Small rooms can seem cramped, dark and quite honestly, uncomfortable.  If you live in a small apartment or house with rooms that tend to be on the small side, all hope is not lost.  There are a few tricks you can use that will visually open up the space, making it look twice as large as it actually is.  The tips you find below will help you create spaces that, while minimal in square footage, allow you to live large!

When it comes to walls, lighten up

It is a proven fact that dark colors diminish, lighter colors reflect.  Think of those who diet; they often wear black because it makes them look smaller.  The same thing is true of any room – dark colors make the room appear even smaller than it actually is.

Choose light colors to decorate your small spaces.  You don’t have to stick to white, which can be boring and bland.  Light neutral shades such as soft taupe, light gray or light apricot look bright and fresh, especially when trimmed out with white around baseboards, windows and door facings.

Keep the colors in every room of your home similar; having drastically different colors from room to room chops up the area and contributes further to the small feel.

Select furnishings on a smaller scale

It is important that you choose the right type of furniture when you have smaller rooms.  You can just imagine the look of a large corner sectional sofa if you have a living room that is only 12 x 14 in floor space!

Avoid bulky or over-sized furnishings and stick to pieces that are designed on a smaller scale.  In a petite living room, a regular sized sofa that is sleek in design, paired with a chair, ottoman and coffee table are all that you need.

Storage is often at a premium in small homes, so choose your pieces wisely

Smaller homes and apartments often lack storage space.  If you find that you have more “stuff” than your closets can accommodate, think about creative ways to store items you don’t use often such as clothes and other things.  For example, there are plastic or wood storage bins with “drawers” that can be placed underneath a bed for extra storage.  Have an antique or cedar trunk?  It can sit at the foot of the bed; store winter clothes and other items inside.

Make the best possible use of shelves in any room, including the living room.  If chosen wisely, a shelf can hold books, the television, magazines and other items.  Some units even have drawers built in.

Cut the clutter, and cut the confusion

Clutter only serves to make any room look messy and even smaller than it really is.  For an open look, get rid of the clutter and use only a few well-chosen accents.

If your table tops are piled with books, magazines, candles, knick-knacks and other items, get rid of them!  A small accent lamp and one decorative item is all you need to add color to a table.

Clear out the floor space as well.  If there are magazine racks, several rugs, wicker baskets and other things that really just “take up space”, take them out.  A single area rug adds color and warmth to the floor and gives the room a neat, organized look.

These are some of the best ideas you will find for making small rooms look much larger than their actual size.  Put these tips to use in your small home, and let your home live large!

While you probably thought your kitchen decor was beautiful when you first designed it, after a few years it begins to get a bit old and dull; you’re ready for a change, but you don’t have the money for a complete remodeling job.  In this article, you will discover some great tips for transforming your kitchen without draining your budget.

Brighten up the kitchen and create an airy look for summer

Summer is just around the corner, and you want a kitchen that is fresh, light and appealing.  To achieve an open, bright look place mirrors on the walls in your dining room to reflect the light from the windows.  Place the mirrors directly across the room from windows or in a corner on the wall adjacent to the wall with a window for the most reflected light.

Rearrange the kitchen furniture to create a “summer arrangement”.  You could move the furniture into a diagonal pattern; take a leaf out of the table to create more space, even remove dark colored or heavily patterned table runners and chair pads, replacing them with bright colored cotton fabrics for an airy effect.

Freshen up the walls

Painting the walls is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the look of a room.  In the kitchen, bright colors offer a cheerful atmosphere.  While you may like white, try light shades of apricot, sage green or butter yellow.

Texturing techniques can add drama, and are easy to do.  Learn how to sponge, rag roll or feather dust a wall to create intricate patterns that are much like textured wall paper or stucco walls.

Bring the outdoors inside with plants

Real or silk, plants add life to any room.  Sit live or silk plants in window sills in ceramic or copper planters; hang a larger plant from the ceiling to dress up a bare corner.  If you have an open area above your kitchen cabinets, arrange several plants of various sizes for an appealing look.

Rugs – the solution to a variety of problems

Do your floors lack color?  Are they worn in areas where traffic is heavy?  A new floor can cost a great deal of money, but rugs can give your kitchen a whole new look and add color and warmth to a room.

If you have a country kitchen, add brightly colored sunflower rugs in high traffic areas or in front of the sink.  Bold, bright patterns work well in a modern kitchen. For a bistro-style or French country kitchen, large oriental rugs make a dramatic impact.  Today, you can find rugs in any style, shape, size or color to suit your decorating needs – and they’re great for covering up worn areas, burn marks and more!

Look around to see what might work for you.  There are lots of simple ideas you can find in home decorating magazines, on television, even online.  Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re just browsing around with nothing specific in mind.

Put these ideas to work in your kitchen – you will be amazed at how much appeal you can add to your kitchen with a minimum of money or effort.

Today, living room themes vary as much, and are as individual as, the people who live in their homes.  It’s even common for a living room to be fairly ignored, as more and more people tend to congregate in the kitchen/dining room area of the home to eat, visit with neighbors, play games and just enjoy each other’s company.  If you have been thinking about updating your living room but don’t know what to do with it, the information in this article will help you with the task.

Give it plenty of thought

Think about the other members in your family, and what they enjoy doing.

If you have teenagers, do they usually retreat to their bedrooms to watch television or listen to music?  Get them involved in designing the living room area.  You may find that if you set up areas in the living room that are meant for listening to music, playing games or watching television, your teens spend more time with the family.

Would you rather your living room be more of a family room where everyone relaxes, reads and unwinds at the end of the day, or do you prefer a more formal area that is quiet and peaceful, no television or music allowed?

Keep these things in mind so that your living room will be used exactly as you intend.  Your desire may be a mixture of the things mentioned above, but whatever it is, decide before you begin to plan out the design.

Visualize your ideas

Next, put your thoughts on paper.  Write down those ideas you like best, and even draw a rough outline of different designs for the living room.  This could be living room furniture lay outs, color schemes, textiles, etc.

By writing down your ideas and sketching out your thoughts, those ideas that are your favorites will clearly be defined, making it easier for you when it comes time to begin the project.

Look through magazines or online and keep a folder of those design ideas that you love most.  Tear the pages out of magazines, print out the pictures you find online.

Deciding on furniture needs

How much seating you have available in your living room depends largely on the size of the room, but you do want to take account of how many people would usually be in the room if it were to be used.  Consider how many are in your family and whether you have company (relatives, friends) on a regular basis.

This will help you determine whether you need a sofa and recliner.  Perhaps additional furnishings such as a love seat or additional chair are appropriate.

Walls set the mood of the room

Your walls will be the most prominent aspect of the living room, so it’s important that you decide whether you want them to be bold and modern, warm and soft, elegant, casual, dramatic, etc.

The colors you choose for the walls will dictate the rest of the decor.  If your living room is large, consider rich shades of pumpkin, caramel, burgundy or grey-blue.  For a smaller living room, it’s usually best to stick to light shades of cream, butter yellow, apricot or pastel blue and green shades.

When it comes to accessories for the walls, the sky is the limit!  What you choose will depend largely on the theme you have chosen for the room.  Large tapestries, mirrors, bold prints, wall sconces – choose those things you really love instead of putting something on the wall just because “it fits”.

Put these tips to use when designing your living room and you just may see that your family actually starts migrating out of the kitchen and in to the room that was meant for gathering.

While a bathroom may be on the bottom of the list when it comes to decorating, it is the room where you indulge in a relaxing shower or soak in the tub to while away the cares of the day.  A country themed bathroom is charming and relaxing, the perfect place to enjoy an hour-long soak in a tub filled with aromatic oils.  Below you will find some great ideas for transforming an ordinary bath in to one that indulges all of your senses.

Decorate with those things you love

Just because a magazine tells you exactly how to decorate your bathroom to achieve a country or primitive look doesn’t mean you have to follow the directions to the letter!

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want the room to reflect your own personality by using those things you truly love.  You may enjoy a primitive country look, or simple things like wicker baskets, wood floors and an old-fashioned claw foot tub rather than what you see in stylized pictures.

Consider the size of your bath as well as your budget when transforming the bath into a country retreat.

Warm up the floor

In a country bath, anything from wide plank wood floors to laminates and vinyl with a worn look work great.  The real decorative touch comes by adding rag or braided rugs with a country appeal.

If you do choose wood floors, make sure they are approved for use in the bathroom where excess moisture and humidity are often a problem.

Beadboard – perfect for country walls

For authentic country appeal, consider beadboard on the walls.  Narrow pine planks applied about half way up the wall add charm and beauty.  Paint the beadboard white and finish the remainder of the walls off with a soft country blue, sage green or butter yellow.

Consider a wallpaper border or stencil for the top of the walls around the edges to complete the look.  An old-fashioned peg board is the perfect place to hang robes, bath towels or other country accents.

Remodel the vanity

If you have the money, nothing speaks “country” like a pedestal sink!  Surrounded by a ruffled skirt, this is one factor that really contributes to an authentic country look.  Extra storage exists behind the skirt; consider hanging an oval mirror over the sink to complete the vintage look.

If you don’t have the money to purchase a pedestal sink, consider refinishing wood cabinet doors and the top of the vanity using materials that offer a rural or rustic look.

Accessories

Depending on the size of your bathroom, accessories can complete the look.  If space allows, bring in a straight-backed wood chair to hold extra towels, a country floral arrangement and candles.  This is a beautiful focal point when placed in one corner of the room.

Green plants are perfect in any type of decor; spruce up the room with randomly placed plants and vines in various sizes.

Wicker baskets also add charm to a country-style bath, so place them on the vanity, on the floor, on shelves – anywhere there is room.  Fill with scented soaps, potpourri, luxurious body lotions, etc.

Creating a country style bathroom is easy!  Decide whether you want your bath to be pure country, primitive or even country chic and go to town with your ideas.  You’ll have fun, and your bathroom will be the perfect retreat after a long, hard day.

If you like a look that is out of the ordinary, bold and dramatic, exotic living room decor offers the perfect look and atmosphere for your home.  From leopard and zebra prints to tropical plants and bold colors, this is a look for those who aren’t even a bit on the shy side.  Love a dramatic, intriguing look?  Here are some tips for turning your living room in to one suitable for a safari.

Make a bold, exotic statement with large items

In order for your living room furniture to look dramatic yet neat and organized, it’s best to use leopard or zebra patterns in larger pieces such as a sofa.  Avoid placing smaller items that are designed with exotic patterns all over the room, as this will give it a confusing, scattered look.

Moroccan furnishings offer the perfect complement in exotic decorating.  Sofas and tables are often set low to the floor, relying on elaborate wrought iron scroll work.  Lush fabrics with intricate textures are common in exotic decorating; throw pillows and lush cushions abound.

Color the walls bold and beautiful

In exotic decorating, the use of many colors you wouldn’t ordinarily use in your home is perfect.  Colors such as aqua, hunter green, white, ivory and pale blue lend to the look and contrast the gold, silver and black colors often found in exotic decorating.

Paint the walls any of the colors mentioned above; stick to lighter colors if your living room is small.  A beautiful look for a larger living room is to paint a single wall hunter green, then design a silhouette mural that evokes the landscape of any country where you usually find leopards such as Africa or Asia.  The perfect touch to create the mood would be an African mural depicting tall grass stalks waving in the breeze with a single acacia tree silhouetted in the forefront.

Carpets and floors for exotic decorating

Stone or tile floors will work in exotic decorating as long as the colors and patterns add to the look.  Ceramic tile is particularly popular in this decorating theme, as it offers a coolness that is often welcome in hot climates.  Dark hardwood floors take on a new life with Persian rugs and cushions which are stacked to create extra seating.

With carpeting, stick to a subtle leopard print, or consider a solid beige accented with smaller leopard area rugs.  Loud or campy leopard carpet may get old quickly, so consider carefully whether you can handle such a strong look over a long time period.

Accents complete the look

You don’t have to go overboard with accents since exotic decorating is bold to begin with.  A few well-chosen pieces will go far in creating the rich, dramatic look you desire for your living room.

A single large canvas print of leopards or even an antelope is all you need for one wall.  Use two or three larger potted trees and plants to add to the “jungle” appeal.

Instead of a dull end table, consider stacking wooden crates or even vintage suitcases for a unique look.  Large black ceramic vases or those crafted of teakwood hold large grasses; brass or chrome accents on tables and picture frames contribute to completing the look.

Creating an exotic living room is easy, and can be accomplished without spending a substantial amount of money.  If you like things a little on the wild side, consider the rich, bold look offered in exotic decor.

Today, many people do not have the money to completely redecorate or remodel their homes.  After a while, any decor gets old and you’re ready for a change.  If you cannot afford to purchase new furniture or install new flooring, the tips below will help you give new life to the rooms in your home!

Consider new upholstery or slip covers

If your furniture has seen better days but is still in fairly good shape structurally, consider having it reupholstered.  In doing this, you can choose the fabric you like, which makes it easy to blend with the colors and accents you already use in the room.

Today’s slip covers are an entirely different breed from those that were available decades ago.  The slip covers you find today are fitted, and come in one, two and three piece sets that snugly fit any type of furniture.  The designs and fabrics allow you to create any look you like.

Rearrange the furniture

The easiest way to create a new look in the living room is to rearrange the furniture.  If your furniture is currently against the walls, move it out to create an intimate setting.

Placing your furniture at a diagonal makes for a striking and unique look; place your sofa, coffee table and end tables facing opposing corners of the room.  A large area rug in the center of the room adds color and brings the look together.

Switch out the rugs

Rugs can make a huge difference in the appearance of the room, especially if floors or carpets are worn.

Wood floors warm up with colorful rugs that add texture and depth.  If you don’t have any rugs in the room, consider adding large area rugs or smaller accent rugs.  Have rugs other different rooms?  Switch them out and transform the look of two different rooms!

Color the walls and switch out wall art

Paint is possibly the best tool you have for transforming the look of a room – and the cheapest.

If your walls are currently white or any other bland shade, consider a bright, vibrant color to give life to the walls.  Light shades are perfect for small rooms, while rich, bold colors work well in larger rooms.  Paint the walls using a texturing technique such as rag-rolling or sponging for added drama.  Also consider painting the trim work such as baseboards and door facings a contrasting color for impact.

The art you use on your walls can have a dramatic impact on the look of the room.  If you currently have lots of smaller accents on a wall, consider one large piece that dominates the area, such as a large tapestry or abstract print.

Mirrors can create a beautiful effect on the walls; arrange groups of 3 or 5 mirrors on the wall to add elegance and reflect the light in the room.

There are dozens of easy (and affordable) things you can do to give your home a completely new look.  Put your creativity to use; drag out some of those things you have put away in the attic or storage.  Freshening up the look of your home is easy!

A home office is becoming the “norm” in many residences.  Whether you work from home or perform many office tasks from your house, an office is where you are likely to spend time working, balancing your budget and paying the bills.  With the right decor, you will find that you actually enjoy spending time in your home office.

What do you need in your home office?

There are some things that are necessities and others that simply lend to a relaxing atmosphere conducive to work.  The right desk is essential; it is the center of your home office, and you need a place for everything so that you have easy access; as the old saying goes, “a place for everything and everything in its place”.

Organization will ensure that you can easily access anything you need when working in your home office.  Since your desk is where you will spend most of your time it should be the right size.  A small desk won’t provide adequate space for your needs, while one that is too large tends to get cluttered.  Choose one that’s the perfect size for what you intend to accomplish, one that has adequate shelving and storage space along with just the right amount of open area on top.

Shelves handle everything from personal items to files

Shelves are essential in the home office.  You always want to add a personal touch so that your office feels comfortable and relaxing. It’s important that you include photos and even a few of those trophies or awards your children have won.

Shelves can perform a variety of functions, from holding file folders and sticky notes to awards, family photos, plants and other items that give your home office a personal touch.  You can select prebuilt units, place shelves in convenient spots on walls or use a combination of both.

When you’re short on space, a chest or armoire works wonders

According to Martha Stewart, you can keep your office organized and stylish by keeping extra paper, staples, and other office supplies out of sight.  A chest or armoire is perfect for this, as you can store anything inside so that you don’t have a lot of extra “stuff” setting on shelves, wood filing cabinets and your oak desk.  A neat, well-organized office is conducive to work and provides a welcoming atmosphere. 

Plants – a necessity for every home office

Whether it is a bonsai tree or an elephant ear plant, you need natural elements in your home office.  Set a corn plant or fern in a corner near a window, or place smaller plants on shelves.  Greenery adds a natural element that makes any room more inviting.

It’s best to use plants which require a minimum of care in your home office.  Bonsai trees are perfect for this use because they take up very little space and require little maintenance.

A bulleting board is another item you will want to place in your home office, so that you can keep up with meetings, deadlines and other events.

Dress up a cork board with a fabric that coordinates with the overall décor and then frame it any way you like.  This makes for an element that is not only practical, but ornamental as well.

Dress up your home office, and make useful and comfortable, appealing and relaxing!

Modern decorating is perfect for those who enjoy sleek, clean lines with a minimum of clutter and fuss.  Open spaces, neutral colors injected with small bold touches, and modern accessories make for a room that can be dramatic, calm, or even futuristic in appearance.

If you love a clean modern look, the ideas below will help you create rooms you will enjoy coming home to at the end of the day.  Want to know what is the nicest thing about modern décor?  Your home looks spotless, even when you know you haven’t cleaned it in a while.

Furniture ideas

In a modern living room, you usually find a sofa, coffee and side tables, bean bag chairs, or even huge over-sized pillows for sitting on the floor.

Modern furniture is sleek and without intricate adornments or patterns.  A sofa may be extra long and have no arms on the ends; a small love seat may have open ends as well, with a single cushion as the back.

Tables in a modern living room can be anything from rectangular or square glass top tables to square box shapes that sit directly on the floor, perfect for those over-sized pillows.  Glass topped tables with fluted edges, set atop a wrought iron base, are also common.

Leather furniture is also suitable for a modern look; just make sure the look is streamlined and clean, and avoid over-stuffed, bulky looking furniture.

A minimum of accessories adds to the drama

Modern decorating can often take a dramatic turn.  While in most decorating themes walls, shelves and tables are adorned with an abundance of accents, not so in modern decor.

All but one wall may be completely bare.  That wall may spotlight a huge painting or print.  It is not uncommon to see a picture that is 4 feet by 6 feet hanging on a wall, and the look is striking.

Other accessories consist of throw pillows, which may contain a bit of bold color and pattern to add a bit of spice to a neutral room.  A large ceramic vase for the coffee table and a nubby area rug placed underneath is all you need to complete the room.

Lighting

A modern design usually consists of brightly lit spaces which can come through windows or artificial light.  Windows are light and uncluttered.  Ax simple shade or blind is sufficient in modern décor.  You can consider leaving the window completely uncovered if your home isn’t visible to passers-by.

For lighting, consider sleek floor lamps topped by round globes, or a single, large round globe light that drops from the ceiling in the center of the room.

Light sand colors, gray, taupe, brown, white, black and orange are perfectly suited to modern design.  You can add any colors you like through accents, as long as they aren’t overpowering.

Modern decor looks clean, sleek and even efficient.  The tips above will help you create a look for your living room that you will love!

Primitive home decorating is one of the most personal you will find.  The nice thing about primitive decor is that it can be as cluttered or sparse as you like.  With primitive decorating, warmth and old-time character prevail; the spaces in your home are relaxing, inviting, and reminiscent of times from a century ago.

Color your world relaxing and inviting

The colors found in primitive home decorating are warm and rich.  Soft, muted tones of cranberry reds and rich colonial blues blend in accents, while creamy white and soft tan shades create the foundation for the look.

Mustard yellow shades are also often common in primitive home decor, as well as country green.  The great thing about primitive decorating is that you can use those furnishings and accessories which you already have.  For example, your cranberry and blue plaid couch will look great with soft whites and tans as a backdrop.  If you prefer a room with sparse accents, bold wall colors make the furnishings and other accessories pop.

Everything old is new again

With primitive decorating, all of those things you have stored away in the attic make for a beautiful room filled with character and nostalgia.  Tables, book shelves and furnishings that have history are the most desirable; the more chipped paint and other signs of aging, the better.  This showcases the character of the pieces, which is what you want in primitive decor.

Decorating in a primitive theme is also great for the budget-conscious; you can find great buys at flea markets and yard sales that fit right in with your decor.

If you have pieces that are newer, you can easily create the look by giving them a worn look yourself.  Sand edges where they wound normally “wear”, or paint a bookcase dark brown, then layer on a creamy white coat and sand in random spots so that the creamy white shows through just a bit.  Finish off with a layer of crackle.

Showcase your favorite items for a personal touch

Have some old dolls from a few decades ago?  Showcase them in your home in an old curio cabinet.  Old implements, cast iron pans, antique kitchen tools, old wagon wheels – everything old has a place in the primitive home.

Always keep in mind that primitive decorating reflects a period in time when life was simpler.  Farm antiques, gourds, handmade quilts and blankets and old toys set a scene that is appealing yet comfortable and inviting.

Fall is a great time for decorating a primitive home; Candles, pumpkins, cinnamon sticks and a glass jar filled with old-fashioned candies add to the atmosphere.

In the kitchen, think tin signs, wood rolling pins and flour sacks.  Burlap bags can be crafted into curtains, the dining room table can be topped with a centerpiece made of pine cones, wicker, dried flowers and other natural elements.

With primitive decorating you can create the look that makes your family most comfortable.  Unlike contemporary and modern decorating, primitive decor is filled with memories from the past, and a character and warmth you just don’t find in other styles of decorating.

Orange is a color that few people consider when decorating their homes, and it’s really a shame.  This is a color that can be warm, rich, bright or energetic.  The many shades of orange are perfect for every room of your home; pastel shades provide a soft look in bathrooms and rich shades warm up the kitchen.  If you have never considered decorating your home with orange, the ideas below will give you a whole new perspective.

Add a pop of color with bright orange

In a living room or kitchen, bright orange is the perfect color to liven things up a bit.  You probably won’t want to paint the walls bright orange, but when sprinkled throughout the room in accessories, bright orange offers a bold, sunny flavor to the room.

Lamps, throw pillows, picture frames and vases can add interest and color to a living room.  In the kitchen, inject a bit of energy with mugs, dish towels, mixing bowls and other smaller items which are on display.

A smaller piece of furniture such as a single accent chair colored in bright orange can serve as the focal point of the room, especially if done in a bold pattern such as striped or geometric prints.

Create warm, dramatic spaces with dark orange

A dark orange or pumpkin shade is perfect for the dining room, living room or home office.  Those who enjoy a warm atmosphere will find that dark orange is not at all energetic like bright orange is.  The look is dramatic and at the same time cozy.

In the dining room, dark orange paired with dark wood furnishings creates a warm atmosphere.  Add splashes of dark orange through the centerpiece, wall art and even a table runner.

A living room decorated in cream shades, dark orange and other earth tones makes for a relaxing, inviting atmosphere.  It is well known that color affects mood and spirits; if you live in a colder climate, dark orange hues can make a room feel cozy and warm.

Soft orange for soft, feminine spaces

Soft orange hues range from pale melon to light peach, and look beautiful when paired with sage green, white or soft, pale shades of blue.

These colors can create a dreamy atmosphere in the bathroom; since the colors are light, they also work well to make a small bath look larger.

While it’s best to stay away from dominant orange shades in the bedroom because of the energy orange projects, pale, soft shades of orange when used sparingly, can create a warm, ambient atmosphere that is conducive to restful sleep.

Years ago, people would never have dreamed of using orange in their decorating schemes.  Today, you can use any color you like.  Why own a home that is boring and dull, when your home can be filled with personality and color?  Give orange a try – you just may be surprised at how beautiful your home can be when using the various shades available to you today.