1. One day of prepping and painting an area isn’t enough. Doing this will make you feel rushed, which can lead to you doing a bad paint job. A day to prep the area for painting should be set aside. You can even do this a few days before painting id the room doesn’t see too much use. You day of preparation should include moving furniture, laying down drop clothes, taping the walls and gathering all necessary supplies in the room.

2. Damaged walls shouldn’t be painted over. Make sure to look over the room’s walls and fix any crack or holes there may be before you try to paint the room. Drywall kits and sanding will easily fix cracks and holes. So that there will be time to sand the area down and time for the drywall plaster to dry, make sure that you do it all a day before you paint.

3. Be sure to use the right brush for the right job. Go with natural bristles on your brush if you are using an oil-based paint. If the paint is water based or latex be sure to buy synthetic bristled brushes, as they will work best with this type of paint. Foam rollers will be necessary for larger painting areas. Paint around the trim and windows with smaller brushes.

4. If the professional look is what you are going for on your walls you will definitely need to use a primer before painting. Your paint will go on much smoother and you will avoid tainting the color with a previous wall color by using a primer. If your base coat color and primer color are tinted to match you may be able to avoid a second coat of base color on the walls.

5.Painter’s blue tape is best for making sure that you don’t get paint on areas such as doorway frames, trim and windows. If you don’t want paint to go in a certain area apply this tape to the surface of the area. If you don’t want paint to seep into an area be sure to apply this tape to the surface of the area. When the paint has dried, simply remove the tape from the area and don’t worry at all about any paint coming with it.

6. Mistakes may happen, and because of that make sure to have plenty of old rags around. It is highly likely that you might drop paint on the trip or that your brush may touch something it wasn’t supposed to.

7. If you want an even coat you have to make sure to paint in even strokes. You’ll need plenty of light to see when you are painting and to see spots you may have missed.

8. Future fixes and touch-ups should be done with any leftover paint you have. Left over paint should be kept for future touch-ups or fixes. Pour your left over paint in a tight lidded glass jar if you don’t want to keep a large paint can around for such a small amount of paint. The date, the room the paint was used in and its exact color should all be labeled on the jar.

You don’t have to be scared of painting the interior of your home. You will soon be on your way to changing your room’s décor if you simple follow these easy tips.

Avo Barsoumian has been in the home flooring and interior design industry for over 25 years. He is the owner of Carpet Wagon, a family owned carpet installation company in Southern California. They have a huge selection of elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting. Searching for that perfect carpet estimate for your new home or 

Get Your Kid Involved in the Decorating
The more you give your child a say in decorating a room, the more likely it is that he or she will use that room and keep it clean. When it comes to choosing colors and a scheme for the bathroom, consider your childs opinion (if he or she is old enough). See if your child would be interested in helping you paint or making art projects to hang on the walls. They will be much more enthusiastic about the bathroom if they are involved in any aspect of the decorating.

Always Remember Safety First When Decorating
You want to keep your kids safety in mind at all times when decorating the bathroom. After all, its really easy to get caught up in the project, only to later realize that something you did is a safety hazard. This is particularly important for younger kids and toddlers. If there are younger children in the home, remember to add things like a non-slip tub mat and safety latch for the toilet. Its also a good idea to add safety locks to the cabinets to keep medications out of the reach of little hands.

Be Sure to Add Plenty of Storage and Organization Space
Be sure that everything in your childs bathroom has a designated place, especially if you want that room to stay clean. By providing your kids with plenty of storage and organization space, you will make it more likely that theyll clean up than if they dont have a place to put their stuff. Organize the cabinets and drawers with smaller bins and baskets so theres a place to keep small items. When coming up with storage and organizational spaces, remember that they can be decorative as well.

Add Style or a Theme with Small Touches
Kids grow up fast, and thus you might consider decorating the room neutrally, keeping the walls and the flooring plain, and then using smaller dcor items to add a stylish flair. Then these smaller items, such as wallpaper borders and shower curtains, can easily be changed in the future. You might add style with other decor items such as towels, baskets, and artwork.

Get Creative with the Decorating
Remember that this is a kids bathroomnot your dining room or living room. Therefore, you can get creativeeven go a little crazywith the dcor. Dont be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when decorating this room. This is one room that doesnt need to match the style of the rest of the home, especially if only you and your kids are going to go in there.

It can be a lot of fun to decorate a kids bathroom for both parents and their kids. Keep these tips in mind, and you will be well on your way to a great kids bathroom.

About the Writer
Leon Tuberman has four decades of experience in the home furnishings and interior design industry. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Are you searching for a wooden bookcase or a wood desk for your child’s bedroom then they probably have everything you need.

Painting: The Cheapest and Easiest Way to Transform a Room
Although painting isn’t everyone’s favorite chore, you can really create beauty in a room. Paint can liven things up a bit, especially walls that are the average off-white or some other drab color. To really make a statement, paint one or two of the walls a bold or bright color that blends with the overall color scheme. If you have furniture pieces that have seen better days, why not paint them? With a little paint and some stenciling, your old oak coffee tables and end tables will take on an entirely different look.

Take a Good Look at Your Furniture
What state is your furniture in? Perhaps you are tired of things being so congested or just sick of the overall style. Give your room a long, hard look. Could you possibly remove a few pieces that you never use? What this will do is open the room up, giving it a more open and airy feel and appearance.

If it’s not a good time to buy furniture, try using slipcovers instead. These days, you can find a variety of styles that allow you to create entirely new-looking furniture at a much lower cost than buying new. Another option is to repurpose your furniture. Do you have a few of those stray pieces in other rooms that are never used? Why not paint them and reuse them? You might even use them for a place to store games, toys, and other things that often get strewn all over, creating a messy or junky look.

Add Color, and You Add Life
Enough can’t be said about color when it comes to giving the interior of your home new life. Not only does color attract the eye, but it has the ability to create different moods. While bright colors energize, soft colors relax. If you have a monotonous color scheme, consider the addition of exciting color splashes. Throw in some brightly colored and intricately patterned rugs and pillows, and add some attention-grabbing accents to the walls. With splashes of color to break up the boredom, you won’t believe how your room is transformed.

Accessories Make the Difference
As every woman knows, accessories are the “jewelry” of the home. However, it’s important to know how to use them. Too many accessories results in a home that looks cluttered and disorganized. But with too few accessories, you’ll give it a cold, blank, and indifferent tone. Therefore, you need to find a balance.

Large rooms can often use the more personal, intimate look and feel that it gains simply by the addition of more accents. Many accents can be placed together in a grouping on one large wall. If the room is smaller, than just the opposite is true. In this case, use an intricately patterned tapestry or other oversized decoration piece on one wall.

By putting these tips to work, you can totally transform the look of your home. And don’t forget the added bonus that everyone loves—it’s not going to cost you a bundle to create those wonderful spaces!

Good Bets for Success
When decorating, you want to make the most of your home. Therefore, consider your home’s architectural design and location in your planning. The goal is to incorporate your own unique style and personality into the décor while highlighted the architectural assets of the house itself. This way, you can achieve the perfect balance, thereby lessening the need to redecorate on a frequent basis.

Start by using a signature piece to decorate every room. Go with any piece you prefer—modern, abstract, or elegant—and then decorate around it. For instance, if you choose a signature piece of wall art, you can begin to incorporate colors, textures, and design for the rest of the furnishings to complete the look.

Combine Various Design Elements
Do you want your home to be unique and appealing? By blending various design elements, you can accomplish a look that’s totally yours. Combine wood pieces with bold patterns such as stripes, plaids, and florals, and you can really add some interest and depth to the room. Although a wood floor is dazzling on its own, when you throw a couple of boldly hued geometric-patterned rugs down, your floor will come to life. The same goes for solid-colored sofas and other furnishings, where you can add some zip with boldly colored throw pillows and throws with varied patterns.

The scale of the room should also be considered. Keep your furnishings to a similar size and shape. When you repeatedly use shapes, fabrics, and colors, you help bring the design of the room together, making it look as though it was professionally decorated.

A Few Things to Avoid
When decorating your home, there are a few key mistakes to avoid. It’s important that you don’t end up letting a friend or relative telling you how to decorate. Listen to their suggestions, of course, but remember that this is your home. The goal is always for you and your family to feel comfortable and pleased with the décor and design.

It’s also a common practice to place all the furnishings against the wall, spreading everything out in an effort to give the room a more spacious appearance. This can be a mistake! Instead, try arranging your furniture in an intimate grouping away from the walls. By grouping your dining chairs, wood dining tables, and sofa around a large area rug, you give the room a more personal and welcoming look and feel.

Don’t Try to Display Everything You Own
Typically, people will pick up an assortment of collectibles over the years. In fact, you may have an attic, basement, or closet packed with all your favorite accents and accessories. However, when it comes time to decorate a room, you don’t want to try to use them all. What will result is a room with a messy and cluttered look.

Why not put some of these items aside for later use? Then by periodically switching out old collectibles and decorating items, you can keep the room looking fresh. When you use less, each piece displayed takes on a greater significance as well.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re looking to update or refresh your home. This way your do-it-yourself décor job will yield professional results.

Many more professionals these days are bypassing tile and carpeting, and going with wood. There are so many options to choose from: solid hardwood, engineered wood, and reclaimed antique wood all available in a variety of styles. Despite all the options, making the right choice for your tastes and circumstances is easier than it appears. Following are some important factors to consider, as well as advice from the experts.

Which Wood-Flooring Type Should You Choose?
Solid Hardwood: Many shy away from solid hardwood because it expands and contracts and sometimes creaks. But its natural beauty adds value to your home. Even better, it can be re-sanded and refinished, so it retains its value.

Engineered Wood Floors: They construct these floors at the factory, gluing together thin sheets of wood and refinishing them. This results in a more stable product than solid wood, because it resists buckling and warping. Engineered wood floors were developed to be glued over concrete, but they can also be nailed or floated, whereas solid wood can only be nailed to a subfloor.

Reclaimed Antique Wood: This flooring option is custom made one plank at a time according to the customer’s specifications. This flooring type is especially stable, because it can cut from the center section of a beam.

Finished vs. Unfinished
If you go with solid hardwood flooring, it’s available finished or unfinished. This is really helpful if you’re trying to match an adjacent floor. Then you can go with an unfinished option and stain it to blend. By finishing the floor on site, you will insure a more uniform color and finish. Remember, however, that an unfinished wood floor may take several days to install, stain, and finish.

Whether solid or engineered, finished wood is factory sanded, stained and finished, so it’s easier and faster to install, not to mention much less messy because there’s no on-site sanding or finishing. If you’re installing flooring in a high-traffic area, finished wood is the way to go because it’s so durable. Another plus is that it’s less expensive than unfinished wood.

Important Things to Consider
More and more people are installing radiant heating in their homes, where the heat source is under the floor. If this is your heating system, then engineered wood would be a better choice than solid hardwood because of its durability. The National Wood Flooring Association backs up this claim, recommending quarter-sawn or rift-sawn wood in this circumstance, again because of durability. The NWFA claims that strip flooring is preferable over plank flooring, because when there are changes in temperature and humidity, narrow boards expand and contract less than wide ones.

For those homeowners who live at the beach, Stoddard again recommends an engineered wood, because it’s scratch-resistant and therefore less likely to be damaged by sand tracked in from the beach, and it also requires less maintenance. For cottages, summer homes, below-grade installations, and any other interior that’s not environmentally controlled, engineered hardwood flooring is a clear choice.

Some Simple Design Tips
When personalizing a room, understated detail is important. One nice option is to use a lighter wood overall and then add a dark border. Another great idea is to drop in a maple medallion that looks like an area rug.

It’s become more and more popular to mix woods from room to room. Dark woods, like walnut and cherry, work well in cozy rooms such as a den or bedroom, but it’s best to choose a lighter, brighter wood, such as maple or birch, for the kitchen.

Darker wood is a better fit for homes that are formal, traditional, or historic, whereas country, casual, and contemporary homes are better suited to lighter woods. Be sure to choose flooring that will complement all your fabrics, furnishings, and accessories.

Current Trends in Wood Flooring
The latest trends in flooring include hand-scraped wood and “exotics” from far-off lands. Woods such as Brazilian cherry, Santos mahogany, and Amendoim have delightful grains and colors. All are available both in solid hardwood or engineered wood.

Owners of historic homes on the Eastern seaboard are increasingly going for the old look and simplicity of woods such as Old Groove Eastern White Pine. For owners of historic homes on the Eastern seaboard, woods such as Old Groove Eastern White Pine are prized for their old look and simplicity. Likewise, dark woods have definitely become the “in” thing, with walnut being the most preferable option.

DIY and Maintaining Your Wood Floor
Almost 30 percent of homeowners install wood flooring themselves. If you’re handy with a nail gun and saw, then you can do it. Many resources are available to help you with this project, including instruction books and information online.

Once your floor is installed, you’ll be pleased to discover that wood flooring is extremely low maintenance. A regular schedule of sweeping and vacuuming is all you really need, a chore that will be made much easier if you keep a step-off mat at every doorway to collect any incoming dirt. Clean up any standing water immediately; it should never be left on a wood floor. It’s advisable to keep an extra box of wood in case you need to replace a strip.

Fortunately, natural hardwoods survive many household mishaps much better than laminates and synthetics, since the grain and pattern of solid hardwoods go all the way through. Scuffs and burns that would be permanent in a synthetic surface can be repaired with relative ease.

It’s common for families to spend a good deal of time in the kitchen and dining areas. You want a kitchen that’s as warm and appealing as possible without spending a lot of money to do it. Here are several easy ways to refresh your kitchen’s décor while sticking to your budget.

Refresh Your Cabinets
Depending on your budget, you may not be able to afford to buy all new cabinets. Instead, make them look brand-new yourself. One option is to paint them an entirely different color. Or you might sand them down a bit and stain them a different shade. Top it with a protective coat of polyurethane for cabinets with a sparkling shiny new look. All you need is some new hardware, and your cabinets will have an altogether different look.

Add an Island
Adding an island to your kitchen will dramatically change the appearance of things—if you have the floor space, of course. An island can add some much-needed counter space to your kitchen and can also serve to break up the room. If you want to hang a wrought-iron pot rack overhead, this is the perfect place.

Freshen Up Your Appliances
If you try to buy all new appliances, you’re really going to put a strain on your bank account. If you feel that your stove, refrigerator and/or dishwasher are looking a bit outdated, they can be painted as well. They make a special type of appliance paint that can be used for this purpose. If rust spots are starting to develop on any appliance, there is a special product that stops the rusting process that you can purchase as well. Just be sure to apply the rust solution before you paint your appliances.

Perk Up the Walls
Anything is possible when it comes to your walls. You can paint them, add wallpaper, or install paneling. Not only are bright energizing colors like orange, peach, and green perfect for the kitchen, but they lend a real botanical feel to things. You might also hang pictures that include fruit, flowers, herbs, and other natural elements onto any large wall spaces. By transforming your walls, you can really bring a dull kitchen to life.

Don’t Forget the Floor
If you’re not happy with the flooring you have, this can be updated as well. It’s a little known fact that you can actually paint old linoleum. To help the new paint adhere, start by lightly sanding the surface of the linoleum. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned it, the next step is to apply an oil-based primer. Once dry, the floor will be ready to paint.

You can create your own design on your floor. Use stencil patterns or even paint a “rug” on the floor. This is a great way to use your imagination! Apply about three layers of paint and then wait for them to thoroughly dry. Finish things off by applying three coats of durable polyurethane to protect your new floor and make it shine.

If you want a beautiful new kitchen but need to stay on budget, follow these few easy tips. Although you can spend tens of thousands of dollars completely remodeling a kitchen, you can keep it to just a few hundred by doing it yourself.

About the Author..
Leon Tuberman has been in the furniture and interior decorating industry for four decades. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They have a large inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid oak furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. Are you searching for a dining chair for your kitchen or night stands for your dorm then they probably have everything you need.

Add New Hardware to the Kitchen Cabinets
Installing new hardware to your kitchen cabinets is a very simple and inexpensive way to update your décor. You can really change the look of a cabinet with new pulls or handles. The best part is, cabinet hardware doesn’t cost much and may only take an hour or so to install. To really spruce up your cabinets and add a creative touch, see if you can find some unique handmade or hand-painted cabinet pulls.

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
Painting your kitchen cabinets is usually easier than you think it’s going to be. Depending on the style and color of your old cabinets, it may not even be necessary to sand them before painting. The easiest way to paint cabinets is to remove the doors and paint them on a flat surface. This way you’ll get the best possible coverage.

If you’re looking to completely change the look of the room, go with an entirely new color. For instance, if you have a country kitchen that you want to turn modern, painting the cabinets will help you accomplish this. This type of painting project usually takes a weekend, leaving you with a kitchen that looks brand-new come Monday morning.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Taking the doors off some of your cabinets is another quick way to update your kitchen. You can use this space to show off what’s inside those cabinets or showcase a collection that enhances your kitchen’s theme or style. You don’t have to take off every cabinet door; even just two open cabinets can change the entire look of the kitchen. Before you remove the doors, however, be sure that you are committed to keeping the inside of those cabinets clean and organized, and are comfortable displaying the items inside. You can create a wonderful display with antique china, for instance, whereas a collection of plastic cups might not be so attractive.

Replace the Cabinet Doors
A great way to update your kitchen and have cabinets that fit with the style you’re going for is to replace your kitchen cabinet doors. When it comes to kitchen cabinet doors, you have plenty of different options. There are cabinet doors with ready-made designs already built into them as well as ones with windows. If you’re going to replace your cabinet doors, you want a cabinet door that matches the theme and style of your kitchen. This will make the cabinets cohesive with the rest of the room. Be sure to measure your cabinets properly before selecting your doors, as this will ensure that they will fit.

If you’re looking to take your kitchen from old to stylish and new, try one or more of these ideas for updating your kitchen cabinets. While none of these renovations will cost you thousands of dollars, they can all drastically change the look of the room. Once you decide which option will work best for your cabinets and your kitchen, you can start updating your look.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior decorating  business for four decades. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your home office,  bedroom and dining room furniture. Whether you’re looking for a oak dining room table for your formal dining room or a oak desk for your study area then they carry everything you need.

Colors used in rustic décor include shades of forest green, cream, brown tones, and any other rich colors found in nature. Wood is used in walls, floors, ceiling fans, and furniture. Hardwood floors are always beautiful, but they tend to be exquisite in this style. When thrown at the foot of the bed or in front of the sofa, braided accent rugs contribute to the homey, comfortable look and atmosphere.

For the Walls
These days, some types of paneling are outdates, but the wood panels that are applied horizontally are trendy and create an amazing look. Or if you prefer, paint the walls. Just be sure to stick to rustic colors. By painting only a couple of walls, you can add even more interest to the room. For instance, paint one forest green and other in a contrasting rich tan color. Another great rustic touch is a wall tapestry. Look for rich tapestries with scenes of nature, mountainous terrain, and forest landscapes.

Furnishings for the Rustic Home
If you’re looking for the perfect complement for a rustic décor, you can’t go wrong with leather and solid wooden furniture. Any exposed wood on the sofa, love seat, or recliner should match your coffee and end tables. If you’re going to include furniture with fabric, dark green, rust, and creams go beautifully in a plaid or striped pattern. Just remember that with this type of décor you want to stick to colors and textures that mimic nature.

A perfect rustic look for the kitchen includes a long wooden pine or maple table. All you need to do is add a bowl filled with fruit and your dining room table will be complete. When you’re looking for seating, use mismatched wooden chairs or even benches. With this style, the older and more worn the pieces look, the better. You can then accessorize by adding stone and ceramic pots filled with sunflowers or herbs, prancing roosters, and a homey rug for the sink area.

Don’t Forget to Accessorize
When it comes down to accessories, you’ll want items that have an antique or worn look. Once again, leather and wood make perfect accents, keeping the natural theme flowing throughout your home. A perfect addition to a living room or bedroom might be a distressed wooden trunk or an antique-style mirror. A great place to find a mirror is a flea market. Even if they contain a few dings, it just adds to the rustic appeal.

Rustic décor is all about warmth, security, and family. With a rustic décor, you are creating comfortable, inviting spaces in your home, no matter where you reside. A home should make you feel warm, comfortable, and secure at the end of the day. You won’t find a home quite as welcoming and beautiful as one decorated in the rustic style. Country or city—it doesn’t matter. This is one style you will truly fall in love with.

There are several feng shui guidelines to follow in the bedroom, but some are more important than others. Consider some of these helpful feng shui tips to get you on your way to a balanced and peaceful bedroom.

1. The main feng shui element in the room should be your bed.
In your bedroom, a wood bed is the primary source of intimate, personal energy. You want your bed to meet your every need, from the headboard to the mattress. So if you have to make a choice, choose to invest your money in the bed.

2. By placing the bed in a feng shui position, you can create optimal positive energy and love.
When arranging the room, you should be able to see the doorway from the bed, but it shouldn’t be directly in line with the door. The bed should also be on a strong supporting wall.

3. According to feng shui, both sides of your bed need to be balanced in energy.
This means you have the choice of placing side tables on both sides of the bed or on neither side. Also, try to keep any sharp angles—either from the tables or from the other furniture in the room—from facing the bed.

4. When you remove the television, you maintain balance in the room.
The less electricity flowing through your bedroom the better, as removing as many electrical appliances as possible is a key part of feng shui. EMFs can cause an internal imbalance, and your body doesn’t take them in when you remove electrical flow from the room. Also, when you don’t have the distraction of a television or computer, you’ll be able to get better sleep at night.

5. When designing your bedroom, don’t get obsessed with the rules of feng shui.
You may not be able to follow all the correct feng shui recommendations if your bedroom is small. If you focus too much on what’s “correct,” you may end up feeling stressed out and disappointed. Keep in mind that, in the end, feng shui is really about positive energy. If you do what you can with the space you have, then you’ll be able to make the room comfortable for you.

Some people may not believe in feng shui; others may find it too difficult to incorporate into their décor. However, the basic principle is simply to have the healthiest, most comfortable room possible. Feng shui decorating is accompanied by a long philosophical tradition, which demonstrates exactly how these principles can improve your sense of being and your life. If you’re looking to improve your bedroom or simply the feel of your oak bedroom furniture with some feng shui techniques, these tips can help get you started.

There are several things the professional interior decorators do that you can learn to do. They are not difficult or expensive – just time consuming. And time is what you are paying for when you hire a professional. You are paying not only for the time they work for you but for the time they have spent to learn their profession or trade. So if you have more time than money here we go.

Find a magazine that most represents the style of home interior you would like to have and subscribe to it. Now put some effort into choosing a magazine – spend some time at the book store perusing many decorator magazines and pick the one which has the most “decor items” and “room pictures” which make “your socks roll up and down”(means you love it and can’t live without it). You will not do everything in the magazine nor only things from the magazine but it will give you a starting place.

Now pick a room or a space in a room you want to change. For our example we will pick the bathroom. Look through the magazine and look for bathroom pictures of things you like which will fit or work in your bathroom. If you need a new towel bar, find one which will fit in the space you like and which makes your socks roll up and down. If you can’t find one in the magazine but something there has given you an idea go to the web and start searching. Don’t get frustrated it takes some effort to find something which is awesome and it is worth the time. Once you find the perfect towel bar, compare prices, both at your local stores and on the web. Then just buy it and install it.

Do the same thing for colors – when you see a room in a picture which you would love to have, try to copy the colors. If you see a decor item such as a sculpture for a table or a lamp you love, check to see if you have a space for it. Don’t buy “stuff” you like unless you first make sure you have an appropriate space for it. This will save you a fortune – we all have extra stuff sitting around which we cannot use.

If you have a space in a room that needs decorated, try to find a picture of a room or space in a room similar to your and check out how it is decorated. I decorated an entertainment center by looking at a similarly shaped one in a magazine picture and then filling my spaces with approximately the same size and shaped items as the professional decorator who got the picture in the magazine had used. It worked – mined turned out very pleasing to the eye and it actually looks like I knew what I was doing.

In picking a magazine, I was very specific. I loved southwest decorating and chose the southwest magazine which best matched my love of wild colors and extreme decorating.