googled1a595f9785e74b1

10 Home Decorating Ideas To Quickly Update Any Room

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money.
If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:

1. Rearrange The Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, the sofa is arranged diagonally across narrow living room. This makes the room look wider and provides a warm, inviting layout.
2. Paint A Wall- Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.). For extra impact, try using a rubber stamping technique on a wall. Stamping is extremely easy, but the results can be very impressive. Check out the book Creative Stamping for Walls & Furniture for ideas.
3. Bring In Plants- Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don't have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality has gotten so good that its hard to distinguish them from the real thing.
4. Lay An Area Rug- An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.
5. Hang Pictures or Mirrors- Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects and nice view or an interesting architectural element.
6. Group Figurines- Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.
7. Add Decorative Pillows- The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.
8. Replace Lamps- Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.
9. Add A Throw Or Afghan- Similar to decorative pillows, throws and afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.
10. Eliminate Clutter- You'll hear me say this again and again. Clutter has a way of eliminating the desired mood and effect of any room. Find storage spaces for papers, toys, and other items that take from the personality of a room.

(this article taken from:www.home-decorating-made-easy.com)

Ways To Make A Room Seem Larger Or Smaller

Refer to this home interior decorating idea checklist whenever you want a a small room to appear larger or vice versa. It's obvious why someone would want to make a tiny room appear wider or taller, but why would you want to shrink a spacious room?...
The reason is because a large room can sometimes seem cold and impersonal. For example, many people try to create an oversized conversation area within a large space. This results in too much distance between seating and so conversation is strained or limited.
Try these home decorating ideas and I'm sure you'll be surprised and pleased with the effects:

•Use Up-lighting-
Up-lighting will make a room seem taller. Use up-lighting as a backdrop for plants or a screen.

•Prevent Light From Flowing Upward-
If light is kept from flowing upward, the room will appear cozier. Use darker lamp shades or low light sconces.

•Wash One Wall With Light-
Washing a wall with light will make a room appear wider.

•Wallpaper or Paint Stripes- This will make a room seem taller.

•Paint Walls A Cool Color-
Applying a light, cool paint color (blue, violet, and green family) to your walls will make the room appear more spacious.

•Create Two Conversation Areas-
If you create two conversation areas in a very large room, this will make the room appear to be cozier overall. Conversation will flow more comfortably as well.

•Use A Large Armoire- An oversized armoire will add height to a room.

•Hang Decorative Mirrors-
Mirrors reflect whatever is in front of them. Try positioning the mirror so that it reflects a great view or something interesting. This will make your room appear larger. The mirror pictured below, in my living room, happens to be built-in, but notice the level of depth it provides. Thus making the room appear larger. Now, imagine the effect if that space was just some dumb wall.

•Hang Drapes/Curtains Higher-
If you hang drapes above your windows, higher than usual, it will make the window appear taller and therefore the room. This is a great way to add drama to a room and make a window seem more impressive.

•Lay Area Rugs-
Lay area rugs to section off a large space. A beautifully patterned oriental rug can easily stand on its own as a transition piece from one side of a room to the next. The rug will do a wonderful job of creating the perception of two smaller, yet inter-related rooms. (this article taken from:www.home-decorating-made-easy.com)

10 Bathroom Ideas

Don't overlook your bathroom. Use these bathroom ideas to add personal accents that will give you and your guests a touch of spa treatment.

1. Bring In Silk Plants- Plants are a calming influence in any room. In addition, they add texture and beauty. Silk plants are easy to maintain and look like the real thing. Place your favorite flowers in a vase or lay vines along a ledge. In my guest bathroom below, tree branches were placed in an interesting vase for a dramatic effect.
2. Add Candles/Candleholders- I can't think of any room that wouldn't benefit from interesting candleholders. Your bathrooms are no exception.
3. Frame Your Bathroom Mirror- This bathroom idea is actually easier than you think. Visit your local hardware store and locate their wood moldings. They come in various widths and have designs similar to picture frames. They can be cut to your specifications. Spray paint them and use double-sided sticky patches to attach them to your mirror.
4. Lay An Area Rug- This bathroom idea will add texture and color to your bathroom. Oriental rugs will make your search easier because they come in a wide variety of versatile colors and patterns.
5. Hang Pictures/Photographs- Hang pictures and photographs that tell something about who you are or where you've been.
6. Select Sculptures/Figurines- What type figurines and scupltures reflect your personality? Wildlife? Clowns? Birds? Ballerinas? Athletes? Whatever it is, place one or two items in your bathrooms that complement your other linens and things and that make a personal statement.
7. Add Decorative Towels- Have your towels monogrammed or get them with fringed attached to make a personal statement. Although you can purchase the fringed towels, it only took hot glue and a few minutes to apply the fringe to the towels pictured above.
8. Try A Decorative Box- Decorative boxes come in all sorts of designs, shapes, and sizes to please all styles. They'll add a distinctive look to your bathrooms.
9. Add Spa Robes- Make your guests feel right at home with thick, supple spa robes. Hang them on the back of the bathroom door.
10. Say It with Scents- Doesn't a pleasing aroma put you in a relaxing and pleasant mindset? Use a "Lamp Berger" burner or other method to fill your room with the scent of pears, chocolate, rose petals, the ocean, etc. Also, put 3 drops of your favorite of aromatherapy oil on a cotton handkerchief and throw it into the dryer with towels and other linens.

(this article taken from : www.home-decorating-made-easy.com)

Decorating and Designs for Small Bathrooms

Looking for a few good ideas and designs for small bathrooms? Then read on for a few tips you can incorporate to create a bathroom that will match your decorating style.
First of all, walls can be painted, papered, paneled or tiled, or a mixture of any of these.
Paper will need to be from a waterproof range, and paint should be a washable finish such as eggshell.
Tiled splash areas around bath and wash basin are a good idea. But if you decide to tile the walls completely, choose large tiles to add a greater sense of space. A wall of very small tiles will look too dense and visually confusing in a small room.
A solid run of obviously patterned tiles should also be avoided for the same reason - it's better to use mostly plain tiles and add a few patterned ones as an occasional feature.

Because designs for small bathrooms have a large proportion of wall space in comparison with the room area, they look better if this is broken up by creating a border line half-way up.
Wood paneling has taken over in popularity from tiles for this -and is particularly good if you have uneven wall surfaces you want to hide.
The paneling can be topped with a narrow shelf to provide extra storage for toiletries.
And extending it to box in the bath will give the whole room a neat, streamlined look.
Make sure that the wood is well sealed so that it won't be affected by damp and steam. Finally, be sure to paint it in a washable finish.

And if you’re looking for something different, try these theme designs for small bathrooms.
- Beach house theme
Go with light blues, aqua and plenty of white in your design. Hang white-painted or bleached wood paneling. Use shell-shaped soap dishes and other seaside-style accessories. For window and/or shower curtains, try plain white curtains, pale stripes, or simple checks. Install wooden duckboards on the floor.

- Victorian theme
This style of room should really have an old roll-top bath, but you can still create the look with accessories.
Consider installing delft-style blue and white tiles. Decorate with plain white towels and patterned china. Seek out ceramic toilet handles. If you have the room, create an old world look with an antique washstand with an old-fashioned water pitcher and basin. Use big old-fashioned cross-head taps.

- Caribbean theme
Use blues and greens with splashes of red and yellow for a tropical decorating style. Add lots of tropical plants (artificial plants would work fine). Hang mirrors with bright-painted wooden frames. Decorate with flying fish and parrot motifs on fabrics and accessories.

- Spruce and nautical theme
Use dark polished wood paneling and toilet seat. Brass fittings are a must. Navy and white towels and tiles will help to define the nautical theme. Hang traditional striped wallpaper. ( this article taken from: www. home-decorating-made-easy.com )

Decorating Small Spaces

When it comes to decorating small spaces there is a certain method you can use in order to make the most of the space without having it appear too cluttered, or worse, even smaller.
Since decorating small spaces takes time and consideration, the following are a few tips to help you make the best choices to expand the look of your small space:

Find the Perfect Look
- Due to the fact that it would be pointless to begin thinking about how you can create space, without first knowing the style of decorating you are interested in for your room, you need to brainstorm different ideas, and focus on a theme to assist you before decorating small spaces.
To give you an idea of the types of themes to avoid, you won’t want to choose a style that makes a room look stuffy or heavy, such as the Victorian look. Modern, traditional, Mediterranean and country themes are all excellent choices, as their themes are about creating space and using few decorations.

Choose your colors wisely
- When decorating small spaces the colors you choose to decorate the walls will really have an affect on the look of the room. Therefore the last thing you will want to do when painting or wallpapering your small space is choose dark colors.
Having your walls dark will make you and anyone else who enters the room, think they are in a dungeon with the feeling that the walls are closing in on them. Therefore, choose decorating small spaces with light shades of yellow, green, or beige to draw attention away from the walls.

Use only basic furniture first
- Decorating small spaces with furniture can really prove to be difficult, especially if you are trying to cram too many items in one area. Since you only have a small space to work with, you need to prioritize your furniture, by only using the most essential items.
For instance, if decorating small spaces includes a bedroom, basic furniture would be your bed, nightstand and maybe a dresser. If the room happens to be a sitting room, basic furniture items would be a couch, coffee/end table and possibly a chair or two.
Once you have all of the basic items positioned carefully within the room, you can then decide if there is room for anything else.

Celebrate windows
- If you are fortunate enough to have a window in your small space, you can use it to your advantage. Decorating small spaces with windows really provides you the opportunity of opening up the look of the room. Just be careful not to cover up the window.
If privacy is not your concern, add light sheer or lace curtains to dress up the window. If you need to cover the window, use a light blind like those made of bamboo.

Few decorations
- Too many accessories or items in a small room will not only make the room look junky, but it will once again draw attention to how small the area is. Choose only select small items that you enjoy when decorating small spaces.
Remember, when it comes to decorating small spaces, think about all of the ways you can improve upon the room to make it look bigger - Think to the point, think light, and think space.
(this article taken from : www.home-decorating-made-easy.com)

Remodeling a new kitchen from the old

There are many ways to make an old kitchen look refreshed without a major renovation. Check out our top tricks for creating a (nearly) new kitchen on a budget.

Buy new cupboard door handles - They might seem insignificant, but you'd be surprised how big a difference new door handles can make in a kitchen remodeling project. Opt for something streamlined, modern and in a stainless steel finish to give even the oldest kitchen a contemporary feel.

Paint the walls - Repainting your walls is one simple, inexpensive way to make an old kitchen seem new again. If possible, opt for neutral, light colours, which are more likely to bring a dated kitchen up to speed.

Install new tapware - You may not be able to afford a new kitchen sink, but for a few hundred dollars, a new mixer tap with contemporary lines can make the wet area of your kitchen seem new again. Just be sure to take your sink's measurements with you when shopping, to ensure the tap you buy suits your existing set-up.

Paint and regrout your tiles - Old tiles and grouting are a dead giveaway of a kitchen's age, but they don't have to be expensive to fix. Tile paint (available at most hardware stores) and fresh grouting can permanently transform an old, tired and grubby look into something clean and bright.

Install a new benchtop - Cheaper than new cabinetry, a brand new laminate benchtop will instantly refresh your room, regardless of how dated your cupboards and other fittings and fixtures might be. ( taken from:www.improvemyhome.com.au )

Paint Your Kitchen

Wondering how to paint your kitchen? Preparation is the key to success when painting a kitchen space. Painting a kitchen can seem like a daunting task, but it's manageable when working step by step.
When attempting a large job such as painting kitchen walls and ceilings, the best plan is to adopt a step-by-step approach, says Megan Longin of ML Design in Melbourne. "Prepare the room, and paint in sections, such as your walls first, followed by your trims, architraves and finally the joinery," she says.

Start with a good clean
Remove any oil-based stains or loose paint in the kitchen with a damp sponge, some detergent and a little elbow grease. Depending on their condition, your cupboards may need a light sanding. Use wet and dry or plasterer's sandpaper, then wipe down to remove the dust.

Prime your surfaces
When painting kitchen surfaces, using a primer helps the paint 'cling' to the surface and not scratch off through everyday use. "Use a paintable primer, available from most hardware stores, to prepare the surface for paint bonding," Megan advises. Apply according to instructions, and allow to fully dry.

Choose your paint
When considering how to paint a kitchen that will last, remember that high-use areas such as kitchens require paints that will be easy to maintain, says Megan. "It's best to use one that's easily wipeable and somewhat impervious to moisture," she says. "Semi-gloss or full gloss is preferable."
Apply your paint
Start by painting all fixed items, such as walls and the framework of the joinery. Be careful not to paint inside cupboards and drawers, as this may affect the ease with which they close. "If using gloss paints, small foam rollers will give a seamless finish," says Megan. "They will also help control how much paint is applied and speed things up."

Painting kitchen doors
Remove all doors and drawers from your kitchen cabinetry before you paint them. Apply several thin coats of paint in one direction, with smooth, even brush strokes. "It's much better to apply numerous coats than one thick coat of paint," Megan advises. "If a good primer has been used, no more than two coats are necessary."
Need to paint laminate? No problem!
If you have a laminate kitchen, don't despair. There is now a wide range of paints on the market designed specifically for this type of surface. Keep in mind that vertical laminate surfaces such as kitchen doors will often show a better result than benches. You will also need to use a special primer when painting kitchen surfaces that use laminate.

Clean up
Once the paint is dry, the kitchen panels and doors need to be refixed from the inside (so there are no screws through your new doors), the doors and drawers refitted and handles replaced. If new handles are to be installed, patch up old screw holes with a multi-purpose filler, and lightly sand before priming.
Once you're sure you know how to paint your kitchen professionally, allow at least a weekend to attempt the job - and make sure there's a cold beer waiting for when you're done!

taken from www.improvemyhome.com.au

The Right Exterior Paint for Your Home

How long your exterior paint will last depends on choosing the right type of paint for the job - and finding the best exterior house paint means considering the surface you're working with. Confused?

It's important when painting or re-painting your home to consider the type of exterior paint best suited to the job. Generally, follow these rules:

Wooden home exteriors - Acrylic latex paint (with a stain blocker included) is a good choice for wooden exteriors. It is generally thinned with water, dries very rapidly, is easy to apply and is durable. Before using this type of paint on your home's exterior, you'll need to apply a primer to the wooden surface.

Vinyl-clad exteriors - For vinyl-clad exteriors, the best type of paint is a 100% acrylic latex paint. And the good news is that dealing with a vinyl exterior is very straightforward - no primer is needed. Just apply the paint directly to the cladding.

Steel-clad exteriors - Alkyd is a synthetic exterior paint that is diluted with solvent. It works well on steel-clad exteriors and can also be used over old oil-based paint. Steel is often coated with grease to protect it during transport, so if your cladding is new, clean it first with mineral turpentine. Apply a metal primer then one or two coats of the alkyd paint.

Aluminium exteriors - 100% acrylic latex paint or alkyd paint can be used on aluminium cladding. No primer is needed if using alkyd paint; if you're using acrylic latex, it's a good idea to use a high-quality acrylic latex metal primer first. The key with aluminium cladding is to wash it thoroughly (and let it dry properly) before painting.

Concrete, stucco or masonry exteriors - Elastomeric exterior house paint is a relatively new type of acrylic paint that has been developed as an exterior paint for concrete, stucco and masonry structures. It is applied at four to five times the thickness of a normal acrylic paint and works to combat the cracking caused by temperature fluctuation by expanding and contracting, to span any surface cracks.

Environmentally friendly paints - For many home owners, exterior house paint choice is tied up with environmental concerns. Now available are zero- or low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints, for people with chemical sensitivities, and paints made from all-natural ingredients. Consult a paint specialist to find out more about using these kinds of paints on your home's exterior.

taken from: www.improvemyhome.com.au

Eco Friendly Paint

We all want to do our best for the environment, but it hasn't always been so easy when painting our homes. However, with a number of companies now producing eco friendly paints or 'green' paints, our homes can look great and be better for the environment too.

Green paints are defined by their lack or low level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These are the toxic fumes emitted from most synthetic-based paints. VOCs can be harmful to people and the environment, in the manufacturing process and during and after application. It takes years for them to completely disappear and often, by then, it's time to repaint.

With low or no VOCs, eco paint doesn't smell and mould and mildew are less likely to develop, making it much healthier for your family. "Green paints are a great choice for people with respiratory symptoms, allergies, chemical sensitivities and particularly for pregnant women and young children," says Graeme Hill of Eco At Home.

Types of green paint

The range of green paints runs from low-VOC, which uses water instead of petroleum-based solvents, to zero-VOC paint, which has a VOC level of five grams per litre or less. Natural paints are also available, which are made from natural raw ingredients such as clay, and have the greatest health benefits.

Green paint can be used wherever standard paints are used, both inside and outside the home, depending on the brand. Most green paint types can be colour matched, so there are limitless colour choices. And with many green paints, the tints used to colour the paint are also VOC free.

Applying green paint

The coverage given by eco paints varies in comparison to standard synthetic-based paints. "Depending on the surface and the preparation, the coverage is usually between eight and 12 square metres per litre per coat," says Graeme. "That's about 10 per cent less than standard synthetic paints."

The application of green paint is virtually the same as with synthetic varieties. "It's essentially the same; they dry at about the same rate and you use the same tools," says Graeme. "Although the glosses and enamels do tend to dry a little more slowly."

The downside of green paint

Besides their environmental benefits, green paints are also stain resistant, washable and have a high resistance to wear. But there are some disadvantages, says Graeme. "They're more expensive, and with the lower coverage rate that can be a disadvantage to some users," he says. "However, the health benefits for people and the environment tend to outweigh the cost."

This article are taken from www.improvemyhome.com.au