News Post Update

Small Changes that Make the Biggest Impact: If you are looking to redecorate your home on a budget, consider these tips which require minimal cost and time, but provide maximum impact to any room:


    * Painting: This might seem obvious, but painting a room is the number one way to change its appearance. If you want a peaceful tone in a room, pastels in blues, greens and yellows can instantly make your room a haven of tranquility. If you're going for a more vibrant, energetic feel, brighter hues such as reds or oranges can give this effect. Sound like too much work? Consider an "accent wall". This is a wall that has a different color than rest of the walls in the room. You can then add little touches such as a shelf, picture, plant or that antique console or end table that you never knew what to do with. This wall can become the focal point of your room. You don't have to spend a fortune on paint either, and some of the "designer" brands are no better than the less expensive brands.



    * Slipcovers, cushion covers: If you have a couch or chair that has seen better days, but buying a new one is not in your decorating budget, you might want to try a slipcover. These come in various styles, fabrics & colors with some being loose-ftting & others that stretch & fit tightly over your couch or chair. Keep in mind that you can order custom-fitted slipcovers, but these are definitely more expensive than the regular, off-the-shelf variety. You would be amazed at the difference a slipcover can make in your entire room. Another alternative to a slipcover is a throw or afghan to drape across the back of your couch or chair. Also, just covering your cushions or buying new ones can breathe new life into a tired sofa and brighten up the room. Feeling ambitious? Visit your local fabric store & check out the variety of upholstery fabrics available. You could try just covering your sofa cushions or pillows, or cover the entire couch or chair. There is plenty of information online or in books on reupholstering furniture.

    * Small Touches: As mentioned above, decorating your home on a budget doesn't mean having to spend all your free time doing it. Sometimes just clearing off a cluttered table and adding an inexpensive vase with some fresh (or silk) flowers can refresh a room. Shop around at consignment stores, flea markets and yard sales for second-hand furniture, vases, artwork, etc. If the furniture isn't in perfect condition, but has a few scratches, these can easily be covered with touch-up varnish kits or a coat of paint. Artwork & vases or other decorative items needn't be expensive to make a big difference. Go to a discount store and buy a new pair of inexpensive drapes or a valance to instantly revitalize a room. Window scarves can add a unique and sophisticated look to room as well. For a bathroom, just replacing your old, mildewy shower curtain with a new one can make a huge difference, or add a new throw rug, hand towels or other bathroom accessories instead of doing an all-out remodel.


Create an Oasis No Matter How Small: As a mom to a pre-schooler, I'm no stranger to clutter. And when I look around and see clutter, I immediately start feeling stressed. Since I can't keep my home perfect, or even close, I've found that just clearing off one area, such as my coffee or dining room table(especially if I've been meaning to do it for a long time), can change my mood instantly. Just having one area of calm without clutter, can be an instant mood-lifter.

Also, rearranging the furniture from time to time can breathe new life into a room and open up space you didn't know you had. Indoor fountains and candles are another way to add to your "mini-oasis", and I'm a big fan of both. Nothing is as relaxing as water, and an indoor fountain set either on the floor(the dog or cat may want to use it as his personal circulating water bowl, however), or on your newly-cleared off tabletop can be the perfect calming touch and can also make a big change in the room. To go with your budget decorating, there are many inexpensive indoor fountains available. Place a candle near your fountain and you will instantly create a calm and relaxed mood in your room without breaking the bank. Hanging wind chimes near an open window or a ceiling fan can be very calming. I know all of this may sound a bit like "feng shui", and in fact incorporates some of the elements of it. It might not sound like redecorating, but the point is that small changes can make a big difference in your home and in your mood.

Whether you've just moved house, or are redecorating, your bedroom cannot be forgotten about. It's your personal space where you spend time relaxing and it should reflect your personality.
Firstly, you need plan the colour scheme of your room - the safest option is to go for a neutral offset and brighten it up with lively, colourful bedroom accessories. Clean lines and neutral background tones juxtaposed with eclectic, bright accessories will liven up the neutral offset.
Ideally, you want a relaxing atmosphere in the evening and then an airy, light feeling when you rise in the morning. The best way to achieve these contrasting moods is by choosing appropriate lighting - you could use a dimmer switch to create a calm, dimly-lit ambiance in the evening and in the morning you can let the natural light seep through your window by choosing lightly-coloured curtains. For dark mornings, you could use a bedside lamp which creates the illusion of daylight.
As your bedroom is your place to relax, you'll want it to be clutter free and therefore you'll need to think about the design of your room and storage space. Storage is key for creating space, make use of baskets, racks and dividers as they can be moved easily if need be. Also make use of the storage space underneath your bed, you can purchase plastic boxes to store items under your bed that you may not use too often. Fitted wardrobes hide storage hidden away and multifunctional furniture maximises space.
Try to choose furniture that's light and easy to manoeuvre and then you can move it around if you fancy a change. Place your furniture in corners and ensure you have enough room and space to move about freely. Try to avoid placing furniture in front of a window as it make the room look smaller and may block natural light from entering your room. If you are unsure where to place your furniture to create the most space, you can use special bedroom design software to plan your new bedroom and to ensure you are getting as much free space as possible.
Your bed will be the focal point of your room and will probably take up the most space, ensure your bed isn't too large for your room as it will leave you with little space for anything else. To make your bed look stylish, invest in original bed linen, and a striking headboard. Mix different fabrics on your bed, one type for headboard, one type for your linen and another for the cushions.
Whether you want a carpet or wooden flooring is your personal preference and each have their own benefits. Wooden flooring is easy to keep clean and can be livened up with stylish, textured rugs. On the other hand, carpet gives a homely feel and is soft on your fee. However, it does need to hoovered and can often be difficult to keep clean.