Tag Archive 'Decorating'

Mar 10 2010

Simple Kitchen Cabinet Decorating Tips

Kitchen cabinets are one of those things that can be expensive to replace, or sometimes you simply want to hang on to them. If you have older kitchen cabinets that you want to look a whole lot nicer, there are several ways to update them to fit the style of your kitchen décor. Here are some easy ways to update your kitchen cabinets without having to commit a lot of time or money to the project.

Add New Hardware to the Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive way to update your kitchen cabinets, install some new hardware. By adding new pulls or handles, you can really change the look of a cabinet. Cabinet hardware doesn’t cost much, and it may only take you an hour or so to complete the change. Unique handmade or hand-painted cabinet pulls will really spruce up your cabinets and add a creative touch to your kitchen décor.

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
It’s not as difficult as you might think to paint your kitchen cabinets. Depending on the style and color of your old cabinets, it may not even be necessary to sand them before painting. To get the best coverage and make the job easier overall, be sure to remove the doors and paint them on a flat surface.

If you’re looking to completely change the look of the room, go with an entirely new color. For instance, by painting the cabinets a particular shade, you can turn a country kitchen into a modern-style décor. Since painting usually only takes a weekend, by Monday morning you can sit back and enjoy a kitchen that looks brand-new.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Taking the doors off some of your cabinets is another quick way to update your kitchen. With the doors removed, you can either show off what’s inside or display a collection that adds to the kitchen décor. You don’t have to take off every cabinet door; even just two open cabinets can change the entire look of the kitchen. Before you remove the doors, however, be sure that you are committed to keeping the inside of those cabinets clean and organized, and are comfortable displaying the items inside. For example, a collection of plastic cups will not make as wonderful of a kitchen accessory as antique china.

Replace the Cabinet Doors
A great way to update your kitchen and have cabinets that fit with the style you’re going for is to replace your kitchen cabinet doors. These days, there are many different types of kitchen cabinet doors available. For instance, you can find doors that have designs built in to them. There are also doors that have windows. By finding cabinet doors that match the theme and style of the kitchen, you can help the entire décor of the room look much more cohesive. Be sure to measure your cabinets properly before selecting your doors, as this will ensure that they will fit.

Any of these ideas for updating your kitchen cabinets can help take your kitchen from old to stylish and new. While none of these renovations will cost you thousands of dollars, they can all drastically change the look of the room. Once you decide which option will work best for your cabinets and your kitchen, you can start updating your look.

About the Writer…
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their furniture and interior design needs. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in California. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a dining room table for your master dining room or a wood filing cabinet for your office then they have everything you need.

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Dec 30 2009

Decorating Ideas for a Dining Room

Many people believe that you have to spend a lot of money on a dining room in order to make it look good. This is absolutely not the case, as there are plenty of inexpensive ways to create a stylish and put-together dining room. Here are some tips on how to decorate your dining room inexpensively to help get you started.

Decorate with Your China
Do you have a beautiful set of china stored away? Why not bring it out and put it on display for all to see? If you want to decorate using something you already own, then this is a great option. Display your china in an armoire or china cabinet, or place it on a shelf on the wall.

If you no longer use the set, then you can use wall hangers to hang the plates on the wall in a decorative pattern. You might also use your china settings to set your oak dining table in order to give it more of a finished look.

Make the Window Treatments
You don’t necessarily have to be a seamstress in order to make your own inexpensive window treatments. By simply taking a long silk scarf and draping it over a curtain rod, you can quickly add a stylish touch to otherwise boring blinds or drapes. Another option is to use placemats and tablecloths for your window treatments so that they match the same design that’s on your table.

Use Nature to Decorate the Dining Room
As the seasons turn, you may be able to find some décor items for your dining room right in your own backyard. Try filling up a large wicker basket with all sorts of natural items such as flowers, stones, leaves, fruits, and twigs. Once you’ve arrange the items to your liking, you can place the basket on the dining room table as a seasonal centerpiece. By creating a seasonal basket, you can change up the look of your dining room or oak dining room sets with each season and stay well within your budget.

Make Your Own Artwork
Creating your own artwork is a wonderful way to save money on decorating the dining room. After all, artwork tends to be the most expensive décor item for any room of the house. When you create your own art pieces, you can really save a substantial amount of money.

Even if you’re not very creative of can’t draw or paint, you can still create some sort of art piece to hang on your wall. Find some fabric that matches your dining room’s style. You’ll also need to purchase a few inexpensive plain photo frames or blank canvases. Stretch the fabric tightly over the frame or canvas and then staple it in place to the back. Then, voila! You now have a decorative fabric piece to hang on the wall. Make a couple of these in different sizes and with various fabric patterns, and hang them in a collage for a great backdrop for the dining room.

Decorating your dining room doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. By recycling things you already have around your home, you can create new décor items for the room. Even if you don’t spend a dime on your dining room’s décor, by getting creative and using your sense of style to come up with unique decorating ideas, you’ll end up with a room that not only looks expensive but reflects your personality.

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Nov 25 2009

How to Buy Bedding Sets for Your Bedroom

There are so many different options available when it comes to choosing your bedding. It’s important to put some time and effort into buying the best bedding set you can, as it will play a significant role in your décor. Before you buy your next bedding set, here are some things you need to remember.

Determine the Color and Style
Unless you’ve already found the perfect bedroom set randomly and you’ve decided to decorate your bedroom around that, then you’ll want to determine what color and style of bedding sets you are looking for before you go to shop. This usually depends on what colors and style you’ve chosen to decorate your bedroom with. For example, no matter how much you love that zebra-print bedding set, it won’t go with the décor if you’ve already planned a beach-themed bedroom.

Others prefer to find the bedding set first and then base their style and colors for the bedroom off that. Even then, you still want to have some sort of an idea what you want to do in the bedroom. This way you are not aimlessly shopping.

Set a Budget
The wide variety of bedding sets that are available today range from expensive to inexpensive. While you might be able to purchase a very inexpensive bedding set for 50 dollars, a luxury bedding set may cost up to 2,000 dollars. Thus, it’s important to decide how much of your decorating budget you want to spend on your bedding set.

If your project includes decorating the whole bedroom, you need to be sure to set money aside for other items you might need. Also, not all bedding sets include all the same pieces. For some, you might have to buy extra sheets and pillows as well.

Know the Size of the Bed
You should know what size bed you have and even take the measurements of the mattress before you even start looking at bedding. Know the correct size the first time around. That way you won’t end up going back to the store and returning items. When you go to measure the mattress, just be sure to measure its length, depth, and width, especially if your mattress is a pillow top.

Research Bedding Materials
Different bedding sets are made of one of several different materials. The type of material you choose will determine the price, so you’ll need to decide on a material that’s going to fit in your budget. You need to also consider the thread count when you’re looking at sheets. Luxurious sheets tend to have a higher thread count and also be more expensive.

Cotton tends to be the most popular bedding material. There are a few different types of cotton you can choose from. One of the more expensive cottons is the very luxurious Egyptian cotton. For bedding, the most common material is standard cotton, which is also the least expensive. Other materials you might choose from include silk, flannel, and chenille.

The bedding set you choose can easily add to or take away from the décor of your bedroom. Be sure to plan accordingly when purchasing a bedding set for your bedroom so you don’t end up with bedding that’s a mistake.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has four decades of experience in the home furnishings and interior decorating industry. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a oak bed for your bedroom or a wood file cabinet for your office then they carry everything you need.

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Nov 10 2009

Adding Personality into Decorating a Room

When decorating your home, do you tend to get so wrapped up in the latest styles or trends featured in design magazines that you forget to add some of your own personality to the design? It’s nice to know you can step into any room in your home and see your own unique personality and style reflected there. If you’re looking for some ways to add your own personality to the rooms in your home, then consider the following tips.

Focus on a Hobby or Collection of Yours
If you have a favorite hobby or perhaps a special collection, considering incorporating that into your décor. You can decorate a room with collections of such things as dolls, airplanes, specific figurines, and hats. By displaying a collection on the fireplace mantel or wood bookcase, you can create a focal point for the room. For those of you who like to knit or sew, you might display some of your favorite creations in the room: a quilt thrown on the back of the couch or an embroidered picture hung on the wall.

Use Family Photographs to Decorate
One of the best ways to infuse your décor with personality is to add family photographs into the mix. If you don’t want to use recent ones, then try displaying old black-and-white photos of some of your ancestors. If you want recent photos, then pick out some of your favorites of your family and friends and arrange them in frames on the walls. This is a great way to establish a personal touch in a room, plus it also might serve to add some interest to a wall.

Use Your Favorite Colors to Decorate
The first step to decorating a room is to choose your favorite colors and then go from there. Then you can find your fabrics and décor accessories according to the colors you’ve selected, rather than picking them out first.

The color you pick out does need to be practical, however. You don’t want to get tired of it within a few months. You’ll need to pick colors for the walls, trim, and furniture like your like your oak bedroom furniture or your dining room set. You can either decide on shades of your favorite color or pick two or three complementary ones to have in the room.

Create Your Own Art for the Room
Adding your own artwork to a décor is a great way to personalize it, even if you’re not that creative. This could any of a variety of artistic outlets, such as a painting, collection of items, or photograph you take. When you add this artwork to the room, you have created your very own style that will reflect your personality. Do be sure that you choose a medium that you like—not just one that’ll match your room’s décor.

When you add your own personality into your décor, what will result is a home that feels entirely your own.

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Oct 26 2009

Decorating Tips for Playrooms

A child’s playroom should provide a place in the house where a child can have fun and enjoy having his or her own space. Not only that, but it allows you to get your child’s toys out of sight and into one room. However, this doesn’t mean that the playroom should not have functional decorating. By following these great ideas, you can create a playroom that’s both perfect for your children and functional for you.

Have Plenty of Storage Options
In order to keep the playroom as neat as possible, you need to provide plenty of storage options. It’s decidedly easier for kids to keep things clean when everything in the room has a proper place. If you don’t provide organization and storage, your child’s playroom may end up looking every day like a tornado blew through it.

You might find pieces of furniture such as wooden chests that also provide extra storage, or storage items such as plastic bins and shelving units.

Be sure that any small items, such as puzzles, art supplies, and other toys, are stored in individual baskets or bins.

Make the Playroom Durable
A child’s playroom is no place for your favorite piece of furniture, unless you want to get it broken. Whether they’re boys or girls, children tend to be rough on furniture and other decorating items. By keeping décor items simple, you can keep the room much more durable and kid-friendly.

Plastic bins and baskets can double up as storage and decorations for the room. A rug with darker colors and patterns will hide any stains. Also be sure to find a rug that is easy to clean.

Keep Play Areas Safe for Your Kids
Bolt any dressers, bookshelves, or oak desks to the wall to prevent them from falling on a climbing child. It’s not a bad idea to use only children’s size furniture, as furniture that’s too tall can be unsafe for younger children. Store any small toys and art supplies up high where younger children won’t be able to reach them. Be sure to baby-proof the room if you have a baby or toddler. Covers should be placed on all the outlets and any hanging blind cords from the windows should be put out of reach.

Let Your Child Have a Say in the Playroom
If your children have a say in how to decorate the playroom, they will enjoy that room so much more. You can easily ask for your child’s opinion on things such as the color of the walls or carpet. If your child wants a themed playroom, this is relatively easy to accomplish with simple things such as stencils and stick-ons added to the walls.

You want your child to like the look of the playroom because then he or she will be more likely to want to play in the room and keep it clean. Allowing your child to have some say in the décor and items in the room to a certain degree will make things far easier for everyone.

A playroom is meant to be a child’s favorite place in the house. Having their own space gives children a chance to be independent and creative while having fun. By following these decorating ideas, you’ll find that decorating a playroom can be a simple and inexpensive process.

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Sep 24 2009

How to Decorate Your Master Bedroom

The master bedroom is often the most neglected room in the house when it comes to decorating. Either the homeowners run out of money or ideas by the time they get to the bedroom, or they just never get around to it. Don’t wait until you have the time to decorate your master bedroom with wood bedroom furniture. Here are some quick-and-easy ideas that will help you add style to your décor.

Decorating Your Walls
You can take your bedroom in an entirely new direction with a simple change in paint color. Not only is painting a simple project to undertake, it’s also inexpensive and not very time consuming. Once you’ve decided to paint that master bedroom, you’ll find you have many different options to choose from.

Either repaint the whole room a color that matches your bedding, or if you’re buying new bedding, you can choose an entirely new color scheme. If you don’t have the time to commit to an extensive paint job, consider only painting an accent wall, such as the one your bed is against.

Another quick option for the master bedroom is to hang up a painting on one wall. Select whatever type of painting that will best fit the style of the room. You could even hang a couple of different smaller paintings in a random pattern. Look for paintings and even photographs that suit your style at your local department store or discount store.

Choosing Your Bedding
At the center of any bedroom is the bed. If you don’t know what type of décor you want in the bedroom, start with the bedding first. Go shopping and see what you find. You can always look online to find the perfect bedding idea.

You can always find simple additions to your bedding set, so don’t plan on initially spending a lot of money. Pillows are a great option if you’re looking to add something extra to your bed. Inexpensive throw pillows will add design and interest to the plainest bedding set. Even better, create a canopy around your bed by hanging tulle or silk from the ceiling to create the ultimate romantic look.

Adding Accessories
Start by removing any clutter that’s been collecting in the bedroom on top of dressers and nightstands. It’s always much easier to decorate a room when you’re not dealing with a mess. Any items you want to keep can be stored in drawers. Consider getting rid of any other items that you no longer need.

Once your oak bedroom furniture is clear, you can then begin to accessorize these pieces. You may find that a unique lamp would make a great addition to your nightstand, or that dresser might be the perfect spot for candles or a vase of flowers.

It’s surprisingly simple to create a whole new look in your master bedroom. With these simple design touches, you can create a haven that is entirely your own.

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