Archive for June 2011

Transform your basement through simple updates
If your finished basement has gotten its fair share of use by your children over the years, consider turning this extra room into a place where you can relax and hang out - without toys and cartoons on the TV.

Location of doors and windows helps determine furniture placement
The location of doorways and windows in a room can serve as a guide for home decorators as they determine where to place their furniture.

Living room style needs to strike a balance between comfort and style
The living room has a special place in most homes as the place where visitors are most likely to be entertained. But as families in busy households find themselves using all their livable space, the living room needs to be comfortable for everyday use as well.

A child's room needs to 'grow' them and reflect their changing interests
Homeowners are frequently advised to personalize their home décor to reflect their interests, and the same can be said about children's rooms - with one difference.

Five rules can guide homeowners to room designs with 'staying power'
Philadelphia interior designer Donna Hoffman prides herself on being able to design rooms that have staying power.

A vision in white
Going for a clean design throughout your new apartment may begin with one word - white. A recent apartment displayed on Freshome.com showcased a modern apartment that was white from floor to ceiling.

Mantel makeover
If your space is blessed with the addition of a fireplace with a mantel, yet you don't know what to do with it to make it your own or to mesh with your overall design, try these simple tips from Better Homes and Gardens to transform your mantel into a vital area in your living room.

Make your small bathroom stand out
A small bathroom can bring out it's own unique set of problems, from storage issues to dealing with a look that remains a bit outdated. Because of this, this necessary space can really cause stress for many.

Create a relaxing bedroom
Your bedroom is supposed to be a place to rest your head and enjoy a peaceful environment after a full a day's work. If your room is beginning to seem more like a storage unit than a tranquil living space, it may be time to get down to business and look into a makeover.

Valances add architectural interest to an apartment's windows
Apartment dwellers can create instant architectural interest in their homes by installing a valance that will complement a number of window coverings, from curtains to woven wood shades.

Window coverings that manage light easily make guests feel at home
One of the simple joys of summer vacations is being able to relax by perusing a pile of magazines or reading a long-anticipated novel. That's true also of overnight guests who visit with a family in their summer home, and need a place to enjoy their summer reading while others pursue their interests.

Choice of window treatments may depend on how an area is 're-purposed'
Homeowners are increasingly trying to "re-purpose" spaces within their homes to accommodate growing families.

Choice of shelving in bathrooms can be both functional and attractive
In bathrooms that are short on storage for linens and toiletries, adding shelves in a variety of ways is an option that homeowners can use to solve this common dilemma.

White is a wonder color that brightens, enlarges and goes with any hue
White can work wonders for any room because it goes with any accent color. It brightens a dark space, helps to make a small room look larger and it works in any season of the year.

Add a unique backsplash to spruce up your kitchen
If you're bored with the style of your kitchen, but don't have the means to preform a full facelift on your main eating area, consider updating your backsplash as a way to transform your dull design into a fabulous one-of-a-kind creation.

Make your cozy quarters work
Living in a loft space or an attic apartment can come with some challenges, as slanted roofs can make moving around and decorating somewhat of a magic trick. Freshome.com recently showcased an apartment with such problems, but these tenants proved that making use of the best furniture for your space is the ultimate way to embrace its uniqueness.

Small kitchen fixes
Just because your kitchen may be on the smaller side doesn't mean its style needs to suffer. By utilizing the space you have through simple steps and design options, based on tips from Better Homes and Gardens, you'll have the kitchen you've always wanted in no time.

Give your bachelor pad life
A bachelor pad may be one of the coolest places in the world to the average male, but just because you're living the single life doesn't mean your interior design should suffer. By creating a space that is both manly and female friendly, you'll be a hit with both your guy and girl friends (and maybe even your mom).

The right window treatment is a good backdrop for personal collections
Displaying a personal collection can make an immediate impact in a room, particularly if it contains things that have special meaning for their owners.

Homeowners want durable products to create period-style look for their homes
A recent report on consumers' home design choices found that homeowners want period-style homes to be as authentic as possible, but need them to be durable and low maintenance.

Create a nursery fit for a prince or princess
Are you adding a new addition to the family? Considering that having a baby has become the celebrity trend of the year, many chic choices for nurseries have recently emerged.

Create an impressive entranceway
Your entranceway often leads to people formulating the first impression of your home. If you're hoping to help people get a good feel of your personal style, certain changes can be made to brighten and enhance your home's overall appeal.

Painting the vanity is the start of an easy bathroom makeover
Home decorators who want to give their bathroom vanities an update need to consider the products they use to bring about the new look.

Roman shades convey a homey touch for both rooms and outdoor spaces
One way to make an easy transition from a home's interior to an outdoor deck or patio is by choosing window treatments that complement both the inside and outside spaces.

Create an office design that is all your own
If you're afforded the luxury of working from home, you may consider updating your office as a way to promote strong work habits and create a place that makes you feel at ease. Better Homes and Gardens magazine had some good ideas and easy fixes to revamp your spot into an area your co-workers will be envious of.

Make your dining room more than a place to eat
Updating your dining room is one way to to offer your home an added dimension. As the room that's only used for family get-to-gethers or dinner parties amongst friends, the dining room tends to get a bad wrap.

Modern conveniences can be included in traditional farmhouse decor
A couple from Dublin, New Hampshire, didn't want to sacrifice convenience when they decided to decorate their kitchen in a classic farmhouse style.

Revamp your living room to further enjoy the space
What better way to let your personal style shine through than to redecorate your living room? The living room is a high-traffic area with family members and guests constantly breezing through it. It's a place to relax after a long day and an area in which to cuddle and watch movies on a chilly afternoon.

Create a getaway in your home
If you're one of the lucky people who have a screened-in porch, simple improvements may entice you to use this space even more. By creating a look that is both luxurious and inviting, you and your guests may end up spending more time outside than in your home.

DIY projects that can easily be tackled
Updating your home may seem like a huge undertaking, yet by breaking it down room-by-room, you may find the changes will come by themselves.

Make the most of your space
Moving into a new apartment can be an exciting time to explore design options that will really show off your personality and create a look that's all your own. A featured attic apartment on Freshome.com boasted a fresh and youthful design that anyone could emulate.

Liveability of a home improves by making best use of space
By combining green building principles and making better use of the space in a smaller home, homeowners can improve the liveability of their dwelling.

Decorating for long-lasting appeal, rather than by trends, is advised
Homeowners who look for classic furnishings, rather than the latest trend, will likely be happier with their choices over a longer period of time.

Keeping your bedroom cool during the summer
By installing some window blinds and shades in your bedroom, you will not only improve the aesthetics of the space, but create a cozy sleeping environment after a long day, according to the Kansas City Star.

One color family keeps home decorating scheme unified
By relying on one color family, home decorators can create a unified color scheme planned throughout their homes, rather than on a room-by-room basis.

Choosing the right window treatments for an attic apartment
While decorating this space can be tricky, making the best use of light throughout the space will ensure that no matter how small your space is, it will be comfy and cozy for years to come.

Window planters will look perfect with some new window treatments
Plants have an uncanny ability to make a house feel like a home, and when they're used in conjunction with fashionable window treatments, you will have a layout that can adapt to any season, according to Maine's The Free Press.

Easy decorating tips can bring attention to 'hidden' areas of a room
Certain corners of a room always seem to go unnoticed, but there are some tricks of the decorating trade that can bring those unseen areas into view.

Monochromatic approach with window coverings gives illusion of space
Homeowners are often looking for ways to expand the look of small rooms, and sometimes a decorating trick that dupes the eye can achieve that goal.

Adding depth to your interior design with an accent wall
According to Freshome.com, the challenge is to find the right balance of color while not being overbearing in one room and being underwhelming in others.

Durability and good design can go hand in hand for furnishings
There are two ways to make the sofa the center of attention it deserves to be - add brightly-colored pillows to liven up a neutral fabric on the couch or use a bold, unique sofa fabric to make it an instant focal point.

Designer advises decorating with items that have personal meaning
"Make it your own" could be interior designer Jonathan Adler's mantra.

Window blinds and shades are the best way to decrease sun damage
According to the Clarendon Patch, window blinds and shades are the best option to protect your home from sun damage.

Home decorators can look to fashion runways for their color inspiration
The colors that fashion decorators are showing in their annual collections can serve as inspiration for interior design as well. If a color is one that someone is comfortable wearing, it makes sense that they may enjoy seeing it in their home surroundings.

Window blinds and shades can be a finishing touch for your interior design
However, one place that homeowners tend to underestimate are window treatments which can pull a space together, according to the Midland Daily News.

Vibrant colors like honeysuckle rose are a natural companion to a valance
Home decorators who are stuck on the color wheel, trying to predict which hues will have the most staying power on their walls and furnishings, may get some help from the Pantone Color Institute.

Roller shades are the best options for your child's room
One of the easiest ways to improve your child's safety is by installing cordless roller shades onto his windows, according to ResponseSource.com.

Working with the cottage-chic style into your home
According to HGTV.com, many homeowners opt for the cottage-chic style, which features a minimalistic touch and crisp neutral colors that will showcase your design choices.

Going green and saving energy this summer
Those who are committed to the sustainable lifestyle and want to keep cool this summer have a host of green options to help cut their energy usage.

Easy-to-clean window treatments will cut down allergens in your home
It's important to have a window treatment that's easy-to-clean and now is the perfect time of year to do some spring cleaning, according to the Calgary Herald.

Location of a window should be considered when choosing right treatment
Location, location, location may be the mantra of realtors, but it also should influence what type of window treatments that homeowners choose in their room designs.

Neutral colors have expanded in both shades and finishes
Home decorators who love to base their design schemes on neutral colors have a new range of gray variations and oyster shades from which to choose.

Integrating your kitchen with outdoor surroundings
By adding a large bay window or making best use of a sliding door, window blinds and shades could be a worthy ally when upgrading your cooking area, according to ConsumerReports.org.

Creative ways to help cool down your home
If you forget to draw the shades before you leave for work, you will be coming home to a hot and sticky house if you don't prepare, according to MyFox9.com.

Blackout shades solve lighting dilemma for home screening area
For homeowners who want to create the atmosphere of a home theater in their dens or family rooms, dealing with light in a room that needs to be darkened quickly provides some decorating challenges.

A mix of old and new furnishings give rooms a look that's grown over time
Home decorators who mix old and new furnishings can give their rooms a décor that looks as if it grew over time.

Window coverings can address lighting and unify space in a great room
For homes in which families entertain frequently, the addition of a great room is an ideal space where guests can move about and socialize easily.

Valances paired with soft curtains fit the shabby chic style
Softened is one way to describe the shabby chic style of decorating – in colors, patterns and the overall look of a room outfitted with furnishings reminiscent of an earlier era.

Turn your stay-cation into a home makeover
According to the Bonners Ferry Herald, installing some cost-effective window blinds and shades and opening up your living spaces will make a difference all summer long.

Sliding door systems can instantly open up traffic flow in small apartments
According to Freshome.com, some companies offer kits that allow individuals to change their swing and hinge doors to sliding barn-style doors.

Neutral shades will highlight your design choices
According to The Oregonian, an apartment with a prominent window is better served with a neutral window shade that will allow your smaller accents, such as area rugs, lamps and artwork, to brighten the space.

Window blinds and shades will make a big difference in your first off-campus apartment
Window blinds and shades will provide privacy, a better night's sleep and help to cut down on utility bills, which will allow you to have more fun next semester.

No hard rules, but guidelines advise how to use area rugs to achieve balance
Interior designer Susan Welch Heeney believes there are no hard and fast rules about choosing the right size area rug for a particular space, although following some guidelines will help homeowners arrive at the right proportion and placement of rugs to bring balance to a room.

Stylish window coverings help personalize the look of an apartment
To turn an apartment into a home means showing one's personal interests and tastes in the selection of art work, colors and furniture.

Window treatment's hardware incorporates newer metals for a modern look
Stainless steel still reigns as the top choice among home decorators for their kitchen appliances, but softer finishes in metal fixtures has also emerged as a recent design trend.

Use bookshelves as a canvas to show off your design flair
According to HGTV.com, crafting a stylish bookshelf with items that create balance for the space will allow a homeowner to show off his personality and some of his treasured possessions.

Easy installations give built-in look to shelving and storage units
Homeowners who don't have the space or money to splurge on built-in shelving can still have the look and storage that built-ins bring to a room.

Window dressing tips from a top interior designer
According to The Bellingham Herald, dressing up windows is tricky and requires some special considerations to ensure that you are providing the optimal energy-efficient benefits as well as an aesthetically pleasing home environment.

Eclectic decorating can mix atmospheric materials with old and new furnishings
When homeowners take an eclectic approach to decorating, they often mix different textures from old and new furnishings to arrive at a look that suits them.

Window treatments can change the entire look of a home
According to OutlookIndia.com, the amount of light that filters into a room drastically will alter the style of the home, so care must be taken to find the perfect match for your décor.