Home decorating can easily become overwhelming due to the number of options that are available. With a few simple alterations though, any room can be transformed to have a polished look.
Paint the Walls
Painting is one of the simplest ways to dramatically change the look of a room. Painting is also relatively inexpensive since most rooms can be painted for under $50.
To get the most out of the paint, it is important to first coat the walls with a primer. The primer seals the walls and preps them so that the paint can adhere well. Usually walls will then need at least two coats of paint on top of the primer.
When deciding on paint colors, keep it simple. Pick a color that appeals to you and pair that color with white. Pairing color with white keeps the overall room appearance crisp and polished. It may also be a good idea to think about when, if at all, you plan to sell your house. If selling anytime soon, make sure to stick with neutral colors such as tan, brown and beige.
Hang Colorful Curtains
Curtains can add a splash of color to any room in seconds. They can easily be made from most fabrics, or can be purchased at a home store.
For neutral walls, use curtains that inject a bright color into the room. To add drama, use bold and modern fabric patterns. If the walls are already dramatic, choose a fabric in one solid accent color or in white.
Also pay attention to the types of textures that would work well in the room. For a more polished look, use satin or silky textures. For a more natural and laid-back look, use a natural fiber texture or a cotton.
Think About Lighting Options
Changing out a lighting fixture can instantly transform the feel of a room. For rooms with limited natural light, make sure the fixture has the capacity to adequately light the room. You may also want to purchase a fixture that can be set to different levels. An adjustable light is especially useful in a room like a living room where lighting needs may vary from watching a movie to working on a craft project.
When thinking about lighting, don't forget about free-standing lamps as well. Lamps can provide mood lighting to enhance the warmth of a room or bright light for work at desks. Both floor and table lamps come in a multitude of designs from earthy to modern and can easily be added to a room design.
Use Floor Coverings
Covering the floors can help to freshen up the look of a room. Adding throw rugs is a simple way to help define areas of a room and add color to a space.
Throw rugs come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Just remember to use colors that will work well with the other colors in the space. Try to stay away from busy patterns unless you want the rug to be the focal point of the room.
Also pay attention to the texture of a rug. Rugs can vary from a reed or rattan to a lush shag. Make sure that the texture fits with your lifestyle and the use of the room.
When placing a rug in a room, think of it being an anchor for the furniture and other items. It weighs an area down and defines that particular space. If a room needs to be divided up into two different areas, use one rug in each area to create a visual difference.
Hang Meaningful Art
Artwork adds personality to a room. When choosing artwork, find pieces that appeal to you, not pieces that match the colors of a room. Instead of matching the art, you can unify the pieces of artwork by using the same style and color of frames.
Don't forget that photos can also be personal works of art for your space. Use computer software to alter family images and create original art for the walls. Images can be cropped, changed to black and white or even tinted using photography software such as Adobe Photoshop.
When hanging artwork, make sure to hang the pieces at eye level. Don't hang artwork too far above or below this level as it will seem disjointed. Artwork can also be hung in groupings. Create a gallery wall by hanging many different types of art closely together in a pattern.
Make a Room Your Own
Finally, remember that any room remodeling or decorating should suit the home-owner's taste and needs first. Follow some design rules, but feel free to break them to make a room your own.
 |
