Rustic décor is one of the most popular styles for decorating a home.  Whether you live in a densely populated neighborhood of a big city or in a wooded rural area, this style of décor is warm and inviting.  Nothing feels more comfortable or welcoming than a home decorated in rich, warm shades – and those who love natural wood are sure to find this style of decorating a favorite!

Shades of forest green, cream, brown tones and any other rich colors found in nature are used in rustic décor.  Walls, floors, ceiling fans and furniture are often made of wood.  Hardwood floors are beautiful in any home, but exquisite in this style.  Braided accent rugs, when thrown at the foot of the bed or in front of a sofa add to the homey, comfortable look and atmosphere.

For the Walls
Some types of paneling are outdated, but you can find wood panels that are applied horizontally which creates an amazing look.  If you would rather paint the walls, be sure to stick to rustic colors.  Add even more interest by painting only a couple of walls.  You may want to paint one forest green and another in a rich tan color to contrast.  Wall tapestries are perfect when used in the rustic décor style.  Scenes of nature, mountainous terrain and forest landscapes all make exquisite tapestries that make a room look rich.

Furnishings for the Rustic Home
Leather and solid wooden furniture complement the look perfectly.  Coffee and end tables should match any exposed wood on the sofa, love seat or recliner.  If you choose to use a fabric for your furniture, dark green, rust and creams are beautiful in a plaid or striped pattern.  As with the rest of this type of décor, stick to colors and textures that mimic nature.

In the kitchen, a long wooden pine or maple table is perfect.  Add a bowl filled with fruit and your table is complete!  When it comes to seating, use mismatched wooden chairs or even benches!  The older and more worn the pieces look, the better.  Accessories in a rustic styled kitchen often include prancing roosters, stone and ceramic pots filled with sunflowers or herbs, and a homey rug placed in front of the sink area.

Accessorize!
When it comes to accessories, look for items that have an antique or worn look.  Again, leather and wood make perfect accents, and keep the natural theme flowing throughout your home.  A distressed wooden trunk is a perfect addition to a living room or bedroom, and antique style mirrors create beautiful walls.  Flea markets are a good place to find mirrors, and it really doesn’t matter if they contain a few dings – it just adds to the rustic appeal.

Nothing speaks warmth, security and family like rustic décor.  No matter where you live, you can create comfortable, inviting spaces that all who enter your home will love.  The purpose of a home is to give you comfort, security and warm feelings at the end of the day.  No home is quite as welcoming and beautiful as the rustic style home!  Country or city, this is one style you will truly fall in love with.

A country-style décor creates a look that’s both welcoming and warm. Country décor can bring back treasured memories of family gatherings, grandma’s house, and delicious meals. Your home should reflect the personality and preferences of you and your family—after all, you’re the ones who spend your lives there. You want a home that gives a warm and inviting impression but that’s also appealing. Here are some tips to help you spruce up your country-style home, adding splashes of interest to your décor.

The Key to Country Décor
All the little extras or accents help to create a country atmosphere in your home. Wood furniture is an essential component for this look, while natural fabrics such as cotton textiles add depth and color. Knick knacks and other display items should be made of pewter, copper, iron, stone, and other natural materials. If you have lots of collectibles to display in the kitchen area, arrange them on a wrought-iron baker’s rack for added appeal.

Giving Furniture That Comfortably Worn “Country” Look
For rustic appeal, you want the furnishings in a country décor to appear slightly worn. This is an easy look to achieve if you have solid wood furniture. Apply a layer of paint, let it partially dry, and then rub the edges and other areas that would typically wear with a cloth or sponge. Another option is to let the paint thoroughly dry and create that worn look by sanding the edges lightly with sandpaper. If you’re buying wooden furniture, choose pine or another light-colored wood to add to the country feel.

Accents Make All the Difference!
The country décor theme has endless options. There’s nothing that adds that extra element of country to a room like a handmade quilt. Sling one casually across a corner of a rocking chair or throw one over the back of the sofa. The addition of throw pillows is another easy way to add color and texture to the décor. Throw pillows with crocheted covers or tapestry designs that are country oriented are perfect for this look. Another great touch for this décor style is a braided rug. Find a large oval braided rug to place in the center of the room, and then arrange your furnishings around that rug to create a cozy central area perfect for relaxation or entertaining guests.

Another necessity when it comes to country décor are baskets, copper pots, and vases. You can put a basket in nearly any room. The living room can benefit by a small basket placed on the mantle above the fireplace, or on wood coffee tables or end tables. There are lots of options for filling the basket, including dried flowers, greenery, and herbs. In the kitchen, a medium-sized basket filled with painted wooden fruits is perfect for the center of the table. Baskets are also a useful place to put towels in the bathroom and magazines in the living room.

Copper and stone pots will contribute an earthy touch to the décor. Add some herbs or flowers fresh out of your garden. These pots can be placed anywhere and everywhere. Nothing makes a home feel more warm and welcoming than live plants and herbs.

With these tips, you can add some creative flair to your country décor. Of course, you want your home to express your unique nature, so be sure to incorporate your own creative ideas as well. This way your home will be warm and beautiful, and showcase your individuality as well.

Have you lived in your home for years and feel that it’s time for an update? When you’ve had the same colors and accents for a long time, you may feel that you want a change. Perhaps you’re finding that your kitchen and living area have begun looking tired and drab. If you can’t afford a home makeover at the moment, then what are your options?

Spruce up your home using vibrant colors and add a few new accents. It’s amazing how different things will look when you’re through. The best part is, even though you’re not spending a bundle of money, your home will look as though you did.

In the Living Room
This is one area you really want to be appealing, especially since this is the room where family and friends congregate to visit and enjoy each other’s company. Have you been stuck on contemporary or modern décor for years, but now you’re ready to do something bold? Be daring, and move away from the black, beige, and tan that are the usual hallmarks of your design style.

If you want a look that’s fresh, energizing, and demands attention, work with vibrant blues, tropical greens, and peaches. Choose a light celery green for the walls, and then paint the baseboards and doors a dark forest green. Hang bright botanical prints on the walls and then add a few fruity- or tropical-scented candles. As a final touch, add a little silk greenery casually displayed in clear glass vases on a wooden coffee table, and you will have achieved a totally different look for your room.

If you have solid-colored furniture, don’t be afraid to add throw pillows in bold patterns and colors. By mixing floral designs, stripes, and plaids, you can add interest and originality. Just be sure all the colors are complementary, and you will have created an incredible look.

Add Pizzazz in the Kitchen & Dining Room
If your kitchen and dining room look a little worn out and drab, then add more color. Coordinate the color theme with what you’re doing in the living room. This is especially important if these areas run together. Citrus colors work great in the kitchen. Add some bright curtains to the windows. Sunflowers, strawberries, and other bright-hued prints can really infuse this room with energy.

For the dining room, consider laying a brightly colored runner along the center of your dining table. Then place a straw basket filled with fruit there. Choose a vibrant color for the dining room walls, and then add splashes of contrasting colors using a feather duster for an exciting look. Anything goes-just use your imagination! Any accent or idea will work, as long as it’s bright and cheery.

In end, the point of all this is to make your rooms in your home come alive. For years, you have been living with the same dull and boring colors day after day. It’s time to add some vibrancy and excitement to your home. When you combine many bright, bold colors, you add some depth to a décor that makes a room look much more interesting. You’ll find that accents and furniture stand out, instead of blending together and getting lost in a sea of white. You’ll find that every area of the room begins to take on a life of its own.

Go for the gusto! Don’t hold anything back! If you’re looking to give your home not only a brand-new look but an exciting feeling as well, bright, energetic colors may be just what you need. Go for drama and flair and forget those rooms with no personality. You will have a feeling of renewed energy and vitality each time you set foot in your home.

Lighting can make a huge difference in the look and atmosphere of a home. Most people have ordinary lighting in their home, such as lamps, overhead lights, and so on. But many people don’t realize that a home’s lighting can completely change the feeling and the mood. You can create a warm ambiance instantly, without changing any of your décor. Certain types of lighting will not only add to the look of your home but can serve differing purposes as well.

Light Up Your Living Area
What type of lighting does your living or family room have? You probably have a few lamps sitting on a wood end table in there, maybe some overhead lights-perhaps even a lighted ceiling fan. Lamps can be gorgeous and should always be included as part of the home decorating scheme. If you can find the right ones, lamps can really enhance the beauty of any room.

Look at your living area. Do you have any particular areas that deserve special attention? With some small spotlights, you can make a trophy, a plant, or a beautiful antique collectible the focal point of the room. Just place the lights on a surface surrounding the area. Another option is dimming overhead lights, which allow you to occasionally set a romantic mood.

Other Areas That Deserve Special Lighting
The kitchen has long been a favorite place for everyone to gather. There are always friends, family, and guest congregating around the table for tea and coffee or to simply visit and enjoy each other’s company. Since a great deal of cooking and cleaning up are done in this room, the kitchen is one place that should be brightly lit.

For the dining room, a great touch is to place small decorative lamps on a side buffet. You also might want to install a dimmer switch that allows you to adjust the lighting. This will help you create the perfect romantic dinner just for the two of you. When you dim the lights and light a few candles, you can generate that intimate atmosphere you desire.

Another area where you want several lighting sources is the bedroom. You’ll definitely need good overhead lighting that lets you see clearly into all the drawers of your wood dresser, closets, and so on. Then for those of you who read before turning in for the night, you’ll also want a lamp on your bedside table. You might also include a very small candle lamp that creates an amber glow-the perfect touch on those cold winter nights when you want to cuddle up with your significant other.

What About the Bathroom?
You definitely want to include a source of bright light in the bathroom. After all, this is the place where men shave and women apply their makeup, so you need to be able to see clearly in here. Set a few candles around and consider a dimmer switch as well. This is an especially great feature if you happen to have a large garden tub in the room. Nothing is more relaxing than soaking in an oversized tub, particularly when you have delicate lighting helping to float away the stresses of the day. The scent from the candles can help ease away that anxiety and stress as well, adding a luscious fragrance to the room.

Lighting is not only an essential feature of a room, but it can completely transform the atmosphere of that space. Light can be used to highlight special areas in your rooms and, when used properly, will create a warm and welcoming ambiance in your home.

Family, friends, and relatives all love to congregate in a comfortable kitchen-the one area of the home that everyone enjoys. For centuries, kitchens have been the room where everyone gathered, the heart of the home. Here families have come together for great meals, visiting at the table, or playing board games. After all this activity, it’s not surprising that your kitchen may look a little dated. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to give it a fresh, updated appearing, increasing the value of your home at the same time.

Certain Things Give Away the Age
Not surprisingly, there are some dead giveaways when it comes to your kitchen’s age. Are your kitchen appliances still avocado green? If your answer is yes, then this is something you need to get rid of. Or, if that’s not in your budget, then simply give them a facelift. Appliance paint is available that allows you to change the color. Of course, read the label before you buy it, but most paints of this kind can be used on refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances.

Perhaps it’s your cabinets that look outdated. If you can afford it, you might buy new ones or even have someone build them for you. Otherwise, you can completely transform the look yourself. All you need is a fresh coat of brightly colored paint and some new hardware! Start by sanding the finish down and then repaint them with a color that will liven things up a bit. By changing the look of your cabinets, you can transform the look of your entire kitchen.

Other Little Changes Create Big Impact
With very little expense, you can do many small things to change the look or style of your kitchen. A simple thing to do is to change the window treatments in the kitchen area. If you’ve always hung curtains there, perhaps this is the time to consider some wooden shutters or modern blinds.

Another easy touch is to handcraft a brightly patterned runner for your dining table. Look online or at a flea market for a used baker’s rack, which makes a great place to display all of your favorite things. If you have a very small kitchen that contains an island, open up the area by removing that island, giving it a more spacious look.

What About the Floors?
Has your worn linoleum turned yellow with age? Fortunately, there are a few things you can do. Many people find that wood flooring is especially warm and charming in the kitchen. Or you may find that tile is a good fit with the room’s style. You can settle on any look and design you want.

For those of you who cannot afford new flooring, don’t worry. You can always refresh the old! One option many don’t realize they have is to paint the linoleum. Start by sanding them down, being sure to remove any dirt and dust particles. Then apply an oil-based primer. Apply two to three layers of your chosen paint. Cover it with a few layers of oil-based polyurethane to seal it and you’ll be good to go!

Updating the look of your kitchen is a great way to increase the value of your home. In fact, the kitchen is the one room in the house that most potential buyers look at most closely. These tips can help you transform your kitchen into a dazzling space that will attract the notice of all your visitors.

Have you ever thought about how nice it would be to live in those times when men worked outside on the ranch or farm and women did the cooking and other household duties? Your mind goes back to a time wh en family was at the center of people’s lives, where all gathered around a large country wood dining table to share a tasty home-cooked meal. To us, these times in the country seem more relaxing, a place where beautiful lush green grass met azure blue skies. Capture this sense of eras gone by with a country and western décor in your home.

Re-creating the Past

You can easily create this comfortable, welcoming look in your home. Many people want a home that is elegant and stately looking. But if your goal is that all who enter your home instantly feel at ease and relaxed, then a country and western décor may be perfect for you. You décor will exude the feeling that you open your home up to anyone and everyone, and your visitors would stay forever if only they could. Your guests will feel this much at home when they come to visit. After all, the atmosphere that visitors see and feel has everything to do with your décor.

A country and western style helps a home to look warm and lived-in. Part of its charm is all the wood and rustic colors that are hallmarks of this style. For an authentic, old-time look, go with wood floors and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling.

In this style, kitchens are usually oversized and full of color. Common in a country/western kitchen are sunflowers, roosters, old teapot collections, gingham tablecloths, and wrought-iron baker’s racks. Doesn’t this sound just like grandma’s kitchen? While it would be nice to go back to that slower-paced life, creating the look in your home is the next best thing.

With a country and western theme, a little paint can go a long way. You can add to the rich look by using rustic colors such as tan, brown, forest green, dark blue, and maroon. All you need is a few western striped throw rugs containing these colors scattered here and there on the wood floor, and you will have created an amazing look.

More Western Than Country

If you want a more western look than country, you can create a wonderful décor by decorating with horseshoes and rodeo-themed throws. Throws are great, as they can be used in so many different ways. You might use one to cover up a worn spot on the sofa, or hook one lazily over the back of a rocking chair. You might even create an amazing focal point and hang one on a bare wall.

Other great additions include table runners and coasters that share the western theme. Hang a wooden wagon wheel or a cowboy hat on the wall to create the ultimate western effect. If you’re looking for something original that’s sure to be a conversation piece, there are even cowboy boot planters for your oak end tables you can purchase. There are plenty of western-themed accessories to choose from, from wrought-iron candle holders in the shape of horses to huge Texas star wall hangings. All will give your home the look of days long past, of families gathering around a hearth after a long, hard day on the ranch. These days, you can choose from a variety of western-themed accessories, from huge Texas star wall hangings to wrought-iron candle holders in the shape of horses, that will give your home a look of days long past-when family life meant gathering together after a long, hard day on the ranch.

A Style That’s Easy to Live With

Decorating your home with a country and western décor is easy, and you will create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that your entire family will love. Your guests will love your inviting home on the range too, and you may be hard-pressed to get them to go home.

You flip through the magazines showcasing rich, elegant looking interiors and dream of what it would be like if only you had the money to create such awe-inspiring settings. The truth is, not many people have the money required to furnish a home so lavishly. What it takes to make a room eye catching and inviting doesn’t require much money at all – just a little of your own unique personality.

Elegance without Expense

Many people think that in order to transform the look of a room they must spend big bucks. New furniture, hangings for the walls, carpet, flooring, accents, etc. You will be glad to know that you can create a dramatic impact without spending tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, for just a few hundred you can create a look that will rival any in the dreamy homes you’ve seen in the home decorating magazines.

What you must do is put some of your own personality in to the décor. You may decorate your home according to the latest trends, or what you think others will find attractive. This is what most people do, and in the end it isn’t really the look that they want. It isn’t personal enough, it all seems a little – well, contrived. From bland colored walls to pictures that don’t really have any personal ties, and windows without any impact. It’s all just “stuff” that is there to make your home look exquisite, but it isn’t working. Besides inflicting some of your own unique ideas, what to do?

Make it Your Own

Create the atmosphere you desire with paint. Want a bold, dramatic look? Use up to 5 shades of burgundy, forest and navy. As long as your existing furniture is colored in a shade that will blend, you will be fine. Paint baseboards a darker shade, walls the lightest.

Add some rich window coverings, which you can make yourself for almost nothing, and a few wall hangings. You can create beautiful swag curtains yourself out of satin bed sheets. Flea markets are a great place to find some unusual pieces you can use for accents. Have your children do some finger painting, using colors that compliment your décor. Mat their work and you have some wonderfully colorful abstract wall hangings!

Let the Energy Flow

Want a lively, energetic and refreshing look? Use several shades of paint as in the previous description, but make these colors electric. Bright greens, peach shades and burnt orange are wonderful when mixed together. Display simple botanical groupings on the walls, a straw colored woven rug for the floor.

Keep your furniture light – no bulky or over-sized furniture. If you already have light colored furniture that is basic in design, this look will work perfectly. When it comes to the windows, you can use wooden shutters, or create your own curtains using a sheer material. Concentrate on a look that appeals to you, and imagine the possibilities.

With any look, contrast makes things much more interesting. It used to be a no-no to mix floral patterns with stripes and plaids. Now, it’s the thing to do! As long as you stay within your color boundaries, mixing things up adds a “wow” factor that cannot be ignored. Want to create a one-of-a-kind look on a shoestring budget? Just use some imagination, and mix it with a little of your own unique personality.

Many homes have living rooms that are small, where it feels like there’s hardly even enough room to walk between the furniture. Unless you like a cluttered look, it’s hard to know what to do with a room no larger than 200 square feet. Fortunately, you have plenty of options.

Use vibrant colors and patterns to dress up a living or family room that feels claustrophobic. It’s a common mistake to try to lighten up the area a little too much. What often results is a boring sea of white, with white walls and furniture, with very little hanging on the walls. The fear of adding to the cluttered look can, in the end, make the room too sterile.

Decades ago, the presiding recommendation was that you “open up” small spaces with super-light colors such as white and linen. But now things have changed. These days, people want a living room that bursts with color and vibrancy. You can not only make the room look airy and spacious, but also extremely inviting. The key is to use colors and patterns that work. Consider the following tips to help you transform your small boring living room into a beautiful room bursting with personality.

1. Paint the room a light shade, but not white. To start, find a swatch of fabric you’re going to use that contains the shade of paint you desire. Consider a celery green or a vibrant peach-two colors that lend a botanical feel to the room. Paint both the ceiling and walls a lighter shade of whatever color you choose. Then you can paint any doors in the room, baseboards, and other trim a darker complementary color.
2. Jazz up any bare, boring walls with botanical prints. You should be able to find some in old books or magazines. Find a shade for the mat that complements the picture as well as the paint color you’ve chosen for the room. You might even group several together on one wall, creating a focal point splashed with color.
3. Use sheer silky curtains to add a light, airy feel to the décor. Place your curtain rod up close to the ceiling, allowing the sheer curtains to touch the floor. Not only will this give an expansive look to the window, but it will make the ceiling appear higher.
4. Find furniture that’s sturdy, but stay away from anything overstuffed or bulky. You want your patterns to include colors that contrast and complement your walls, curtains, and overall décor. You want to use bold, contrasting patterns in this type of a setting. Often bold stripes make the perfect touch to the décor. By creating a lively look, the smallness of the room gets lost in the inviting, vibrant atmosphere.

You might also add a unique and interesting touch to the décor by recovering the seat cushions of a solid-toned couch in a colorful, fun pattern. End tables or oak coffee tables that fold up or a narrow profile oak tv stand also work well in this type of space. This way, when your guest leave you can store them away and open up the floor area.

This is just the beginning of the many ways you can open up those tight spaces in your home. These are just a few suggestions to help get your creativity flowing. Remember to not only use your imagination, but to have fun with it!

With the recent economic downturn, most families have little, if any, extra money. If your kitchen is in desperate need of a facelift, it’s hard to know what to do-especially considering that this is usually the most expensive room in the house to remodel. Fortunately, there are many things you can either do yourself or have someone else do at an affordable price. If you want to transform the look of your kitchen without spending a fortune, here are a few easy steps you can take.

• The obvious place to start is to paint your walls and ceiling. If you change the colors completely, you can make a really noticeable difference. For example, if you’re looking to add color and vibrancy but don’t want the look to be overbearing you can add color and vibrancy with a soft yellow or pastel peach. Or to really make the look pop, paint the baseboards a contrasting color.
• Spruce things up by updating any cabinet and drawer pulls. This type of small touch in a décor can really make a large impact. Your local home supply store should offer all sorts of new pulls to choose from. You might even be able to add a touch of color to your décor with a patterned pull.
• Give your kitchen a whole new look with new lighting fixtures. Chances are, your fixtures have been there for years and are most likely outdated. Compared to having to move the electrical box, lighting fixtures will save you a bundle. You want to choose fixtures that are compatible with and will fit in the same place as your current one does.
• Consider updating your windows. Are mini blinds still hanging on all of your kitchen and dining room windows? Why not take them off completely and hang some delicate sheer material instead? If you just happen to prefer blinds, then consider the vertical variety. For a more elegant look, you might use satin sheets to create your own swags. When you use a little creativity, your window options are virtually endless.

If you don’t mind painting, with a little imagination you can create a unique look that will others will envy. You want to create a home that reflects your tastes and personality, making it your own special place. If you want to make it uniquely yours, then keep things as original as possible.

As you can see, it’s not necessary to spend a bundle of money in order to transform the look and feel of your kitchen. You want a look that family and friends can enjoy in comfort, since the kitchen is often the most used room in the home. You’ll be amazed at what a difference a few of these simple tricks can make! You can make your kitchen look as though it cost thousands for only a few hundred dollars, and no one will know any better.

The bedroom is one of the most popular rooms in which people like to practice feng shui. With feng shui, you can create a bedroom that’s a peaceful retreat and the ideal place in which to get restful sleep every night. When you practice feng shui, you can design and decorate a balanced room filled with positive energy.

When it comes to decorating with feng shui, there are several guidelines, but some are more important than others. If you’re looking to create a balanced and peaceful bedroom, here are some feng shui tips that can help get you on your way.

1. Your bed should be the main feng shui element in the room.
Above all, wood beds are the primary source of intimate, personal energy in the room. It’s hard to get restful sleep at night if you have an uncomfortable bed.

2. By placing the bed in a feng shui position, you can create optimal positive energy and love.
For instance, you should be able to see the doorway from the bed, but you shouldn’t be directly in line with the door. Choose a strong supporting wall against which to place the bed.

3. You should have balanced energy on both sides of your bed in feng shui.
This means you have the choice of placing side tables on both sides of the bed or on neither side. You also don’t want to have any sharp angles from the tables or other furniture in the room facing the bed.

4. When you remove the television, you maintain balance in the room.
The less electricity flowing through your bedroom the better, as removing as many electrical appliances as possible is a key part of feng shui. By removing electrical flow from the room, your body won’t take in those harmful EMFs that can cause an internal imbalance. The distraction of a television or computer can also keep you from getting good sleep at night.

5. When designing your bedroom, don’t get obsessed with the rules of feng shui.
For instance, your bedroom may be too small for you to follow all the correct guidelines of feng shui. This attitude can cause you to feel stressed out, creating disappointment. It’s important to remember that feng shui is all about creating positive energy. Concentrate in making the room comfortable for you by doing what you can with the space that you have.

Some people may not believe in feng shui or find it too difficult, but its goal is to create the most comfortable, healthiest room you can. Feng shui has been born from a long philosophical tradition that demonstrates how these decorating principles can improve your sense of being and life. Start with these tips to improve your bedroom and fine-tune your feng shui.