Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on February 18th, 2010
The rustic country styling of Europe’s villas have often invoke images of sun-washed vineyards, stone farmhouses, wrought iron curtain rods, wrought iron furniture and crumbling stone walls. Popularized in lush timeless regions such Tuscany, the Spanish coast and the South of France, the architecture and ambiance of these locals is still treasured and sought after, even in more contemporary homes. The Appeal lies in its simplicity. A combination of comfortable, worn and sturdy materials can make any room warm and inviting, a down to earth and stylish look that is as well suited in a country home as in an old chateaux.
Black wrought iron and rustic metals are perfect to set the tone in a rustic themed room. Rusted wrought iron furniture, light fixtures, and worn wooden accessories add depth and a casual ‘lived in’ feel. The Tuscan villa style is inspired by elements of nature, and it’s important to pull these elements into your home. Warm, richly colored country curtains; punctuated by bright black wrought iron curtain rods and window treatments, frame any window in a pastoral and inviting manner. Terra cotta or marble flooring add wonderful lines and vintage appeal that will compliment these wrought iron curtain rods and wrought iron decor. This hand crafted authentic look will fit beautifully in to your home. You’ll be surprised at how even small accents such as intricate wrought iron pieces and worn wood furniture can bring a touch of old world charm into your modern home.
At Wrought Iron Haven we have many customers asking about extra wide window treatments and how to go about designing for them. With today’s window treatments in the market place, it is quite difficult to find wrought iron curtain rods that are longer than 130 inches. No matter where you look, they just are not being made today. This poses a problem for those beautiful homes with a lot of window area. So why can you not find these extra long curtain rods? Discussing this in length with a manufacture, we have come to realize that after a certain length the wrought iron starts to bend, even with a support.
So what is one to do with a huge window area? We have devised a design that will work well with windows that require these extra long wrought iron curtain rods without having them look undesirable. With this design idea you can decorate a window treatment as wide as you need.
For bigger window treatments just use two rods or even three! A two rod, two finial combo will work fine. Because wrought iron curtain rods separate into two equal parts, you can mix and match them to create the combination. By using one ball finial curtain rod and one other decorative finial rod, like the leaf, you are able to interchange them so the two ball finials meet in the middle and the two more decorative finials are on the end. This way the break in the rod is hardly noticeable. But remember that you will need a center bracket for the middle of each of the two rods. This however does make it difficult to have only two curtains within the window treatment because the rings will catch on the center support bracket so you will be wise to have a curtain set that will fit in between the grooves.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on February 17th, 2010
The great things about home accessories are that you don’t have to break the bank in order to change your home decor when the season or mood may inspire you to do so. While everyone may agree that a remodel can be very costly to your budget, they usually agree that making the right choices in your home accessories and accent pieces can completely change the style and feel of a room without extravagant spending.For example, what are some of the options you can change in your living room? Changing the color palate with the accessories, throw pillows on a couch or easy chair, adding a throw, putting up some different wall art are simple solutions. Changing out figurines and table art, flower arrangements, and candles, even adding or changing an area rug are just a few examples of ways that for a very modest amount of money you can make great changes that will be completely different from what you started with in the beginning. Another idea is to change the furniture arrangement in the living room. This can sometimes be an answer that is an easy fix that inspires a whole new approach to your home decor.In your kitchen and dining rooms you might want to change the set of dishes you’ve been using, get out that set you’ve had stored and start using them or if you don’t have a stored set consider buying a new set and putting the ones you’ve been using away for a season or two. Maybe get a different set of canisters, some new serving pieces or finding some that you’ve had stored and possibly forgotten. Change the tablecloth put a different centerpiece on your table, change the flatware you’ve been using, even something as simple as changing salt and pepper shakes can bring a different mood and feel to your kitchen decor.In your bedroom the changing of your bedding can change your mood drastically. This includes your sheets, blankets, quilts, and comforters that you may be using. And along with those your window treatments are often forgotten in changing the home decor of your bedroom. As with the living room, changing or adding an area rug can make a world of difference in the overall look and feel of your home decor. Again, changing the lamps or other figurines, any flower arrangements that may be on a dresser or cabinet affects the mood of the room. Also putting up different wall art either form another room or getting something new for your bedroom can make a big difference in you design style.On to the bathroom, change your clothes hamper, get some new bath rugs. Get a new set of bathroom accessories such as soap and toothbrush holders, lotion dispensers, tissue holders and trinket box. Change out the wall plates for your light and electrical sockets. Get a different shower curtain and wall art to change the theme in your bathroom. Update your bath towels and washcloths and don’t forget the hand towels too.You can find ideas and products that cover all of these home accessories and home decor ideas at www.king-furniture.net . These websites are great resources for updating product ideas and offering you a wide variety in home accessories for your home decor.
We are the manufacturer & exporter of Garden Furniture, Custom Made Furniture, Hotel Set Furniture, Bar & Restaurant Furniture, Parquet, Flooring. http://king-furniture.net
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 14th, 2010
As most beach vacation homes are owned by people from the cold winter north, the natural desire is to design the inside of the home to reflect the surrounding outdoor scenery and all of the things that draw northerners to the warmer climates of the south. The key to selecting finishes and décor for a beach vacation home is remembering one important word: Light. Light colors, light fabrics, light finish materials for floors and accessories and, of course, allowing plenty of natural light to penetrate into the home. If the homeowner allows the reasons they are drawn to beach style living to enter into their vacation home, they will find it very easy to be inspired in making selections that will extend that atmosphere.Light, tropical colors for the walls, in very pale greens, peaches, and coral pink will subtly bring the breezy feeling of the beach into any room. Accent this breeziness by hanging sheer, white, floor-length curtains at the windows to ebb and flow with the ocean light winds. Ceiling fans are a must in any beach front vacation home, both for functionality and for aesthetics, and in a tropical climate the most appealing finish is that of a light with bamboo fan blades to reinforce the laziness and serenity of the areas foliage. Furniture can be oversized, as long as it is light in color and comfortable, inviting the user to lounge and nap. Stay away from dark, heavy wood furniture, especially in a dining area, as this will leave an impact of formality that is not in keeping with the laid back lifestyle of the beach. For a more casual feel, you may even consider stringing a wall mounted hammock in a sun room, to further induce a mid day siesta.To complete the interior décor, consider accessories that incorporate elements of the beach: sand, sea shells and palm trees are common themes that will bring the final touches of your vacation getaway into every room of your home away from home.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 12th, 2010
Does finding the inspiration for decorating the rooms in your home take you more time than actually decorating the room? It’s not uncommon to put off decorating because you don’t know where to start. The problem is you haven’t found the inspiration.
Finding decorating inspiration doesn’t need to be as difficult as it seems. Inspiration is all around you. The key to this kind of decorating is finding an item that you really love and using it as your inspiration. Here are some ways to use an inspiration piece in your home decorating.
Draw Decorating Inspiration from the Colors in the Piece
If you have a piece that you really love such as old china, start with the colors in that piece as your dining room decorating inspiration. If your china has a colorful print, pick one of the colors as your wall color. This accomplishes two things. It will complement your china and draw attention to it. It will also give the room its basic color and you can begin to decorate the rest of the room around that color.
If you need to, use a color wheel to find your wall color’s complements. That way, if for example you choose green as your wall color, you won’t be tempted to use green for everything else in the room. By using the colors in your decorating inspiration piece, you will be pleased with how quickly choosing the rest of the items for the room will be.
Draw Decorating Inspiration from Framed Art
This idea works great in any room, but it especially works well in decorating a child’s bedroom. If you have some prints of cars, boats, and airplanes, it’s easy to find decorating inspiration in those prints. You can plan a whole room around a transportation theme.
Get a throw rug shaped like a car, paint some stoplights and yield signs on the walls, and change out the knobs on the furniture to car, boats and airplanes.
A word of caution, too much of a good theme can be a bad thing. Don’t overdo it. You want the theme of the room to be fun, but not overwhelming. Try choosing a solid color comforter or curtains in a color from your original decorating inspiration print to complement your theme.
The inspiration for decorating your home is probably already within its walls. You can take your favorite comforter and build your bedroom around it. Have you gone on vacation and brought home some interesting souvenirs that can be used as inspiration in decorating your home? Perhaps you’ve brought home some southwestern pottery that can be used as decorating inspiration. Perhaps you’ve brought home some pieces from a trip to Europe that can really inspire you.
Your inspiration may already be in the room it’s waiting to inspire or it may be burred in a basement or attic. Spend some time going through your old treasures and see if there is any inspiration there. Once you find your home decorating inspiration, doing the actual decorating should follow easily.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 10th, 2010
If your kitchen looks like a drab or it just needs some enhancement, then you might uplift its appeal with kitchen curtains. Usually, people do not pay much attention to their kitchen decor as this room is seen more for its function than beauty. However, it is important to keep the kitchen as appealing as other rooms to inspire the people that cook in them. This is what kitchen curtains can do.
Choosing the right kitchen curtain for you can be a great way to exhibit your own style and taste. Curtains can transform your kitchen in remarkable ways. However, you might be confused about the many available choices there are. However, if you know what kitchen curtains are about, then you can narrow down your selections.
People get kitchen curtains for two main reasons apart from aesthetic qualities. Curtains are used to filter light or to keep one’s privacy. Some people get kitchen curtains for both reasons. You should determine whether you want the kitchen curtains to be mostly opened or mostly closed. This greatly influences the choice of materials and design of curtains.
It is also important to identify the kitchen’s theme and match it with the design of the curtains. Moreover, the curtain should also match the window’s size and shape. Another point for consideration is the costs. Certain materials may be more expensive than others. This factor goes hand-in-hand with the type of curtain.
Major Points of Consideration
When choosing the right kitchen curtain, it is important to consider four things: the fabric, the color, shape, and style. Matching the right combinations of these three is essential when choosing curtains for the kitchen.
1. Curtain Fabric – there are many kinds of fabric available for kitchen curtains from those made of heavy materials, to those made of lightweight fibers. Brocades and other heavier fabrics are usually not recommended as they obstruct air and light. The most recommended fabric for kitchen curtains is cotton because it is a durable but lightweight fabric that is easy to wash, and is thus ideal to the demands of kitchen action.
There are fabrics that have cute printed or embroidered designs that could definitely add to the aesthetic value of the curtains. It is however important to check if the fabric is light resistant so that it would not easily fade or turn yellow over time. Some kitchen curtains are quite thin and might need to have linings. Most fabrics are sold pre-shrunk so that their shapes would not be altered, however, if you are making your own curtain, you might need to make some allowance for shrinkage.
2. Color – it is important to choose the right curtain color that would flatter your kitchen’s finishing. You may choose light colors to make the kitchen look bigger than it actually is or to maintain a cheerful ambience. However, the kitchen may be too bright during the day and you might want to opt for darker curtains. When choosing the color of your kitchen curtain, it is important to take into consideration the color of your furnishings and walls. You may choose to match the current color theme of the kitchen or use complementary colors for contrast.
3. Length – living rooms generally look good with long and flowing curtains, but such may not be the case for the kitchen window. The kitchen would benefit for a more relax and informal atmosphere that shorter curtains can provide. To determine the right length of kitchen curtains, it is important to carefully measure the window where it will be installed.
4. Style – There are many styles of kitchen curtains, the most popular three among them are the country-styled ones, contemporary and the classic kitchen curtains. Each style caters to particular tastes and kitchen themes.
Caring for Kitchen Curtains
Kitchen curtains are easy to care for. You only need to shake them once in a while to eliminate dust. They should also be washed every month or so according to product labels. Some curtains with delicate materials need to be dry cleaned or hand washed. Stained curtains may be washed in hot vinegar solution.
Kitchen curtains can be very beautiful features of a kitchen. It is good to invest one to make the kitchen a conducive place to make meals for the family.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 8th, 2010
A curtain or drape is fabric that hangs over windows and doors to control indoor temperatures, cut out light, maintain privacy and are decorative.
In old time England a curtain maker was a man that draped fabric over windows. A draper was someone who sold the fabric. Drapers were retail stores where fabric and sewing materials were sold. Today the terms curtain and drapes have interchangeable meanings. The modern tendency is to think of curtains as unlined and they come in a variety of lengths. Draperies are those that draw completely closing off the window.
With the increase of the single family homes, the curtain and drapery industry has experienced high growth. They usually have their own section in a department store, while some shops are specifically dedicated to selling curtains and drapes.
There are a variety of options for home owners to choose from for any window treatment in their home. They come in many designs, styles, fabrics, patterns and colors. Some of the fabrics available are silk, cotton, satin, nets, chintz, lace, linen, polyester and thermal insulated materials.
As utility bills rise consumers are becoming more aware of the advantages of curtains and drapes for their functionality. They can provide a cost savings at an environmental measure. Some drapes also dampen or reduce sound from the outside. Another drape has a cloth lining that gives superior insulation. If you are not a sound sleeper, they have black out drapes to darken the room. These were often used in time of war.
Curtains and drapes can be made with a varying degree of thickness and a different degree of light absorption and heat insulating qualities. They can also stimulate your attitudes and moods. For a casual relaxed atmosphere choose shorter lengths of material. For a more formal dressy look, generally the longer curtains look more dignified. All of these choices will inspire your family and friends when they look in or out of your windows.
What most consumers want are high quality well designed fabrics at affordable prices that results in a furnished complete look. It is more cost effective to purchase ready made panels or standard curtains then custom made. Also make certain you figure into your budget the accessories needed to hang the curtains. Then you will have a good idea of what expenses you will be expecting.
For an inexpensive distinguished effect there are swags. They serve no function but earn their keep by looking dramatic. There is a do it yourself scarf swag that you sew the pleats together on an angle and drape it over the pole. Quite a statement can be made with this design.
Curtain rods hold the curtains from the window top and let the curtain fall to its full length. You can coordinate the color of the rods with the curtain or the wall. The rods and curtains can be simple to intricate, but they will give new life to your surroundings.
Decorative accessories can add the ingredients you may be longing for. There are tiebacks, tassels, trimmings and headings. Some types of headings are standard, pencil pleat, French pleat, cartridge pleat, slot pleat and puff ball headings.
The standard heading is the most common. It comprises of one inch tape that is gathered up into a narrow heading. The pencil pleat is without a valance and it gives a pleasant finish at the curtains header. The French pleat is often used with extra stiffener in the fabric to produce full regular folds. The cartridge pleat forms a goblet shape in the top of each pleat. By stuffing polyester into the top of the pole it helps maintain the curtains shape. The slot pleat is simply a pleat formed by cutting slots in a cased header and fed through a pole. The puff ball heading is most impressive and easily accomplished. You employ the same method as the slot pleat, but leave twelve inches of fabric above the slot. The excess above the header is balled up into a puffball shape.
Not all windows look beautiful and having draperies or curtains can hide many flaws. So do yourself a favor and start doing your research and let your true personality come alive.
Author Bio: Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.Wall-Decor-Concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 6th, 2010
“What’s your color?”
According to experts in fields ranging from therapists to dietary specialists, that might be a more perceptive question to ask on a first date, rather than the tired, “What’s your sign?” Color preference or aversion tells a lot about a person, and can be used to boost your mood, make your home more welcoming, or even improve your health. Ultraviolet light and color therapy is one of the newest and most promising forms of medical therapy being researched today. So why not incorporate some of your favorites colors in new ways throughout your home for a fresh perspective and new outlook on life? This will not only boost your mood if you plan on living in your current condo or house, but also help to entice buyers if you are trying to sell your home. In a competitive real estate market, any edge you can give your condo is a plus and could make or break a sale.
Everyone has a favorite color, or at least tends to gravitate towards certain shades or tones. Take a look at your car’s paint, the clothes in your closet, the comforter you chose for your bed, or think back to grade school and that first box of crayons. Does blue calm you? When you see yellow does it make you smile? Consider each room of your home and decide what feeling you’d like to evoke in that room and which colors encourage those desired emotions and atmosphere.
If you browse though Chicago real estate listings, particularly the higher end http://www.bestchicagocondos.com/luxury-condos/index.html then you’ll notice that professional designers try to maximize both space, light and color. Color psychologists theorize that the colors of the rainbow have individual character traits or personalities. Using those traits as a general rule of thumb, along with your favorite color choices, you can customize each room in your home to create a certain feel.
Bedrooms should be calming and restful to insure quality sleep and comfort. Shades of blue and indigo are conducive to relaxation and rest. If painting the walls isn’t an option, simple accents can make a huge difference. Try changing your sheets, comforter or bedspread to a soft shade of sky blue with darker toss pillows. New curtains or window blinds can change the entire tone of the room, filtering the light in different ways. Even putting down a throw rug or two in matching shades of blue can make a difference in your bedroom.
For a children’s or young adult’s room, violet and shades of purple are good choices. These colors are said to inspire creativity and imagination. Use purple accents in the same ways as blue can be used in an adult’s bedroom.
For a bathroom, green and coral can be a refreshing change of pace. Green, in lighter shades, evokes images of the sea. The color promotes harmony and balance, which can make for a relaxing shower or bath experience.
Redecorating your bathroom can be as simple as a new shower curtain, towels and wash cloths, or as complex as installing new tile and flooring. But easy splashes of color can be accomplished by green cucumber candles or a small mirror trimmed in coral or green.
The living room or family room often seem to come alive when natural earth tones are incorporated. Deeper greens, warm tones of orange like peach or terra cotta, along with tans and sienna are all calming colors that connect to nature and have a sense of freedom about them.
Again, major changes to your living room can be made by installing new carpet in one of these colors as a base, then accenting with throw rugs. If new furniture is an option, pick a single color as a material choice and build around that will toss pillows, fresh artwork on the walls or new drapes in a complementary matching shade.
Speaking of walls, painting is the most common way to refresh a room. If you don’t want to repaint the entire living room, pick a single wall and give it a fresh coat in one of the earth tones mentioned above and trim it with a darker shade of the same color. You can then hang a selection of family photographs in matching frames to create a picture wall.
Hallways, entryways and basements can benefit from a touch of yellow. The color works well in dim or poorly lit areas. It gives a feeling of welcome, openness and creativity that can greet you as you enter or brighten a dark space. Paint walls, change floor coverings or hang artwork or pictures with shades of yellow.
The kitchen is often as much as a gathering place as the living room, but the primary function will always be associated with food. Building on that, red tones are often good choices for kitchens and dining rooms because that color stimulates your appetite. Again, natural colors found in foods that promote health work well in decorating your kitchen.
We are automatically drawn to the red of tomatoes, green of peppers, broccoli and cabbage, and orange of pumpkins and carrots. Incorporate these colors into your kitchen with new cloth napkins, place mats, table cloths, dish towels, dining seat pads or dish patterns. Walls and cabinets can be painted in these shades and new curtains can frame the windows in fresh colors. With a few easy changes, you can spice up your meals without adding a single calorie.
Whether you decide to make a major decorating change to your home or just add a few subtle color accents, there are some basic tips to remember:
* When choosing a color theme, a room should be divided between 75 percent warm colors and 25 percent cool colors or just the opposite. Every room needs to have a definite theme or message, so giving one color or shade (light or dark, warm or cool) is a must. Otherwise the room will look disorganized and cause you to feel uncomfortable or restless.
* Try to limit each room to three colors with one being dominant and the other two as accents. Any more than that and it becomes overwhelming. Any less and it becomes bland. Also try to coordinate colors in adjoining rooms.
* Paint always looks lighter in the store or on a sample card or chip. When you get it home and on your walls or cabinets it will often look much darker or stronger than it did in the store. Try painting a small area to see how it looks when dry rather than painting a large surface all at once.
Remember, it’s all about what works for you. Not everyone’s rainbow ends in a pot of gold. Yours might be blue or green or red or…well, you get the idea.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 5th, 2010
Your looking for curtain ideas to give you some inspiration. So how can you get fantastic looking modern curtains made to fit your windows for just a few dollars.
1. You know your room needs redecorating and bringing up to date.
2. You have windows that are the wrong size for ready made curtains.
3. Or you simply can’t find the right color or design.
So you keep putting it off because it’s going to cost big money to get them custom made.
Well it doesn’t have to break the bank to turn your curtain ideas into reality. So what kind of window treatments am I talking about that are made to measure and don’t cost a fortune. Well they are called “Wave curtains” because they hang into pleats that fold in to a wave shape.
They are a really modern and contemporary style but can fit in most homes depending on the fabric they are made from. The beauty of this style of curtains is,
1. The look obviously.
2. The way they fall naturally into their special “wave pleats” when they are either open or closed. No more time dressing your curtains every time you move them.
So your probably thinking how do you get them for so little. The answer is simple “You make them yourself”.
This is the point your finger heads for the back button, well stop right there.
Don’t panic, you don’t need to sew or even know a thing about curtains. It’s so simple anyone can do this (even a grown man like me). How do I know, have I read about it somewhere and decided to share it with you.
No I have been there done it and have the evidence hanging in my own home. I have also written up full simple step by step instructions with photos. So you can repeat it yourself with no big expenses. Most people have the tools they need to make these around their homes already. If you need anything it won’t cost you much, or you can borrow it from family or neighbors.
The only things you will need are the fabric to make your “wave curtains” and the stuff to create the header and seams.
So your asking how do you make curtains like this. Well the first step is:
1. Side seams and hem are created using fusible web tape. The stuff you use to re-hem a skirt or trousers. You fix this with a domestic steam iron, the kind we all have at home. Believe me if you apply this tape properly it sticks rock solid. You will find it very difficult to pull the fabrics apart.
2. The header that creates the wave effect on the top of your curtains is created using fusible 5 or 6 inch wide buckram. This stuff again is fixed in place using a steam iron. Again it sticks really well.
3. Finally you will need pin hooks to hang this style of curtain. These hooks pierce the fabric and buckram allowing you to put them exactly where they are needed.
That in a nutshell is how it all works. They are super easy and can be made to fit any size window. So have a go yourself and turn these curtain ideas in a reality.
Full free instructions on making Wave Curtains here.
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 3rd, 2010
Do you have furniture that doesn’t seem to go with the rest of your house? Try a fresh coat of paint before you change your living room’s décor.
Let me guess, you’re cringing right now at the thought of painting your living room. You’re not alone.
Even though most homeowners know painting is the most inexpensive and quickest way to transform their living rooms from drab to fabulous, they still express reluctance in vivid hues. They feel selecting the right paint colors is an intimidating task not easily achieved by amateurs.
However, finding and living with colors you really love can be easy, fun and a lot lighter on your budget. Here Are My Top 4 Tips for Choosing the Right Paint Color & Turning Your Living Room into the Room of Your Dreams1. Collect Decorating Samples From Your Home
The best way to begin choosing the right paint color for your living room is to let fabric lead the way. Fabric provides inspiration for a room’s color scheme. It’s also a more prudent starting point since painting your living room is much easier and costs a lot less than to change furniture and window treatments. 2. Study Color Schemes You Admire in Home Decorating Magazines
Turn your magazine flipping into a treasure hunt. Mark or rip out pages with rooms that you like. This will become your decorating portfolio and will come in handy when its time to pick a mood and feel for your room.
You may even see a room with the same structure as your space that you can use as a template for your wall color and furniture placement. See how the pros do it, copy them and then add your own personality twist for a fresh, new look. 3. Keep Paint Tones in Mind – and Instantly Change the Mood of your Living Room
You want to use colors appropriate to the natural setting lighting. To create the prefect place to curl up by, you must understand the psychology of color. The color wheel has two sides: warm and cool.
Just like the group name connotes, warm colors add coziness and warmth to a space while cool colors add a smooth airiness that can translate an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. Warm colors range from red to orange and cool colors range from blue to violet.
Knowing how color will affect your emotional response will come in handy when choosing the mood of your living room. 4. Notice Architectural Features
Highlighting window casements, columns, staircases, crown moldings and other architectural features with shades of white can instantly turn your living room into a true showcase admired by friends, family and yourself.
If you’re feeling brave, instead of painting your living room’s architectural features white or off-white, consider the palest shade of color to coordinate with the walls. Your Home Interior Decoration Bottom Line:
Painting your living room can be fun, easy and cheap. You may already have the framework for a showroom hiding in your carpets, curtains and furniture.
Choosing a living room’s feel can be as simple as flipping through your favorite magazine and cutting out a picture. Paying a little attention to details, especially architectural ones can give your living room that custom touch. This is a secret that most do-it-yourselfers overlook.
If you follow these tips, you will pick a paint to please your palette and give your home the quality it deserves.
The American Homeowners Association (AHA) ®
Posted by | Diy Home Improvement | Posted on January 1st, 2010
We all want to make improvements and upgrades to our home, but it’s not always financially possible. Major renovations cost major money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start with minor repairs. A few small touch ups can go a long way to making a noticeable difference in your home.
By starting small with affordable projects, you can work toward improving your home while simultaneously saving money for any needed larger renovations. So, keep reading for some great tips on how to fix up your house while minimizing your costs.
1. Start with the Entrance
Your porch and entranceway are the first things a guest sees when he approaches and enters your home. This is where a subtle great impression can be made, and you don’t want to lose the opportunity. So, start there.
Fix up the lawn with a few new plants, clean the driveway and get rid of any debris outside. From there, move on to the porch. If you have room, include some plants that need minimal care but simultaneously spruce up the appearance.
If your deck is old and tired looking, give it some new life with an inexpensive coat of paint and a few minor repairs. Next, give the front door a fresh new color and a splash of sparkle with a decorative wreath or a new knocker.
2. Paint with Light Colors
Not only does painting freshen and brighten a room, but painting with light or pastel colors will make it feel bigger. So, if you can’t afford to put a new addition on the house, create the illusion of space by clearing out some of the clutter and throwing up a new coat of light paint.
If this is not one of your better skills, take the time to position masking tape along any edges where you don’t want paint show afterward. Leave it on for a day before carefully removing it.
3. Clean
It sounds simple, but a thorough cleaning and a rigorous de-cluttering can go a long way in revamping a home. For the cost of cleaning supplies and a few hours of manpower, you can spruce up the appearance of your house.
Rent a carpet cleaner, wash your curtains, clean the windows inside and out, donate your junk, take your garbage to the dump and just tackle all those little repair jobs that have been piling up. You’ll be amazed by the difference that a good weekend of solid cleaning really makes.
If you’ve been building up a lifetime of junk in your home, consider renting a large bin from a trash service company and take a weekend to fill it with stuff you haven’t used or looked at in years.
4. Get Creative
Look to magazines or design programs for inspiration and start getting creative. If you’re a handy person, try refinishing that old table to give it a new look or install new hardware to update your cupboards.
Remember, creativity and elbow grease shouldn’t cost you a dime. With the right work attitude, anybody can afford to improve their home. So, get started today.
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