Living in a small space can be a real challenge, especially for a family with kids, but not only them. Making the most of limited space is the topic of today’s article - a real gem!
Interior Design Space Saving Techniques
By David McEvoy
There is nothing worse than clutter for spoiling an otherwise perfectly beautiful home. Too many ornaments occupying the shelves, piles of papers and magazines lying on the table, boxes and bags filled with all those bits and pieces that don’t have a home, books overflowing on the book case and so on. Clearing up the clutter and transforming your home in the process needn’t be a nightmare. If you think you haven’t got enough storage space then think again. The following space saving tips and techniques will help you to change the look of your home and create a harmonious atmosphere that is not only pleasing to the eye but calming for the mind.
If you don’t need it, ditch it
The first step would be to gather absolutely everything that you don’t need and get rid of it. There is no point in hanging on to things that you haven’t even looked at for several years, just in case one day you think you might. Invariably, you won’t. It can be hard to let go of some items, particularly if you have a tendency to hoard things, but the sheer exhilaration of clearing out the junk is more than worth it. Give items away, donate them to charity, sell them at a car boot sale or take them to your local recycling centre. One mans trash is another man’s treasure as they say so pass it on. You may be quite surprised at how much you can gather in only a few years so make a point of having a clear out regularly. It’s well worth it.
Now that you’ve got rid of all the extras it’s time to look at how you can display and store everything else.
Walls can be space savers
Walls are often underused when it comes to saving space. Just look at the amount of wall space there is in your home and start thinking about how this could be better used. For example, shelving is relatively inexpensive and yet a few corner shelves can be of immense value when it comes to finding a home for everything. Make your motto “a place for everything and everything in its place”.
If everything has a place then of course it will be much easier to keep your home tidy and uncluttered. Shelves placed high up on the wall can be used for displaying items such as photographs, ornaments or plants or anything else that you want to be able to see but don’t need to use. For items that you don’t want to see, consider putting them behind a closed door in a cabinet or a cupboard.
If you have a flat screen television then why not consider having it mounted on the wall. Televisions and stands can take up a great deal of space in a room so having it on the wall not only saves space, it is easier to view too. Other items that can be wall mounted can include spice racks, soap dishes and dispensers, electrical equipment, shoe racks, just use your imagination.
Behind closed doors
Cupboards and cabinets can hide a multitude of sins but what you don’t want is a cupboard that you’re scared to open in case the contents spill out on top of you. You can buy clear storage boxes with lids very cheaply that you can then label with the contents and stack them on top of one another. This way, when you open the cupboard to put something away you will know where it belongs and it won’t be a nightmare, or a health risk.
Using the furniture
If you are choosing new furniture spare a thought for any space saving aspects it might have. For example, a coffee table with a couple of drawers, a bed that can accommodate under the bed storage, a display cabinet with closed cabinet space too. If your current table has space underneath it, think about investing in a good quality tablecloth that reaches the floor, not only will this act as an attractive feature in your room, it can hide videos or CDs or anything else for that matter underneath.
Other ideas
There are always ways to maximise the use of available space in any room no matter how small it is. Take a look round your home and identify any area that can be better utilised. Look above eye level to the ceiling and below to the floor, and remember to look underneath pieces of furniture too. You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of wasted space you already have and when you’ve made the effort to rectify this, you can sit back and enjoy your new and uncluttered surroundings.
David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a leather sofa to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit our site.
Choosing the right wall paint color is a huge challenge in any home decor project. The right color can do so much, while the wrong one… well, let’s not go there. But there’s so much than just shade and tone anymore. There is a multitude of available effects to choose from as well. So, how do you choose the right one for your home? Here’s an article that might clue you in on this very topic -
How To Use Paint To Make The Inside Of Your Home A Lively Place
By Jude C Wright
The old saying goes, “Your home is your sanctuary.” This is true to the extent that when you come home from a hard day’s work, you want to be able to come to a place that you can relax in. At the same time, you want your home to reflect your personality and who you are.
While choosing what furniture will furnish your home will factor greatly in how the inside of your home will look and feel, the interior painting of your home will also greatly factor into how your home looks and feels to you.
There are several methods you can use to make your home a more inviting place for yourself.
One of the ideas you can consider is “wall stenciling.” This involves using a template that is in a certain shape or design and allows you to apply color in that same shape or design to a floor, wall, or ceiling.
“Wall stenciling” enables you to add texture and depth to your room, as you can add shapes and designs to the rooms of your home. This technique is easy to accomplish and is inexpensive, making it a great option to add some depth to your children’s rooms via adding different figures of their cartoon characters to the walls of their rooms.
Another technique you can use to enhance the inside of your home is via “faux painting.”
“Faux painting” is exactly what it sounds like according to its words: “false painting.” Specifically, it is painting one object to resemble another (or in other words, making an object appear to be something it really isn’t, or a “false” statement of what it truly is.) This is often used to make the paint resemble other objects, such as wood, granite, marble, etc.
There are several different forms of “faux painting,” including “sponging” (which involves using a natural sea sponge for making dabs on the wall,) “dragging” (which involves putting a base coat of paint on the wall, then using a dragging brush to make the paint look like it is natural wood grain,) and “marbelizing” (which involves using brushes, combs, sponges, and feathers to help provide the illusion that the walls are actually made of marble.)
These skills have various degrees of difficulty and will need different lengths of time to master, depending also on how quickly a person can learn to master and utilize the techniques.
Another technique you can use to make your home more lively is “rubber stamping.” By using rubber stamping techniques on your walls, you can provide dramatic effect to them via the design you put on them. The cost of applying this technique is low as well, making it a popular choice among many people.
In addition, stamping can provide more dramatic results than other interior painting techniques, but it takes some time to truly master the technique in order for it to bring the effects you want.
Interior painting can add as much or even more to your home than the type of furniture you put into your home. There are many different interior painting techniques you can use to add depth and texture to your home, including “wall stenciling,” “faux painting,” and “rubber stamping.” Utilizing any of these techniques to their fullest benefit will take time and practice, but once you have acquired some skill in these techniques, you’ll be able to apply these skills toward transforming the interior rooms of your home into areas that reflect your personality and that you can relax in.
Discover the art of Decorating Simple, simple decorating on a budget, at http://decoratingsimple.com
Thinking about constructing a brick fireplace? There are plenty of designs to choose from, so getting the right one is crucial for your construction plans. Here’s a useful piece about this very topic -
Brick Fireplace Designs - Tips To Get The Perfect Design by Terry Edwards
In order to increase your chances of choosing the right design, you have to decide which type of brick you should use, which styles to incorporate and also what your budget is for your fireplace.
To help you understand the difference between different designs, it is important to understand some history about brick fireplaces. Before gas was used, brick mantels were the norm. This means they often lend themselves best to rustic settings.
These days, the modern look is a bright and open room. Most designs will darken the room and take away from its openness. In this case, perhaps it would be best to go with another design.
Another option is to use a brick fireplace with a stone mantel. This will offer a beauty to the room that will last and is more easily adaptable to different settings.
Sometimes the best solution is to remodel an old existing brick fireplace design. With the right paint and paneling you can do wonders to your room decor.
For those who are on a budget, consider the following: take your old fireplace design and spruce it up. You can put some sheet rock or paneling around it very inexpensively. You can also add limestone to the fireplace to modernize and update the look.
Outdoor brick fireplaces have their own special considerations which you must account for. If you are designing or remodeling one, you need materials that can hold up against the weather.
The best route to go is to talk to someone who is an expert at helping people design their fireplace. Go with someone who has a proven track record of success and who has left many previous clients satisfied. Use their input to help you make the best decision for you brick fireplace design.
At the very least, you should call and try to set up a free design consultation from the business you will be purchasing your supplies from. They will be happy to help you out. And you will get some great ideas at the same time.
About the Author
You can learn more about Brick Fireplace Designs as well as much more information on all types of fireplace designs at http://www.FireplaceDesignTips.com
Tuscany is often referred to as the emblem of rustic country Italian home design. Dream of having a little bit of Tuscany at your own home? This excellent article gives you nine tips how to achieve true Tuscany style decor. It’s a bit on the long side, but well worth a read!
9 Action Steps to create the magic of Tuscany in your home… by Linda Hutchinson
Step 2. Declutter - clear the way
To set the stage and prepare your home for your new Tuscan style, consider a good purge of clutter. Clutter is the antithesis of Tuscan design. Pack away, sell, or give away anything that does not meet the simplicity and functionality test!
Step 3. Consider your options
Remember that the goal is to layer your home with welcoming Tuscan decor elements. Your plan should be to create a feeling of warmth, charm, and simplicity in every room of your home. Your “tool kit” will contain your vision of your Tuscan home, those lovely Tuscan colors, some well-chosen Tuscan furnishings and accessories, and determination and perspiration (which might mean a paint brush and a trowel!).
Step 4. Choosing where to begin
If your family/living room and kitchen are “open concept” and/or connected, this offers the perfect opportunity to instantly recreate your home in the Tuscan style. Beginning with a smaller, less visible room, though, provides an opportunity to “experiment” with wall treatments and furnishings, and a bedroom can be less expensive to redecorate than a family room or kitchen.
Step 5. What furniture, lighting and accessories will you need?
Functionality is key, as is rustic style to Tuscan decor. Think of wood, wrought iron, ceramics… “simple and sturdy” rather than “fine and ornate”. It is not necessary (and indeed is not desirable) to fill your room(s) with items that “match”. They must, however, be functional pieces, and may even serve more than one purpose. A bench, for instance, may open up for storage. Quality and durability are key.
Step 6. Taking a Tuscan style inventory
Consider what Tuscan design elements you already have, which ones you want to keep and which ones you would want to replace (for instance, you may already have stone or wood flooring, which you adore, but a Victorian kitchen table which could “find a new home!”).
Step 7. Choosing your colors
Select your favorite colors from your Tuscan inspiration piece or from a Tuscan color palette. Start with decisions about walls - which can transform a room faster than anything else - whether a paint treatment, a texturizing treatment, or a wall covering. If you want a plaster-like finish on a “plain” wall (very Tuscan!) you might choose a texturizing treatment (e.g. faux finish) or use some of the new textured wall coverings. Some of these finishing techniques require either a professional painter/wall hanger or a determined zeal!
And before finalizing your color palette, look at the function and mood of the room and the exposure you have (your natural light sources) before choosing the “warm” or “cool” colors of your Tuscan color palette.
Step 8. Creating a plan
Advance planning will provide you with the opportunity to determine how much you will spend on the project (establishing a budget) that is vital for avoiding the stress that is sometimes associated with redecorating projects.
Decide on the scope and timeline for the project, and whether it will be done incrementally or all at once. Will you be going it alone, using professional contractors & designers, the help of friends, or a combination?
Be realistic - It will likely cost more than you think, so also be conservative. Set out a budget and fit things into it. You can always add elements later as your finances and inclination allow.
Step 9. Roll up your sleeves and get started!
Maximum impact, right away, will be achieved by beginning with walls so consider a paint treatment, a texturizing treatment, or a wall covering. Alternately, flooring (if this is part of your overall plan) will also create tremendous instant impact. If budget is a consideration, remember that Tuscan design allows (in fact encourages) that we use and elevate humble materials. Antiques and pieces of salvaged ironwork become decorative art; well-worn wooden chairs are cherished for their rustic simplicity. Look at furniture with a new “old” eye.
You’re now ready to move forward and start transforming your home into a little bit of Tuscany!
Copyright 2008. Excerpt from Decorating in the Tuscan Style, the 162-page eBook packed with tips and techniques (and lots of photos) to help you transform your home and garden into the heart and soul of Tuscany. To learn more about Tuscan décor, visit http://www.intheTuscanstyle.com.
About the Author
Linda Hutchinson has been a designer for over 25 years. She incorporates Tuscan design principles in renovations and in designing new home decor. With her passion and appreciation for impressionist art and painting, it’s no surprise that she is inspired by the vibrancy and spirited style of Tuscan decorating. To learn more about Tuscan décor visit http://www.intheTuscanstyle.com.
This short article is actually full of little tips that will help you add a county style touch to your home decor without any huge makeover. If you want that special country style at your place, check it out -
Country Home Decor for a Warm and Welcoming Home by Tess Tackett
Country home decor is the perfect choice for creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for your home. The warm and inviting feeling country home decor creates will make your home the place everyone wants to be! In this article we will find out how to create the look.
While natural wood and rustic tones add charm to your home, the accents you use can add a vibrant splash of color. Think of the colors you find in roosters, for example. Roosters are very commonly used in country home decor. Many people also use brightly colored sunflowers, especially in the kitchen.
For the family room, rustic wood is widely used. Many homes have rough exposed beams and even rough textured wooden paneling. This adds a cabin type of feeling, which is perfect for country home decor. To decorate walls, rustic wooden shadowboxes are the perfect touch.
Add a few country accents such as throw pillows with a country theme and a richly colored quilt draped over a wooden rocking chair. Pictures of barns and old-time country landscapes make beautiful additions to country home decor. Place a few country scented candles on coffee and end tables. Scents like cinnamon and apple pie add to the warm atmosphere.
In the kitchen there are endless options for creating the look. Roosters, cows and sunflowers are all perfect for this area. The addition of a bakers rack and a hanging pot rack add even more charm to country home decor. If your cabinets are dropped down from the ceiling, use this area for rooster statues and any other country accents you like.
This is one of the most popular types of decor. Look through some magazines, search the internet and use your imagination. You are sure to come up with dozens of ideas to help you create a country home decor style you and your family will love!
About the Author
Add country charm to your home! Country home decor creates a warm and inviting home your visitors will love!
Tess Tackett invites you to browse over 600 home decor accents! Top quality and beauty at wholesale prices.