Designers offer quick fix decorating ideas from windows to artwork

Any room in the house can be given a quick facelift by changing one simple design feature. It may be as easy as outfitting a bed with a new, stylish sheet set or changing the shower curtain in the bathroom.


Such ideas, which can create a new focal point in a room, were offered by a host of interior designers in a HouseBeautiful.com article on easy decorating techniques that can be accomplished in a day. According to the website, "Small decor changes make a big impact in a home's look."


Florida-based designer Jim Howard recommends expanding the look of a room by using curtains or other window treatments that are the same color as the adjoining walls. "You can achieve a similar look by painting rods and rings with a color that complements the curtains. Rub the paint on with a rag - it creates a softer effect," he told HouseBeautiful.


Custom drapery or fabric roller shades are good choices in window coverings to achieve this look. They can be matched to any color or fabric pattern to coordinate with furnishings and wall color. Roman shades also are available in a wide range of fabrics and have a softer look in window shades that works best in a residential setting. Light-filtering roman shades allow natural light to permeate a room without giving up privacy.


Other quick fixes include changing the color of the wall behind book shelves or inside a cabinet. Try papering the back of a cabinet or bookshelf. Paint can't come close to the impact," recommends Jean Larette, whose design business is based in Marin County, California. "It will inspire you to rearrange your shelves."


New York City interior designer Eric Cohler told the website that he likes to bring sparkle to artwork accessories by using bright, colored frames around a white mat, or a white frame around a colored mat. "Hang them in an otherwise unimaginative space," he advises.


Howard agrees with Cohler's idea to choose a space that isn't the expected location for a piece or artwork. "Put pieces in unusual places, like above a door. Lean some against a mirror. Hang several in an asymmetrical collage, at least three inches apart," he told the website.


For California-based designer Joe Nye, books are the accessory of choice. "Stack whatever you collect on a table," he suggests. "Books are my favorite accessory because they're so personal. They reflect your interests."