how to choose rustic chic home decor

How to Choose Rustic Chic Home Decor.

Looking for an inexpensive way to spruce up your living space? Consider picking out furniture and other decorations with a rustic chic aesthetic. Things like wood, metal, burlap and natural materials can lend a rugged, time-worn look to any home. You can deck out whole rooms with rustic chic decor to create a sense of quiet coziness, or mix and match with modern pieces for a progressive look that defies the decades.







Method 1 Redesigning Your Living Space.



Make the best use of your space. Before you get too eager to shop for new pieces, scan the room you’re planning on decorating. Take note of its size, layout, flooring, walkways, doors, windows, cabinets and other features. The rustic furnishings you pick out should be appropriate for the specific look of each room so that the new atmosphere feels like a natural extension.

Some pieces will look better in certain places than others. Whenever you’re picking out your decor, trust your instincts when deciding where in your home or room it should go.

If you could use a fresh set of eyes, seek out the professional opinion of an interior designer.



Stick with a neutral color scheme. Rustic chic decor is by definition muted and minimal. Forget about bright colors, elaborate patterns or gleaming burnished fixtures. Instead, focus on monochromatic pieces in complementary hues and materials. This basic setting will act as a blank canvas so that you can add personality later by using smaller decorations.

Appliances and fixtures in dark, plain shades will go with a wider range of items.

Vary your tones between rooms. The sun room will benefit from light shades like pine and cream, while the bedroom or study can be done in dark grays, browns and blacks with splashes of color.



Keep furnishings simple. Simplistic items are wonderful on their own, but too many of them can easily start to look busy. Resist the urge to incorporate more and more into a room. Get a few essential pieces, like a maple coffee table or a rich brown leather loveseat, and let them speak for themselves.

Limiting the number of pieces in a given room also helps maximize your space.

A room full of items in all the same style or shade can quickly become monotonous.



Replace tired pieces. If you’re having trouble planning an updated layout for the room or deciding on the perfect spot for new decorations, one good place to start would be getting furniture and accessories that you don’t want anymore. Dull, uninteresting items can be sold, donated or discarded to make room for fresh finds. Assuming you’re not ready to part with a particular piece just yet, you could also have it reupholstered and appreciate it from a new perspective.

Sometimes even small changes can make a big difference. You might not have to totally overhaul your living space in order to breathe new life into it.

Give your old furniture a new home in another room, or store it until you find another use for it.







Method 2 Working with Different Materials.



Show off natural wood finishes. Wood is the ultimate staple of rustic chic style. It’s sturdy, idyllic and, best of all, goes with everything. Oak, cedar, mahogany and walnut are all excellent choices for wood furnishings. To complete the rustic aesthetic, look for pieces with attractive staining, irregular angles and other unique touches like bits of preserved bark.

You can find almost every major piece of furniture for your household in one type of wood or another.

Choose paints and stains that don’t distract from the innate beauty of the wood.



Accent with aged metals. On the flipside of sleek, contemporary styles, old-fashioned metals, such as wrought iron, copper and even artificially-rusted tin can instantly give your surroundings an air of dignified antiquity. Because of their shabby chic characteristics, raw and distressed metals are best used sparingly to offset woods and other finishes.

Lamps, bookends and table legs are good places to weave in metal accents.

Use vintage metal containers in the kitchen in place of traditional ceramic jars.



Incorporate elements of nature. When it comes time to cover the walls or fill up blank space, take cues from the great outdoors. Accentuate end tables and alcoves with decorations made from stone, fur or even faux ivory or tortoise shell. Your living space will have just the right amount of wildness while still looking like it leapt off the pages of a storybook.

If you live near scenic surroundings, switch to a more “exposed” layout with uncovered windows and natural lighting to bring a glimpse of the outside in.

Make sure you’re buying from humane sources. Imitation fur and other materials look like the real thing, but are both ethical and sustainable.



Finish with gorgeous quaint accessories. Put the finishing touches on a room with the same types of items you would ordinarily use to ornament your home, but with a twist—here is where unique fabrics and designs will come into play. Smaller accessories are also the best place to work fanciful designs into the room’s furnishings.

Instead of ordinary throw blankets and pillowcases, go with more eye-catching variations like Navajo or wove saddle blankets and beadwork pillows.

A beeswax candle or wind-up clock will make for a tasteful nightstand display, while blown glass bowls and vases can be substituted for a lifeless dining room centerpiece.







Method 3 Finding Rustic Chic Decor.



Visit your local furniture store. There’s no need to venture all the way to the Alaskan frontier or remote outposts of the Rockies in order to find good looking accoutrements. The rustic look is in, so it shouldn’t be hard to track down a few things that suit your preferences at major home goods stores. You’ll have the most luck when shopping for bigger items like tables, chairs and bedding in these places.

Chain stores like Crate and Barrel, Hobby Lobby and Pottery Barn specialize in rustic home decor.

Furniture outlets tend to charge more, so if you don’t like the idea of paying as much, thrift stores and DIY distressing techniques may be the way to go.



Go thrift shopping. It’s not uncommon to stumble upon forgotten treasures at secondhand stores and vintage boutiques. These are often items that you can’t find anywhere else, and you’re guaranteed a good deal. If you’re remodeling on a budget or looking for one-of-a-kind pieces, a thrift store may be your best bet.

Many old pieces will be ready to display in your home as-is.

Be sure to check beck regularly, as store inventories change constantly.



Distress plain pieces. Rather than scouring various stores and shops for wares with the right rustic vibe, buy furniture and accessories new and modify them yourself at home. Distressing furniture is fast, fun and could hardly be easier. All you need are a few basic tools like paint thinner, sandpaper and specialty paints and brushes. When you’re finished, you’ll have a collection of items that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Painted wood furniture can be weathered to expose the beautiful grain underneath, and metal objects can be strategically rusted or painted over with a matte finish.

Change out the hardware on any dressers or cabinets you happen to come across to customize their appearance.



Repurpose old items. For those little extra touches, look no further than your own attic or garage. Most homes are loaded with scraps of materials that are infinitely useful if applied correctly. For instance, you could use a roll of butcher’s twine to wrap drawer pulls and cabinet handles, wire lanterns for indoor lighting or frame an assortment of old fishing hooks to make wall art that’s anything but commonplace. With a few innovative ideas, you’ll start seeing your junk drawer in a whole new light!

If you have a certain item that you want to use but it doesn’t quite go with the rest of your furnishings, try painting, sanding or distressing it to make it a better visual fit.

Get creative! As your own personal interior decorator, you’re only limited by the scope of your imagination.





Tips.

No matter where you live, you can bring a sense of humble elegance and timelessness to your home by outfitting it in a rustic style.

Come up with an estimated budget that you’re willing and able to spend before you embark on your redecorating project.

Add to and take away bits of your current decor over time to let the look of your home gradually evolve.

Break up the neutral theme of rustic decor with fresh flowers, potted plants, hanging ferns and other greenery.

Head down to a superstore like Walmart and Target to pick up small, inexpensive odds and ends that help tie everything together.

Browse craft websites like Etsy and Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration on how to decorate your home.



Warnings.

Beware of lead-based paints on vintage finds. Lead paint has a tendency to flake off when it ages and can be dangerous to inhale or ingest.

November 18, 2019

how to downsize your home

How to Downsize Your Home.

Moving to a smaller place? Over time, we tend to accumulate stuff - lots of stuff. We have drawers full of stuff, gifts that we have never used (and never will), furniture we don’t really need but keep “just in case” and items that we’ve had for years may be difficult to part with due to nothing more than familiarity while serving no functional purpose.

Now is the time to get rid of excess baggage (literally!) and pare down to the essentials.



Steps.

1. Assess your actual needs. Someday, you may take up exercising, but the treadmill/Stairmaster/Bowflex has been gathering dust for some time. Wouldn’t a good pair of walking/running shoes be more useful and take up significantly less space? Does anyone actually sit in the chair in the corner? How often do you eat at the table? When was the last time you used your stereo? Deciding what you really need requires a good long look at how you live your life daily and prioritizing the activities and items that are already a part of your actual lifestyle--not those activities or items that you want to be part of your lifestyle, but haven't gotten around to yet.

Take a walk through your house or apartment and evaluate everything you come across (furniture, books, food, etc.). Ask yourself if you've used it in the past year and, if so, how often? Be honest with yourself. If you think you could live well without it, out the door it should go. Make a note of it.

Consider that most of the stuff people keep without using is a tribute to an unmet goal. The most common example is probably exercise machines that we always say we'll use, but don't. Then there are those books we intend to read, that table we eventually want to have dinners and brunches on, etc. We keep things around "just in case", or hoping that their presence will eventually encourage us to use them. But let's be realistic, if seeing that treadmill get a coating of dust hasn't inspired you yet, what makes you think it ever will? Make room for the things you'll actually use.

For stuff that you really have a hard time getting rid of, make this agreement with yourself: Put the items in storage. If you don't need or use them within 6 months, give, sell or throw them away.

2. Go through your home, every cabinet, shelf and closet should be cleared. Only put back the things you couldn't live well without. That means that if you use a whisk every other day it stays but the melon-baller when you don't even like melon... Out it goes. Put these items in boxes, crates or bags in a garage or other storage area

3. Measure your furniture. You will need to know how your furniture will (or won’t) fit into your new space - particularly large items such as your sofa and your bed - so measure everything.

You will also need to get the room measurements of your new space. Ask if you can take measurements or if there is a floor plan available to you. Don’t forget about the location of doors and windows as this will be a factor in furniture placement. Once you have these measurements, make a floor plan using your furniture’s measurements. Try using Better Homes and Gardens’ Arrange-A-Room online software to simplify the process (requires registration but is free). This will give you a much better idea on what you can keep and what will have to go.

4. Assess your new storage areas. How many times have you moved into a new place only to realize - too late - that you have overestimated the amount of storage space? While you’re getting room measurements, make sure to properly assess the storage situation you’ll be inheriting. Will you have fewer kitchen cupboards? How many closets will you have? If you are moving into an apartment, does it have a storage locker and, if so, what are its dimensions? Assessing exactly how much of the new space is dedicated to storage will give you and idea of the volume of items you need to dispose of before moving in. Don’t forget hidden storage areas you currently use in your old place. If you place a lot of items above the kitchen cabinets in your current home, for example, find out if the cupboards in the new place have storage in that area as well.

5. Ransack your old storage areas. Go through your storage areas first (attics, basements, closets, etc). You will be surprised to find out what you’ve put away instead of gotten rid of. If you’re like most of us, you will find boxes of items that haven’t seen the light of day for years and there’s a reason for this: you don’t need them. Get rid of them at once. Hesitation will only melt your resolve.

Don’t forget to go through your bathroom cabinets, kitchen and “junk” drawers. We have a tendency to accumulate unnecessary items in these places. Get rid of empty bottles, balls of twine, expired medicines and beauty products, and your collection of plastic margarine containers. Be brutal.

How you dispose of these unnecessary items will depend on how much energy and/or time you have. The easiest thing to do is to load them up on a truck and drop them off at the nearest thrift shop.

Join a Freecycle group to give stuff away (www.freecycle.org)

If you live in an apartment building or townhouse complex, notice boards and drop off areas for giving unwanted items to neighbours is sometimes provided.

Call up your friends and relatives and see what they need. You may be able to enlist their help in the move for a promised dresser/bed/armchair!

6. Sell your stuff. If you’re in need of a pre-move windfall, try these.

For a large number of items, have a yard sale (or a series of yard sales), or if you have a lot to sell quickly, consider a service to take care of it for you (e.g., Google liquidation estate content sales).

If you have time before the move, utilize sites such as Craigslist and eBay to sell off the best stuff. You’ll likely get more money for your items this way but it is more time consuming.

Craigslist is a good avenue for selling larger items such as furniture, appliances and home décor items to people living in your area. If you have the means, offering delivery will often produce quicker sales.

eBay is a good venue for selling collectible items such as old albums, comic books, and figurines. Make sure to take good quality photos of the items and offer good descriptions. Remember that you are a salesperson. Sell those products!

Used designer clothing can be resold in consignment shops. These stores can be found in your local business directory. Be sure to shop around. Some stores offer better rates than others.

7. Get organized. Before you move into your new place, it’s a good time to work out some storage solutions for your stored items. You can do this as you pack. Place your storage items in decorative storage boxes that can be moved and placed in the new storage areas without much effort. Plastic bins are great for moving and storing, come in many sizes, are stackable, and the see-through ones make finding what you need a snap. The measurements taken of the new storage areas will ensure a good fit. Come moving day, these boxes will be much easier to deal with.

Label everything by room. Don’t think that you will remember big television box is actually full of pots and pans. You won’t.

8. Move large items first. Move your furniture into your new home first. You will have the most energy for this task at the beginning of the move and it will also give you a better indication of where the smaller things will go. Do not merely fill a room with furniture with the idea of sorting it all out later. There is nothing worse than trying to navigate through small rooms littered with boxes and stacks of furniture after a day of moving.Place furniture in the rooms as you go, according to the plan you made earlier. If you have done your homework correctly, your big items should fit in nicely and already give you a sense of home (and a place to sit while taking a break from all of your hard work!)

9. Put away storage items. Contained items that are meant for storage can be placed directly in their allotted spaces where they will be out of the way. By putting these things away as you move in, you’ll be saving yourself the stress of trying to maneuver through tiny, packed rooms during the next few days.

10. Organize boxed items. Your labeled boxes can now be put into their respective rooms and the unpacking can begin. Begin with the bathroom, as that is the room most likely to be needed immediately. If you have only kept the basics, unpacking this room will be a breeze.

11. Organize your space as you unpack. Utilize closet and cupboard storage solutions as you unpack. This way, more can be stored in these tight spaces and you will be setting a precedent for how your new, smaller space will be used. Don’t fall back into lazy habits or your downsized place will get you down.

12. Relax and enjoy! You have now entered the realm of living small. You no longer have to worry about the financial burden or time draining tasks of maintaining a home too big for your needs and you have simplified your life by surrounding yourself with only those things that are most important to you. Rejoice!



Question : I need to hire a helper to do my bending and lifting as I sort through my stuff. I have young friends. How much an hour should I pay?

Answer : $10 to 15.00 per hour is good if you don't plan on feeding them. That said, depending on how good of friends they are, you can give them a flat $20, $40 or $60 dollars for the day, depending on how long you have them work.

Question : My mother is moving to assisted living. I'm thinking of hiring a professional downsizer. How much should I expect to spend for someone to manage all of the above?

Answer : Hiring a professional to oversee a move may cost $2,000-$5,000 depending on the size of her home and the size of her assisted living space. If she is a hoarder, triple or quadruple the estimate.

Question : How do I get rid of knick knacks that have been in my family for years without breaking my heart?

Answer : Donate them to charities and tell yourself that they can give joy to others. You are blessing other people by giving up what you no longer need.

Question : With my husbands health I am doing everything and still working full time. I could use someone to come in and help clean good, than keep up with it until I retire. Is there such a person?

Answer : Yes, you could hire a maid or a part-time student to help. You could also ask your neighbors, in-laws, friends or someone else you trust to help you out. There are lots of resources.

Question : I'm trying to start downsizing. How do I start?

Answer : Choose a room and start sorting, determining which items to keep and which to discard.



Tips.

If you find yourself in economic straits, downsize as quickly as possible. The longer you try to hang on to a lifestyle you can no longer support, the deeper the pit you’ll be digging. Take your cue from business strategy - restructure.

Once you're in your new small space, enact a rule to keep your stuff from accumulating: Every time something comes in, something has to go. The item(s) you get rid of should be about the same size as the one you brought in.

Use your computer to replace other electronics taking up space, for example, Do you really need a DVD player, CD player, and a DVR, When you have a computer with a DVD-RW drive. (Plays and records DVDs/CDs.)

Make use of "negative space", especially with small and sentimental things. For example, fill Grandma's old vase with the sea-shells you collected together (rather than in a box somewhere). Store Dad's casino-chip collection in his favorite beer-stein. Fill an heirloom milk-can with Ziploc bags full of pictures that you haven't decided what to do with. De-cluttering is important, but so is being efficient with the stuff that you DO keep!

Avoid adding storage space. The more storage space, the more you are likely to clutter. In fact, attempt to minimize storage space.

Warnings.

Do not flush or throw into the trash any expired/unwanted medicines. They will contaminate the water supply. Any drugstore will dispose of these items responsibly, free of charge. You can also see if your city has a hazardous waste disposal facility.

Don't throw away anything valuable, If something might be worth a good amount of money, sell it.

Februari 23, 2020

how to be your own home decorator

How to Be Your Own Home Decorator.

Designing and appointing the interior of your home can be a daunting prospect. The time and effort required is a major constraint, as is knowing how to coordinate pieces of furniture and décor to achieve a personal, cohesive look. Furthermore, hiring an interior designer can be inaccessibly expensive. To overcome this hurdle, you may want to learn how to be your own home decorator. Decorating your own home involves drawing inspiration from available resources and buying pieces that reflect your own personal style.



Steps.



Browse design blogs and magazines for inspiration. Fortunately, interior design inspiration is abundant. Pick up a few interior decorating magazines at the store and browse through some design blogs online. Bookmark, dog-ear, and save photos that appeal to you, whether they depict entire rooms or simply a single furnishing or piece of artwork.

Another source of inspiration is TV programming that focuses on interior design. The only drawback to this type of inspiration is that you cannot easily save photos drawn from it for later use.



Create a notebook to store your inspiration ideas. A great way to begin bridging the daunting gap between finding inspiring photos online and decorating your own home is by creating an inspiration notebook. Print appealing photos from design blogs and clip pictures out of magazines. Use paperclips or paste to secure these pictures into a notebook.



Work your new design ideas around your existing décor. Redecorating your home entirely from scratch is not generally feasible. The first important step when accommodating your existing décor is deciding which pieces to keep. Keeping large, basic pieces like sofas and tables will save you money, and their appearance can be changed dramatically through the use of accessories like throw pillows.

Furniture and décor in neutral colors can be accommodated in nearly any design scheme. Even a drab beige sofa can be livened up with brightly colored pillows. When a major piece like a sofa is brightly colored itself, this tends to constrain your design possibilities more.

Use your redecorating ambitions as an excuse to discard or give away any décor that you are tired of or don't like. Keeping too many of your old furnishings will hamper your ability to create a new space anyway.



Introduce new pieces into your space gradually. Avoid buying whole rooms full of décor at once; if you decide you don't like it, you'll have a tedious returns process on your hands. Rather, look to your inspiration notebook for some of your favorite pieces or motifs. Search for similar pieces online or at home décor stores, and begin introducing them into your room. As you work, decide what does and doesn't suit your taste, and which pieces work with your existing elements.

During this process of introducing new décor, you'll need to decide on a clear direction in which to take your style. Is it traditional or modern, subdued or lively, matching or eclectic, casual or formal, sparse or cluttered? When purchasing new pieces, ask yourself not only if you like them by themselves, but also if they'll fit well into your design scheme.

Work one room at a time. Note that each room of your home does not have to follow the same exact template; some rooms can be more formal than others or more sparsely decorated. However, you do want to consider some overarching theme that makes your entire home cohesive.



Tips.

If you are working with a limited budget, consider shopping for large, basic pieces at low prices and limiting your expensive splurges to small accent items.

Don't be afraid to shop at thrift, antique, and consignment stores for design inspiration. Mixing new and vintage pieces is an effective way to give your home a lived-in charm no matter what your overall style is.

Things You'll Need

November 04, 2019

how to decorate a bathroom

How to Decorate a Bathroom.

The bathroom is often one of the most overlooked and neglected rooms when it comes to decorating. Fortunately, there are some quick and easy ways to give your bathroom a fresh look. It can be as simple as change out the towels and adding a plant, to as fancy as adding wallpaper or painting the wall behind a set of shelves.



Method 1 Changing the Patterns and Colors.

1. Choose a theme and color scheme for your bathroom. Most people prefer refreshing themes and colors, such as cool blues, Zen, pale green, or nautical. You can choose something more unique, however, such as vintage, romantic, or ornate.

Pastel colors are great for a vintage look, while deep reds and golds are perfect for an ornate look.

You can also use neutral colors, such as white and black, or white and silver.

Your theme can be specific, such as rustic farmhouse, or general, such as traditional or classic.

2. Repaint your bathroom or bathroom furniture. You can repaint the entire bathroom, or you can paint just 1 wall an accent color. For example, if your bathroom’s walls are all white, consider painting 1 wall a different color, like light blue or pale gray.

Make sure that you use a paint suitable for humid, bathroom environments.

The best paint finish for a bathroom will be satin or semi-gloss.

3. Add some wallpaper as an alternative. You can apply the wallpaper over all of the bathroom’s walls, or you can choose just 1 accent wall. You can also use a narrow strip of wallpaper trim along the top or middle of the wall instead.

Make sure that the wallpaper matches the color and theme of your bathroom.

4. Apply a wall treatment for an upscale design. Great options for your bathroom include tile, faux shiplap, stone, or glass. Although they're a more expensive decorative option, wall treatments last a long time and elevate your design.

Make sure the wall treatment you pick is appropriate for a bathroom, since it will get humid. When in doubt, talk to a product representative.

5. Use wall decals or framed artwork as a temporary option. If you live in a rental unit, you may not be able to repaint the walls or use wall paper. You can still use removable wall decals. You can also hang some framed artwork above the toilet or towel rack instead.

Simple silhouettes work the best when it comes to wall decals. Try scrolls or filigree for a fancy look, or trees and greenery for a serene look.

If your bathroom doesn't have good ventilation, the frames must contain glass.

If you're wanting a temporary upscale look, you can install peel-and-stick tiles behind your sink to create a backsplash. You can find these at home improvement stores or online.

6. Paint the back walls inside open shelving units. If you have shelves in your bathroom, consider painting the walls behind them a different color. This works best on shelves without cabinet doors, but you can do this on cabinets too.

For example, if your bathroom has white walls, paint the walls behind the shelves a light gray for a subtle pop of color.

If you want to add a designer touch to your shelves, you can install wallpaper or contact paper along the back wall instead of paint. As another option, you could apply the contact paper just on the shelves.



Method 2 Adding Textiles and Furniture.

1. Add a small, decorative stand or side table. Choose a small stand or a side table that is 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) across and tuck it into a niche or corner. Not only will this look cute, but it can double-up as extra storage.

For example, you could keep candles or bowls filled with pretty soaps on top of the table.

If your table has shelves, roll up your towels and place them inside the shelves. Not only is this a great decorative touch, it's also practical!

Consider placing a nice tray atop the table for your toiletries or perfumes.

2. Consider an upholstered bench for comfort and luxury. Choose a bench that matches the style and colors of your bathroom, then set it against the wall. If you have a small bathroom but still want a hint of luxury, consider an upholstered stool instead.

Don't be afraid to take a bench apart and re-paint or re-upholster it. If you decide to re-upholster the bench, make sure you choose a water-resistant fabric. This is especially important if you plan to sit on the bench while wet or place wet items on the bench. Otherwise, it may develop mold or mildew.

3. Get a shelving unit if you have space for it. Not only can this add a decorative element to your bathroom, but it will also allow you to store other items, such as towels, toilet paper, and so forth.

Make the shelf more decorative by adding a plant or a vessel filled with pretty soaps or bath bombs.

If you have a small bathroom, consider adding a single, narrow shelf just above the bathroom vanity. Store your perfumes, cosmetics, and toothbrushes on it.

If you have a small bathroom, consider getting a mini metal shelving unit that you can place on your bathroom counter or hang above the toilet.

Another option for shelving is floating shelves, which are great if you don't have the space for a unit. You can hang your floating shelves over your toilet or, if there's no shower, above the bathtub. Use your shelves for extra towels, rolls of toilet paper, personal care items, or decorations.

4. Brighten up a dull bathroom with colorful towels or a bathmat. One of the quickest ways to change the look of your bathroom is by swapping out the towels and bathmat for something new.

Consider the season. Warm colors work well for fall, while cool colors work better for winter. Pastels are great for spring, and bright colors are ideal for summer.

Play around with different shades and layering. For example, try a light green hand towel over a dark green bath towel.

Bathmats don’t always have to be made from towel material. You can get wooden or bamboo ones too!

5. Change out the shower curtain for something more exciting. If you have a plain white or frosted shower curtain, consider switching it out for a different one. Pick out a bright color that matches your towels. If solid colors aren't your thing, try a pattern instead.

If you are going with a pattern, make sure that it matches the other colors in your bathroom.

If you have a window in your bathroom, consider getting some mini curtains or blinds for it. Keep them open so that you have lots of daylight.

If you have any curtains you aren't using, you can hang these over your plastic shower curtain to create a fancy look.



Method 3 Updating Fixtures and Lighting.

1. Take advantage of natural lighting if your bathroom has it. Some bathrooms have windows in them. These are great of bringing in natural daylight and giving your bathroom a fresher look. Clear the area in front of the window, wipe the window clean, and repaint the sill, if needed.

Decorate your window with opened curtains or plants, but keep it minimal so that the light can pass through.

On the other hand, if your bathroom has a grand, luxurious theme, hanging heavy curtains in front of the window may work better.

2. Trade out the light bulbs for something new. If you have lights above your bathroom mirror, consider switching them out for different ones. This can be as simple as changing the old, bright bulbs for frosted ones. It can be as fancy as getting actual lights with fancy covers or fixtures around them.

If your lights have fixtures or covers, make sure that they match the other metallic elements in your bathroom.

If you like to do makeup in your bathroom, choose lights with a bright, white glow. Avoid lights that give you a hazy, golden glow; it’s not good lighting for makeup.

If your bathroom is too dark, high-efficiency LED lights can give your bathroom a bright, white glow.

3. Switch out the towel racks for something new. Make sure that the new towel racks match the other metal fixtures in your bathroom, however. For example, if you have gold faucets, you should get gold towel racks--not silver ones.

Towel racks don’t always have to look like horizontal rods or bars. You can get ones shaped like hooks or loops instead.

If you can't afford to replace your towel racks, you can paint them instead! Simply take them off the wall and bring them outside. Use a metal spray paint to coat them in a new color. You could choose something metallic or mix it up with a fun shade that matches your bathroom, like a blue.

4. Change your mirror, or put a frame around it. If your mirror looks plain, see if you can find a fancier mirror. Oval mirrors or mirrors with beveled edges are a great option. If you can't change your mirror, consider framing it instead. You can use an actual frame, or you can use glass mosaic tiles instead.

If you are framing the mirror, use colors that match the other colors in your bathroom.

5/ Change the fixtures in your bathroom for a more adventurous project. This can be difficult for someone who has not done it before, so if the task is too intimidating for you, hire a handyman. Make sure that the colors go well with the overall theme of your bathroom.

For example, if your bathroom is ornate with lots of burgundy and gold, consider gold fixtures.

If your bathroom has a modern or Zen theme, try matte silver fixtures instead.



Method 4 Adding Accessories and Storage.

1. Bring some character with candles or decorative items. Things like pillar candles, figurines, and vases all make great bathroom accents. Find some items that match the color and theme of your bathroom, then display them in an out-of-the-way area, such as a side table, a shelf, or the corner of the counter.

If you are getting pillar candles, consider getting 3 candles that are the same color, but different heights and thicknesses. This will create some interesting variation.

Make sure that the items you choose can withstand humid conditions.

Avoid using breakable items, such as glass, if you have curious children or pets.

2. Bring in some greenery with a plant or 2. Choose a plant that requires low levels of sunlight. Even if your bathroom has a window in it, it likely won't provide enough sunlight for your plant.

Match the pots to your bathroom's tiles, towels, mat, or shower curtain.

Every so often, move your plant into a bright window for a day or 2 so that it can absorb sunlight.

Air plants are a great option for your bathroom! They'll thrive in the humid bathroom environment and require little care.

Hang some fake, green floral garlands along the ceiling. Ivy is a classic choice, but you can also try ferns or wisteria.

3. Store extra towels and toilet paper in baskets. Instead of keeping towels and toilet paper stacks on a shelf, put them into decorative storage baskets instead. Measure the depth of your shelf or cabinet first, then purchase some square or rectangular baskets that match those dimensions.

You can also use wire or canvas baskets. Container stores, fabric stores, and craft stores generally have a vast selection.

If you have space next to your sink or toilet, you can keep the baskets there as well.

You are not just limited to towels and toilet paper; you can store other items that you want to keep out of sight too, such as hair styling tools.

4. Keep cotton balls, Q-tips, and other toiletries in glass jars or vessels. Instead of leaving these items in the cabinet, transfer them into glass or clear acrylic containers, then keep the containers on your bathroom counter. Use 1 container for each type of item.

For example, keep your cotton balls in a tall jar and your Q-tips in a squat container.

Consider a vase or apothecary-style jar for extra bath bombs, mini lotion bottles, or hand soaps.

Tiered cupcake stands and cake stands make cute displays for perfumes, nail polish, and other cosmetics.

Old Mason jars are a great, low cost option for storing your items! If you don't like the look of them plain, add a ribbon or piece of fabric to make them match your decor. As another option, you could paint the jars, though you wouldn't be able to see into them anymore.

5. Make use of soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. Instead of keeping your liquid hand soap in the plastic bottle it came in, pour it into a glass or ceramic soap dispenser. If you prefer to use solid soap, keep it in a little dish or tray instead.

Keep your toothbrushes in a toothbrush holder. Make sure that it matches your soap dish or soap dispenser.

If you like to use mouthwash, consider pouring it into a glass vessel or bottle instead. Have some paper cups nearby, so that you have something to pour the mouthwash into.



Question : How can I decorate a small bathroom for cheap?

Answer : You can get a new shower curtain, add artwork (original or print free art from online), add a few plants, and your bathroom will look refreshed. Painting can also nicely update it if that is in your budget.

Question : How can I make my bathroom look brighter?

Answer : If you have a window, open the blinds (when it's okay to do so), add brighter LED bulbs to your light fixture, and paint your walls a bright or lighter color that will reflect light.

Question : What pictures should I put in my bathroom?

Answer : You can put up some rules to be followed inside the bathroom, and you can decorate the paper containing the rules.



Tips.

Don't be afraid to change your decorations with the seasons. Warm colors are great for cold weather, while cool colors are better for warm weather.

If you don't know how to do something, or aren't comfortable doing it yourself, consider hiring a professional, such as a painter or plumber.

Find inspiration online if you are stuck. There are lots of websites, such as Pinterest and Polyvore, that allow people to share ideas for projects.

Don't feel like you have to change out everything at once. You can update your style a little at a time.

Things You'll Need : Towels, Bathmat, Shower curtain, Storage baskets, Jars and vases.

Februari 12, 2020

how to revamp a sofa on a budget

How to Revamp a Sofa on a Budget.

A comfortable sofa is an essential item in any home. Unfortunately, a sofa may become shabby on the outside before it is it truly worn out. New sofas are quite expensive, and professional reupholstering costs almost just as much. Instead, you can revamp your sofa on a budget by purchasing a slipcover, creating a slipcover from a bed sheet, and/or giving your sofa a deep cleaning. Slipcovers are a great option as they can be washed as well as well as changed out when you’re ready for a new look! With a little work and only a little money, you can improve the look and feel of your home.

Method 1 Purchasing a Slipcover.

1. Measure your sofa. A “slipcover” is a commercially-made cover for your sofa. In order to purchase the right one, you will need to measure your sofa. Using a tape measure, record the width and length of your couch, as well as the length of the arms. Additionally, you should look for any labels on your sofa. If you can determine the manufacturer and/or specific style of your sofa, you may be able to find a slipcover made especially for it.

It can also be helpful to take a photo on your cell phone. You can show this image to a retail employee, and they may be able to help you select the right product.

2. Find a slipcover that fits your sofa. Look for your new slipcover at big box, home supply, fabric, or upholstery stores. Additionally, if you know the manufacturer of your sofa (such as Ikea), you can visit that manufacturer directly (in person or online). Search for a slipcover that fits the size and style of your sofa, as well as the look and feel of your home.

If you have an oddly-shaped or vintage sofa, you may need to order a custom-made slipcover from an upholsterer or designer.

Slipcovers vary widely in terms of cost. You may find them for as little as $60 (from some big box stores), or as much as $600 (from some furniture retailers).

3. Affix your slipcover. Slipcovers are extremely appealing because they are easy to use. Simply open your new slipcover, remove any pillows or loose items from your sofa, and drape your slipcover over. Often times, there will be ties, Velcro, or other fasteners that will help you to tighten and secure your slipcover. Be sure to read any instructions that come included with your new slipcover.

It’s best to wash or steam the slipcover (depending on the instructions on the care tag) before putting it on your sofa to ensure it is soft and wrinkle-free.

4. Add throw pillows and a throw blanket. To easily revamp the look of your sofa cheaply, you can use throw pillows and/or a throw blanket to finish the look. You can find these items at big box or furniture stores, or look at thrift stores or resale shops to stick to your budget.

Method 2 Using a Bed Sheet as a Slipcover.

1. Drape a sheet over your sofa. When covering your sofa with a bed sheet, you basically have two options. First, if you have a large enough flat sheet, you can drape it over your entire sofa and tuck it in all over. You second option is to use an entire set of sheets to cover different parts of your couch. You may need to experiment with different sheet sizes to get the right fit.

Choose a sheet with a color or print that the original sofa fabric does not show through. Opt for sheets made of durable fabric. For instance, though silk may look nice, it will slip around.

Remove all of the cushions and lay your flat sheet over the base of the sofa. Tuck it in as best as you can. Take your fitted bed sheet and secure it over the cushions of your sofa. Use pillowcases to cover the arms of your sofa.

2. Add a few stitches if desired. If you are comfortable with a little hand sewing, adding a few stitches on either side of your sofa can help secure the bed sheets and keep them in place. Using a needle and thread, add a few basic stitches wherever the bed sheets end (on the arms and on the edges of cushions).

If you would like to remove this bed sheet later, these stitches can easily be removed.

3. Add throw pillows and a throw blanket for a nice touch. Pick up a nice throw blanket and a few colorful throw pillows that fit with the theme of your living room. Look at thrift stores and resale stores for budget options! Add these cute items to your newly re-covered couch to complete the look.

Method 3 Cleaning Your Sofa.

1. Gather the necessary materials. Sometimes your sofa may simply need a good cleaning! Additionally, you should always clean your sofa before covering it. You can purchase commercial upholstery cleaning products at most stores, however, you may already have some great products at home. You will also need a vacuum cleaner, and a steam-cleaning vacuum is optional.

Baby wipes are ideal for both spot cleaning and wiping down hard surfaces. White vinegar can help to lift out stains.

Laundry detergent can be mixed with warm water to make an effective cleansing solution. If you don’t have laundry detergent, you can substitute a mild dish soap.

2. Vacuum your sofa. Use a vacuum to remove dirt, large particles, pet fur, and lint from your sofa. Be sure to remove all pillows and cushions and vacuum underneath. You may want to do several passes to get the couch as clean as possible.

You may want to use a bristle brush to help loosen any stuck on particles. Use a lint roller to remove pet hair.

3. Spot-clean your sofa and wipe down any hard surfaces. Using a baby wipe, try to remove any surface stains or dried on substances. Also, be sure to wipe down any hard surfaces, such as legs or wooden frames.

4. Execute a deep, overall clean. Mix 4-6 cups of warm water with ¼ cup laundry detergent and 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) of white vinegar. Then, using a coarse washcloth or soft-bristle brush, apply small amounts of this detergent mix and scrub your sofa clean. Use the detergent as sparingly as you can, as not to over-saturate the sofa.

If you have a steam cleaner, you can use it to suck up dirt and water to create an even deeper clean. It is always a good idea to do a small “spot test” before applying detergent to your sofa. If your sofa is leather, avoid using water. Instead, opt for a commercial leather cleaner.

5. Allow your sofa to dry. The final step in cleaning your sofa is simply to allow it to dry. You can use a hair-dryer to accelerate this process, but the best method is really just to leave your sofa alone for 4-6 hours until it is completely dry.

If you have a steam cleaner, this will help remove excess moisture and speed up the drying process.

Question : How much does it cost to cover a couch?
Answer : This all depends on a lot of factors. The size and age of the sofa, the condition it's in, the fabric you chose, and where you get it redone. If you pay someone, it can be expensive. If you do it yourself it's more affordable, but can be difficult if you've never done it before. You can also find a slipcover to fit your couch which is an economical solution.

Question : How can I cover my sofa?
Answer : You can cover your sofa with a store-bought slipcover, get a custom slipcover made, or get the sofa completely reupholstered.

Tips.

If your sofa has lost some of its thickness over the years, you can stuff 2-3 bed pillows into the bottom of your sofa (under the sofa cushions).

Januari 18, 2020

how to divide a large room

How to Divide a Large Room.

You need to cross an ocean of tile to pour yourself a glass of water. The walk from the fireplace to the sofa requires two days of camping gear. Guests bring bullhorns so they can hear each other across your living room. It's time to put on your designer cap and divide these rooms into something livable.

Part 1 Designing a Division.

1. Identify zones within the room. A large room can have several functions, such as cooking and eating, or watching television and entertaining guests. Figure out what the room is used for, or what you would like it to be used for, so you can divide it into separate spaces for each purpose.

2. Bring furniture in from the edges. If the furniture is currently pushed back around the edges of the room, trying pulling it inward, creating a walkway around the room. This often looks more aesthetically pleasing, and can help you conceptualize the room as multiple sections, instead of one large space.

3. Try to divide a room into pleasing ratios. If you have a rectangular room that you want to divide, think about which divisions look best. A room, or a sub-section of a room, tends to be most pleasing when its width is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the length. If that is not feasible, try to divide the room into squares. A space with equal proportions is usually better received than a space in which the width and length are highly uneven, or almost equal but noticeably "off."

4. Consider existing aesthetic divisions. If ceiling beams are present, you could divide the room along the length of a beam for a more natural appearance. Permanent features on the wall, such as a set of French doors or a fireplace, can become the central focus of a sub-section after you divide the room.

5. Think about how your furniture would look in a smaller space. If you have large living room furniture, it may look out of place once your living room has shrunk to make room for a dining space. If you don't want to replace your furniture, consider one of the less "permanent" dividers in the next section, so light and air still gives the impression of a larger room.

6. Plan out your walkways. Provide three feet (0.9m) of space wherever people will be walking, or more if the house is used by energetic children, larger people, or people with walkers or wheelchairs. If your new division does not allow for easy access to each part of the room, you may need to remove one or more items of furniture, or replace them with smaller pieces.

Part 2 Selecting a Divider.

1. Use a tall bookcase for functional division. A bookcase reaching above head height effectively divides the room while providing storage or decoration space. Many people use an open-backed bookcase for this purpose, in order to allow light through.

2. Consider curtains or hanging panels if you plan on changing décor regularly. Curtains hanging from the ceiling can be easily installed and removed, making them a good option if you want the option of changing the color or style of your divider. Hanging panels have similar benefits, and can be purchased in shorter lengths if you do not wish the rooms to be completely blocked off.

You can install light ceiling-mounted curtains yourself, by mounting extra-light cable across the ceiling with hook screws. You may want to consult an experienced handyman to find out which screws will work best for your wall and ceiling material.

3. Try sliding doors or panels for a more solid division. These installations are made from solid materials, usually wood or semi-opaque glass, and can block sound and smell more effectively than other options. Nevertheless, they can still slide out of the way when you wish to open up the room.

Sliding doors can be difficult to install without an existing opening. Hiring a professional is recommended unless you are experienced at home alterations.

4. Use long, low furniture to divide the room without blocking vision. A large room doesn't always need barriers to feel divided. Place a long sofa with a low or nonexistent back across the center of the room to break the room up into sections while still allowing people to talk across it.This is a great solution if you wish to host a large number of guests, but dislike the empty or bare feeling of the room large enough to host them all.

Similarly, a kitchen counter or bar counter can divide a large room into a kitchen and dining area.

5. Consider a screen or room divider that suits your style. A paneled room divider can be made of glass, fabric, wood, or other materials, and can be painted or decorated in any style. A transparent divider will let light through to keep the hint of a larger room, while an opaque one will create a more solid effect. Dividers require no special installation, and can easily be moved if you change your mind.

Room dividers may not be appropriate if there are energetic pets or children in your home, as they can be knocked over.

Part 3 Making a Large Room Cozier.

1. Create a focal point. A large space can look overwhelming if there is nothing to focus on. Arrange the seating and other furniture to face an object of attention, such as a television, fireplace, or large painting. If the furniture needs to be arranged inward, for instance toward the dining table, create a focal point with a chandelier or centerpiece.

Use portable furniture to rearrange the space if you would like to use different focal points at different times. For instance, one or two light chairs can be added to the living room in front of the television when you want to encourage conversation.

2. Use oversize furniture. If the room feels too large, even after dividing it, use furniture on a similar scale. A high ceiling can feel less imposing if there are high-backed chairs in the room to match. A coffee table could be replaced by a large ottoman to fill the space between seats more comfortably.

3. Keep tall house plants in the room. If you enjoy gardening, pot a lemon tree, a fern, or another plant next to a corner or wall that looks empty. Tall plants are a good choice if you have a high ceiling, and add a natural appearance that can't easily be achieved with furniture alone.

4. Hang wall art. Tapestries are much larger than paintings, and can be used to fill walls on a grand scale. However, even a collection of small paintings hung in groups can make the room feel cozier.

5. Add smaller decorations to surfaces. Place artwork on countertops and tables to draw attention to the smaller scale. Even just one or two pieces can give people something to focus on close up, rather than feeling dwarfed by the scale of the room.

6. Give the room a new coat of paint. If you're willing to put in the work, a redesign with deep, rich colors such as burgundy or dark brown can make a room feel cozier. This can also help divide a room visually, by drawing attention to a smaller area with windows or wainscoting accented in different colors.

November 29, 2019