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Posts tagged home decorating tips

Getting the Look of a Loft

Mar04
2010
1 Comment Written by Carrie

loft

Have you always dreamed about living in a trendy industrial loft? What if you could do that without moving to a big city, giving up a backyard or paying a hefty price for your pad? The Buy Owner Blog is here to show you how to get the look of a loft without making a big move, sacrificing space or spending too much money.

First, consider the location…within your home. If you don’t have an open floor plan, a loft-like living room might look a little awkward next to your country kitchen. Also, at the risk of redoing your entire home, rather than just one room, you may want to choose an unused space like the basement, the attic or the bonus room over the garage. These spaces typically don’t fit with the rest of the house and take on a personality of their own when finished and decorated. By choosing to redecorate one of these low-traffic spaces, you can still pursue your dream while having a functional home that meets your needs and possibly the needs of a new owner should you ever sell the property.

Now, on to the construction…

Exposed Brick: If you know that brick exists behind the plaster in your finished basement, you need to consider the condition of the bricks and the absence of insulation before you knock down any walls. Cut a small hole in the wall first to test the waters. If you need to install brick, you can do so easily by applying veneers, as the process of creating a brick face is similar to adhering a backsplash onto the wall of your kitchen.

Exposed Ductwork: You would most likely deal with exposed ductwork in an unfinished basement. So if your basement is not finished, you may already have a loft-like ceiling! If your home boasts a finished basement with a tile ceiling, you can easily lift up one of the tiles to see the condition of the ductwork. Consult a professional contractor before you knock down a drywalled ceiling.

Flooring: Hardwood floors are typical of lofts. Feel free to choose any type of wood you want. However, if you want to keep costs low, a Pergo or laminate faux wood flooring is the best option. You can always add area rugs for added flair and comfort.

Painting: Where is your “loft?” And what kind of look do you want? If you constructed this space in an unfinished basement, inexpensive spray paint allows you to create your own custom designs and replicate an urban graffiti style. If you’re working with a finished basement or attic space, paint the drywall yourself. Neutral hues like black, brown, tan and gray are good base tones. A bold-colored accent wall is common in many lofts and may make a smaller room appear larger.

Artwork: A typical urban loft shows somewhat like a gallery. However, you don’t need to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on an original Monet or DaVinci. Create your own unique works of art by framing personal photos, magazine clippings or even travel calendar pictures.

Mix & Match Design: Today’s “modern” décor is all about mixing new pieces with old. This look is easily achievable by purchasing a new expensive piece and complementing it with vintage pieces from yard sales or thrift stores. You can also divide and open space into separate areas using multi-functional dividers like a long dresser, a trunk, lockers, or an island, depending on the look you’re going for and what is available to you.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged artwork, brick face, drywall, exposed brick, exposed ductwork, faux wood, flooring, graffit, industrial loft, modern, paint, Pergo, urban
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5 Tips for Decorating a Small House

Jan29
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

In today’s economy, McMansions and giant luxury homes are being replaced by simpler, more frugal alternatives. With one in ten Americans unable to make mortgage payments, many of today’s homeowners are deciding the inflated cost of large living isn’t worth it. Trading down, advocates of the Small House Movement believe in walking the talk of environmental consciousness: swapping 3000-square-foot homes for places more along the lines of 84 square feet in some cases.

The benefits of a smaller house are, well, anything but small: less to pay to build, less to heat/cool, less to spend time fixing up and improving. All these reduced costs buy homeowners big benefits: more money and more time, two things everyone seems to need more of these days.

So what about you? Whether your home spans 100 or 1,200 feet and no matter what your reasons for a smaller place, you’ll want to decorate it. And when decorating a little residence, there are key steps you can take to maximize the space. Consider these:

1. Architecture: One of the best design tips for a small home goes back to the way it was created. Built-ins help ensure no wasted space, and an open, easy-flow layout creates a larger feel where rooms can open into one another.
2. Color: Choose light paint colors—whites, creams, soft beiges—to enlarge the feel of your space. Basic Color 101 says light colors make a room seem bigger, while dark colors will make it feel smaller.
3. Defined Spaces: Think about the studio apartment you had, fresh out of college. It probably had one large room that functioned as your bedroom, your living room, maybe your dining room. The key to maximizing usefulness is in the way you lay your furniture out. Define the space for your sitting area as being separate from the eating table; this can be done with a patterned rug under the table or maybe by turning the chairs towards each other in the living room.
4. Seamless Flow: Defining your spaces doesn’t minimize the importance of symmetry throughout. Use the same flooring in all the rooms, if possible, and allow lots of sunshine to flow inside.
5. Organization: Even without built-ins, a small home seems instantly larger with smart organization. Eliminate all clutter. Anything that you don’t need goes.

Follow these tips to make your home its most useful, and you’ll barely notice the smaller size. In fact, you might join thewave of homeowners who actually prefer it!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged decorating a small house, decorating tips, how to decorate, interior decorating, Market News, organization, small house
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