Tag: decorators

Decorating Tips For Small Spaces

Many people reside in a small home, apartment, mobile home, or condo. Although an intimate feeling is nice, sometimes things can get too intimate. If you have too many things crammed into a room, it may start to close in on you. You may even feel that you’re always having to climb over things to get where you are going.

If you’re looking for solutions for opening up those small spaces, fortunately there are tons of them. By simply following the tips below, you can take a tiny room and make it appear twice as big.

Create a Balance of Large and Small
A common misperception many have is that small accents and accessories should be used in small rooms. Although some are okay, when you use too many tiny decorating pieces, it just ends up adding to the small, cluttered look. The best approach to use here is to create a balance of large and small. This will eliminate that messy, cluttered look, all while helping to create interest in the décor.

Light Up the Room!
If your small room is also dark and dreary, then by all means light it up! Remove anything in there that blocks the light, such as heavy curtains or other window coverings. Instead, go with Venetian blinds or another style of window covering that lets you open things up completely so the sunshine spills in. Make sure your lamps are placed strategically around the room, and choose lampshades light in colors so you get the maximum amount of light in the evenings. If you feel the room really needs some curtains, use sheers.

Remember—Less Is More
For small rooms, large, oversized furniture is great, as are large paintings for the walls. What you want is only a few large pieces like a tv stand or entertainment center. A large sofa and recliner, for instance, won’t overcrowd the room but will give you plenty of seating space. It’s the same with the walls: go for a single large portrait or painting rather than groupings of smaller pictures. This will give your small room a look that’s airy and spacious.

Make Good Use of What Space You Have to Work With
You’ll often see mission bookcases, lamps, and other items placed in the middle of the wall. Try using your corner space instead. By freeing up more area in the middle of the room, you’ll make it appear larger. Unless you just can’t get it to look attractive, always try to use the corners. Plants also look great in a corner space.

Mirrors Double the Size of a Room
This has long been known by designers, but mirrors can visually help create a larger looking room. Mirrored tiles can be hung across an entire wall, or one large mirror can act as a focal point. The reflection of your small room in that mirror will make the space look double the size!

Don’t Forget Color
When it comes to making tiny spaces look bigger, don’t forget the color. Don’t be afraid to go beyond white and use bright greens, blues, and peaches. When you keep the shades light, color will work to add interest and depth to the space. You might also look to see what colors are in your furnishings and accents, and paint a single wall a bright, vibrant shade to blend or contrast with that.

Remember, when you’re dealing with a small space, less is always more. So choose single items for your décor rather than collections of small knick-knacks. By mixing and matching a few small pieces with several large ones, your room will open up right before your eyes.


Room Makeovers for Your Home

People often think they need to do some drastic redecorating in order to change the look of a room. Fortunately, that is absolutely not true. There are some simple and easy things you can do in order to create an instant makeover in just about any room in the home.

Paint the Walls of the Room
One of the most popular way to give a room an instant facelift is to paint the walls a completely different color. Whatever color you put on your walls will basically style the entire room. A room that was once green and is repainted tan, for example, will change the light in the room, which in turn affects the way the other objects in the room appear. The great thing about painting is that its not hard to do. That fact that its a do-it-yourself project makes it quite inexpensive. Make this a weekend project. By Monday morning, you will have a whole new look in that room.

Use Slipcovers on the Furniture
Do you love your furniture but are growing tired of the fabric on it? You can do an instant makeover by using slipcovers. You can dramatically change the look of a room by simply putting a slipcover over a piece of furniture. Typically, your furniture will be the biggest objects in the room. Thus, when you change the pieces, it will be easily noticeable. Even better, slipcovers can be added in about ten minutes time. Slipcovers come in a range of prices, but for the nicer ones, you may have to spend a little bit more money.

Hang a Piece of Art on the Wall
Do you have a large wall thats bare or one you dont particularly like? Try hanging a large piece of art there to change the look. A large piece of artwork can instantly change the focus and style of the room. It may end up that the piece of art becomes your new focal point. A big piece of art will also cover the color on the wall, which can end up further changing the look. Just be sure you dont waste your money on any old piece. Be sure you invest in something you really like and want to have around for a while.

Rearrange the Furniture
When you simply rearrange the furniture in a room, changing the layout, you can give that room an instant makeover. Begin by looking for a new focal point in the room and working from there. You might change the focal point from the wood desk or the wood bed to the fireplace, which will completely change the dynamic of the room. Youll be much happier with the results if you take the time to sketch out on paper what you want before you go moving furniture and heavy objects around.

If youre looking to give a room an instant makeover, then these are some very simple and easy ways to do so. You might even try to put two or three of these suggestions together. You will be amazed at the result and how different your room will appear.


Livingroom Decorating Simplified

When decorating your living room, there are dozens of different design styles to choose from. Its important to be sure you like the style when decorating your living room and that youre comfortable theresince you will probably be spending a lot of time there. Here are some different living room design styles for you to consider.

Contemporary Design Style
If you go with a contemporary design style for your living room, it will have very neutral colors and elements with a few pops of color and design here and there. For instance, you might choose a dark gray sleek couch and then add two purple throw pillows to it. The lines of the room should be kept soft and rounded. You want the room to look very minimalistic. Some people who use a contemporary design style in the living room will keep the colors monochromatic with just a splash of white here and there to break up the color.>

Cottage Design Style
When you use a cottage design style, you want to aim for plenty of color with graceful patterns and lines. Cottage style usually brings floral patterns and pastel plaids to mind. A living room look that is comfortable and inviting is usually achieved with a cottage style dcor. Comfortable and plush furniture with puffy pillows work great with this decorating style. Great colors for this design style include: cream, pink, light green, and light blue.

Romantic Design Style
A romantic design style is a great way to create a formal look for your living room. A living room decorated in a romantic design style will use light and airy fabrics. With this dcor, expect to use a lot of white, cream, silver, and other pastel colors. You can add a twist to things with some touches of floral. You can also add some interest with a lightly colored area rug or a few decorative pillows. You want the furniture to be delicate and light, and not overbearing in any way.

Eclectic Design Style
If you are having a difficult time settling on just one design style for your living room, consider choosing a few different ones that are your favorites. With an eclectic style, you can incorporate several different design styles into one room. For instance, your walls can appear modern, while your furniture might look like it can from a cottage style room. However, you do need to be sure that youre able to pull the look together. By choosing common colors, textures, or patterns, you can make the room appear more cohesive. Whatever design style you end up choosing for your living room, you just need to be sure that it matches what you want for the room. For instance, if you want a more formal room, then you might go with something like a romantic design style. But if you want the space to be more casual, then you want to think in terms of a cottage-style look or the like. Just be sure that whatever design style you choose is something you can live with and wont have to change after only a couple of months.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior design business for four decades. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for wood end tables or a wood tv stand for your living roomthen they have everything you need.


Decorating 101: Using Nature

If you want to bring touches of nature inside your home, there are many ways to do so. By incorporating nature into your décor, you also are adding unique items that can help you connect with the room. Following are some great tips as to simple ways you can add nature to your home.

Use Water in Your Décor
Although there are many different water fountain designs to choose from, consider one that most closely resembles the look found in nature if you are going for a natural look in your décor. Try to find a water fountain where rocks and stones make up the base. A fountain in a room is pleasing visually and will produce sounds of flowing water that are sure to put you in a natural frame of mind.

Decorate with House Plants
To add nature to a room instantly, try adding a house plant. With all the different house plants available, you can choose one based on the style of your room. If you have a Southwestern theme, for instance, you would want to add something like a simple cactus. On the other hand, a room with a Victorian motif would be enhanced with a fern. If you’re looking to add some vibrant color to the décor, consider a house plant that flowers: a chrysanthemum or an African violet, for example.

Find a basket or pot that coordinates with the décor to place the house plants in. You also want to be sure the plant is placed in an area that is not only aesthetically pleasing but receives the right amount of light.

Create a Wreath from Nature
By making your own wreath and incorporating natural items into it, you can create a truly unique item from nature. Reeds, vines, pinecones, seeds, flowers, and dried berries all make great materials for a wreath. To better match the style of your room, it’s best to create your own wreath-although if you prefer, there are also places where you can buy nature wreaths. Hang the wreath above a fireplace mantel, above the entrance to another room, or in some other central location.

Collect Small Items from Nature
Think about some of the items you love from nature and start a collection. This is another great way to incorporate nature into your décor. You can easily add a natural touch to a room with a vase full of river rocks or a basket filled with seashells. Often, to bring out the vibrant colors of those shells and rocks, you may need to keep them in water. If you’re looking for other natural items to collect, consider fruit, branches, flowers, pinecones, or seeds.

There are many other ways to incorporate nature into the décor of your home. The next time you are outside, get creative and keep an eye out for unique items that will fit perfectly in your home.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior decorating industry for four decades. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in California. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for an oak desk for your home office or a wood tv stand for your bedroom then they have everything you need.


Using Wedding Memorabilia to Decorate Your Home

Why toss all your wedding memorabilia or store it away where you can’t see it? It’s easier than you might think to reuse all your wedding mementos to decorate your new home. If you’re looking for ways to put your wedding items to good use in your home, then here are some tips to consider.

Decorate with Your Wedding Pictures
Frame your favorite wedding pictures and use them as decorations as an easy way to incorporate items from your wedding into the décor of your home. Hang these on an empty wall, or they can sit on a fireplace mantle or a table instead. If you have a portrait you really like, consider blowing it up and hanging it on a wall in your bedroom or above the fireplace. Also, you can make a collage to hang on an empty wall combining a few different wedding shots with pictures from your honeymoon.

Make a Shadow Box with Your Wedding Memorabilia
Create a unique addition to your décor by gathering your wedding items together and displaying them in a shadow box. You might include your invitation, the program, favors, a piece of the wedding dress, and dried flowers. Assemble these items together however you like and then place the box on a shelf or hang it on the wall. Not only does this make a great décor piece for your bedroom, but it will remind you of your wedding every day.

Decorate with Your Wedding Flowers
You can always make potpourri from dried flower petals if you used real flowers for your wedding. Find a decorative basket or vase to place the dried flowers in and add essential oils, and you will have a sentimental decoration to add to any room in your home. Fake flowers, on the other hand, offer many more decorating options. Leave them the way they are, placing them in a vase or basket, for an instant decoration for the home. Or you might choose instead to alter them a bit. Either take a bunch of different bouquets from the wedding to create on large flower arrangement, or split them up, creating two slightly smaller ones. You can add instant color and brightness to just about any room of the house when you use these flowers in the décor. Even better, you’ll remember your wonderful wedding day every time you walk by them.

Make a Decoration from the Wedding Dress
If you’re not planning to reuse your wedding dress, you always have the option of making it into an easy and attractive home décor item. This works just as well with a bridesmaid’s dress—providing you have someone who’s willing to part with her dress after the wedding. Once you’ve taken a piece of fabric from the dress, wrap it tightly around a canvas or even a picture frame. Once you secure it with a nail gun, you’ll have a nice fabric décor item to hang on the wall. When you hang one or more of these pieces on the wall, you can really add some style to your bedroom or other room.

When it comes to decorating your home on a newlywed’s budget, work with what you have. By reusing your wedding memorabilia, you can create unique decorations that have a lot of emotional impact.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has four decades of experience in the home furnishings and interior design industry. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for file cabinets for your home office or a dining room table for your dining room then they carry everything you need.


Decorating Your Home on Budget

When decorating your home, working with a budget can sometimes present trouble, especially if it’s a small one. Although decorating budgets can be difficult to stick to, you need to realize that they’re necessary. When decorating a home, no homeowner should have to go into debt. So be sure to set a budget and then follow these simple tips for sticking with it. Then you can have a wonderfully decorated home without breaking the bank.

Make the Decorating Budget Firm
You don’t want to set a decorating budget and then forget about it when you actually start shopping. Keep in mind that you are setting a budget for a reason. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to do all your decorating at once. It might be better to do some of the decorating now, and then once you save some more money, revisit the room to add more items later. It’s best to stick to your budget firmly, no matter what comes up.

You Will Have to Give a Little to Get a Little
With a firm budget in your hand, you’re going to have to be flexible and willing to compromise in some areas. If you want the more expensive items that you absolutely have to have, then you’ll have to go the cheaper route for certain less crucial items. So if you’re adamant about adding that coffee table that costs about a third of your budget, then you’ll have to compensate elsewhere, perhaps spending less on window treatments or picture frames for the wall.

Don’t Worry What Other People May Think
It’s so easy to get caught up in what other people will think and say. After all, if the figurine you find is perfect for your décor, does it really matter if you found it at the local discount store? Unless you say something, no one’s going to know what you paid for items in your home. It’s not necessary that everything in your room is of the highest quality. So if you find something you really like and it’s inexpensive and it fits in your budget, then go ahead. Buy it. Don’t worry about what others are going to say. It’s funny, but sometimes the least expensive item in the room will garner the most positive attention.

Invest in Quality for the Big Items in the Room
When you plan out your budget, it’s best to allocate the majority of your money toward the larger items like a oak bed in a master bedroom or a dining room table, thus making sure that you can afford quality that will last. Window treatments or other décor just don’t need as much money put into them as items such as wood furniture, flooring, and artwork. By investing in quality for the larger items like a , you can ensure that those items will last longer and look better. In the end, you might have a high end sofa with inexpensive decorative pillows on it, but as long as you have kept to your final budget, then that will be just fine.

It can sometimes be tempting to throw your budget away and spend more than you can afford. Unfortunately, when you do that, then every time you walk into your redecorated home or room, you are going to have negative thoughts about that debt. In the end, negative thought might lead to you not being able to enjoy being in the space. If that becomes the case, then what was the point of spending all that money? By sticking to your budget, not only will you save money, but you will retain your peace of mind.


How to work with Your Interior Decorator

Working with an interior decorator can be a real eye-opening experience, especially if you’ve never worked with one before. Although you’ll find that not all interior decorators and projects are the same, there are a few key guidelines for working with a decorating professional.

1. Express Any Ideas, Wants, or Styles You Want for the Project
Unless you’re planning on handing over your home to your interior decorator so they can do what they want, you need to make sure that you clearly communicate your desires for the project. For instance, if you have a certain style in mind for the décor, then you need to be sure you tell the decorator. By making sure you are on the same page when it comes to styles, ideas, and desires you have for the project before the project starts, you will save yourself both time and money.

2. Set a Firm Budget with the Interior Decorator
It’s really important to set a firm budget with the decorator. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending much more money on your décor project than you wanted. Be sure to stress to the decorator that this certain dollar amount is what you can afford and you don’t want to go over it. Your budget is one thing you want to be sure to get in writing so that the decorator can’t come back and say you never gave them a specific expense limit.

3. Be Honest with the Interior Decorator
You need to let the designer know right away if they come up with a design plan you’re not crazy about. It’s silly to go along with a design plan just because you don’t want to hurt feelings. In the end, this is your home that you have to live in. Not being honest with the decorator about your true feelings for any plans or ideas that come up may be something you end up regretting.

4. Gather Visual Aids for the Decorator If Possible
It’s a good idea to gather photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids demonstrating what you want in terms of design. This is hands down the best way to express to your decorator what you are looking for in the design project. Handing someone a picture and telling them this is the style you want is always easier than trying to sit and explain it to them verbally.

5. Stay Involved with the Decorating Project
If you simply hand the interior decorator a few pictures and leave them alone for a week, don’t expect everything to be perfect for you. You don’t necessarily have to be constantly supervising the work being done. But you do want to be sure you monitor the progress daily to be sure things are being done the way you want. When you just let the interior decorator work without regularly checking out the progress, you may find that the result is not what you had pictured.

Working with an interior decorator can be a great experience. This is especially true if you have trouble coming up with great ideas and plans for your home. If you follow these tips, you can help ensure that you have the best possible experience with the decorator you have chosen.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for 40 years. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a large inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood furniture for your bedroom, home office and living room. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a wood file cabinets for your office or a wood dresser for your bedroom  then they have everything you need.


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