How To Brighten Up Your Bedroom, For Free!
The bedroom is the place we spend most of our time, yet also tends to be the most neglected when it comes to decorating. Nowadays, money may be a significant factor! Here are some great tips for brightening up your space with no money at all!
1.Rearrange! A new fresh arrangement always makes a room feel new. Don’t be afraid to try new angles for your furniture…place your bed on a diagonal, or even right in the middle of the room!
2. Search your drawers for scarves, tablecloths, or even pillowcases that compliment your color scheme. You can use things you already own to soften a dresser top or the edge of your nightstand, or perhaps lay a pretty shawl over the foot of the bed. If you already have throw pillows on your bed (if you don’t, it’s time to steal them from another room!) you can also wrap these fabrics around the pillows for a new look, and just safety pin it in back.
3. Add a plant to your room. Look around your house to see if one of your existing plants would be happier in your bedroom, then move it there! If you can’t find a plant ready for relocation, make one! Many plants can be grown from cuttings, either your existing houseplants, one a friend may let you cut, or even some outdoor plants. Ivy and many shade groundcovers are very good houseplants. You can even relive your childhood a bit and grow a cut potato, pineapple, or carrot tops in a pinch! For containers, look into your kitchen cupboards. Old teapots and cups, glass bowls, even baking dishes can make unique containers.
4. Add memorabilia to your room. I keep a photo of each one of my children when they were small next to my bedside, and it always makes me smile. How about hanging your wedding veil from the headboard, or framing your wedding invitation or old love letters?
5.Add scent. If you don’t have any potpourri or incense in the house, cut up some orange peels and allow to dry, then mix with whatever sweet spices you have in your cupboard. (It only takes a pinch, try cinnamon, ginger, or allspice.) Place your potpourri in an open bowl in your room to freshen and inspire! Later in the summer, make sure to include flowers in your room, if you don’t have roses or other scented flowers in your yard, roadside daisies can smell great too!
Just a few small changes, no money involved, and a better, more positive place for you to start and end each day!
How To Dress Up Your Bath, In A Flash, For Little Cash!
Often the bathroom is one of the most overlooked rooms in the home when it comes to decorating. We tend to see it as a utilitarian space, even though we spend quite a lot of time here. (More, if you have teenagers!) Take an afternoon to turn your bath into a relaxing and soothing retreat for yourself and your guests, without spending a lot of cash
1. Paint the whole room, including the ceiling a deep, rich color. Even though this is a small room, a deep color on the walls allows them to fade away, and at once makes the room cozy and seems more spacious.
2. Get rid of the clutter! If you can’t get most of the makeup and shaving cream under the sink, (and who can?) pick up a few baskets from the dollar shop and corral them in. Make sure there is a hamper. If you are short on space, use the kind that hangs on the back of the door. A large drawstring bag would work for this also. (He might actually even use it…ok, it’s a dream.)
3. Dress up that large frameless mirror. Hang swags of fabric from cup hooks to hide and soften the edges of the mirror, and to give it a “frame”. Or actually use cut lengths of 1×4 lumber, and attach them to the wall over the edges of the mirror to simulate a real wood frame. You can paint or stain them as well to coordinate with your cabinets.
4. Speaking of cabinets, how about giving them a quick redo? Paint them black for a sophisticated look, or white with sponge painting for a country theme. Try any of the hot faux finishes. You can even paint the Formica counters. Just clean well and use a special primer first such as BIN or KILZ. Then seal with 4-6 coats of polyurethane after the paint dries. Should last for years!
5. Lastly, add some detail to the room. Sew fabric edging to your towels, add a shell for a soap dish, and stitch up a pretty shower curtain to cover that vinyl one. Hang some calendar pictures on the wall in dollar store frames…perhaps of a faraway place you can dream about as you soak away your cares? If you have natural light in the room from a window, add a plant or two.
Now light up some candles, turn on some music, and fill the bath with sweet smelling bubbles. Your getaway awaits!
Do you need new cabinet hardware?
Choosing cabinet hardware can sometimes be difficult. This is because there are so many items to choose from that you rarely make the right decision. There are different aspects that need to be taken into consideration. We will take a look at them and give you some pointers in choosing the right cabinet hardware.
The first question you need to ask yourself is usually: “Do I need to buy new cabinet hardware?” Believe it or not, in most cases the real answer is “No”. People tend to change whenever they want something new or something becomes too old. If you can afford the expense then you should buy, if not maybe there is another solution. Based on what your current cabinet hardware is made out of you should call somebody that is really a specialist. He/she might just give you a solution that will make everything look better, even new, at a fraction of the cost new cabinet hardware might turn out to be. For instance, adding simple pieces of carved wood might make your current hardware look like antique cabinet hardware (this is not always possible and is based on different factors).
If you really need to change or simply want to buy new cabinet hardware do not go to the first shop that appears on your path. There are literally thousands of shops that are specialized on such parts. Why settle for a finger when you can have the hand? For those of you that do not like researching there is even another alternative: Internet shopping. You now have the possibility of purchasing thousands of parts right from the comfort of your chair. The package will arrive at home and will have all the documents done, including the warranty. EBay is also an alternative worth taking into consideration.
Based on the look and feel of your cabinet you could consider even more specialized shops. For instance, in some stores one may find only antique cabinet hardware. If your furniture needs that why not visit that shop instead of a general one? This principle is applied with different types of cabinet hardware so information is crucial for the buyer. Even by looking in the Yellow Pages you can see some special stores, which are specialized in unique cabinet hardware.
For individuals that can not afford special parts an alternative can be found in discount cabinet hardware or wholesale cabinet hardware. Look for sales! Just because an item is on sale does not mean that it is not popular or that it is not good. Many companies use this to promote new accessories or increase sales with already accomplished ones. Always be on the lookout and it will be quite impossible to miss a good offer when you see it. Either you are looking for decorative cabinet hardware, simple cabinet hardware or antique cabinet hardware, it is always more important to research before buying. Not only can this save money but it can also lead you to that special store that has everything you want and need.
What Must Haves For Setting Up A Basement Bar
When setting up a basement bar there are some must have items you must have around or your basement bar won’t really be a bar but just a basement pretending to be. Of course, there are some extras like a jukebox and pool table that will really set the bar off. However, consider the following 5 must haves in order to set up your very own basement bar to enjoy a night with your friends, parties, game days and then add the extras when you can afford to.
Must Have #1 A Basement
This might seem obvious, but to have the best basement bar ever you really need a traditional basement. There are many benefits to this that include being on a completely different level than the rest of the house so noise won’t be transmitted and bother those above you. Of course, you can make a basement bar in whatever space you call the basement, but a true basement bar needs a basement.
Must Have #2 A Bar
Ok, obvious requirement number two is a bar. A basement bar needs a bar that is set up to serve beer and give the appearance that your basement bar is really authentic. You can buy a ready made bar, hire a carpenter to build you one, or give it a go yourself by buying the lumber and downloading step by step instructions from the Internet. As long as you have a basement and a bar your basement bar just needs some accessories.
Must Have #3 A Kegerator
A kegeraotr is a refrigerated keg that will keep your beer cold at all times and be ready to serve anytime the basement bar is open. You don’t want to have to buy six packs and litter your bar with bottled beer when you can serve beer straight from the keg. Keg beer is special and will make your basement bars even more so.
Must Have #4 A Big TV
No, you don’t have to have the biggest screen television on the market, but it will help. Buy the largest screen television you can afford for your basement bar, or one that fits the space well if your basement is really small. This will allow for great game watching like the Superbowl, Basketball National Championship, and other great games.
Must Have #5 Seating
This might seem generic, but it really is a must have for your basement bar. If your friends are joining you for a night of poker or Monday night Football they need a place to sit back and relax while drinking some of your keg beer. So, be sure to have some bar stools around the bar as well as comfy couches and chairs surrounding the TV, with your poker table nearby so there is plenty of seating wherever the action is taking place.
Basic Tips When Choosing Hardwood Flooring
Timeless beauty, clean lines, strength and durability as well as the ease of cleaning and the classic look make hardwood flooring the perfect choice for your home.
No matter what your personal style is, there is a flooring choice for you because of the unlimited selection available. But before you rush out shopping for your hardwood flooring, keep these tips in mind.
Set a budget for yourself. Having a wide variety of flooring to choose from is great, but the downside is that it is easy to get overwhelmed quickly, and this makes you very susceptible to overspending. Remember to balance style with quality with your budget when you make your final choice.
Tip #1
You will be wise to match the room with your choice of flooring, whether hardwood or otherwise. For example, do not try to put hardwood flooring in a bathroom, due to the high levels of moisture a bathroom receives.
Tip #2
Different areas of the house demand different types of wood. For example, wood floors that have very light or very dark finishes typically do not fare well in the kitchen.
Tip #3
Choose a hardwood flooring that has an appropriate finish to match your lifestyle. A sitting room that is seldom used will let you get away with a lighter finish. However a hallway or living room will get continual traffic and requires a choice that offers a tougher finish that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear.
Tip #4
Consider installation – doing it yourself or having a professional installer do it for you? Many people successfully install their own flooring, but only after they have done their homework. It is often easer to hire a professional, but do you due diligence when selecting a hardwood flooring installer. You will want to be absolutely sure that it will be installed correctly.
Tip #5
Choosing the color and style of the floor can be the fun part. Choose a hardwood that fits your personal taste and your lifestyle. The comparatively high cost of the flooring and installation demands choosing a wood that will not go out of style quickly.
