INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS Archives | Page 8 of 80

Fix My Living Room: Easy tips to re-arrange your furniture

February 6, 2015

Sometimes, it only takes moving a few things here and there to make a house look better. The stuff we already have in our home, in order for them to work together and give the space a great flow, means furniture needs to be put in its best position. This is true for everyday life and for staging your home for sale.

Unfortunately, not all of us have the artistic eye to enhance the beauty of our home by just moving and grouping furniture and accents, if we did, we wouldn’t have a job!

Knowing how to arrange furniture, work with colour and place the right accessories can boost the overall appeal of your living space.

We’ve listed easy and practical arrangement tips for the living room.

Below you will find the furniture arranging basics and furniture sizes and placements.

Let’s start with the basics.

Living Room Basics

When arranging furniture in your living room, always remember to:

Establish a focal point.It could be a decorated wall, a centerpiece a window, or a fireplace where you can arrange and match the furniture around it.
Create a conversation area. It will be awkward for guests if they will need have to strain their necks and shout in order to be understood by one another. If you have a large living room, instead of spacing out the furniture and create a big gap between seats, create different conversation groupings instead.
Don’t forget about traffic flow. Make sure that people have enough room for walking so they won’t trip or graze each other whenever in a hurry.
Pull furniture away from the walls. One of the biggest mistakes that people do, is to leave their furniture touching the walls. If the pieces are closer together, they create a more intimate setting.

Furniture Placement and Sizes Guide

When it comes to interior design, size matters. Look at the size of your area first and make sure that the furniture you put it in will complement the space.

Side tables.

People usually think that side tables are not important… but they are actually are. It is a common practice to have side tables at both ends of a sofa. But, if you only have a limited space, a coffee table is much advisable. For the height, always remember that side tables, should as high as the arm chair height of the nearest sofa or chair.

Coffee tables.

A coffee table is a must have piece because it is practical and can serve many purposes. The height of a coffee table should be slightly lower than sofa and chairs, but not too low to the point that the guests will feel uncomfortable putting down their wine glass or a cup of coffee.

Rug.

The secret to making rugs work is to go for a bigger one. An area rug that is too small will stunt your vision of the seating area. However, a big rug can define and make the seating area bigger and more inviting. But don’t go too big (like wall-to-wall) as that can cut off the space too and chop the room in half, you should see some hardwood flooring around the rug

Sofa and chairs.

Consider the amount of space you have before buying new furniture. There is no small or big furniture, the sizes should depend on the amount of space that your living room has. What you can do is create a simple sketch or a basic floor plan with measurements to see how much stuff you can put in there and to really capture personal style, try not to purchase a matching set with sofa and chairs. Find some great chairs that compliment the space and are of proper size and scale (some visual interest too)

Sometimes all a room needs is a few small changes,

1 comment

We Answer Wednesday – Gallery Walls

February 4, 2015

“I love the look of Gallery walls but am not sure how to make mine look as good as the ones I see in magazines.. what are the rules for creating a personalized, and aesthetically pleasing gallery wall?”

Creating a gallery wall in your home is an amazing way to showcase your home’s personality. When it comes to gallery walls, pretty well anything goes. It depends on the look that you are going for.

Let’s start with a few general measurement suggestions…

Before putting a hammer to the wall, try marking where your frames are going to go. Not everyone has a fantastic eye and can guess dead on every time. I would suggesting laying out a college on the floor underneath where the gallery wall will be going. Be sure to have a measuring tape, level, hammer, proper hooks and a pencil on hand. I suggest spacing 2-3 inches in between frames and accents.

If your decorating style is pretty streamlined, I suggest using symmetry.

Groupings are most effective if they are hung with some commonality in mind. Ideally, creating a square or rectangular shaped display is most visually pleasing but frame sizes will likely vary, and you won’t have a perfectly shaped outline. Try to space the frames 2-3” apart for maximum effect. When creating a streamlined Gallery wall, we recommend some sort of cohesive effect between the photos.

Frames all in the same colour, the mats inside the frame being the same, maybe all the photo’s being black and white. Something should tie the photos together, unless of course you are trying to achieve a very
eclectic look…

An eclectic gallery wall is a compilation of items and photos and wall décor that you love.

Anything goes with an eclectic style of décor. Of course, there is an art to creating a visually pleasing eclectic look. Make sure there is some repetition of items.. not everything needs to be doubles, but maybe having a few of the same frame mixed with your collection of pieces will help to make sense of the décor.

I suggest not only having frames. Adding some other décor elements personalize this collage to you and your home.

Try adding a few mirrors, or antlers, letters, or quotes into your gallery wall for added interest. I also love having a few different frames as accents. Mixing both personal photos with artwork is another interesting visual for your home.

I’m a big fan of decorating with what you love. It’s your home and its you who has to love it. So if you want to mix a bunch of things together that you are in love with… do it. Just make sure your spacing is accurate

I love my gallery wall – it adds warmth and beautiful memories to my family room,

0 comment

HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

All About Wall Decor Ideas

January 5, 2015

Wall Décor is something we feel is crucial to every home. Whether you have modern décor, a country home, or a very traditional style of decorating, wall décor is what really pulls a space together. The amount of wall décor in a given home may vary depending on home style and personal taste. Many people have a hard time choosing the correct art to suit their home décor style, or lack the creativity to incorporate something other than photographs or pictures into their space. Wall Décor options are endless!

Here we will give you some suggestions on some wall décor variations other than the traditional artwork.

1. Mirrors

Mirrors are a great addition to any space. The variations and options of mirror shapes, sizes, colours, textures is so vast – you can find anything you want. Mirrors can go in many places in your home as well. If you have an empty wall above your sofa, a large rectangular mirror in a great metallic or three smaller starburst mirrors in scattered pattern are a fabulous option.

2. Open Shelving

Open shelving is a fantastic way to fill an empty wall. Depending on what your style preference is, there are so many colours and wood shelves that will really add another dimension to your space. Open shelving is a great way to display family photos, accessories and whatever other small items you’d like to showcase in your home. Open shelving can be one shelf or a variety of shelves in different shapes and configurations. Open shelves look great in almost all rooms of the home, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, etc.

3. Wall Decals

Wall Decals are used most often in children’s rooms, and they’re great because if a child grows out of them, it’s not a matter of changing the paint so often. There are also many options for wall decals for main living areas, whether it be a lovely quote or a pattern of some sort, wall decals are a fantastic option, especially for people who are living in rental homes/apartments and don’t want to spend the money on paint, these are stickers that peel off without leaving any damage.

4. Gallery Walls and Unique Art Arrangements

A gallery wall is a great way to showcase a variety of elements you love, whether it be frames of family photos, quotes, small mirrors, an accessory, or just decorative frames. Creating a gallery wall in your home is a personal touch that makes any space feel like home. Be creative with what you add. Whether you like the look of a uniform wall with all the same frames arranged in very straight and evenly spaced, or if you like an eclectic mix of some of your favourite things, this feature is bound to be a focal point in your home.

5. Large Accessories

Deer heads, clocks, stars, metal wall art, various geometric shapes, porcelain birds etc are all great things to add to your space. Add what you love!

This is your home and you need to love it. So, make it yours!

0 comment

INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, KITCHENS, TRENDS

Farmhouse Kitchen Style

September 18, 2013

The farmhouse kitchen is a style that we are seeing a lot of and it’s a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. I think the timeless nature and the warmth that a farmhouse kitchen offers are just two of the reasons why this style is sticking around.

It seems like we are getting back to basics when it comes to home renovations and design style. We are turning back to ‘simpler times’ for inspiration and for the kitchen especially – it is the heart and soul of the home – so not only should it look beautiful but it should also be functional.

If you are considering a farmhouse kitchen renovation in your home…

Here are the 8 essentials in a farmhouse kitchen: –

1. A generous sized island.

So practical for serving and for prepping. Stock the island with an over sized sink, dishwasher, microwave shelving ,open or glass shelving and don’t forget seating. The kitchen island is always the ‘hang out’ in the space so going bigger is something you will not regret.

2. Storage.

If you have some odd corners consider custom cabinetry for more storage, these spaces are perfect for storing entertaining essentials like extra stemware, table linens and stoneware. You can customize these pieces to look like old farmhouse style freestanding furniture with upper glass panel doors with mullions and long drawers.

3. A Warm Colour Palette.

When we think of southern living and farm tables we think warm and welcoming. So make the colour palette warm – you can still use darker tones but aim for subtle contrast as high contrast in this style of kitchen is a bit harsh. You can still opt for white as well but be sure to add warmth through choice of materials and other accessories, stay away from really high gloss finishes for instance.

4. Simple Cabinetry.

Shaker style, bead board details and v-groove give enough detail but stay true to the ‘simpler time’ look. The farmhouse kitchen is usually a large one so a lot of detail can look too busy in the space.

5. A functional layout.

In this style of kitchen, the placement of everything is straightforward so that it all works in harmony. Even though a kitchen is large you still do not want any wasted space, always consider the work triangle.

6. Symmetry.

The cabinets, pendants and counter top configuration from one side of the kitchen to the other need to be as close to exact matches as possible. Oh course, there will be some different elements (like what is actually on the counter top) but keep size, scale and balance in mind. The eye is naturally attracted to symmetry, so trust yourself if you feel like something is off balance.

7. Paneled Appliances.

Remember a ‘simpler time’ is key. So you can still have multiple (Big family? Consider two dishwashers and two ovens – BTW that’s my dream! ) and/or sized appliances but consider paneling the refrigerator and other appliances like the dishwasher in panels that match the cabinetry – it gives a seamless look in the kitchen

8. Hardwood floors.

Hardwood in the kitchen is such a warm look, the stain and the natural material brings the farmhouse into the kitchen, the wider the plank the more authentic it will look. Other great options, if you love the look of natural wood – butcher block counter top on the island or barn beam legs for the island.

Remember, if this farmhouse kitchen is just too country or too southern living for you – you can always take elements of the style and make them more modern. An over sized island with imple cabinetry in bright white or a pop of bright colour and a smooth and uniform caeserstone counter top is fabulous – add that country warmth with your accessories or backsplash even! You don’t have to go full-country take the pieces that you like and blend the styles together.

The farmhouse kitchen style blends well with a touch of glamour (this adding some sparkle with some simple pendants with crystal detail) but it also works well with an industrial look too (add a reclaimed brick or wood wall and some industrial lighting). You can do a lot with the farmhouse kitchen and not be stuck with an overall country look.

Or, a functional layout and symmetry work for all styles of kitchens. And customizing odd areas of your home with storage options is always practical.

You can always work with the basics and put your own spin on it!

0 comment

INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

D.I.Y project- wallpaper your furniture

August 20, 2012

Who loves wallpaper? It’s great for adding some visual interest to a wall. But …what about adding wallpaper to your furniture?

If you really want to transform your space you need to go BOLD!

Check out this great Do-It-Yourself project that will make any piece of furniture stand out from the crowd.

Wallpaper is a great way to add some whimsy, pattern, colour and design to a space. We have seen so many accent walls with wallpaper but wallpaper-ing your furniture is still a newer trend. We love the look and it is a great way to add a unique touch to a space!

Check out online sites for fabulous wallpaper options and breathe new life into an aging cabinet or a funky yard sale find. This is perfect for a cabinet, dresser or end table but nothing too ornate – keep it simple.

1. Lightly sand the surface. Be sure to unhinge the cabinet doors and remove the hardware.

2. Apply two coats of an oil-based primer, waiting an hour between coats.

3. Cut the wallpaper to size using a straightedge blade.

4. Paint on a tin layer of mod podge and apply the wallpaper – starting in the center and working to the edges, this helps to flatten out the air bubbles.

5. Wait 24 hrs before applying a coat of acrylic sealant.

Wall paper on furniture really makes a piece look special but also custom. We are loving these bookcases with a wallpaper backing. It adds so much visual interest to the piece and the room. You can add a small amount of wallpaper that suits your taste to a basic bookcase and really make it yours!

Wallpaper on furniture is perfect for a child’s room too – chose so bold and playful options and add them to draw fronts.

Another super simple project for those who aren’t as crafty. Try framing small samples of wallpaper (or even craft paper) and hang it on the wall. I did this in my daughter’s bedroom and it looks great. It’s an easy art project plus it’s fun to mix up all of the prints in one space.

Wallpaper offers you so many options – the selection and styles are so varied. This is a great project fro the DIYer that loves to make a statement!

1 comment

HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

How to Furnish a Room

May 28, 2010

How to a furnish a room? This is probably one of the most common questions in interior decorating but many are intimated to ask. There are many ways and many reasons to furnish and arrange a room in a certain way. Many people are intimidated at the idea of furnishing a room, this is probably one reason why home staging is so successful – it takes the guess work away!

The basic pieces:

Furnishing a living room is like filling a wardrobe with clothing you might wear everyday. Just like you would with clothing, start with the basics, so when selecting your furniture start with sofa(s), chairs, side and coffee tables. Make sure the items are classic in shape and colour and of course, take proportion into consideration.

Now that you have your foundation pieces, you can start to dress your room up with details that add personality and interest.

The room’s advantages:

When furnishing a room you also have to consider the room’s most beautiful elements and deciding on how you want the room to flow. Is there a fireplace you’d like to be near while reading on the sofa or club chair?

Or, is there a window with a fabulous view that you want to call attention to? These are called focal points. Be sure to choose pieces that you can arrange in a way to take advantage of the room’s assets.

The arrangement:

The most common pieces placed in a living room are:-a sofa, two arm chairs, two side tables with table lamps and a coffee table. How you arrange these pieces can add some uniqueness and personality to your space.

Try an L-shape formation (the sofa facing the fireplace and two arm chairs side by side on one end of the sofa, end tables on either side of the sofa and the coffee table right in front of the sofa).

The U-shape formation (sofa facing fireplace, coffee table right in front, side table with lamps on either side of the sofa and armchairs on each end of the sofa just facing each other).

These are pretty typical formations. But here are some other suggestions:-

Face to Face (place the sofa on the right side of the fireplace facing the window, and the two arm chairs side by side facing the sofa and coffee table in the middle.)

Diagonal arrangement (use the U-shape formation but place the sofa on an angle and every other piece accordingly – this is a great way to take advantage of a window in the spring/summer and angle pieces in the direction of the fireplace in the fall/winter).

See below for some other room planning ideas for a long living room. When it comes to planning out your furniture layout – hoe you want to live in the room plays a huge factor so be sure to pay attention to that!

The accessories and styling:

Dressing up the room is how we make the space ours. Adding those elements like colour, texture and shine. Adding decor pillows, throw blankets, artwork, mirrors, knick knacks, lamps, and other unique touches. Side tables and coffee tables are functional and fashionable but keep them clean from clutter, a rule of thumb no more than 3 pieces on a table. So a lamp, a small plant and a small dish is more than enough.

If you want to display some of your collectibles this rule applies too – too many objects make a space cluttered an no one can see your beautiful pieces. The sofa is also a piece to present colour and texture. Try mixing different textures and patterns to create a warm and cozy area for guests and yourself.

I personally like to start with a neutral foundation piece (cream, beige, camel, grey or espresso) are good tones to start with, they are classic and timeless and you can add any colour you wish.

Don’t be intimidated to furnish your own space, it is fun! Afraid your place is too generic? That’s where unique pieces you love, colour and texture come into play. Use books and magazine for inspiration.

Take your time it does not have to be finished over night.

0 comment

BATHROOMS, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, KITCHENS

Incredible counter tops!!

April 7, 2010

When it comes to counter tops our selections used to be very limited, now we have plenty of choices. Here’s how to choose the right style for your home.

When a buyer first sees a home, the kitchen is usually the first room they wish to overhaul. Whether you are an amateur chef or someone who prefers take-out, the kitchen is usually the most lived-in room in the home. It’s no surprise that counter top options have evolved in recent years. Besides new appliances, counter tops can be one of the greatest investments and one of the most dramatic changes you make in your kitchen.

Speaking from experience, our most recent reno project was replacing our kitchen counter top. The results were astounding! Everything else stayed the same but the new counter top changed the look of our kitchen entirely. Choosing a counter top can be overwhelming, it is no longer a choice between laminate or granite. The factors to consider are durability, hygiene, style, cost, adaptability and maintenance.

How to start?

Think ahead of the counter top qualities that are most important to you, how your kitchen will be used and how much you want to spend. An aspiring chef will seek durability, spill and heat resistant surfaces, whereas a busy mother of three may be most concerned with hygiene and a single, condo owner might just seek a material that is stunning and achieves the ‘wow’ factor in the kitchen.

What are you looking for?

Here is a list of counter choices with a brief descriptor including price per square foot, hygiene,

maintenance and durability.

Wood (maple)$100-$150

Food safe but can absorb odours
Treat regularly with mineral oil and keep dry
Will look worn over time be careful with knives

Stainless steel $40-$80+

Extremely hygienic, seen in hospitals for this very reason
Clean with a mild detergent and dry thoroughly
Will show scratches but is heat-resistant

Concrete $100+

Use food-safe water based sealant to protect
Use mild soap for daily cleaning
Can be dented or gouged

Glass $85-$200

Non-porous and extremely hygienic
Easy to clean but may show streaks
May be heat-resistant and may crack

Marble $80-$200

Hygienic when sealed properly
Mildly reactive and a matte finish helps hide stains
Stains, scratches and may crack

Granite $60-$200

Stain and mould resistant with sealant
Use gentle granite cleaner and seal regularly
Extremely durable and heat-resistant

Quartz $70-$100

Non-porous and food-safe
Can be wiped clean
Shouldn’t scratch or chip and it heat-resistant

Corian $60-$100

With proper cleaning will resist bacteria
Clean with soapy water, rinse and dry
Use cutting board to protect

Laminate$18-$26 (uninstalled)

Hygienic if cleaned properly
Clean with mild soap (don’t clean with any citrus product)
Protect surface and difficult to repair

So what about bathrooms?

A bathroom can accommodate nearly any counter top materials you’d find in a kitchen, but beware of durability issues. Products such as nail-polish remover can damage many counter top materials also beware of access moisture caused by improper ventilation. The most popular bathroom counter top materials are: quartz, glass, granite and laminate.

Manufacturing and installation times vary, but typically the process from measurement and planning to installation takes one to six weeks, depending on the availability of material and manufacturer.

A new counter top can totally transform a kitchen (or bathroom) whether you are living in the home or selling it – it is a worthwhile upgrade…

0 comment

BATHROOMS, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, KITCHENS

Countertops can make a huge difference!

October 28, 2009

Today our granite counter tops arrived!

As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, I am living in a renovation zone but things have picked up and starting to really come together.

This afternoon our granite counter tops (kitchen and bathroom) were installed and I cannot get over the difference! We had laminate counter tops in both rooms, the kitchen counter top was a solid grey which was probably not the best choice as it does not hide stains very well and every scratch is seen from a mile away; the bathroom counter top was a laminate but in aqua, white and peach speckled design. My husband and I were looking for a more modern look but we also love the natural look of granite and stone.

Looking for granite Counter tops….

We went to a few granite showrooms but everything we saw was quite typical, since our cabinetry was so plain we really wanted something special! We actually went to a granite supplier and had the opportunity to peruse their slabs and select ours directly from their supply. We found the perfect counter tops for our home and now that they are in the transformation is truly incredible.

Granite Counter tops made a huge difference….

What difference can a counter top really make? In our case we selected a slab of granite that was lighter in colour from the original laminate and now our open concept kitchen look enormous. Our stone back splash really stands out and the stainless steel accents add some sparkle. The whole kitchen comes together and is a true show stopper! The bathroom renovation was a complete overhaul (bye bye Barbie bathroom) but my husband was really worried about how the white wall tiles, grey floor tiles and blue glass accent tile would all come together – the ‘biano antico’ granite counter top was the key element for bringing all the pieces together.

When it comes to selecting your kitchen counter tops there are no right or wrong

choice but here are some tips:

1 – Colour –

Typically you want to choose a counter top that on the opposite side of the colour wheel from your cabinets, for example a dark espresso stain looks best with a lighter counter top but if you are selecting from granite you have some flexibility because granite has some many colours and fishers that you can choose from a variety of cabinet colours. But light can absolutely work with light but I always like something to ground the room so it could be the floors, paint or backsplash.

2 – Stay away from a single colour laminate.

A solid coloured laminate counter top does not stand the test of time very well, stains and scratches are nearly impossible to hide with this type of counter top. If granite is too pricey, keep in mind that there are many laminate options that look (and can feel) like a granite counter top.

3 – Looking for something different?

Try exotic granite or other natural stone such as marble or soapstone or even more cutting edge – concrete. With the increased popularity of granite certain colours are seen more frequently but there is a lot to choose from, so look around at other options.

Here are the after photos of my bathroom and kitchen :-

I can’t get over how different the house looks with these new counter tops!

1 comment

INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

Surviving your renovation

October 26, 2009

I have not been posting on my blog lately because we have been very busy with the final stage of our renovations. We purchased our home almost 2 years ago and took care of some easy renovations in our first year of living in our new home. Paint throughout, new tiles floor, sand and stain the hardwood, new back splash and landscaping the front yard – it was a lot of work but worth it! So this summer we decided to take on the remaining projects in our home – new bathroom, new kitchen counter tops, paint the exterior and landscape the backyard – and our home will be the home we have been dreaming of!

Although the end result is worth it, the transformation is amazing to see but living through renovations can be messy and stressful –

here are some tips for surviving your renovation.

1 – Let your neighbours know what’s going on.

A dumpster can be an unpleasant sight but if your neighbours know you are doing home improvements they will appreciate your honesty and how your improvements will help increase the property values of the neighbourhood.

2 – Work with your contractor.

Remember you are a team. Check in daily on the progress and discuss issues and concerns you have with your renovation. It is easier to fix problems while they are occurring and much more costly after they have occurred.

3 – Have a timeline.

Make sure your contractor provides you with a timeline. There are situations which may put you behind time but at least there is a rough outline of what to expect and when.

4 – Plan ahead.

Make your tile, granite, cabinet selections even before the work starts (and do your best to stick with those choices) as materials can take time to order, deliver etc… and that can delay your renovation.

5 – Think of your family.

Renovations can disrupt family routines so try and keep everyone entertained and occupied, so not to frustrate everyone too much. Take your little ones to the park to play instead of the backyard, plan excursions while the demolition is taking place (that part is the messiest), visit your friends (and maybe your little ones can take an afternoon nap there) taking a break from the renovation is good for everyone.

6 – Get out.

If the renovation will have your life completely upside down for months, maybe look into the possibility of a short term furnished rental apartment for you and your family, it might be way more comfortable and stress free.

7 – Before and after.

Even though you may not be on a TV show or in a magazine, take some before, during and after photos so you can see the transformation – it’s pretty amazing and you don’t fully appreciate it while living in the construction zone!

Remember, renovations done between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010 are eligible for the Home Renovation Tax Credit. Check out this link for more details. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc/

Renovation are stressful but planning ahead and thinking ahead can help manage that stress…

0 comment

HOME DECOR, HOME STYLING, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

Living large in small spaces

May 22, 2009

The first rule of real estate might be location, location, location but the second must be storage, storage, storage! This holds true especially now. Small spaces are back in style – mainly because buyers don’t want to be stuck at home maintaining large homes. They want to enjoy the amenities around them and live life to the fullest!

In Ottawa, the condo market is really just at the beginning stages of taking off, cities like Toronto and Vancouver have experienced their condo booms already. Condo sales are on the rise in Ottawa – statistics show that 323 condos were sold in April 2009 as compared to 318 condos sold in April 2008. Average sale price was $216,502 in April 2009 as compared to $210,661 in April 2008; A 2.8% increase.

The reason for this increase and interest in condo living? Downsizing.

As the baby boom population ages, they are seeking a maintenance free lifestyle which will allow them to live luxuriously and live practically. Condo living could be in a low or high rise building or in a townhouse or semi detached but usually it consists of less maintenance but also a smaller living space. Many downsizers feel very anxious about selling the family home and purging their most precious pieces but this does not have to be if you plan ahead and use your space wisely.

You will want to invest in some multi-functional pieces or some pieces that can give the illusion of a large space.

Furniture choices are a huge factor when downsizing but you are in luck – there are lots of options!

Storage furniture:

In the living room – look for storage options such as a storage ottoman – this can serve as a coffee table, extra seating for entertaining and storage. One on wheels can easily be moved around the room. If you prefer a solid coffee table, look for one with some open shelving for books, or other pieces and use storage cubes as end tables. Another option is a glass table, it disappears but is still functional and practical.

For your entertainment unit, look for a lower piece and/or one with cupboard doors to hide your stuff. You do not want a piece that is too bulky as it can take over the room. Look and see if your existing unit comes in two pieces, often they do and use the lower piece only.

TV:

If you are looking to upgrade your television set, opt for a flat one, as it will also take less space.consider wall mounting your TV this will free up surface space and give a clean look in your space.

Seating:

For a sofa and /or occasional chairs, find apartment size furniture, now available at most retail stores. Also look for arm-less options, they are less bulky but if you must have arms on your furniture look for a more streamlined style like a tuxedo style which can also be very comfortable not just pretty to look at.

A very modern look for occasional chairs, is the ghost chair. It is a smooth and curved chair that is made of a clear plastic. It’s a very sleek look and versatile, too.

Dining room:

most couples have a dining set that they love and could not imaging replacing. You can still use your set just re-purpose it. Remove the leaves and keep a table for 4 and just add the leaves and chairs when needed. Your additional chairs could be tucked in either corner of the room and add a decor pillow for a splash of colour this will also draw the eye to the outer corners of the room, again making the space appear large.

Your china cabinet /buffet likely comes in two pieces, keep the bottom and put the top portion in storage. This will make the room feel larger. Add a long mirror above the buffet, mirrors let light bounce around the room and make it seem bigger than it is.

Area rug:

If your space is very open concept and the rooms are not solidly defined, add an area rug in the dining room. How big should it be? Big enough so when the chairs are slid out from under the table, all 4 legs are still on the carpet. Go neutral in colour, especially if your furniture is dark and rich like a cherry wood or mahogany.

Bedroom:

Again storage is key. If you are in the market for a new bedroom set, look for one with storage, likely drawers under the box spring, this is perfect to store blankets, sheets and other linens. Keep the bed linens light and neutral in colour. Add side tables that have drawers for storage.

In a guest room, a Murphy bed is a great option, especially if you do not have regular guests. Use that room for a multitude of purposes, craft room, sewing room, home office etc…Keep it clean and clear and it can serve multiple tasks. Too many downsizers are used to having extra space to have unused rooms such as a guest room.

Accessories:

Do not overpower your new space with too many pieces. If you have a lot, go through your items and determine which ones are the most important to you and put the others in storage or pass them along to your children.

Other tips:

Clutter makes any space no matter how big or small, feel tight and crowded.
Flat surfaces are not designed to be used as storage areas they should be clear except for decor or function items (example, vase of flowers, candy jar or a phone).
Keep other items in drawers, baskets or other storage containers.
Use mirrors whenever possible but don’t have your place look like a fun house (a mirror above a fireplace mantle is a very classic look but it also adds light in the room).
Keep your walls light in colour and for a bold look (if that is your taste) paint your ceiling in a bold colour this looks great in a well lit space and one with high ceilings.
Use punches of colour in your artwork, pillows, blankets and keep the main pieces of furniture neutral.

Downsizing is an exciting time! A time to start over and really enjoy a new lifestyle. If you are looking to take the next step contact the Bennett Real Estate Pros (http://www.bennettpros.com/) for more information on condos in Ottawa. . Call them today and take advantage of this new time in your life!

Small spaces open up big opportunities for home decor and for living life,

2 comments

1…6 78