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6 Innovative Ideas For Bathroom Remodeling

If you think following design norms is boring, try incorporating some fresh design ideas into your bathroom remodeling project. With a little imagination and courage, you can create a new bathroom space you'll want to spend time in!

Lighting

Have you ever imagined installing a classy ornate chandelier over your whirlpool tub? What luxury! If your room is small, lighting installed under cabinets and vanities can be an effective way to give the illusion of space and depth.

Fireplace

Although a fireplace might seem commonplace in a living room or family room, it can also give a homey feeling to your powder room. Imagine the cozy atmosphere you can create by adding a fireplace to your bathroom remodeling project. As you soak in a big tub, dancing flames can help you relax by creating an elegant and luxurious experience.

Sinks and Vanities

There's a world of options when choosing a sink or vanity. You can even choose an antique bureau or sideboard for a vanity if you like that style. Sink basins come in virtually every shape and size. Choose an unusual color, finish, size, or shape to add an element of unexpected design to the room. Materials include glass, wood, porcelain, stainless steel, cast iron, enamel, and solid surface.

Tile Options

Exciting innovations in tiles have created a wealth of bathroom remodeling options. Cover horizontal surfaces with exciting colors and textures in a variety of sizes and shapes. The tile can also continue vertically up the walls, extending colors and textures throughout the room. Use a variety of tile sizes in a coordinating color palette to create a surprising room.

Innovative Shower Ideas

Take your shower to a new level by designing a walk-in area that's not separated by glass. Even if you don't have an expansive space, you can add a walk-in shower. It might be easy to forget about seating when you're considering tubs and toilets, but it's an important element. If your bathroom remodeling plans include a steam room or large shower, you can add a built-in chase to enable you to recline as you steam or shower. Imagine the sense of comfort and restfulness as you lie back in luxury.

Incorporating Electronics

If audio and visual technology appeals to you, don't let the old norms stop you. It's possible to add a wall-mounted waterproof television, visible from the shower or tub, which enables you to watch as you bathe. You can also choose from a variety of mirror TVs, which are actually mirrors with the added capability of functioning as a television! These televisions have added features such as lighting, radio, and waterproof remote controls. Another gadget to consider is a showerhead that doubles as a speaker, enabling you to connect to any device via Bluetooth.

With all these possibilities, there's no reason not to have fun designing your bathroom remodeling project! See where your imagination and innovation can take you.

Big Ideas for Underutilized Spaces

As homeowners' lives evolve and so do their needs and desires for their personal space. For example, when a couple decides to have a child, they may also find they need extra space. One of the easiest ways to add more room to your current abode is by better utilizing the existing space. Your cost-effective home remodeling options could involve reworking your basement, garage, or attic.

Basement Remodeling

Basements have the bad reputation of being either dark and creepy or reduced to a massive storage area for seasonal decor, childhood items, and anything else not used on a regular basis. By rescuing this space from such a fate, you can kill two birds with one stone as you ultimately create some major additional space for your family. Not only do you turn a room that previously had negative connotations into a positive space, you can easily save money. Here are some home remodeling ideas for basements:

- The lack of lighting in a basement is actually advantageous for home-theater systems and music rooms. The heavy insulation creates a natural sound barrier for all your movie nights and band practices!

- While it may seem tricky or expensive to divide the large square footage of a basement into separate living areas, it is ideal for an exercise or recreational room. It can easily fit large pieces of exercise equipment and/or recreational items like pool tables or other games tables. The multitude of entertainment options could provide just the incentive to bring the family together.

- The cool environment of the basement, which often conveys a creepy sensation when unused, could be the perfect space for a wine cellar.

Garage Remodeling

Countless homeowners assume that including their garage in their home remodeling project means sacrificing storage space. However, because garages are either attached or in close proximity to their houses, owners will discover how easily they can be outfitted with home comforts like heating, cooling, cable services, and plumbing. If the area is too small, or if you can't let go of the storage space, you can still choose to build an addition above the garage. Not only will you increase your current square footage, you will also increase the value of your home. Ideas for transforming your garage include:

- Make a space that's perfect for your garage band. Consider soundproofing options that will both prevent complaints from neighbors and offer you an acoustical paradise for practicing your music.

- If you choose to increase your square footage by adding a room above your current garage, you have many options, including a mother-in-law suite, a second master suite, or a large playroom for the kids.

- If you're currently lugging your laundry down to the basement because there's no space upstairs, you could build a small laundry room in the garage that eliminates those dreaded trips up and down the stairs.

The most important thing to remember before beginning any home remodeling project is to schedule a meeting with your renovation experts. You may run into some hidden and unexpected costs when transforming a space, and these specialists know everything involved, from costs and permits to innovative ideas.

6 Home Improvement Projects That Will Increase Your Home's Value

Increasing a property's value can have a variety of benefits for the homeowner. Whether you plan to sell your house soon, or are just interested in getting the most out of the work you perform, home improvement projects can have a significant impact on the overall value of your home.

Major Systems

The major systems of a house-including the heating, electrical, plumbing, and sewage systems-must all be current and in good working order. It's common for older homes to require some updates as systems become outdated and malfunctions occur. If any of these systems are in need of repair or an upgrade to bring them up to current standards, they are the first thing you should spend your money on. Home improvement projects that repair these major systems are especially important if you plan to sell your house. Prospective buyers want to know that a residence will not require significant work in order to be livable. In addition, any appraisal or inspection that's performed in conjunction with a sale will identify whether these systems are in need of repair or have been recently updated, which can positively or negatively affect the sales price.

Exterior Renovations

You can get significant returns on your home improvement expenditures when you focus on curb appeal. Consider jobs like installing or replacing siding, replacing windows, installing a new garage door, or putting in a stylish new front door. These types of projects add curb appeal to a dwelling without a huge cost.

Attic Refurbishing

An unfinished attic can be the ideal place for a new bedroom or a hobby room. On average, most homeowners can expect to spend $50,000 or less on this project. The end result should net a recovery of over 72 percent of the cost when it's time to sell the house.

Kitchen Remodeling

The kitchen is an integral feature of any home, and so remodeling the kitchen is an effective way to increase its value. Remodeling can vary depending on your home improvement budget. Even minimal projects-such as installing new flooring, updating sink fixtures, and installing new light fixtures-can have a major impact on value. Homeowners on a tight budget might even choose to stain or paint cupboards and install new hardware for a fast and easy kitchen face-lift.

Adding Bathrooms

Adding a bathroom is an effective way to add value to a dwelling. Depending on your space and budget, you might choose to add a full bathroom or even just a half bath. The net increase from a half bath may be as much as 10 percent, while adding a full bath could increase the value by as much as 20 percent.

Basement Remodeling

Finishing a basement can add important living space to a residence. By turning a basement into a family room, a theater, a play area, extra bedrooms, or even a second kitchen, a house suddenly gains a special appeal and increases in value.

Plan your home improvement projects to ensure that you get the most return on your initial investment. You may be surprised at the significant impact you can have on overall value even with a modest project.

Bamboo Bathroom Cabinets Offer Advantages for Homeowners

When someone is selecting different types of cabinets for their home, they are going to want something that is going to be durable. Everybody has a different taste in style though. Bamboo bathroom cabinets will offer many different advantages for homeowners.

There are a lot of different types of things that are going to be appealing to the homeowner. The style and the colors that are available are going to be one of those options. They need to have something that is going to match the rest of the décor in the home.

Bamboo that is used for different types of cabinets throughout the home does not get damaged by the moisture that will be in the bathroom. This is something that is going to be very important to consider. Everybody has seen what water can do to the different types of wood when it is in the bathroom or around the kitchen sink.

Homeowners want something that is going to be used for a very long time too. Every cabinet will be a different size also. Every bathroom will have a different amount of room for these cabinets.

They have a lot of different types of styles that are wanted. The shelving that is provided inside of these will be very important to consider as well. There are a lot of things that are going to be necessary when choosing this type of thing.

The doors on these will be stylish as well. There are many different types of designs for each one of the cabinets too. They will be very strong and able to hold a lot of weight when it is necessary.

Bamboo is also something that is very abundant, unlike many other types of wood. This is because it grows so quickly. This is something that is going to be very important.

Because the bamboo does not warp like other types of wood does, it is going to be a better option for in the bathrooms. This is something that more homeowners are learning also. This is why it is growing in popularity.

Some of the cabinets will be ones that are able to be mounted to the wall. Other ones are going to be ones that are placed on the floor. There are different things that every cabinet will be able to hold for the home.

These are easily cleaned also. They do not require any special cleaner to clean them. It will be very important to make sure that they are not abrasive cleaners that are used on them though.

Maintenance on these is easy to do as well. It is easy to keep them preserved and looking brand new. The cost of these are not driven up by the type of wood either. This is because the bamboo is very abundant.

Even though there is a huge demand for it, there are many places that it grows very quickly so it is going to be replenished quite easily. This is something that is important to consider as well. This is something that is very important for the homeowner as well as for the people that are going to be using this type of cabinet.

Bathroom cabinets can store many different types of things that belong in the bathroom. The towels will be kept dry and free of any water when they are stored in a bamboo cabinet also. The weight that they are able to hold is going to be very important to consider as well.

Bamboo bathroom cabinets are something that are very popular in many different areas of the world. They are something that are stylish and that provide many different advantages to the home as well as to the room that they are in. The care of these is easy to do as well. This is something that every homeowner is happy to hear.

Stripes In Interior Design - Break Free From The Ordinary

Many designers are interested in stripes which can be used in different mediums such as pillows, carpeting, wallpapers, also curtains. Stripes in interior design can be soft, bold or subtle. You can also use different colors, even neutral ones and still make a room appear interesting.

Stripes do not just add interest in a room but they are also effective in hiding a myriad of traffic. It can also conceal wear and tear that you or your family members can inflict.

Using stripes on your décor can help you break loose of predictability. The world of interior design is often about patterns and solids but if you want to surprise everyone, then add some stripes. Just make sure that you keep one color as the unifying element in a room or else you would lose the needed cohesion on your design.

Stripes can also be used on those lovely stairs that you have at home. Just look at that often boring straight staircase and know that you can actually use striped carpets on them. These stripes can render an interesting path to the upper rooms.

Adding that striped carpet will also offer that needed energy boost on your stairway. At the very least, the appearance of wear and tear are kept at a bare minimum. Remember, though, that carpet warranties won't cover stairs and hallways so those stripes will come in handy in hiding the wears and tears of daily traffic.

Subtle stripes, when used on walls, can add an interesting décor to any room. Have your paint or wallpapers designed with stripes (whether vertical or horizontal) and you get to change the aura of the room. Just make sure that the rest of the design elements are not as lively as your striped walls or you will be left with a room that has too much activity going on.

A Surefire Beauty

Adding stripes is a surefire way to stylize a room. Choose from delicate, thin or bold stripes, no matter, you are sure to add a little pizzazz to a boring design. There are just a few tips that you need to remember, though.

First, when you are out to paint your walls, make sure to use masking tape to outline your stripes. Using a spirit level, measure them so that you are guaranteed of straight lines.

If you prefer a retro look, combine thin lines with thicker bands. This will help you achieve an 80s design. 'Feeling bold enough? Why not paint diagonal lines for a more modern look? You can do this on a focal or feature wall or you can have it done on all four walls - it's up to you.

Widen or add some height into a room by using striped wallpapers. A huge bonus of using stripes is that they can conceal any flaw. A room with low ceiling can benefit from a vertical striped wallpaper. This will create an illusion of height.

Employ the same trick using the stripes on a horizontal position and you will get a visually wider room. This is most useful in narrow rooms.

Painting is the cheapest way to get a striped look in any room. Create an edgy contemporary feel as you use stripes and colors in an effective manner. A bold color will easily contrast with the main color. Design stripes can create effective statement walls. You can also lengthen or widen windows with the use of striped curtains or blinds. Be careful in using too much fabric, though, or this could drown a smaller window.

5 Ways to Instantly Renew the Look of Your Master Bathroom

Bathrooms are among the most frequently visited rooms in a home. Whether to alleviate a full bladder, cleanse soiled hands, or relax in a hot tub, the bathroom is important for a home's general comfort for many reasons. Aside from operative plumbing, décor and ambience can certainly influence the level of comfort you experience in your master bath.

Although new move-ins and outdated bathrooms might desperately need a makeover, not everyone has the time or the disposal income for a bathroom remodeling project. Fortunately, there are five fantastic methods any homeowner or renter can do to instantly update or upgrade the look of their master bath without all the hassle of construction and renovation costs! Continue reading to learn five ways you can instantly transform your master bathroom within a minimal budget.

Paint the Walls and Cabinets

Sometimes a simple change of color can make all the difference in a small room like a master bath. If the cabinets are already painted, not stained, re-applying a fresh coat of paint can instantly make cabinets appear brand new. As for walls, a fresh coat of paint or a color change can dramatically transform a space without a hassle. Semi-gloss paints that include primers are perfect for bathrooms and some brands only require one-coat applications. You can purchase enough paint for your master bath as low as $50, depending on the brand and paint quality. Keep in mind that brighter colors can make bathrooms feel more spacious, while warmer colors will offer cozy ambiences.

Replace the Lighting

Speaking of cozy or bright ambiences, depending on whatever you prefer for your master bath, lighting can play a large role in transforming the look and feel of a bathroom. If you have fluorescent lighting in your restroom, swap them out for something less dramatic like recess lighting. If you cannot afford to have recess or new lighting installed, simply change your lamp bulbs to a smaller wattage, or even an adjustable wattage. You can also purchase small counter lamps that look fashionable and add a transformation of light. You may also consider installing curtains on bathroom windows to add a cozier or home-like feel; or removing them to add more natural light and space.

Replace Hanging Towels

Hand towels and bath towels fade over time, and can look dull or boring. One fast and affordable way to change the entire look of your master bath is to replace your towels. Choose a new color or fresh pattern and swap out hand towels, rags, shower curtains, and bath towels for an instantaneous transformation!

Re-Caulk or Clean Waterproof Seals

The waterproof caulking around bathtubs and sinks can get moldy or deteriorate overtime. Re-caulking these areas will provide extra security against leaks, as well as, brighten up the look of your room. Instead of re-caulking, you can apply a good bleach scrub-down to clean the seals and freshen up their look.

Replace Bathroom Fixtures

If you want to update the look of your washroom to a more modern feel, simply replace the plumbing and decorative fixtures. Things like faucets, showerheads, shower rods, towel racks, sconces, door knobs, and more can be replaced at a low-cost in a short amount of time. You would be amazed to see how a bathroom can look entirely remodeled and updated with a simple fixture upgrade you can do yourself!

Apartment Decorating Tips for Renters

While homeowners can decorate their homes in any way they please, the apartment renter is more restricted in their decorating choices. Most rental apartments have white walls so that anyone's furnishings fit into the decorating scheme. Window treatments may be bland as well, for the same reason. The carpeting can be a major issue, especially in the case of older apartments. That olive green shag rug, so popular in the 1970s, can be a virtual apartment decorating nightmare. However, you've got to work with what you've got, right? There are many decorating solutions to deal with all of these realities. Read on for some great apartment decorating ideas that will make that carpeting almost disappear.

Apartment decorating can actually be easier than decorating a large home. If you're decorating many rooms, you must keep an eye on a consistent theme and there's a lot more wall space. Apartment decorating doesn't pose so many choices. Your living room and kitchen may well be the only public places, so coordinating color and style is made easier.

Let's tackle the ugly carpeting problem first. Rooms in apartments are generally smaller than in private homes, so a less than desirable carpet can be downplayed with a couple of large area rugs in a color scheme more to your liking. Sea grass mats are another possibility. While the natural beige lightens up the room, the olive green (or whatever color) fades into the background. This apartment decorating solution is relatively inexpensive and you can take it with you when you move.

Plants are heaven sent components in any apartment decorating scheme. Chances are, you don't have a garden just outside to give your home a lift of nature's beauty. House plants can fill the gap nicely. If you're always on the go and don't have time to fuss with feeding and watering schedules, look into some of the lovely artificial silk plants. Several well-placed plants can become the focal point, distracting the eye from other, less desirable, but permanent apartment fixtures.

With apartment decorating, all that white wall space can be used to great advantage for tying your look together. A single large painting over the sofa or fireplace can have lots of impact, making a colorful statement that reflects your good taste. Wall hangings are another beautiful solution. An entry wall space is perfect for highlighting that collection of family photos or your own photography.

Apartment bathrooms are typically plain, but also are the easiest of apartment decorating problems. Pick your favorite accessory styles and materials. Wicker and rattan, wood or brass, these bathroom decor items quickly and inexpensively bring that bathroom to life. Hang a jazzy shower curtain and you're done.

If apartment decorating has seemed a difficulty, you now see it can be a breeze. It's also far less expensive than decorating an entire home.

Why Indoor Plants And Flora Are The Latest Trend

Why are indoor plants and flowers the latest trend? Is it because you can have any flower that you want, no matter how exotic, occupying your home for a fraction of the price? Or is it because when you buy some artificial flowers you will have the chance to create a beautiful garden that will never die? There are many reasons why people love indoor plants and flora the way that they do. If you opt for real indoor plants and flora, there are also many benefits, such as a pleasant, natural aroma in your home at all times, as well as the joy of having something living in your home.

People love having indoor plants and flora because, these days, not everyone has space for a garden. However, they still want to have plants within the home. If you live in a place that is constantly cold, you will also want to have plants and flowers within the home, as you will be able to keep temperatures regulated. This, of course, means that you can keep delicate flowers alive no matter what the season is.

Creating your own beautiful indoor garden space

First, make sure that you have got the space in your home to put down some pot plants and also that you have got enough light coming into the area, as plants gravitate towards light and need it to survive. Then, you need to decide what plants you want in your home. You should aim to strike a balance between the amount of floral matter that you have and the amount of greenery as well. Try and get a symmetrical balance between your flowers and between your green plants.

If you are going for a live garden, you should take into account what season it is, only because this will affect the availability of certain blooms and plants. If you are, however, building an artificial garden, let your mind run wild, as you can have just about any plant that you would like, as well as any type of formation that you like, since artificial plants can be made into the most beautiful arrangements.

Indoor gardens are all the rage at the moment because, let's face it - no one likes to see flowers dying or anything like that. It's an unpleasant reminder of how transient life is. If you get the best of the best when it comes to artificial flowers, however, you will never have to experience your beautiful plants fading away.

Silk flowers have come a long way from the tacky things that they used to be. They are now considered works of art, and can be used in any type of scenario, from home gardens, to wedding bouquets.

Choosing A Curtain Rod To Compliment Your Decor

There are limitless possibilities when it comes to interior design. From choosing a theme like minimalist or Victorian to creating something more eclectic, furniture and lighting are obvious necessities but some underestimate the power of window treatments. Curtains and sheers are used for both practical and aesthetic purposes, read on to determine how to make the best selection for your space.

Function First

Although the primary goal of every final touch is to compliment your desired look, the unchanging details regarding your room's layout should be addressed before anything else. When planning to shop for curtain rods, consider the purpose of your window treatment and the specifics of each window. Ask yourself questions like "Where is the window located?", " How much light travels through the window during the course of the day?", and "What size is the area I need to cover?"

The location of the window will determine the type of curtains you're able to hang. Delicate sheers aren't ideal in high traffic areas. Windows that are close to the ceiling may need ceiling rods, whereas lower windows are fine with traditional wall hangings.

If you're trying to dim the noon sun in your living room, you may opt to purchase heavy duty "blackout" curtains which require stronger rods. If you adore the natural light that brightens up your home, you may prefer a more decorative curtain rod that enhances your decor.

Of all the questions to ask, the size of your window is the most important. Visually appealing rods aren't as appealing or effective if they're too short to cover the entire window's span. It's important to shop with accurate measurements. Ideally, you'll be able to select an adjustable curtain rod that can expand larger than your window just in case your measurements fall short. About 10-20cm longer than your window is the usual rule of thumb.

Design

There's no hard and fast rule for selecting an appropriate style of curtain rod. This usually falls within a matter of preference. You'll find a wide variety of curtain rods from stainless steel to solid wood and even granite. Aside from your design ideas, budget will also be a deciding factor. If you're forced to choose a more economical option such as stainless steel, you can upgrade the appearance of your window treatment by adding a more intricate finial.

Options are vastly diversified. You can select from vintage antiques to modern crystal finials. Hard tones such as bronze and iron are versatile options that blend well and will last even if you later decide to change your decor.

Overall, your curtain rods are a unique opportunity to solidify your decor while protecting the investment you made in curtains, sheers, and other window treatments such as valances and blinds. Before making a decision, it's best to have an idea, take design ideas from home interior websites and magazines then recreate the look according to your needs. Completing your design doesn't have to be difficult project, with a bit of due diligence, you're bound to find the perfect curtain rod.

Know About Different Kinds of Fibers in Rugs and Carpet Designing

Carpets acquire a noteworthy position when put into use wisely. They possess a supernatural power to catch anyone's eye. Within a short supply of time, they manage to dress up the living room with their warm, soothing and luxurious designs and colors.

The benefits of carpeting are numerous: it is eye-appealing, comfortable, warm, quick to install, available in various colors and textures and can renovate a home's interior.

The basic difference in the types of carpet lies in the way in which they are prepared. Approximately more than 90% of the carpet is tufted by machines that are like huge sewing machines. These machines are fitted with a number of needles; these machines operate at extremely high-speed to stitch rows of face yarn tufted to a synthetic fiber. This process is called the "primary bucking".

Types of Carpet Fiber-

Nylon- One of the most splendid features of Nylon is that Nylon is available in brilliant colors. This fiber is well-known for its wear, soil and mildew resistance power. It has the capability to tolerate the crushing weight of furniture and hold up well in heavily trafficked areas.

Olefin- Earlier, olefin was only used as an outdoor carpet because of its resistance to moisture and mildew, but recent advances in its appearance and textures have made it a likeable stuff for home as well. An extraordinary fact about Olefin is that, despite the greater number of processes involved in its manufacturing, it is still less expensive and fits in the budget. It fulfills various requirements such as it is easy to clean, is strong and resists stains, wear and static electricity.

Polyester- It is the perfect fiber for those who are in search of a luxurious stuff for their home. Polyester fibers are recognized all over for their softness; they offer strong color and luster retention.

At present most of polyester rugs are being made from the recycled PET (polyester) from plastic soda bottles and containers. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of this fiber is that it is not as durable as nylon and Olefin.

Triexta- It is a new comprehensive subclass of polyester. Some of the inspiring features of this carpet is permanent stain resistance, extreme durability and friendlier underfoot. Unlike other manufacturer of synthetic fibers, the manufacturer of Triexta is much greener because of the utilization of renewable resources.

Acrylic- Acrylic fibers are blended with other fibers such as wool because somehow they relate to the look and feel of natural wool. Also, they are less expensive and so blending them with wool is quite a pleasant idea.

Wool- It is definitely the most luxurious natural fiber. Softness, durability and a wide variety of colors available are some of its hallmarks. One of the biggest limitations of wool is the high price of fiber.

Whether it is nylon or polyester or acrylic the truth behind all the carpets is that they all prove out to be an exclusive fancy piece for interiors.

How To Transform Your Room With Modern Rugs

When a room lacks a "certain something," adding one of the many modern rugs currently on the market could be the perfect solution. Adding just this one piece can tie a space together by bringing together the different colors in the furniture and walls. In other words, it can anchor or define a room. What's the best way to use this accessory? The possibilities are countless, but here are a few of them.

- Try using modern rugs to define or separate areas, such as dining areas, seating areas, and foyers. This is very useful in smaller studio apartments, allowing a smaller space to seem like it contains multiple rooms. This trick is also helpful when trying to decorate a larger room, which can actually be fairly difficult. You'll be able to create separate seating areas within one large space.

- They do not just have to be put on the floor or placed underneath a table. They can be utilized as tapestries and hung up on a wall as a sort of giant piece of art. A very colorful design provides lots of options for accent colors that you can then incorporate into your furniture, accent items, and paint colors.

- Think outside the box! Many modern rugs aren't even rectangular anymore. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape. With a lot of furniture with sharp lines and clean edges, it might look good to go with an oval or circular option. These are unexpected and will add an interesting element to your space. It can be a conversation starter!

- Adding them to your space can be one of the cheapest and easiest ways to completely revamp a room. You can even change them out based on the seasons. This way, you will never be tired of your home.

- Live somewhere cold and sick of feeling the cold floor on your feet when you step out of bed in the morning? Invest in a nice, fuzzy rug. Popular choices are fur, sheepskin, and hair-on-hide. Although these require a little more maintenance, you'll be grateful for them when the temperature drops.

- Modern rugs aren't just for living rooms and dining rooms! Consider adding one, or a grouping of three or four, to your child's space or nursery. This is an easy, cheap way to inject some whimsy and color into a space.

So if you're ready to add pizazz to your home in a convenient way, it may be time to visit your local store. You'll be surprised how much of a difference it can make!

Green Interior Design - Do You Know The Basics?

Have you heard of the green interior design? Also known as the eco-friendly design, this highlights the positive aspects of reducing environmental impact on furniture purchases as well as the improvement of interior air quality.

As a homeowner, choosing to live a green life means living responsibly. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors where pollutants are more concentrated. This may come as a surprise to you that many outdoor settings are even cleaner when compared to the pollutants that can be found indoors.

Since green design is more about achieving cleaner interiors, it is now being used in many kids' rooms throughout the country. There are now non-toxic nurseries and playrooms - just check out the designs online.

Green Interior Design Basics

There are basic guidelines to follow if you want to set up an ecologically-balanced interior. First, steer clear of paints that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Such chemicals can have long-term negative effects on your family's health.

Go for organic upholstery. The standard upholstered products in the market these days contain polyurethane foams that are wrapped in dacron. These are man-made materials and are even petroleum-based so they are highly flammable. While they are treated with flame-retardants, they can still be catch fire. Also, they have been known to cause some health issues such as lowered IQ and infertility.

Another green design basic is to choose wood furniture. Find pieces that are made of teak, walnut, maple, oak or any solid wood. These pieces are held together by joinery methods that ensure a stronger bond with less adhesive.

Do not purchase furniture that has particleboard or MDF. These are made from compressed sawdust or shavings bonded by glue, synthetic resins and binders. Adhesives often have formaldehyde that causes nausea, wheezing and serious allergic reactions.

If you have to install rugs in your home, then choose natural fibers like jute, cotton or wool over synthetics. Wool, unlike many of its artificial counterparts, is a natural fire retardant. It also absorbs pollen, dust and moisture so it reduces allergens and humidity on the air.

Synthetic type rugs are often made from polyester, nylon or acetate. Such man-made fibers are also flammable and treated with chemicals that can spike the potency of toxins being releases throughout your home.

One other area that green design focuses on is the conservation of water. Install low-flow showerheads as well a faucet aerators in your bathrooms. It may take a bit longer to finish your bath but this change in your lifestyle guarantees that you are not wasting water as a resource.

There is also the issue of resource management. Eco-friendly interior design is all about using materials that do not deplete quickly. Use a lot of jute, bamboo, coconut, hemp, cork and water hyacinth materials in your home. Yet another strategy is to source your furniture. Look for companies that have committed to sustaining resources. These companies are the ones that are concerned about the impact that a product has on the environment in pollutant terms.

Recycling and upcycling are methods that are heavily used on green designs.

Go Green Offices - Why Not?

When talking about modern office design, it is likely that the discussion centers on trends, colors, furniture choice and the most stylish accent pieces. Businesses, after all, need to exude a professional look. But isn't it also the duty of businesses to make Mother Earth habitable for many more years?

Going green is now a growing trend among offices. More clients seem to be attracted to businesses that care. Instead of merely thinking about profit, offices now put together an environment that poses the least health hazard.

How to Decorate Your Walls With Wall Decals

Decorating our homes, offices and surroundings adds a new appeal to the spaces we are used to seeing every day. The same old bedroom wall, dull colored living room, and grey office boardroom can be monotonous to look at. Your surroundings can influence you in a lot of ways. Adding something new to decorate your surroundings can reflect positively on your thoughts, mood, and imagination.

You may decorate your living room in a way that gives a peaceful and soothing sway when you enter your house, or enrich the kid's room with creative and insightful decorations to help them learn and be creative. With the new technology you can easily get affordable, space saving and easy to install decorations themed for your homes, workplaces, stores, and even outdoors.

Living in an urban dwelling usually means that space is expensive and rented. This is a challenging situation for tenants to decorate keeping in view both the limited space and strict rental agreements. The restrictions rule out a lot of decoration options which occupies space or requires change to the physical surroundings. The only option left is to apply decorations to the walls. The best and most affordable option which can cater to all the rules and regulations are vinyl wall decals.

Wall Decals are vinyl stickers, which are easily to paste on to the walls without any extra effort. They are very easy to use, maintain and remove. They are high quality vinyl stickers which are low cost, durable and health-friendly option to decorate your walls. Putting them up is very easily and requires no technical knowhow. They are very thin, with a smooth texture and appear as if painted onto the walls. Another nice thing about Wall Decals is that it can be easily removed without leaving any marks on the walls. It is an ideal option for tenants who can easily remove the wall decals when moving and paste them in their new premises.

Wall Decals are available in numerous colors with limitless shapes and designs. They are perfect space savers for small houses and apartments. If you are a nature lover, you can decorate your walls with beautiful decals of flowers, trees and landscapes. For kids, parents can put up wall decal designs with zoo animals, alphabets, numbers, nursery rhymes, height charts and cartoon characters.

To make the living room livelier, the wall decals can feature a movie scene, inspirational quote or beautiful scenery. Bedroom walls can take a facelift with nice scenery or beautiful headboard decorations. In the offices vinyl wall decals can be used to decorate walls with educational, thoughtful and interesting stuff for employees' motivation. World map wall decals on meeting room walls, cafeterias or help desk walls can be an impressive display of company's worldwide business operations.

Interested in learning more about Wall Decal designs and concepts? Head out to online archives and choose from a nice catalog of your choice from a variety of design options. In addition to a wide variety line, good vendors also provide tips and suggestions on their application in easy steps.

Things You Must Know When It Comes To Bathroom Renovations

Undertaking a renovation project is not that easy. Similar to a new construction, you have to consider a lot of important factors to make sure that the project will become successful. Good thing there are tips provided by experts that can help you make this task easy yet efficient.

Bathroom Renovation Tips

Make a list - Evaluating your current bathroom is very crucial. You must determine what you like and what you would like to change. You have to list all the features that you have always wanted. For it to be organized, you have to group them according to must-haves and nice-to-haves. It is also important for you to know their functions and importance. You can scan magazines and websites or perhaps visit a couple of homes and showrooms for you to get some ideas and inspirations.

Set your budget - Regardless if you are just going to buy gut for your bathroom and start from a scratch or make a couple of couple of cosmetic changes, it is very important for you to know how much you would like to spend before starting to work on the project. Experts highly emphasized that you must also set money apart from the unexpected like mold or water problems.

Make smart choices - If you are planning to stay in your home for over 7 years, you have to design it for yourself. However, if you are just planning to stay in it for five years or fewer, you have to design it with resale in mind. Be reminded that the look will be considered dated by the time you need to put the home on sale.

Get expert help - It is highly emphasized that even when you are just planning of making a small-scale makeover, you still need to contact a professional. Be reminded that professionals will know what your budget can buy. Also, they will provide you with a great advice in terms of how to efficiently save as well as where to splurge. In other words, they can help you avoid costly mistakes. Most importantly, professionals will have the right skills, knowledge, and equipment to do the tasks properly and on time. With that said, be sure to call in experts, especially for wiring and plumbing. Above all, consider getting more than one estimate for a job.

Simple Bathroom Interior Design Ideas

If you are skilled at interior design, your bathroom is the best place to start putting your skills to good use. Since a bathroom is quite small, it is rather easy to redecorate and redesign and even if you make mistakes, you can correct these mistakes rather quickly. With a number of simple bathroom design ideas, it can be quite a fun job to refurbish your bathroom and give it some great-looking interiors.

Creativity With Tiling

Tiles are more than just practical bathroom additions - they can add that touch of colour and class to your bathroom, and make it vibrant and attractive. Tiles come in a huge range of colours and designs and this will allow you to use any tile with the ideas that you have for your bathroom design. When you use tiles for your bathroom, consider setting them in a variety of patterns apart from the usual square patterns. Consider using vertical, brick or herringbone patterns as well and you will end up with an artistic masterpiece. Add in a number of colours and your bathroom will have the mark of being uniquely yours.

Glass Shower Enclosures

Get rid of the old boring shower curtains and use new glass shower enclosures instead. This will accentuate tiles and fixtures through this see-through shower design that normally remains hidden. This is one of the most highly recommended bathroom design ideas as you can choose even from semi-translucent glass to create the best bathroom designs. Ensure that the shower has vibrant tile and flashy fixtures so that the glass enclosure will truly be able to give its best results and stand out.

Counter Tops

Add in bathroom countertops with your own trademark so that it stands out as different. Counter tops are what people see as soon as they enter your bathroom. Therefore, ensure that the counter top in your bathroom represents your design theme to perfection. Choose one that is neutral in colours and tones as this will ensure that no matter how often you choose to refurbish or redesign your bathroom, the counter top will blend with the new design. Making use of white marble or lighter coloured stone counter tops is a good idea as it blends in with just about any bathroom design theme. Choose one that is stain resistant if you have kids.

While these bathroom design ideas are relatively simple, they can make a huge impact on how your bathroom looks and the feel it really gives you. Therefore, put your interior design skills to good use and use creativity to get an amazing bathroom.

Great Ideas For Bathroom Design

There was a point of time in history where a bathroom was considered the lowest part of a home and would rarely even be spoken of. Recent years have, however, brought about a change and the world of bathrooms have undergone profound changes and innovative bathroom design ideas have made people make remodelling their bathroom a project to be greatly sought after. When you choose to take up this project, you should think outside the box in every sense of the word.

Planning Your Bathroom Redesign

The first thing you need to do when you are looking at redesigning your bathroom is to consider what space dimensions are really there and how these will impact or benefit the ideas that you have. Generally, bathrooms range between 15 square feet to as much as 72 square feet in size. Usually, bathrooms include a half-bath, a sink and a toilet, as the concept is that it is to be basically used for dealing with appearance issues, hand-washing, clothing, hair and overall hygiene purposes.

There is another type of bathroom known as the three-quarter bathroom. This has a shower or bathtub, a toilet and sink, and could vary in size on the whole. Finally, there is the full size bathroom that includes a shower, bathtub, toilet and a sink, and also could include a Jacuzzi tub or a sauna. When you are remodelling, it is important to consider how much space you really have, in order to ensure that your bathroom design ideas fit in well with the actual reality.

Apart from space, you should also consider your budget. In any case, considering some simple design ideas will help you get the best effect irrespective of space and budget constraints.

Bathroom Redesign Ideas

To begin with, consider cutting out on large vanity cabinets and go for pedestal sinks as this will save a great deal of space.

Second, while windows are needed for ventilation and light, ensure that they do not take up too much space. Therefore, when including windows, make sure that they have sliding shutters or shutters that open outside so that space inside is not taken up.

Third, avoid using a door swing. This can take up as much as 25% of space in your bathroom that can really be used. Look at other options instead.

Fourth, use lighter wallpaper colours and lighter paint shades. This will give the illusion of a larger room and will make the entire bathroom look brighter and airier. Using peaceful and calm colours will make your bathroom look more inviting.

Fifth, consider placing additions such as the toilet, sink, shower and bathtub all on the same wall. This will greatly reduce your plumbing and finishing costs.

The sixth of the many bathroom design ideas that you can implement is when laying ceramic tiles, do this diagonally. This will make a small bathroom appear larger.

Seventh, while you may be tempted to keep closet space inside, it is better to keep this outside the bathroom as much valuable space can be saved. Alternatively, you can opt for wainscoted shelved behind the sink which can be used as storage space.

While these are the most basic bathroom design ideas, there are many more of your own creations that you can add to this list and make your bathroom come alive like never before. Convert your bathroom now from being just a water closet, to being an integral part of your home.

How To Furnish and Design Bedrooms

When you think about it, our lives revolve around the bedroom. Our day starts when we get up from our beds and ends when we get back in it to sleep. We do the most personal, everyday rituals within the confines of our bedroom—not only sleeping and resting, but also dressing up and making ourselves ready and presentable to face a brand new day ahead. Our room is also our personal haven and sanctuary—a special space of our own where we can relax and pamper ourselves. It is only second nature that we give our own bedroom the importance and sanctity that it deserves. And this is seen in the way that we present, design, style, and furnish our bedrooms. What a person’s bedroom looks like can say much about his own personality. It can also affect his mood. So in styling your bedroom, you should take your own needs and preferences into consideration.
Here are some ideas for bedroom design and furnishing that you might find useful.
  1. Build on a theme. Designing a bedroom starts with a vision—a theme. If you have a particular theme in mind or an overall look and mood you would like your bedroom to project, you can easily gather other ideas as you go along. Explore your preferred theme, mood, design, or style first. There are so many to choose from—Traditional, Modern, French-style, Asian-inspired, English garden, Classic American, Country, Whimsical, etc. You can flip through books, magazines or catalogues, browse through interior design websites, watch lifestyle or home TV shows to get tips and ideas as you plan and customize your own bedroom look.
  2. Buy and install the basics. Remember to procure the basics first. A bed, a cabinet and some drawers for your clothes and other stuff, a nightstand, lighting fixtures, a lamp, a lounge seat or comfortable chairs, are just some of the essentials. You need not buy expensive ones, what’s important is to stick to your budget and scout all kinds of furniture and department stores, even flea markets and boutiques until you find the pieces that would go very well with the theme and overall look you have in mind. Make sure that you never sacrifice comfort, durability, and quality too.
  3. Add the extras and complementing pieces. Are you an avid reader of books and can’t call it a night until you finish a chapter before you turn in? You can put a slim bookcase in a cozy corner, with a relaxing lounge seat or sofa to complete your own reading space. However if you’ve got quite a limited space, a night table that can hold a book or two and some stuff you keep within reach would do. If watching TV can effectively lull you to sleep, get a decorative and functional cabinet with a space that could hold not just your stuff, but also your TV and hide it from view when not in use. This is also an effective space-saving technique. If you want to keep all your clothes and fashionable items nearby, it’s better to invest in a huge and beautiful armoire or cabinets with lots of drawers and storage space. If your goal is to keep your bedroom as a haven purely for rest and relaxation, free from all kinds of distractions, include items for this sole purpose. You might want to place a small Zen fountain on a corner table, a vase of fresh flowers, some aromatherapy candles, incense burner and sticks, potpourri, some decorative elements…you get the idea. Aim for balance, harmony, and beauty but don’t overdo it. These things will not only help you to relax but it could also create a romantic and dreamy vibe that would surely make your room the best part of your home.

How To Find Kitchen Rack Designs Online

Kitchen racks are indispensable kitchen accessories.  They keep things in place, readily visible and accessible, dividing your dining room operations by more than half the time and effort. A kitchen shelf, rack, kitchen basket and other kinds of appliance for storing the kitchen utensils come in all shapes and forms depending on your needs, the size of your kitchen, and the amount of work that is usually being done there. They are designed not only to fit with the prevailing styles of homes to satisfy the aesthetic needs of the modern housekeeper but also to provide convenient and ample use of space for a more ordered, compact system of organization in what could be the messiest and busiest part of the house.

Here are a few online sites that deal in kitchen storage products of all designs available in the market.

Target.com. Upon opening the site, you will immediately see tabs under which home and beauty products are systematically categorized. This structure allows Target to bring you to the specific product you are looking for. They have the most extensive selection of kitchen products. There are designs that make use of materials for wooden, ceramic or stainless kitchen racks—all of which are creative, novel and rare. To accommodate all types of shoppers, you have the ability to limit your browsing according to price ranges or product popularity. To shop, you need to register an account, but only after you have confirmed an order will credit card information be required. You can also avail of the red card account online to gain discounts, gifts and other rewards. Target also allows you to ship gifts to your friends and loved ones in any part of the world.

KitchenSource.com. KitchenSource has been engaged in this kind of trade for decades, and has never stopped producing quality products, which they constantly improve and update to fit the ever-changing trends of function and design. Their designs vary from classic and traditional to modern and popular tastes. They have very inventive ideas on their kitchen appliances and put prime effort into compact yet functional kitchen furniture to save on space and hassle. This online store classifies products according to keywords, so expect to find products that have somewhat similar functions in one page.

Organizeit.com. Since 1997, Organize-It has been working hard to offer fresh and original designs for all your storage needs inside and outside the house or office. Organize-It promotes a healthy, stress-free lifestyle through their release of environment-friendly goods especially among their new kitchen storage products. From utensil drawers, dish racks, and cabinet organizers to kitchen shelves, Organize-It will give you unique and stylish high-quality merchandise for the most reasonable prices. Upon placing an order, your information will be kept for the purposes of shipment and sending you notifications of new products and special offers. You may pay for your goods via e-checks, or the standard credit card.

You simply cannot afford to have a messy working area with all your dishes, linens, jars and utensils scattered all over the place. Have a singular, solid location to put them and cut down on time and energy by getting organized and choosing the right design for your kitchen rack now.