Home & Garden

Bedrooms are frequently redecorated in many homes. We look around at the new bedroom items in the stores and feel our room is outdated. However; when you think about it – it is only outdated because you saw newer items. There is no need to go out and purchased new bedding; unless of course; you are catering to heads of state. And even then; you really don’t need to go crazy and shatter your budget.

The quickest way to a new look is a splash of paint. Even if you use the same color (because you had paint left over), a fresh coat of color reinvigorates the room, makes it look cleaner, newer. If you’ve grown tired of your wall color, choose a new one. To start painting you need to drape protective cloths over the furniture. Most often – painting can cause you to think of others ways to rejuvenate the room.

You can also use wallpaper to change the look of a room; but it is much more work than painting. So; you may want to consider using faux finishes to spruce up the walls. Instead of purchasing books on faux finishes and decorative painting; check your public library to get some ideas.

If your budget is extremely limited, you might start by adding new pillow shams. Usually sold as a separate piece from comforters, sheets, or pillowcases, a sham is a highly decorative pillow covering. If you find a great deal on pillow shams you should buy them and fill them with plain foam pillows. Have you ever seen bedrooms in the fancy magazines? What do you see but; beds with loads of pillows to give the room a very sumptuous and relaxing look. The more pillows the better.

A new comforter or bedspread is another way to redecorate your bedroom inexpensively; but buy only during sales. Check local malls for discount linen stores, or browse the Internet for great deals on beautiful, but cheap comforters and bed skirts. Even flea markets sell overstocked items such as sheets and bedspreads and a great pricing. Of course; you can always bargain with the shop owner for a better price.

A simple way to create a coordinated look without spending a lot of money is to use bed sheets to make window treatments. Often, comforters are sold in “bed sets,” which contain the comforter, as well as a fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases. Since you sheets will usually be covered by the comforter, you can use the fitted and flat sheets as material to frame bedroom windows. If you don’t sew, use the special “no-sew” fabric glue sold in craft and fabric stores to hem a nice edge. In a pinch, you can hold a hem using a hot glue gun.

Decorating or redecorating a bedroom is often a matter of changing one or two elements. Remember; if you have a guest room to make it as nice as your own bedroom. you want your guests to be comfortable. Try adding some scented candles and fresh cut flowers to the room to give your guests a true ‘welcome’ feeling.

Faux is more popular then ever and gives you ways to make a room created with your design and personality. Of course; some finishes are more difficult then others; but there is an easy way to figure out which ones you are capable of doing by experimenting.

Experimenting gives you control over excessive spending and experience before attempting to do the finish on a wall. Using oaktag is a good base for practicing faux finishes. Paint both sides (one at a time and because painting only one side will cause the oaktag to curl) with a latex primer. Once the primer is dry; paint one side with the wall color where you will be painting your finish. This is done so you will get a realistic idea of how the finish will look on that particular base color.

The next part is simple if you focus your mind on the fact that these finishes can be done by anyone who really wants to learn them. There are loads of books on faux how-tos and you can find them in your local library, used bookstores, or at your local book retailer.

Now you can start being creative and have fun at the same time. Assemble all the items you need in one area such as your oaktag boards, paints, faux materials, drop cloths, etc. Mix a small amount of glaze (if you are using glaze) because it dries quickly. If not, prepare your sponge or rags and start working.

Look around your home and find some utensils, special cleaning brushes or whatever. Now; put some paint on a piece of oak tag and experiment. Swirl each item through the glaze (or paint) and see what happens. Let yourself loose and enjoy. This is your time to be creative and make he finish your own. Sure you can do the sponging and rag rolling; but you want to do something that only you have created. Sobe creative.

Once you get the hang of it dont just go and do it on the walls. Try other finishes and see which one you really like. You should not be in a rush to get it completed; because rushing will only give you a mediocre job. Now you will want to tape (blue masking) the oaktag to the wall in the room where it will eventually be painted. This will give you a view of your work during the day and at night. It will also give you a good idea of how the finish will look each time you walk into that room.

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish you can use paint instead of a glaze. But; if you are using a base color and top color – the base color must be subtle or dramatically different so you can see it through the topcoat color. For example; you could use a medium blue base and a light green topcoat. You color choices are unlimited. Make sure the faux colors coordinate with your room dcor and colors.

Faux finishing is about being creative. You can copy what is in the books; but it is always better to come up with your own ideas. Or; you can alter the ones in the book by using different tools to work the glaze (or paint).

If you are looking to do a complete kitchen remodeling for yourself, or for maximum resale value, don’t neglect the kitchen island. Once just a place to pull up some stools so the kids could eat before running to the bus, the island and it’s function in the kitchen has changed quite a bit in the last 10 years.

In addition to seating 4 (or more), islands today are used to house “luxury” appliances that do not fit in the cabinet structure like a second microwave, second oven, wine refrigerator or even another cooktop. Islands many times are fully wired for electricity and have plumbing for a second sink. The base of an island can be used as a wine rack. The possibilities are almost endless.

We are often asked if the countertop of the island needs to match the existing kitchen countertop in style, or what will be installed as the main kitchen countertop. In most homes I would say it does match, but it really does not have to at all, nor does the material need to be the same. In fact, if you are not going to match them up exactly it’s better if it looks like you are not even trying to match them, so using a completely different color and surface is perfectly acceptable. For example, we have seen islands of concrete when the rest of the kitchen countertop is made of granite or another material. We have seen a black island used as a nice “dividing wall” to keep the kids away from a white kitchen.

What can we expect to pay for an island during a remodel? This one is too hard to answer because there are simply too many choices. A “ready to install” stock island you can purchase in a home store with connections for drainage and power can run about $800. A custom concrete countertop island with sink, cooktop, and wine refrigerator can easily eclipse $10,000.

If you are not looking just for resale value, and we assume many of you will actually want to use your island, just think if the main uses for the island before construction. Will it be a place for the kids to eat breakfast or a baking center for your wife who like to make pies and cakes? The design should really follow the function when it comes to an island. For example, if you are tired of not being able to put hot pots directly on your countertop, install granite on your island, where placing a red hot pan should be no problem.

Plan the height of your cabinet appropriately. Since most islands will have at least two stools or chairs pulled up to the surface, you may want to think about the seating or stools first. There are two kinds of bar stools with one being much higher than the other. Unless the island will be used primarily for family eating, there really are no hard and fast rules on height. It does not have to match the height of the kitchen cabinet, but often does. If it is not going to match it should be taller in most cases.

Islands can “float” as well. Smaller islands used primarily as an aid in cooking or baking can be fitted with wheels and moved around the kitchen as needed to aid in cooking. Whether you consider a floating island will probably depend on what you have installed on the floor now, or plan to install (a soft wood will be nicked and scratched).

For those remodeling and looking for an “open” feel where perhaps the wall or half wall separating the kitchen and the dining room is taken down, a strategically placed island acts as a subtle room divider mentally separating the kitchen from the dining room but with a much more open feel.

If you’re looking for a unique way to express your individual taste and personality there is no better way to decorate than by using wallpaper. You can take a simple room and make it look stunning and completely different in just a few short hours. You can wallpaper an entire room, or just a portion of the room, in a way that alters the entire atmosphere of the room.

When you use wallpaper you can also hide the conditions of existing walls that have cracks or other flaws. Wallpaper can take a room from boring to spectacular in a way that paint and other decorating techniques can’t do. Wallpaper can make a room look bigger or smaller, which is another way that you can change the functionality of the room.

Different kinds of wallpapers can give different effects. Therefore, before starting out on a wallpaper buying trip it is important to decide the type of wallpaper that would suit your walls. If you’re decorating a small room that you want to give the feel of being larger you should pick wallpaper that has small designs or prints on it. For instance, if you’re decorating your bathroom you might want to pick a pattern that has small pansies. This will make your small bathroom seem much larger than it actually is. Another technique for making rooms seem larger than they are is to use lighter colors rather than dark colors.

Using large designs and prints in the wallpaper will make a room seem smaller and much cozier. Dark colors will make a space seem smaller than it is so if your goal is to make a large room, such as your basement family room, appear to be bigger you’ll want to choose wallpaper that is dark in color.

With wallpaper you can also make adjustments in the perspective of your room. For example , if you are choosing wallpaper for a room that has a low ceiling and you want to create the opposite illusion than you should choose a wallpaper that has either stripes or pattern that flows in vertical lines from top to bottom. Try it out to make your long and narrow rooms look much wider.

Remember that colors greatly influence atmosphere. If you’d like a room to seem warmer, choose wallpaper with warm colors like amber, gold, brick, and soft reds. In other words you want earth tones.

Vice versa in warm climate your requirement is to make the room look cooler. This is also the requirement in rooms that are heated up by direct sunlight. Here you should pick up colors that are reflective of a cool atmosphere such as shades of green and blue.

Hanging wallpaper isn’t difficult and isn’t too costly either. It’s a wonderful tool if you’re renovating or changing a whole look. There are many choices in wallpaper types. Choosing patterns and colors will depend on your own preferences and the intended look and use of the room.

Of course; the only drawback is that wallpaper is difficult to remove and requires a lot of work to get the walls ready for a paint coat. So; be sure you really want to use wallpaper before you start.

Upcycling is trendy, green and economical, but all too often, upcycled projects look – well, upcycled. We’ve all seen those oh-so-crafty projects that use old CDs to make artwork on the walls, or repurpose old sweaters into sofa cushions. While some of them look great in any apartment living room, the typical “saved from the trash” decorating project really does look like it was saved from the trash. It doesn’t have to be that way!

It is possible to turn trash into treasure that really looks like treasure. It takes attention to detail and a careful eye for professional finishing of your project. These tips will help you create beautiful furniture and design accents for your home from throwaways that you find in your own garage or at a local yard sale.

Start with quality materials. The best way to end up with a high quality upcycled accent is to start with a well-crafted piece that needs cleaning, repair and updating. Keep your eyes peeled for items at yard sales and on the side of the road that fit your design scheme, and that are basically sound. Use the right tools. Good tools can make the difference between a frustrating, time-consuming project that looks slapped together and a fun, easy-to-finish new piece of furniture or decor for your home. The tools are dependent on the type of project, of course. A decent sewing machine is a must for sewing projects, for instance, and an electric drill with a full set of bits will make woodworking projects so much easier. Start with a plan. Before you lay a finger on your project, decide exactly how to tackle it. Have a clear idea of what you want your finished piece to look like. Examine your starting piece to figure out what needs to be done to make it look the way you want it to look, then follow through on your plan step by step. Clean and repair first. Any redesign or upgrade needs to start with a clean, sturdy base. Sand away any rust from metal pieces, and clean all surfaces of your piece. If joints are loose or rickety, tighten them up. Repair any parts that need repairing. Don’t let your eagerness to dig in overcome your good sense. This is a vital first step that will ensure a quality result. Pay close attention to finish and detail work. The difference between a “craft project” and a striking piece of home decor is in the detail and finish work. Finish all seams on sewn work. Countersink screws on wood pieces. Clean up any corners and edges. Install the right hardware. Do whatever it takes to give your finished piece that finished look.

Creativity is great. Having an eye that can see a gorgeous planter in a paint-dripped old wooden ladder is a gift. When you couple that funky, creative side with meticulous crafting and attention to detail, you can truly lift a “home made” piece into the realm of “hand crafted design”.

Your bathroom is used every single day. Because of that it really should look as good as it possibly can. People, however, often neglect the bathroom because it’s a functional room tucked away in the corner of most homes. Even your bathroom deserves to be decorated so why not spruce up your bathroom with some of these ideas?

When designing or decorating a bathroom keep it simple.

Hardware choices should be the primary concern when designing a bathroom. Faucets, tubs and toilets are produced in a variety of shapes and materials can centerpiece a design. Open showers are currently popular and claw-foot bathtubs are almost always considered to be classic and attractive. Evaluate your privacy issues and don’t put the toilet and tub too close together unless they are separated by a solid (non-glass) wall.

Can you theme decorate a bathroom? Of course. Look through magazines and books at your library to get inspiration and ideas. Keep in mind that “less is more” while choosing a decoration pattern that will coordinate with the rest of the home.

You can find color schemes in artwork that you will want to display. Look at the colors in the artwork and choose the ones that appeal to you. Then go to your home store and look at the color swatches. Take them home to see the color in the existing light in your bathroom before purchasing the paint.

Shop around when looking for tile. There are many to choose from, so take your time. You should visit several tile shops and learn as much as possible about the tile. Take notes. Compare your notes and you will be able to make a knowledgeable decision about which tile will work best for your specific needs.

After the design and production of a space-conscious and attractive bathroom have been completed, focus on the accessories to bring out your personality and theme.

Bathrooms use a lot of water so beach and ocean themes are often popular for these rooms. Beach themes can be a whole lot of fun. You could start by painting the room peach or bright blue and then add several sea shells or similar accessories. Any furniture in the bathroom should be wicker or whitewashed wooden pieces to add to the natural “driftwood” feeling. Any ocean theme will require the use of pale green or blue paint colors to properly convey the feeling of the sea. Again whitewashed or dark wood grained furnishings really complement this style of room.

If neither ocean nor beach themes feel right to you then you could consider a tropical decorating style for your bathroom. Tan and jungle green are great choices for this particular theme. A few touches of red can really add some spark to the room afterwards. Rattan furniture always looks great in tropical style bathrooms and a sisal rug is also the perfect replacement for the traditional bathroom rug.

What about an Italian style bathroom? This particular theme is rich and luxurious and perfect for bathrooms with a spa or soaking tub. Most Italian themes also use mosaics, which look great in any shower. If designing an Italian style bathroom then use gold, deep blue or red colors in your paint scheme for maximum effect.

Last but not least is the country decorating theme. This is a nice relaxed theme. Strong country colors are red, green, blue, yellow or tan. You can dress up your bathroom with French accessories or dress it down with some rustic elements. Pine furniture works best with this particular style.

Once you see the completed bathroom you won’t believe it took you so long to decide to redecorate the room. After all, most people start their day in the bathroom, so why not start off right.

Bathroom design can be fun and simple. All you need to do is decide what you want to change or alter and have it done – or do-it-yourself.

Sinks can add an incredible value and convenience to any small bathroom. You can find many wonderful ideas by looking online ad different plumbing supply companies. Sinks, stools, showers and baths can make a big difference. In the remodel I mentioned above we used a rounded shower with glass doors to increase spatial perception. Sinks can add an incredible value and convenience to any small bathroom. You can find many wonderful ideas by looking online ad different plumbing supply companies.

Installing marble countertops is a nice touch, and adding radiant floor heating will keep your feet warm and cozy, heat the room for when you get out of the shower, and helps wet floors dry faster. For a relaxed, soothing quiet time, a steam bath/shower or customized spa shower with multiple water jets will rejuvenate your body and soul. Installing new faucets and all accessories in both the kitchen and bathroom can make a significant difference. These days there are plenty of modern faucet designs that can help update and freshen up a kitchen or bathroom.

Natural light will help to uplift and energize your room. There are currently many choices when it comes to changing the color of your bathroom. Natural light can be very uplifting in its effect on how you feel.

Tile is one of the best things you can put in the bathrooms and if you buy a neutral shade can last you for a really long time. It also doesn’t get worn out as much as some other materials. Tiles used for the walls are easy to clean and can resist stains. From the ceiling down can use a light code because you will not have stains or moisture except around the stove where the steam may reach the upper heights. Tile adds a look of elegance to a bathroom that is not captured with vinyl or Linoleum flooring materials.

Accessorize by as a good deal mirror as the bath will handle, painting a stencil on the largest wall (if this reflects in the mirror every one the better) otherwise perhaps a painting of a spacious outdoor scene. Every one of these ideas will help donate a feeling of spaciousness. Accessories are also important when you are considering bathroom remodeling ideas. Depending on the size of your bathroom a large mirror can be both functional as well as practical in terms of adding to the appearance of the room.

Plush rugs, thick towels, and other accessories make your bathroom experience a pleasant one. Plus any stains will be magnified on it.

Imagine how gorgeous plush hand towels will look tucked into an antique chest! Imagine taking a soothing bath or shower on a crisp winter evening. What is worse than stepping out of that warm paradise onto a cold floor? Imagine how much fun a Walt Disney theme can be in your children’s bathroom or a romantic theme in the master bathroom. If you’ve really got a gift for thinking creatively, there is no end to the many bathroom remodeling ideas that you can come up with.

Imagine your bathroom being used for relaxing, as well as pampering yourself after a long, tiring day. Consider your home a work in progress and have fun doing it.

In order to stay focused, one should prepare an outline of exactly what the bedroom design will entail. That’s why a good bedroom design is one which creates an environment that is relaxing. Another easier and less expensive method to come up with a bedroom design is to plan it around a coordinated bedding set. This is he best method because it is easier to match color to fabric than fabric to color.

Furniture

A teen bedroom serves different purposes, as this is a place wherein he or she not only sleeps but also entertains friends, studies and relaxes. So the furniture should be bought keeping in mind the arrangement and storage space, according to the requirements of the teenagers. Natural loom woven furniture with a solid aluminum, hardwood or steel frame is preferred because of its intricate and delicate exterior finish and strong internal frame.

Bedroom wicker furniture should be prevented from coming into contact with water. The bedroom is a person’s private haven in the home, a place where one relaxes after a day’s work. Custom bedroom furniture can undoubtedly add color to the dream. Chests of drawers provide a further storage option and come in the form of tall-boys and standard three-door varieties.

Space

If the room is also to relax and work in, a larger space is needed. If your bedroom space is small, a partition can make the room seem larger and give you room for dressing. The floor can also be covered with multi-colored rugs and cushions in a variety of shape and sizes for extra comfort and warmth.

Since a child owns lots of toys and books, enough space should be provided for these things, which can go above the study table. Nightstands or side tables should be on either side of the bed for books, medications and telephone. A dressing table comes in handy for women, and dressers with lots of storage space are ideal. Ample closet space is important, as are mirrors and wall decor. Full length mirrors are important for checking out your apparel.

Another way that you can double the closet space is to use hanging racks or double up on the rods. If your bedroom feels chaotic, you may not sleep well because it will keep you awake trying to figure out how to eliminate the clutter.

Window

If the window is on the sunny side, it is better to complement light curtains with thick ones, small screen rollers or venetian blinds. The ideal variant is curtains of medium thickness that disperse intense daylight and soften light contrasts.

Decoration

If you are having difficulty with the decorations you can ask for help from family and/or friends. Researching magazines that specialize in interior decoration is also a good idea and better than spending money to hire an interior decorator. Bedroom decoration is not dictated by conventional home decorating styles or even by expert interior decorators. It is accomplished by your personal preference and to make it a relaxing environment separate from the rest of the home.

You can add value and beauty to your yard by putting up a patio cover over it. Patio ideas enjoy great popularity with most householders because they serve to provide an extra space for seating guests and chilling out in the evenings. If you too love to spend leisure time in the garden, make the most of it by looking up a guide to select the best patio cover.

 

Patio covers could be shaped either as extensions of your main roof or a separately attachable structure. Their chief purpose is to shade you from the sun in the hotter months when you want to sit outdoors. They also provide protection against sudden bursts of rain when your guests are enjoying themselves in a backyard party.

 

Things to bear in mind while shopping for patio covers

 

You must know the basic about patio ideas while looking for the right shade for your garden. First of all, decide how much coverage you want from sunlight. Secondly, the patio cover you are opting for must go along the style of your house. Thirdly, it must also match the theme of your garden.

 

It is not wise to shield off the entire sunlight from your garden area. So, opt for weatherwood slats that are perfect for partial coverage. For full coverage, regular roofing is a better idea. If you have to match the patio cover as an extension of your roof, it must be made from the same material and color.

 

How different patio covers help to makeover your garden

 

Insulated patio covers are best for winters because these have the capacity to bear heavy snow load. When erected with weatherwood post and beam constructions, these are also best for tackling heavy downpours. Generally these insulated covers come with a warranty against paint peeling, chipping, fading and discoloring.

 

It is easy to add style to efficiency. A metallic patio cover with floral design is very romantic while sunny shades of patio combined with outdoor umbrellas bring in a beach resort look. Similarly, you can enhance the look of your garden by touching up your lawn with colorful rocks, pebbles and a matching patio cover. You could build up a series of stone steps leading to the patio for a more authentic feel.

 

How to go creative with patio designs

 

If you are the experimental sort, apply your creativity in self-designing a patio cover. In case the patio cover is meant to stand as a separate structure, follow your garden theme for selecting the right patio ideas. The garden theme may include articles like outdoor furniture and flooring material etc.

 

You can hang potted plants to your patio and add a few padded chaise lounges or a separate couch to relax in. You can compliment the greenery of the garden by even fixing up a fountain in your yard. Not only will it cool off the luxurious ambiance but also shut off traffic noises.

 

Now-a-days, patio covers are available in a range of attractive designs that you could improvise further. You simply need ample time, budget and the right design ideas for such experimentation.

 

Now that we have satellite or DISH TV, with hundreds of channels there is virtually limitless information available on almost any subject matter and home improvement TV shows are no exception with many different styles of passing on their information. Some are actual arts and crafts type channels and some are total home improvement make over shows. I’m a guy and I even get into these. It’s kind of cool to see how a project starts out and see the finished project in thirty minutes or an hour. HGTV is one such show and it’s my wife’s favorite. We could probably get by with that and ESPN and we would be just fine! You also see the Discovery channel offering lots of different types of home improvement shows and they are all very good and informative, although some can be a little on the boring side.

The craft style of home improvement TV shows is mainly aimed at older viewers who have an interest in woodwork and similar crafts. They usually show detailed instructions for restoring and creating new and wonderful things that you could use to improve your home with. There are also types of shows that are challenge style types so there are usually two teams battling it out for success and who ever has the best modification or has created the best craft wins. The prizes vary but often it isn’t for anything major. These types of shows are the boring ones I mentioned, at lest they are to me!

Then there are also the make over home improvement TV shows, they feature specific rooms such as bathrooms bedrooms or sitting rooms which get a complete makeover from top to bottom, paint and furniture. They bring in a team of designers while the husband of the owner sends her away on a trip for a little while and have the surprise for her coming back which is great. Sometimes they send the whole family away for a little vacation! The really cool thing about these shows is that they show you all different kind of ways to spruce up your home with very little effort and money. Sometimes they even feature a whole house being totally redone!

Home improvement TV shows are becoming very common and are popular with young and old viewers alike. They are a great source of helpful and handy tips, advice and information on what is necessary to create that stunning home we have always wanted with minimal costs and effort plus they also show things that can go wrong which helps to prepare you for these things as well.