how to choose winter interior decor

How to Choose Winter Interior Decor.

Home decor in general is, of course, a matter of personal taste, so when you're looking to decorate the house for winter, the best guide to follow is your own gut. However, an important first step is to decide which areas to focus on, both in your home overall and then within each room. Finding ways to emphasize warmth will then make your home that much comfier during the coldest months. And for those of you who take your shoes off indoors, layering rugs during the winter is a further way to add warmth while adding seasonal variety to your decor.







Deciding Where and How to Decorate.



Choose which rooms to decorate. If you have the budget, time, and inclination to overhaul your home entirely, feel free to go wild. If not, however, prioritize rooms that see the most use. Don't waste time and money on, say, your bedroom, which hardly anyone but you will see. Instead, focus on areas like your.

Living room.

Family room.

Dining room.

Kitchen.

Bathroom(s).



Pick a color scheme. If you're a purist, bring the outside in with seasonal colors that emphasize cold. If, on the other hand, you want to make your home a comfy hideaway from the elements, go the opposite route with warm colors. There's no right or wrong, so follow your instincts and please your own taste.

Cold color schemes include white paired with either blue, burgundy, emerald, gray, plum, or silver.

Warm colors also include white, as well as browns, reds, and yellows.

To find colors that match your paint, furniture, and other decor, use online color palettes.

Add seasonal decorations. If you celebrate Christmas, you're probably already starting the winter off by decorating for that. But whether or not you celebrate that holiday, search the aisles or online for decorations that don't tie directly into the holiday. Use these to decorate your home throughout the winter season, even after you've packed all the Santa stuff away.

Items to look for include figurines, framed pictures, snow globes, wreaths, and garland.

Neutral designs include snowmen, sleighs, winter villages, and bare or snow-covered evergreens.



Use small touches to drive winter home. Again, if you want to go hog-wild about it, feel free to make your home a winter wonderland with any number of appropriately themed decorations. But if time, budget, and space is limited, use them wisely. Consider:

Choosing one fanciful item to stand out as a seasonal centerpiece in a given area, like a model winter village to top a mantelpiece, bureau, or window seat.

Replacing everyday items with seasonally decorated ones, like dish- or hand towels, salt and pepper shakers, and placemats.

Investing in seasonal pillow cases, blankets, comforters, and/or even sofa- and armchair covers to quickly punch up areas like bedrooms, living rooms, and dens.



Choose decorations that transition from season to season. Between school and holidays, both fall and winter can be busy times of year, so plan ahead to minimize work. As you decorate for each season and/or holiday, use items that will still be appropriate as you roll over to the next so you can minimize work. For instance:

Red, yellow, orange, and brown scream autumn when bunched together, but each is a warm color that can help make your winter home more inviting. Say you decorated your living room with throw pillows in all four colors for fall. Simply take away the yellow and orange ones and leave the red and brown pillows.

Hanging wreaths with bare branches is a popular way to decorate for both fall and winter. Simply swap the autumn leaves with more winter-appropriate flair like holly leaves, oranges, or leaves painted in cool colors like blue or silver.

Evergreen garland and pine cones are Christmas favorites, but on their own they work just as well for the whole winter.









Making Your Space Feel Warm and Cozy.



Provide literal warmth with fire. If your house has one, use your fireplace! Rearrange the furniture to make the hearth the centerpiece of that room. Make a blazing fire a daily, nightly, or weekly ritual with your loved ones.

If your fireplace is inoperable, stack some bright firewood in the rack anyway to suggest the idea of a nice warm fire.



Set out candles. Whether or not you have a fireplace, light candles to add the flickering glow of flames to your home. Choose candlesticks or holders that enhance the winter theme either by color, design, or both. Enhance the effect by burning scented candles that fill the house with pleasing smells that highlight the season.

Gold or brass candlesticks provide warm colors and reflective surfaces, enhancing the light and suggestion of warmth.

Mugs, bowls, and jars filled with readymade candles and decorated with seasonal designs are also widely available.

Popular scents for winter include cinnamon, cloves, oranges, pine cones, and various types of wood.

Alternatively, you can also use LED candles if you're worried about fire risks or forbidden to use candles.



Add throws to seating areas. Drape throw blankets over the backs of your couches and armchairs. Arrange throw pillows in the corners of each one, too. If you have an accent chair, pile extras on the seat so family, roommates, and guests can help themselves as needed. Don't be mingy with them; the more, the better!

Choose neutral-colored throw pillows and blankets to use year-round. This way, you can easily dress up each seating area with just a couple of new winter-themed blankets and/or pillows.



Change your curtains. Make an instant dramatic change to your home by hanging curtains selected especially for winter. Choose whichever color or design highlights the season best for your tastes, but favor thick, heavy fabrics to suggest more warmth and protection from the cold outside. For the best insulation, choose thermal curtains, which are designed to prevent heat from escaping while also blocking drafts from the windows.

If you miss the sunlight in winter and still want to let it in without keeping the drapes shut all day, you can also find thermal-backed vertical blinds that allow more light to pass through with minimal heat loss.







Layering Rugs for Extra Coziness.



Determine the best spaces to layer rugs. Assess how much visibility the floor area receives in each room. Favor open areas over small, cramped ones. Use layered rugs where they will stand out and be noticed, rather than areas where furniture blocks them from view.

Larger rooms like the living room or den are generally ideal for this. Depending on the square footage and the amount of furniture inside, master bedrooms can also be a likely candidate.

Layered rugs can also be used in smaller spaces with little or no furniture, like hallways or bathrooms. However, expect rugs to possibly wear out faster here due to concentrated foot traffic.



Select your rugs. Maybe you're buying both at once, or perhaps you're trying to pair a new rug with one that you already own. Either way, make sure the base rug and accent rug complement each other. Make your selections according to.

Size: whether you're choosing an accent rug, base rug, or both, aim to have at least one foot (30.5 cm) of the base rug revealed along each side of the accent rug. With the base rug, always err on the side of too big if you're unsure of how large a rug you should select.

Supporting role versus starring role: favor neutral rugs for your base. Let the accent rug shine by choosing a base rug that won't upstage it. At the same time, make life easier by going with a base rug that can be used year-round while you switch accent rugs by season.

Contrast: make the accent rug pop out even more by pairing it with a base rug that contrasts it. Use color, pile height, shape, texture, or a combination of these features to make your selections more eye-catching.



Lay out your rugs. For areas like hallways or bathrooms without furniture, simply center the rugs in the open floor space. In more heavily furnished rooms, use your rugs to define specific spaces within that room, such as a sitting area in your living room, or the desk area in your home office. This may take a little trial-and-error depending on the sizes of your rugs, the open space available, and the surrounding furniture. For example.

One rule of thumb is to cover at least two feet (61 cm) of both rugs with the furniture surrounding it. Let's say your rug is being placed at the foot of a single 3-seat sofa in the living room, with no other surrounding furniture. As long as you're happy with the amount of rug visible, this should be fine.

Now let's say you're framing the rugs with an L-shaped couch. Covering two feet on either side of the base rug may look fine, but doing the same to a small accent rug may not. Here, you may want to pull the accent rug out from underneath on one or both sides..

Now say that you also have a coffee table to go with your L-shaped couch. If it's solid wood (as opposed to glass and see-through), you may wish to pull either the accent rug or both rugs further out from underneath the couch so they are more visible.

November 17, 2019

how to decorate midcentury modern on a budget

How to Decorate Mid‐Century Modern on a Budget.

Mid-century modern style is a popular look that is both minimalistic and fun. The style is known for its retro furniture, romantic color schemes, and straight lines. You can take different approaches to styling your mid-century modern room depending on your personal style. Start by decluttering your house and maximising the natural light. Choose furniture and accessories that enhance the mid-century look, and keep an eye out in thrift stores and garage sales to find unique items at bargain prices.

Method 1 Changing the Basics.

1. Declutter your area. Whether you are decorating a bedroom, lounge, or a whole house, the area will look more mid-century modern if it is free from clutter. Remove any unnecessary items from surfaces, such as desks, benches, or tables. File any loose pieces of paper, throw out any rubbish, and keep books and magazines in one place. Place small objects, such as art supplies, stationery, or cleaning products, into boxes or cupboards.

Consider giving away any objects that don’t fit with the mid-century modern theme, such as any neon or sparkly items. Keep items like sturdy wooden frames and hardcover books. Just prepare to use them strategically.

Place a few candles on a dresser rather than a myriad of ornaments.

2. Paint the walls white and add a feature wall if you want a dash of colour. The majority of mid-century modern homes have white walls as this allows the statement pieces of furniture to stand out. Paint the interior walls white and if you want to brighten up a room, paint one wall a different colour.

For example, paint 3 walls in the dining room white and paint 1 wall pale pink. If you don’t like white, consider other neutral tones, such as light cream or grey.

The exception to this is areas where you have wooden wall panels, brick walls, or large feature windows. These were often centerpieces in mid-century homes and should be displayed and enhanced, not covered up.

Consider using wallpaper for your feature wall if you want it to have texture or pattern.

3. Open the curtains to maximize the natural light. Most houses get at least some light during the day. Make the most of the light to help create a mid-century modern feel. During the day, open all of the curtains in the house.

If you want some privacy during the day, consider purchasing sheer curtains. These give a light and breezy feel to the house whilst still giving privacy.

If there are any tall trees or hedges that are blocking the light shining through the windows, trim them back.

4. Incorporate wooden features into your home. A key focus of mid-century modern design is including wood into the home. Consider adding wooden flooring, a wooden bench top, or wooden doors to your house. Oak, walnut, and teak are popular types of wood used in mid-century modern design.

Use wooden laminate instead of wood to achieve a similar look at a cheaper price.

Wooden decor pieces such as wooden balls, wooden furniture legs and backs, and wood doors were all prevalent in mid-century homes.

Method 2 Choosing Furniture.

1. Choose a couch with straight lines and a bold colour. Couches and armchairs are big focal points in mid-century modern design. Pick a couch that has relatively straight arms and tall tapered legs instead of a couch with ornate rounded edges. Choose a bold colour to help the couch stand out.

A sea-blue couch paired with mustard cushions would be a great colour choice.

If a new couch doesn’t fit in your budget, consider adding a colourful throw to your current couch.

You can replace your couch's current legs with the quintessentially mid-century tapered wooden legs. These are available affordably from most home improvement stores, as well as online.

2. Add a mid-century style mirror as a statement piece. A mirror has the power to make a room look bigger and lighter. Place a large, round mirror opposite a door or window so that it can reflect the natural light around the room.

Consider choosing a sunburst mirror. These are an iconic accessory of the mid-century era. Find replicas online to save money, or search in thrift stores.

Alternatively, look for a mirror with a minimalist aesthetic. A large, circular mirror with a thin gold frame would also be great for a mid-century home.

Upcycle any mirrors you already have. If you have a mirror with a frame, repaint the frame to match the feature wall or lounge suite colours.

3. Add lamps, pendants, and soft lighting. Lighting is a key feature of the mid-century style. Choose lamps with thin stems to incorporate the clean and minimal lines of mid-century design. Pick pendants that attract focus and have sculptural elements. Look for floor lamps that arch over furniture. Choose bulbs that have more yellow tones rather than blue tones as this will create a softer look.

Consider using multiple lamps per room to create different pockets of light. Limit pendants to one per room as they are a dominant feature.

Look for pendants and lamps at garage sales to find unique designs at a bargain price.

4. Choose wooden furniture to give a natural look to the space. Choose shades of wood that mirror the colours of wood found in nature. Natural pines and medium-browns work well. Consider adding a wooden coffee table, wooden chairs, or wooden shelves. If you want more minimal amounts of wood, choose a couch with wooden legs.

If you have wooden furniture that has been painted, consider sanding off the paint to expose the natural wood.

Don’t be afraid to use laminate. This can create a wooden look at a lower price.

Look out for wooden furniture in thrift shops. This is a great way to get quality furniture at a lower price.

Method 3 Adding Accessories.

1. Place a few pieces of bold art on the walls. The mid-century modern style is fairly minimalistic. Avoid placing too much art on the walls and cluttering the space. It is best to pick a few favourite pieces for the walls in each room.

Large graphics painted with oil on canvas are a great mid-century option. Metal wall plaques fit with the theme.

Abstract metal and stone sculptures are also good artistic accessories for this style.

2. Choose indoor plants to bring a feeling of life to your space. A key theme of mid-century modern style is the blending of the indoors and outdoors. An easy way to achieve this look is by adding indoor plants to your rooms. Consider adding plants at different levels to bring a natural look. For example, place one plant in a hanging basket and another on a coffee table.

Peace lilies are a timeless looking plant that improve air quality. Cacti are another timeless option.

Plants with hanging vines or droopy leaves work best in hanging baskets.

Plants are integral to the mid-century look. If you can't keep real plants in your home, invest in some fake plants to get the look.

3. Choose bedding and pillows with bold patterns. Repeating patterns and geometric shapes are an iconic part of the mid-century decorating style. An affordable way to introduce these to your house is through accessories. Add patterned cushions to your bed or couch to bring detail and color to the rooms. Alternatively, pick a patterned bedspread that makes the bed the focal point of the room.

Avoid having patterns on both the bedspread and decorative pillows. Similarly, avoid pairing a patterned couch with patterned cushions. Patterns look best when paired with plain items.

Consider buying fabric and then the sewing cushion covers or bedspread yourself. This is a great way to find the pattern you want and save money. If you can’t sew, ask a friend or family member that has good sewing skills to help you.

4. Pick a neutral-coloured rug that has an interesting texture. Mixing different textures in your home is a great way to enhance the mid-century style. Look for a rug that has a different texture to the carpet and couches. Try to get a neutral-colored rug so that you don’t draw away from the furniture in the room.

A shaggy rug would work well in a space with a velvet couch. Sisal and jute rugs also compliment this style and are very durable.

Purchase a rug from a home department store or keep an eye out at garage sales.

Tips.

If you working with a low budget, keep an eye out for big sales throughout the year.

Search thrift shops to find authentic retro items.

The mid-century look is very popular, so you can find a lot of modern items made to fit the aesthetic. Take a look at your local discount home goods and furniture stores for inspiration.

Januari 23, 2020

how to decorate your home on a budget

How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget.

If you’re on a budget, it might seem impossible to redecorate your home. After all, home furnishings and decor can be very expensive if you buy everything all at once. Luckily, though, there are plenty of ways to save money as you freshen up your home’s appearance. Try buying items a little at a time, and buy second-hand or find great sales whenever you can. Also, look for creative ways to repurpose items you already have, or even upcycle things you find while you’re shopping!

Method 1 Adding Personality with Small Details.

1. Display your favorite items out in the open. Showing off something you already have is a great way to decorate without spending any money at all. If you have a piece that always makes you smile, like a special heirloom or a painting you love, put it somewhere you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom, kitchen, or living room. As you’re choosing other items for that room, try to think of what will go with the pieces you love the most.

For instance, if you hang up a painting in your living room, look for throw pillows or a rug that have some of the same colors as the painting.

Get rid of items you don’t love and just display the decor that you really like. Your favorite items will become statement pieces, and you’ll appreciate what you do have more.

2. Choose brightly-colored items to draw attention to an area. If there’s a feature in your home that you really like, such as a mantle with interesting molding or a bookshelf where you keep your books, draw attention to it with bright colors. Your eye will automatically be drawn to the brighter shades, making that area really stand out.

For instance, you might put a bright glass vase on a shelf to add a pop of color, or you could hang a colorful painting on the wall above your fireplace to show it off.

Look through the things you already have to find bright colors, or buy accent pieces on sale or at secondhand stores.

3. Arrange items in odd-numbered groups. For some reason, people find odd numbers of items more pleasing to look at than even-numbered groups. As you’re deciding where to place decor around your home, you can elevate the styling by sticking to odd-numbered arrangements.

For instance, you might try stacking 5 books together on a shelf, flanked by 2 heavy bookends, or you could use an odd number of picture frames if you create a gallery wall.

You could also make a tableau out of different objects, such as a vase, a painting leaned against the wall, and a small bowl filled with pretty rocks.

This is a simple trick that you can use to freshen up your decor without buying anything new!

4. Buy sheets and bedding on sale to update your bedroom. Look for seasonal home sales throughout the year, and when you find a good one, buy new sheets, pillowcases, and a comforter for your bedroom. This small change can make your bedroom feel more luxurious and can pull the room together, and if you find a good deal, it doesn’t have to cost very much money.

If you have a sewing machine, you can even make your own sheets!

Just buy throw pillows or a throw blanket in a fun new pattern or color if you can’t afford to buy a whole set of bedding at once.

5. Buy or make new throw pillows for your couch to personalize your living area. Throw pillows make your couch seem more inviting and comfy, and they can also help pull the design of your room together. Choose pillows in a color that’s used somewhere else in the room, or find them in a design that goes with the theme of the room.

For instance, if your room has a nature theme, you might choose pillows with a design featuring leaves, trees, or birds.

You can even recover your old throw pillows to give them a new look. Buying pillow covers is cheaper and can change the look of items simply and inexpensively.

6. Make your own curtains to add a pretty touch to any window. Curtains add a touch of elegance to a room, but buying drapes can be very expensive. If you can’t find a good sale on curtains you love, try making your own. Just sew a pocket into the top of a long strip of fabric, hem the other end, and run a curtain rod through the pocket.

You can also make your own shower curtain to freshen up your bathroom! Just make sure you use a waterproof shower curtain liner so the fabric doesn’t get water-stained.

Shower curtains and sheets can be fashioned into curtains as well. If you find a pattern or color you love, don't hesitate to use these for drapery.

7. Update your cabinet pulls, faucets, and other small hardware. The knobs on your cabinets and drawers, the handles on our sink and bathtub, and the knobs on your appliances can all get grimy and dull over time. Replace them to freshen up the look of your bathroom and kitchen without spending a lot of money.

Tip: If you like the hardware you already have, but it’s seen better days, try giving it a good clean with melamine foam or oxygen bleach.

8. Add a touch of nature with houseplants, flowers, and fruit. Houseplants are calming, beautiful, and good for the environment, making them a perfect addition for indoor decor. However, if you’re afraid you don’t have a green thumb, you can fill a vase or a bowl with fresh flowers or fruit, and change it whenever they start to turn brown.

You can even use artificial plants or flowers, but remember to dust them regularly!

9. Make your own art with inexpensive picture frames. Framed art doesn’t have to be expensive to look amazing. Buy several inexpensive frames that are the same color, shape, or size. Then, frame photos of your loved ones, pressed flowers, old calendar pages, or even pictures you print out from online!

Group several frames together to create your very own gallery wall.

If you have small keepsakes you’d like to display, place them in a shadow box and hang them on your wall.

Method 2 Finding Cheap or Free Items.

1. Rearrange the furniture you already have in your house. The easiest way to refresh your home is to rearrange your furniture and move your decor around. Think about how you’d like your space to look when you’re finished decorating. Then, go from room to room, looking at each piece of furniture or decorative object. Try to imagine how you could re-use each piece, and you might be surprised what you can come up with!

Sometimes just moving a big piece of furniture, like your couch or your bed, can give you a whole new perspective on a room!

With a little imagination, you might find that the nightstand in your spare room would make an awesome TV stand, or an old trunk could become the perfect coffee table!

Try to keep as many of your current possessions as you can. You’ll spend a lot more money redecorating if you try to replace everything at once.

Use things that you wouldn’t normally use for different purposes - like an old trunk as a coffee table or a scarf as a wall hanging.

2. Ask your family and friends if they have furniture or decor they don’t want. Reach out to your network and let them know you’re trying to change things up around your house. Keep in mind, however, that you shouldn’t take anything unless you really like or need it. Otherwise, you’ll just be adding clutter to your home.

If you know anyone who is moving, they might be happy to get rid of some items and you could take them off their hands. Even they aren't perfect, you can paint items or change them up to fit your style.

You can even post on social media asking if anyone has a specific item that you’re looking for.

3. Shop secondhand to find pieces you love at a deep discount. If you’re shopping on a budget, thrift stores, secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales can be a great way to find items you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. Sometimes you can even find new or like-new items at a huge discount.

Secondhand shops tend to have a lot of turnover in their inventory, so you may want to visit the same shops a few different times through the redecorating process, especially if you like the kind of items they carry. If you need to, travel to shops in nearby neighborhoods to find a wider selection.

Shopping after the holidays and during the spring is a good idea, because people tend to clean out their homes then.

Don’t be discouraged from buying something that has chipped paint, a dent or is slightly worn - this can all be easily fixed and adds character.

If you notice that an item has been at a certain shop for a while without selling, ask the manager if they’d be willing to sell it to you at a discount. This can be especially helpful if you’re buying large furniture, since the store will sometimes be eager to reclaim their floor space.

Tip: Pay attention to the prices of items, even in a secondhand shop. Some shops, especially those specializing in antiques, can still be quite pricey.

4. Look for sales if you’re buying new items. Don’t feel that everything you buy needs to be secondhand. Many retailers offer big sales throughout the year, especially around holidays. Look in your local newspaper, watch for TV commercials advertising sales, or check the stores’ websites so you’ll know when a sale is coming up.

You can also sign up for emails from some of the stores you like so you can be notified when a sale is coming up. There are even websites that are dedicated to finding deals, and you can sign up for email alerts from them as well.

Check your favorite stores online - there is usually a discount for online shopping and it will save you time as well.

Also, don’t forget to check the clearance section once you’re in the store. Often, shops will put a steep discount on merchandise that’s left over from a seasonal promotion or an older collection. These sales are typically not advertised.

5. Refinish or reupholster furniture to give it a new look. When you’re shopping, especially if you’re looking at secondhand items, pay more attention to the shape of the furniture than the color of it. You can sand away the existing stain on wood furniture and restain it or paint it to give it a whole new look. You can also reupholster fabric-covered furniture, like couches, recliners, and dining chairs!

Sometimes, you can save a lot of money by buying unfinished wood furniture. That means the wood is still in its natural state, and it hasn’t been sealed or stained. Try looking online to find a store near you that specializes in unfinished furniture.

Try changing out the drawer pulls on a dresser to give it a fresh, updated look. Even better, you can buy inexpensive drawer pulls from a home improvement store for just a few dollars!

You can even replace the foam in worn-out cushions to make the piece seem as good as new.

6. Don’t try to redecorate everything at once. If you’re on a budget, it’s not practical to try to buy everything all at the same time. Instead, try to embrace the idea that redecorating your home is a long-term project. Make a little time on the weekends to hunt for a great deal or a unique treasure that you’ll love.

It might help to focus on one room at a time, but don’t let that keep you from buying something for another room if you see a great deal. If you're redecorating your living room first but you see the perfect comforter on clearance, for instance, you might want to buy it if you can.

If shopping isn’t your favorite thing to do, find a friend who’ll be happy to go with you. That will help make the experience more fun for you.

Don’t feel like you have to finish one space at a time. Especially if you're on a budget, it can be hard to wait for the perfect piece to go on sale or to find it second hand. Pick up things when you find a good deal and it will all come together eventually.

Method 3 Making Cheap Updates.

1. Paint the walls with a new coat of paint to freshen up a room. If you own your home or have permission from your landlord, painting is an inexpensive way to brighten everything up and make it look newer. Take everything out of the room that you can and cover the floor with a drop cloth. Then, cover the wall in 1-2 coats of primer, let those dry, and go back over the walls with your chosen paint color.

Light colors will make a room look larger, so avoid very dark colors in a small room.

Cool colors like blue and green are relaxing, so they’re a great choice for bedrooms. Warm colors are very inviting, so they’re great for living areas and kitchens.

You can even get creative by painting one wall a different color or by adding stripes,chevrons, or chalkboard paint to your walls.

If you love the look of wallpaper but don’t have room in your budget, use a stencil to paint a pattern on your walls instead!

If you have dark trim or wooden doors, you can paint those too for a fresh, updated look.

2. Change the light fixtures in a room for a quick upgrade. Dated or ugly light fixtures can bring down the look of a room, even if you don’t consciously pay attention to them. If you can find a good deal on a new light fixture, changing it yourself is usually pretty easy. Just turn off the power to the room at your circuit breaker, remove the old light fixture, and rewire the new one. Take care to match up the negative and positive wires, then attach the new fixture to the ceiling with the provided brackets and screws.

Don’t feel that you necessarily have to buy new light fixtures. Sometimes, all it takes it a good cleaning or a coat of spray paint to bring new life to the light fixtures you already have.

Adding a new shade or cover is inexpensive and can quickly update the look of older fixtures.

If you don’t feel comfortable working with wiring yourself, it might be worth it to save up and have an electrician do the job.

Tip: If you have a lot of lamps, try updating your lamp shades!

3. Cover the back of a bookcase with contact paper to give it a new look. Bookcases provide a lot of practical storage, so even if you’re not in love with yours, it might be best to keep it. Luckily, you can give it new life by covering the back walls with colorful contact paper, wallpaper scraps, or even fabric. This will brighten up the bookcase and will provide a nice contrast to show off whatever you’re displaying on the shelves.

You can also paint your bookcase, if you’d like. Paint it a different color from the walls to make it stand out, or paint it the same color if you want it to look like it’s a part of the wall.

4. Add architectural trim to your walls. Architectural trim, also called molding or decorative trim, can make a room look expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily cost a lot. Try installing it around your ceiling or floors, on your cabinets, or around your windows to create an upscale look on a budget.

You can even find stick-on molding, making this project easy and cheap!

To mimic the look of moldings, add trim 6 inches above your floor trim and paint the gap to match the trim. This will give you the look of architectural trim for less than half of the usual price.

5. Add rugs to bring warmth to a room. Carpeting and rugs create a cozy, warm feeling, but replacing your carpet can be very expensive. Instead, look for sales on area rugs that match your theme or color palette for each room.

If buying a new rug is too expensive, visit a flooring store and ask if they have vinyl remnants. These are pieces of vinyl left over from previous projects that are too small to re-use, but are often large enough to use as an area rug. To personalize the look even more, paint a design on the remnant with acrylic paints and seal with concrete sealer.

6. Hang mirrors to make a room feel larger. Look for large mirrors at secondhand shops and home improvement stores, then install them wherever you need more space. Mirrors help create an optical illusion that a space is larger than it really is, so wall mirrors are a great touch in smaller rooms or narrow hallways. In addition, the mirrors will reflect any light that’s in the room, making it look brighter.

If you like the shape of a mirror but not the frame, try painting it!

If you have an unframed mirror in your bathroom and can’t afford a new one, you can frame your mirror in by attaching moldings around all four sides.

Tips.

Look for DIY design ideas for fun projects to decorate your home that you can do yourself!

Warnings.

Whenever you're painting, priming, or sanding something, make sure the room is well-ventilated, and take regular breaks to get fresh air.

Desember 18, 2019

how to decorate your home on a budget

How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget.

If you’re on a budget, it might seem impossible to redecorate your home. After all, home furnishings and decor can be very expensive if you buy everything all at once. Luckily, though, there are plenty of ways to save money as you freshen up your home’s appearance. Try buying items a little at a time, and buy second-hand or find great sales whenever you can. Also, look for creative ways to repurpose items you already have, or even upcycle things you find while you’re shopping!

Method 1 Adding Personality with Small Details.

1. Display your favorite items out in the open. Showing off something you already have is a great way to decorate without spending any money at all. If you have a piece that always makes you smile, like a special heirloom or a painting you love, put it somewhere you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom, kitchen, or living room. As you’re choosing other items for that room, try to think of what will go with the pieces you love the most.

For instance, if you hang up a painting in your living room, look for throw pillows or a rug that have some of the same colors as the painting.

Get rid of items you don’t love and just display the decor that you really like. Your favorite items will become statement pieces, and you’ll appreciate what you do have more.

2. Choose brightly-colored items to draw attention to an area. If there’s a feature in your home that you really like, such as a mantle with interesting molding or a bookshelf where you keep your books, draw attention to it with bright colors. Your eye will automatically be drawn to the brighter shades, making that area really stand out.

For instance, you might put a bright glass vase on a shelf to add a pop of color, or you could hang a colorful painting on the wall above your fireplace to show it off.

Look through the things you already have to find bright colors, or buy accent pieces on sale or at secondhand stores.

3. Arrange items in odd-numbered groups. For some reason, people find odd numbers of items more pleasing to look at than even-numbered groups. As you’re deciding where to place decor around your home, you can elevate the styling by sticking to odd-numbered arrangements.

For instance, you might try stacking 5 books together on a shelf, flanked by 2 heavy bookends, or you could use an odd number of picture frames if you create a gallery wall.

You could also make a tableau out of different objects, such as a vase, a painting leaned against the wall, and a small bowl filled with pretty rocks.

This is a simple trick that you can use to freshen up your decor without buying anything new!

4. Buy sheets and bedding on sale to update your bedroom. Look for seasonal home sales throughout the year, and when you find a good one, buy new sheets, pillowcases, and a comforter for your bedroom. This small change can make your bedroom feel more luxurious and can pull the room together, and if you find a good deal, it doesn’t have to cost very much money.

If you have a sewing machine, you can even make your own sheets!

Just buy throw pillows or a throw blanket in a fun new pattern or color if you can’t afford to buy a whole set of bedding at once.

5. Buy or make new throw pillows for your couch to personalize your living area. Throw pillows make your couch seem more inviting and comfy, and they can also help pull the design of your room together. Choose pillows in a color that’s used somewhere else in the room, or find them in a design that goes with the theme of the room.

For instance, if your room has a nature theme, you might choose pillows with a design featuring leaves, trees, or birds.

You can even recover your old throw pillows to give them a new look. Buying pillow covers is cheaper and can change the look of items simply and inexpensively.

6. Make your own curtains to add a pretty touch to any window. Curtains add a touch of elegance to a room, but buying drapes can be very expensive. If you can’t find a good sale on curtains you love, try making your own. Just sew a pocket into the top of a long strip of fabric, hem the other end, and run a curtain rod through the pocket.

You can also make your own shower curtain to freshen up your bathroom! Just make sure you use a waterproof shower curtain liner so the fabric doesn’t get water-stained.

Shower curtains and sheets can be fashioned into curtains as well. If you find a pattern or color you love, don't hesitate to use these for drapery.

7. Update your cabinet pulls, faucets, and other small hardware. The knobs on your cabinets and drawers, the handles on our sink and bathtub, and the knobs on your appliances can all get grimy and dull over time. Replace them to freshen up the look of your bathroom and kitchen without spending a lot of money.

Tip: If you like the hardware you already have, but it’s seen better days, try giving it a good clean with melamine foam or oxygen bleach.

8. Add a touch of nature with houseplants, flowers, and fruit. Houseplants are calming, beautiful, and good for the environment, making them a perfect addition for indoor decor. However, if you’re afraid you don’t have a green thumb, you can fill a vase or a bowl with fresh flowers or fruit, and change it whenever they start to turn brown.

You can even use artificial plants or flowers, but remember to dust them regularly!

9. Make your own art with inexpensive picture frames. Framed art doesn’t have to be expensive to look amazing. Buy several inexpensive frames that are the same color, shape, or size. Then, frame photos of your loved ones, pressed flowers, old calendar pages, or even pictures you print out from online!

Group several frames together to create your very own gallery wall.

If you have small keepsakes you’d like to display, place them in a shadow box and hang them on your wall.

Method 2 Finding Cheap or Free Items.

1. Rearrange the furniture you already have in your house. The easiest way to refresh your home is to rearrange your furniture and move your decor around. Think about how you’d like your space to look when you’re finished decorating. Then, go from room to room, looking at each piece of furniture or decorative object. Try to imagine how you could re-use each piece, and you might be surprised what you can come up with!

Sometimes just moving a big piece of furniture, like your couch or your bed, can give you a whole new perspective on a room!

With a little imagination, you might find that the nightstand in your spare room would make an awesome TV stand, or an old trunk could become the perfect coffee table!

Try to keep as many of your current possessions as you can. You’ll spend a lot more money redecorating if you try to replace everything at once.

Use things that you wouldn’t normally use for different purposes - like an old trunk as a coffee table or a scarf as a wall hanging.

2. Ask your family and friends if they have furniture or decor they don’t want. Reach out to your network and let them know you’re trying to change things up around your house. Keep in mind, however, that you shouldn’t take anything unless you really like or need it. Otherwise, you’ll just be adding clutter to your home.

If you know anyone who is moving, they might be happy to get rid of some items and you could take them off their hands. Even they aren't perfect, you can paint items or change them up to fit your style.

You can even post on social media asking if anyone has a specific item that you’re looking for.

3. Shop secondhand to find pieces you love at a deep discount. If you’re shopping on a budget, thrift stores, secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales can be a great way to find items you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. Sometimes you can even find new or like-new items at a huge discount.

Secondhand shops tend to have a lot of turnover in their inventory, so you may want to visit the same shops a few different times through the redecorating process, especially if you like the kind of items they carry. If you need to, travel to shops in nearby neighborhoods to find a wider selection.

Shopping after the holidays and during the spring is a good idea, because people tend to clean out their homes then.

Don’t be discouraged from buying something that has chipped paint, a dent or is slightly worn - this can all be easily fixed and adds character.

If you notice that an item has been at a certain shop for a while without selling, ask the manager if they’d be willing to sell it to you at a discount. This can be especially helpful if you’re buying large furniture, since the store will sometimes be eager to reclaim their floor space.

Tip: Pay attention to the prices of items, even in a secondhand shop. Some shops, especially those specializing in antiques, can still be quite pricey.

4. Look for sales if you’re buying new items. Don’t feel that everything you buy needs to be secondhand. Many retailers offer big sales throughout the year, especially around holidays. Look in your local newspaper, watch for TV commercials advertising sales, or check the stores’ websites so you’ll know when a sale is coming up.

You can also sign up for emails from some of the stores you like so you can be notified when a sale is coming up. There are even websites that are dedicated to finding deals, and you can sign up for email alerts from them as well.

Check your favorite stores online - there is usually a discount for online shopping and it will save you time as well.

Also, don’t forget to check the clearance section once you’re in the store. Often, shops will put a steep discount on merchandise that’s left over from a seasonal promotion or an older collection. These sales are typically not advertised.

5. Refinish or reupholster furniture to give it a new look. When you’re shopping, especially if you’re looking at secondhand items, pay more attention to the shape of the furniture than the color of it. You can sand away the existing stain on wood furniture and restain it or paint it to give it a whole new look. You can also reupholster fabric-covered furniture, like couches, recliners, and dining chairs!

Sometimes, you can save a lot of money by buying unfinished wood furniture. That means the wood is still in its natural state, and it hasn’t been sealed or stained. Try looking online to find a store near you that specializes in unfinished furniture.

Try changing out the drawer pulls on a dresser to give it a fresh, updated look. Even better, you can buy inexpensive drawer pulls from a home improvement store for just a few dollars!

You can even replace the foam in worn-out cushions to make the piece seem as good as new.

6. Don’t try to redecorate everything at once. If you’re on a budget, it’s not practical to try to buy everything all at the same time. Instead, try to embrace the idea that redecorating your home is a long-term project. Make a little time on the weekends to hunt for a great deal or a unique treasure that you’ll love.

It might help to focus on one room at a time, but don’t let that keep you from buying something for another room if you see a great deal. If you're redecorating your living room first but you see the perfect comforter on clearance, for instance, you might want to buy it if you can.

If shopping isn’t your favorite thing to do, find a friend who’ll be happy to go with you. That will help make the experience more fun for you.

Don’t feel like you have to finish one space at a time. Especially if you're on a budget, it can be hard to wait for the perfect piece to go on sale or to find it second hand. Pick up things when you find a good deal and it will all come together eventually.

Method 3 Making Cheap Updates.

1. Paint the walls with a new coat of paint to freshen up a room. If you own your home or have permission from your landlord, painting is an inexpensive way to brighten everything up and make it look newer. Take everything out of the room that you can and cover the floor with a drop cloth. Then, cover the wall in 1-2 coats of primer, let those dry, and go back over the walls with your chosen paint color.

Light colors will make a room look larger, so avoid very dark colors in a small room.

Cool colors like blue and green are relaxing, so they’re a great choice for bedrooms. Warm colors are very inviting, so they’re great for living areas and kitchens.

You can even get creative by painting one wall a different color or by adding stripes, chevrons, or chalkboard paint to your walls.

If you love the look of wallpaper but don’t have room in your budget, use a stencil to paint a pattern on your walls instead!

If you have dark trim or wooden doors, you can paint those too for a fresh, updated look.

2. Change the light fixtures in a room for a quick upgrade. Dated or ugly light fixtures can bring down the look of a room, even if you don’t consciously pay attention to them. If you can find a good deal on a new light fixture, changing it yourself is usually pretty easy. Just turn off the power to the room at your circuit breaker, remove the old light fixture, and rewire the new one. Take care to match up the negative and positive wires, then attach the new fixture to the ceiling with the provided brackets and screws.

Don’t feel that you necessarily have to buy new light fixtures. Sometimes, all it takes it a good cleaning or a coat of spray paint to bring new life to the light fixtures you already have.

Adding a new shade or cover is inexpensive and can quickly update the look of older fixtures.

If you don’t feel comfortable working with wiring yourself, it might be worth it to save up and have an electrician do the job.

Tip: If you have a lot of lamps, try updating your lamp shades!

3. Cover the back of a bookcase with contact paper to give it a new look. Bookcases provide a lot of practical storage, so even if you’re not in love with yours, it might be best to keep it. Luckily, you can give it new life by covering the back walls with colorful contact paper, wallpaper scraps, or even fabric. This will brighten up the bookcase and will provide a nice contrast to show off whatever you’re displaying on the shelves.

You can also paint your bookcase, if you’d like. Paint it a different color from the walls to make it stand out, or paint it the same color if you want it to look like it’s a part of the wall.

4. Add architectural trim to your walls. Architectural trim, also called molding or decorative trim, can make a room look expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily cost a lot. Try installing it around your ceiling or floors, on your cabinets, or around your windows to create an upscale look on a budget.

You can even find stick-on molding, making this project easy and cheap!

To mimic the look of moldings, add trim 6 inches above your floor trim and paint the gap to match the trim. This will give you the look of architectural trim for less than half of the usual price.

5. Add rugs to bring warmth to a room. Carpeting and rugs create a cozy, warm feeling, but replacing your carpet can be very expensive. Instead, look for sales on area rugs that match your theme or color palette for each room.

If buying a new rug is too expensive, visit a flooring store and ask if they have vinyl remnants. These are pieces of vinyl left over from previous projects that are too small to re-use, but are often large enough to use as an area rug. To personalize the look even more, paint a design on the remnant with acrylic paints and seal with concrete sealer.

6. Hang mirrors to make a room feel larger. Look for large mirrors at secondhand shops and home improvement stores, then install them wherever you need more space. Mirrors help create an optical illusion that a space is larger than it really is, so wall mirrors are a great touch in smaller rooms or narrow hallways. In addition, the mirrors will reflect any light that’s in the room, making it look brighter.

If you like the shape of a mirror but not the frame, try painting it!

If you have an unframed mirror in your bathroom and can’t afford a new one, you can frame your mirror in by attaching moldings around all four sides.

Question : Can I use a blanket as a rug?
Answer : If it is a tightly woven blanket it might work, but make sure it can be walked on without sliding around a lot. Also make sure it can be cleaned well and won't be torn or unraveled if used as a rug. There are certain bath mats that can be used for house rugs, too. It's great if it can be machine washable.

Tips.

Look for DIY design ideas for fun projects to decorate your home that you can do yourself!

Warnings.

Whenever you're painting, priming, or sanding something, make sure the room is well-ventilated, and take regular breaks to get fresh air.

Januari 21, 2020

how to decorate a teenage girls bedroom

How to Decorate a Teenage Girl's Bedroom.

Giving your bedroom a makeover is the perfect way to express your creativity and help you feel happy and relaxed in your own space. Start by updating your walls with a new paint job or colorful prints, then revamp your bed with matching blankets and throw pillows. Bring your furniture into play with bright accessories and organization tools to make your room the perfect reflection of you!

Part 1 Decorating the Walls and Floor.

1. Choose a style and color scheme. For a room that looks cohesive and cool, it’s best to decide on a color scheme and a general style before you start decorating. Choose a color palette that you love, but make sure you won’t get sick of it easily. Also, keep in mind that while your bedroom should be fun and exciting, it should also be conducive to a good night’s sleep. You can find inspiration online, using sites like Pinterest, by reading design magazines, from visiting home goods or furniture stores, or even watching design shows.

Soft, pastel wall colors paired with a brighter floral bedspread and decorations make a room that’s feminine, but not overpowering.

Dark purples and blues coupled with white or cream walls give a gentle, relaxed vibe.

Opt for a sophisticated space with black, white, and gray coloring, plus pops of pink, purple, or blue.

For a bright, tropical look, blend bright pinks and deep oranges with your walls, bedspread, and furniture.

2. Repaint your room to totally change the style. To really transform your space, a new paint job is the way to go. Tell your parents what you envision and talk about some color options. Go with them to buy the paint and offer to help with the painting as well to show your dedication to your project.

Be careful when choosing colors! Although bright shades look great on a paint swatch, they can be overwhelming on your walls. Opt for a more subdued hue to bring a sense of calm to the space. For instance, choose navy blue instead of cobalt blue for a peaceful, warm, color.

If you do decide to go with a bright wall color, balance it out with lighter-colored furniture and blankets. You could use accents of bright color with colorful pillows, blankets, or rugs, or paint just the wall behind your bed a bright hue for an accent wall.

If you can’t repaint your room, don’t worry! You can still decorate it to match your style with wall decorations, blankets, and revamped furniture.

3. Hang a print, decal, or poster on the wall to perk up your room. Even freshly-painted walls can use some extra decorations. Look for adhesive wall decals, framed prints, or posters of your favorite movie or band to brighten up blank corners of your room.

Decals come in many different shapes and patterns. Look for ones with colors and styles that will play off of your wall color and bedspread. You can get decals at home stores or online, especially at craft-focused retailers like Etsy.

Don’t go overboard with your decals—any more than 2 in a small space can look overdone. Stick with 1 large decal, or 2 smaller ones placed separately.

To make a poster look more stylish, put it in a frame or hang it with wire instead of simply taping or tacking it to the wall.

4. Hang up photos or a bulletin board to personalize your wall space. Frame and hang a few of your favorite photos of your friends and family for a homey touch. For even more wall space to decorate, buy a bulletin board and tack up photos, drawings, and mementos.

You can also use a small, magnetic chalkboard or whiteboard to hang photos and scribble notes and thoughts. Or, paint a whole wall or part of a wall with magnetic chalkboard paint. You’ll be able to write messages and put up photos or posters without damaging the wall.

If you don’t like the tan, cork-like look of a regular bulletin board, customize it by spreading a length of colorful fabric over it and taping or stapling the ends to the back.

Decorate the edges of your photo frames with stickers and paint for a look that’s even more you.

5. Get a soft rug and throw pillows to make a lounge space in the corner. Most teen rooms are too small for a couch or comfy armchair. Luckily, you can make your own lounge area in an empty corner by stacking a few big throw pillows on top of a soft rug.

If you have a little extra space, add a small beanbag or a backrest pillow with arms.

To create a cozy reading nook, put a floor pouf and a few cozy pillows in a corner. Add a floor lamp to brighten the space.

6. Add a mirror to make your room look bigger. Hanging a full- or half-length mirror in your room makes it easy to choose a great outfit every morning. As a bonus, a mirror can also make your room look more spacious.

Add a small mirror in another area to check makeup and open up the room even more. Make sure to situate it so that your mirrors don’t reflect each other.

You can put a mirror on the back of your bedroom door, on your closet door, or even above your bed.

7. Hang up string lights to add a soft glow to your room. Ask your parents if they have any extra white string lights and use them to decorate a plain wall or add soft illumination to your room. You can make a design out of the lights or simply string them across a wall with tape and push-pins.

Weave the lights through your headboard to create a soft reading light, or string them around the top perimeter of your room.

8. Hang a lighted mirror garland to add sparkle to a plain wall. To make a lighted mirror garland, drape 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) of mirror garland thickly over a curtain rod that’s 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) long, so that the they hang down towards the floor. Install hooks in your wall and set the rod in them for a flashy, unique wall decoration.

Set your garland next to a window to make it glow. For all-day sparkle, drape 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) of string lights among the garlands.

Ask your parents to help you install the hooks. They should be wide enough to be able to set the pole in comfortably, and will need to be screwed into the wall.

You can buy mirror garlands online or at craft stores.

9. Install hanging shelves to add storage options for a small room. If you’re running out of desk or closet space for pictures, knick-knacks, or books, ask your parents to help you install hanging shelves on your wall. This is a great way to decorate your walls while organizing clutter.

You can buy hanging shelves at a furniture store or make your own with the help of your parents for a fun home improvement project.

As an alternative to a nightstand, place the shelves on either side of your bed.

Part 2 Sprucing up the Bed.

1. Choose a comforter that won’t overwhelm your room. Your bed comforter or duvet is the center of your room, so picking the right color or pattern can make a huge difference! Check home stores, online retailers, and catalogues for one that matches your room’s style and color scheme.

For a luxurious feel, choose a fluffy comforter and layer a throw blanket or 2 on top of the comforter at the foot of your bed. Add a row of throw pillows for a cozy feel.

If your walls are bright or you’re planning on going all-in with colorful furniture, you could try a more subdued pastel or white comforter.

If your walls are white or light-colored, feel free to go for a comforter or duvet that’s brighter or patterned to add a burst of color to the center of your room.

If you can’t get a new comforter or are looking to save money, you can revamp your bed with a few pretty blankets, or even sew a comforter yourself.

2. Move your bed to change your room set-up. Turning your bed the other way or moving it to the opposite side of the room can really freshen up your space. Talk to your parents about scooting your bed against a different wall, or turning it so that it sticks into the middle of the room instead of sitting against a wall.

When deciding where to place your bed, try to put the head against a wall with no pipes running through it, near enough to your window for natural light.

If you’re worried about putting your bed too close to the window, put up some drapes to block out the sun on mornings when you want to snooze a little later.

To create a daybed feel, position one of the long sides of your bed against a wall and line that side with pillows. You can easily relax or study there, then simply move the pillows when you’re ready for bed.

3. Toss fun throw pillows on your bed for a burst of color. Look for pillows that are pretty and comfortable, that match your comforter and walls. Scatter 3-4 of them across your bed for a casual look, or stack them neatly for a style that’s more sophisticated.

Look for pillows in various shapes and sizes that match your room decor.

4. Place an end table at the foot of your bed for more storage space. A storage bench at the end of your bed is a stylish way to store clutter and add an extra, comfy seat to your room. Look for a bench to match your comforter at home stores and online.

For even more storage space, grab some colorful bins at a home store and stash them (and your clutter) under the bed.

5. Try a mounted headboard for a cleaner look that takes up less space. A headboard can push your bed a foot (0.3 m) or more away from the wall, which is a lot of space in a small room. Talk to your parents about getting rid of your headboard, or mounting one on the wall behind the bed to save space and look neater.

As an alternative to a headboard, hang up a wall tapestry or decorative scarf on the wall behind your bed.

6. Hang a blanket over your bed for a relaxed, boho canopy. If you feel too old for the full princess canopy, try lightly draping a thin, patterned blanket above your bed. String it from the ceiling and let it dangle 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) from your pillows for an airy feel.

Part 3 Dressing up Your Furniture.

1. Use a small table as a desk and dress it up with colorful containers. If you don’t already have a desk, look for a small table that will save space and look light and easy in your room. Fit it into your color scheme with colorful accessories like a desk lamp, a pencil cup, bookends, and a digital clock.

Try not to clutter your desk space up with too many knick-knacks, especially if this is a space you’ll use to do homework. All those small items will distract you from your studying.

2. Set out a small, pretty trash can to quickly dispose of clutter. Buy a small trash can online or from a home store, looking for one that matches your overall decor. Place it in the corner of your room for a quick, convenient way to throw away scraps of paper, tags from clothing, or any other bits of waste you have in your room.

If you don’t have much trash, you could use a container you already have around the house, like a basket, as a creative trash can substitute.

Remember to take out your trash at least once a week to keep clutter from piling up.

Don’t use your small trash can to throw away food or anything else that could decompose. This could make your room smell and even attract bugs.

3. Organize your makeup on a magnet board. Buy a magnet board and glue thin fabric over it to match your color scheme. Then, hot glue small, round, strong magnets onto the back of each of your eyeshadow, blush, and bronzer containers. Stick them onto the board to make a cute makeup organizer.

To organize your brushes and liners, glue a few magnets onto an old, small plastic cup. Store your mascara, brushes, and liners inside and stick them on the board.

4. Turn over a colorful trash can to make a simple night stand. If you want to revamp your bedside table, buy a cheap, colorful trash can online or at a large general store. Flip it upside down and set it by your bed for a small, cute table!

Look for a trash can with artful designs or a pretty pattern that will blend nicely with your bedspread and walls. Or, find a plain trash can, turn it upside down, and spray paint it the color you want. Try a glittery gold paint for a fun and bold option.

5. Decoupage dresser drawers with fabric for a splash of color. Cut a sheet of matching fabric to fit your dresser drawer, then wash it and dry it. Brush Mod Podge over the fabric and the dresser drawer and press the fabric onto the drawer one section at a time, smoothing it down with a straight edge as you go.

If you’re using a thin, cotton fabric, paint your dresser drawers white first. Mod Podge makes thin fabrics somewhat see-through, allowing dark colors to bleed through.

To get the process down, try practicing on a small piece of wood first.

6. Paint an old filing cabinet for modern storage space. Ask your parents if they have an old filing cabinet they don’t need anymore and transform it into a unique storage space! Lightly sand the cabinet with some sandpaper, then clean the cabinet and apply 3-4 coats of paint with a roller.

Paint the cabinet with chalk paint and label the contents of each drawer with chalk for extra organization. Or, pick a bright color like neon pink or yellow for a mod vibe.

To clean the cabinet, simply run a wet cloth over it to catch any dust and grime. Let it dry before you paint.

7. Spray paint the bases of your lamps in fun, matching colors. To update an old-fashioned looking lamp, pick up some cans of bright spray paint. Bring your lamp outside, set it on some newspaper, and spray paint it evenly on every side.

Let the lamp dry outside or in the garage for as long as instructed on the spray paint can.

Make sure to remove the lampshade before you spray paint.

8. Create a fashionable dressing area by dressing up a tailor’s mannequin. Pick up a female dress form mannequin at a craft store or order one online. Dress it in a pretty dress and place it in a corner of your room near a mirror or vanity to create a classy “dressing area.”

Go for a dress form rather than a full-body mannequin to save space and give your dressing area a sophisticated, classic look.

Use the dress form to express your creativity. Try switching out the dress form’s outfit based on the season, or put a dress on it to get you excited for an upcoming dance.

Desember 07, 2019

how to use metallics in your home decor

How to Use Metallics in Your Home Decor.

Nothing transforms an ordinary room faster than adding some metallic. Not only does it brighten up your space, it instantly adds a touch of glamor and modernity. However, like with many trends, it’s important to keep from going overboard. A sophisticated room can turn into a funhouse with just a few too many metallic accents. If you’re interested in using metallic in your home décor, there are a few design techniques you should keep in mind.

Part 1 Adding Accessories.

1. Start small. If you’re new to this trend and haven’t played around with metallics before, don’t go big right away. Try adding a few small pieces to a room first, just to get a feel for how it works in your home – and to confirm you like metallic décor! Adding a metallic gold vase as a table centerpiece or hanging up a mirror with bronze trim are examples of ways you can add a bit of bling to your space without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Purchase versatile items. If you aren’t a professional interior decorator, you might not have a grand vision for your space. That’s OK! You can always buy a few items that can work in several places around your home, and you can play around with them. Look for pieces that can work in your bedroom or your living room, or the bathroom or the kitchen. You can move things around and experiment.

A metallic picture frame is a small touch that can add a lot to a space, but can also work in virtually any space. The same goes for metallic lamps, trays, bowls, and so on.

3. Try out things that aren’t permanent. If you aren’t ready to fully embrace this trend yet, why not purchase a few temporary metallic accessories? For example, consider using fun golds and silvers in your holiday or seasonal décor. You can find festive throw pillows, table settings, display trinkets, and so on. If you still love the metallic trend when the season or holiday ends, you can get some décor that is more permanent.

4. Use one metallic statement piece. If you don't want to fill your home with various metallic pieces, or simply only have one metallic piece that interests you, why not just use it solo to make a statement? Whether it's a metallic tea tray on your coffee table or one metallic piece of art on your mantle, one statement piece will draw the eye immediately. You don't need to add metallics to every corner of the room to embrace this trend in your home.

Part 2 Choosing your Metallics Wisely.

1. Consider the different types of metallics. After all, not all metallics are created equal. A shiny, smooth gold will create a different effect in a room than a hammered gold. Any metallic with an antiqued finish will look darker and older, and a metallic with a brushed finish will be more matte. If you’re not interested in traditional gold or silver, don’t overlook copper and bronze décor! Also, don’t be afraid to mix and match metallics to create a lot of interest.

Again, if you aren’t sure which one you’ll prefer over time in your home, try out a few smaller, temporary pieces! You can get an idea for your personal preference without committing to anything or shelling out a lot of cash.

Don’t buy a certain type of metallic simply because it’s recommended with your color palette or someone suggested it. Choose a metallic that you personally love, and you won’t get sick of it.

2. Gather inspiration from the professionals. If your space needs a makeover, try heading to Pinterest before heading to Home Goods. You can also find decorating ideas from interior design magazines and websites. Even if you have experience decorating your home, it never hurts to check out what other people are doing. You can see how the professionals are using metallics in homes, and you might discover combinations or ideas that you never considered.

3. Repurpose things you already own. Giving your own furniture or décor a metallic makeover is a great way to save a little money and extend the life of your belongings. Instead of tossing that plain wooden dresser you’re sick of, give it a makeover. A coat of black or white paint with some metallic knobs or accents will make it look like a whole new piece. The same goes for old chairs, tables, desks, and so on. You can find metallic spray paints in every hue at a home improvement store.

Part 3 Balancing Out the Space.

1. Pair metallics with soft fabrics. To bring balance to the room you’re decorating, it’s a great idea to pair opposites. In other words, try blending your metallic décor with soft fabrics. A vibrant gold bowl placed on a faux fur place mat creates a beautiful contrast. Adding a metallic throw pillow to a soft velvet armchair strikes that same balance.

Not only do these pairings create balance, but they also allow the metallic element to really stand out.

2. Use a neutral color palette. Using metallics to decorate your home is a pretty bold choice, and it’s typically best to let those elements be the focal point. In order to do this, try to keep the rest of the room fairly neutral. Pair your metallics with colors like gray, white, cream, black, and so on. Not only is this extremely modern and on trend, it’s also much more welcoming and “livable.”

Pairing some already flashy metallic décor with colors like hot pink or electric blue is certainly a bold choice, but you’re likely to get a bit sick of it after awhile.

3. Let the metallics have the spotlight. The other tips have alluded to it, but the key to using metallic in your home décor is to let those pieces have the spotlight. By keeping the rest of your décor neutral, soft, and simplistic, you’ll ensure that your space doesn’t become overwhelming. For example, if there’s a metallic coffee table that you love, go for it! Just keep the couch and rug neutral, and let that table have the spotlight.

The added bonus of keeping your spaces pretty neutral is that you will be able to swap different metallic pieces in and out as you like!

Desember 20, 2019

how to decorate your room for free

How to Decorate Your Room for Free.

For most people, the bedroom is more than simply a place to sleep at night. Redecorating your bedroom can help create an environment that is relaxing, reflects your personality, and even provide a better night's rest. Adding recycled pieces or simple DIY flourishes can help transform your room to fit your needs. You can also incorporate elements of Feng Sui to convert your room into a sanctuary.

Part 1 Planning and Reorganizing.

1. Make a 2-dimensional floor plan of your room and furniture. Use a tape measure to measure the dimensions of your room (length and width). On a piece of graphing paper, draw a scale image of room where 3 grid squares = 4 inches or 1/3rd of a foot.

Include in your floor plan the location and size of doors, windows, closets, fireplaces, etc.

Make scale drawings of furniture on a separate piece of paper. Measure the length and width of any large pieces of furniture (e.g. bed, dresser, couch).

Cut these out and rearrange them in your drawing to see how much space you have to work with.

Carry this plan and furniture cut-outs with you if go shopping or "dumpster diving", so you know if you have enough space for something before bringing it home.

2. Make a list of design ideas. In a search engine such as Google or Bing, type in "easy bedroom decorating ideas" or "cheap bedroom diy".

Before starting a project you find online, write-out the instructions and compile a list of materials, including tools.

Gather together any tools or materials you need before beginning your project.

3. Clean your room. Create more space and reorganize by getting rid of anything that is unnecessary or outdated.

Clean out and organize your closet, under your bed, and other places in your room where stuff has accumulated.

Donate any furniture, clothing, or electronics that are in good condition. A good rule of thumb is to donate or throw out anything you haven't worn or used in the past year.

4. Rearrange or add furniture. Create more space in your bedroom by moving your bed against the wall or place a comfortable chair next to the window to make a comfy reading nook.

You want everything currently in your bedroom to fit comfortably before adding anything new, especially if you have a small bedroom.

Add a bed skirt so you can store things under your bed without them being seen.

Switch-out a bedside table with one that has drawers for storage or several shelves to hold books.

5. Maximize the storage potential of your bedroom. Create additional space by installing extra shelving in your closet or purchasing a combination of plastic and decorative storage bins.

Attach hooks or shoe bags to the back of doors.

Use the vertical space in your closet to install high shelves as a space to store out-of-season clothes and accessories.

Decide what you want to place in each storage bin and label it. Use these labels to avoid throwing anything in a bin that does not belong. This will help you stay organized.

Arrange storage bins on a shelf or the bottom shelf of a bookcase for easy access. If the bin is in a visible location, use a decorative canvas bin or wicker basket.

6. Rearrange your bedroom according to the principles of Feng Sui. Your bed should be raised off the floor and if possible, avoid placing it in an area that receives direct sunlight during the day.

Do not place mirrors opposite your bed.

Stimulate your other senses by adding lightly scented candles or spraying diluted essential oils. Lavender has been shown to decrease heart rate and blood pressure.

7. Create a more relaxing space. Replace any light bulbs that emit a bluish light with soft white LED bulbs. Blue light stimulates brain activity and may make it more difficult to fall asleep.

Look through your house for lamps that have LED soft white bulbs and swap them with bulbs from your bedroom. Most interior lamps use 40- or 60-watt bulbs, but check first before exchanging a light bulb from another lamp.

Incorporate warm, bright colors as accessories (lamps, vases, pillows, etc.), but do not make them the dominate color in your bedroom.

Part 2 Decorating with Re-purposed or Recycled Items.

1. Find free things. Find a freecycle network within your area or ask friends and relatives for old unwanted items.

Look for furniture made from real wood that can be refinished.[9]

Unless it is in good condition, avoid second-hand plywood, particle board, or laminate furniture. While these surfaces can be cleaned and repainted, refinishing techniques such as sanding or sawing can release airborne pollutants such as formaldehyde.

2. Go to garage sales. Check your local newspaper or Craigslist for garage sales in or near your neighborhood.

You are more likely to find things for free if you go later in the day, preferably after 12:00 p.m.

3. Ask for old swatch books at the wallpaper store. Use recycled wallpaper to decoupage old lamps, vases, or furniture for free.

You can also use wallpaper to line shelves or the bottoms of drawers.

4. Move furniture and art from other places in the house for a fun change. For example, move a bookshelf from the living room to your bedroom.

Look for design inspiration in your own house. Use a painting, decorative pillow, piece of clothing, or floor rug as the basis for a new design theme or color palette in your room.

Ask permission from housemates before moving anything.

Part 3 Making Your Own Bedroom Accessories.

1. Make your own throw pillows. Throw pillows make a great accent piece and can add color. However, store bought pillows are often expensive. While having sewing skills or access to a sewing machine are helpful, they are not necessary.

Make a 'no sew pillow' by using two pieces of felt that are the same.[14] Place the felt pieces together and use scissors to cut 2 inch wide by 5 inch long strips along the edges. Leave a square at each corner. Tie the strips together around an insert pillow or cotton batting.

Use two t-shirts that hold sentimental value, but don't fit anymore to make a pillow. Cut-out a square or rectangular piece (depending on what shape and size you want your pillow) from each shirt. Place the two pieces together and sew together three of the four sides. Stuff with cotton batting or even other t-shirts before sewing the final edge.

You can also stuff a pillow with fabric scraps or use an old pillow as an insert pillow.

2. Make your own curtains. Drape fabric over the top and down the side of a curtain rod and then slide a valance or swag over the rod.

If you live in an area with a lot of light-pollution from streetlights, signs, car headlights, etc., you might want to use darker fabric to block outside light. Too much light exposure at dusk or at night can disrupt your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, known as its circadian rhythm.

Make your own curtain rings. Attach your curtains to the rod by tying hooks with fabric, rope, or ribbon. You can also dress-up cheap curtain wrings by wrapping them in different colored fabric.

Use a bed sheet to make a curtain ruffle that can be sewed onto the top or bottom of your curtains.

Use inexpensive small hooks, pegs or doorknobs to "hang" or tie curtains off to the side.

3. Make your own flower arrangement. Search garage sales, flea markets, and second-hand shops for silk flowers, or cut and dry real flowers.

Make an arrangement of dried grasses and wildflowers found along the roadside.Cut the flower and at least 8 inches of stem when they are in peak-bloom. Remove any leaves along the stem. Tie the flowers together with a piece of twine and hang them upside down in a dark, cool, dry place until completely dry, about 2-3 weeks.

4. Make a jewelry tree for your dresser. Arrange several dry branches in a vase. Fill the vase with pebbles for stability. Decorate the tree by draping earrings, necklaces and bracelets over the branches.

5. Hang some of your drawings, paintings or old calendar pictures on the walls. They don't necessarily need a frame. Attach them to the wall with a couple of common pins or mount them with poster board or foam board.

6. Experiment with DIY design ideas. Make a decorative mat or bureau scarf.

Stylize a plain lampshade by wrapping it in metallic ribbon, wrap it in gauzy fabric, or cover it in old maps or pages from your favorite book.

Make a mobile of odds and ends to hang from the ceiling. Attach old keys or origami birds with string to a metal coat hanger. This adds a fun, whimsical atmosphere to the room.

Question : I share a room with my sister and my mom wouldn't allow some of these ideas, but a few might do! Anything else?
Answer : I love some of these, but you need to agree with your sister. If you two agree, and your mom says no, ask her why she doesn't want that idea. She must have a good reason. A cute idea that she won't say no to is to put some books on your shelf landscape-way with up to five on each other, and put a few trinkets, such as glass animals, on top.

Question : My room is awesome, but my brothers always enter it without permission and break stuff and open my drawers. I have tried reasoning with them, and my parents won't stop them either. What do I do?
Answer : Try to save up money to get locks, either to get installed on your bedroom door or on your drawers. Also, find a hiding place to put your most valuable stuff. Remember, the harder you look, the harder they'll look, so go simple.

Question : How can I make space in my room?
Answer : Make sure everything is picked up off the floors, and get rid of all the old things you do not want.

Question : What are some ideas for DIY projects for small rooms?
Answer : You can make the room calmer or brighter to make it appear bigger by using washi tape to cover light switches or plugs. You could also make decorations with washi tape or cardboard for your door.

Question : I don't have a lot of money. What can I do for free?
Answer : You can use some of your own drawings or paintings or even some from another room to accessorize. You could also ask family members who have a garden for some nice flowers or plants to decorate. Go to a garage sale and look at what they have for some possible ideas as well.

Question : Can I have an example of some DIY projects?
Answer : You could do something as simple as decorating a simple lamp with some fabric or even writing quotes or putting accessories on a dresser. There are endless possibilities.

Question : Where can I get free suggestions on how to decorate my room?
Answer : There are a lot of online sights that offer decorating techniques. You can take an old dresser or desk and make it a decorative piece by writing quotes or drawing on it for decor.

Question : How should I decorate a loft bed?
Answer : Buy some nice sheets or reuse some from a garage sale or even at your own house. Go to a garage sale to find some decorative pillows or throws to add. You could even use some fabric to make a curtain for around it.

Question : I share a room with my sister and we have different tastes, how do I decorate?
Answer : You can always decorate your half of the room! If that's not convenient, then add a few small touches that don't clash with your sister's style. You could also just talk it over with your sister and try to compromise, there's got to be a few things you can agree on!

Question : How do I get teenage room decor for free with DIY?
Answer : Use the tips here to create things that vibe with the teen's style.

Tips.

Spray paint any mismatched furniture to match your room's décor.

Turn a wall into a chalkboard by painting it with chalkboard paint, or designate one wall as an art wall and paint what ever you want.

Minimize damage to walls when hanging pictures or posters by using blue sticky tack or reusable adhesive hooks. You can also buy an inexpensive picture or mirror hanging kit from a hardware store.

Turn a twin bed into a daybed by pushing it against the wall and placing pillows along the back edge.

Keep your room feeling fresh by washing bed sheets and pillow cases at least once a week.

Make a wall collage using photos, posters and anything cute.

Turn on your favorite music and renew your spirit along with your room. Music can change a room's atmosphere completely without any need for redecoration.

Planning is the most important first step for any redecorating or DIY project.

Select a theme or color scheme and stick to it. This will help you stick to your budget by preventing you from buying anything that does not 'go'.

Remember if you are under-aged or living in someone else's house, ask permission before decorating.



Warnings.

Be careful moving furniture. Ask for help if you think you may need it. Strained backs or broken toes are never fun.

Always let someone else use a nail and hammer if you're inexperienced. Throbbing thumbs or cracked walls certainly don't add much to a room.

Refrain from using power tools unless you have received proper training or obtain guidance from someone who is experience. Always wear a face mask when stripping old paint or sanding furniture.

Januari 15, 2020

how to decorate a living room for christmas

How to Decorate a Living Room for Christmas.

If you are decorating for Christmas, you may need some fresh ideas to brighten up your living room! Pick a Christmas tree as the centerpiece, whether you choose a large one to fill the corner or a small one to set on a table. Once you have that up, spread decorations throughout the room, such as wreaths, evergreens, and ornaments to bring joy to the whole space.

Method 1 Putting up a Tree.

1. Pick a live tree for an eco-friendly option with a good scent. A live Christmas tree brings the holiday home for many people with its rich scent and deep green color. When looking at trees, pick a full tree with a strong scent. Look for green all the way to the tips. Try snapping a needle; if it's a pine tree, it should bend without breaking. If it's a fir tree, it should break in half easily if it's fresh.

Make sure to choose one that's the right size for the space. Too big, and it will take over. Too small, and it will look puny. Measure the width and height you need to fill before you go, then measure the trees you're looking at.

This option is environmentally friendly because live trees are raised as a sustainable crop. When you support the industry, you're supporting more trees being planted and producing oxygen.

Noble firs are a popular Christmas tree.

2. Choose a fake tree for convenience and longevity. Pick a tree that's full and fits the space you have. Also, look for convenient features like easy setup or ones that are pre-lit. When it comes to fake trees, it's mostly up to your preference, though higher quality trees will be made of PE or PVC, and when you run your fingers over the needles, you should feel small ridges.

Most Christmas trees aren't recyclable, so if you're concerned about the environment, be prepared to hold on to your tree for a long time. For this option to be more environmentally friendly than a real tree, you'll need to keep it for about 20 years.

3. Place the tree in a prominent spot or window. Try putting it near the front window or to the side of the television. Set it up where you'll be able to admire it often. You may need to rearrange a bit to fit your Christmas tree in the living room. Keep live trees away from heaters or fireplaces, as they can catch fire.

When putting up a a live Christmas tree, cut off the very bottom when you get home before you stick it in water. Put it in the stand and ensure it has plenty of water at all times.

Follow the instructions for your artificial tree. With some, you'll need to put up the trunk then insert individual branches. Fluff them out as you go. With others, it will come in several main sections that you attach at the trunk.

4. Add lights moving from the bottom to the top. Twine the lights around each of the main branches, going up and down the tree instead of around. As you wrap the lights, make sure you are getting them up close to the trunk, as illumination from within gives the best effect. Make sure to hit as much of the tree as you can as you move around it in vertical lines.

Keep in mind that many artificial trees come pre-lit.

Lights come in 2 main varieties, incandescent and LED lights. LEDs last longer and stay cooler, but the warmth of incandescent will help spread the pine tree scent around the room with a live tree. These 2 types come in many shapes and sizes, as well as colors, so pick whatever you like best. Just try to be consistent with what you pick. You'll probably need at least 2-4 strands for an average size tree.

Opt for a wire color that matches your tree.

5. Drape a garland around the tree for a traditional look. Try thin garlands like strung cranberry, beaded strands, or sparkly tinsel strands. Position smaller garlands so they dip from branch to branch. You can also add larger garlands, such as wide ribbon or paper chains. Twine larger garlands around and around the tree, tucking them in a few places but mainly keeping them loose.

6. Choose a color theme or scheme for your ornaments. Try drawing on colors you already have in your room or just pick a color or two you love. You could also pick a theme, like "snow," "candy," or "plaid" to decorate your tree. Of course, your theme could also be "all my favorite ornaments!" A loving mixture of old and new ornaments, handmade and store-bought, can make a lovely tree.

Start with the bigger ornaments. Put your favorites up first in places where they'll be seen the most. Try to hang the other large ornaments at even intervals around the tree, though you can leave the back sparser if it's up against a wall.

Once they're in place, fill in the gaps with smaller ornaments.

Method 2 Adding Decorative Touches throughout the Living Room.

1. Hang your stockings in a prominent location. Stockings make a great homey decoration, and you don't need a mantelpiece to hang them! Opt for fun, personalized stockings or sophisticated designs based on your preference. Simply hang them on an open wall, centering them in the space.

Above the mantel is a great option, too, if you do have a fireplace. Just make sure they are well away from the fire.

2. Place smaller trees around the room in larger living rooms. If you have a big living room, try adding a small tree here or there. Place a 1 to 2 ft (0.30 to 0.61 m) one on a stand in a corner, for instance, or group several 6 in (15 cm) or smaller trees on the mantel.

Think beyond plastic trees. Pick up a small potted rosemary bush, for instance, or try out some stylized trees made out of wood.

3. Scatter evergreens and pinecones around to bring freshness to the room. Even if you don't have a live tree, you can still get that wonderful scent. Purchase or gather some branches and place them in a vase or basket. Toss some pinecones in with the greenery, along with something red, such as apples or cranberries.

If you want your branches to stay fresher for longer, cut off the ends and put them in water.

Try adding an evergreen garland along the mantel or along the tops of curtain rods.]

4. Put up a wreath on the wall for a traditional touch. Christmas is a perfect time for wreaths, and almost anything can be made into a wreath! Create a wreath out of evergreen branches accented with cranberries and white flowers to hang up, for instance.

Alternatively, wrap red ribbon around a foam craft wreath for a quick pop of color.

Get creative! Paint or decorate any round object in a Christmas style, such as a wagon wheel, a bicycle tire, a picture frame, or even the bottom of a bundt pan!

5. Make the room sparkle with metallics and candles. The sparkle of metallic ornaments and the bright flames of candles add warmth to the room. Place silver and gold ornaments in a bowl, for instance, and surround them with candles in a variety of sizes. Hang glittery snowflakes in the windows or along the mantelpiece.

These little touches will add brightness and joy to the space.

Method 3 Creating Themed Looks. 

1. Add vases of white flowers to your evergreens for a floral take on "White Christmas." This is a great way to get that "White Christmas" look without snow. Simply tuck vases of fresh or silk flowers in among your evergreens, including placing a vase on the mantel and one as a centerpiece on your table.

Try white tulips or white poinsettias. Add other touches of white, too, such as twirls of white ribbon and white candles.

2. Scatter your favorite holiday figurines throughout the room. Picking one style can help create a cohesive look. For instance, collect Santa figurines and place them all over the room in small groups. However, you can also mix-and-match to your heart's content. Go for a variety, including different sizes. Group smaller ones together and then place a large one by the tree, for example.

You could also try doves, snowflakes, nutcrackers, angels, reindeer, snowpeople, or anything else you fancy!

3. Group odds and ends in greens and reds for a traditional color scheme. While your color scheme doesn't necessarily need to be red and green, an easy way to create a "Christmas" look is to follow this scheme. You can even use things other than Christmas decorations. Just find a variety of items in these colors and set up a display or group them in small bunches around the room.

For instance, if you have a white couch in front of a bookcase, throw green and red pillows and blankets on the couch. On the bookcase, put out green and red items, such as candles, baskets, knickknacks, and decorative plates. Add a few touches that are purely Christmas, such as a small Santa Claus.

4. Create your own Christmas color scheme for a modern take. If bright red and green aren't your favorite colors or they simply clash with your existing decor, opt for your own Christmas colors. For instance, decorate your tree with silver and blue, and then add touches of those colors around the room, such as silver snowflakes, bowls of blue ornaments, and blue stockings.

You could also do a twist on bright red and green, such as a burnt orange and sage green.

Desember 07, 2019