Home Decorating Tips & Ideas

If you are frustrated with the way a room in your home looks try bringing accessories from another room. Small accessories such as baskets, statues, a lamp or a picture that is placed in a spare bedroom, den or a closet may be the piece you need for the room that you feel is missing something.

When you are shopping and you find a great decor piece you can't live without don't be afraid to experiment with its location. You may have bought a decorative canister for your kitchen only to find out it really does not look that great on the counter top, now take the canister and set it on an end table in your living room or by the sink in your bathroom. Moving things around when decorating is kind of like spring cleaning and can really transform and freshen up a room.

I recently read an article in a magazine where the writer mentioned that granite for counter tops and desks are no longer a desire for most home owner's because of the economic melt down. I honestly disagree with the point of view of the author in that the way it was written made it sound like "all" home owners rather then saying "some" home owners.
In the past several years kitchens really have become the gathering place for family and friends at least in my home everyone seems to end up gathered around the kitchen island for that reason I believe what goes in your kitchen is a very personal decision.
There are a lot of choices in appliances, cabinetry, drawer pulls, flooring, counter top accessories and much more and the choices chosen reflects the personality of the home owners. The author of the report neglected, in my opinion, to consider the differences between individuals in that what one person feels brings warmth to the kitchen another person may not agree with which is why there are so many choices for your kitchen decor. I have clients that believe kitchens should be primarily white for a more sterile looking area by using all white appliances and white counter tops. While I like warmth brought in by neutral colors of browns, taupe and ivory mixed with splashes of contrasting colors through accessories and jazzing it up a bit with different textures for visual interest. I love solid surfaces for the counter tops and I do not know what I would do without granite as I am not into cleaning the grout between tiles which I would be doing with two young children. Others prefer a kitchen that is bright and bold in color and the use of poured concrete counter tops for a more eclectic feel.

The article also mentioned that desks are not important any more in the kitchen and that people just want the basics for the kitchen. Well I don't know about you but if I could have incorporated a desk area in my kitchen it would be there. With most families have both adults working the kitchen is the place where kids do their home work or talk to mom and dad while meals are being prepared and a place to surf the internet for a recipe, chat with family and friends or pay bills. Many people I have talked to would like to have a "work area" in their kitchen if nothing else to keep an eye on their children when they are on the internet but unfortunately they either do not have the room or their budgets do not allow for it. I can only imagine how much easier my tasks would be if I had a place for a laptop in my kitchen...may be one day.

If you need ideas for your home I highly suggest looking at Danielskitchenbath.com for truly exceptional quality and workmanship. Image courtesy of Danielskitchenbath

I'd like to get your input on this. If you were or are buying a new home what is the most important features you look for in a kitchen? What wouldn't you skip on even during this mess with the economy.

Its funny when I mention to clients the idea of using mirrors on their walls I instantly get one of those weird looks from them as if I've been living in the twilight zone or something. It took me awhile to figure out that the first vision they had with the mere mention of the word "mirror" was one of those full length mirrors that ran the length of the room and had the gold marbling painted on. Now I am careful to preface what I mean with images of decorative wall mirrors so there is no chance of confusion.

Mirrors have come a long way and they are available in any shape, size, color and design you can imagine. Besides making a small room appear larger when placed and coordinated properly a mirror adds to the overall appearance of the rooms decor. A bare wall can now become a beautiful focal point with either a wall or a larger leaning mirror. Contrary to belief a mirror is not just for placing over the mantel, although a mirror does look lovely there and highlights any accessories you may have on the mantel.

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a mirror for your room is making sure it is scaled to size so that it does not off balance the rest of the room. If you have a small family room with low ceilings and the rest of your furnishings are smaller in size an over sized mirror may look out of place. If you are lucky enough to have a nice sized foyer large wood framed mirrors add dramatic affects to your entry wall. Mirrors can be used just like collage photo frames. While there are collage mirrors available on the market finding one that suits your style and space can be a challenge and many home decorators use photo frames and replace some of the areas with mirrors mixed with a photo or two for a unique-one-of-a-kind piece of wall art.

The next time you are considering adding an accessory piece to your walls do not let visions of grandma's mirrors scare you off.

Who's ready for summer? If you are like me you're ready for summer season where we get out of the house and spend more time outdoors enjoying the simple pleasures of spending time with family and friends. Although we're ready to break the winter time blues, your outdoor furniture may look like it's been beaten by the winter blues. If you like spending the summer season outdoors it may be time to invest in quality furniture that will give you years and years of enjoyment.

Teak furniture is by far, the superior choice in outdoor furniture. It is highly durable, will not rot and can withstand the elements of nature year after year. Teak takes very little maintenance and gives you season after season of enjoyment. Whether you fancy formal meals outside, casual conversations in the evenings, or family fun day and night there is teak furniture that will fit your lifestyle without ever going out of style.

Are you a owner of a home who yearns to have a nicer home? One that is different from the Jones's? More appealing and with more pizzazz? While it is true that a large group of homeowners are content with their home, there are others who want more. If you are one of those homeowners, it is time for a change. Regardless of what you may believe, changes can be done without buying or building a new home, how you might ask? Simply by considering a bathroom remodeling undertaking.

Just the word remodeling sends homeowners into depression especially when it involves a bathroom. Many homeowners while wanting something more, or better, really wonder whether or not it would be a good idea and cannot visualize the positive aspects a bathroom remodeling can bring. If you are one of those wondering homeowners,
it is recommended that you particularly take the time to acquaint yourself with the common signs and warnings your bathroom is subtly or not so subtly telling you it is ready for a makeover. If just one of the signs, which will follow sound like your current
arrangement, it is possible you should start to think about and consider remodeling your bathroom.

Warning Signs

The first signs and probably the most apparent sign that you should
remodel your bathroom have already been mentioned above and that is
your unhappiness or disgust with your current bathroom. If you are
not satisfied with the appearance of your home or just your bathroom,
a bathroom makeover can offer you support. It is a huge undertaking
to remodel an entire house at the same time; therefore, a bathroom
remodel will be one of the most rewarding. Making the decision to
remodel your bathroom is a major decision but one that has many
options. For instance you can remodel the entire bathroom or simply
remodel a small section. It is possible it transform your bathroom
into a completely different room by just replacing the toilet and sink.
However, be forewarned that after you have accomplished this small
remodel it is possible to want even a bigger change that would
require an entire bathroom change. But this is the beauty of
remodeling your bathroom; you are the one making the decision and have
complete flexibility to do whatever you choose to do.

Besides being unhappy with the way your bathroom looks and also more
important, is the chance your bathroom is unsafe and in bad condition.
Unsafe and deteriorating conditions are such things as mold and
floors that are falling apart. If any of these conditions describe your
bathroom, a bathroom remodel is no longer a consideration but should
be a must do as the bathroom is one of the most used rooms in a home
that is used multiple times a day. Serious injuries occur worldwide
from people falling on loose tiles and developing breathing problems
associated with mold. These conditions besides being an eye sore are
dangerous. If you believe your bathroom may have unsafe conditions
it is a good idea to get an opinion from an expert to see how extensive
the damages are. This will help guide you in the right direction
regarding your bathroom remodeling project.

If your bathroom has a neglected sense about it and you are not
planning on staying in the home for an extended stay or you are
looking to put it on the real estate market besides a kitchen remodel,
a newly remodeled bathroom can raise the value of your home and
increase your selling profits. To find out how much you should put
into your bathroom remodeling speak with a real estate agent in your
area to find out how much is too much.

While the reasons above are just a few reasons why a bathroom needs
remodeling you may have a few of your own or have other basis that
warrants remodeling your bathroom-the most important being you just
want to.

After talking to many customers I knew that many were looking for decorating tips and ideas they could do on a budget. While many of my clients really want a fresh change for their home they just can't justify spending a lot of money right now with fears that they may soon lose their job and they need to spend their money on everyday essentials. I understand the worry and dilemma's each person is facing so I thought I would give a few simple ideas and tips to help transform their homes into one that would give a little more peace and calmness during this economy store.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to make a change is with painting. I'm not even talking about painting an entire room if you don't want to but simply adding a little faux painting. The best thing about faux painting is that it does not require a lot of paint and you only need a rag, sea sponge or a feather for your painting tools. If you have a white wall or off white wall and you want to create a subtle look find another neutral color and sponge, feather or rag over your existing wall color. If you are worried that you will mess it up...STOP WORRYING! There is no right or wrong way and this painting technique is not meant to be done in an exact manner.

A really neat trick I have used many times is taping off a square or other shape and faux finishing the inside of the taped area. Once the paint has dried some you simply remove the tape and you have an instant piece of artwork for your home. This really works great if you have a half wall or knee wall and adds interest and dimension to the overall appearance of what was once a plain painted wall. If you want to add a dimensional look you can purchase a pre-made frame at your local Home Depot or Lowes store paint the inside either with a faux finish or stencil and position the frame around the painting you just created.

If you don't want to bother with painting or you just want to add accessory pieces to your existing decor you can find great ideas by checking out the clearance sections of your favorite stores. Yard sales are another way to bring a fresh approach to your home decorating for pennies on the dollar.

Interested in learning about the features that make the Avalon Ceramic Kitchen Canister Set so popular? Take a look at the video for possible answers to your questions.

When you are decorating your home it is the little things that make all the difference and transform your house into a comfortable home.

Candles and candle holders go back many generations to the day that candles were the only light source and the holders were not that appealing. Today, candleholders are available in any shape, size, color and style making them a perfect accessory piece for your homes decor.
If you are looking to simply add an extra accent to your room, smaller candle holders are easy to incorporate by simply placing on a table and they do not over power the rest of your decor. If you want to make a statement you may want to consider a set of floor candle holders for your entryway or other areas of your room.

One of the best features of using candle holders is that there is no right or wrong way to use them in your decor scheme. If you want to make a change you can simply change out the candles for a different color or size and you will instantly have a whole new look. Depending upon the material the candle holders are made of you can also add decorative beads, small ribbons, or add your own creative flair by painting the candle holders.

It is true you will not use candles for your primary lighting source, candle holders still provide you with a safe haven for your candles at the same time generate drama and interest to your decor and create the perfect ambiance for your home.

I recommend this because finding just the right home accessory piece to complete a room whether its for your bathroom, kids room, kitchen, living room or another room can be challenging and this guide helps you create the perfect accent.