Large, spacious rooms are what many homeowners desire, but they can often appear cold and unwelcoming.  It’s wonderful to have plenty of room so that everyone can relax and guests don’t feel crowded, but you want to provide an atmosphere of warmth and welcoming spaces.  This article offers several tips for bringing those expansive rooms down to size a bit, creating spaces that are appealing to the eye and offer a sense of intimacy.

One thing to remember, you want to avoid adding lots of small accents and trinkets to fill up the room; this will only make it appear cluttered and messy.

Use Multiple Furniture Groupings
Consider dividing the room up in to several groupings that can be used for specific purposes.  Have an area designated for watching television, one for playing games and another for entertaining guests.  This will help fill up the room with larger pieces that are in scale with the space, and will make the area seem more inviting.  In the kitchen, consider a lounging area in addition to the actual cooking area and dining set.

If you work from home, consider placing your home office in a corner of the living room to further break up a wide open space.

Keep Accessories in Scale with the Room
Colorful accessories will add depth and dimension to the room, but keep them in scale.  Plants, whether real or artificial, should be good sized.  Use large prints and tapestries on the walls that complement the shades of your décor.  Dinky floral arrangements won’t work in a large room; use large, richly colored vases filled with dramatic flowers and greenery.

Color Plays a Crucial Role
Vast spaces can be made visually smaller by using rich, deep colors on the walls, ceiling, and floor as well as in furniture patterns.  If you have a high ceiling, consider painting it a darker hue that blends with the room.  Taupe, autumn colors, burgundy, blue and deep greens are rich colors that will add visual appeal and interest.

If you decide to use wallpaper, make sure to stick with bold patterns in large prints.  Avoid small patterns with intricate details, and stick to rich choices that complement or contrast with the other colors of the room.

Other things that can be done to bring an expansive room down to size are moving the furniture away from the walls and using large area rugs in order to arrange a furniture grouping in a specific area.  You may also want to consider built-in furniture; something like an entertainment center or book shelves in a corner of the room or flanking a fireplace help use up space while encouraging a cozier feel.  These provide use as well as taking up additional wall space making the room appear smaller.

Spacious rooms are wonderful, especially if you have a large family or do a lot of entertaining, but they tend to look somewhat blank.  Put a few of these ideas to use, and you will soon have rooms that are welcoming, warm and cozy – beautiful rooms that invite guests to relax and stay a while.

Could your rooms use a little extra spice and energy?  Dull, bland rooms offer little appeal to you or your visitors.  Fabric can be used in many ways to liven up a room and add depth!  Create a beautiful, welcoming home with color, fabric and texture.  It’s easy to do, and will transform your home from plain to exquisite.  This article offers tips and ideas for adding richness and exciting bursts of color to your home.

When it comes to fabrics and colors, there are a few rules you should follow to make your rooms their most beautiful and appealing.

Where to Add Fabrics & Color
Color can really ‘punch up’ a room!  The easiest way to add interest to your living room without spending too much money is with throw pillows, window treatments and tapestries.  Throw pillows should be combined in interesting patterns.  For example, a solid color throw pillow combined with a large print and small print pillow creates a pleasing look.  The sofa isn’t the only place for throw pillows!  Toss a few that are over-sized on the floor for extra seating.

Tapestries are rich looking and offer intricate patterns with pleasing texture.  Place a large tapestry that complements the other colors of your décor on one wall.  This can serve as the focal point of the room.

Rich, colorful fabrics hung around the windows add a burst of color as well.  A simple fabric panel or valance helps pull the room together.  Consider adding fabric to your lampshades and placing runners on your coffee or end tables that offer color and interesting patterns.

Creating the Right Mix of Pattern and Color
Generally, three colors should be used to decorate a room.  In most cases, 60% of the room should be decorated in a dominant color, while the other two make up the other 40%.  This creates the perfect balance of color, and allows one color to stand out as the base for adding more color and pattern.

To make things easier when you are selecting your patterns, start with the large scale pattern first.  This will help direct your search when you choose your solid and small scale pattern.  Years ago, homeowners wouldn’t dream of mixing floral, plaid and striped patterns.  Now, a combination of patterns is all the rage!  The interest and appeal cannot be matched.

If you choose a floral pattern as your large scale choice, your solid color should be selected from your floral pattern.  Your other small scale pattern should contain predominantly your three color choices for the room.  This small scale pattern can be plaid, geometric or striped, whichever suits your tastes.

Just remember, three colors create the most beautiful rooms, and keep them looking fresh and coordinated.  Choose fabrics with rich textures for windows, throw pillows and other accents.   Add solid colored ceramic pots filled with natural flowers, herbs or other greenery to finish balancing the room.  Stick to the solid/small print/large print rule, and you will have the most beautiful rooms ever – with very little effort.  When it comes to color and fabric, don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit!

Every living or family room should have a focal point.  What that focal point will be will differ depending on how you use your living room.  For most families, the television is the focal point, because it is viewed so much.  For others, the family room may be used for relaxing by the fireplace and reading a good book.

No matter for what purpose you use your living room, the furniture should be arranged in a way that best suits the use of the room.  This article offers tips on creating a room that not only looks attractive and appealing, but is convenient for the way in which it will be used most.

Is Your Family Into Television and Electronics?
If you have small children or teenagers, the answer to this question is probably yes!  The television or entertainment center will be the focal point of the room.  Arrange your sofa, chairs, and ottoman in a way that allows everyone to comfortably view the television while they relax.  If you or your kids play electronic games frequently or listen to music, create a special corner, perhaps by a window, with chairs and a couple of over-sized pillows that can be used for seating.

Entertaining Guests
Are you the type who has close friends over often?  If you do, you may use your living room more for socializing and visiting than for watching television with the family.  If entertaining is your thing, arrange your furniture in an intimate setting so that it is easier to visit.  Pull furniture away from the walls and arrange it around an area rug, with a low table between the sofa and other chairs.  Add a few beautiful plants and light candles to set a relaxing, welcoming mood.

You may be the type of family who spends a good deal of time reading, studying or just relaxing by the fireplace.  For this type of living room, arrange furnishings where everyone has a good view of the beautiful fire crackling in the fireplace.  Place a lamp on a small table next to the recliners or any furnishings that are used for reading.  Arranging a chair near a window is always a good idea for those who are voracious readers!

No matter how you use your living room, make sure your furniture is made of a suitable material.  If you have small children, you may not want extravagant fabrics that could be easily stained or torn.  Leather or vinyl is good if you frequently have spills that need to be wiped up!

You might also consider furniture that is light weight, especially if you plan to rearrange often to freshen up the look of the room.  No matter what type of furnishings you decide upon, the most important factor is comfort.  No one wants to sit on furniture that is too hard, too soft, or just plain uncomfortable!  Your family spends a good deal of time in the family or living room, so you want to make it as inviting and relaxing as possible.

Decide how your living room is used the most, and use your furnishings in a way that is convenient for the way you live.

Color has so many effects when used correctly in your home.  Whether you want to create a bright, cheerful atmosphere or one that is totally relaxing, paint can be magic!  Not only can you set the mood of a room, you can visually add more space or make a large, cold looking room appear smaller and more intimate.  The things you can do with a little color are absolutely amazing.

This article will give you ideas on how to create any look you desire using paint and color.  Have white walls and beige carpet?  It may be time to give your rooms a little personality.  Spice things up a little, or transform your bedroom in to a tranquil sanctuary.  Here are a few tips that will help you get started.

Choose Paint Colors According to the Mood You Want to Set
Would you love a living room that is cheerful and exudes energy?  Bright, bold colors lift your mood and make you feel more energetic.  Think about how color affects people.  Bright yellow, orange and lime green are vibrant and full of energy.  If you want a cheery, sunny living room, paint a wall or two bright orange and accent the walls with tropical prints that burst with color.

Want to create warmth and a cozy, intimate feel?  Warm colors are inviting and make people feel welcome.  Deep reds, browns, golds and rusts bring an intimate feel to the room.  Paint your walls a golden brown or terra cotta color.  Furnishings of wood and leather are perfect for this style of décor.  Rich tapestries add texture to the walls, and throw pillows decorated in rich colors add a burst of excitement to a solid colored sofa.  The Tuscan style of décor is a perfect example of warmth and intimacy.  The colors of autumn are brought indoors to create the warm atmosphere.

Cool colors offer relaxation for the bedroom and bath.  Think of soft blues and greens.  In the bedroom, keep colors soft and muted – no loud, bold hues!  The colors of your comforter, pillows and curtains should be kept calm and serene.  Sky blue and the pale, soft green are perfect colors to create a tranquil atmosphere conducive to a good night’s sleep.  In the bath, consider sponging light blue and white in cloud patterns on the ceiling – talk about relaxing the stress away!

Visually Change the Size of a Room
Have a living room that’s too big?  While this usually isn’t a problem, really large rooms can look a little cold and stark.  If your walls are all solid white or off-white, consider using a darker shade like golden brown or rust.  Darker colors draw the room in, and give it a more intimate appearance.

Most of us have rooms that are too small.  To make tiny spaces look more spacious, paint the walls and ceilings a light color.  White ceilings open up a room and make it the ceiling appear higher.  You can use color on the walls, just make sure the shades are light.  Cream, pastel peach or fresh yellow are good colors to brighten up the room and make it look larger.  Color can accomplish many things, from setting the mood of a room to visually changing its size!

Your living room needs a makeover, but you have been putting it off for some time now.  This afternoon, you received a call that your in-laws are coming to visit from out of town!  Now, you need to update the room in a hurry, and have no idea what to do.  This article will give you tips for making over your living room in a day, while not spending much money in the process.

Not only will your in-laws be impressed, you have quickly finished a project that you have been putting off for months!

Paint a Wall
No, it isn’t necessary to engage in hours of drudgery painting the entire living room.  Choose one wall, and paint it a bold, intense color that blends with some of your existing accents.  You will be amazed at the depth doing this one little thing can add to the room.  You add a great burst of color, while adding warmth to the room as well.

Can’t Afford New Furniture?
If you need new furnishings but your budget won’t allow for it at the moment, invest in some good slipcovers.  For the sofa, you may want to keep the slipcover one solid color, and then add richly textured accent pillows that bring out the color of the wall you painted.  Have a boldly patterned throw?  Toss it casually over the back of the sofa, or a recliner or rocking chair.

Move the furniture around and take it away from the walls.  Group it together in an intimate arrangement that looks cozy and welcoming.  If you add an area rug that includes the colors of the room, center it in the middle of the grouping.

Clear the Clutter
Clutter tends to make a room look messy and disorganized.  By removing the clutter from floors, furniture and table tops, you will visually increase the size of the room!  It will look much cleaner and better organized.  As a general rule, place no more than three items on the top of any one table.

Now, decorate the walls with further bursts of color.  You can hang boldly colored prints with a simple mat, or stencil designs on the wall yourself and paint using hues that coordinate or contrast with the other colors of the room.  Usually, about three colors add the most interest and appeal to a room without making it look overly complicated.  Add a big vase of fresh flowers that are colored in shades to match the room, light a warmly scented candle and you’re done!  As quick as a flash, you have a newly updated living room.

Sometimes, it takes a little push for us to get things accomplished that we’ve been meaning to do for a long time.  Whether company is coming with little notice, or you just want to refresh the room a bit, put these tips to work!  Before dark tonight, you can transform the look of a neutral or otherwise dull room.  Just add some bold color and accents for instant sparkle and flash!

Most apartments are located in the city.  If you live in an apartment and long for the warm, cozy atmosphere of a country home, you can certainly have it!  Just because you live in a city, whether big or small, doesn’t mean you have to give up a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.  Walk in the door, and feel as though you have been transported to the country where wildflowers are rampant and fresh air flows through every fiber of your being!  This article will give you some tips on turning your blank, expressionless apartment in to a real home.

Start With the Furniture
Decorating in country style requires lots of wood – the more the better.  Shop around for a sofa, kitchen table and other large pieces that are made of natural looking wood such as knotty pine.  You don’t have to spend a fortune; you may be able to find used furniture at flea markets or online.

Wood end tables are essential as well.  Once you have your tables in place, consider using lace doilies or checked pattern cloths to casually drape over the tables.  Display candles in jars that have a country appeal and scents like cinnamon, vanilla or apple pie.

Decorate the Walls for Added Interest and Depth
Bare walls tend to look very stark and blank, leading to a cold atmosphere.  Warm up your walls with rural or black and white prints framed in wood.  You might also want to consider using a country style quilt alone on a large wall – this creates a great focal point for the room!

Don’t Forget the Kitchen!
If you have room for a table in your apartment kitchen, continue with the natural or knotty pine wood theme.  You may also want to top your table with a checkered or lace cloth for a continuous feel to your décor.  If there is no room for a table, use antique looking bar stools at the counter.  Add country candles, wooden bowls and spoons, and wildflower arrangements to enhance the country atmosphere.  A wicker centerpiece for the table and wooden spice rack for the counter top are nice touches as well.

The primary things you want to remember when decorating your apartment in country style is to use plenty of natural, exposed, or antique looking wood and simply patterned cloths for table decoration.  Always add those accessories and accents that you truly love – this helps add a little of your unique personality to the mix.  Natural flowers, country style candles, bookcases filled with old or leather-bound books, quilts, and wicker are all great touches when decorating with country flair.

All too often, an apartment tends to look and feel just like all the others, and totally uninviting.  Warm up your living spaces and make them your own!  Create a style that you will love coming home to after a hard day’s work.  Country décor is like no other when it comes to comfort, coziness, and a truly welcoming feeling.  Transform your apartment into a place you will love calling home!

Updating a kitchen to give it a modern new look can cost a fortune. Counter tops, cabinetry and flooring cost are expensive, yet these updates add the most to the value of your home. You can still give your kitchen a face lift, and completely transform the look, without spending an exorbitant amount of money!

The kitchen and dining areas are where many families spend a majority of their time. You want your kitchen to look as warm and appealing as possible, but you don’t have a lot of money to spend. This article will give you several easy ideas for refreshing your kitchen on a budget.

Refresh Your Cabinets
Buying all new cabinets is out of the question for many people. You can make them look brand new yourself! Consider painting them an entirely different color, or sand them down a bit and stain them a different shade. Top with a protective coat of polyurethane for a sparkling, shiny new look. Add new hardware, and your cabinets look altogether different!

Add an Island
If you have the floor space, adding an island to your kitchen will dramatically change its appearance. An island breaks up the room and adds much needed counter space, and it is the perfect place to hang a wrought iron pot rack overhead!

Freshen Up Your Appliances
Buying all new appliances is a real strain on your bank account. If your stove, refrigerator and dishwasher are a bit outdated, you can paint them as well. Appliance paint is made for this purpose. If rust spots are starting to develop, you can buy a special product that stops the rusting process. It should be applied before you paint your appliances.

Perk Up the Walls
With walls, anything is possible. Paint them, add wallpaper or consider paneling. Bright, energizing colors like orange, peach and green are perfect for the kitchen, and lend a botanical appearance. Hang pictures that include fruits, flowers, herbs and other natural elements on large wall spaces. You will be amazed how transforming your walls brings a dull kitchen to life.

Don’t Forget the Floor
While you may be perfectly happy with the flooring you have, this can be updated as well. Many people don’t realize it, but you can actually paint old linoleum! Lightly sand the surface of your linoleum to help the new paint adhere. After a thorough cleaning, the next step is to apply an oil-based primer. Once dry, you are ready to paint! Create your own design; you can use stencil patterns, or even paint a “rug” on the floor. Use your imagination! Once you have applied about 3 layers of paint, wait for them to dry thoroughly. You can then complete the floor by applying 3 coats of durable polyurethane to protect your new floor and make it shine!

These are just a few easy tips that will help you create a beautiful new kitchen without blowing your budget. Completely remodeling a kitchen can cost tens of thousands of dollars; by doing it yourself, you can give your kitchen a makeover for just hundreds!

Most people love large living or family rooms, but they tend to have a cold or cavernous appearance, especially when the ceilings are vaulted.  While you love the spaciousness, you may wonder how to make the room feel a little more warm and inviting, or cozy.  You want your home to have an atmosphere that is comfortable and welcoming, an almost intimate appeal that feels alluring.

There are several ways you can break up a large space in order to make it feel a bit more personal.  This article will give you tips on creating a room that offers interest, appeal and, most of all, warmth.

Arrange Several Furniture Groupings

The easiest way to break the room up is to group furnishings in different areas, each for a purpose.  Arrange your sofa, loveseat, recliner and tables in a small grouping around an area rug.  This makes a wonderful conversation area when guests visit.  Furniture should not be placed against the wall; this only makes things look impersonal.  You may want to add another area that is designed for enjoying a good book.  Place a rocking chair or recliner, along with a small table and lamp, in another location in the room – perhaps near a window.

If you have more space, consider placing an additional sofa and television, stereo and game station in an area that will be used solely for entertainment purposes.  Creating areas designed to be used for specific activities is a great way to break the room up into smaller, more intimate spaces.

Use Paint or Wallpaper to Draw the Room In

In smaller spaces, most people avoid using dark colored paint.  When you have high ceilings and a very large room, dark paint is the perfect solution.  Consider painting the ceiling a dark shade as well to bring it down visually.  Boldly patterned wallpaper containing dark shades is an option as well.

Avoid Decorating with Mirrors

Mirrors tend to make rooms look larger, especially when they reflect light from windows or other light sources.  If you feel that you have to use a mirror, hang it where it reflects a favorite piece of décor or accent.

Add Lots of Accessories!

Adding lots of accessories such as baskets, pottery, plants and bookshelves can really scale a room down.  Using small to medium size accents helps reduce the appearance of a large room and balances bigger items like furniture.  Consider placing a potted tree in one corner of the room to match the scale of a high ceiling.

Bulk is Great

For spacious rooms, bulky large furniture is perfect.  Consider using “heavy” looking fabrics such as tapestries, and keep the colors dark.  Dark colored wood is ideal as well; light colors tend to make spaces look larger.  Avoid glass topped tables completely.

There you have it!  Five great ways that you can visually reduce the size of spaces which look cold and uninviting.  No matter how big the living or family room are, you can give them a cozy, warm appearance that everyone will appreciate.

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to decorating their home, but you would be hard pressed to find many that do not like the cozy, welcoming atmosphere of a country style kitchen.  The kitchen area is often the “heart” of the home.  This is where family congregates to enjoy good food and good conversation!  This article offers tips and ideas on how to incorporate an old time country look and charm in your kitchen.

A country style kitchen often displays a good deal of early American character.  A farmhouse comes to mind in this style of décor; rooster, cows, hens, pigs and other farm animals are often on display.  It is typical for the theme to focus on a particular animal.  It is perfectly fight, though to use a combination of animals and display them in various locations around the room.

The Kitchen Table is Central to the Theme
Many country themed kitchens are one big room.  In other words, the table may actually be in the kitchen itself, as there is often no separate dining room.  In this case, it is essential that your table and chairs are designed in the country style.  High backed wooden chairs may have cushioned or decorated seats.  To add even more to the old time charm, try to find a solid wood table that displays visible knots from the tree that the table was made from.  A hutch or buffet will complete the furnishings for the room.

Antique Touches Add Charm
Another great thing about a country style kitchen is that you can find many of the accessories you need at flea markets and garage sales.  Old butter churns and iron skillets create a look that reminds everyone who enters of years gone by at grandma’s house.  Hang old cast iron skillets in varying sizes on one wall; display an old butter mold on the counter top.  Any accents or trivets that look as though they were a long time ago are perfect for this type of décor.

Carry Through With a Theme
If you do decide to choose one central theme for the room, carry it throughout.  For example, if roosters are what you decide upon, use them everywhere.  You can find cookie jars, canisters, hot pads, dish towels, clocks and more that are designed in a rooster pattern.

For the windows, you may want to consider using curtains that coordinate with the colors in the room.  The colors often used in the country decorating theme include rustic hues like dark red or rust, golden yellow, blue, dark green and brown.  Use a solid colored curtain or a pattern that complements the rest of the décor.  You may also decide you would rather use wood shutters, which are perfect with this type of decorating.

As for lighting, nothing adds more charm than a wrought iron chandelier.  This look is not too elegant or dressy, as some styles of chandeliers would be for country decorating.  Hung over the table, this will add to the cozy and comfortable atmosphere.  Place a basket filled with fresh fruit or pine cones and other natural foliage in the center of the table, and your charming country kitchen is complete!  Nothing beats country for charm, beauty and the warmth of family gatherings.

This is it, you have finally found your dream home; it seems perfect, everything is in place, at least until you get to the master bedroom. This is something that occurs all too often. The rest of the home is exactly what you have been searching for, even though the master bedroom is a bit small. The living room and kitchen are perfect. What can you do to make the master bedroom look and feel larger? This article offers many tips and ideas that will assist in visually opening space in your room. Most of these tips may be used in any small room.

The appearance of space can be a simply accomplished feat. You don’t need to sacrifice personality and style when making your room look open, all that is necessary are a few small changes. These ideas will help you create a larger looking master bedroom. However, they aren’t exclusive to that area of the house, they can be used anywhere!

Use Mirrors!
You have probably heard of this trick millions of times before, but it works. A mirror should be hung on your bedroom wall, opposite a window. A perfect place to hang a mirror is on your bedroom wall, just opposite a of a window. The window’s reflection, especially with light colored curtains, makes the room appear spacious and sun filled. You can use this trick in a bathroom or living room as well.

Paint – The Solution for Many Problems
You can do many things in your home with the help of paint. The walls of a small room should be painted with light colors. Cream, off-white and soft pastel shades of peach and yellow are great colors to use in a small room. White paint for the ceiling will add a lighter look to the room. Light shades make an area feel more open, darker shades will diminish it.

Floors Should Be Light as Well
Small rooms should have lightly colored floors to visually add space to the room. If you are more inclined towards using carpet, using carpet with light hues such as sand and cream also works. In the case you use wood flooring good choices are light colors and natural woods. If you do not have the means for replacing a dark colored carpet, light colored rugs can always be added to each side, and the foot, of the bed.

Headboards usually look bulky. Solving this problem is as easy as taking the headboard out and replacing it with a tapestry or rug hung on the wall behind the bed. This can really open up the area, adding a more spacious feel to the room. To open up space on your night table hang swing arm lamps on the walls instead of using lamps.

Here is a cool tip: Use light colored curtains that are higher and wider than your windows in order to visually open up space in the room! This will make it appear as if you have larger windows, adding to the openness and airiness of the room. If you have the room, opening up the floor area can be as easy are moving a chest or drawer into a closet.

Keeping comforters, curtains and throw pillows light colored is always a good idea. Always keep in mind that darker colors tend to absorb light causing the area to recede and diminish; this is not something you want. Things should be kept as light and as open as possible in your master bedroom; this will keep things looking large and spacious.