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9 Ways To Inexpensively Decorate Your Bathroom
The bathroom has evolved over the past decades from a strictly useful and functional room to one that is similar to a spa. And just because there aren't thousands of dollars available for decorating doesn't mean that a bath can't be unique,...

Balanced Decorating
Think about it. Have you ever worn a sandal on one foot and a boot on the other? No? Then have you tried wearing a black leather glove on one hand with a red wool mitten on the other? Okay, probably not. Since our bodies have lots of pairs we tend...

Elements of Interior Design
Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or "starting from scratch" with an empty room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing everything. The elements are your tools or raw...

How to Decorate Your Home on EBay
If you are on a budget (and who isn't?), a wonderful place for find home decorating accessories is auction sites like eBay. But before you go a'baying, here is some advice based on personal experience (make that major disasters!) to keep in mind: ...

Window curtains help with adding more privacy to your home
Adding safety and style is exactly what window curtains are all about. Dress up your windows with exquisite lace and extravagant ruffles. Window drapes are a covering that can allow you to match up your home with the other aspects of it. Maybe...

 
Style on a budget: Simple changes = dramatic results

Would you like to add more elegance and style to your home? Would you like to know how to do it for less money?

You’re not alone. Americans spent $343 billion on home enhancement, according to a recent study by the Barnard Retail Consulting Group of Upper Montclair, N.J. So if you are thinking of improving your home decor, you are in good company.

Trends driving today’s decorating



People are changing their decor more often than in the past. This is due to the greater pace of life in general, as well as shorter design cycles in other style areas such as clothing fashions.

Consumers are more style and fashion conscious and want to express their individual taste. The Internet, movies, magazines, and TV programs all display a much wider range of home decor styles—elements of which consumers want to incorporate into their lives.

People are investing less in decor items. Young people especially, often leave the old decor items behind, rather than pay to move them to their new homes.



Can I decorate without a decorator?

Today, more people than ever are making exciting changes to their homes, and they are doing so without the expense of a professional decorator. If you are thinking of improving your decor you may be wondering:



Can I make the changes myself?
Will the results look professional?
Can I learn about my options?
Can I make the changes for a reasonable amount of money?



In a word—yes! Not only can you successfully decorate your home yourself, there are compelling reasons for doing it yourself. These include:



Saving money
Getting exactly what you want
Implementing the decor changes on a time frame that matches you budget and available time
Expressing your unique sense of style —go high end on one room, more modest on another



Where to find decor ideas:

Home decor trends change often. To find the latest trends:



Read home design magazines
Go window-shopping at furniture and design stores
Talk to in-store designers



Will my new decor work with what I have?

One of the exciting design trends of recent years in the “eclectic” look—the mixing and matching of various items, fabrics, colors and styles. Many people today typically have an assortment of home furnishings: antique items they inherited, items bought while single, and items chosen as a couple. Today you can combine these in creative and fun ways for a look that is pleasing and uniquely yours. This is quite a contrast to the more stuffy approach of period furniture and decor of the past.

Where do I start?

With the home decor choices available, starting a project can seem a bit intimidating.
Like all successful projects, you need a plan before you start. Consider your objectives—do you want to add a new piece of furniture or redo a whole room? Rather than get bogged down with reviewing endless possible decor improvements, let’s focus on the following four areas that yield impressive results for a reasonable price:



Paint
Area rugs
Furniture
Lamps



Paint

Painting a room is one of the easiest but most impressive decor changes you can make. You can make a small room look larger with lighter colors. You can also make a smaller apartment look larger by tying its rooms together with a lighter color.

Conversely, you can make a large room more intimate by using darker colors. A splash of color can brighten a drab space. Have a favourite rug or piece of furniture? Then you can use this as the basis of your decor and select a paint color that complements it.

Purchase your paint from a quality speciality paint retailer. National paint retailers have the latest colors and can instruct you on new painting techniques. Since they only sell paint, they have very knowledgeable staff that can assist you in finding the perfect color for your project.

How to paint like a pro

Select one or two dominant colors for your room. While the choice of paint colors is up to you, you can get the best results by ensuring that you:




Buy quality paint. Rule number 1:You cannot afford cheap paint! Why? The biggest cost of painting is labor—yours or someone else’s. Quality paint covers better, goes farther, looks better when finished, and wears longer. Saving a few dollars a gallon is false economy. Unless you are painting a kitchen or bathroom that will experience frequent scrubbings, use a quality latex paint. Latex paint produces fewer fumes when drying and allows you to clean your implements with soap and water rather than with mineral spirits, such as turpentine.

Buy quality brushes and rollers. You want to apply your quality paint with quality tools. Ensure you have the correct brush for the job. For latex paint, you want to use a quality brush that has synthetic bristles. For oil paint, purchase a brush with natural bristles. Purchase high quality rollers with the appropriate “nap.” Nap refers to the length of the fabric on the roller. In general, a shorter nap will produce a smoother finish. Don’t try to clean rollers. If you finish a wall and need to stop for the day, use a fresh roller when you start again. By purchasing quality paint and applying it carefully with quality tools, you will be ensuring the best possible result for your efforts.

Don’t skimp on preparation. Actually painting the room is the final step. The time you spend getting your room ready to paint will reward you with a much better finished look.



Don’t paint over dirt. Begin by washing the walls and ceiling with Tri Sodium Phosphate or TSP. This comes in powdered form and you mix it with a bucket of hot water. Wear rubber gloves and use a clean sponge. Sponge the room with clear water when you are finished. Don’t skip this step, because you will be amazed at how much grime comes off from clean-looking walls.
Once the walls are clean, fill nail holes and any imperfections with drywall patching compound. Fill the nicks and scratches; let dry, then sand smooth. Always prime the areas you have patched before painting, otherwise the areas will show through as dull spots.
Remove or cover all furniture with drop cloths. Cover your floors and any baseboard trim before starting.



Take your time. One of the great things about doing it yourself is that you can work carefully and do a superior job. Relax, work carefully, and you will be amazed at what you have accomplished.



Area Rugs

A new area rug represents one of the best home decor purchases you can make. These affordable rugs come in a multitude of styles, fabrics, and colors. You can use them to brighten a room, accent your furniture, or provide a lively contrast to the primary decorating theme. Area rugs work well in living rooms of course, but also in bedrooms, halls, even bathrooms. There are three broad categories of area rugs.

Persian Rugs

Persian rugs have a well-deserved reputation as the finest in world. All Persian rugs are made by hand, visit http://www.area-rugs-source.com/persianrugs.html for more details. Each rug is a beautiful and complex original, painstakingly made by skilled humans. Many weavers come from families that have been making rugs for generations. The symmetry and accuracy of the complex designs is stunning. A Persian rug represents an investment in gracious living that, with proper care, will yield decades of


beauty and elegance to your home.

Four main factors contribute Persian’s legacy of excellence:



Beautiful colors—rich vibrant colors reflect the use of the finest dyes

Enchanting designs—while each rug is unique there are three broad categories of design, each stunning in its own way: geometric designs, curvilinear and floral designs, and pictorial designs

High knot count—simply put, more knots are better because they result in a tighter weave

Highest quality materials—these rugs feature the highest quality wool, silk, and dyes. The highest quality materials yield the finest rugs.





Oriental Rugs

Oriental rugs come from Asia and are less expensive than Persian rugs. Oriental rugs come in a vast array of sizes, colors, and designs. All Oriental rugs have the following key characteristics:



Stunning Colors—rich, lush colors that blend together beautifully predominate

Beautiful Designs—complex patterns and even pictures characterize these rugs. The religion of Islam inspires many of the designs and themes, giving the rugs an elegant and exotic look




Contemporary Rugs

Generally the most affordable of area rugs, contemporary rugs tend to defy description; there are so many great possibilities. Broadly speaking, however, contemporary area rugs have the following characteristics:



Bright colors

Bold designs and patterns

High tech fabrics such as acrylic, polypropylene, rayon, and wool (low tech but high quality)

Unique shapes—unconventional shapes abound



Who has the best selection of area rugs at the lowest prices?

Internet merchants. A quality Internet-based retailer can carry far more stock than the local carpet store. They have lower prices because their overhead is lower and they tend to deal directly with the carpet makers—thereby cutting out layers of middlemen and the expensive mark-ups.

If buying a carpet over the Internet seems unusual, don’t worry. (People didn’t used to buy computers over the Internet either.) The key to buying a great carpet you will love is finding a reputable online merchant. You want someone who has a solid reputation, great selection, excellent product knowledge, and guarantees.



Furniture

Furniture makes a big decor statement in a room. Casual or elegant, bold or subtle, there’s nothing like the right pieces to set a room off.

Here’s a little secret they won’t tell you at the furniture store—chances are good you don’t need to replace the furniture you already have to get a fresh new look in your home. Furniture, especially older furniture, is often extremely well made. The frame is often hardwood and very sound. Likely the cushions are fine too. What might be a bit out of date is the fabric and pattern. Do you need to spend a bundle on having the item reupholstered? No you don’t!

Savvy consumers know that today’s innovative slipcovers can rejuvenate your couch or chair at a fraction of the cost of replacing them or having them reupholstered. Modern slipcovers fit beautifully, giving you a tailored look. Here are the benefits of using slipcovers:



Save money. Why spend $1,000 or more for a new couch when you can get the same look for a fraction of the cost?

Achieve a high quality look inexpensively with hundreds styles, patterns, and colors of fabrics to choose from. Many high-class fabrics are available such as suede.

Change the look whenever you want. Buy two slipcovers for a sofa—a casual one for everyday use and a second one for entertaining. In minutes you can transform from casual to elegant.

Enjoy your furniture more, because you worry less. Unlike in magazines, real children spill things and pets mess up the sofa. This is not a problem if a slipcover protects your sofa. Pop it in the wash and presto—the sofa looks immaculate again!

Respect the environment—don’t trash good furniture when it can still provide years of stylish service with slipcovers.



Best of all, you can view, order, and have these slipcovers delivered without leaving the house. Internet retailers have the widest selection and the lowest prices. Here is great example of lamps and light fixtures site http://www.a1-light-fixtures.com

Lamps

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.
Aaron Rose

Interior designers use lighting to bring a room alive, and so can you. Consider the beauty of a pool of light in a room, adding mood and elegance.

One of the best ways make a lighting decor statement is through a combination of floor and table lamps. Lamps represent your best lighting value because they require no wiring alterations to your home and because they can be moved from room to room and from house to house. By only lighting the areas you want, you can save energy and money. And you can add or take away focus from different parts of a room, according to your decorating scheme.

Using lamps effectively

Begin by asking yourself what you are trying to achieve. Do you want general illumination in a corner of the room or a lamp to light a task area, such as a desk or comfy reading chair? This will help you narrow the choice to freestanding floor lamps or table lamps.

Next think of styles. Today you can choose from literally hundreds of different styles of lamps in classical, contemporary, and futuristic styles. Both floor lamps and table lamps (visit http://www.a1-light-fixtures.com/floor-lamps.html and http://www.a1-light-fixtures.com/table-lamps.html for more details) also come in a vast array of colors and materials including brass and other metals, plastic and wood. Whatever your style, there is a lamp for you.

Finally, consider the light it casts. Today you can get lamps with bulbs that cast distinct lights. The oldest and most familiar bulb is the incandescent that casts a warm light. These bulbs are inexpensive, but not very energy efficient. Consider a lamp with a dimmer that accepts tri-light bulbs, so you can tailor the light to the mood and save energy.

Two other choices not available in the past are compact fluorescent bulbs and halogen bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs fit in standard light sockets and are super energy efficient. These bulbs come in a variety of lighting tones so you can have both energy efficiency and a warm, inviting light. The other choice today is halogen bulbs. These tiny bulbs cast a bright, whitish light—ideal for spot illumination.

Final decor thoughts

Whatever the scope of your project, be bold, take chances, and express yourself. If you’ve always wanted a red wall—do it. The suggestions above are modest in cost, allowing you to experiment and find just the right home decor look. Have fun!

About the author:

Colin McDougall is a successful freelance writer for several home decor websites. For more tips and ideas visit http://www.only-area-rugs.comhttp://www.furniture-slipcovers.comand http://www.a1-light-fixtures.com




 

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Content Menu
  • 10 home decorating ideas to quickly update any room

  • 10 tips for a window coverings makeover

  • 12 considerations when choosing contemporary lighting

  • 20th century home decorating guide

  • 3 kinds of wood used in real wood furniture

  • 5 essential factors of a good bedroom design

  • 5 external climatic factors that affect an interior design project

  • 5 fast ideas to freshen the look of your room

  • 5 most popular styles of christmas ornaments

  • 5 things your christmas table should not be without

  • 5 top bathroom decorating style ideas

  • 6 factors that affect a bedroom design project

  • 6 ways to use an area rug

  • 6 ways to use contemporary area rugs in your home decor

  • 9 ways to inexpensively decorate your bathroom

  • add some pizzazz to your powder room

  • an introduction to shutters

  • an overview of commonly used materials in interior design

  • area rug buyers guide

  • are your houseplants safe

  • art prints for home decorating

  • a beautiful carpet sets the mood of any room

  • a guide to choosing the right closet

  • a guide to interior shutters

  • a study of furniture elements for smaller bedrooms

  • balanced decorating

  • basic furniture and its place in design

  • beautifying your home

  • breaking away from white paint walls

  • building closet organizers

  • building or decorating your home requires house plans

  • buying custom wood blinds

  • carpet takes center stage

  • cat decorating protecting your pet

  • cat decor finding the beauty in cat decorating

  • ceiling medallions crown molding and ceiling domes 3 ways to add elegance and beauty to any room

  • chill out with a quality ceiling fan

  • choosing beautiful furniture for you home

  • christmas decorating ideas

  • classic home decorating with empire furniture

  • consider sunroom plans for a luxury addition

  • consult interior designer for flooring

  • country home accessories

  • cozyin up to winter

  • create an underwater adventure in your childs room

  • creating unique details with wallpaper borders decorating with wallpaper

  • decorating a childs room to look like a mysterious jungle and teaching them something too

  • decorating a comfort zone

  • decorating for thanksgiving budget friendly decor for the holiday

  • decorating frugally

  • decorating then make a smart flooring choice

  • decorating toolbox 101

  • decorating to sell a house by meeting three key needs

  • decorating transit areas

  • decorating where theres a will theres a way

  • decorating with authentic zebra decor

  • decorating with interior shutters

  • decorating with table fountains

  • decorating your entrance foyer

  • decorating your home 5 style tips that cost less than 50

  • decor for cats protecting your home

  • decor for cat owners protecting your posessions

  • dummies guide to interior design color schemes

  • eastern influences on western interiors japanese decor part i of ii color texture and contrast display

  • elements of interior design

  • emphasize your decor style in seven easy ways

  • empire furniture for home decorating

  • extending the living space outdoors working with color

  • exterior paint schemes for historical houses

  • five tips for helping your guests feel at home

  • five ways to create a healthy home

  • floral futon covers

  • four decorative painting techniques

  • from toss out to sensational keeper lamp re make

  • furnishing and decorating your own home

  • furniture placement secrets

  • furniture styles for your home decorating ideas

  • get your home ready for the holidays

  • granite countertops an overview

  • hand painted furniture the must have home furnishings of the season

  • hardwood floors for interior design and for home decorating

  • have you considered these space saving bed designs to maximize your interior decorating space

  • help choosing door and window hardware

  • heres why interior decorating makes a statement about you

  • holiday decorating can cast a warm glow all year

  • holiday decorating tips christmas candles

  • holiday decorating tips thanksgiving a time for gratitude and giving

  • home decorating ideas for different furniture styles

  • home fragrance in vogue

  • home furnishing and decorating your home with designs

  • home improvements planning

  • home improvement projects that really pay off

  • home interior decorating

  • how do home furnishing experts study an interior space

  • how do i finalize budget for my bedroom design project

  • how to achieve indirect lighting in interior design

  • how to change a rooms dimension using wall pictures

  • how to choose a safe color to paint your rooms

  • how to decorate ethnic

  • how to decorate your home on ebay

  • how to extend your living space outdoors working with color

  • how to generate ideas for your bedroom design

  • how to lend your home a rustic decor theme

  • how to use accessories in a bedroom decorating project

  • how to use picture frames to decorate an interior space

  • how to use wall finishes in a bedroom design project

  • ideas for closet organizers

  • ideas for your interior christmas decorating

  • index

  • interior decorating and home decor needs

  • interior decorating and home decor with inuit art from the arctic north

  • interior decorating and home decor with native american indian art

  • interior decorating for cat owners

  • interior decorating themes

  • interior decorating themes whats your decorating style

  • interior designing

  • interior design for cat owners

  • in the mood

  • its easy being green at home

  • its spring lets decorate

  • it s spring let s decorate

  • keep your yard ornamental with sago palm care

  • landscaping how does your garden grow

  • leather is a great choice in your decor

  • log cabin living soften the decor with fabric artwork and plants

  • make your house feel more like a home

  • new decor for a new year

  • new trends in design and comfortable living

  • new trends in design comfortable living

  • not only should ones bedroom be a refuge but it should also be a sanctuary

  • one way to create extra space in your home is with closet organizers

  • optical illusions of interior decorating how to make the most of your living space

  • practical feng shui debunking the myths and finding out what we can actually learn from the ancients

  • prefabricated homes primer

  • principles of interior design

  • putting passion back into home decorating

  • real vs artificial christmas trees

  • roman shades give old house a rich look

  • rotator

  • selecting bean bag chairs to suit your home decor

  • selling your home dont be a victim

  • seven ways to emphasize a decor style

  • shag area rugs a great way to create a safe and easy to clean home

  • shag area rugs one of the most popular floor coverings around

  • simplicity with your home wall decor

  • smarten your interiors

  • stair rail decorating ideas

  • staying in tune with the change of season

  • study of

  • study of interior design as a reflection of the mind

  • style and perfection in home decoration with plantation shutters

  • style elegance of shutters and safety of hurricane shutters

  • style on a budget simple changes dramatic results

  • style your home with decorative plantation shutters

  • tasteful home decorating changes your house into a home

  • ten tips to ensure that you choose the right carpet for your home or office

  • the art of home decoration

  • the art of selecting your homes art

  • the beauty of a contemporary ceiling fan

  • the benefits of exterior shutters

  • the benefits of wood blinds

  • the concept of dynamic space in bedroom design

  • the concept of positive and negative spaces in interior design

  • the four essential tips to consider before choosing flooring for your home

  • the importance of bedroom design in a home decoration project

  • the importance of lighting in an interior design project

  • the latest flower trends in interior decorating for your home office

  • the magic of color

  • the magic of using wooden window blinds

  • the new stone in technical ceramics for interior decorating ideas

  • the oriental vs contemporary bedroom design theory

  • the truth about color schemes in an interior design project

  • the two pillars of a successful interior design project

  • the ultimate yard sale guide for home decorators

  • things to consider when purchasing sunroom kits

  • thinking about home improvement then heres a checklist

  • three easy home improvements for under 100 00

  • tips for buying sunroom kits

  • tips on budget decorating

  • too much stuff syndrome or how decorating and organizing can help your sanity

  • tuscan style decorating three essentials

  • use outdoor rugs to decorate your outdoor space

  • using window coverings to enlighten your home

  • wallpaper doesnt just cover it defines the room

  • warm your home with a taste of the tropics

  • whack o matic

  • whats old is new again

  • what does it take to be an interior designer

  • what is a platform bed

  • what should you know about house flooring

  • what to consider before you start decorating your home

  • where to find discount home furnishings

  • window blinds and curtains top decorating tips

  • window curtains help with adding more privacy to your home