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Décor Ideas for Any Room:
 Use
What Ya Got - Many times we become so accustomed to seeing things in
the same place we don't consider their potential in another area or room
of the home. Rearranging furniture and décor can give any space a new
look.
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Consider how you use the space first, do you
find some rooms are used all the time and others hardly at all?
Frequently used spaces can easily become cluttered. Perhaps there is something you can move to a less used
space to bring new purpose to that area. Convert a scarcely used
nook to a game table or move a small bookshelf and add a lamp next
to that comfy chair no one ever seems to sit in. Think outside the
"box" of your previous layout.
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Similar to the point above, consider some of
your larger pieces of furniture. Moving a piece out of the room into
another may help free up space in one and redefine another.
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What is the flow of your rooms? Do pathways
from one doorway to the next make sense? Perhaps everyone seems to
be ducking in front of the couch to get by the TV when there is room
to move the couch away from the wall. Contrary to popular belief,
the couch does not need to go against the wall!
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Take established pieces and reinvent them.
No, the modular sofa does not have to be one formal island in the
center of the room. Break it up and add lights, or end tables to
help recharge the room.
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Besides furniture, consider what you have
hanging on the wall as well. Do you have old paintings that no
longer appeal to you or the space? Do you have new photos that you
can't seem to find a place for? If you are rearranging furniture,
take pictures off the wall first, you don't want to be boxed in with
idea to leave wall space for this or that. Afterwards, look at the
new blank walls and consider the possibilities. If you are not
rearranging furniture, still take the pictures down. Leave them down
for a couple days and come back to look at the room as fresh as
possible - what do you really miss being up there, what would you
like to add, or perhaps, do you prefer a more blank, uncluttered
wall?
Color Me New - A splash of paint can go a
long way! Repainting walls can be a lot of fun and the best part is that
if you don't like it you can just paint over it! Of course today there
are great programs at the do-it-yourself stores that help you customize
colors and paint styles before you begin. And painting doesn't have to
stop at the walls!
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Repainting the ceiling can help to brighten
a room considerably.
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If you have old painted trim, you may want
to consider splashing on a fresh coat of paint or changing the color
altogether.
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Painting old furniture can reinvent it and
is something kids can get involved with if redecorating their own
room.
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There are paint sets out there to help
repaint anything with a surface. You can give any end table, lamp or
bookshelf a new antiqued look. For example, we had some white metal
dining room chandeliers that clashed with our house, it was easy to
dismantle them and paint them with a rusted look and this saved us
buying chandeliers that would otherwise have cost $200 a piece! I
admit, we did this with the thought that we would replace them "down
the road," but since their makeover they have stopped being an
eyesore and we have even received compliments on them - most didn't
realize they were painted until we said something!
 It's
ALIVE! - Plants can do wonders for the home. Some believe that you
should have a plant in every room. Large potted plants can help give
life to blank corners or help set up the outline of a nice path throughout a room.
Smaller potted plants can add color to the window or shelf. It must be
admitted that although nice idea, not all of us have a green thumb and
lack of light may doom some of our green friends from the beginning.
Many of the silk plants these days look very real, however, they are not
for everyone. Another alternative is fresh cut flowers. Get enough small
vases and one bunch can be used throughout the home and greet you
everywhere from the bedroom to the kitchen.
Instant Relatives - "Instant relatives"
is a phrase my friend uses for the photos of people in the new frames
you buy. If you bought a frame 6 months to a year ago and still have
those "instant relatives" you don't know staring at you, then you have
just found one of the easiest home décor projects! If you don’t have new
frames, they are an inexpensive way to help any room. And remember, all
the frames on one wall don't always have to match; sometimes the mix
match look of your décor is what can give it personality! Once you have
some frames you like, fill them with memories or art you enjoy having
around you. Today it is easy to enlarge photographs and add effects to
them. Enlarge one of your favorite photos of Scotland or collage your
last family vacation. Fill the frames with photos of family, friends,
vacation scenery, art prints, artwork by the kids, favorite postcards or
cards, the list can be endless if you let your imagination run with it;
make it fun!
Facelift Under $20 - Many times just
adding a few small pieces can help a space. At many department stores
you can find: candles, sconces, mirrors, frames, framed art, plaque art,
photo holders, statues, ornate boxes, pillows, table runners, etc. Any of these
smaller items can be combined to add a unique design to your space.
Also, many department stores package themed art (southwest, modern, Victorian,
African, etc.) to help you create the design for the space you want. These
series often go on sale as one design set makes way for another, leaving
you a chance to find some great decorations with a little planning and
patience.
Oh Just Hang It! - The softness of fabric
in a room can make a major mood change. Drapes are one of the easiest
ways to change the look of a space. You can get drapes relatively cheap
these days. I have both purchased and made my own drapes and consider it
a draw. I was able to get better fabric quality when making my own, but
the time and headache (I'm not a sewing expert) did cancel out some of
the ease of just buying them. Others have been smarter than me and buy a
fabric they want, simply seem the edges and then hang them freely over
the curtain rods. Another consideration would be bamboo or roman blinds,
some find these a more colorful and cheaper alternative to standard
blinds.
 Camouflage
the Old - Covering up what you already have can be a great
alternative to buying new furniture. Covers for sofas, tables and chairs
can help you bring new colors and patterns into your room. Again, you
can make these items yourself or purchase them in the store. Unless you
a proficient with the sewing machine, it may be easier to purchase some
of these items. Sometimes even cushions and pillows can help cover up
worn spots or add color to a drab space. While we are covering things up, you
may also consider to use rugs to cover up and change the pattern/color or old floors.
Especially for older hard wood floors or pergo, this can be a great way
to spiff up your room.
The Finer Details - Another detail
that can be changed on a small scale but effect a room on a large scale
is your hardware and fixtures. Changing the hardware on cabinets can
reinvent your kitchen or bathroom. You can also replace fixtures such as
light casings, towel holders, toiletry and soap holders, etc.
Changing these items can help change the room from modern to antique or
vice versa (just for example). Many department stores sell fixture sets
that can be a quick and easy facelift to any bathroom.
Just Say No to Clutter - Finally, one of
the most effective ways to redecorate your home is to get rid of
clutter. This doesn't just mean picking up bits of paper. This can also
mean getting items to help you organize. Many stores offer beautiful
baskets, tins or other containers that can be used to organize your
madness. Adding a bit of shelving, a chest, a large basket or an ottoman
that opens up for storage are just a few ways you can change the look of
the room and give yourself storage space. Changing a room from cluttered
to organized can have a dramatic effect on the décor and overall feel of
the space.
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Further Reading
About.com
If you long for a beautiful home, you have come to the right place!
Learn about home decorating, get tips for projects, find directions
for how-tos, and advice from About Guide to Interior Decorating,
Coral Nafie. Take a look!
Behr
Get interior design ideas from dozens of articles and hundreds of
images.
Better Homes and Gardens
Join us for truly inspiring decorating ideas, easy projects,
step-by-step how-tos, practical home improvement tips, remodeling
ideas, and home plans -- from Better Homes and Gardens family of
magazines.
Country Living Magazine
Home decorating ideas, craft projects, home accents, renovation tips
and more country style from Country Living magazine.
Do-It-Yourself.com
Decorating and painting is a key ingredient to a beautiful home.
Before you begin decorating or re-decorating your home, learn more
about painting techniques and preparation, selecting paint colors
and finishes, decorating and designing trends, and interior décor,
accents and furnishings. Home decorating has never been easier!
Home & Garden (HGTV)
Learn more about decorating and interior design ideas, projects and
how-to from videos on Home & Garden Television.
Katie Brown Workshop
his is the official website for Katie Brown and the Katie Brown
Workshop. It is the place to shop and buy Katie Brown books and
provides information regarding lifestyle and domestic guru, Katie
Brown and answers any questions you have about Katie Brown’s books,
products, columns, Podcasts, or her televisions shows including the
Katie Brown Workshop on Public Television.
Martha Stewart Living
Different ideas from her show and magazines.
Real Simple
Magazine and TV show about simplifying your life. Includes home
solutions, meals, special features.
Trading Spaces Design Idea Center
Do you want to design your room with your favorite designer's style?
Are you looking for design inspiration for a specific type of room?
We've made it easier than ever for you to find what you're looking
for! View pictures of our best room transformations by room (below)
or by designer. Now, getting design ideas is a snap!
**Also see our earlier article
Feng Shui: Another Look at Interior Design from March last year.
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