo it with vintage furniture, you could end up with your home looking like the set of the Brady Bunch. It could look like the set of Madmen too which would be cooler but be careful what you wish for. A contemporary version of Mid Century modern is likely the most common today. (Note – too far in that direction and it could feel like you’re living in an Ikea showroom).
What is Mid Century Modern Interior Design?
Mid Century Modern, also known as MCM, is an interior design style that emerged in the mid-twentieth century. Some would describe it as minimalistic and the overall look of the room as uncluttered. It mixes highly varied materials, smooth finishes with highly varying textures, and highly stylized patterns with equally varying levels of complexity.
The term “Mid Century Modern” was coined by art historian/writer, Cara Greenberg in her 1983 book Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. The term has since been recognized as a significant design movement by museums and scholars. The biggest difference between mid century modern style and styles born beforehand is the fact that it is not as ornate or as fancy as other types of design. Instead, it is designed with a simpler aesthetic in mind. In essence, the goal is to make the home interior look uncluttered, simple and clean, while still creating beauty and a feeling of depth. However, there is more to mid century modern decor than just a lack of ornate embellishments. The designs tend to focus on using colors and textures that are vibrant and can either stand out or blend seamlessly together. This design style tries to strike a balance between order and chaos, a result of the simplicity that it seeks to achieve. Mid-century design often relies heavily on rounded edges and simple forms. Most Mid-Century Modern Sofas have very simple straight or slightly curved lines with cushions that always look neat. Occasionally you’ll see a sofa with soft comfy/sloppy cushions. These beautiful furniture pieces are simple but elegant at the same time.
This design style communicates its beauty and charm is through the use of colors and textures not only in furniture but walls, flooring, windows, doors and trims. Most of the time, this type of decor is achieved by going with rich neutral tones. Instead of painting one wall a bright red, for example, the entire room will be painted a creamy beige color. In addition, instead of using bold colors, many times mid-century furnishings will choose muted shades such as browns, tans, or greens. These colors can then be paired with bold furniture choices such as dark wood, metal, or even crystal. The most commonly used woods are Walnut, Teak.
Other elements that are used for texturing the room are floral prints, abstract prints, etched glass, and even abstract art. Even tables can be made with interesting textures such as wood with steel frames or soft leather. The focus of this design style is to make the home feel comfortable, inviting, yet unique.
Simple lines are the key ingredient to the sheer elegance of mid-century modern furniture.
Many people think that mid-century modern furniture was designed for the elite, or at least, the people who had the most money. In actuality, the concepts of this design came about after World War II, when manufacturers saw that Americans were moving out their comfortable, homey furniture into the spacious apartments of suburban condos.
They wanted to create affordable furniture that fit this new environment. In the 1950’s through the 1970’s, many popular TV shows featured a family who had a huge, home decorated with mid-century modern furniture but at the time it was just called modern furniture.
Today you have an even better opportunity to select furniture from the mid-century modern era. The advanced manufacturing methods that have been developed have provided us with affordable modern living room furniture with a vast selection of styles for your home. Stores carry a wide variety of interesting pieces for every room in your home, and they have them all in a variety of colors and materials.
Thanks to web technologies, they aren’t burdened with the cost of carrying every variation in their in-store inventory. For instance, you can see the quality and try out the comfort of a sofa when you visit a furniture store, and then order it the fabric you prefer using their online eCommerce store.
Since Mid-century modern decor blends beautifully with most other styles, there are many hybrid styles that have evolved. Yup, mid-century boho is a thing! So is mid-century farmhouse, mid-century coastal, mid-century Danish, and… the list is extensive. There really are endless possibilities. It’s exciting and it can also be overwhelming. Consider the architecture. Is it contemporary, vintage, rustic, coastal, casual, formal? The architecture doesn’t always have a huge effect on the decor but sometimes it does so choose decor that is congruent with the architecture.
DIY Mid Century Modern Living Room Ideas (4 Easy Steps)
If you don’t plan to hire an interior designer and decide to do-it-yourself, here is a simple approach…
Decide on an overall style. Since we are talking about mid-century modern here, let’s go with that. Then decide whether you want your rooms to be formal or relaxed or somewhere in between. Check out Pinterest if you need some inspiration.
Choose key pieces of furniture. Choosing the sofa first can set the tone and helps to make other decisions much easier. If you have your heart set on some accent chairs, a coffee table, or a rug, by all means, start there. The first commitment makes the other choices easier, simply by the process of elimination.
Sketch out a room plan with dimensions showing measurements for fixed elements in the room such as windows, doors, stairs, fireplace etc. Better yet, use a free online room planner.
Once you map out the furniture and other elements in your room, decide on a budget and start shopping.
For those who love vintage furniture, there are vast online resources to help you find that perfect piece. Some are quite expensive and some are not, so it may take some time but if you enjoy doing a little online digging you may find something truly special. Here are links to some online stores with Vintage Mid Century Modern Furniture collections…
Decide on the overall style, get inspiration from Pinterest on online magazines like BHG and Elle Decor. Choose 1 or 2 key pieces of furniture that you love and build around them. Use an online Room Planner. Decide on a budget and go shopping. By selecting pieces that are not only fashionable but also functional, you will be able to find a perfect furnishing design that can last throughout your lifetime. Hopefully you found some useful information that will help you with your own Mid Century Modern Living Room Ideas. Check out our recent article about Mid Century Modern Dresser – New & Vintage.
Get Inspired With These Trending Coastal Kitchen Design Ideas
When we think about the beach we conjure up feelings of calm and tranquility. It’s a wonderful place where we go to feel relaxed. Bringing that feeling into your kitchen is the goal when you want to design a Coastal Kitchen.
How do you make a Kitchen Look and Feel Coastal?
The coastal kitchen vibe all starts with the color palette. The natural colors of the beach can all work beautifully in coastal kitchens.
Think about the colors of the sand, clouds, sea shells, greenery and of course the water with its’ rich palette of blues and greens.
Coastal kitchens also feature natural light. Big windows with a beautiful ocean view are ideal of course but you can still achieve a great coastal kitchen feel without the ocean view.
The color scheme usually has bright tones such as shades of white or seashells as a base accented with blues or greens.
Think of creative ways to bring in blue or green accents in to the kitchen. You can use a lot or little. For instance, the backsplash can have subtle blues or make the backsplash really strong blue hues. It’s up to you.
Another popular way is to use blue for the base of the kitchen island when all the other cabinets are white.
Coastal Decor Ideas
You can bring some natural beach elements in like driftwood and rattan and wicker to give the kitchen a coastal feel. Think wood or wicker pendant lights when you’re exploring coastal decor ideas.
You can also bring in the blues and greens with textiles on your chairs or bar stools.
Feature blue in the floor tiles or an open-plan layout with large windows with soft curtains that have subtle blue tones can make your kitchen feel like it has a coastal vibe.
The point is that there are many ways to make the kitchen have a beachy, coastal feel without the need to hang anchors and ropes.
We love the subtle elegance of this kitchen. The cabinets have simple shaker style doors but check out the seafoam green range hood and the copper handles. A white stove has never looked so good. The natural wood shelves and subtle but textured backsplash help to bring it all together to make the stove and range hood the stand-out focal point.
An exquisite coastal kitchen featuring white cabinets and gold accents with a seafoam green island, clear hanging pendants and nautical themed stools stands out as a truly unique kitchen.
In this coastal setting, various elements such as a black and white eat-in bar, a turquoise preparation island, traditional white cabinets, glass modern backsplash, and industrial chandeliers are harmoniously combined to create a very beach-like atmosphere.
The farmhouse sink, beadboard paneling, stunning hardware on the cabinets and stove, grey blue counter that compliments the cupboards below, and light cabinets all contribute to this appealing design.
Upscale contemporary cottage vibe is what comes to mind here. The bead-board on the island and ceiling are a unique and give the kitchen a cozy charm. Love the warm color of the cabinets.
A fabulous range hood in black and gold is an unexpected feature and rocks this beachy vibe kitchen. So many cool textures on display from wood shelves, a concrete sink, bronze hardware and a funky backsplash, gives this look an A-Plus!
Here’s the best of modern beachy! A beautiful white room, coupled with natural light and tastefully placed accent lights, gives this space an airy feel. Along with two display units one in crisp white and the other in a calm blue with gorgeous accents placed just right makes this look an absolute winner.
What a standout kitchen! Featuring light blues and whites, this kitchen is peaceful and calming. Stunning rattan bar stools and pendant lighting that draws the outdoors indoors combine to create a very pleasant atmosphere. Family and friends will feel right at home here!
It’s all about comfort here! A relaxing kitchen to come home and relax in after a long day at work. I love the combination of textures here. There’s nothing like a stunning backsplash over the stove to give this coastal gem some drama. Stylish rattans in different colors paired with crisp white cabinets help make this kitchen a top contender.
This kitchen is amazing. I love the elegance it exudes. With calming blues, just the right glass pendants shining down over that impressive island, this modern traditional look scores high in my book. How beautiful is that floor? Brings all the elements together so beautifully.
Easy, Simple, and Comfortable! Light wood backsplash along with crisp white subway tiles and light floors, metal half moon pull handles, black industrial counter height chairs and beautiful white cabinets all combined and voilà coastal farmhouse chic.
It doesn’t get any better than this! An outdoor kitchen with an incredible view. An industrial countertop that will withstand the elements for years to come. Here, the colors chosen are a lovely addition to the surrounding environment. A modern oasis in paradise!
Talk about an open modern concept! Placing the gorgeous island on an angle gives this an edgy cool feel. This extra large space is decked out with a stylish mix of metal fixtures, crisp white countertops and cupboards, and stunning laminate flooring. This seems to be the kind of kitchen in which a professional chef would be at home.
This classy beachy look is a dream come true. Combining cool white cupboards with a dark colored island, & incorporating rattan oversized pendant lights makes a beautiful well balanced look. Not to mention all that natural sunlight lighting up the room how inviting is this?
Double stoves!!! A must-have for the passionate cook! Surrounded by gorgeous white carpentry and a beautiful backsplash this gem has a beautiful beachy feel. This space is delightfully bright and airy, perfect for wonderful savoury meals!
The Trending Style of Coastal Kitchens
The trend of coastal kitchens is not new at all. People have been doing this for years and it still continues. Coastal cooking has become a popular trend in the last decade and we can see why – people love the look, feel, and convenience that these kitchens offer to their home.
In recent years, many people have been utilizing the style in their own homes whether they live on the coast or not.
Stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, open shelving are common elements of coastal kitchen spaces giving a modern twist on this classic style.
Many homeowners are opting for a kitchen island with a different color than the kitchen cabinets on the walls because it creates an inviting atmosphere and makes a more visually interesting kitchen space.
We collected some beautiful images of coastal kitchens to help you get inspired by the different coastal styles you can use for your home.
They range from Boho Chic to Elegant Modern. Check out these fabulous coastal kitchen designs for some real inspiration.
The key to a coastal look and feel is the color palette. Soft, muted colors with an emphasis on blues and greens are perfect for giving any kitchen a coastal feeling.
Need a Kitchen Remodel Quote in South Florida? Checkout our friends at ValuReno. They do great work and prices are very fair.
Wallpaper with geometric patterns will add visual interest, texture and depth to a room, as well as hide imperfections you may have.
There has always been a vast choice of styles and colors but with the latest technologies and creative minds there are choices that can add wow factor like never before, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.
The right modern wallpaper accent wall can instantly make your home look more luxurious and elegant. Think about giving it a try?
We gathered some magnificent accent wall ideas to give you some inspiration.
Let’s look at some modern wallpaper accent wall ideas that will add some luxury style to your rooms!
Add a luxurious accent wall with wallpaper panels on a single wall
Many years ago, it was common to see all 4 walls of a room covered in wallpaper. In most cases, it’s just too much. This method of decorating gave wallpaper a bad wrap.
Wallpaper became a no-no because it usually the room feel smaller and in many cases just tacky.
The decision to choose what color your wallpaper design will be can contribute to a sense of luxury and calm, no matter the style.
Light wallpapers such as off-white, creamy white or beige can allow natural light to reflect and create a more natural feel. For a more dramatic effect, these lighter shades should be paired with dark contrasting colors.
Bathrooms tend to be the one place where you can’t escape from the outside world.
That’s why some people go as far as to install specially designed wallpaper on their bathroom walls.
They might not seem like they need any more luxury, but it can still help make your bathroom feel like a little haven.
A room with a calming atmosphere has the ability to relax and unwind people.
By choosing wallpaper with textures such as sandstone, pebbles, marbles or terrazzo and adding a pop of colour with bright florals, it can create a space that is inviting and soothing.
You can even decide to go for a scenery style – imagine the feeling of a shower where you seem to be under a waterfall, deeply infused in nature.
The ceiling is a hidden space that often goes overlooked. But when you really think about it, it’s a blank space just waiting to be transformed into something beautiful.
Ceilings have the potential to add much-needed height, especially in small living spaces or bathrooms.
They can add much-needed privacy when placed over a bedroom or office desk.
How to Pick the Perfect Wallpaper Designs For Your Home
Adding pattern, color, and texture to walls can change the look and feel of a room in a way that paint simply can’t.
The size of the room is not a constraint either; wallpaper ideas do not have to be restricted to large rooms.
A little bit of wallpaper can make a big difference in a small space.
In spite of the fact that papering can look amazing, it can be expensive so you want to make sure you get it right.
The best advice is to try a sample before you commit!
Everybody tries paint samples before they paint their walls but many people don’t apply the same logic to purchasing wallpaper.
Before buying several rolls of wallpaper, it’s a good idea to source out some samples.
Wallpaper samples should be viewed in natural light, to get a sense of the texture and colour of the wallpaper.
Almost all good retailers offer samples of their wallpaper.
You can plan your coordinating paint colors better when you have a sample.
Patterned wallpaper is not the only option
It is not necessary for wallpaper to be heavily patterned in order to be effective.
Adding colour and texture to any room is as simple as buying a plain, pretty wallpaper.
Subtle wallpaper can be a great alternative to paint to break up the monotony of 4 painted walls.
When it comes to small spaces, a common misconception is that colour and pattern should always be avoided.
When done correctly, however, this is not always the case.
There are some bold patterns that will look amazing in larger rooms like living rooms, but they can be overwhelming in a small bathroom. In this case try to choose wallpaper with smaller scale patterns.
Another way to avoid the wallpaper pattern becoming overbearing in a small room is to panel the lower part of the room and add wallpaper to the upper portion of the walls.
Since we are talking about accent wall ideas, you could consider using a big bold pattern on just one wall of your small bathroom. That can be spectacular.
Choose the right wallpaper for humid areas
We often fear wallpaper will not be suitable for environments with high humidity, including kitchens and bathrooms.
You just need to choose a wallpaper designed for damp and steamy environments.
If you want a wallpaper that will last in humid areas, search for vinyl finishes and wipe-clean surfaces.
To wallpaper a bathroom or kitchen is typically a much less expensive alternative to tiling.
Wallpaper is a design element that is often overlooked by many homeowners.
But, it is one of the best accent wall ideas and it can make a huge difference by adding a unique and luxurious touch to your home.
Some people take wallpaper off the list of considerations because the very idea of installing the wallpaper is just too intimidating.
There are many wallpapers that are easy to install and don’t require pattern matching but if want nothing to do with it, a handyman can save you from this burden for a nominal fee.
Whatever you choose to do, there are plenty of accent wall ideas available to help you create the perfect look for your space can give your home an easy luxurious upgrade.
10 Online Stores That Sell Remarkable Wallpaper
Interested in the latest trends in the design world? Check out these 10 sources that sell remarkable wallpaper panels.
We all love a beautiful bathroom and remodeling has been on the rise as people spend more time at home so new luxury bathroom ideas are exploding lately.
A luxury bathroom remodel adds comfort, as sense of pride and it adds equity to your home. A well-appointed home with luxury fixtures commands a higher price out there and makes for a desirable amenity for any homeowner, whether the intention is to sell or remain in the house.
Bathroom designers and product manufacturers have studied design extensively and have honed their designs through years of experience and can offer you some great ideas and many customizations that would make you fall in love all over again.
Open space is a key factor in the making a room feel luxurious. While that is true, you can make almost any size of bathroom luxurious. You just need to choose the right combination of fixtures and decor elements and bathroom luxuries.
The worst thing you can do is make the bathroom look cramped. That is the opposite of luxurious. The two big questions in determining where your bathroom remodel will go are: How much room do you have? And, how much money do you want to spend?
Planning A Remodel For Luxurious Bathrooms
Most homeowners spend between $6K and $16K on bathroom remodels with an average cost being around $10K. A small or medium-sized bathroom can be updated for as little as $3,500 to $7,000. You can expect to pay $25k or more for a very large or grand bathroom.
Does your bathroom have enough space for both a shower and a bathtub? Even if it does have the room, you may not want a tub. If you don’t have ample space for both, don’t force it or it will look cramped. Visit sites like Pinterest and Instagram and search for Luxury Bathrooms to get some inspiration. See what features really appeal to you and imagine how they might fit into your space. You’ll eventually narrow down the possibilities to help you decide the direction that you want to take.
Luxurious Bathroom Ideas
Even when you don’t have a lot of space, you can give your bathroom a luxurious feel with elegant bathroom fixtures like a vessel sink or installing quartz on the walls and floors a seen in these photos below…
Bathroom remodeling generally focuses around the main features that you want to have such as walk-in showers, frameless glass enclosed showers, spa tubs, vanities, and new countertops and of course flooring. Walk-in showers are those that are custom-made for a sliding door and have a front or back door that opens onto a bathtub or shower/toilet area.
Frameless Glass Showers
Showers enclosed with frameless glass are extremely popular. It’s a very chic and modern look that always looks amazing. Showers with floor to ceiling glass that are partially open with no shower doors has also become a popular option.
Soothing & Elegant Bathroom Lighting
Elegant lighting is usually achieved with a combination of pot lights and a fixture to create a relaxing and soothing experience even more invigorating. Lighting is a very important element in creating the right mood in every room and it can be quite dramatic in a bathroom as well. Interesting lighting in the shower and around the vanity can really add some wow factor.
Built-in vanities are still a good choice in some cases but more and more, people opt for the airy feeling that a free-standing vanity brings to a luxurious bathroom. Vanities can include vessel sinks, stone countertops, cabinets, drawers and shelves. They can also be customized according to one’s preference.
Mirrors with built-in LED lighting have become very popular. They add a simple and subtle touch of elegance.
A vertical spa is another luxury shower fixture that you can integrate into your bathroom design. You can choose from a standard vertical spa that features two individual jets, a rain shower feature, or a combination of the two to produce a high-quality, luxurious showering experience. The addition of a luxury shower with a vertical spa can offer an effective way to soften and relax the body, as well as the entire physique.
A rain shower head is a popular addition to a luxury bathroom remodeling project. You can install these panels over your bathtub or shower, which will create a private, relaxing area for rejuvenation.
If you have the room for a tub you may opt for a free-standing claw-foot tub or a pedestal tub which both look very chic.
Another option to consider when you’re considering different luxury bathroom ideas is the installation of a spa bath. These tubs are becoming more popular with homeowners who want to create a luxurious spa experience in their own home.
There are many older bathrooms that are only the width of the bathtub and they look tired and dated. Take inspiration this very chic bathroom in the photo above. Simple stonework surrounds tub, add modern black fixtures and a minimalistic fixed glass panel make this small bathroom luxurious!
You’ll also want to pay close attention to the lighting over your luxury bath. The lighting will be important in creating the right ambiance in your bathroom. Dimmable LED pot lights are the most popular choice these days. A beautiful crystal chandelier can also look incredible and very luxurious.
It’s all up to you to set the mood you want in your bathroom.
You would need some serious skills to pull off a DIY luxury bathroom remodel. If you are not up for doing it all the tasks yourself, just hire help for the things you don’t want to tackle.
Many homeowners who want to limit the expenses will do tasks like the initial design concepts and demolition at the beginning of the project and then painting and decorating at the end. Don’t attempt things like plumbing, tiling and electrical work unless you really know what you are doing.
There are of course numerous sites to find an buy things like bathroom vanities at Wayfair as well as Home Depot for any of the other bathroom luxuries, fixtures and bathroom flooring that you need.
Replacing your old front door a new door is a great way to add curb appeal to any home.
While there are many benefits to having a new front door, the main benefit comes from the appearance. A brand new front door is much more appealing than an old and weathered one, and it can help increase your home’s resale value.
Just like in fashion, when it comes to house design and style, trends come in and out of popularity. The same can be said for homes themselves – what was popular decades ago may not be popular today. With that being the case, updating your home’s exterior with a brand new front door may be just what you need do to get that curb appeal back!
The challenges of decorating a small or narrow townhouse can be quite difficult because of the limited space and lack of storage areas. However, with some careful planning, you can give your modern townhouse design a luxurious look.
Modern townhouse designs can also be limited on space, so here are 7 ideas that will maximize and rejuvenate each room. Our modern townhouse decorating ideas will help you decorate your townhouse and add a luxury feel to your home.
7 Space-saving, townhouse decorating ideas to transform your townhouse with some luxe
The first thing you should do when decorating your townhouse is to find out what the layout is like. If you have a narrow living room, then it would be best to put furniture against one wall so that the other side of the room is free for walking around.
This way, you will have more room to move around and will also be able to arrange furniture in a way that maximizes the space available for seating arrangements.
If you like to have guests stay overnight, a sofa bed pro is a great idea. Sofa beds can turn any room into a comfortable place to relax during the day and serve as a comfortable place to sleep at night for your family or guests. Various mattress options are available to ensure maximum comfort.
To decorate, consider adding above sofa decor such as a photo gallery wall, beautiful prints or even an abstract metal sculpture for the wall above the sofa.
Coffee tables play an important role in setting the tone of your living room. A lift-top coffee table will give you the possibility of doing just about anything you want. Are you looking for the perfect workspace? Would you like to enjoy watching TV while eating? Would you like to fold clothes easily? A lift-top surface makes it possible to do it all thanks to an adjustable height that is suited for you.
A desk can lead to your inspiration spot if your townhouse design lacks a dedicated office. Take into account the interior design style of your room when choosing a desk style so it looks consistent and cohesive with everything else in the room. For your seat, a stylish chair will perfectly blend in with your surroundings.
4. Install additional storage
There is no denying that storage is essential for any house, regardless of how big or small it is. Storage beds are the perfect solution for small townhouses that lack closet space and bedroom areas that do not have space for dressers or chests. Sheets, shoes, and extra clothing can be stored in drawers built into the frame.
The round dining table will create a more intimate setting in your townhouse than a square or rectangle table. As well as saving space, there are no sharp corners, which makes the design a perfect family-friendly one. It will be particularly fun to gather around the dining room table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, especially if your chair is comfy, light, and airy.
The kitchens of townhouses are traditionally on the smaller side, so when you do miss out on counter and storage space, a kitchen island adds the extra space you need. Additionally, they provide a place for utensils and essentials as well as a space to prepare meals. Everything that you may need is easily accessible with the addition of more drawers and shelves.
With a modern townhouse, and considering the fact that there are usually a lot of stairs, you don’t want to be running up and down as you need your keys or cell phone.
You need a place where you can drop off and pick up all of the essentials you cannot leave your home without. It may be easier to place your essential items on a bench or table at your landing where they can be seen clearly.
The oldest trick you can use is the installation of mirrors. Mirrors give an illusion of a larger place. It will make your room brighter and airy. It adds personality to your townhouse without occupying too much space. You can use a windowsill for décor, or extra storage. It gives extra lighting to your house.
A modern townhouse has a distinctive appearance from the outside, and the same applies inside. They offer high potential for contemporary style, thanks to their taller, narrower interiors and higher ceilings.
No matter how you spice it up, whether you use light, bright, trendy-colored rugs, sweeping, sheer drapes, or sleek, geometric sofas and accent chairs, just remember to let your personality shine through with color and design.
Modern townhouse designs have a timeless aesthetic and can be incorporated into any era and for years to come; buy pieces in these styles to create unique and comfortable living spaces you’ll love.
We hope these decorating ideas for a townhouse will help you make your modern townhouse design even more comfortable and beautiful.
If you’re bedroom is looking dull and tired, it might be time to fix that. We have gathered some easy bedroom makeover ideas to help you transform your boring room into a stylish one.
A lot of people don’t understand how important it is to have a bedroom that reflects their personality. They think that it’s just a place to sleep and store their clothes. But, in reality, the bedroom is often the most personal space in the house. It’s where you spend your free time and relax after a long day at work or school.
Bedroom Makeover Ideas to transform a dull room.
We gathered some bedroom makeover ideas to help you transform a boring room into a beautiful room with personality and interest that reflects your personal style. We’ll explore the most common mistakes people make when decorating their rooms and how you can avoid them.
1. It’s Important to decorate your room in a way that reflects your personality.
A room can be a reflection of your personality. It can show your taste, style and preferences. Decorating a room with items you like is not only about how it looks but also about how it makes you feel. Try adding some artwork or photos that have some meaning to you.
Decorating a room that reflects your personality is important because it makes the room more personal and comfortable for you to be in. You want to feel at home when you are in the room, not out of place or uncomfortable, so decorating it with things that make you happy will help with that.
2. Adding a Wow Factor, Just One Focal Point Please
Do people say wow when they walk into your room? No? Then try to create a wow factor.
It starts with a single focal point. If everything stands out, then nothing stands out.
When you have too many things fighting for visual attention, a room can look chaotic because your eyes don’t know where to focus.
This is why it is important to create balance and add a main focal point in a room.
When one area is the focus, other things must take a back seat and there’s a sense of balance. Then the room feels good and it might make you say “wow, this is nice”.
Continue reading to find out how you might create that focal point and balance in your bedroom makeover.
When decorating a room, it is always best to use furniture that complements the other pieces in the room. This is because it provides a sense of balance and unity in the space.
It is easy to buy furniture sets because it’s predictable. Some people like it that way and some find it boring.
Matching furniture can make the space look too dull and not interesting enough if it’s overdone. If that’s the case, try adding non-matching pieces like an accent chair in order to create a more eclectic look.
Don’t settle for mundane furniture. Invest in stylish furniture and accessories to make your boring room more interesting.
Consider mixing up your current furniture sets by taking items from one room and adding them to pieces from another.
The other option is to modify them in some way, such as reupholstering a few pieces or painting them.
Try swapping furniture or accessory pieces with your friends.
Combine old and new items, formal and informal, antique and vintage items to create a unique room.
Do not be limited to one particular style of decor – mix and match your style with things you love. Take it easy though. Combining too many styles can make a room look chaotic.
Bring some vivid color into your home instead of dull beige.
Avoid choosing colors that are currently trending since anything in style will soon become out of date.
Choosing a color or colors that you love is a great way to get started. Have fun with it!
If you find it difficult to choose a color scheme, a good approach is to stick with light and neutral colors for the walls and bring color into the room with other elements like cushions, rugs, furniture artwork etc. These things are easier to change than repainting the walls. Here’s another article about choosing colors for a bedroom.
A contrasting color for an accent wall could be the solution you’re looking for.
You don’t need to be afraid of mixing and matching patterns to create a unique look that reflects your taste. Mixing animal prints can work in moderation.
Mixing patterns is best achieved by combining at least one larger scale, one medium scale, and one small scale in similar colors.
7. Add a Variety of Textures
Is everything in your room of the same texture? You may want to consider adding items of contrasting texture.
Among the items you should add are rough and smooth items, as well as shiny and dull items.
Burlap, velvet, mirror, and crystal are all great materials to work with.
8. Bring Some Nature In
Nature brings a room to life with its natural beauty.
Adding a plant, some fresh flowers, or a bowl of fruit can revive an otherwise boring room.
A room must have an element that is living, or mimics something living (faux plants)
9. Architectural Enhancements
Make your room more architecturally interesting if it lacks detail.
You can make changes that reveal your personality and design style by adding intricate crown molding, unique flooring, cool light fixtures, or unique floor tiles.
When a room feels claustrophobic and heavy, clutter can add unnecessary stress to your life. Make sure your room is clutter-free before you start decorating
Clutter is incompatible with good design
Getting rid of stuff is the easiest way to get organized – donate, repurpose, recycle, or trash
If you bought these items several years ago, don’t get stuck on how much you paid because their value several years ago was probably much higher than their value today
Anything that does not tend to get put away must find a permanent home
A system for storing mail, keys, cell phones, purses, backpacks, and other everyday items should be implemented
Decorative baskets, furniture with built-in storage, wall hooks, decorative trays, or just cleaning out existing spaces provide more space for storage
You should avoid current trends in accessories, artwork, furniture, and other materials. We’ve all seen them. We’re all tired of them. Eventually, they will make your home appear dated.
Consider creating your own trend with unique or vintage items instead of mass produced ones.
Flea markets, garage sales and online auctions are great places to find truly unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Even an older item or mass produced item can be customized to become unique and special by adding something to it or removing something from it.
Try painting, adding new knobs, shortening legs, removing fringe, and changing the frame to give the piece a new identity.
as mentioned earlier, the focal point of a room is the eye-catching item that will draw the attention of people in the room. A focal point can be something like a painting, a piece of furniture, or even an architectural design detail. A focal point provides balance and harmony to a space and helps unify it.
15. How To Make Your Room Look Bigger Than It Actually Is
Source: Pinterest
There are a few effective ways to make your room look bigger than it actually is. The room above is a small room but the wall art has a grandness that draws your attention to the walls, away for the floor space.
You want to use lighter colors on your walls and furniture for a more open feel, strategically use mirrors to make the room feel larger, and avoid heavy drapes or furniture which can make the space feel even smaller.
Empty space is a luxury and a it’s what makes a room luxurious. Make sure your furniture is not oversized and crowding the room. Arrange the pieces in a way that maximizes empty space.
Adding beautiful curtains to your home can be a great way to invigorate the decor and create a more intimate atmosphere.
There are many different types of curtain fabrics that you can choose from. You may want to think about what you need them for and what they will be used for before deciding on the type of fabric that would work best for you.
For example, if you want them for decoration then silk or linen may be good options but if they will be used for privacy then choose a heavier cotton that is more opaque. Choose colors or patterns that feel good to you.
Some people love vivid color while other prefer soft muted tones. This is an important choice because it can have a big effect on the room if the colors are strong and vibrant or a subtle effect if the colors are muted. This is where your personality comes into play.
17. Use Wallpaper To Make Your Room Look Exciting
Source: Pinterest
Wallpaper is a great way to add some color and personality to your room. You can choose from a wide selection of colors, patterns, and textures when you go shopping for wallpaper. When you hang it up on the walls, it will instantly make your room look more exciting.
18. Choose Decorative Cushions
Source: Pinterest
Cushions are a great way to spruce up your room decor. They can be used as decoration, as well as for comfort. There are many different styles and patterns of cushions available in the market today.
There are a few things that you should keep in mind while purchasing a cushion:
Choose the size that will suit your needs – square, rectangle or round
Consider the material of the cushion – cotton, linen or silk
Check out different stores for their range of products and prices.
19. Add Personality With an Art or Photo Gallery Wall
Adding art and photos will give your space a sense of personality and make it feel like it belongs to you.
The gallery wall is a popular design choice for many homes. It’s an easy way to personalize your space and make it feel unique. Read this tutorial on how to make a photo gallery wall.
How to Add Personality to a Boring Room
Many homes are decorated in a very predictable and boring manner with no reflection of the personalities of the people who live there.
We hope these bedroom makeover ideas will inspire you to make your bedroom look more like you want it to be and less like a generic hotel room. Add some of your personality and decorate a room you love to be in!
Having a small room can be a struggle when it comes to making it functional as well as a stylish space to enjoy. Some of you may use these tiny spaces as extra storage areas whilst others literally have to make do with these rooms as the main areas of their house such as their living room or bathroom! Whatever reason you want to learn how to decorate a small room, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we will go over the wall colours you should use, how to be clever with storage, use wall art to trick the mind and make the most of the natural light you have available to you. Ready to battle that tiny room?
Here we go with some inspiration to decorate a small room…
Think carefully about wall colour
It might seem obvious, but the colour you choose to paint the walls in can make all the difference when decorating a tiny room. If we were to recommend the traditional choices, we would recommend lighter, neutral shades such as pastel grey, off-white and beige. These tones reflect the natural light and create the illusion of more space in the room.
However, if you want to live boldly, dark tones can make a small space appear larger as long as there is enough natural light in the room. Dark navy blue and even black interiors are huge in the world of interior design. So why not be hot on-trend by going dark instead of light?
Be tactful with storage
When you decorate a small room, it’s important to be clever with storage. This will optimise your floor space and create a decluttered, stress free zone. Not only this, but it will look more aesthetically pleasing and leave more room for style!
A stylish way to create storage is to install shelving above door frames. This is a spot which is always left ignored but it’s a fantastic place to put in more storage opportunities! Keep books or treasured ornaments up here! Or how about shelving wrapping around your entire kitchen to store herbs, spices, oils and more?
If there is space beneath your couch or bed in your small room, opt for lidded storage with wheels. The wheels will make it easy to access these boxes and the lids will ensure nothing inside gets dusty over time!
Is it your child’s bedroom that is very small? How about opting for a toy hammock to hang from the ceiling? These are great for storing plush toys inside! And we all know how many toys they can collect over time!
Another great storage solution is a storage bench. Great for extra seating, used as a make-shift coffee table or for placing at the bottom of your bed, storage benches can be used in a wide selection of spaces. Store towels, bedding, toys and more inside!
Use wall art to make the room look bigger
If you want to create a bold decoration feature, then choose huge wall art in your small room. Creating a jaw-dropping feature wall will add focus to the space and distract the eye from the small size of the room!
When it comes to custom-made wallpaper murals, the possibilities are endless! Why not create a nature scene in your baby’s small nursery by choosing a zen birch forest wallpaper?
Or how about a football stadium mural for your football-mad child’s bedroom? Or why not get in touch with your artistic side by embracing a Van Gogh painting wallpaper in your classic living room?
To create a peaceful ambiance in your bedroom, why not have a beautiful sky wallpaper on the ceiling to create the illusion that your ceiling is much higher than it really is? Or simply place it behind the bed to act as an extension of the headboard.
Decorate a small room with the right sized furniture
This may seem like a simple answer for decorating a small space, but it sometimes gets ignored when you like a piece of furniture despite how it is way too big for your small room!
So when choosing furniture for your tiny space, you need to go with your head rather than your heart. This is because large furniture will only cramp up your space.
Try to find smaller versions of the items you love. Instead of a three piece sofa, go for a two seater. Choose a narrow console table instead of a chunky oak cabinet. If you love a huge TV, don’t place it on a TV stand but install it onto the wall to save space.
The only piece of decor that we would say go bigger with rather than smaller is a rug! Larger rugs can actually make a room appear larger whereas a tiny one can shrink a space.
Choose a rug underneath a bed and make sure it is bigger than the bed itself. The same goes for a couch and coffee table set up. Make sure the rug acts as an island for your furniture to sit on rather than just be a little accessory.
We hope this provides you with some inspiration to decorate a small room in your home.
It was not that long ago, relative to human existence LOL, that we would watch TV shows like the Jetsons and Star Trek that featured futuristic smarthome gadgets and innovations that we only wished we could have.
They had all these cool things that were just dreamed up by writers at that time and what incredible visions they had.
One cool gadget after another would suddenly appear and we were in awe. They had things we still can’t make and they sure had a hand in shaping our future.
The futuristic Jetsons cartoon from 1963 was full of labor-saving home automation devices that just grabbed our imaginations and took us for a ride.
They had spectacular gadgets like a robot vacuum cleaner, smartwatches, video calls, drones and flat-screen TVs.
Can you remember wishing that you had some of those gadgets? Maybe you were a Jetson wannabe.
The gadgets were pure fantasy but we all felt like it was all possible and maybe someday it will happen.
So, the future is here and below are some of the ways you can take advantage of the most advanced home automation innovations today to make your new home a smart home.
1. The Smart Hub
If you have a large luxury home, you will probably get a company to install an integrated system for you.
Some of the popular platforms they use are Crestron, Savant and Control4. These are complex that require professional installation.
To install a system yourself, there are many smart hubs available and the list will keep growing but for the sake of this article, we will stick to the 4 most popular Amazon Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant.
There are some excellent smarthome devices listed below here but the first thing you probably need to do is choose a platform hub for all your smart devices.
If all you want to do is have smart lights then you don’t need a hub. If you want to do things like have a smart lock, and turn on the lights whenever the lock opens at night, then you will need a smart hub.
A smart hub is also referred to as a personal assistant and one of the main advantages of having one of these is that you don’t have to carry your smartphone around all the time.
You can just activate commands using your voice. “Dim the lights please.” Please is optional.
Do You Need a Wall-mounted Controller for a Smart home?
Your home automation setup can be controlled from your computer, smartphone or tablet. A wall mounted a controller is not required but it is nice to have one in a fixed position. Imagine that someone is at your door and you want to see who it is but you left your smartphone upstairs. It’s nice you know you can go to your wall-mounted controller. You can install several of these in your home if needed.
The Brilliant SmartHome Control is one of the best. Just replace a light switch with the Brilliant controller. It has beautiful touchscreen panels and built-in Alexa making it easy for everyone at home to control all the connected devices, lighting, thermostats, cameras, intercom and more. It is compatible almost any smarthome device.
You don’t even need to walk to the front door to see who is ringing the doorbell anymore.
The newest smart doorbells offer tons of cool features that lets you monitor and even converse with whoever is at your door without even being at home.
They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, assuming your home has already been hardwired to accommodate one.
Once it is installed, you will wonder how you ever lived without a smart doorbell, as they are wifi enabled and connected to other smart systems throughout your home.
Adding a smart lock to your front door will increase security. Smart locks are typically keyless and touch-activated.
You can lock and unlock your door from your phone, in addition to basic features like automatic locking – a great feature if you’re the kind of person who often loses their keys or can’t remember to give a spare set to your dog walker.
Passcodes can even be created separately for each person who needs access to your home. The smart doorbell is the perfect solution for an added layer of security and ingenuity at your front door.
The ROOK™ 5-in-1 Smart Lock (picture above) has several valuable features including Custom Auto Lock Timer, Unlock with Smartphone, Fingerprint Scanner, Touchscreen Digital Keypad, Key Cards (included), or Keys (included).
It also has Low Battery Status Alerts and a Backup Power Plug.
Cameras are one of the most innovative home technologies today, primarily because they increase house security.
Although cameras are often used solely to record what takes place outside a home or to keep an eye on pets when the owner is away, they are actually very useful home security tools (even fake ones). In addition, they’re now much cheaper to buy because of their popularity.
Geeni Freebird Wireless Indoor/Outdoor WiFi Security Camera (picture above). It’s a Rechargeable Battery-Powered Home Security Camera with 1080P Night Vision/Waterproof, Motion Detection, 2-Way Audio and it works with or without a smart hub.
With a smart thermostat, you can replace your home’s current thermostat, which monitors your energy usage over time to determine how much and when your home is typically heated or cooled.
Smart thermostats generally adjust the operation time on their own, limiting energy consumption when you’re not there.
You can also use apps that connect to these devices so you can monitor daily and monthly energy usage and make small adjustments for significant energy savings.
6. Smart Water Sensor
Here’s a must-have for serious peace-of-mind seekers.
Simply place these sensors near or under anything you want to monitor.
They’re ideal for monitoring toilets leaks, water heaters, laundry machines, sinks, fish tanks, dishwashers and sump pumps. Add any other spots in your home that could be vulnerable to water leaks and flooding.
When it comes to energy conservation, did you know that even when you aren’t using your electronic devices, they still consume power? Often referred to as vampire power, standby power wastes energy over time.
When you use smart outlets, you can take back control of your energy consumption and set up automated rules for this type of energy usage that align with your lifestyle and habits.
This way, you can stand up to vampire power. Besides smart outlets, a truly energy-efficient smart home will also have smart power strips and lights.
This is one of the simplest yet most efficient ways to make your home automation feel smarter.
LED light bulbs use about 50 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, and many of them last for decades.
Replacing your old bulbs with LED ones is a simple and cheap project that will save you money on both energy bills and bulb replacements.
A wide variety of dimming options is available with LED bulbs, especially when compared to fluorescent bulbs.
With the smart sockets above you can connect and control the lights through your smart hub so you can use voice commands, use group control so you can control several at once, set timers and much more.
You can add sensors so that lights turn on when you enter the room and off when you leave.
Smoke alarm batteries no longer emit the “beep, beep” of a dying battery. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that are smart are constantly charging themselves, which ensures they will always function.
There are a few other benefits, too, such as the ability to detect smoke precisely and to notify you via mobile phone if the smoke detectors go off while you are not home.
Many of these detectors can also be integrated with smart thermostats where the heating system will be automatically shut down if smoke or carbon monoxide alarms go off, preventing a worsening of the situation.
The prices can get a little expensive, depending on how many you need to buy, but they are well worth it when it comes to efficiency and peace of mind.
Google Nest Protect – Smoke Alarm – Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector (picture above).
A friendly voice gives you an early warning when there’s smoke or CO in your home. It also sends alerts to your phone when you’re not home.
Have carefree indoor garden for up to 6 plants. It’s easier and 5 times faster to grow your herb garden indoors with one of these.
The AeroGarden Harvest is an indoor garden with LED grow lights and a control panel that tells you when to add water, and plant food. It automatically turns lights on and off.
Have a the ventilation switch on when you walk in the room and turn off 5 minutes after you leave. Super convenient and a real energy-saver. There are some fans that activate by a humidity sensor if that is more of a priority.
Fill you smart home with purified air. Make sure you get a purifier that is ultra-quiet: This LEVOIT Smart Air Purifier has no lights or noise, just air purifying at it’s best.
The HEPA filtration system relieves allergies, asthma and dry throats by trapping 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size. Just set it and forget It in Auto Mode.
It will sense any change in PM2.5, and automatically adjusts fan speeds.
It is estimated that we spend approximately one and a half to two and a quarter hours each day cleaning and maintaining the house. Isn’t that a lot of time spent cleaning when you could be doing something else?
With smart home technology, you can at least save time by skipping vacuuming.
Robots vacuum your home regularly to remove dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and other debris before manually returning to their charging stations.
The best part is that they don’t need to be installed. Once the charging dock has been set up, it is ready to go.
Open or close your garage from anywhere and give access to neighbors while you’re away. Don’t worry about whether you shut the garage door, just schedule it to close every night.
14. The Personal Assistant
If you took the advice above and got yourself a smart hub then you’re all set to get start creating your smart home. You now have a personal assistant.
You can order your groceries, turn on your stereo, and put your favorite song on your stereo with just a touch of a button without having to get up from where you’re sitting.
Virtual assistants today come in small devices that you set on your kitchen counter or nightstand.
Using a system such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant can make your day-to-day easier if you want to automate your home and life.
If you have your credit card connected, it’s easy to order products but be careful not to let the kids too chatty with Alexa! It could get expensive.
15. Kitchens with Smart Home Technology
You can’t exactly ask your kitchen to make dinner for you yet, but you can access your fridge online so you can see what’s inside it while you’re at the store or listen to your Spotify playlist while you’re making cookies.
Take the time to decide what items you would benefit from most so you can create the best smart home possible for your needs.
In addition to these smart slow cookers, there are also smart plates and forks to help you monitor your food intake when you are watching what you eat.
Always forgetting to update the essentials on your shopping list? When you throw out items, the smart garbage can scans their barcodes and adds them to a list you can take with you.
As you can imagine, nearly every kitchen appliance has a smart home version. Check out Multo By CookingPal (picture below).
It’s a Smart Compact Countertop Multi-Functional Food Processor with guided recipes and built-in wifi. It chops, kneads, steams and cooks. It’s an awesome All-In-One kitchen gadget.
Creating a smart home in your new home doesn’t have to be done all at once if it is not in your budget.
By adding more features, though, you’ll be able to reap one of the biggest benefits of the best smart home technology: integration.
Many of these systems interface with each other, so that your security systems, energy efficiency systems, and even your kitchen gadgets (for example, a new LG refrigerator can tell your dishwasher when you have a lot of dishes).
The time has come to live in the house of the future if you have always dreamed of it. The popularity of smart homes is increasing rapidly, and many new and renovated homes will soon include smart features.
Discover which options work best for your home, your budget, and your lifestyle, then turn your home into a space that’s both comfortable and efficient.
A Nod to One of The Greatest Innovators of All Time
Thanks to courageous and innovative minds like Steve Jobs, we are here enjoying so many of those things today.
There have been many, brilliant innovators and contributors through the years.
Steve Jobs is mentioned here specifically because it seems like the iPhone was an incredibly significant turning point in technology.
It just opened up many more possibilities for faster innovation.
The iPhone inspired innovative developers to dream up ideas that could tap into and piggyback off this amazing new technology.
An just like that, everyone in the world could be connected to each other wirelessly.
The speed at which other technologies have advanced since the iphone release in 2007 is astounding.
We can do so many things on a smartphone now that it is just commonplace and we would have a hard time getting by without them.
It seems like Smartphones are the remote control to our lives.
We use them to lock our doors, turn on the lights, do our banking, change the room temperature, monitor our homes, and oh yeah, even talk to people. Thanks, Steve!
If you feel that any of these installations are too advanced, consider taking a brief course at Udemy.
I this article we discussed smart electronics, smart home automation products, home tech, home technologies, smart home sensors and more. Come back soon for more on home automation setups and scenes.
No matter what material your sofa is, you can make sure it stays looking great when you know how to clean a sofa properly.
When we use our sofa continuously, we can have a hard time keeping it clean, free from crumbs, dust, and stains. If you picked the best sofa, but your children keep climbing all over them, your pets sleep on them, and a lot of us like to eat from our trays on our laps every now and then, it’s no wonder that they don’t stay as good as they did when they were new. It doesn’t matter whether you have a soft fabric sofa, a silky velvet sofa or a sophisticated leather sofa – we have ideas for keeping any sofa looking good!
When it comes to cleaning sofas, there is no ‘one size fits all’ rule. The type of cleaning product to use (solvent based or water based) and how best to wash your couch will depend largely on the fabric of the sofa and if the covers are loose or fitted.
Several people find the covers do not go on the same way after being washed or they look out of shape after washing them in the washing machine. In order to avoid these problems, manufacturers usually recommend dry cleaning. Some, on the other hand, swear they come out like brand new when they wash loose covers in a wool wash. Depending on your level of bravery, you might want to wash the sofa covers yourself.
A regular maintenance routine is also vital when it comes to keeping your sofa clean, so using a vacuum or brush it every week will keep it looking great and reduce the amount of dirt that accumulates and wears out your sofa’s fabric. If spills happen, dab them up with a paper towel or soft cloth, rather than rubbing at them, which can make the spill sink even deeper.
How to clean a sofa – different fabric types
Cleaning a leather sofa
Sofas made from leather are durable and easy to clean, but how can you maintain them?
1. Make sure it’s vacuumed
If you have a brush attachment for your vacuum, use it to avoid scratching your leather upholstery.
2. Remove dust
If dust has buildup, remove it with a clean cloth. Avoid using water or cleaning agents since some leathers are delicate and may stain.
3. Use a product specifically made for cleaning leather
Wipe the leather cleaner gently over the sofa using circular motions. When you use a quality care kit to clean and condition your sofa, you will be able to restore its sheen and softness. The leather should be treated twice a year with this conditioner to prevent losing its color or becoming dry.
Cleaning a fabric sofa
When you know how to clean a sofa, even light-colored fabrics, such as neutral and grey sofas can be easy to clean.
1. Remove any dirt from the surface
You should remove all pillows and throws, check the sides and back of the couch for loose change food wrappers, then vacuum it using the upholstery attachment. All cushions should be vacuumed, including the seams and crevices.
2. Examine the label
Please check the label of your sofa before you begin cleaning the covers.
W – Water-based cleaners are the only ones you can use. S or P indicate that it must be cleaned with solvents (only dry cleaning).
SW and WS indicate that you can use either a water-based or solvent-based cleaner. The use of a steam cleaner is OK as well.
Surfaces with an X can’t be cleaned with water or detergent – they must be professionally cleaned. To prevent stains from forming on cushions, you should wipe down the cushions with a clean, damp cloth for dust and dirt removal.
3. Eliminate stains and smells
It is possible to remove stains and spills at home with some simple remedies. White vinegar is a natural stain remover and is OK to be used on most types of upholstery fabrics. You can use a microfiber cloth to wipe the stain away gently using an equal parts vinegar and water solution (make sure the cloth is new). To remove any lingering vinegar smell, rinse the cloth with mild detergent and tepid water and allow it to air dry. Apply a sprinkling of baking soda to the sofa, wait for 15-20 minutes and then vacuum.
4. Clean it with steam
What steam does is that it will refresh it. As it steams, any bacteria and germs that are on the couch will be destroyed. Stains will also be lifted if there are any on there. You may find that steam cleaning does not completely remove stains in some cases. If that happens, you will need to go over it with a stain removal product.
Velvet used to be out of the question for those with pets and/or children, but these days, easy-care fabrics (most aren’t silk based) allow us to enjoy the luxurious look without having to deal with removing all the marks.
1. Clean all dirt and dust from the surface
The best way to clean a velvet sofa is by gently vacuuming it in circular motions. Another option is to use a lint roller to do the job quickly and easily – but you still need a vacuum for the hard-to-reach areas and underneath cushions.
2. Take a brush to it
Velvet-specific brushes are available which are perfect for maintaining the sofa’s sheen. When brushing, follow the pile’s direction.
3. Steam it
The manufacturer’s label will tell you whether water can be used on your sofa, so check the label before using the steamer. To prevent damaging the fabric, always use a low setting and move the steamer constantly.
How do I remove stains from my sofa?
Spills and stains must be dealt with quickly. The best way to remove a stain is to blot the fabric with water and paper towels immediately after it happens. Rubbing the spot may cause the stain to spread further. Using soapy water and a clean white towel, blot the colour until it disappears. Afterwards, dampen a colourfast cloth with boiled water from the kettle and wipe the entire panel or cushion from one seam to another to avoid water marks. As the fabric dries, this will help prevent any water stains.
What is the recommended frequency of cleaning a sofa?
In spite of how easy it is to ignore upholstery cleaning until you spill something or a stain appears, it is important to clean your sofa regularly to keep it looking as good as new; given how often your sofa is used and how much dirt and dust can build up, you should give it a nice clean every week. Your sofa’s colour and fabric will last longer if you vacuum it frequently to remove any dust or dirt.
Although you will do your best to maintain your brand-new sofa as spotless as the day you received it, over time some pesky stains are inevitable. Most of the time, you won’t have to perform a top-to-bottom deep clean, but we recommend frequent spot cleaning and fabric protection to ensure your sofa stays fresh and clean.
Here are some cleaning products that you can find at Home Depot.
When people walk into your home, do they say wow? If not, there’s a chance that your walls are boring.
Accent walls are a simple and affordable way to elevate your decor and dramatically change the feel of a room. So, we rounded up some beautiful accent wall decor ideas for your inspiration.
It’s not just about paint colors but it can be. There’s all kinds of way you can add some wow factor.
Adding an accent wall not only gives you a chance to express yourself but can also help you transform your space in a whole new way. Here are some of the coolest accent wall decor ideas for apartments and homes.
Accent walls are a decorative way to add color and dimension to a room. It adds visual interest, making the space seem larger than it is. Wall colors can impact the mood of a room in many ways. For instance, soothing blue tones help you relax.
The definition of an accent wall is just that – an accent in the room. It doesn’t need to be in every room of the house. In many cases, they are used in hallways, bedrooms or living rooms for additional detail and breaking up too much of one continuous color.
How to Choose an Accent Color?
Painting your accent wall a different color than the rest of the room is the most common method. It’s easy and delivers a dramatic impact every time.
#1: If you are looking for something neutral, go with a black or gray accent wall
Use the base color of your furniture to determine how much gray to paint your walls. If you have dark furniture, you may only want to paint half of the wall in gray while if you have light furniture opt for painting at least three-quarters of the wall in gray. This will create more contrast and work well with light colors – which are usually used for accents – while muted colors are usually paired with darker walls.
You can add pops of color on top of some grays by painting shelves, window frames or wall decor pieces.
A black accent wall can really make your artwork pop without adding additional color to the room.
2. If you want the room to feel more natural, choose browns and tans
#5: For a dramatic look that adds charm and character try blues or purples
Blue accent walls are great for adding depth to any room, making it feel bigger and more spacious. These colors are also great for relaxing, making them perfect for bedrooms or other rooms where you want to chill out.
If you’re looking for a bold splash of color consider painting your hallway blue with white molding details or painting your bedroom with dark navy walls and light wood furniture.
The right shade of blue will not only look great in the space but also make it feel serene and calm while still being vibrant enough to pop against other paint colors.
White Accent Wall Ideas For Your Home
White wall space is a great way to add more space and light to a room. It’s also a great way to add more style while also being practical. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to utilize this trend in your home or apartment, here are our top 5 white accent wall ideas.
1) Divide the wall height with a chair rail or wainscoting
Fill the bottom half of an entire wall with color for a dramatic effect or keep it all the same color for an elegant, monochromatic style. A large flat wall can be difficult to decorate. Even if you have a tall enough ceiling, it’s not impossible. Take advantage of the height and paint the bottom half of your tall walls white for a sleek and stylish look that will make any simple room feel more spacious.
2) Accent wall ideas that make the windows pop
A plain white window frame might be stale and boring – but paint it black and watch your window turn into an instant focal point.
Patterned wallpaper can make a room feel larger or cozier, depending on the texture and colors. It can easily transform a dull solid color wall into something visually appealing and luxurious.
A great way to add some character to any room in your home is by adding a beautiful wood panel accent wall. This technique can be adapted for any size and style room and the end result is a really striking and elegant looking space that will impress guests and family members alike.
Wood panel accent walls are best placed in the center of the room, where they can be appreciated from all angles. They will make your living areas look more sophisticated and luxurious, without compromising on comfort or practicality.
Wainscoting is a great way to add depth and beauty to your home. The best thing about this DIY project is that it’s not that difficult to do and it’s great for hiding wall imperfections. All you need are some basic tools and techniques. It has been traditionally used to cover the lower third of an interior wall, which adds character to any room.
Wainscoting can be installed by using either vertical boards or horizontal panels. There are many types of boards and panels available on the market, but most choose to go with simple styles for their walls.
Wainscoting creates a unique accent wall that can add elegance to any home or office space.
Wall panels are an excellent way to create a beautiful accent wall. People can use them in any room of the house and they are easier to install than traditional wallpaper.
Most people think of accent walls as something that is painted or designed on the wall in one solid color. With these panels, you can get creative with its design so you can show off your personal style while not being limited by paint colors.
When you need something unique and whimsical, wall decals might be just what you need.
Creative Ways To Display Art & Photos On Accent Walls
Galleries are a fun and creative way to make your space feel homier. If you have a collection of frames from when you’ve had photos taken or if you want to showcase some of your favorite moments then all you need is photos. Here are some tips on how to create a gallery wall and how to avoid common mistakes that people make with this decorating technique.
How to create a gallery wall with art or framed photos
The first step in creating your gallery wall is deciding on the right layout for it. Measure up the available wall space that you want to use. Then start by drawing up an idea of what you want it to look like, but don’t worry if it has some flaws- we’ll talk about fixing them later. The main point is just getting the general idea of where things should go before you start buying anything.
For an elegant and uniform look, create an evenly spaced arrangement of identical frames. Choose one frame style that you love and consider a theme for your grid, such as travel photos, wedding photos, or art prints.
Vertical Gallery Walls are great for narrow walls next to doors. Arrange 4-6 frames on the wall, have all photos or images facing outward, use simple frame shapes that can be purchased at IKEA, and you’ll have an amazing gallery space in tight quarters.
A classic gallery wall is perfect for all kinds of rooms, nooks or hallways. It’s an arrangement of art or framed objects in a linear, asymmetrical pattern on the wall, usually with all items at about eye level.
Think about having one large focal point to make the space look cohesive. You can use all the same color frames or not. This type of gallery is not restricted to photos or art. You can mix in other elements like a clock or a branch. You just need to strike a balance with these accent wall ideas.
One of the great things about the classic gallery wall is that you can keep adding to it as you find or create new pieces.
Display a grouping of several framed photos or art prints on a narrow wall shelf leaned against each other. Use a mix of sizes to make it visually interesting.
The Easiest Way to Hang A Gallery Wall
Once you have all your frames ready to hang, lay them on craft paper and outline them. Then cut the paper along the outlines and number the cut-out and put a little piece of tape with the same number on the actual picture frame so you don’t confuse them.
Then tape the paper cut-outs on the wall with painter’s tape in the positions that you sketched out earlier. Once you are happy with the layout, measure the position of the frame hook on the back of the frame and mark it on the craft paper that is now on the wall. Then you will drill your holes for the wall anchor or picture hooks that you plan to use.
TIP: Instead of measuring the position of the frame hook, you can put a dab of toothpaste on the hook and press it up against the craft paper to mark your screw/nail hole.
Once your holes are made, remove the craft paper from the wall, put in your screws or nails, and hang your frames!
If you want to show off your creativity with shapes, then don’t hesitate! You can always think of different ways of displaying your Photo Gallery Wall that will make it more fun and attractive. For example, try hanging the picture frames in a way that creates an abstract shape…
Check out Mixtiles where you can upload your photo, create the gallery visually and just order them. It’s so easy and a huge time saver.
If you prefer to use a mobile app to work out your photo collage, check out Magic Shape CollageIOS | ANDROiD
Beautiful Accent Wall Decor Ideas For Your Home!
A beautiful accent wall can completely change the overall feel of a room and it is a technique that interior designers put to use all the time. We hope you get some inspiration and use these tips to create a beautiful accent wall in your home!
You can’t bear to throw out some of your beloved furniture? DIY chair reupholstery may be a great option if you want to refresh an old chair without spending much money.
To help you get started on your DIY chair reupholstery project, we will go over some of the basic tips for upholstery. This comprehensive beginners guide to upholstery will teach you everything you need to know before you get started, from selecting the right tools to checking the inside structure of your furniture.
Get the Right Tools for Reupholstery
One of the most important tips is to ensure that you have the right tools, because without them, you can’t do a decent job. Your finished product will also thank you for choosing the right tools since they will make your life easier. This will result in results that are professional-looking!
Some of the things you need will depend on the project you are going to do of course. If you are going to reupholster a simple dining room seats for instance, you may only need a staple gun and scissors.
For a Basic Upholstery Project, You Will Need Just a Few Tools:
Upholstery Stapler
Upholstery guns come in three different types, the most popular being the pneumatic staple gun. Don’t just pick the cheapest option because you might regret it! Choose this type to make the job much simpler and faster.
Upholstery Hammers
Nails can be added to upholstery to add a final touch. As well as covering any visible staples, these can also be used as decor to enhance the look of the furniture. Hammers are required for this task.
Fabric Scissors
Good quality fabric scissors are essential for getting straight lines and avoiding tearing the fabric.
Fabric Markers
You will need fabric markers to mark where the fabric and padding needs to be cut. It’s a good idea to get a set with different colors so you can easily see the lines on any fabric color. Chalk can also be used but again you will need at least a few colors.
Staple and/or Nail Remover
In many cases you will need to remove the old fabric and it will be attached with nails or staples. This tool will make the task much easier.
Choosing Your First Reupholstery Project
While being enthusiastic is great, if you’re just beginning to reupholster furniture, you shouldn’t choose expensive, larger, or important pieces to start with. Start with small projects until you feel confident enough to take on larger ones.
Taking on a large piece of furniture may prove too challenging for you, and this may keep you from upholstering for quite some time. If this is your first upholstery project, choose something simple like small like a bar stool or dining room seat.
There will be less pressure to get it right the first time, so you can have more fun with it and any mistakes won’t be as disastrous.
Significant pieces of furniture like sofas and accent chairs will likely require some sewing. If you’re not able to do the necessary sewing, then you can try to find someone to do the sewing or hire a professional.
Here’s an excellent video that takes you through the whole process of reupholstering a dining room seat:
Dining Room Chair Reupholstery in 12 Steps
Remove the screws underneath the dining room chair that secure the seat to the dining room chair frame.
Remove the existing fabric using a staple or nail remover. If your chair seat has a complex shape, keep the old fabric it intact so that you can use it as a pattern to cut the new fabric.
In some cases you might be able to place the new fabric over the existing fabric instead of removing the old fabric. Doing so often makes it difficult to fold the corners nicely. If you think it could work and you have some extra fabric, give it a try.
Place the dining room seat on the fabric with the top side facing down. The seat should be placed so that it is about 3 to 4 inches from the edges of the fabric. Don’t worry about getting it exactly right. Make adjustments before cutting.
The fabric should be cut 3 to 4 inches from the cushion’s edges. This much fabric will be required to cover the cushion completely. Wrap the edges of the fabric up and over the edge of the seat to find out where to cut. Once the fabric is marked, cut it.
Attach the upholstery to the seats by stapling it in the middle of each side. Take hold of the fabric on the seat’s one side and pull it up and over the edge. Put a staple at the center of the edge of the seat to secure the fabric. Repeat this process on the other three sides of the seat. The upholstery should be stapled to the underside of a round seat in four equidistant locations, such as at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock.
Work your way out from the corner while pulling and stapling the fabric. Select one side to work on first. Hold the fabric next to the first staple on the inside of the seat. Continue stapling along the edge of the seat going out toward the corner, and then do the other side. The fabric at the corners should not be stapled yet. Make sure you do this on both sides of the seat.
Fold the fabric at the corners and staple in the center of the fold. Once the fabric is secured along the sides, choose a corner and fold the fabric over at the corner to gather it. Then, fold the fabric again, and staple the fabric a couple of times at the center of the fold to hold it in place. Repeat this process for the remaining corners.
The excess fabric should be cut off 1 inch from the staples on each side. After the fabric has been secured at the corners, cut the fabric 1 inch from where the staples are. In this way, the excess fabric will not hang down. It is important not to cut too close to the staples or the fabric may come loose.
Make a dust cover by dust cover cutting the fabric to the same dimension as the seat. Cut along the edges of the fabric once it is placed over the back of the seat. If you are cutting out the dust cover fabric, be careful not to cut through the upholstery fabric.
The dust cover fabric should be folded under and stapled to the seat. The dust cover fabric should be folded on one side of the chair and stapled in place. Start by stapling the center of one side of the fabric and then work your way outward.
To secure the dust cover, repeat this process all the way around the chair’s edges.
You are now done with reupholstering your dining chair! Now reattach the seat to the chair frame using the saved screws.
Don’t Forget the Inside
If this is your first project, you should choose a project that focuses on updating the outside. With that in mind, make sure the insides are in good condition or else you should consider a different piece of furniture for your first project.
If you do choose a fully upholstered chair like an accent chair then you need to be aware of other potential problems on the inside, underneath the fabric.
Sit on the furniture piece to test how sturdy and solid it feels. If the frame is wobbly at all then the frame will need some reinforcements. If you are handy you may be able to resolve the issue with some glue and screws to make the frame solid.
The other important to check for is whether it feels too hard or too soft when you sit in it. These are signs that there are problems with the springs, webbing or padding on the inside. These kinds of problems should be left to a professional but again, if you are handy you could investigate it further and see if you can figure out what to do.
If your chair has a loose seat cushion, remove it and run your hands along the surface of the seat. Push down as you run your hands along. You will probably feel springs as you push down. Better quality furniture will have coil springs or zig-zag springs. Do you feel irregularities?
If there is a loose or broken spring it should feel quite obvious. It could just be detached from the frame which you could fix fairly easily. If it is actually broken, it will need to be replaced and this could be difficult to find depending on how old the furniture is. You will have to strip off the old fabric and padding down to the frame in order to see and repair the springs.
Here’s a video that explains how to install Zig Zag springs on a chair:
Is the Chair Worth Reupholstering
There are some things to take a look at before you decide whether or not you should proceed with a particular chair. Watch this video:
If you are going to reupholster a simple dining room seat, you might be able to just recover the seat with new fabric over to of the existing fabric. In some cases where the seat is a snug fit within the chair frame this might not be possible. In that case an most reupholstery cases, you will need to strip off the old fabric.
Make a Pattern
When you do strip off the old fabric, try to keep it intact so that you can use it as a pattern to cut the new fabric. This is especially important for more complex reupholstery projects.
Be Picky With Fabrics
Take the time to find some fabric you really like and make sure it is good quality. Consider a dark fabric to reduce the visibility of stains and water-resistant fabrics are also a good idea to protect your chair from spills.
It’s not worth the effort of upholstering an item of furniture if the fabric is only going to last a short time or tears as you’re working on it. You could give your furniture a new lease on life for many years to come if you choose a fabric that won’t tear easily and is durable enough to withstand years of use.
If you have doubts about whether a fabric is good quality and adequate for your upholstery project, just ask the supplier before purchasing.
Start Small
As mentioned earlier, if this is your first project, it is a good idea to do a simple project like a bench seat, bar stool or dining room seat.
Once you have done a few simple projects and you feel ready to try more challenging upholstery projects, here is a list of other tools you may need…
Upholstery Tools for More Advanced Projects
Upholstery Stripping and Internal Repair Tools
Mallet
A mallet is sometimes needed to help remove staples during the furniture stripping process. An upholsterer will use the mallet to hit the tool’s end for extra force when using a staple puller alone to remove a staple. As you remove a staple with a mallet, be sure to move your hand out of the way ahead of time and slant away from it as the staple could come flying at you.
Staple Pullers
Staple pullers help remove staples from upholstery fabric so that it can be stripped. The two prongs can be inserted under the staple, and the handle can then be pulled out to remove it.
Tack Pullers
A tack puller or tack lifter is used in the upholstery process to remove any tacks holding fabric in place, so that the old fabric can be discarded and the layers beneath can be inspected.
Flat Nose Pliers
Upholsterers use flat nose pliers to straighten bent wires, which is necessary when taking apart furniture to remove old springs.
Ripping Hammer
The purpose of ripping hammers is to remove old fabric and staples by cutting each edge at a specific angle.
Spring Clip Pliers
When you need to repair springs, you will need spring clip pliers.
Pulling Pliers
Pulling pliers will make your life easier when you need to remove a lot of staples. With the pliers’ angle, it is easy to insert underneath a staple, grasp it, and remove it, even in narrow spaces.
Tack Hammer
Webbing is secured with tacks with the help of tack hammers. You can hold the tack using the magnetized split end of the hammer before hammering.
Webbing Stretchers
Stretchers for webbing allow upholsterers to attach webbing close to the frame of furniture. Attaching new webbing or tightening existing webbing can be accomplished with this tool.
Tools to Repair Upholstery Springs
Spring End Former
A spring end former is a tool used to bend a spring end so that it does not dislodge from a spring clip at the end of a furniture piece.
Klinch-It
With Klinch-its, upholsterers no longer have to sew springs to webbing because they can attach them using steel clips instead of stitching.
Spring Stretcher
With a spring stretcher, you can position sinuous springs with a lever. Attach the spring to the frame on one side, attached a hook to the spring’s next-to-last loop, and slowly pull the lever to position it.
Wire Cutters
Wire cutters are used when you need to replace springs so you can cut them down to the right size.
Tools to Repair Stuffing And Padding
Adhesives
In order to attach foam, stuffing, and padding to other materials or surfaces, spray adhesives are used.
Upholstery Regulator
As the stuffing layers are stacked, upholstery regulators smooth out any irregularities. Regulators for upholstery come in various lengths and gauges, just like needles.
Filler Bazooka
With a filler bazooka, you can fill pillows, pillow backs and cushions quickly and efficiently. Simply place the blower’s back end on top of the container, and its front end into the cushion or whatever item you need to fill. With this tool, you can fill your mattress with shredded foam, kapok, styrofoam pellets, down, and many other loose filling materials.
Final Upholstery Finishing Tools
Staple Gun
A staple gun is probably the most used tool so a good quality staple gun is essential.
Scissors
There is a lot of fabric cutting to be done during the upholstery process so upholstery scissors are an essential tool.
Hot Glue Gun
The final finishing or creasing detail is sometimes fixed with a hot glue gun.
Curved Needle Kit
When slip-stitching cushions, attaching outer fabric sections, working on seat edges, and making edge rolls, curving needles are used.
Decorative Nail Gun
Furniture is decorated with decorative nails using decorative nail guns by upholsterers. To avoid frequent reloading, store a few decorative nails in the hopper of the nail gun.
Seam Stretcher
Upholsterers use seam stretchers to smooth out wrinkles before blind stitching. In addition to cutting large circles, you can also use this tool to sew blind stitches.
Tack Hammer
Using the same hammer as for webbing, tacks can be hammered into place to hold the fabric in place.
Upholstery Regulator
In order to properly shape a cushion, upholsterers poke a sharp end of an upholstery regulator through the fabric, reposition the filling, and push the cushion into corners or curves after applying the top cover. To finish pleats or corners, or to tuck fabric under metal tack strips, the upholstery regulator’s flat end is used.
Sewing Machine
The need for a sewing machine will naturally depend on the project but an upholstery grade sewing machine is an essential tool for anything beyond basic upholstery projects.
Button Press
To make custom-fitted, fabric covered buttons for upholstery projects, upholsterers use a button press. For the use of a button press, button die cutters are also needed.
Button Die Cutters
A button press is used in conjunction with a die cutter to cover buttons with fabric. Various sizes are available to create the appropriate size fabric for the button.
Practice makes perfect!
Developing skills takes time, and the more time you spend on it, the better you will become. With these tips, you should feel confident enough to start your first diy chair reupholstering project.
Hardwood flooring has a lot of advantages over other types of flooring. Not only is it comfortable under your feet, but it is durable and long-lasting. It also adds adds a classic, luxurious appearance to your home. It comes in a wide range of grain patterns, colors, and stains, making it a great choice for any room. It’s extremely durable and will stay beautiful for a lifetime if you take care of it.
There are many different types of hardwood flooring to choose from, including solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and reclaimed hardwood. It is important to choose the right kind for your home and lifestyle. Consider the benefits of each type and decide which is best for you. If you have children and pets, consider choosing solid hardwood. If your space is small, and there isn’t too much foot traffic, consider installing engineered hardwood.
How to Choose From the Types of Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is easy to maintain. It’s durable, allowing you to sand and refinish it as needed. Moreover, it’s easy to clean and has a high resale value. You can even purchase it prefinished or unfinished. If you choose unfinished you can get any kind of stain or finish that you want to ensure that it matches your home’s style.
Hardwood is a renewable and recyclable material, and doesn’t require any harsh chemicals or other chemicals for cleaning. The natural qualities of hardwood flooring give it a great advantage over some other flooring choices.
Hardwood floors not only look amazing, they are a great investment because they will increase the value of your home. The wood will gain character over time.
Hardwood flooring comes in many different species, including oak, walnut, ash, and maple. Oak is by far the most commonly used hardwood across America. However it is not the hardest.
What is the Hardest Wood flooring?
We asked the experts at Weles Wood Floor Services, who provide hardwood floor installation in Boston all day long, and they told us that Ipe also known as Brazilian Walnut is the hardest wood flooring that there is. It is also rare and expensive. “When customers want the hardest wood flooring we recommend Hickory or Maple hardwood since it is easily available and more reasonably priced”.
The Cost of Hardwood Flooring
According to Home Depot, the average cost for installation and materials is $6.40 per square foot for Engineered Wood and $7.80 per square foot for Solid Wood Flooring.
Choosing the Thickness of the Hardwood Planks
3/4-inch is the standard thickness for wood flooring. It is possible to find hardwood flooring as thin as 5/16 of an inch, but this affects the refinishing process. Sanding and refinishing solid 3/4-inch planks can be done ten times. Boards that are thinner can’t be sanded as much and won’t last as long if they are repeatedly refinished.
Should you Choose Engineered or Traditional Hardwood?
Engineered flooring is plywood with a finished wood veneer on top. Solid hardwood might last longer, but engineered flooring performs well for a lower upfront cost. Engineered wood flooring is a good choice for homeowners on a budget. They are moisture-resistant and durable. Maple, heart pine, white ash, bamboo, Brazilian cherry, Brazilian koa, and acacia are among the most popular engineered flooring options. You can sand and refinish solid hardwood flooring numerous times, which means it is likely to be the only flooring you need to purchase for your home.
Repair or Replacement of the Existing Hardwood Flooring
You may be able to refinish or repair your existing hardwood flooring if you like the way it looks. It’s an affordable option if your hardwood floor simply needs sanding and refinishing so that it has the luster and shine it once had. Multiple sanding and refinishings are possible with solid hardwood flooring. It is also possible to refinish engineered wood, though fewer times. The cost of refinishing hardwood floors ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 on average.
Material and Labor Cost Variables
The cost of hardwood flooring varies quite a bit, depending on the wood product and a few other factors.
Generally, the harder the wood flooring, the longer it takes to install it. The installation time of exotic hardwoods, such as Brazilian walnut, is longer than that of a softwood, such as pine. Herringbone and other intricate patterns require more cutting, which increases the cost of the flooring material as well as labor. Hardwood flooring costs will also rise if the room has a complex layout or counters.
A Caution About Wood Flooring
There are three main categories of traditional wood flooring: soft, medium, and hard. Because these are natural wood planks, installing them below ground level is not recommended. Wood does not tolerate changes in moisture or heat.
The planks can warp, crack or splinter when exposed to excessive heat or moisture. Before purchasing and types of hardwood flooring, your contractor will give you advice about these factors for flooring selection.
The Types of Hardwood Flooring that are Right for You
We have given you several things to consider when choosing for the all the types of hardwood flooring that are available. The decision usually comes down to a couple of things. The cost, durability. How long you intend the floors to last and what you are willing to pay for them are main factors that people base their decision on. From there you can choose the color, pattern and wood grain type.
Relaxing room decor can transform your home to a calm and peaceful place that you can’t wait to be in. We all need a personal sanctuary, a place to relax and get away from all the chaos the days can bring.
After dealing with the stresses of the world, you’re supposed to feel comfortable and relaxed at home. In many homes, we are too cluttered, noisy, or uncomfortable to provide the tranquillity we need.
Here are some ways to use relaxing room decor to make your home more peaceful.
1. Make it a Quieter Place
Getting rid of noise is one of the best things you can do to create a zen-like environment at home. There are quieter versions of many household products you can choose from if you don’t want to eliminate every sound. Choose items that produce little to no sound by consulting some Quiet Product Guides.
Many products are available that are quiet, including hairdryers, fans, keyboards, coffee grinders, and alarm clocks. Soundproofing your bedroom or home office can also be done with noise reducing curtains.
2. Consider a Neutral Color Palette
It is easier to look at muted, neutral colors than bright ones. The most tranquil, sanctuary-like spaces feature neutral colors. If you want to create a sense of calm, a stress-free and relaxing room, the color scheme is where you should start.
Decorate with white or light-toned neutrals like off-white, cream, or taupe, using lots of texture to add interest. Layer in a variety of fabrics and subtle patterns to avoid boredom when you have white walls and white furniture. Keep white from looking too sterile by adding warm colors like gold, pale tan, and soft yellow.
Here are some of our favorite neutral paint colors for a relaxing room decor…
3. Add a Dash of Color
Brightly colored accessories, such as pillows or throws, will add a punch of happiness to any space. It is possible to attract the eye and focus the mind by decorating with pots of a favorite color, vibrant artwork, or a jewel-toned vase.
Creating a focal point with favorite accessories will enhance the comforting effect. You’ll be able to enjoy the items every time you pass by. You might consider the mantel of a fireplace or a console table by the entrance.
4. Make Your Bedroom Comfortable
It’s at night that you need peace the most. If you want a good night’s rest, you should pay attention to the quality of your bedding as well as the room temperature and the amount of clutter. A soft, silky duvet and sheets that feel soft against your skin will make your bedroom conducive to sleep and rejuvenation.
When everyone settles down under the covers, you should also find a temperature which makes them comfortable. When your bedroom is cluttered, you won’t feel relaxed. Having large piles of clothes everywhere may make you feel more frustrated than anything else because clutter is linked to anxiety and stress. Be sure to tidy up on a regular basis.
5. Create a Spa-Like Atmosphere in Your Bathroom
Probably the most relaxing room in your home after your bedroom is your bathroom. Early in the morning, it gives you energy, while in the evening, it takes care of the worries of the day. Depending on whether you prefer to take baths or showers, a whirlpool tub or massaging shower head will improve your bath time experience.
You can have a hotel experience right in your own home by installing stylish fixtures, luxurious bath products, and fluffy towels. Add some soothing wall décor elements and scented candles. It’s hard not to relax in a tranquil setting.
6. Enhance the Appeal of the Fireplace
A fireplace provides a feeling of comfort and coziness even when it’s not lit. Create a vignette around a fireplace with decorative accents on the walls and hearth or floor.
Decorative screens, birch branches, or an arrangement of pillar candles can brighten up the firebox when not in use. A dark, empty spot can detract from the relaxing effect of the room.
7. Relax the Mood with Candles
A relaxing room decor should have candles. Use candles liberally throughout your house to add a sense of ease to any space. If you are home all day, light candles in your kitchen and living room and leave them all day. It creates a soothing ambience.
It is a good idea to keep plenty of candles (tapers, pillars, or votives) on hand, as well as a few favorite candleholders. Just make sure you blow them out when you go to bed or when you aren’t at home. Alternatively you can find beautiful battery operated flickering candles that turn on and off automatically.
8. Create Ambiance with Light
Every room should be lit with a variety of types of lighting (including natural, ambient, and task lighting). Lighting a room well is a great way to make it feel more inviting and aesthetically pleasing. To add more light to those dark areas in your home, consider adding some sconces, a floor lamp, a desk lamp, or pendant lights.
By throwing back the blinds in the daytime, you can take advantage of the natural light. Consider using bulbs that cast a gentle, warm light in the evening hours to create a lighting scheme that is as attractive as the rays of nature.
10. Add a Soothing Scent
Relaxation and a sense of well-being can be induced by a pleasant aroma. The rooms you use the most should be decorated with fresh, fragrant flowers and scented candles. If you prefer, you can run an essential oil diffuser to fill the room with your own signature scent blend. Popular favorites like eucalyptus, geranium, and chamomile provide a soothing, spa-like atmosphere to any room.
11. Invite the Outdoors In
It is amazing how a few flowers, an arrangement of branches, or even a few house plants can all add a splash of freshness to a room. Of all the relaxing room ideas you can make this one the easiest by grabbing a few branches from your backyard tree and putting them in a vase is an easy way to do so. A wide, shallow bowl filled about halfway with water, topped with blooms, is an easy, spa-inspired centerpiece.
12. Emphasize a Natural View
Smart window treatments can highlight the beauty of nature from your windows. You can create a look to suit your mood by layering treatments. If privacy is needed, shades can block out the view, or can go up to emphasize the view. Window valances ensure that the windows don’t look too stark, and draperies on the sides add softness.
13. Soften the Room with Textiles
Make your decor more relaxing by adding cozy fabrics such as cable knits, velvet, and suede. There is something soothing about floor drapes, loose slipcovers, and lots of pillows.
You can switch out these accents whenever you like and they are relatively inexpensive. For pillows, choose a variety of shapes and sizes and move them around regularly.
14. Refresh a Room with Simple Changes
Repetition can cause tension, and sometimes a space only needs a quick refresh to become more comfortable. By changing the look of a room with the seasons, you can keep a room simple but fresh. Make a room more welcoming by covering chairs with slipcovers, rearranging furniture, or adding seasonal decor.
15. Make Chaos Disappear
A chaotic room can make you feel anxious so getting organized is a proactive way to bring calm to your life. A cluttered space or one that is disorganized causes visual tension and physical stress. Rather than tackling your entire space at once, start by focusing on a single area, such as the entryway.
When the first room is clutter-free, move on to the next. A large basket in the corner can be used to hold blankets or toys in your living room. By cleaning up the mess, you will not only feel satisfied, but you will also add a little more space to your room.
16. Establish Your Comfort Zone
Create an area in your home that’s all about relaxing. Whether you like to read, listen to music, or meditate, make it tailored to your choice of relaxing activity. Move a comfortable chair into a room with natural light or an excellent view. Consider a folding screen as a barrier between you and unwanted distractions.
Select a spot out of the main flow of household activities; you do not have to set aside an entire room. Your only needs are a comfy chair, a lamp on the floor, and a tea cup holder on a side table. We all need a place to get away from it all.
You can easily transform your space into a meditation room by putting a big soft meditation cushion on the floor of your comfort zone. Nothing says “relax” like floor pillows. It will make you want to go to your zone.
Meditate more effectively by adding succulents to your meditation room
Having indoor plants around can help you improve your meditation. That’s right. Simply adding some beautiful green plants to your meditation space will improve air quality and allow you to meditate more effectively.
A recent survey of 1,000 Americans by Trees.com revealed tremendous mental health benefits from plant-keeping, a hobby that has seen a big increase in popularity since the pandemic.
In recent years, snake plants have become one of the most popular indoor plants for positive energy. This is due to the two benefits snake plants provide. By absorbing particulate matter and VOCs from the air, it creates a healthy environment. Additionally, its vibrant color provides positive vibes and attracts positive energy.
Other popular elements to add to a meditation room are ambient sounds, soft light and aromatherapy. We came across a pretty cool product we love that does all of these things! It’s a diffuser that is ultra silent (many are noisy) and it has built-in ambient sound and lighting.
There are a lot of things to worry about every day, a relaxing room decor can make your home a sanctuary.
The choices you make when decorating a space can have a huge impact on how peaceful you feel when you’re in it. When a space is well designed and filled with with relaxing room decor items you love, it can be soothing and reduce stress, while cluttered rooms could take a toll on your mood and mental health.
With these decorating ideas, you’ll be able to create a relaxing, stress-free environment that you’ll enjoy every day.
Should You Go DIY When It’s Time To Remodel The Kitchen?
There’s no question that the quality standards that people expect in a home are far beyond what they were just a few years ago especially when it comes to kitchens. It likely has a lot to do with the popularity of all the renovation shows on HGTV.
Real estate professionals often say, “The kitchen sells the home.” This has been common knowledge for a long time but expectations are more sophisticated and the cost of building a kitchen that “wows” buyers is much, much higher.
Many house hunters look at the kitchen as the focal point of the house. You will need to carefully plan and budget to remodel the kitchen whether you intend to sell your home or build a culinary dream kitchen for yourself.
If you have decided to remodel the kitchen, it’s important to understand the scope. It is a very complex project to undertake. If you have lived through a kitchen remodel before then you know what we are talking about. You might even be thinking about doing the remodeling work yourself to save money and perhaps hiring tradespeople for some tasks like wiring, plumbing and tiling.
If you are considering DIY for your kitchen remodel let’s take a look at an outline of what a contractor actually does and then you can decide whether you’re up for the task.
Do I need a General Contractor?
Hiring a general contractor is a great way to get the kitchen of your dreams. Unlike you, who may have a great design in mind but have no experience remodeling large kitchens, a general contractor knows how to tackle a large project safely and handle all the aspects of planning. They are trained to know what to look for and how to fix problems, so your project will be completed without any glitches. Additionally, a good general contractor has the knowledge of the local building code and is fully insured if accidents happen.
Another benefit of hiring a general contractor for your kitchen remodeling project is the ease of handling multiple projects within a project. Because they handle so many different types of construction, a general contractor can handle multiple projects at one time, meaning the job will be completed faster and to a higher standard. Knowing the timing and creating a schedule for each task is vital to staying on budget and to the overall success of the project.
Your contractor will know when to hire each tradesman, when to order materials for each task, when to get the cabinets ordered etc. If you are unsure about any aspect of the project, a general contractor will walk you through it step-by-step.
Hiring a general contractor for your kitchen remodel will make sure the quality workmanship is being done on every task. After demolition, they can assess whether there are any structural issues, moisture problems, electrical or HVAC challenges that need to be dealt with before moving forward. You will not have to worry about completing several projects at once and running out of time.
A general contractor will take care of all the planning and design of the kitchen. They will work with a designer to develop ideas and conceptual drawings for your kitchen remodel. You will be able to get a final design and discuss all aspects of the project with the designer. A general contractor will also have an architect to consult with and make sure your project will be done to the highest possible standards.
With the right guidance, you can decide what projects are realistic and which ones should be avoided. A good contractor can help you determine which projects are feasible and which ones won’t. They can also advise you on decisions for the best materials for your renovation.
A general contractor may charge up to 30% of the total project cost. This is a major addition to the overall budget so when budgets are tight this is where many people face the difficult decision of whether or not they want to manage the project themselves.
Moving forward with your kitchen remodel
Whether you decide to hire a general contractor or not, you’ll need to decide how much you can afford to spend on the renovation. You’ll need to budget for building materials, permits, and labor costs. It is also important to set aside 10 – 20% of your overall budget to cover any unexpected costs. A detailed timeline is essential when it comes to a home renovation. This will be developed along with the tradespeople.
The range of cost for remodeling a kitchen is so wide that it’s difficult to provide a useful number. However here are some ways to get a rough estimate:
Minor Remodel: $5,000 – $20,000 Mid-range Remodel: 100-150 sq.ft. $15,000 – $40,000 Major Remodel: $30,000 – $60,000+
There is a great range because of many factors involved like the quality of finishes and the scope of the labor involved. Check out Home Depot and Home Advisor for some great resources to learn about remodeling costs.
If you’re hiring a project manager, be sure to keep track of the materials and timelines to avoid unforeseen costs. Even if you’re hiring a professional, it’s a good idea to keep a daily diary of the progress. This will help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise and keep the renovation on schedule. Having a checklist of what’s left to do is crucial.
Always consult experienced and reliable contractors before you start a home renovation. Depending on the type of project, you may need to hire a tiler, licensed electrician or a plumber. Make sure to ask about any special insurance coverage that might apply to the project.
You should also discuss any renovation plans you have with your insurer. It’s better to avoid having the unexpected happen, since the process can cause more problems than you anticipated.
Depending on the scope of the project you and your family may have to find accommodations during the renovation so be sure to include that in your budget.
Step-By-Step Guide For Your Dream Kitchen Remodel
We’ll take you through a step-by-step process for remodeling your kitchen. If you are hiring a General Contractor they will take care of the planning but this will help you know what to expect whether you are going to manage the project yourself or not.
There are many steps involved in remodeling a kitchen so hiring a kitchen designer is definitely a good idea if your budget allows for it. This is especially important if you’re budget is in the upper range because it does get more complex and their advice is well worth it.
Remodel The Kitchen
If you are going DIY on this, you will want to use some kitchen planning software. Most of them are fairly quick to learn. Retailers like IKEA and Home Depot also have easy apps to help do this. When you use these you will be using their products to place in the room so you will also have an immediate cost or materials break down plus a visually helpful 3D rendering of how it will look.
All you need to get started is your room measurements. Be sure to take all the measurements like ceiling height, window sizes and distances between widows, walls, ducts, beams or any other fixed elements. You have a lot of decisions to make before you jump in and start doing 3D renderings so keep reading first. Just know that you have these great free tools available to help you.
A detailed list of goals must be prepared before the project can begin. Consider eliminating steps while cooking and changing the layout of the kitchen remodel. Also, determine the amount of change required, including wall removals, flooring, fixtures, appliances, lighting, windows and countertops.
You’ll also need to decide the overall style of the kitchen. Create a mood board, that shows design styles that work well together and types of appliances you want. A designer will do this for you but you may want to collect some ideas to share with your designer. If you need some inspiration, visit Pinterest and Instagram.
After you’ve made your style decisions, you’re ready to decide on finishes and materials for your kitchen. Once you’ve chosen the materials, you’ll need to make final decisions on the layout. While thinking about the overall kitchen you have probably already decided whether you are going to leave the size of the kitchen the way is is or if you have to removal walls to expand it.
These days it is common to want to remove walls to get that open floor plan that many people love. You’ll also need to decide on the layout and the placement of appliances as well as what appliances because you need to know the exact size of the appliances in order to complete the plans.
Budget Saving Tips For Your Kitchen Remodel
There are some key items that you’ll need that have a large price range. Decisions on these items can help you reduce the budget if needed.
Cabinetry
Cabinets have a major impact on the overall style and tone of your kitchen. Custom kitchen cabinets can also be a major part of your budget.
Consider affordable alternatives:
Stock cabinets could be a great option. If you can get all the pieces and sizes that you need, you just might be able to make this work and save thousands of dollars.
Reface your existing cabinets. Obviously this is only an option if your cabinet layout doesn’t need to change but it would be a big money saver.
Flooring
There are so many great flooring options available at very reasonable prices. One money saving tip here is to install the new floor over the existing floor. It’s not always an option but if it is possible it can save to time, money and avoid the mess of removing the old ceramic tile flooring.
Countertops
There are a variety of materials for kitchen countertops, so it is important to know not only what type matches your kitchen remodel but the price point for each one as well.
Seriously consider Quartz countertops
According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, quartz has surpassed granite as the most popular countertop material. Quartz, unlike granite, does not require sealing which is a big pain and it’s practically stain-proof, scratch-proof, and chip-proof.
Appliances
You can cross off this expense if your existing appliances are in good condition and fit into your kitchen remodel aesthetically and physically. If they need replacing, you can find stainless steel kitchen appliance packages that include a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave makes it easy for under $2,000.
Next Steps
With your solid kitchen plan is in place, you, or your contractor will order materials, set the timeline and begin demolition. They plan for all the necessary changes to the structure and prepare the walls, floors, windows, wiring and plumbing to make it ready for cabinet installation.
Even if you’re planning to do some of the remodeling yourself, it is possible to hire a contractor to consult with you on some aspects of the project.
While you’re remodeling your kitchen, it’s important to make sure that your safety is your highest priority. If you’re planning a remodel, it’s important to follow safety standards. Ensure that you wear heavy-duty shoes and wear protective gear.
Choosing the right contractors for your project is essential. The right professional can provide you with all the information you need to successfully remodel your tasks done. You must also consult with a licensed electrician before attempting the remodeling process. You need to be prepared and well-prepared. If you don’t have experience with remodeling your kitchen, you’ll need to decide what tasks you are not going to tackle and then find reliable contractors and learn as much as you can from them before you even start your project.
At every step along the way, in your DIY kitchen remodel, you will come up against things you won’t have answers to but other people do.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. People are generally helpful by nature. Ask advice from others who have been through it. You can pick up valuable nuanced ideas and very helpful tips. Employees at Home Depot, Lowes, IKEA and other retailers have staff that can be extremely helpful. Just ask! Check out our post on Common Home Repairs.
If you have been renovating your home or you’re doing minor improvements and upgrades, here are 5 DIY Home Projects that will easily add sophistication and elegance to your home. You may not have thought of these WOW factor upgrades before.
Elevate First Impressions with Modern House Sign Numbers
You may have a nice house number on your property, but how about some modern house numbers that add some WOW factor? A contemporary-looking number is the way to go. You can even create a personalized version of your modern house number at a website we just discovered called, you guessed it, modernhousenumbers.com.
Whether you choose a font that’s classic or modern, you should make sure that the design goes with your home’s style. Adding a modern house number is an easy and inexpensive way to add a very sophisticated look to the front of your home. There are a variety of types of modern house sign numbers available, and you can select one to match the rest of your home’s exterior.
For example, if your house has a light color, you might add a contrasting bronze metal plaque with the numbers carved out. However, if your house has a dark exterior, you might choose brushed aluminum numbers that will complement it. The website makes it easy to visualize and order your modern house numbers. Your part in this DIY Home Project will be choosing the right design and installing it.
Subtle Sophistication with Modern Air Vent Covers
For a long time, air vent covers have been an eye sore for homeowners, and we recently discovered a beautiful solution for this. A company called kul grilles have designed a beautiful line of minimalistic air vent covers that will add a touch of elegance to any home.
There are only six colors to choose from but they can work anywhere. They come in many sizes and you can also get them custom-made for your specific needs. If you want to elevate the look of your home, modern air vent covers are a great choice. This may be on the the simplest DIY home projects you ever did. Simply order them and put them in place. We wrote a full blog post about air vent covers if you want to read more about this.
Add Wow Factor with a Spectacular Entry Door
We all know that first impressions are important and nothing makes a first impression like a beautiful front entrance. It’s the most noticeable thing when someone walks up to your home.
There are endless design possibilities but make sure the design complements the architectural style of the house. I love ultra-modern doors but they would look out of place on a traditional style home.
We found a fantastic custom door maker called Custom Door Shop in Delray Beach and Jupiter Florida that makes spectacular custom entry doors.
Make a Statement with Show-stopping Entry Door Hardware
Nothing says sophistication like luxury entry door hardware on your beautiful front door. Make it spectacular with unique and elegant door handles . Undeniable high quality will just speak for itself. You know it when you see it and it’s worth the investment.
Adding new lights and fixtures to your home can have a dramatic effect. You can choose from chandeliers, pendant lights, flush mounts, and more. A simple change in lighting can completely transform a room, and modern fixtures are the perfect way to bring some elegance into your home. These lighting options combine the benefits of flush mounts and pendants with a more contemporary appeal.
Rooms Need 3 Types of Lighting
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting provides an area with overall illumination. Lighting of this type emits a low level of brightness, which makes it possible to see clearly without glare. Some spaces, such as laundry rooms, use ambient lighting as task lighting. Various fixtures can be used, including chandeliers, track lighting, and pot lights.
Accent lighting
Adding accent lighting to a room can add drama and visual interest. In an interior, it is used to draw attention to art works, pictures, sculptures, and other valuable items. Additionally, you can use it to highlight the texture of a stone wall or window treatments.
Task Lighting
Among the things you need task lighting for are reading, cooking, and working at your desk. Brighter light is needed for its use on a smaller focal point. We cover lighting in more depth in “What Is the Best Living Room Lighting To Use“.
Add Sophistication with Crown Molding
The addition of crown molding can completely transform the look of your space. Best of all, it’s inexpensive and pretty quick to do.
Decorative crown molding can be used in a variety of ways. The most common way is to add it where the wall meets the ceiling. This makes a big impact on the room by instantly adding elegance.
If you have a formal dining room, crown molding can be used to frame it and make the room feel more opulent. It can also be used to enhance the looks of your furnishings. You can find various styles of crown molding and install them according to your requirements. You can use this trim to create a stylish focal point.
Crown molding can be installed on built-ins and bookshelves. You can add a light rail and chair rail under it to give the room a Victorian look. For more options, you can also install them as frames on the walls of the living room or dining room.
Choose the size and shape of crown molding that best suits your house. If you have a small home, you can easily install simple crown molding in a few hours. In a large home, you can install elaborate and grand crown molding. As far as DIY Home Projects go, this one is fairly simple if you have some decent carpentry skills and tools but you may want to hire a pro for this.
Final Thoughts on these DIY Home Projects
A small upgrade like adding a door or remodeling the front porch can add significant value to your property. There are obviously many ways to increase the value of your home whether you want to sell it for a higher price or just make it look better nad make you even more proud of your home. While it might not seem like a big deal, it can help you sell your home faster and for a higher price. These are just some of the simple, relatively inexpensive upgrades that will increase the appeal of your property and increase its value.
While not in the category of decor, Smart home technology with features like a thermostat, security systems, and other modern technology are also fantastic upgrades. It may not be a huge investment, but the features can help you save money, even when you are not using them. These features will not boost the appraised value today, but they will increase its market value in a few years. This trend will be popular in the coming years, as millennials are a fastest-growing demographic among home buyers.
Wool is perhaps the most traditional and popular rug material, largely because of its flexibility in color and design. With the right color and pattern, it hides dirt and daily wear and tear. Wools also blends with the rest of the room. As another plus point, it’s easy to keep looking great with ordinary household cleaning products. In the long term, wool rugs make a durable and lasting investment. Know that a brand-new rug will usually shed some fibers for the first few months before settling down.
Jute is a plant-based alternative to wool. It’s long-lasting, sustainable, and biodegradable so that it’s kind to the environment as well as your home. It’s also often handwoven to increase its eco-friendly standing even more. However, it’s not particularly flexible in terms of looks and color and is most widely available in rustic shades of straw, beige, or cream.
As another natural fiber, sisal offers many of the environmental benefits of jute. It’s a little more durable, and so an ideal choice for busy areas where it can take the punishment. The price you pay for this toughness is a certain amount of scratchiness which can irritate tender skin. Also, sisal not as easily cleaned as most other materials.
With it’s elegant, lustrous looks and smooth, gentle feel, silk makes a luxury rug for bathrooms and bedrooms. Unfortunately, a pure silk rug isn’t very resistant to wear and tear. For busier areas of your home, a rug made from silk mixed with a tougher material like wool is a better choice.
As a synthetic, polyester can sometimes feel a little less warm and welcoming than other rug materials. On the plus side, it makes some of the toughest rugs available, yet is still kind to soft skin. This makes it ideal for playrooms, and anywhere else young people are often around.
Extremely durable and also water repellent, polypropylene is a great choice for outdoor rugs, or for high-traffic areas such as entryways. It’s also a cost-effective option, perfect for heavy-duty use rather than fancy decoration.
Can you remember wishing that you had some of those gadgets? Maybe you were a Jetson wannabe.
Taking on a large piece of furniture may prove too challenging for you, and this may keep you from upholstering for quite some time. If this is your first upholstery project, choose something simple like small like a bar stool or dining room seat.
Start Small
