“My boyfriend and I just moved into our first home. We are on a super tight budget but we want to make a big impact in our space. What can we do?”
Everyone has a budget when it comes to everyday expenses and of course, when it comes to home decor. But don’t panic you can make a big and beautiful impact on your space even with a restricted budget. Best advice for you is – create a feature wall. A strong feature wall will draw the eye, making the rest of the room less on an issue. You can make maximum impact with just minimal materials.
A feature wall could consist of a fireplace (that would be a higher price point), wall paper or bold paint (medium price point depending on the product) – you can get creative with painter’s tape and stencils. How about a feature wall of reclaimed wood planks or a textured brickwall?
You can even create a feature wall using furniture, art and other accessories. Try placing a long rectangular console table against the wall and add lamps, books and/ore decor pieces. The wall behind the table can be home to one large piece of art, a large mirror or even a grouping of many smaller pieces hung in a gallery style.
When it comes to selecting your feature wall – generally a larger wall with lots of open space is the way to go. In other words, a wall with a lot of distractions like lots of light switches, thermostat and other functional elements shouldn’t be the wall of choice. But having a feature wall in a room with all those ‘distractions’ will pull the focus away from those purely functional features in the room.
A feature wall in another great way to colour, texture and/or print into your space and show off the space and your personality!
“I know my living room needs an area rug. But how do I know which size to get? How do I place my furniture around it and what are the best materials for area rugs?
Great question and I think many other are in the same boat as you. Area rugs creates warmth in a space, they also pull a room together – so they play a very important role. Area rugs can also add softness to a space and depending on what style you choose, they can act as ‘art’ on the floor by adding a big burst of colour and pattern into the space.
But picking the right size is crucial. A rug that’s too small will make the room feel small and an area rug that’s too big can chop off a room from the rest of the house. So how do you pick the right size and place it properly in the room? And which material do you choose?
Size of Rug
– start by measuring the room. Measure the width and the length. Then subtract 2-3 feet off of each measurement and that’s the size you should have. You can opt for something that is custom cut and bound and get (more or less) the precise size or make purchase of something that is close to the measurement you just calculated.
– standard rug sizes range from: 3×5, 5×8, 9 x12 (sometimes you can find odd sizes but these are standard). If you need a larger one or you have an oddly shaped room consider getting a piece of carpet cut to size and bound. It sounds expensive but it’s usually very affordable
Placement of Rug
– For a dining layout, measure the length and width of your dining table and add 2 feet on each side. Most dining room tables require a rug that’s at least 8 feet wide.
– For a bedroom layout, extend a rug from the bottom 2/3 of the bed. Alternatively, you could also place two runners on each side or a single runner at the foot of the bed.
– a good rule of thumb when deciding where to put a rug, make sure at least the front two legs of each piece of furniture in the space sit on the rug. Otherwise it can look like it is just floating and it won’t pull the room together
Material
– When it comes to ‘best’ material a lot of that really depends on what the room will be used for and the style. Wool rugs are the most expensive and they are top quality – they are soft, they wear well and they have a range of colours but you would want them to be cleaned by a professional so this probably isn’t a great option for say a kids’ playroom. Opt for a synthetic blend for a similar look that’s just as durable for a space like that
– Natural materials like sisal, jute and sea grass are very affordable and they are neutrals so they work with any colour scheme. Keep in mind they have a more casual look and they tend to be a bit on the scratchy side. A synthetic or nylon rug that has the same texture and look with be kinder on the feet. But if you want to get creative the natural sisal, jute or seagrass can be a great backdrop for a cowhide rug(see the image just above). It still pulls the room together and you get texture and then the pop from the cowhide.
– Flat woven kilim and dhurrie rugs are usually made of cotton or wool, are a fun way to add pattern to a room. But they are thin so they don’t hold up as well in the long run. They are best for low traffic areas but if you love the idea of updating your decor regularly with splashes of colour and don’t mind replacing the area rug every few years – this could also work for you
– Rug pads will also help prolong the life of your rugs and the floor underneath. You can find some very affordable rugs pads that will feel great and stand up to traffic. Plus it will help prevent the rug from slipping all over the place.
Pattern or Solid?
If your room got a lot going on, try a solid color or neutral rug to bring things down to earth—or make a basic sofa pop with a patterned rug.
Versatile Neutrals
A neutral rug forms a solid foundation when you want to layer on rich textures, patterns or colors. Think of it as the canvas for the rest of your room.
Playful Patterns
If your furniture is a solid color or neutral, try a patterned rug. For foolproof color coordination, match the secondary color in the rug to your sofa or key furniture.
Solid Colors
A monochromatic rug complements patterned furniture by grounding it in a primary palette. In a living room, try matching the rug to the secondary color in a patterned sofa.
“I have a mudroom in my house that I feel is underused. Sure, we come in and use it as the main entrance but I just feel it needs some organization. What are some tips for making a mudroom organized and functional?”
Having a functional mudroom can make the day to day hustle and bustle so much more manageable. If you are lucky enough to have a mudroom in your home, don’t let it go unused! A mudroom is a fantastic way to keep outerwear, books, shoes, mittens (depending on the season) tucked away so that it isn’t taking over your front entry. Of course, this blog will also show you how to make your mudroom both functional AND stylish.
1. Incorporate Storage
Depending on how much space you have, adding some cabinets or shelving will drastically increase the function of the space. If you have the space to add a “hall tree” (shelves, a bench and a place in the bottom to store shoes) you will see the function of the space increase instantly. If you have kids, you definitely need the extra storage. Having a cabinet or shelf gives you places to store hats, mitts, scarves and all the extras kids need.
2. Add Hooks
Adding something as simple as hooks for coats will change your life. No more Jackets on the banister or laying on the floor for someone to trip on. Having a few hooks takes all the clutter away and stores it neatly.
3. Add Baskets
Adding baskets is a great place for hiding extra items such as winter clothes, the dogs leashes, extra keys etc. This is also a great place to add some colour or pattern! Adding baskets is an inexpensive way to add functionality.
4. Door Mats
Depending on the type of flooring you have, it may or may not be the most durable. Nevertheless, adding mats is another great way to pretty up your space. It also is a good spot for wiping your feet as you come in the door instead of tracking the outdoors throughout the house. Get a mat that is easy to vacuum and not too expensive, chances are this may change with the seasons.
Don’t be afraid to use colour and pattern. Most mudrooms are not in the center of the home so it’s a great place to be bold! Typically the mudroom is not the prettiest area of your home so bring colour to the walls or shelves and use a colourful rug, baskets and art!
Part of keeping your ‘mudroom’ functional, is actually using these tools. So add name tags over hooks to keep the kids understanding where their things go. Adding their own specific area is a fun way for them to learn to clean up after themselves, and it saves you the trouble of always picking up book bags, coats and shoes!
“This winter, my fireplace has been working over time! I love snuggling up to my fireplace on cold winter days but my mantel is a mess. I want it to look good, can you send me some easy ideas to make my fireplace mantel pretty?”
Great question! I think a lot of people have this problem. The mantel should really highlight and bring focus to the fireplace not be an eye sore in the room. We see this all the time when people use the mantel as a bit of a random collect-all area or a high ‘hiding’ space that the little ones can’t reach!
A mantel isn’t the place to pile up mismatched knick knacks or to leave bare, to gather dust…
It’s an eye-level stage of sorts, and a prime spot for showing off artful accents and collected treasures. Use the fireplace’s facade as a cue to your color palette.
Then select one large item to feature–a light or open sculptural piece is best because it won’t block the other objects. Pair it with a themed collection, like a few framed family photos or a grouping of different-sized glass vases. An oversized mirror or piece of art makes an ideal backdrop.
To keep it super simple but make an impact: follow this image – even if this more traditional style isn’t to your taste, take the principles of layering and add a modern or country twist…..
Create 3 layers of décor …
Always includes layers 1 and 2.
Layer 3 is optional depending on your decorating style.
1. Start with an anchor piece
– An oversized mirror is an easy option. It let’s light bounce around the room and it works with any decor style. We like a piece with an interesting frame. This image shows a dark frame which give some contrast in this very light tone-on-tone room but you could add a bold art piece that would give you the same impact
2. The weight and height.
This image is demonstrating formal balance, that means you have two pieces (floral arrangements) that are the same colours, size, height, scale – identical and they are on each end of the mantel. Creating a ‘frame’ for other, smaller display items. These pieces could be vases, tall candles or candle sticks, sculptural items…it doesn’t matter just be sure to keep the height to the sides and make sure the items fit on the mantel (you don’t want anything to hang over)
3. (Optional) Filler.
Now this can get a bit tricky…you want to fill that open space under the mirrorand between the flanking vases with decor pieces. Notice here everything is shorter, so not to block the mirror but the pieces have an airy quality – the glass candle sticks, the white planters and the silver circle pieces aren’t heavy or bulky. We see 3 main style of items and a few votive candles that are carefully displayed
Here’s an example of a mantel with layers 1 and 2 but not 3. Again these principles of layering can be used in all decor styles, just replace the pieces with items in your taste and style.
This country style mantel uses all 3 layers. The pops of black help anchor the space and the textural elements with the mantels itself, the greenery and the woven chargers add some warmth and the display items compliment the decor style and they relate to one another.
It important to keep scale in mind not only as the objects relate to the fireplace, but also as they relate to one another. All of the items should overlap each other so that they feel connected to each other and act as a cohesive unit. Think of it as a step-down effect from the tallest point in the center of the mantel to the shortest point on the outside edges. You want to take small, gradual steps without any jarring height decreases.
Do you have a TV on your mantel but you still want to create a beautiful styled mantel? Yes, you can!
See this image, that’s a TV anchored by 2 beautiful vases with height, texture and a pop of bright yellow. Yellow is an excellent choice here because it is the most intense colour on the colour wheel and that means your eyes can’t help but be drawn to it. So when the TV isn’t on, these vases stand out and look beautiful
Once you’re comfortable with the process, think about what you might want to showcase on your mantel and where these items might fit within the layers mentioned above. Consider using a mantel to showcase art, collectibles, seasonal decor, fresh flowers or even family heirlooms. Then sit back and admire your work!
Renting your home has some advantages over owning it: your landlord will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep, giving you less to worry about if the water heater breaks or a pipe freezes. However, less responsibility comes with less freedom, and not owning the space can present some limitations in how you personalize your home.
But just because your name isn’t on the deed doesn’t mean the space you live in can’t reflect your personality! Here, we take a look at some of the most common problems with decorating rented apartments, and our favorite solutions you can do yourself that won’t make you break your budget or lose your deposit!
*But always ask your landlord or property manager first
Neutral color palettes are popular for decorating rental spaces because light colors make the space appear bigger, and neutral tones are easy to touch up between tenants. Unfortunately, this can mean that everything in your apartment is a blah shade of white or beige. Even if painting isn’t an option, there are other ways to make your space more colorful.
Simple Fix:
Nothing pops against neutral tones better than brightly colored accessories. Pick a color palette for each room and a piece that you want to be your focal point. Area rugs will both accentuate your style and keep your carpets cleaner, making less of a dent in your deposit.
Bonus: because you aren’t committing to a paint color, changing your color palette when the mood strikes you will be a cinch.
For the Diehard DIY:
Wall decals have all of the interest of an accent wall with none of the commitment. Simply find one that appeals to you, install, and go! They are less expensive and time consuming than painting an accent wall and will still offer a nice focal point for your room.
If you can’t find one that inspires you, it is simple to make your own design from removable wallpaper.
Photo from Errez Design
Unless you are lucky enough to live in a corner unit or the top floor of a building, many apartments can have a short supply of natural light. Add in a shortage of electrical sockets, and you can end up with a dark and dreary space.
Luckily, there are a few tricks to maximizing what you have and brightening up your home!
Simple Fix:
If your apartment has blinds that block out natural light, replacing them with curtains can maintain your privacy while allowing light in. Ten minutes with a drill and a leveland you can hang your own curtain rod, complete with custom curtains.
Placing a large mirror on the wall opposite a window will not only increase the amount of natural light in the room, but will also make the space look bigger.
For the Diehard DIY:
There is no reason for you to be stuck with the lighting in place when you moved in. If there is no overhead lighting in a room and floor lamps aren’t quite cutting it, you can create your own hanging lamp that plugs into a wall socket with parts available from any hardware store. Simply tack or tape the cord up in the corner of the wall and along the ceiling; you can even paint the cord the same shade as your wall to camouflage it better by asking your landlord if they have any samples of the paint.
Your creativity is the limit when you create your own hanging lamp to light up your room!
Photo from Brian Paquette Interiors
Character is all in the details. You won’t be able to change larger features in your apartment to fit your style, but small details are important when building an overall impression. A space with few personal details can end up looking temporary and bland. If it still looks like you moved in yesterday, here are some changes you can make to leave your mark.
Simple Fix:
Live plants add color and personalize a space. Even if you aren’t much of a green thumb, there are plants that can survive in just about any climate. While totally transportable, plants can give an impression of permanence and make a space look livable.
Blank walls can look impersonal and thumbtacks on the wall can look like a dorm room. For a more sophisticated look, frame your wall hangings. Frames can be found cheaply at garage sales and thrift stores and will look good as new with a fresh coat of spray paint.
For the Diehard DIY:
Any bathroom or kitchen can be given a five-minute makeover with new hardware. Replace boring kitchen and bathroom drawer pulls with updated ones from a hardware store for a classy, pulled together look. These can also be taken with you when you move; keep the originals together in the bottom of a closet or drawer, and you can take your personal additions with you when you leave.
Apartment decoration comes with its own set of challenges, but sometimes limitations can be the spark for creativity.
“I am in need of some bedroom updates. I really want a luxurious and expensive looking bedroom (like you see in chic hotels) but without spending a lot of money. Any ideas?”
Although many of us don’t spend a lot of time in our bedrooms (with our eyes open) it is still so welcoming to come home after a long day and have a serene and relaxing room to lay your head down and put your feet up. A luxurious bedroom doesn’t have to be over sized to be glamorous but the true luxury is in the details.
Follow these 8 steps and you will have a dreamy bedroom that you will love.
1. Overfill your throw pillows.
There’s something so luxurious about plush, overfilled throw pillows, which go a long way in transforming your bedroom from “everyday” to a relaxing retreat that emulates the most sumptuous of hotels.
2. Add a hanging light fixture.
The boob lights have got to go. Replace them with a statement-making hanging light or a glamorous chandelier. No need to spend too much money — this West Elm Capiz Round Pendant light adds drama and romance for less than $150. (See it in the image below)
3. Rethink your nightstand.
If you’re anything like us, your nightstand is a hodgepodge of essential items: Hand creams, charging cords, half-full glasses of water, quarter-finished novels. It’s time to rethink how that’s all displayed. Hide some things away in a drawer; display small items in a beautiful tray.
4. Focus on the statement pieces.
A dark wood bed frame; a gorgeous gilded dresser; a velvet arm chair — each bedroom has its own centerpiece, but make sure it’s the room’s focus. Don’t clutter the room with too much furniture, instead letting each piece stand on its own.
5. Keep the floor empty.
Granted, this is more of an organization and cleanliness tip, but don’t let that belittle its importance: A cluttered bedroom never looks luxurious, so keep the floor clean and orderly — that means no stacks of books and piles of extension cords, either.
6. Upgrade your hardware.
There’s no reason to keep the default hardware that came with your dresser and nightstands (unless, of course, it’s already visually stunning!). Replacing hardware is a cheap and easy way to upgrade your room, and there are so many ways to personalize the look: Crystal, gemstone, copper, and so many more.
7. Reorganize your vanity.
Just like your nightstand, a cluttered vanity can make your whole bedroom look messy. Now’s a good time to buy some makeup organizers and other small organizing pieces.
8. Add greenery.
As always, the quickest and easiest way to upgrade your room from “average” to “expensive-looking” is to add some greenery. What form this takes is up to you: A large fern? Small potted plants on your dresser? No matter how, adding a few plants helps a room make the final leap to luxury.
Small changes to any room can make a big difference,
We love this year’s Pantone colour of the year: Marsala! It’s such a versatile colour that compliments every décor style! It’s also great paired with so many different colour palettes. If you’re looking to add some of 2015’s colour of the year to your space…
Check out some of our favourite Marsala décor pieces below!
Marsala in accent chairs..
Wayfair carries some amazing products and they have lot’s of options in Marsala!
This ottoman from Urban Barn is fantastic piece for a variety of spaces in your home such as Home office, Bedroom, Living room and family room!
This pillow is also from Urban Barn, adding a new throw pillow in the beautiful colour will instantly update your space! It doesn’t take much to freshen up a room!
Such an elegant and rich tone, we love how it works with spice tones, neutrals and some unexpected ones, too
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.
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,
“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,
The architecture and design in California has a specific character to it that I’ve always loved. The Spanish influence has always been very strong, even to this day. It is part of what makes the California style so charming. The home of Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet in Los Angeles definitely captures all of that charm and then some. It puts a masculine spin on it, taking queues from Mexican art and design to create a space that is sophisticated, but comfortable. I love the use of texture and pattern in this home. Take a look at the home tour to get some wonderful inspiration…
The living room is a place for gathering and relaxing with a warm palette and comfortable furniture. Even the dog looks comfortable!
Each room has it’s own identity yet they still flow beautifully into one another. The dining room has a beautiful over sized lantern light fixture which gives the space a timeless yet casual look and the neutral wallpaper adds sophistication without being stuffy. In this space the dark stained wood beams add character and texture plus they make the high ceilings more warm and intimate. The mounted deer head adds a rustic touch but in white it adds a bit of modernity…
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I love a vignette and this one is not exception. The combination of warm wood tones, the pattern in both the tile and the fabrics and the colour choice just make this a cozy corner and compliment the entire look and feel of the home
This master bedroom is a beautiful balance of hard and soft materials. The bedside table and the upholstered headboard are a perfect compliment to one another. The colour palette, textures and patterns make this a bedroom that’s just so soothing and relaxing to come home to. The art and mirror gallery arrangement is also very unique but very comfortable
This guest bedroom is again just beautiful! The colour palette is classic and warm, perfect for guests! The bold stripe headboard would be too much in many cases but this colour combination and neutral wall make it work. The roman shade, the art and the bench seating add visual impact to the space without being over whelming…
You can decorate an entire home with neutrals but in order to keep it visually interesting play with textures, layers and mix all neutrals together,
Each
space flows well together but has their own identity. The dining room
is covered in a neutral wallpaper for added warmth, while a large
lantern serves as an apropos lighting choice over the table. – See more
at: http://meganmorrisblog.com/#sthash.MxoMjFuh.dpuf
