Room Decor Ideas DIY
Room Decoration Ideas – Quick Tips Vol. 2

Room Decoration Ideas – Quick Tips Vol. 2

by | Nov 14, 2020 | DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Living Room Ideas, Room Decoration

We hope you enjoy part 2 of our collection of room decoration ideas & quick tips to take your own decor to the next level.

Here are the next five room decoration tips. We have many more to come so check back soon.

Quick Decor Tips Vol. 2 – Room Decoration Ideas

Black Accents

Room Decoration Ideas - black accents

Most people think black accents make your space seem smaller but this isn’t the case. It actually can enlarge the space by putting your darkest tone on an area you want to push back. If used moderately it can actually ground your room and tie everything together. The overall contrast can be absolutely striking and look very elegant.

Cohesive Flooring

Room Decoration Ideas - cohesive flooring

If it’s possible your flooring should be cohesive throughout your home. This can be expensive but overall it’s much more appealing to the eye and will also elevate the value of your home overall. Using the same flooring throughout the home also gives it a much larger feel. You can also use rugs to break up the continuity and divide up the space.It also creates the illusion of distinct dining and sitting areas but still pulls together as  part of the same, larger whole.

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Ways to Spruce up an Old Fireplace

Room Decoration Ideas - white fireplace

Current trends favour brightly painted fireplaces and it does look very chic. If your fireplace is not a working fireplace you can use it as a decorative piece by placing candles, books, and any decorative items that you want to display. Displaying pictures, paintings or plants on the mantle is also another way to utilize the fireplace. Pull out some of your old items that you’ve had stored away and you may just have the place for them now.

Good Sight Lines for TV

Room Decoration Ideas tv sight lines

The best way to hang a television is at eye level. For instance if you’re sitting on your sofa you’ll want it at eye level from the position you are sitting at.

If you like to watch tv when you’re in the kitchen you may want to hang it at eye level from where you’re standing or if you happen to sit at an island you may want it at eye level from there. It’s best to hang it at 1.5 times the diagonal span of your TV screen for optimal viewing. Consider a TV mount that swivels if you like to view from different positions in the room.

Make the Room Feel More Open with Lighting

Room Decoration Ideas - ligthing

If you are lucky enough to have a lot of natural light, larger windows is a key component to connecting the room with the outdoors. If however you do not have this option lighting fixtures is an amazing way to create the effect of openness and brightness. Sheer window coverings are also a great idea for your windows as it provides some privacy yet still lets the light shine in.

Here’s a video version of our Room Decor quick tips volume 1:

Hope you enjoyed our these room decoration ideas and quick tips

Also check out Room Decoration ideas Volume 1

Beautiful Rugs, Carpets and the Crazy Myths to Stop Believing

Beautiful Rugs, Carpets and the Crazy Myths to Stop Believing

by | Nov 13, 2020 | DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Interior Decorating, Living Room Ideas, Room Decoration

Carpet and Area Rugs can be a beautiful addition to your home. You may decide against carpet, however, because you believe that the experience is likely to be a difficult one. If this is you, it’s possible that what you believe is only a myth. Check out these common myths about carpets.

You shouldn’t get carpets because they get dirty

It’s a given that anything you walk on every day will catch a certain amount of dirt. It doesn’t matter whether it’s wool, nylon or polyester – soil is a given when you have carpeting. It’s important, then, to think about the soil problem when you choose a carpet color. White and light colors usually show up soil. The answer is simply to choose a color that isn’t likely to show up dirt.

Carpet is not good because it has formaldehyde

Formaldehyde was a part of the carpet manufacturing process prior to the year 1978. It was a resin hardener used in some carpet products. Modern carpeting, however, does not contain the substance. There’s a reason why the formaldehyde myth is persistent, however. It’s because home test kits are available even today, that claim to be able to test for formaldehyde in carpet. In truth, such a test kit makes no sense today.

Carpet is bad because it contains dangerous chemicals

Carpet is not a complicated product — there is fabric backing made of jute, and there is the wool, polyester and nylon yarn that is glued to the backing. These are all materials commonly used around the house in clothing and furniture. Even the glue used in carpet is made of synthetic latex, material that is even less likely to cause allergies than natural latex.

Carpet promotes mold growth

Carpet does not promote mold growth per se. It is capable of growing mold, however, when it is damp. If it tends to be humid where you live, you could have mold on your carpet, but it could grow on other surfaces, as well, including your sofas and beds. Carpet is no more prone to mold growth than any other material exposed to moisture. area rugs from burke decor

Carpet is bad when you have allergies

Studies have shown that carpet traps allergens, rather than have it float about in the air. This makes carpet good for you when you have allergies. Dust and other allergens can be a problem when you vacuum carpet, however. All you need to do is to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter so that the act of vacuuming doesn’t release allergens in the air.

The thicker the carpet, the more durable it is

Thickness has very little to do with quality or durability. Some of the hardest wearing carpets are the commercial kind, and can be very thin. Rather than thickness, you need to be looking at density. The more yarn a carpet uses per square inch, the more durable it is likely to be. If you want a hard-wearing carpet, you should compare different products by density.

The longer the warranty, the better the quality

It’s incorrect to think that the carpet brand that offers the longest warranty must come with the best quality, as well. Carpet warranties often include clever language excluding all kinds of common situations. It’s important to determine the quality of the carpet you buy in other ways. Carpet can add a great deal of luxury and beauty to any home. If you love carpet, but always decided against it because you believed in a myth or two, you could now begin to reconsider.

 

Check out our recent post “Room Decoration Ideas – Quick Tips Vol. 1″

Room Decoration Ideas – Quick Tips Vol. 1

Room Decoration Ideas – Quick Tips Vol. 1

by | Nov 5, 2020 | DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Living Room Ideas, Room Decoration

Updated October 22, 2022

We’re putting together a collection of room decoration ideas & quick tips to take your own decor to the next level.

So here’s are first five room decoration tips. There’s many more to come so check back soon.

Room Decoration Ideas….

Make the Most of Your Natural Light

room decor ideas

Have you ever picked colors in store and thought they would be perfect for your room and to your dismay when you brought home the color swatches they look completely different up against your walls. Well thank goodness you didn’t actually buy the paint and be thankful for those color swatches the store provides. The best way to pick a color is in natural light. When you decorate you should always look at the natural light in your room. When facing south, your room benefits from the maximum amount of light whereas north facing windows are darker so paint colors can be a very different hue.

Hanging Curtains

room decoration ideas diy

The best way to make a room feel higher than it really is to hang your curtains high. This can creates a very impressive impression. Also, go for a luxurious fabric, velvet or silk just to name a few this creates a beautiful frame for your windows. Do not hang your curtains close to the frame as this makes the room feel smaller and it’s just as appealing.

 

How to Give the Effect of a Higher Ceiling

room decor ideas diy

1.  As far as purchasing furniture with a low ceiling in mind, think low furnishings. The low height of the furniture will help give the illusion of a higher ceiling room.

2. Keeping your lighting flushed to the ceiling hence giving the appearance of more headroom.

3. Keeping your window coverings light & simple works & is also a great way to make your room taller. If you use heavy window coverings it just makes it feel closed in. If you do select drapes, choose a pattern that will draw the eye up giving an illusion of a higher ceiling. A solid color drape with some kind of pattern at the top will also add height. If you’re installing crown molding, keep it in proportion.

4.  Groupings of different objects on shelves going up to the ceiling also draws the eye up & picture hung in vertical rows, will also give the illusion of height.

5. If you have an older structured home sometimes there are nice surprises lurking in your ceiling. During a renovation you may want to take the ceiling out to it’s bare bones exposing it’s structures and find that you may have a nice floating ceiling. In older homes the ceilings were built lower as this was a desired look back then. You will be surprised how much taller your ceiling will be if you have the opportunity to do this.

6.  Bouncing some light off the ceiling will also give it a higher effect so when purchasing lighting try and keep in mind this tip. Try sconce lighting or indirect lighting directed upward from an interior cornice or torchèr lighting.

In order to divide up the space you may want to add on a partial wall or pillar to divide the room visually or with texture like area rugs, wallpaper or furniture to help create different spaces yet still making it cohesive. Even a piece of furniture like a sofa with its back to another space, a bench, a decorative screen, floor lamps, or bringing in plants can help divide the spaces.

Groupings of 3… the Magic Number

 

If there is a magic number in design, it is 3 and in general, use odd numbers. Group odd numbers of items whether it’s books, cushions, photos or candles. It forces the eye to move around the display, creating a level of visual interest that is symmetrical, even-numbered groupings just don’t have the same effect.

Don’t Be Afraid of Black Paint

Black paint can be magnificent on an accent wall. Try flat black paint with abstract art or framing with MDF for a beautiful, visually impactful accent wall.

Bedroom Decorating

black accent wall

 

Hope you enjoyed our these room decoration ideas and quick tips

Also check out “11 Inspiring Modern Bedroom Design Ideas“

How to Pick the Perfect Color Scheme for Home Interiors

How to Pick the Perfect Color Scheme for Home Interiors

by | Nov 1, 2020 | DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Interior Decorating, Living Room Ideas, Room Decoration

Tips for Choosing a Color Scheme for Home Interiors

It is no longer fashionable to paint each room in the house a different color, so you should aim to pick a color scheme that will suit your entire home. However, it is important to make the right color choices, as this can help to enhance your home’s future value. It is a good idea to have a starting point before making any firm color decisions, and this can be anything from an old photograph to a favourite item of clothing. You may, on the other hand, prefer to have a specific theme in your home that is based on flowers, trees, beautiful sunsets, dramatic coastlines, or animals – the possibilities are endless! Once you have a good starting point, you should be well on your way to making the right color choices for your home.

We found a great tool on the Benjamin Moore website. It’s easy to use and let’s you select from a variety of room photos. Hopefully you can find one that is similar to yours. Then simply select any colors for the walls and trim so you can easily visualize how the combination will look in a room setting. There is also a version that will let you upload a photo of your room but you have to sign up and login to use it.

Using this tool is much easier than bringing home 20 little paint swatches and trying to visualize your room in that color. I’m sure we have have all been there. The color seems subtle on the little swatch and then you paint a whole wall and step back and say WOH instead WOW.

Try out this tool. It may save you some money and a couple of trips back to the paint store.

Benjamin Moore – Color a Room Tool
Benjamin Moore – Personal Color Viewer (Upload your own photos – Free but requires a sign-up)

Neutral colors

Color Scheme for HomeIt is always best to begin with a neutral shade before adding any other colors. Neutral shades are the building blocks of your home and help to lay the perfect foundations for bolder shades. Choose a neutral color that reflects the style of your home and can be used throughout the house. When choosing a color Scheme for home interiors, it is also important to make sure that your chosen colors blend well with the amount of light that comes into each room.

Consider undertones

When choosing colors, it is important to be aware of the fact that all paint colors have undertones. Undertones are virtually impossible to see in the paint tin, but an unwanted tone can completely ruin the appearance of a room – beige paint, for example, can often have visible pink undertones when used on the walls.

Start adding colors

Once you are happy with your chosen neutral color, you can begin adding more colors. If there is a particular color you want that isn’t available, you can always mix your own at the paint shop. However, before ploughing in and using any of your chosen colors on the walls of your home, make sure you prepare a large test area first. You may find it helpful to paint the colors on poster boards and hold them up to get a good idea of the look you want to achieve.

Begin to coordinate

You can begin to coordinate the look of your entire home through repetition. Begin by using one of your chosen paint colors, for instance orange, at least twice in the house. You can do this by painting the walls of one room in orange paint and then using an orange patterned wallpaper in another. Then repeat this process with your other chosen colors to bring everything together.

Think about lighting and sight lines

When choosing a range of accent colors for your home, it is important to consider how the hues will look when they are viewed from other rooms in your house. A combination of natural light and paint undertones can greatly affect the look you want to achieve. If a lot of the rooms in your home lack natural light, then it is best to keep the use of dark accent colors to a minimum.

Bring in soft furnishings

Once your paint colors are in place throughout your home, you can begin to bring in soft furnishings. Choose plain and/or patterned curtains, throws, cushions and rugs to blend in with your chosen color scheme. Wooden floors and rustic furniture can add a real touch of class to any room and can blend well with an array of different colours of wallpaper, paint, and fabrics.

Finishing touches

No room is complete without a few finishing touches. Consider vases filled with real or artificial flowers, plants, pictures, candles, memorabilia, and perhaps even a few souvenirs from your travels. Remember to consider the colour of each item you have and decide which room and position will suit it best.

When your home is finally complete, you will be able to appreciate the importance of picking the perfect colour scheme for home!

Also check out “Get A Wow Factor With These Small Living Room Ideas“

 

Home Staging Tips to Get the Best Offer and Fast

Home Staging Tips to Get the Best Offer and Fast

by | Oct 25, 2020 | DIY Decor Tutorials, Featured, Interior Decorating, Living Room Ideas, Room Decoration

Sell Your Home Faster With These Home Staging Tips

We all want to get the highest possible price when we sell our home. While some things like location and the economy are out of our control there are many things that we can do to ensure that we receive top dollar.

Without question, the most important thing is setting the right asking price. Your real estate agent can put comps together and help you with that. Once you figure out the current market value, you can make other strategic decisions. 

Beyond the setting the right price, the next most important thing is how your house is presented. That is the primary focus of this article and in fact you should not set the asking price of your home until you make some decisions about staging and presenting your home.

My wife and I have purchased and sold 12 homes so far so I speak from experience. They all sold very quickly and most 6 were above asking price. 

home staging tips

Here is a perfect example of how important home staging is…

Our personal home staging case study

We owned a townhouse for 5 years in a development with about 60 town homes. We decided to list it for sale so we could move to another part of the city. Right at the same time, another identical house across the street was listed at $44K less than ours.

We listed our house at $279K and the one across the street listed at $235K. I was quite concerned at first but not for long. Our house sold for the asking price in about 10 days and the one across the street took nearly 4 months to sell. 

What was the difference? 

Visual appeal on the interior was the difference. The only upgrade we had was hardwood flooring in the living/dining room worth about $6,000. Other than that, they were the same house. 

Our house was beautifully decorated and theirs was very blasé and unappealing. I found it baffling that our house sold for that much more. Consider that once we took our things out of the house, the buyer was left with basically the same house that they could have purchased across the street and saved $44,000.

Personally, I would have taken the house across the street and put some effort into making it nicer inside with some flooring and paint and nice furniture. However, I quickly learned that not everyone thinks that way.

Love At First Sight

staging

The important point here is that making a great first impression is key to helping you get a fast offer for the best possible price. Any improvements you do that help make a great first impression or improve the “curb appeal” will increase the potential profit you will make.

It is a fact that well showcased houses sell 84 percent faster than those that are not.

First Impressions Last Forever

People make a very quick initial decision as to whether they like a house or not just based on a visual first impression. Number one on a list of home staging tips would be to get the curb appeal factor working for you right from the start. If buyers get a negative feeling, then you have to win them back with other features in the home. 

Make the exterior as beautiful as possible. Otherwise, they may try to use the un-pleasing exterior as leverage when they try to negotiate a price. That is of course assuming that they are interested enough to make an offer. 

You are probably already aware of the obvious things that need attention in your house. Maybe you have a broken railing on your front porch. You definitely want to fix anything that needs repair. 

Do the obvious things like cut the lawn, trim the bushes and clean up the garden. Any furniture that is outside should look new and sharp. 

New hardware and a fresh coat of paint on your front door are simple, inexpensive fixes go a long way in making a good overall impression. 

Let’s Go Inside

A little additional work can dramatically affect the length of time your house will stay on the market and the asking price that you can list it for. Many home buyers are just not interested in doing a lot of home improvements. 

If some buyers see that they will have to fix a whole bunch of things they may just take a pass on your house or they may start thinking about what other problems there might be that they can’t see.

If you impress them with a well maintained house, it might encourage them to choose your house rather than the one down the street. 

The good news is that many small enhancements that positively affect the value of your house, like a fresh coat of paint, aren’t that expensive. 

Your goal is to make your home as visually pleasing as possible so that you are not put into a weak position when it comes time to negotiate. If a buyer sees flaws, they will use that to bring down the price. 

Professional staging can sell a house.
When I look back at houses we’ve had staged and the houses we’ve shown without staging, the difference is incredible. Professional stagers know how to put in just the right furniture and decor to make buyers really see themselves living there. Staging is almost always worth the price.
@therealtarekelmoussa – HGTV Flip or Flop

Should you renovate?

If you have major issues or several minor issues, you might find that no offers are coming in. This can be stressful and the longer it takes to sell, the less likely you are going to get the price you really want.

If you’re considering a significant remodel project simply so that you can sell your house, you should be very careful as it may not provide more profit. If for example, you have a worn looking kitchen, you should do something about it. If you can make it more appealing with minor changes instead of a remodel then minor upgrades may be the answer. 

In one house that we had, the kitchen was not bad but there was ugly ceramic tile. It was in good shape but ugly so we bought some beautiful laminate flooring and layed it right over the tile. It took an afternoon and about $500 in materials. This was a lot easier and cheaper than ripping out the old ceramic tile and laying new tile.

The kitchen cabinets were in good shape but ordinary. We bought some beautiful handles on Amazon and the total cost was about $65. The kitchen was in full view from the front door so these inexpensive changes made a world of difference to the overall impression. 

Should you do a major remodel?

Keep in mind, there are no assurances that you would recuperate the costs of major remodel so make sure the cost vs return makes sense. Unless your home is in dire need of serious renovations, focus on making your home appealing, clean, nice and well maintained. Maybe leave it to the new owners to do their own customizations.

Before you start thinking about major renovations, remind yourself that you are enhancing your home to quickly sell it for the best price and your goal is to make it look enticing to buyers. Make it appealing to as broad a spectrum of possible purchasers as possible. Narrowing your target to a specific niche market might take longer to sell.

If you really feel that the kitchen or bathroom needs a remodel, get some estimates of the cost and talk to your real estate agent about how much more you could expect from the sale price. It should make the house sell faster but you’ll have to look at the numbers and decide whether a remodel would be worth the time and expense.

It is a fact that staged homes bring as much as 15 percent more revenue that those that are not.

 

Source: Staged For Upsell Halifax

The little things are a Big Deal

Tackle the projects are the most obvious like things that are broken. They tend to be simpler and generally cost the least. They are “must-do’s” because things that are broken are things that people know they will have to deal with and it also has a psychological effect. In the back of their mind, they may think “maybe there are more problems that I need to watch out for”. This puts you in a weaker position.

Try to make significant improvements to the overall look of your home. Think about various cosmetic methods for a general improvement, e.g. cleaning, painting, refinishing, and more. If you make wise decisions, certain enhancements that greatly enhance the appeal of your house will definitely improve the perceived value. 

Visual elements are important

Focus on things that are highly visible and enhance the overall impression of the house, like landscaping, brand-new floor covering or paint, rather than an insulation upgrade or anything that is not visible.

People purchase what they “see”. Their general impression of the home needs to be positive and get them visualizing their future right there in the house. Perceived problems will distract them from those feelings. 

The neighborhood is really important

When examining other houses in the area, make sure that your home meets the standards and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. The best makeover you can give your house is one that retains its original style. An upgraded façade can protect your house from structural damage and provides a beautifully maintained aesthetic. 

Make Buyers Say Wow!

As mentioned previously, staging your home and making a great first impression will make your home sell faster. Do what you can to give your home a WOW factor. If people walk into your house and say “wow”, you’re golden. You will have created desire and there’s a strong chance that will also feel that way and you just might get a handful of offers. 

Mistake: Ignoring your home’s exterior
“Simple touches like making sure the lawn is freshly cut, power-washing the driveway, or putting a few freshly potted plants on the front porch can make a big impact,” says Jo. “It’s all about reminding them that your house is cared for, so they won’t worry that you’re also ignoring what they can’t see.”
@joannagaines  – HGTV, Fixer Upper

How can I stage my house for free?

Many agents actually offer home staging as a service in their quoted commission rate. Know that you will likely pay a higher commission rate than if you take care of it yourself.

Check out these home staging before and afters from out Pinterest boards…

 

Here are some key home staging tips to make your house look it’s best and sell fast:

Crush the curb appeal

This is where it all starts. Potential buyers will often drive by your home first to decide whether it’s worth taking the time to take a look inside. Don’t lose them there, make sure it looks great from the outside. Here are the key things to take care of:

  • Power wash the exterior eavestroughs, siding and walkways
  • Place nice house numbers that are easy to see
  • Plant flowers and fresh greenery
  • Mow lawn, trim the shrubs – make the garden look it’s best
  • Wash the windows
  • Repaint or stain the front door and replace the door hardware
  • Place a brand new welcome mat
  • Any furniture that is outside should look new and sharp. 
Make your house sparkling clean

A great first impression starts with a clean & tidy house. This includes clean windows, flooring, counter tops, cupboards, baseboards, ceilings and fixtures. Everything needs to be clean. If the task is too big, hire a cleaning company to come in for a day. It won’t cost that much and it’s worth it.  

Clear the clutter

Don’t leave any of your personal stuff laying around. Also remove any visible personal photos. Replace personal photos with other artwork if necessary – it’s a well known negative distraction to home buyers. 

Make it fragrant

Unpleasant odors will turn buyers off. You should make sure that your home smells great. If you have pets, get any carpets cleaned. Oh, and don’t leave any dirty laundry laying around.

One effective way of creating a great smell is using scented candles. Be sure to get rid of any cooking smells unless it’s baked apple pie, that apparently works in your favour.  

Freshen up the paint

Fresh paint can make a big difference in the overall impression. New paint shows that you maintain the property. You should also fix any scratches, dents and wall holes while you’re at it.

Clear the closets

Everyone needs storage space. If you jam your closets with stuff, buyers may get the impression that there just isn’t enough storage space and take a pass on the property for that reason alone. You should remove excess things from the closets in order to create the impression that there is plenty of room.

Let there be light

When you have showings at your house, be sure to have your curtains drawn to let in natural light. Use natural light as much as possible. While electric lighting can be used to enhance the interior of your house, it can give a gloomy impression if there is no natural light.

Give your dining room table some style

You could set the dining room table beautifully. At the very least just clean it and add a nice centerpiece.

A summary of Home Staging Tips

Take these steps to create a great impression and you could put yourself in the ideal position – the one where you get multiple offers. Yes, we are talking about a bidding war. It’s the best place to be because you will probably get much more than your asking price!

If you do everything you can to make your house have a WOW factor when people come to your house then you are going to reap the rewards of your efforts.

It can be overwhelming so get some help if you need to. If you need help getting organized we created an ebook that has a comprehensive checklist you can use to stay organized. Just sign up below and you can download it right away.

I hope we have given you some inspiration to give your house a WOW factor.

Remember that by staging your home and making it as desirable as possible you will not only sell your home faster, you will also sell it at a high price.

Also check out: “Get A Wow Factor With These Small Living Room Ideas“

Would you like a comprehensive checklist that you can download?

Download our Home Staging Guide to Help You Sell Fast & Get the Maximum Price!

This 25 page ebook is full of home staging tips. It explains the most important things you can do to make your house have more appeal to buyers so that you can sell it quickly.

Comprehensive checklist is included so you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and you can keep track of your to-do list.

Save the cost of hiring staging professionals and unleash your own Home Staging Superpowers.

How to Make Your Home Sell Fast

FREE DOWNLOAD!

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Inspiring Backsplash Ideas for White Kitchens

Inspiring Backsplash Ideas for White Kitchens

by | Oct 17, 2020 | DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Kitchens, Style Trend

Make a Splash! Here’s a collection of Backsplash Ideas for white kitchens that will hopefully inspire you for your next kitchen backsplash project. A collection from Pinterest Pins is included at the end.

There is nothing more beautiful than a tastefully decorated white kitchen but to establish a focal point amongst all the white, an ideal way of making a “splash” is by having a backsplash that can create a decorative punch. Here we have a beautiful herringbone pattern in grey and white typically made of ceramic, porcelain, or stone. The herringbone pattern is rectangular shaped and resembles fish bones. A beautiful compliment to this stunning white kitchen.

 

If you’re working with a small space and limited budget a simple white subway tile is an ideal way of giving you a complete look to your white kitchen. Notice the grey grouting in between the subway tiles giving it more dimension, blended with the grey counters and the grey painted walls this look delivers a cozy inviting atmosphere for a small space.

 

The tiles over the countertops are arranged in a way that elongates the counter space accented with dark grouting. Adding shelving on top of the subway tile not only gives you extra storage but in this case the wood shelving ties in with the island bringing in some old-world charm.

 

Transform a white wall into a dynamic feature. A unique hexagon backsplash is a great way to bring out simple white cupboards. The tiles accented with grey grout blends in beautifully with the white and quartz island counter.

 

Sometimes a simple white subway tile is just the right kind of look when other elements of the kitchen are the more dominant feature. In this case the blue island, tan leather bar stools and gold pendant lighting, are really the stand-out pieces in this modern kitchen. Keeping the backsplash simple let’s the eye take in these features.

 

Combining the warm tones of the farmhouse sink, the wood top island, and the warm colors of the laminate floor make this backsplash a beautiful addition to this pretty white kitchen. All of the warm tones of the backsplash tie all the elements together.

 

White upper cabinets and black lower cabinets give this kitchen a stunning elegant feel. The backsplash is made from the same Quartz as the gorgeous countertops. Black and gold pendant lights tie everything together beautifully.

More inspiration from our White Kitchen Pinterest board:
See all our Pinterest Boards

Stylish Home Office Ideas for Minimalists

Stylish Home Office Ideas for Minimalists

by | Oct 16, 2020 | DIY, DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Home Office Ideas

We put together some home office ideas for minimalists to create a comfortable space without a heavy price tag. Living in a small space and working from home can seem overwhelming at times. During the current Covid-19 pandemic this is especially prevalent with so many people having to work at home. It’s important to create a work space for yourself that makes you comfortable and allows you to stay distraction-free and focused on your work for as long as you need.

If there is enough room as in this space, dividing the room into two sections with elegant canopy bed panels on one side of your workspace and if you’re lucky enough to have a window drapery can be a beautiful touch for privacy on the other side of your home office. This office has a beautiful green feel combining different wood elements, metal accessories and greenery, comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

Not much space! Try clearing a corner in one of your rooms, there’s always room for a small desk and chair. Picking a bright colored chair, as seen here, makes this little cozy corner pop.

 
Sale - Up to 35% off at Smart Furniture
 

Want to add some drama to a simple desk and chair, try painting the wall a beautiful dramatic color. Also, adding a couple of inexpensive shelves, and the right balance of photos/accessories gives this small home office a rich inviting feel, making working from home an enjoyable experience.

When you spend long hours working at your desk, you should consider an ergonomic chair to make sure your posture doesn’t suffer from the longs hours. Chairsfx has an excellent, in depth post that explains the importance of an ergonomic chair and what can happen if you don’t take care of your well-being. 

 

If you’re lucky enough to have a basement where you can get a bit of privacy why not create a bright Inviting space for your home office. Purchase a contrasting color rug to the  existing carpet defines your space, it’s saying this part of the room is mine! A nice floor lamp adds brightness as well as a comfy chair that adds an inviting charm.

 

If you’re more into a modern contemporary look this super modern desk may be the way to go. Surrounded by ultra modern elements such as the unique overhead lighting and beautiful custom made chair makes this room a real showstopper.

If you are lucky enough to have room under a stairway why not utilize the space by building a custom home office. You’d be surprised just how much room you can get out of a space this size. By placing shelving all the way up this gives it a feeling of height as well as excellent storage capabilities. Painting the wall behind this look brings out all the elements in your unique home office.

If you have an airy bright beautiful room with lots of light why not place your desk facing the windows for just the right amount of lighting for your online Zoom conferences. This Scandinavian style desk and chair complimented by a neutral modern sofa and beautiful teal accent walls and carpet make this home office dramatic yet inviting.

If your thing is eclectic shabby chic why not incorporate this unique desk into your home office. Make this look a reflection of your personality. Feminine yet professional. The addition of the soft pinks really brings this look together

Many of us our finding in this pandemic that more and more couples are working at home. How do you solve this dilemma in a condo/apartment. This long extended desk built for two can definitely be the remedy to your problem. The light wood desks make the room airy and inviting with plenty of home offie work space. Enjoy your time together!

If you’re be interested in more home office ideas check out our recent post about making a built-in desk. It’s an easy Ikea hack using the popular Billy Bookcase. Enjoy. 

Sale - Up to 35% off at Smart Furniture

Here are some more home office ideas from our Pinterest boards:

Beautiful Contemporary Fireplace Ideas for Your Inspiration

Beautiful Contemporary Fireplace Ideas for Your Inspiration

by | Oct 10, 2020 | Interior Decorating, Living Room Ideas, Room Decoration

Looking for contemporary fireplace ideas?

Whether you love classic cozy fireplaces or prefer a minimalistic aesthetic, we have some inspiration for you. Here’s a collection of beautiful fireplace ideas including a whole bunch from our Pinterest Board at the end.

fireplace ideas

Beautiful custom made fireplace/tv wall. When you have this much room in your living space why not take advantage of it and have all the elements you desire built into that area. Mounting the fireplace and tv on a marble or a quartz back drop is one luxurious aesthetic. In this case it’s an excellent choice as it blends beautifully with the white clean color scheme of the room. The bookshelves framed in dark wood with the dark wood backdrop behind the shelving is a stark contrast that works beautifully.

 

fireplace ideas This is the classic case of taking something old and making it new again. A very simple way to update a brick fireplace is adding a coat of paint, in this case a beautiful white color was chosen to keep in the monochromatic scheme. Placing the dark accessories on top of the mantle along with some greenery ads a modern touch. The black and white patterned hearth added another interesting element to the overall look. The two sconces on either side of the fireplace ads a beautiful dimension and balance.

 

fireplace ideas

A dramatic offset balance to this modern shape wall unit is created by inserting an electric fireplace/tv to the center part of the unit and balanced with a desk to complete a multi media unit look. All elements have different looks to them but still create balance to the complete picture.

 

fireplace ideas Vaulted ceilings can be difficult to work with especially if you have odd shaped walls. This is a perfect example of using an odd space and yet creating balance as well as elegance. The beautiful trim around the bookcase, mantle, and side of wall brings it all together. The herringbone pattern on the fireplace adds a stunning texture to the overall look.

 

fireplace ideas

A gorgeous rustic look that utilizes the height of the room. This amazing wood fireplace is an all time classic. The white mantle adds a hint of a modern look a well as a modern piece of art that ties together the black frame of the fireplace and the white mantle. Perfect for cozy nights!

 

fireplace ideas

Bring on the drama! There are so many elements here that all compliment one another. The dark black walls are a perfect backdrop to display eye catching accessories that pop. Touches of white and gold are a beautiful contrast to the black making this aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The beautifully painted fireplace with all the contrasts such as the white frame and the black and gray stone framing the wood fire gives it a dramatic, inviting appeal.

fireplace ideas This gorgeous stone fireplace though maybe oddly placed in this room is tastefully accented with a complimentary sitting chair that gives it a cozy feeling. A charming way to balance a fireplace that may be placed in an odd corner.

 

fireplace ideas A classic looking fireplace/tv that adds elegance to this room. Tastefully done, simple yet dramatic. The contrasting wall color makes the cream color of the fireplace stand out just enough for just the right amount of dramatic contrast. Simple fireplace accessories bring beauty and elegance to this look.

fireplace ideas

Can this get any cozier? Stone, wood and shiplap all combined together bring the outside indoors. The accessories placed above the mantle some shabby chic as well as the modern picture complete the coziness of this look.

fireplace ideas

A gorgeous stone wall surrounded by the wood elements in the room brings elegance and a cohesiveness to the electric fireplace as the focal point in this picture. The floating mantle is a unique touch that creates balance between the tv and fireplace.

Here are some more Contemporary Fireplace ideas from our Pinterest Boards:

8 Small Kitchen Ideas for Amazing Results

8 Small Kitchen Ideas for Amazing Results

by | Sep 18, 2020 | DIY, Interior Decorating, Kitchens

Are you looking for small kitchen ideas? Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel or minor upgrades you have probably discovered there a unique set of challenges involved. One of those problems is that you naturally want to put in lots of storage space but sometimes it can make the kitchen feel smaller.

Here are some remedies for improving a small kitchen.

Small Kitchen Ideas for Remodeling or Upgrading

1 | Choose open shelves

One common problem with small kitchens is that they can feel claustrophobic when there are too many cupboards packed right into this minimal area. Eliminating them is normally not always a choice when you have a lot of things you need to store. Open cupboards or shelves may be the remedy to this problem because it solves that ‘boxed in’ feeling. Open shelving give you the chance to use ceramic containers, beautiful glasses, baskets and other decorative pieces.

Also consider a getting a few upper cabinet doors with glass front cabinets to reduce the boxed-in look.

# 2. Add a kitchen area island

small kitchen ideas -Add a kitchen area island

Small kitchen areas do not have sufficient counter space. When you don’t have space or budget for a stationary island, a portable island or cart with wheels may be the solution if sufficient food prep area is lacking.

# 3. Mix textures and add geometric patterns

small kitchen ideas-Mix textures and add geometric patterns

Beautiful geometric patterns can add a wow factor to your small kitchen. Patterns can add beautiful texture, depth and make your kitchen look bigger than it really is by tricking your eyes a little.

Tiles, wallpaper, or other kitchen accessories, like a floor runner are elements where you can apply these geometric shapes.

Warning: Don’t over do it on the geometric patterns. You could end up making your kitchen look chaotic.

# 4. Select moveable seating

small kitchen ideas - stools

Chairs as well as benches take up also much room. Backless stools can provide adequate seating without getting in your way. Visually they give the impression of a spaciousness.

# 5. Hang your pots and pans

small-kitchen-ideas-Hang your pots and pans

Pot and pans are bulky take up valuable cupboard space. One solution for that is to hang a pot rack on an empty wall of above the kitchen island. It’s functional and stylish.

# 6. Include touches of color

small kitchen ideas touches of color

If the kitchen is little, a solitary light wall color is a good start. Light colors make a room look bigger while dark colors have the opposite effect. Save darker colors for accents and texture.

A colorful backsplash can really bring it all together. Try a mix of ceramic and glass tiles. To make the room look wider, try horizontal subway tiles.

# 7. Enhance your kitchen with the perfect lighting

There are are so many lighting options that can help transform the area completely.

Install lights beneath your upper cabinets. It adds elegance and provides excellent lighting for food preparation. If you have an island, pendant lights are a great choice as they create a beautiful ambiance. If pot lights in the ceiling are an option, you can’t go wrong there. If you can’t add pot lights, a good alternative is track lighting. You can point the track lights where you need light the most.

If you can’t find what your looking for at Home Depot and Lowes, then try Amazon or other online stores. With the endless selection you will certainly find beautiful lights that are within your budget.

# 8. Use beautiful top-quality flooring

small kitchen ideas - flooring

Beautiful flooring can truly transform your small kitchen. Ceramic tile is generally used in kitchens however laminate and vinyl flooring have come a long way in design and quality.

They are commonly used now partly because they are much easier to install. Sometimes you can even install laminate flooring right on top of the existing ceramic tile. It saves you from getting out the jack hammer and the whole mess or removing ceramic tile.

Some of the laminate and vinyl flooring looks just like wood.

We hope you find these small kitchen ideas useful when you do your kitchen improvements.

Here’s more kitchen inspiration from our Pinterest Boards…

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Putting The “Living” Into Your Living Room Design

Putting The “Living” Into Your Living Room Design

by | Sep 18, 2020 | DIY, DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Family Room Ideas, Living Room Ideas

Let’s get practical about your living room design. What sort of space is your living room? Is it that kind of space with all of the expensive furnishings and devices, possibly antiques or family heirlooms, where no one dares to go into? Or is your living room used as the family room, the place where everybody hangs out. The place you watch television, play video games, party or just chill out and read? Whatever the function of your living room happens to be, the furniture and accessories set the tone, and should of course reflect your family’s personality.

Many families spend the majority of their time together in the living room or great room. That is of course because that is where all of the “fun” stuff is. Beside the kitchen, the living room is the heart of the home. That is why it is essential that your living room furnishings be long lasting, comfy and have enough seating for everybody.

When furnishing your living room, you need to think of what your family uses it for. Do you primarily view tv and play games in there? Do your friends come to hang out there?  Do you do a great deal of reading or other activities such as sewing or crafts in there? Consider how you use the space and you can start to make practical decisions from there. But the right furniture and you will love spending time in your living room.

The standard living room furnishings pieces are normally a couch, several chairs (of different types), a coffee table, perhaps some end tables, and lighting. When you are looking for a couch, determine if you might have overnight visitors and consider shopping for a sofa bed. Sleeper sofas have come a long way from the thin and bumpy bed mattress with a bar in your back, and supply a very comfy place for your guests to rest peacefully. If you don’t require a sofa bed, then think of the size your couch needs to be. There are large sectionals that accommodate numerous people at the same time. There are sofa and love seat mixes that allow you more flexibility in furniture arrangement. Identify what will suit your room, and purchase appropriately.

Then consider whether you need chairs that are soft, comfortable chairs or more formal accent chairs. Make sure you have enough seating to accommodate a good variety of people, if you have a big family or have friends over frequently.

Choosing the ideal table or tables for you room can be tricky. Glass tables are elegant and give a feeling of more space. If you have kids, consider that they get smudges easily so you may be spending a lot of time with your Windex bottle. Wood tables are more sturdy and less maintenance. You may need some smaller accent tables depending on how much seating you have so consider buying a set of tables or spend some time looking for various tables that compliment each other.

Lighting play a big role in the overall feel of your living room. If you read a lot, do crafting or play games in your living room, then you will need good functional lighting. If you use the living room primarily for relaxing and watching TV then more decorative, ambient lighting is the way to go.

No living room design is complete today without some sort of entertainment center. It provides a place to save all of your home entertainment equipment, consisting of the television, stereo, video game systems and speakers. These can be found in a range of sizes, colors, and types, and likewise been available in a range of costs. Once again, what you buy depends upon your needs and the size of your space.

You’re living room design is all yours so you are making your own rules. If you need a general guideline to get you started, it would be to use a small palette of light colors for your walls and furniture. Then add in color and texture with accents like throw pillows and pictures etc. When you add in your personal touches with photos, wall hangings, shelving and plants your living room will quickly evolve into a comfy place that your family will take pleasure in spending time in.

Here are some Small Living Room Ideas from our Pinterest Boards…

11 Inspiring Modern Bedroom Design Ideas

11 Inspiring Modern Bedroom Design Ideas

by | Sep 17, 2020 | Bedroom Ideas, DIY, DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Interior Decorating

Do you see modern bedroom decor ideas in magazines and movies and think, “I want that”. It looks simple and then the more you think about it, you realize that there is a lot of work involved.

Sometimes it’s just knowing where to begin. Once you decide on some key elements, the rest of the decisions start to fall into place. So, if it is time to refresh your bedroom…

Here are some modern bedroom decor ideas to get you inspired on your journey.

1 | Combine neutral and bright colors

Modern Bedroom Ideas

If you want a bright, fresh looking room, paint the walls white and use pastel accented bed linens and accessories. This color scheme is not the only way to go but it is a tried and true approach to a classic modern bedroom decor.

2 | Keep it open.

Modern Bedroom Ideas

For the ultimate modern bedroom, keep it open and spacious as possible. Consider removing the walls to your en suite to give the that luxurious feeling of open space.

3 | Bring in the natural light.

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Natural light is always welcome and makes the room feel bigger, brighter and more welcoming. If your natural light is limited consider installing larger windows or a skylight. Installing light coloured hard stone or wood flooring. This will reflect light and make the most of the light that you do have.

4 | Add natural textures

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Natural materials can add a beautiful modern feel to your bedroom decor! Wood can be used in so many ways beyond just flooring. There are endless possibilities when you use wood to design accent walls, floating shelves, window coverings, furniture and accessories. Also consider things like potted plants, a fabric accent wall, stone accents

5 | How about some accent colors?

Modern Bedroom Ideas

A modern luxury aesthetic may built around a subtle, light color palette but you can add in accessories like decorative throw pillows to add some vibrancy.

Also check out 17 Relaxing Room Decor Ideas

6 | Keep the clutter out

Bedroom Design Ideas

A minimalist aesthetic is what gives a room a really modern feel. You don’t have to go extreme but try not to have many small accessories and accents. Use large significant pieces that have a strong presence.

7 | Time to upgrade your bed?

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Beds can be expensive so if there is a limited a budget, consider building your own. It can be quite simple if you build a basic frame for the bed and plan on using bed linens to cover it all. Then build a statement headboard attached to the wall. It’s a great way to bring in a completely unique element into your design.

8 | Consider a feature wall

Modern Bedroom Ideas

One of the popular modern bedroom design Ideas that we see often using wallpaper to accent one wall. Then paint the other three walls. Keep the color palette neutral but look for different geometric patterns and textures. If the budget allows, design an accent wall using wood or fabric and even stone textures.

9 | Lighting is everything

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Lighting has the final say on the mood of the room. Be sure to spend some time considering your options for ambiance. There are so many great affordable choices for lighting these days. Choose styles that blend with the room and the best tip here is to add dimmers.

10 | Make your ceiling higher

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Make your ceiling higher? Well, not really, but you can make you ceiling look taller by hanging drapes that go right from the ceiling to the floor. It’s easy and makes a huge difference.

11 | Keep it cozy

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Your modern bedroom decor style can still be comfy and cozy. Luxurious textiles for your bed coverings and accent accessories are the answer to coziness. In fact they are a must. There is nothing like a big soft, comfy duvet.

Check out these brilliant “Bedroom Makeover ideas“

Room Decoration Planning in 8 Easy Steps

Room Decoration Planning in 8 Easy Steps

by | Sep 16, 2020 | DIY, DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Interior Decorating, Room Decoration

Do You Need To Decorate Your New Home?

Are You Wondering Where To Even Start?

It’s very exciting to take on a decorating project whether it’s a single room decoration or your entire new home but the very thought it can be daunting. You need to make the right decisions, the ones that will make you feel most comfortable and also proud of your home. Making bad decisions can be difficult to fix and costly so let’s talk about how we can make this go smoothly and hopefully stress-free.
 
Here are some 8 simple steps to help you get started with your room decoration project.

1. Make a Plan

The first thing you should consider when planning is whether you need to do any messy work like refinishing floors, tiling or painting. Try to get any of those types of projects done before you move in.

2. Pick a Budget

You may not be able to get the messy work done before you move in but at least you can figure out how much you will need to spend on them. Then you should decide how much you can spend on the furniture and other various decor items.

3. Choose a Style

Take some time to think about the over all feel and style that will make you comfortable. Once you choose the over all direction things will fall into place much easier.
 
Don’t start by going to a furniture store and buying your favourite sofa. This will set you on a path of trying to make everything else work around it.
 
Choose a style direction such as modern, traditional, eclectic, shabby chic or modern farmhouse etc.
 

4. Find Some Inspiration

Start searching around the web for inspiration. Go to Pinterest and Houzz and you will probably have more than enough t get you inspired. Narrow down specifically what you like and don’t like.
 
Start to price out some of the things you like so you can decide whether they are going to fit within your budget.
 

5. Time to Measure

This step is crucial. Measure the room dimensions for each room that you are planning to work on. Be sure to get the length, width and ceiling height. Then measure the size and position of any fixed items such windows, doors, stairs, fireplace or built-in cabinets etc.
 

6. Choose A Room

Now it’s time to focus on one room. Let’s pick the living room for example. Think about the things you definitely want in there. Will you be putting in an entertainment center? If so there are probably only 1 or 2 places it could go. Will it take up a whole wall or will it be something minimal?
 
Do you want a 3 seater sofa or maybe the room would suit a sectional. Would you like a couple of comfortable chairs or just small decorative chairs?
 
Make a list of all the things that you want to have in that room.
 

7. Make A Room Plan

Draw a Room Plan with a simple drawing of the shape of the room and draw in blocks to place your furniture and put in the measurements that you got in Step 3.
 
For best results, consider either using graph paper so that you can easily plan your room at scaled proportions or use one of the many free online room planning tools like http://www.planyourroom.com/
 
If you are planning to buy your furniture from a particular retailer like Ikea, Urban Barn, https://www.livingspaces.com/ they have free online room planners that make it very easy. They know their sizes so when you drag and drop furniture into your room plan, the size is at scale and you can easily move pieces around to see where they will fit best.
 

8. It’s time to go shopping

If you decided on the latter option and used one a retailer’s room planner, the items will be listed in the planner and you can see exactly what the cost will be. This is a great time saver and if you are happy with the choices and the cost, you’re done. You can place the order and have it delivered all without leaving home.
 
Chances are that you will be buying items form several different stores. You can determine the cost and availability online so you don’t make unnecessary trips. You could also place the order over the phone or if you want to see the items first, go and visit the store and purchase the items there.
 
This approach will help you stay organized, focused and less stressed. Repeat these steps for each room that you need to decorate and start enjoying your new home!
 
8 Kinds of Window Coverings for Your Living Room

8 Kinds of Window Coverings for Your Living Room

by | Sep 16, 2020 | DIY, DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Interior Decorating, Windows

There’s much more to window coverings than adding privacy to your room. Your choice of window coverings has a huge effect on the overall decor of your room, whether you choose drapes or one of the many kinds of blinds.

Your window covering style is so important that it should be one of your first decisions when designing your living room decor. Here’s what you need to know about the various options available to you.

A window treatment combines style with function. Not only do they add beauty to your home, but also provide important functions. Depending on the details of the room, your window treatments will have different functionality needs.

Window coverings are designed to control the amount of sunlight that enters a building, but they will differ in the way they do that. It is important to consider how much sunlight you want to let in as well as the need to block harsh rays and glare when determining the type of treatments you want for each room.

How much privacy you need depends on what is around the exterior of your home. Do you have vast open space in your window view or do you have neighbors close by? Determining this will help narrow down your choices. If you have neighbors close by then you need more privacy functionality from your window treatments. If you have an ocean view or an unblocked view over the city, then you may only be concerned with filtering the harsh sun rays for a few hours a day.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful view? Your windows will need window treatments that accentuate your view if they look out over a stunning landscape or waterfront. The opposite is true if your windows face a visually unappealing factor, in which case you will probably need window treatments that will make you forget about those unsightly views.

If you’re looking for ways to upgrade your living room window treatments, but aren’t sure where to begin, here are 8 types of popular window coverings to help you decide what’s best for your living room.

1 | Drapes or Curtains

Drapes or curtains are the traditional choices for window treatment, and both offer many advantages. Although lots of people use the words drape and curtain interchangeably, they’re actually slightly different things. Curtains are generally made of a single sheet of material, while drapes have a heavier lining to make a more robust window covering.

In both cases, they offer great decor flexibility with their huge range of colors and designs. They can be a warming choice in areas with colder climates, but will also suit hotter temperatures if a lighter curtain material is used.

Before you move forward, decide on their primary purpose. Do you want your drapes to block light and provide privacy or are they primarily for enhancing the room decor? These days it is common to see curtains used in addition to other window coverings like horizontal blinds. In this case you commonly see light sheer curtains pulled to the sides for decoration while blinds provide decor and privacy functionality.

TIP… Make the curtains go right to the ceiling. It has a more grand effect and makes the ceiling look higher.

2 | Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are made up of several tall slats which run from the top of the window to the bottom. Their biggest advantage is that they offer a great combination of privacy and flexibility. When fully closed, they block the light extremely effectively, keeping your room cool in the day and closing off intrusive sight lines at night.

What’s more, the orientation of the slats can be changed as the day goes on, blocking just as much sunlight as you need without plunging your room into total darkness.

3 | Roller Blinds

Roller Blinds

When not in use, roller blinds are tucked safely out of the way, rolled up above the window. But as you need more cover, they can be pulled down partially or completely, covering as much of the window as you want.

Roller blinds are convenient and are available in a wide range of fabrics. They can block light completely or you can choose light filtering fabrics with varying degrees of privacy.

4 | Roman Blinds

Roman Shades

Roman blinds are similar to roller blinds, rolling up above the window when not in use to give a bright and uncluttered feel to the room. But unlike roller blinds made from a solid sheet of material, Roman blinds feature a series of wide horizontal panels with woven connections between them. This construction style means they still offer good privacy while letting in a little light. To many people, the panels and weaving also offer a more stylish and upmarket look.

Big Discount on Levolor Window Coverings at BlindsExpress.com

5 | Sheer Shades

Sheer Shades

Sheer Shades use delicate fabrics that diffuse and soften light coming into your living room. They provide a beautiful understated elegance. You can have the shade down but not loose your beautiful view. You can control the tilt of the inner shade to let it the desired amount to light and privacy.

6 | Cellular Shades

8 Kinds of Window Coverings for Your Living Room

Cellular shades a very popular choice of window coverings for a few reasons. The have energy-saving properties because their honeycomb shape provides insulating power as it traps the cold winter air or hot summer air between the window and the rest of the room.

They are great for DIY projects because you can easily measure your windows, order them online and install them yourself in a few minutes. They come in a wide array of colors and customizable options like top-up bottom down and motorization.

7 | Horizontal Blinds

horizontal blinds

Horizontal blinds consist of the familiar slim horizontal slats which can be rotated open or shut by pulling on a chord to the side. Although they’re most widely used in kitchens, bathrooms, and offices, they’re available in a wide range of colors and materials, and can easily suit a living room if chosen with care.

They offer the advantage of convenience and flexibility, while also lending a room a distinctive look which is ideal for more contemporary decor themes. And while low-cost, lightweight plastic models are available, choosing metal, wood, or faux wood will give a longer life and a sturdier feel.

8 | Shutters

Shutters

Last but not least we have the ever popular shutters. They provide classic elegance that will never go out of style. Shutters can still be made with wood but most people buy the Poly made shutters for their durability and cost savings. They will never warp, chip or fade and they are water resistant. They have flat finishes that are beautiful and you don’t notice that they aren’t wood.

Motorize your window coverings

You can get them motorized too. If you have a lot of them, you will probably want to get the motorized so you can operate them all at the same time with your smart phone.

Whichever type of window covering you decide on, always choose it at the start of your decor design and build the rest of your living room’s look around it. Window coverings are a dominant feature in any room, and you need to choose wisely to produce a final effect that fits together well.

Also check out “Get A Wow Factor With These Small Living Room Ideas“

See the latest WINDOW COVERING DEALS from BlindsExpress.com

 

Basement Ideas That Your Family Will Love

Basement Ideas That Your Family Will Love

by | Sep 15, 2020 | Basement Ideas, DIY, DIY Room Decoration Ideas, Room Decoration

There are so many great basement ideas out there. Basements are often neglected ugly spaces that people just use to store their “extra stuff”. They throw stuff down there, shut the door and don’t give it a second thought.
 
There is a lot of potentially useful living space in your basement since it is usually the same size as the main floor.
 
Don’t waste all that space! Here are some basement ideas to help you convert that oversized storage space into a beautiful space you can enjoy.
 

Home Theater

One main complaint that people have about basements is that they are dark which is due to the lack natural light.
 
The darkness can also work to your advantage if you use your basement as a home theater. In fact, with the low ceiling and low light in the basement is ideal for a home theater with surround sound and theater style seating.
 
Start with a large screen television and paint the walls a darker color. Carpet the floors and use as many soft surfaces as possible for sound absorption. Add seating, tables for your drinks and a popcorn maker and your done.
 

Art or Music studio

Another fantastic idea for basements is an art or music studio. Basements can be partitioned into smaller sized rooms which is good for acoustics.
By producing a smaller room you are dampening the room acoustics which your neighbors will appreciate. Use acoustic grade insulation behind that walls and hang soft sound absorbing panels on the walls. If it’s going to be a music room you will also want to lay carpet for acoustic reasons.
basement art studio
 
Different types of lighting can be installed to suit your needs. Pot lights always look great in basements.
 
Hard flooring is the way to go for art studios. The flooring choice will depend a lot on what kind of art is being done but stick to water resistant flooring. Vinyl flooring, ceramic and porcelain tile are all good choices.
 

Home Office Basement Ideas

The basement can be an ideal space for a home office. With the right lighting you will focus on your work and not think about the lack of natural light. Get a comfortable desk, seating, filing cabinets and nice artwork. Also include a coffee maker or anything else that will help to make this a distraction-free space. You will love going to work.
 

Home Gym

basement home gym

If you love working out, your basement may be the perfect space for the a fantastic home gym. You can do basic finishing on the basement walls and ceiling. Rubber floor tiles are a great option because they are ergonomically beneficial. They are also very easy to install.
 

Bedroom Basement Ideas

basement bedroom

Your basement may be your solution if you need another bedroom for your growing family or occasional guests. Get creative and design a beautiful extra bedroom. If you have the space it’s a good idea to also include a bathroom.
 

Playroom

basement Playroom

If you have young children you know they need room to play. Your basement could be an amazing playroom. You can make soft surfaces to keep them safe and fill the room with all their favourite things they like to do.
 

Small Apartment

basement apartment

Your basement may have potential for a great extra income source. If you have a decent ceiling height and enough space, building an apartment in the basement is a fantastic investment. It’s the most expensive and complex basement option because you’ll need to add a kitchen and bathroom into the mix but the reward is also greater. You can have a steady extra income and when if you plan to sell your house, the value will be much higher.
 
Renovating a basement takes more than your average handyman skills. Consider hiring professionals to do all the complex tasks such as plumbing, framing and electrical wiring. Unless of course you already have these skills.
This article should help you get started and inspire some basement ideas to create a space that suits your needs. Once you decide what you will use your space for you can start planning how to get it done.

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