Posts Tagged ‘Tips’
March 29th, 2011 | 
Author: Whether you love it or hate it, the kitchen is a necessary part of daily living for just about all of us. So, it would be a good thing to walk into your kitchen first thing in the morning and feel a little lift in your spirit as you start the day. If your current kitchen doesn’t elicit that type of positive response, read on!
These kitchen decorating ideas are simple, easy to implement and most are very cost effective. And, some of the tips for decorating a kitchen that follow are just plain common sense! But when put together into a plan of action, the results are worth each step!
First, make a list of everything that you want to change, no matter what the cost. Just make a list.
Then determine how much you want to spend, or can afford to spend, on your kitchen decorating project. With that number in mind, go back through the list you just compiled and decide what is going to get done at this time. Some of the items on the list for decorating your kitchen may have to wait until the budget catches up.
So, now you have a list in hand of things you want to change. For most folks, the list will include items pertaining to the colors, style, drabness, worn out (or tired of) accessories, etc.
Here are the kitchen decorating ideas and tips that will help you take action and check off those items on your list!
1. Give the entire kitchen a thorough cleaning, including the floors, cabinets and windows. I know, it’s not a fun way to start decorating your kitchen, but you will be amazed at how much brighter everything will look when it is freshly cleaned.
Remove everything from the walls and countertops. You are going to start fresh there as well.
2. Assess the color scheme for the kitchen. Does it relate to the rest of your home? Even if a neutral background is your preference, accents of other colors found in your home would be a good addition to the kitchen decor. If everything is white or neutral in the kitchen it could be one of the reasons why you don’t love the space so much.
Consider putting some color on the walls. If your kitchen space is small, don’t worry about that. Go ahead and make it as colorful as you please.
Have you been thinking about introducing a new accent color in your home? Try it out in small doses in the kitchen area and see how it works. Use your new color in accessories that can be easily changed in case you are not so thrilled with the results.
3. How much light does the kitchen get, natural or otherwise. If the kitchen area has poor lighting overall it can feel almost cave-like. So, here is your next kitchen decorating idea, and it is two-fold.
First, replace one light fixture in the kitchen area with something new and fresh. It may be in the nook, over the sink or under the cabinets.
Then, add one new source of lighting in this area. This can be a simple as do-it-yourself under cabinet lights, or possibly some ‘mood’ lighting on top of your cabinets if you have space above the soffit. Rope lighting can be a good choice in this area.
As for the windows, in most instances you will want to have as much natural light coming in as possible during the daytime hours. Utilize a type of blind or shade that can fully open during the day and then close to give you privacy in the evening.
Soften the windows with a valance. That will keep your area feeling open and light but will provide a counterpoint to the hard surfaces of the kitchen.
4. The next kitchen decorating idea is to use accessories to finish decorating your kitchen.
You can go about this in the typical way and purchase a matching set of kitchen accessories such as place mats, dishtowels, salt/pepper shakers and the like, that contain the colors/theme/style you enjoy. Ho-hum.
Or, you can spend a little bit more time and search for kitchen accessories that include the elements you want in terms of color/theme/style, but a not a matching set. Look for accessories such as small rugs, artwork (real artwork if you have room for it – not the ‘kitcheny’ looking stuff), place mats, dishes/serving pieces that have your colors in them. Put some different patterns together, use some solids, and look for one or two pieces that may seem more traditional for the kitchen.
The key here is to find unique pieces that may even be unexpected in the kitchen area, but fit in with your own unique decor personality. Have fun and enjoy your newly decorated kitchen!
Marietta House Painters may tell you that hiring a painting company to paint the interior of your house is easy. They may even tell you itâs easy to pick the color of the paint. But the fact of the matter is that having the interior of your home painted can be extremely stressful if you are not a pro.
Here are 3 interior painting tips to help you with hiring a house painter.
First, make sure you choose your own paint. When you pick out the color you want to paint your house, bring a sample home and try it out on the wall in at least a 1 foot square section of the wall. This will give you a better sense than just holding up a 2 inch color swatch on your wall.
Choose your color wisely and remember to always buy the paint yourself. This will save you from a tremendous amount of aggravation. A professional painter will know the amount of paint you will need to buy. But, if they buy the paint and you are not happy, thatâs a huge stressor that can cause huge financial problems very quickly.
Second, if there is any staining on the walls or ceiling you are about to have painted, using a product that will cover up the stains is essential. These âstain blockerâ products can cover a variety of stains like water stains and rust stains. Covering the stains can usually be done with one coat and should be put on and allowed to dry before using any paint or primer.
A professional painter will be able to identify potential problem areas that will need repair. They will also know if any spackle and/or taping are needed.
Third, use a color tinted primer that goes with your paint selection. A primer coat on any interior painting job is a must. The color primer allows you to have a better color finish to your painting project and will give you the peace of mind.
We all know the old phrase âyou get what you pay forâ. When hiring a Marietta house painter, that old saying rings loud and true. These tips will help you get what you want and pay a fair price in a stress free way.
Choosing the perfect kitchen design to compliment your new or existing home can be a daunting task. Choosing a designer to work with on your design is also important. You are about to make a large investment in your home, something that will add value and should stand the test of time in both design and structure. A good designer should be as eager as the client in designing a kitchen that is both functional and pleasing to look at.
Step 1 : Spend some time online viewing kitchen pictures and designs. This gives you an idea of what you like / don’t like before calling to a showroom.
Step 2 : Find a designer that has your interests at heart. There is nothing worse than someone who wants to sell you what they want. You are paying so you decide on what suits your home with the professional help of your designer.
Step 3 : Choosing appliances to compliment your kitchen is also important. Why spend good money on a kitchen only to spoil your design and functionality with the wrong appliances.
Step 4 : This is also important. Choosing a worktop that marries with your design and colour or wood of your new kitchen. You also need to think about the practical side of things. Wood worktops look great but don’t stand up well to wear and tear. If you really want solid wood worktops why not mix it up by adding wood to the areas that get less use ie. display units, dressers etc. Granite worktops are both durable and pleasing to the eye. Corian worktops are an excellent product, they can be shaped and moulded to an array of different design features and all joints are seamless. SileStone has some great qualities. It has anti-bacterial agents which makes it an excellent surface to prepare food on, it is also very durable as it’s a man made product and comes in a huge range of colours.
Step 5 : The manufacture of your new kitchen. Just as important as the design in my opinion. Why spend all that time and effort choosing the perfect kitchen design only to have a poor quality kitchen built for your home. In most cases the showroom designing your kitchen are also manufacturers but if you a using an independent designer this is crucial. You should be able to view the quality of their kitchens in their showroom.
If you would like to view some of our online Kitchen Designs here in Ireland why not visit our online gallery.
Most people are looking for great ways to save money on home décor, but still keep the designer look they are seeking. There are many ways to accomplish this. Below are some fantastic ways to decorate on a budget.
1. Re-use existing items: This is one of the best ways to save money! In fact, you won’t spend any money at all. Take an inventory of items in your home and try to look at them in a different light. Sometimes we get so used to seeing things in the same place, that we don’t even consider using them in a different way. Just try moving things around, and you may come up with something you love!
2. Paint, Paint, Paint! – One of the best ways to completely change the look of a room, and for only a few dollars per room! Try new colors that you never though of. Go to the paint store and pick out some samples. You can even buy a small container and test it out first. Budget decorating requires that you use paint to update and change the looks of things, whether it’s a whole room, a piece of furniture, or creating new artwork.
3. Make Artwork – This can be done by salvaging old items, or creating new works of art from photographs, canvasses, or a collage of interesting items or shadowboxes. Artwork is an important part of any interior design.
4. Clean up your act – Clear out all the clutter so that people can see the beautiful rooms you have created. Sometimes starting with a blank (or somewhat blank) canvas can give you a new perspective on your spaces.
5. Dress your windows – You get a lot of “bang for your buck” with window treatments, because they take up so much vertical space in the room, and draw the eye upward. Try looking online at different types of window treatments and see which kind you would like. Some of the easiest ones to install or create include mini-blinds, wood blinds, plain flat valances, square cornices, and pinch-pleated drapes. However, the array of window treatments available is endless.
6. Try new shops – Such as thrift shops, consignment stores, and auctions to find new and interesting items. You may come across a great conversation piece, or an antique that is worth much more than you pay for it! Online home decor catalogs are a great place to look for deals!
7. Illuminate! – Be sure that your new design has plenty of lighting. It would be a shame to spend time and effort creating a new room, and the details not get noticed. Lighting is also a great way to add accents and unique touches to your budget design.
8. Don’t buy everything you see – Just because it’s cheap, it doesn’t mean you should buy it. If it doesn’t work for your room, you won’t like it when you get it home. You will just be stuck with an old piece of junk with nowhere to put it. Focus on buying things that you have planned for and budgeted for.
9. Have a Plan – Know what furniture you need (and don’t need), what your color scheme is, and what your style is. This way, you won’t waste time and money by purchasing things that you don’t need, and don’t like. Budget decorating is all about know what is a good deal and what isn’t. You can use interior design software to plan your rooms and create 3-d visualizations. Online stores are a great place to browse and plan for home decor accessories.
10. Have Fun – Don’t get stressed out over your room! Sometimes it takes time, and trial and error to get it right. Just make sure to have fun and enjoy the process of making your rooms beautiful as well as enjoying the end result.
Check out our free decorating newslettter, and download Designing On a Budget at http://www.designingonabudget.com . This article may be reproduced only if it is kept intact and complete including all links and author bio.
Do you dream of having a beautiful home with spic-and-span interiors to match your personality style & taste but afraid of huge money that goes into home furnishings. You will be surprised to know that you are not alone. It is the story of most of us. So don’t despair as here are the great and low-budget home decorating ideas and home decor tips that will help you to have a dream home.
Immaculate your Home
Nothing comes before this point. Have a look at your home. Now check, do you have paper bits or dust on your floor? Does your living room needs dusting? When was the last time you clean your kitchen appliances? By keeping this in mind and doing the simple task of cleaning will solve the initial purpose and surprisingly it does not cost any money. This will result into the large space and should be taken as the most important interior decorating tip.
Keep the Display Surfaces Clear
If you have a bookcase, center tables, side tables or mantels then keep the minimum accessories on the surface. This will enhance the style and openness. For the mantle it is better to go for the artwork rather than mirror as mirror is quiet an outdated option. Center table or side table can also have one or two accessories but not more than that.
Home Furnishings and Accessories
When we think of home decoration then textile & home furnishings plays an important role. All the furnishing items and accessories must speak for themselves and stick to the theme of a particular room. Say for an example if your a going for drawing and dining furnishings then right from the sofa covers, cushions to table mats and floor carpets, all should create a harmony. Bathroom furnishing materials must be according to the color of walls and bath accessories selected. Now to keep everything in budget, make the thumb rule of buying one precious home furnishing accessory with inexpensive ones. By making such pairs the overall lost cost look can be eliminated. Buy simple and clean lines as these give appearance of costly home accessories.
Paint your Dream Home
Experiment with color, as this is the one thing that dramatically change the whole appearance and add value to your money. Selecting an extraordinary color will automatically maneuver your home & will give your home an exceptional look of style and modernity. Check for different hues and color combinations. It is the time to go for more bright and complex colors rather than just white. You can also select different patterns that are in vogue. Patterns change the whole look of the wall and removes the dullness of single color.
The Perfect Flooring
Home flooring is another very important aspect of home furnishings. These days wall to wall carpeting is not in vogue but instead of this there are many other inexpensive and cost effective options available. You can go for laminate flooring that is easy to keep and quiet cheap. Then there are also other options like parquet flooring, hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring and cork flooring. Now depending upon your budget you can pick the flooring type and style.
Hope these basic home decorating ideas and tips are useful for your interior home decor.