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Posts tagged how to decorate

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, home decorating tips, interior decorating, Market News, organization, small house
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Should You Hire a Professional Decorator?

Jan09
2009
1 Comment Written by Carrie

 

Whether your home is a vintage fixer-upper or a brand-new, blank canvas, there are many things you need to consider before redecorating your abode. Many homeowners have an intricate design plan in mind; others know that they just want to remodel, but do not have a clue where to begin. In either case, the successful completion of such a massive project could benefit from the services of a professional decorator.

Here are a few reasons why you may need to hire a professional decorator:

 You do not have any personal time (i.e., you are always busy with work and family).
 You cannot decide on a color scheme or a pattern.
 You want to recreate a room that you saw on an HGTV show or in a home decor magazine, but you are unsure how to do it.
 You want a one-of-a-kind design.
 You have acquired many different pieces of furniture over the years and are unsure on how to make them work together in the same space.

There are lots of advantages to hiring a decorator. Many professionals offer you assistance in areas in which you may have very little knowledge. They can advise you of the latest decorating trends and provide you with the newest products on the market. And because of their numerous business contacts, decorators may even be able to find materials and gadgets at lower, discounted rates.

Before hiring a professional decorator, follow these general guidelines:

 Check his or her reputation. Find out if previous clients are satisfied with the work that was done to their homes. Feel free to ask for references. After all, this is a job interview.

 Look into his/her experience. Does your professional decorator have any training? Most professionals will have a college degree or some type of education involving interior design. You may also want to ask to see samples of their work.

 Ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask questions. THEY work for YOU. Find out what ideas your professional decorator has for your home. Decorators typically offer different perspectives on color schemes and design layouts.

Remember, the final say is yours, and you can change your mind at any time. Professional decorators are there to enhance your vision, not to completely alter it. With a few suggestions, lots of tips and an expert opinion, you are sure to love your newly decorated home.

Posted in Home Improvement, New Features, Tips and Ideas - Tagged decorating your home, home decorating, professional designer, redesigning your home, selling your home, should you hire a designer
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Fashion Meets Home Decorating

Sep13
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

Have you ever noticed how trends in home decorating tend to imitate fashion trends? This idea is evident in the recent surge of safari-inspired fashion. First seen in full force on the spring runways, the safari trend quickly moved from khaki dresses and raffia belts to zebra-print rugs and bamboo place mats.

Let’s take a look at some of this season’s fashion trends that might soon be making their mark on home decor:

It looks like fall and winter florals will be a big trend this year, with a shift from the painterly florals of last season to bigger and bolder prints. If you’re thinking of implementing floral prints into your furniture and home decor, forget about delicate daisies and stick with the mantra that bolder is better.

The reemergence of slouchy slacks and wide-leg pants indicates a return to comfort, but don’t confuse comfort with laziness. This trend is chic and effortlessly cool; practical, but polished. Try incorporating it into your home with a tailored leather sofa or crisp white linens.

Country fashion is also a trend to watch for, with velvet, tweed, plaid and fur all making a comeback. Another popular material is lace, which will be seen on everything from tights to little black dresses this season. A plush velvet pillow or a lace table runner might be the perfect accent piece for your living room or dining room.

Continuing on with the discussion of decorative tights, some of this season’s hosiery displays patterns that you might see in wallpaper. This look is similar to the damask trend that has populated wallpaper as of late, but the new patterns are more abstract and geometric.

Geometric shapes and sharp angles have also been taking over accessories recently, with square bangles and triangular mod earrings dangling from the jewelry racks at hip boutiques across the country.

In other accessory news, chain jewelry will be a huge statement piece this fall and winter. If you’re loving the look of chain necklaces and belts and want to bring that trend home with you, try installing a dramatic chandelier that is draped with chains or beads.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged design trends, home decorating, hot trends, improving your home, interior design, selling a home
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6 Decorating Don’ts When Selling Your Home

Aug09
2008
2 Comments Written by Shanna

Decorating

Motivated sellers know that putting time and energy into preparing a home to sell can more than pay off in the end. Getting things clean, organized and up-to-date is all part of the process. But what many sellers may not know is how important the specifics of these changes can be.

How can you know what updates to make? When you replace things-from carpeting to kitchen appliances-should you go with top-of-the-line or more moderately priced?

The most important thing to remember is to make decorating decisions that emphasize your house, not your style. Here are six tips to get you started:

  1. DON’T paint with bold colors: Repainting the walls of your home’s interior may be a very good idea, especially if you have spots, stains or any kind of damage showing. But if you repaint, choose neutral colors that could accommodate a variety of tastes. Remember, your preferences don’t matter here-this is about appealing to the largest number of potential buyers.
  2. DON’T showcase personal mementos: It’s no secret that well-framed photographs can make a house a home. However, when you’re selling, you want to remove yourself as much as possible from the decorating. Take down degrees, kids’ artwork and anything that may overemphasize your personality.  Focus on making your home a blank slate for someone else’s living space.
  3. DON’T install the most expensive appliances: If your kitchen appliances are very dated, you should probably replace them. Don’t choose the fanciest, most upscale products, however. Remember that everyone’s taste is different. What you want to choose is something simple, clean and modern, which makes the kitchen look its best.
  4. DON’T install the most expensive carpeting: If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you’ve probably seen some wear and tear on your flooring.
  5. DON’T fix what ain’t broke: Now is not the time to make gigantic, sweeping changes to your residence that aren’t necessary. Also, don’t remodel features that are already in good condition.
  6. DON’T continue living as you always have: As soon as you decide to sell, you need to switch gears in the way you’ve been living. Put as much of your things away or into storage as possible. Declutter. Clean out spaces. Only leave out enough furniture to define living spaces.

Believe it or not, going into your home sale with these simple tricks in mind will definitively set you apart from the pack in terms of home quality. Buyers will be able to visualize themselves in your home more easily, making them more likely to move towards a purchase.

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Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged decorating, for sale by owner selling, fsbo, preparing your home for sale, real estate, selling, selling Buy Owner, selling by owner, selling your home
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