By: Lee Dobbins
When you first get started on home interior decorating, it is a good idea to have at least some notion of the kind of color scheme you might like. That is not to say that you can't change your mind while you are working out a plan. It is much better to change at this stage than when you already have the paint on the walls.
Good, well thought out interior decorating can add balance to a room and bring out its best features. Interior decorating should form the background for the way you choose to live in your home. If you've got a lot of books then it stands to reason that you will want plenty of good shelving. Plain wood shelves look best for this but if you already have some and they are beginning to look past their prime then play safe and paint them white. Think about the lighting in a room because this can enhance or detract from its overall design.
If you are not sure what color to use then play it safe and go for a neutral cream or magnolia - you can brighten it up with your soft furnishings and well placed lamps and ornaments. Many homes are a hodge-podge of furniture and decorating styles. If you replace furniture try to bear in mind the particular effects or style that you are trying to achieve. A well-chosen and well-placed piece can totally alter the look of a room.
Home interior decorating covers many aspects of the tasks. A lot depends on how much time you have to spare and what your budget is - whether you just want to spruce up a room or give it a whole new look. It is surprising for instance what new bath mats and towels do for a bathroom. Try sprucing up your room with some new cushions and perhaps a mirror or two. Move the furniture around and add feature wall paper on one wall - make sure that it tones in with the existing color scheme and you'll be surprised how much style this can give to a room.
Perhaps the kitchen is your bete noir? If it is you can do a lot with some new blinds and lampshades. Try some potted plants on the window ledge this can brighten most kitchens. If the paint-work really is past its prime then you need to decide whether you need a whole new paint job or whether you can get away with touching up the doors and base boards. If your bedroom needs a face-lift then try some new bed covers and toning curtains. Add a few cushions to your bed and you immediately have a more luxurious look.
source - www.keywordarticles.org
Lee Dobbins writes for Perfect Home Decor where you can get more ideas on home interior decorating.
Window Decorating Tips To Brighten Up Your Decor
By: Lee Dobbins
Windows, an often forgotten aspect of interior decorating are essential elements in any decorating theme. It's simple enough to understand why - after all, aside from looking outside or letting in sunlight, what other importance do windows have, contrasted to how a large wall or fireplace might look? The truth is that decorating your windows is a vital part of your overall decor. To really make your decorating theme fabulous, think about a few of the window decorating tips below.
No matter what design theme you have chosen to decorate in, installing window treatments in coordinating styles and colors will really help your design look great. For example, adding wood blinds in place of drapes or curtains to a lodge, cabin or other wood type style decorating theme will help continue the theme throughout the room. The blinds can help give you privacy and also let light filter in adding to the ambiance of the room design.
Decorating your windows might even go beyond the curtains and drapes - if you have wood windows you might consider sanding them down and staining or painting them in a different color. It's now decorating secret that a new coat of paint will make your windows look like new. Install little clasps or stylish safety locks onto the frame also, giving the windows not only more security, but also a stylish and practical look at the same time.
Making use of scallops and side tabs is another window decorating tip which works well in many design themes. Using these, you can tie the drapes or curtains back opening up the window to let light in. Using a scalloped valance, you can add style to any window.
Mixing materials is another approach that can look fresh. You can mix different style and pattern fabrics along with other materials. If you like the ease and convenience of wood blinds, then mix them with fabric window treatments to soften up the window decor.
If the room your window is in is more of a material laden design, then decorating your window with vertical blinds may be the answer. Here, you can achieve the look of a drape but with a simpler to care for window treatment. Plus you can merely wipe them down or vacuum to clean.
Next time you redecorate, don't forget these window decorating tips when it comes time for your window treatments. Whether you simply add a few touches or do a whole new look on your windows, they are a pivotal element of any design theme.
source - www.keywordarticles.org
Lee Dobbins writes for You Decorating - Decorating Tips You Can Use! where you can learn more about home decorating as well as get more window decorating tips.
By: Lee Dobbins
With a home's living room traditionally being the gathering place for the family, ensuring that it has a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere is fairly important. Not only will good decor go a long way to making any visitors feel comfortable, it also enables everyday family members to quite happily spend a lot of time in it. If you feel that your own living room is lacking a little spark, the good news is that it's reasonably inexpensive to decorate a traditional living room and transform it from something bland into something far more stylish.
The first thing to do is give it a fresh coat of paint. Many people overlook the importance of changing your surroundings from time to time. Not only does it prevent you from stagnating in the same atmosphere, it also gives you a sense of achievement and the resulting sense of satisfaction within yourself. Bright colors are a good choice here, since the living room is normally the one with the most windows and sunlight. A yellow or similar happy color is a good starting point.
Once you have chosen the color you're happy with and repainted the walls, the next thing to do is look at your existing furniture. This doesn't mean you need to necessarily buy a new three piece suite, or spend excessive amounts of money on new coffee tables or similar. The great thing about decorating a living room is that you can keep within traditional styling and merely update a little. So, if you have a wooden coffee table, for instance, sand it down and give it a different color varnish or wood stain. The effect will be immediate, and it's very inexpensive.
Decorating a traditional living room calls for time tested and trusted designs in furniture so even your years old sofa can be made-over. If it's made of material, you can now buy bespoke fabrics and have them measured to fit, and in the space of a few hours, you have a completely new sofa that you yourself have had a part in designing. Once again, going for more natural, cream-colored materials can offer a living room a whole new perspective.
Consider changing your light fittings too. It's more than likely that your light switches are the same as the ones when you first moved into the property. Therefore, drop in to your local DIY or hardware store and treat yourself to a more stylish brass or dimmer-effect switch system. Once installed, they will bring out your new paintwork even more.
If you have the room and enjoy reading, think about putting a bookshelf into place as well. Not only does this help fill some space if you're out of ideas, it also gives off the impression of a family who enjoy spending quiet, yet quality, time together, perhaps discussing the latest book they are reading. At the end of the day, the choices are limitless - the only thing you need to remember when decorating your traditional living room is to express your own personality, as this is where you'll be spending many an hour.
source - www.keywordarticles.org
Lee Dobbins is enthusiastic about interior design and making homes beautiful. She writes for many online ezines about interior decorating and design tips.
