Montgomery Decor

Do you have older kitchen cabinets that you either want to keep or can’t afford to replace? There are several ways to update those cabinets to look nicer and better fit with your kitchen décor. Here are some great decorating options with which to update your kitchen cabinets that don’t cost a lot in terms of time or money.

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. The best part is, cabinet hardware doesn’t cost much and may only take an hour or so to install. 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
Painting your kitchen cabinets is usually easier than you think it’s going to be. You may not even have to sand them before painting, depending on the style and color of your old cabinets. 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, if you have a country kitchen that you want to turn modern, painting the cabinets will help you accomplish this. Painting typically takes no more than a weekend, so that by Monday morning you can have a kitchen that looks brand-new.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Another way to instantly update those kitchen cabinets is to take the doors off some of the units. With the doors removed, you can either show off what’s inside or display a collection that adds to the kitchen décor. Exposing just a couple of open cabinets can change the entire look of the room, so don’t feel that you have to take off every cabinet door. 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. You can create a wonderful display with antique china, for instance, whereas a collection of plastic cups might not be so attractive.

Replace the Cabinet Doors
If you’re looking to update your kitchen and want to fit your cabinets into your new décor, a great option is to replace the cabinet doors. If you’re in the market for new cabinet doors, you have many different options. For instance, you can find doors that have designs built in to them. There are also doors that have windows. You want the cabinets to match the rest of the décor, so be sure to look for a cabinet door that will fit in with the theme and style of your kitchen. In order to ensure that the doors you pick out will fit correctly, be sure to measure your cabinets properly before you go buy anything.

By using one or more of these ideas to update your kitchen cabinets, you can 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. So go ahead, decide on the best option for your décor, and update your look now.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior decorating  business for four decades. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for a wood dining room table for your dining room or a file cabinet for your dorm room then they carry everything you need.

So many different factors go into choosing interior paint colors. Things such as a certain design style youre trying to achieve or a piece of furniture youre trying to match, such as a coffee table or wooden end table, can all affect the choice you make for the paint color of the room. Even with all these factors to take into consideration, there are certain guidelines you should following when selecting interior paint colors.

Dont Rush Into a Paint Color Choice
Thousands of different interior paint colors are available, so its never a good idea to rush into a color decision without proper planning. The first step involves visiting your local hardware or paint store. There you can gather paint chips in whatever colors catch your eye and fit the style you envision for the room. Be sure to get a variety of chips. Things can look very different once you get home and see the color in the room.

When you bring your paint chips home, dont just hold them up to the wall. Also walk around with them, comparing them with the furniture, the flooring, and the windows. You want to be sure the color is well suited to everything you plan on keeping in the room once you are done with the remodel. Once youve narrowed it down, if youre still having trouble picking a color, you may want to ask for other opinions. Sometimes other people are able to see something that you dont.

Make Your Own Interior Paint Color
If youre having a difficult time finding a paint color that you absolutely love, consider making your own. Most paint stores now offer a custom service where they will match a color for you. If you bring in a painting or fabric swatch from your room, they will be able to match the color. This can cost you more in the long run, but it is well worth it if youre able to achieve the style you envision for your room.

Choose an Interior Paint Finish
Once youve determined your color of paint, you next need to pick out what type of finish you want in your room. The finish of the paint will ultimately affect the way the paint looks. Depending on the type of finish you choose, it can even make some paint colors look darker or lighter.

Flat Finish: With this type of finish, you end up with a matte or duller finished look. This is not a good type of finish for camouflaging imperfections, as the light doesnt reflect off the paint. This type of finish is also not advisable for areas that have a lot of traffic, as it is harder to clean than other finishes.

Eggshell Finish: This paint finish results in a small shine, similar to that of an eggshell.

This is a very popular finish, since they are easier to clean and their subtle shine reflects light in the room.

Satin Finish: Although this finish also has a small shine to it, it has a smoother appearance.

This is a great finish for high-traffic areas, since it is much easier to clean.

Glossy: This finish produces a result that is exactly as it sounds. What you end up with is a finish that has a very high gloss or shine to it. You can also opt for a semi-gloss finish, which has a little less shine to it than glossy finishes. Glossy finishes are most commonly used for accessories like trim and doors rather than on entire interior walls.

Paint colors can be quite easily changed, but you still want to make sure you do your best to pick the interior paint color that best fits your style and is easy on the eyes. After all, by simply changing the paint color, you can truly change the entire look of any room.

For those homes with a pet like a cat or a dog, not every interior decorating idea is going to work. This is similar to those households with kids: You need to think about your pets when you decorate your home. Fortunately, these days you have plenty of options for finding pet-friendly dcor for your home.

Pet-Friendly Flooring Ideas
With pets come household problems such as mud tracks and bathroom accidents, no matter how well-trained your animal might be. Thats why its always a good idea to go with a low-maintenance flooring option in your home.

One of the worst flooring options for people with pets is carpet. Both animal hair and dander are hard to remove and thus tend to stay in the carpet for a long time. Mud, urine, and other pet stains are also much harder to remove from carpet versus other flooring options.

If youre looking for pet-friendly flooring options, its best to go with hardwood floors, laminate flooring, or ceramic tile. These types of floors are easy to clean and durable, so they can endure more traffic from pets.

Just be sure that any hardwood floors are finished to protect them from your pets nails. Otherwise, just be sure to trim those nails on a regular basis. Area rugs make a great addition to these types of floors, especially those that can be easily cleaned in the washer and dryer.

Pet-Friendly Home Fabrics
Another huge dcor consideration for homes with pets is what type of fabric to use. This is especially important for those households with a dog or a cat or even another pet like a bird or lizard who gets on the furniture.

For pets like dogs and cats, be sure to choose a fabric thats easy to clean so you dont have to worry about pet hair being a constant problem. If pet hair tends to be a problem for you, then select fabrics that are close to the color of your pet. This way, you can avoid having to clean the couches every day. If you already have a black-haired dog or cat in your home, a white or tan couch might not be such a good idea.

You also want to consider how easy the fabric will be to clean. If possible, you want to choose microfibers, which are much easier to clean stains off of than other fabrics. Woven, textured fabrics are harder to remove stains from and will actually trap any pet hair.

A stain guard is essential for any new furniture going into a home with pets. This way any stains can be easily lifted from the fabric by simply following the manufacturers directions.

If you have a pet in your home, everything about the dcor is going to be influenced in one way or another. Flower arrangements that you would normally put on a wood coffee table or oak end table, for example, need to be placed somewhere that your pet cant get into. So larger items, such as flooring and fabrics, arent the only thing to consider when it comes to pet-friendly decorating. You also need to pay attention to the smaller details, like flowers and candle placement, as well.

With a playroom, your child can have his or her own room in the house to have fun in. Most parents love the idea of getting their child’s toys out of sight and into one room. But this doesn’t mean that the playroom should not have functional decorating. Here are some great ideas for creating a playroom that is not only perfect for a child but functional for you.

Have Plenty of Storage Options
By providing plenty of storage options, you can keep the playroom neat and organized. Its decidedly easier for kids to keep things clean when everything in the room has a proper place. You want to make sure you have plenty of organization and storage so that your child’s playroom doesn’t end up looking like a tornado blew through it on a daily basis.

You might find pieces of furniture such as mission 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 Room Durable
Unless you want it to get broken, dont put your favorite piece of furniture in your child’s playroom. Whether they’re boys or girls, children tend to be rough on furniture and other decorating items. The easiest way to keep the room durable is to keep any decor items simple and kid-friendly.

Use plastic bins and baskets for storage; they can also serve as decorations for the room. Find a rug with darker colors and patterns to hide any stains that might come. Also be sure that rug is easy to clean.

Keep Play Areas Safe for Your Kids
Bolt any dressers, bookcases, wood desks to the wall to prevent them from falling on a climbing child. If at all possible, use only child size furniture. Furniture that’s too tall can be unsafe for younger children. Small toys and art supplies should be stored up high where small children cant reach them. If you have a baby or toddler in the home, be sure to baby-proof the room by placing covers on all the outlets and getting rid of any hanging blind cords from the windows.

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. Even a themed playroom isn’t that difficult with simple things like stencils and stick-ons added to the walls.

In the end, if your child doesn’t like his or her playroom or is mad because its not what he or she wanted, that child is going to be less likely to want to play in that room and keep it clean. At least to a degree, you’ll find that it is far easier to allow your child some say in the decor of the room.

Your child’s favorite place in the house should be his or her playroom. 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.

Sometimes people feel they have to justify a redecorating project, whether it’s to another person or just to convince themselves to finally take the plunge. If you’re looking for a rationale, consider the following  perfect reasons why you might need to redecorate your home.

1. When Moving into a New Home
Moving into a new home is the number-one reason why people choose to redecorate. After all, who wants to live surrounded by someone else’s decor, especially if it doesn’t match your taste at all? Simple steps, such as taking down wallpaper or painting the walls a different color, can go a long way in transforming your new home into your own. The new place will feel even less like a stranger’s once you get your own furniture, whether it’s a bookcase stuffed with your reading collection in the corner of your home office or an solid oak dining table that’s been the centerpiece of family reunions, moved in and arranged to your liking.

2. Before You Sell Your House
When you decide to sell a house, it’s often advisable to take on projects you’ve never gotten around to, such as updating your kitchen or bathroom. Don’t take on a full redecorating and remodeling project, but try to update your home so that more buyers will be interested. When you are deciding on projects, remember to only do things to your home that you will see a return on once the home sells.

3. The Kids Have All Moved Out
Are you facing empty-nest syndrome now that your last child has officially moved out? There’s no better way to avoid those empty-nest blues than by redecorating the home. If you’re not ready to disassemble the kid’s rooms yet, then start with a bathroom or even your family room. Your family room can be transformed into any style of room you want, since it no longer needs to center around your children. One of the best advantages to not having children in the home is that you no longer have to worry about valuables getting broken or white couches getting dirty. So, go ahead. Find that style you’ve always wanted but could never have when you lived with your kids.

4. You Have Extra Money to Invest
When you find yourself with extra money, whether from an inheritance or a really nice bonus check, you finally have the means to redecorate your home the way you always wanted. Investing it back into your home not only makes sense financially, but you now have the means to create that style you always wanted. Plan accordingly, though. You don’t want to end up going over budget and then having a debt to pay.

5. You’ve Fallen in Love with an Interior Design
You never know where you’ll be inspired to redecorate your home. You might have been innocently flipping through interior-design magazines at the grocery store and then absolutely fell in love with a room you saw. Or maybe you stumbled upon a new pattern at the fabric store you just had to have. Wherever your inspiration, why not just go for it? Make yourself happy and create the home of your dreams. It’s not necessary to do everything all at once; sometimes just little additions can help you incorporate a new style into a room. A great first step, for example, is to make drapes out of that fabric you love and then repaint the walls to match.

Sometimes you just have to go for it. Start your redecorating now or else you may never get the courage to do it. But be sure to set a budget and stick to it, as you want your new decor to be a source of pride and joy, and not get sick every time you see it because you spent so much money on it.

Do you flip through all those design magazines showcasing rich, elegant interiors and dream of having enough money to create such settings in your own home? Unfortunately, not many people have the resources required to create such a lavish look. But all you need to make a room eye-catching and inviting doesn’t require much money-just your own personal touch.

Elegance without Expense
It’s a common misperception that one must spend a ton of money on new furniture, flooring, wall hangings, and so on, in order to transform the look of a room. You’ll be happy to know that it doesn’t cost tens of thousands of dollars to create a dramatic impact in your décor. With only a few hundred dollars, you can create a look that will equal any dream look you’ve seen in a home decorating magazine.

Make It Your Own
For starters, make sure you’re incorporating some of your own personality into the décor. When deciding on a décor, many people either go with the latest trends or what they think others will resonate with. Unfortunately, they typically end up with the isn’t really the look they were looking for.

Without any personal touches, the whole look is going to seem contrived. What you end up with is bland-colored walls, pictures that don’t really have any personal ties, and windows without any impact. Just because you have all that “stuff” there to make your home look exquisite, doesn’t necessarily mean that the design’s going to work.

Create a Bold, Dramatic Look
Beside incorporating your own unique personality into your décor, what other steps can you take? You can create the atmosphere you’re looking for with paint. For a bold, dramatic look, use up to 5 shades of burgundy, forest, and navy. Just be sure the color of your existing furniture will blend with the color scheme you decide on. Paint the walls, the lightest shade and the baseboards, the darkest.

You can make some rich window coverings and wall hanging yourself for almost nothing. For instance, you can use satin bed sheets to create some beautiful swag curtains. Hit the flea markets to find some unique pieces you can use for accents. Take some colors that complement your décor and have your children do some finger painting. Mat and frame their work, and voila! You have some wonderfully colorful abstract wall hangings!

Let the Energy Flow
You can also create an energetic and refreshing look in your home. Again, here you would use several shades of paint, but you want to make these colors electric. Bright greens, peach shades, and burnt orange is one color combination that’s wonderful when mixed together. A straw-colored woven rug would look great on the floor, along with simple botanical print groupings on the walls or even on a oak dresser.

Keep your furniture light, staying away from bulky or oversized furnishings. Furnishings, like a oak coffee table or a solid wood tv stand, should be light-colored and basic and design. You can use wooden shutters on the windows, or if you prefer, you can create your own curtains using a sheer material. You want to concentrate on a look that appeals to you and imagine the possibilities.

Add Some Contrast
Contrast makes things much more interesting in any décor. Although it used to not be a good idea to mix floral patterns with stripes and plaids, it’s now become the thing to do. You can really add a wow factor to your décor by mixing things up, as long as you keep it within your color boundaries.

Creating a one-of-a-kind look on a shoestring budget is completely within the realm of possibility. With a little imagination and some of your own unique personality, you can create a fabulous décor in your home.

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.

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.

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.

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.