Online Tests

Several online resources like ivillage.com or kaboose.com offer redecorating style tests which involves ten questions that you can probably finish in ten minutes.  When the result is created, the exam can figure out your needs and wants and categorize you with a particular interior design style.

The majority are astonished with all the outcomes of the exam, yet since it relates to your very subjective elements the results may vary every now and then.  Right now, you may score as “contemporary” but after numerous weeks or months you may produce a penchant for antiques or for minimalist design schemes.

Print Materials & Other Media 

To help you further, look through printed resources, for instance books and magazines, or other media such as home design Shows not to mention the Internet.  These are enough sources of inspiration.  Pick out the designs that focus on your own personality and when you see a pattern come up then that could be your primary design style.  For example, you could love black lacquer furniture from your Orient or perhaps a Mission fittings and furnishings.
You might also discover whether you prefer country cottage wallpaper or rustic hard-wood floors and huge throw rugs.  You would only know these as you go with the exercise.

Central Theme

An added benefit from carrying out this is that you will get particular ideas which you’ll combine and add your very own touch.  Use a central piece or focus on a topic influenced by an artwork, food or your chosen scarf.  Get your concepts from nature, travel, or whatever it really is that floats your boat.

Current Trends

Other themes which are “in” are international and multicultural looks with peculiar mix from Russia, Morroco,   India and Latin America.  Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Hollywood Regency are strong, sophisticated luxury themes that never go out of style.  It is often a wide mix of these styles that appeal to modern home owners and clients.

Color Schemes

Remarkably, perhaps due to the many yuppie bachelors that presently employ the expertise of internal decorators, “menswear” palette of gray, navy blue and earth tones of brown and black is an emerging trend.  Popular color schemes would of course function as the deep blues, rosy reds and dusty purples which are very pleasing to the eyes and relaxing to your mind as it imitates the hues of the sunset.  Kitchen colors are spiced up by getting cues from fresh fruits and vegetables in shades of orange, lemon yellow, citrus green and apple red.

You are the King

In your interior decorating journey you should let your feelings point you.  Your true nature needs to be shown in your use of textures, fabrics, colors, woods, lighting and flooring.  These must also provide you with a secure feeling of affluence.  And all you incorporate into your design must always have a purpose and meaning. 

Fill the Fireplace with Candles
Imagine placing several different pillar candles in many different sizes in the fireplace and lighting them. In this way, you can still get some warmth and light from the fireplace without having to turn it on. Just be sure that you use fireproof plates or containers to hold the candles. You can add even more interest to the fireplace by choosing decorative plates and holders. Candle make a terrific dcor piece, whether theyre lit or unlit. You can either stick with all plain or off-white candles, or go a more adventurous route and mix several different colors and styles of candles.

Add a Flower Arrangement inside the Fireplace
If youre looking for a way to add some great color to the fireplace, try placing a large flower arrangement inside or even right outside the opening. A decorative basket or vase for the flowers gives the look an added touch. Just be sure to measure the opening of the fireplace before buying or making your arrangement. After all, you dont want it to be too overpowering. Thus, it should not be touching the inside walls but should instead by several inches away. The best type of arrangement that will fit well inside the fireplace is something T-shaped.

Use a Decorative Fireplace Screen for the Area
If youd rather not see the inside of your fireplace, place a nice decorative fireplace over the opening. There are many different kinds of screens to choose from, and you should be able to find a nice one. You should easily be able to find one that both matches the dcor of your room and fits the style of the fireplace. This works really well for those who havent gotten around to refinishing their really old fireplace yet.

Make It Look Like a Real Fireplace with Wood Logs
Even if you dont build fires in your fireplace, you can still enjoy its features. All you need to do is add some nice real or fake wood logs and arrange them in a pleasing pattern. This way, when others come to your home, they wont even know if your fireplace doesnt work or you dont use it. Just be sure to clean the fireplace before putting the logs in there. Then you will be able to enjoy the scene without the hassle of a real fire.

No matter the reason why you dont use your fireplace, you dont want to let that instant attention grabber go to waste. Try one of these ideas to decorate the inside of the fireplace. In doing so, youll be able to add more style and originality to your dcor.

About the Writer
Leon Tuberman has 4 decades of experience in the home furnishings and interior design industry. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They have a large inventory of handcrafted American built solid oak furniture for you home office, living room and wooden bedroom furniture. Are you searching for awood dining table for your dining roomor a wood dresser for your bedroomthen they probably have everything you need.

Consider these questions before you start shopping

Do you have a need for a longer table that is good for accommodating a disabled person or lots of guests?

How else, other than for dining, can the table be used? A top that is a bit more durable will be necessary for a table that is used for arts and crafts and other things that may cause scratches.

In order to fit the scale of the room, how large does the table need to be? A small dining room in a large area isn’t good, neither is a large table in a smaller area.

Can you afford to go all out on a table, or do you have a tighter budget? Before you start shopping it’s best to determine your limit because money is definitely a concern to many.

Shapes, sizes and usability

Don’t buy a dining table that looks very expensive or too fancy to touch unless you have a formal dining room that no one will use. If guests are afraid of touching your table, they will feel uncomfortable sitting around it.

Decide on a style and shape for your table. Do you want a round, oblong or square shape? What style best fits your dining room and kitchen? The style you want needs to flow easily into the décor of the living room as well if you have the living room and dining room areas flowing together. If your kitchen/dining area is on the smaller side, go with a dining room table that’s small so that you don’t overload the space. Mismatched wooden chairs or even picnic benches look wonderful with a chunky wooden table in an open and spacious country kitchen.

Dining room tables used for multiple purposes

If you have limited counter space in your kitchen because it is small, you might find yourself preparing foods at the dining room table quite a bit. You can do a real number on the finish by chopping and dicing! A tough surface that can be easily cleaned is what you want in this case.

Children often like to do their homework at the dining room table, and families like to gather and play cards or other games sometimes. Make sure that the surface is hardy and will be able to stand a good deal of abuse if it will be used for these activities. Some surfaces can be so delicate that so much as leaving a glass of water on it for a small while can leave a mark on it.

You need to make sure that you don’t make a considerable investment in your dining room before you figure out everything that your family uses the dining room for. Consider your kitchen and dining room’s current style, and whether you need a small, cozy table or lots of space for family and guests. Now, when the time comes for you to shop, you’ll have all these questions answered in your mind and your decision will be much easier.

About the Writer..

Leon Tuberman has been in the furniture and interior design industry for 40 years. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in California. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Whether you’re looking for wooden chests or a wooden bed for your bedroom then they carry everything you need.

You want your home to have some personality. You want the look to be vibrant enough to attract the eye. Colors that are lifeless, like beige and white, do little to spark any interest. This doesn’t mean you need to use colors like bright red and passionate purple. However, a few great colors can really liven up the place. If you’re looking to transform your home from drab to dramatic, here are a few tips to get you started.

Transform the Walls
If you’re working within a budget, painting your walls is one of the biggest transformations you can make. However, before you start, you need to consider the colors you’re going to use in your furnishings and accents. All your colors should either complement or contrast one another. Consider bright greens, peaches, yellows, and blues if you love springtime hues. Nothing adds cheeriness to a room like a botanical print hanging on a spring green wall.

No matter what colors you choose, try painting only one or two walls, leaving the rest white. What this does is add depth and dimension to the room. The baseboards can either be painted a much deeper shade of the same color or a contrasting color.

Floors Are for More Than Just Walking!
When looking at the complete picture, people often neglect to include their floors. Whatever flooring you have—whether it’s wood floors, tile or carpet—can be dressed up. When topped with brightly colored accent rugs in strategic areas, wood or tile floors can really be livened up. Find patterns that reflect the rest of your décor. Go with whatever suits your decorating style, whether it’s florals, plaids, abstracts, or geometrics. You can use area rugs even if you only have carpeting. A rug would look great placed in front of the couch or in the center of a furniture grouping where you often entertain.

What About Furnishings?
This is where the fun really begins. People often believe that patterns shouldn’t be mixed and matched. But if you have a floral sofa containing bright hues of green, yellow, and blue, don’t be afraid to add striped and plaid throw pillows containing those same colors. The resulting look will be stunning and will simply amaze you. You can also get a big bold splash of colors with some throws or tapestries. For solid-colored furnishings, use large throw pillow with loud patterns, brightly colored throws, or even a colorful quilt thrown over the back of the sofa.

When you want to liven up a dull look, the key is color and pattern. Just use your imagination and incorporate the colors you love. All you need is some paint, a few area rugs, throw pillows, tapestries, and other accents.

With color, you can infuse your home with energy and personality without spending a whole lot of money. For very little cost, you can completely transform the look and atmosphere of a room. Ultimately, big splashes of color offer lots of bang for your buck. With a little daring, you will never walk into a boring room in your home again.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for 4 decades. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in California. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. Whether you’re looking for a tv stand for your living room or a mission style bookcase for your media room then they carry everything you need.

1. The simplest way to spruce up a room on a tight budget is with paint.

A couple of gallons of paint will run you less than 50dollarsand can entirely change the look of your room. You might use bright or bold colors to add drama to the room, or go with more neutral colors for a more natural appearance. Paint can be used creatively in so many different ways. For instance, by painting only one wall an accent color, you can make that wall the focal point of the room. Try painting stripes or use a textured painting technique to add some real interest to the walls.

2. Another place you can make a big impact for little money is your windows.

You can choose from a variety of different window coverings for any type of room. For those windows already covered with blinds, a simple valance placed at the top will add considerably more drama to the area.

There are many different creative options to try when dressing a window. For an easy and inexpensive addition to a window, simply take sheer material and drape it over a decorative curtain rod. You might also try tying those long curtain panels back with thick ribbon or velvet.

3. By adding simple accessories that work to tie the room together, you can significantly impact the look of any room.

As with most things in life, so often its the little things that count when it comes to decorating a room. When properly placed, accessories such as candles, photos, flowers, and basketson a wood dresser can add a lot to a room. Try adding a row of candles to a coffee table or night stand to give a more intimate feeling. Your kitchen might look more inviting with the simple addition of a vase of flowers. Even the smallest touches, such as new towels in a bathroom, can make a big difference.

You can stick to your budget by shopping flea markets and consignment stores for these items. You may spend a little more time shopping, but this can save you a ton of money, especially if you have your whole house to decorate.

4. A simple strategy for a new look is to rearrange the furniture or pull items from one room and use them in another.
If your budget is really tight, it makes sense to work with what you have. Always be on the lookout for pieces you can refurbish and add your own style to. Perhaps that old vase that used to hold flowers in the family room might be spray painted with a metallic finish and used as a centerpiece for the dining room table. Carefully consider the items you have and envision how you might change them to fit the style youre looking for.

Just because youre decorating doesnt mean you have to spend thousands of dollars. Just 100 dollars or 200dollars will go far when it comes to decorating your home on a tight budget.

Freshen up the walls

Changing up your walls is the easiest way to update your living room’s look. Basic white or cream colored walls might be what you have right now, you might even have old paneling. Today, you can add texture to the room with faux finishes, and the look can be accomplished easily.

Beautiful walls are created by first painting the with a basic chosen color for the room. You can chose a color like soft blue, terracotta, a sand shade or any shade you choose. Add the faux finish, once your done, by using rubber stamps, a feather duster or a rag rolling technique. Just about any faux finish can be found online, along with instructions on how to complete it.

Revive your furniture

Is your furniture pretty worn out and tired? there are a few things that you can do to make it look new again as long as it is structurally sound. You can paint or refinish any wooden accents you may have on your sofa or love seat. If you want to clean your furniture you can, though you can make it look entirely new with a slipcover. You can find slipcovers that don’t look like a sheet’s been thrown over the sofa nowadays.

A few boldly colored plush throw pillows that suit your decorating style should be considered. As long as you choose colors that complement the room, stripes, checks floral and geometric patterns all work.

Find some old treasures

Many people don’t realize that they have some pretty great resources right under their nose. Look for things you may have put away long ago in your attic or basement. You can renew things like an old lamp, an antique trunk or accent table by giving them a fresh coat of paint or new lamp shade. Though it isn’t something everyone knows about, paper lamp shades can be painted. Any old ceramic base lamps you may have can be painted, and you can work some stenciling magic on them.

If you want to take the living room further, just take some old accents and accessories out and use them. A room will look quite cluttered and messy if you have too many accessories. Add interest to the living room by using only a few boldly colored accents.

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” this is quite an old saying. It’s very much so true. Garage sales and flea markets are great places to find some nice deals. Throw a new perspective on them by using your creativity. Grab one of your old wooden accent tables and give it a fresh coat of paint in order to have a new piece of furniture. You’ll have a much easier time decorating on a budget if you throw a bit of creativity and imagination into it.

About the Writer..

For over four decades Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior decorating needs. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. Whether you’re looking for wood beds for your bedroom or a wood coffee table for your living room then they carry everything you need.

Keeping up with the current trend would cost a fortune, especially since they always come and go. The following are a few ideas that will help you create an appealing and beautiful living room that is always “in”.

Go for Neutral Colors

Something to definitely keep in mind is that you do not want to get colors or patterns that won’t be in style in about a year. Colors that are loud and out there are totally out of the question; neutral colors are what you need if you want to change your accessories at any given time.

If you want to make your living room look new each year going with colors like taupe, cream, sand and light gray is a good idea since they are easy to accessorize. You can do this easily by just changing and updating your room’s throw pillows, curtains, candles, wall accents, etc. Make sure to keep away from any designs that are intricate and elaborate; instead keep it basic and stick with natural colored or leather furniture.

Go for Quality Instead of Quantity

When it comes to larger pieces such as a sofa or love seat, take a little extra money to buy something durable that will last for years. Replacing rocking chairs or recliners and tables is much easier on your budget. Since your guests are most likely to use your larger furnishings, you need something that will last you years and stay attractive.

Do it Right by Staging First

Your room’s furnishings should be in scale with the room. Having large furniture in a small living room only makes the living room smaller and it further limits already limited floor space. A room that doesn’t have enough furniture and is too large will only look and feel cold and indifferent.

Staging your living room is easy, you just need ribbon or painters tape to mark the areas where you plan on setting your sofa, love seat, chairs, coffee and end tables, etc. Pillows and blankets can also be used to accomplish this.

After marking off the areas where you think you should place your furniture, step away and observe the room. Do you feel as if you will have enough floor space? Is there too much? By staging the room you are figuring out the proper amount of furniture for the room, and how big the furniture needs to be.

Just as a general rule, remember that large and bulky furniture is better for a large living room, and smaller rooms need smaller furniture that is more in scale. Just remember that when you purchase large furnishings that they should be in neutral, basic colors and fabrics so that you will be able to have furnishings that change with the trends any time you like.

About the Writer..

Leon Tuberman has been part of the home furnishings and interior decorating  business for 4 decades. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in California. They have a large inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood mission furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a wood file cabinet for your home office or a maple bed for your bedroom then they carry everything you need.

Paint a Wall

You might be thinking, “How can I paint the apartment, I don’t own it.” The truth is that if you ask nicely, most apartment managers will give you permission; and they won’t mind much as long as you don’t use crazy colors like lime green or fuchsia.

A shade that complements or contrasts with colors in your upholstery and accents would be perfect for painting one of the walls of your living room. A light teal, muted peach or soft blue would work perfectly well. Rooms are given depth, and monotony is broken, when you paint a single wall. You don’t have to stick to the walls when it comes to painting. Most tables can also be painted, as well as the base of a lamp and its shade.

Avoid Chunky Furniture

You should probably stay away from bulky and heavy furniture if you don’t have a large apartment. You will find that more space than necessary is usually taken up by bulky furnishings, and they also give the room a smaller feeling. Stick with sleek and simple furniture, stay away from over-stuffed, and bulky furniture. The only furniture that you really need for your living room is a coffee table, a recliner, a sofa and matching end tables. In the event that you have several guests over, you should probably have some over-sized throw pillows available for seating.

Windows

To say the least, the generic venetian blinds or mini-blinds that are in most apartments are quite boring. Using curtains with lots of color or a roll up shade with hues that match your décor are good ways of adding color and jazzing the place up a bit. Get creative; if making your own curtains out of satin sheets is something you want to do, go ahead and do it.

Add Texture

Fabrics that use different textures is the secret to pulling it all together. If you have a sofa made of a sleek material you should take nubby textures that are vibrantly colored into consideration for the throw pillows; and you can create a great focal point to the room, while adding texture at the same time, if you add a tapestry to one of the walls. With silky table runners, accent rugs and beaded lamps you’ll be able to add various textures to the room.

Make sure that you incorporate some of your favorite prints and accessories in your apartment when you decorate it. You will feel at home, and have created a unique look that is all your own. The apartment you live in doesn’t have to feel dull, and it doesn’t need to be a reflection of every other apartment in the building. You can really create rooms that you’ll love coming home to at day’s end by simply using paint, colors, texture and the right furniture.

About the Author…
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 have a huge inventory of handcrafted American built solid oak furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for arts and crafts tv stands for your family room or wood filing cabinets for your office then they carry everything you need.

Color isn’t the only thing that matters

Of course, decorating your home with beautiful splashes of color is great, but it’s the texture and patterns of a room that bring it to life. Boring rooms are rooms with bland colors and a single texture such as shiny, rough or smooth. Today, you can provide life to an otherwise dull room by mixing stripes with florals or checks and combining rough, shiny or smooth textures.

Play up the kitchen

Be it the kitchen or bath, incorporating texture is easy to do. Rooms that are plain, and have a sterile look should be changed; replace white tiled floors, white walls, white appliances, etc., with wood floors, cherry cabinets and nubby accents to bring in warmth. Try something like a wall shelf that displays rustic pottery, or dining room chairs accented with boldly patterned cushions. When it comes to the bath, add a sconce for the wall to soften the room with romantic lighting, use boldly patterned rugs and use plush towels for display.

Liven up the walls

When it comes to the overall décor of the room, the walls are essential. Many people now love to use faux finishes on their walls, and they can be easily accomplished with techniques such as ragging, rag rolling and rubber stamping. This gives the walls texture, helping get rid of the blank look. Try richly textured tapestries, or glue fabrics to a single wall such as imitation suede or burlap. The ceilings are also important; they can be wallpapered or painted with texture paint. Exposed wooden beams are good for adding richness to the room, especially when your are decorating in a country-themed style.

In order to pull the look together you’ll need accents. Depending on your style preferences, your sofa or love seat can have layered throw pillows designed in stripes, checks, florals and even geometric patterns The textures should be varied; some should be rough and nubby, and others should be silky and sleek. More interest can be added by placing a colorful throw casually across a chair or rocker.

You can add more appeal to the room by blending furnishings from various eras. It’s is quite common to find upscale homes today that mix modern pieces, pieces from the ’30′s, and the 19th century. Combining elements with diverse qualities can yield very beautiful and unique results. A little paint or stenciling can make old pieces that you’ve put away into something great for a room, and leather looks great when combined with wicker.

Create rooms that really are your own, rooms that feel intimate and will be loved by anyone who enters your home. Letting texture and pattens work for you makes it so much easier.

About the Writer..

Leon Tuberman has 40 years of experience in the furniture and interior decorating industry. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. 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. Whether you’re looking for a mission bookcase for your home office or a bed for your bedroom then they carry everything you need.Using Texture And Pattern in Your Home

Have Plenty of Storage Options
To keep the playroom neat and organized, you need to have plenty of storage options. This way, when it comes time to clean up, everything in the room will have its proper place. You want to make sure you have plenty of organization and storage so that your childs playroom doesnt end up looking like a tornado blew through it on a daily basis.

Furniture pieces such as oak chests can provide storage, as well as plastic bins and shelving units on the wall.

Any small items, such as puzzles, art supplies, and other small toys, need to be stored in individual baskets or bins.

Make the Playroom Room Durable
Dont put your favorite piece of furniture in your childs playroom unless you plan on it getting broken. Even little girls tend to be rough on furniture and other decorating items. The easiest way to keep the room durable is to keep any dcor items simple and kid-friendly.

Use plastic bins and baskets for storage; they can also serve as decorations for the room. A rug with darker colors and patterns will hide any stains. Also be sure to find a rug that is easy to clean.

Keep Play Areas Safe for Your Kids
Any bookshelves, dressers, or wood desks should be bolted to the wall to prevent them from falling on a climbing child. Its not a bad idea to use only childrens size furniture, as furniture thats too tall can be unsafe for younger children. Keep all small toys and art supplies out of reach of small children by storing them up high. Be sure to baby-proof the room if you have a baby or toddler. Covers should be placed on all the outlets and any hanging blind cords from the windows should be put out of reach.

Let Your Child Have a Say in the Playroom
A child who has a say in how to decorate his or her playroom will enjoy that room so much more. Its easy to ask your childrens opinion on such things as the color of the walls or what color carpet they want. Even if your child wants a themed playroom, this is relatively easy to accomplish. Just find some stencils or stick-ons to add to the walls.

When your child likes the look of the playroom, he or she is going to be more likely to want to play in the room and keep it clean. Allowing your child to have some say in the dcor and items in the room to a certain degree will make things far easier for everyone.

A playroom is meant to be a childs favorite place in the house. Having their own space gives children a chance to be independent and creative while having fun. Follow these decorating tips and youll find that decorating a playroom can be much more simple and less expensive than you may have thought.