Decorating For Small Space

Few endeavors are more difficult than trying to tastefully decorate a living space smaller than some walk-in closets. Perhaps you've spent months trying to figure out how you can fit everything you need into your apartment much less worrying about whether it looks nice or not. There is hope for you, though. Having lived in my own personal hole in the wall, I can assure that you can create a both beautiful and functional space. We'll start with a discussion of the smallest spaces and move on up to some larger apartments. A studio apartment with one room and a bathroom - the smallest option imaginable and by far the hardest to decorate. Your first goal is not to make the whole room match, but rather you want to split your apartment into distinct sections. Of course, you can buy screens to help split the room. A sturdy wood screen with fabric in it will offer you privacy but also give your room a light, airy feel. If you can't find these at a local yard sale or flea market, they can be fairly pricey. Another great option, which I have to admit that I like even better, is using fabric to separate the space. You can get rods to put the fabric on or you could use a clothesline and use clothespins to hold up the fabric. Fabric stores put much of their off-season fabric on sale, and you can get it cheaply. You could also buy remnant fabrics and piece them together like an old-fashioned crazy quilt; then you could use antique pins to make the room more homey. Choose your fabric so that you can easily find decorations to work with it. Once you have made yourself living, sleeping, and eating spaces, you can begin to find decorations matching your "walls." The effect is comfortable and homey while still being inexpensive. Larger apartments will generally have three or four separate rooms. However, there are still decorating challenges in this small space. Generally, the living room, dining room, and kitchen overlap each other, so your decorations must in some way match. Your best option is to find a couple of colors to focus on in the space. Use different shades of the colors along with coordinating decorative fabrics and accessories in order to pull the space together. For example, reds and yellows are my colors, so on my dining room table is a red throw topped with a exquisite red vase from Venice. In order to pull this together with my living room, which has lighter reds in it, I have a small red vase atop a tall, 5-shelf bookcase, then when you look down to my light red couch everything seems to make sense. Decorating a small space is a challenge, especially when you have a lot of stuff. Use attractive wicker storage containers to hide your things and serve as side tables as well. Also, you may want to use a small bookcase with baskets to hold smaller items. Even when you move later, these baskets will still be useful and attractive. The key to organizing and decorating lies inside you - be creative in your small space, and your friends will rave at your talent!

Cool Sofa for Interior Decorating

Maybe some of these picture can give you some idea to choose the perfect Sofa that fix with your decorating idea

Porch and Patio Decorating Ideas

First impressions start before someone ever enters your home. It can be a rental home with wrap around porch or maybe a 2' x 3' space in the hallway of an apartment building. Whichever your situation, these simple spruce-up ideas will make your rental entrance pop! 1. Clean it up There is nothing like "clean" to get your creative juices flowing. Wipe down everything like the doors and windows (don't forget to shine the door knocker.) When cleaning your porch or patio be sure to remove EVERYTHING, from the old doormat to the last seasons dusty wreaths. You should end up with a clean, empty porch or patio to selectively redecorate...piece by piece. 2. Remember Decorating Style The idea of a porch is to not only welcome the visitor but to be provide a "this is my home" feeling for the renter. Just like any room, it should express who you are. If you enjoy the "bistro" look, you can select style elements to fit that theme, such as a market umbrella, bistro patio furniture or a chalkboard to display the daily menu. If you love modern decor, choose planters and doormats that represent the style. Make it a visual treat to set the mood before entering the sanctuary of your interior from the outside world. 3. Doormats & Rugs A key element in decorating a porch is the doormat. Did you know that visitors will always look down at their feet before entering someone's home! Use this to your advantage and select a purchase a new mat whenever it becomes worn or faded. A metal doormat may only need a good scrub and a fresh coat of paint to liven up the look. For patio areas, an indoor / outdoor patio rug may be in order. If you already have a patio with furniture and it still feels like something is missing, this could be the element you need. Rugs are what will pull together an outdoor living space. 4. Furniture for the Patio or Porch The amount of space you have to work will determine the use of patio furniture. Know in advance what you plan to use the space for. Will you entertain on the patio or do you need light or extra seating? Small patios can become cozy places to relax and entertain if the space remains a patio, be careful that it does not become just a storage unit for the "extras" you don't want indoors. When selecting patio furniture, remember the scale of furniture not just the style. You don't want to purchase a large wicker chair set and find you have room for just one chair! Will a stand alone porch swing fit the bill? Maybe a small table and two chair set for a small retreat. When planned right, the patio can truly become another living space where you can reside outside. 5. Home Decor in the Outdoors Porch decor is what adds character. It includes door art, plants and stands, vases, candles, architectural elements like and wind chimes. Take into consideration the upkeep of what you are displaying, for example potted flowers may need more attention than potted cactus. Don't be afraid to add a little bit of yourself, that is what will take it from a "rental" to your "home". One word of caution, be sure to avoid "clutter" when using decorative elements. Too much of anything makes a space feel off balanced and messy. It should remain comfortable and clean...visually appealing.

Modern Interior Decorating

Modern is probably the most popular style among young professionals. These working men and women don't want to worry about dusting small grooves of more ornate designs nor do they want to mess with a bunch of knickknacks sitting everywhere. Clutter and chaos are out; straight lines and organization are in. Modern rooms tend to have straight, plain furniture often in dark wood tones or black. The darker colors give rooms a sophisticated, classy air. Generally there are few decorative items sitting on nearby tables; instead, there are a few select pieces that are displayed prominently in a room. People who like the modern style have a tendency to spend a lot of money on a few unique, special items rather than spending the money on many smaller items. For example, while in Venice this summer, I spent a small fortune on a vase made of Venetian glass. However, I felt no guilt for this purchase, because I had spent months looking for the perfect red vase, and now it sits proudly in the center of my dining room table. Modern rooms also tend to use stark colors. Blacks, whites, red, and greens are popular colors for modern rooms. These colors pose an interesting and classic backdrop to the special items that accessorize the room. Additionally, they emphasize the straight lines of the furniture. Another popular technique is to paint large blocks of different colors on the walls, perhaps a pattern of black and white blocks traveling diagonally from corner to corner in a room. Shelves can be placed along the blocks so that special pieces can be displayed against a black or white backdrop. In addition, modern rooms follow the motto that the less you have, the better. You will not see blankets tossed across couches and chairs or baskets and ottomans littering the floor; rather the focus is on a few large pieces of furniture with the slight possibility of matching floor cushions and a couple of side tables for drinks. The modern look is classic and sleek, and tastefully decorated. Young professionals tend to love the style so that they can host parties, but also because they can easily keep the area clean. However, once you have children, the modern style of your house may get lost in the mine field of toys scattered about your living room floor. Also, the modern room tends to be less cozy than other designs, so children do not feel as comfortable. The tendency is to get onto the children all the time, because your nice items are getting broken or the furniture is smudged with small handprints. So for a true modern look, your best bet is to create the design either before you have children or after you get them out of the house. You could also have one room that is off limits to younger children where you can store many of your expensive, breakable items; it could be your modern getaway.

Home Office Interior Decorating

Working from home has so many benefits, but those of us who have tried it know the difficulties involved. How do you feel that you're at work when you're clearly at home? How do you avoid the piles of paper that inevitably build up in any home office much less one you do all your business from? Whether you work from home or you simply keep another office at home, I'm here to give you a little good advice: organize, organize, organize. The key to great decoration is to be able to see the decorations! Just in case the organization concept makes you nervous, let's talk about something a little easier first: colors. What colors should you use in your office? Well, that actually depends a lot on you, your personality and your needs. Reds and yellows make a comfortable, upbeat climate, while blacks and pastels create a sophisticated, classy air. Your choice should be based on what makes you feel comfortable and what is appropriate for your clientele, if clients come to your home office. Use paint on your walls to create the atmosphere and build on that with coordinating accessories. Now, on to the hard part. To have a great office, you must have a great system. The items you need the most should stay close to you; if you have to get up every five minutes to check the fax machine, your time is not being used efficiently. Additionally, if you have items like the fax machine that you don't use often, try to put them in a closet out of sight. Keep your work area as beautiful as possible while still being functional. Be sure to invest in some large filing cabinets; between tax information from five years back and work files and the children's school files, you will run out of room sooner than you could imagine. Personally I have created my own desk using two wide filing cabinets and an old door. I put the old door on top of the cabinets, placed a piece of glass on top, and I now have a unique, attractive, and functional workspace. When it comes to smaller items such as pens and paper clips, you have a variety of storage options. You can use small clear jars, bins, or boxes. Additionally, you might choose a few wicker baskets to place into the spaces in your desk or a small bookcase. Any of these options allow you flexibility as well as organization for your desk. A cluttered desk will distract you from the work at hand. Generally, you can take five minutes in the afternoon and straighten everything in preparation for the next morning. Ongoing organizational systems will allow you to have a beautiful and comfortable home office. When you decorate your office, make your plans based on your needs. Buy a comfortable chair and put the things you need the most the closest to your desk. The addition of a few plant will help cheer you up on those dreary rainy days. Finally, be sure to have great lighting in your office. You want to stay awake while you are working and good light creates an atmosphere of activity and motivation.

Create A Warm, Romantic Retreat With These Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Although this page is focused on bedroom decorating ideas for romantics, many of the concepts can be used to create the mood you want for any bedroom style. Your bedroom is probably the most important room in your home. After all, it's the last thing you see before you fall asleep and the first thing you see when you wake up. And when you're not sleeping, it can be a hide-away to read, listen to music, or be with someone special... ...which brings me to an important question for you. As you now search for bedroom ideas, have you already determined how you will use your bedroom and the furniture and furnishings required to make it an inviting oasis?... Do your bedroom decorating ideas address storage space, seating, furniture size, etc.? Don't worry, you'll find ideas for dealing with all of these issues on Home-Decorating-Made-Easy.com :-) Of course when I think of bedroom decorating ideas, relaxation and romance are the first thoughts that come to mind. For me, a romantic bedroom has a way of pleasing all the senses and washing away life's stresses. In the picture below, my bedroom is painted an earth-toned color and has a diamond pattern stenciled on one wall to give it texture. The sheer panels over the bed and 6 ft. x 9 ft. window add an airy and elegant look. You'll obviously want to decorate your bedroom in a style that suits your taste and preferences. However, remember that your bed will be the focal point of your bedroom, so go all out and make it as luxurious as possible... Try some of the decorating ideas in the photograph as well as some of the ideas below to create the romantic sanctuary you've always dreamed about: Paint the room in a warm neutral color. Consider adding texture and depth to the walls with faux painting, stenciling, or rubber stamping. I think rubber stamping is the easiest and fastest of these decorative painting techniques. There are thousands of stamp designs and the results can be very impressive. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend that you check out the book Creative Stamping for Walls & Furniture. Faux finishes are also quite popular, and with good reason. They add depth and texture to your walls. Faux Like A Pro can provide you with the tools and instructions you need to easily do-it-yourself. If you'd like to learn more about the major components of decorating such as painting, lighting, etc., go to the Home-Decorating-Made-Easy.com home page. Cover your bed with quality cotton sheets in solid colors, prints, or patterns that reflect your mood. Top your bed with a comforter, duvet, or feather bed to add drama to your decorative style. Click here to read my bedroom decorating ideas for Accessorizing Your Bed. And if you'd like information on selecting the perfect bed comforters, click here. There are two sites I recommend for your linens. Linen Source offers a full line of quality bedding accessories and Linen Place specializes in luxury linens at deeply discounted prices. Nothing kills romance faster than clutter... So find appropriate storage spaces for papers, spare change, and other excess. If you have a small bedroom, eliminating clutter will make your bedroom look larger. If you could use some tools for getting clutter under control, check out Get Organized Now. Select the right bed and other furniture. Don't make the mistake of getting a bed that is too big for the room. And rather than buying the standard chest of drawers, why not try a large armoire. Don't think you have to buy an entire matching bedroom set. You'll want plenty of space to move around. Click here to learn more about Selecting The Right Bedroom Furniture. If you're in the market for bedroom furniture, I recommend that you first browse Furniture Find.They offer thousands of brand name furniture pieces at discounted prices. Also, you'll find lots of online images that give great decorating ideas. A major benefit of Furniture Findis that they carry many more items than any brick and mortar shop. And through their free Personal Shopper service they will search high and low for any item that you can't find on their web site. So even if you spot something you like at your local furniture store, put Furniture Find to work to see if the price can be beaten. You have nothing to lose! No bed can be deemed romantic without lots of pillows. You'll want to use a mix of pillow sizes and shapes. Start by propping two or more of the large, square-shaped, European-sized pillows against the headboard. They will look nicely behind rectangular pillows. Add texture and dimension by using various shaped small pillows covered in different weaves, finishes, laces, and tapestry. The lighting in your cozy bedroom should generally be low wattage. Consider using a three-way bulb in your side table lamps if you occasionally read in bed. And for special evenings, your bedroom decorating ideas should include romantic candlelight. Lay an area rug on your bedroom floor. The rug will add extra richness to your room. I placed an area rug at an angle, with a part of it slid underneath the foot of my bed. The effect is quite dramatic. (Note: It doesn't matter if your floors are hard or carpeted. This bedroom decorating idea is equally effective.) If you're interested in an area rug for your bedroom, I recommend that you check out ifloor. They have an impressive variety of rug colors, patterns, and styles. Add your own personal touches with these bedroom decorating ideas: Hang your favorite prints or photos in unusual frames; place a vase containing fresh flowers on your bedside tables; or display sculptures and figurines that reflect your personality and feelings. Evaluate your current bedroom decor first, then visit these highly recommended sites. If your decorating style is either Contemporary or Eclectic, or if you enjoy primitive or earthy artifacts, Novica is for you. I love this site. It has original hand made pieces from all over the world. On the other hand, if you're seeking more conservative and elegant pieces, Bellacor offers a wide range of attractive accessories and bedroom decorating ideas for every style. This site is great because you select the category and indicate your decorating style. It returns numerous items that match your request. And if your walls need a wake up call, visit All Posters for quality prints and posters. They'll even frame them for you. Sounds and scents round out the ultimate mood enhancers. For romantic or relaxing music, keep a small sound system and your favorite CD's on hand. And for scents, add 3 to 6 drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil to the softener section of your washing machine (use with hot water only). Alternatively, put 3 drops of oil on a piece of natural material (such as a small cotton handkerchief) and pop it into the tumble dryer along with the bed linen. Remember that layers of soothing colors and interesting textures are what give a room life and character. So don't be afraid to experiment.

Interior Decorating for your kids room

Decorating kids rooms can be a rewarding and fun project. You'll feel good about what you've accomplished and your child will have a cool personal space to spend time in and to have their friends visit. When you start to look at decorating kids rooms you have to keep a budget in mind. Paint can range from fifteen dollars to fifty dollars a can. Wallpaper can be even more expensive. Perhaps you are going to consider panelling on the walls. Floor coverings also have to be considered...do you keep the rug they have, change it, put in hardwood? These are all questions you will have to ask when you plan on decorating kids rooms. What about the details? You may want to go so far as to consider mouldings, window casings and door trim. Not to mention lighting fixtures, curtains, vents, light and outlet covers. I mean, hey, if you are decorating kids rooms and Junior chooses a Star Wars décor with a Luke Skywalker emphasis then, darn it Mom, you'd better have light sabres on the light covers and vent covers in the shape of star ships. Now lets think about the work involved. Who is going to do the work? Do you know how to do it? What special tools will you need, and do you have to buy them? How long will it take...be realistic then add another two weeks (trust me, it always takes an extra two weeks). Where will your child sleep while the redecorating is going on? Certainly you can't expect Junior to sleep in his room while there are paint odours fuming around in there. When you plan on decorating kids rooms you should think about the work load and time because this contributes to an important by-product of an renovation project...STRESS. Let's talk about color. For some of us a sense of color comes naturally, but for others we are like a fish out of water. My child loves pink, so should my accent be purple or should I chose a contrasting tone? Maybe I should use a neutral. When decorating kids rooms the color scheme is important so spend some time with your child to work it out. Here are some of the basics: red, green and blue are the primary colors and those are mixed to make up the colors of the rainbow. Then you have white, black, grey and creams that make their own category of neutrals. Try to choose the colors in your scheme with the same general intensity. A bright orange will not go with a dark, dull green, but a medium orange goes great with a medium green. When in doubt look at what the pros do. You'll find brochures in any paint and decorating store that will show you what colors go together. Heck, just look at company logos: MacDonalds red and yellow; Sprite's lime green and lemon yellow. So when you are decorating kids rooms take the time to plan out the colors you will use. When decorating kids rooms ask yourself the question "when will this décor go out of style". If your child loves Power Rangers today and you put up that wall paper, in one to two years he may hate it and you'll find yourself decorating kids rooms twice in a span of three years. I hope these ideas for decorating kids rooms have been helpful.