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Tips for redecorating your beach house's living room

Payless Decor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:33:00 GMT

Beach houses are usually places where your family and guests can sleep and shower in between swimming and soaking in the sun, but if it turns out to be rainy or chilly, you're going to want to have a quality living room. Although the central room of your beach cottage may be small, you can take advantage of this set-up to create a cozy, comfortable area.

Space
Your cottage living room may not be huge, but there are several ways to tweak the room and make it feel larger. One of the easiest tips is to simply have less furniture and fewer items. Eliminating large pieces like dressers and bookshelves will make the space feel larger, and less clutter will feel cleaner. Try using a wrap-around couch or built-in shelving to conserve space, notes HGTV.

Colors
Since you're already at the beach, you may want to take advantage of some blues and yellows. This already calming color combination will make your guests think of the sand and sea outside while still being in the clean comfort of home. InteriorDesign.net notes that sanding floors by hand with steel wool and vinegar can create a rustic feel, though certain woods like oak or mahogany should be avoided when using this technique.

Materials
Using wicker for the furniture of your home will both add to the classic feel of a beach house and allow you to spend less time maintaining your cottage. The sturdiness of quality wicker makes this material perfect for furniture that's both indoors and outdoors. Salty sea air can also be punishing to many materials, so it's often better to be pragmatic when choosing furniture. Another great advantage of wicker is the ease of removing and washing cushions, so you don't have to worry too much about spills or wet beach-goers taking a seat before completely drying off.

You'll also want to base your decor around natural materials. Using wood blinds or bamboo blinds will make the space feel more relaxed and will match well with exposed woodwork and wicker furniture.

Decorations
The beach is lined with tons of free accessories for your beach home. A day of beach combing can yield colorful clam shells, conch shells, sea glass and unusual rocks that have washed ashore. Try placing a bowl of found items by a window with a celluloid shade - the controlled amount of light will make the items sparkle while still controlling glare.

Get your bedroom ready for summer

Payless Decor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:33:00 GMT

Summer is just around the corner, so while others are stressing about their beach bodies, you can relax and have some fun decorating your bedroom for the sweltering season. Here's how.

Switch up your sheets
If you don't have AC or don't want to spend the money to put your house on ice, your bedroom is probably pretty warm. It's the perfect time to give your cozy flannel sheets a break and slip your bed into something more comfortable. Take a tip from Hugh Hefner and try something bold like satin sheets: The slippery fabric will keep you cool and give your room a fresh edge.

Change your custom window treatments
Having multiple sets of curtains on hand to switch every season is a great way to satisfy your decorating craving. In the hotter months, take down your opulent drapes in favor of something lighter, like brightly colored cellular shades. The delicate material can help to let some sunlight into your room and make you more energized and ready to play outdoors. Shades are also easy to adjust, meaning you can filter the light in the heat of day then let it shine as the sun starts to set. Just remember sunscreen when you head to the beach!

Subtle decorations for the Fourth of July

Payless Decor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:31:00 GMT

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, you may be thinking of stocking up on your red, white and blue. But rather than just placing mini flags strategically around the house, here are some fun ways to salute your country with interior design.

If you have a house that faces the street, you may be able to use the windows to make a large scale, understated American flag. Just switch out your custom window treatments for ones that are some variation of red, white and blue. Use the white curtains in the upper level room whose windows face the street, and use the red and blue elsewhere. Extra points if you can rearrange the rest of your decor to match!

Another subtle way to decorate for the Fourth of July is to buy flowers in patriotic colors! You don't have to arrange them together, but placing them around the room is a nice nod to the nation on its birthday. Try planting flowers like lily-of-the-valley, hydrangeas, zinnias, poppies and grape hyacinths on your lawn or in window boxes for a similar effect.

Tips for decorating a bookshelf

Payless Decor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:15:00 GMT

Bookshelves are a great way to decorate: They don't take up much floor space and they provide an area on which to store various items. Here are some tips for creating an aesthetically pleasing bookcase.

Make it functional
Turn your bookshelf into a usable space by arranging a bar set on it. You can also use the space as an area on which to display your collections. HGTV notes that collections are particularly visually appealing because the items are usually similar, but vary enough to keep it interesting. Mix the collection in with your novels to make it eclectic. However, if you choose to install a minibar on the shelves, keep it separate from your hardcovers to avoid exposing them to water damage.

Put like with like
HGTV also suggests grouping items together based on their color, size or function. For example, arrange a group of white vases of different sizes together on one end of the shelf, and stack a few antique books on the other side. Experiment with odd numbers and asymmetrical design to make it seem as though you put it together off the cuff. Who knows - by arranging your shelves sporadically, you may find a set up that you enjoy more than any organized design.

Turn it into a stage
One of the simplest ways to turn your bookshelf into something dramatic is by hanging a set of custom window treatments in front of the books and keeping them partially drawn. This gives it the effect of a curtain being pulled onstage, lending a unique feel to the room. This also allows more attention to fall on your books.

Real Simple also recommends putting empty frames on bookshelves and mantles to obtain a stark geometry - but putting empty picture frames in front of books will also draw more attention to the binding and titles.

Clean up your kitchen in 3 steps

Payless Decor — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Cleaning the kitchen can sometimes be as easy as running the dishwasher, but to create a tidy, organized environment, there are some steps you need to take.

1. Get rid of old ingredients
Unless ingredients are creating a stink in the back of your fridge, chances are you barely notice old items that you don't need anymore. Things such as old flour that you'll never use because your child was diagnosed with a gluten allergy, baking chocolate that you won't eat because you're on a diet, and the beef in the back of your freezer that's probably too old to eat by now you should toss. Go through all of your cabinets, your fridge, and your freezer, and get rid of anything that you don't think you'll ever need.

2. Cut out extra tools
Kitchen tools can build up quickly, from the kitschy egg-shaped timer you got as a wedding present to the plastic flatware you've had since college. You don't need to necessarily get rid of these - if you have the storage space and think you could use some things for entertaining in the future, stow them away in a labeled box in your basement or attic. But cut out the things you have two of and accessories that have the same function: You don't need two of the same size butcher knife.

3. Replace old accessories
Make your kitchen look cleaner by replacing old dingy items, such as cracked tile or old discount window treatments. For an especially clean look, get cordless shades for your new, tidy space. If you keep your pans on display, get rid of the ones that are too scratched to use and substitute them with shiny copper pans.

How to decorate: Tuscan style

Payless Decor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:50:00 GMT

Tuscan-style design joins rustic and sophisticated aesthetic into one happy union, and provides the perfect atmosphere for summer days. Here are some of the elements of the Italian-inspired decor.

First, try to get some ideas from travel magazines or coffee table books. While the look is easily recognized, it's not always easily defined. In other words, determining some specific elements and design ideas that you'd like to replicate in your home can help give you direction and keep you on track with your decor. This could also be as simple as clicking through some pictures on the internet.

Colors
The color scheme in a Tuscan-style room is usually warm and features a lot of neutrals. For example, you might find off-white walls with rusty orange accents and hardwood floors. HGTV recommends drawing inspiration from an Italian hillside, and describes the typical palette as earthy. Try adding a glaze over the paint color to add dimension.

Materials
For this style of design, lots of natural materials are used, such as wood or wicker. Try hanging wicker baskets to get both the rustic element and the rough texture. However, you might also find that exposed brick and terra cotta tiling creates the sort of Tuscan vibe that you seek. To save money, you could look for tiles that resemble terra cotta without actually sporting the clay material. The source suggests using wrought iron accents, perhaps in the form of low-hanging overhead lighting or in intricate candelabras.

Structure
Tuscan style rooms typically have high ceilings and sweeping arcs, so if you have a space with unusual architecture, this kind of design might be the best way to take advantage of it. Try contributing to the natural feel of the design by plastering your walls with an uneven texture, like popcorn ceilings.

Accessories
In the Italian countryside, where neighbors might be few and far between, custom window treatments aren't always necessary, but not all of us are so lucky. You can maintain the feel of the design by using luxurious floor-length drapes in your chosen color scheme. Other room accessories include antique accessories like trunks or heavy candle holders. For wall art, this style of room typically sticks either to bare walls or simple framed photos. You can also decorate with old-fashioned sunburst mirrors or oil paintings of the environment you're trying to emulate.

Tiling trends and how to work with them

Payless Decor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:35:00 GMT

Whether it be for a backsplash or a bathroom floor, tiling is a do-it-yourself challenge that the ambitious homemaker loves to tackle. But before you grab the grout and don your overalls, here are some trends in tiling that you should consider exploring, and what decor they would go with.

1. Glass
Colorful, incandescent and fun, this is a perfect tile for a romantically-inspired commode. Their sheen looks like fish scales and lends a mysterious tone to any bathroom or kitchen. Match blue glass tiles to neutral colors like bamboo shades for a natural-looking powder room, or use neutral glass tiles to add some shine and flair to your contemporary kitchen.

2. Imitation
Imitation tiles are gaining popularity in the restroom, as they offer a swell-resistant alternative to hardwood, according to HGTV.

"The tile industry has gotten really creative at manufacturing tiles out of one material to look like another material," Christine Jurs, owner of the Advance Design Studio, told the source.

Tile your bathroom floors with the waterproof wood imitations, and decorate with darker hues for a rustic atmosphere. You can also go all out and take the tiles up the walls to make your washroom resemble a spa sauna.

3. Penny tiles
Penny tiles in shiny copper finishes cross a retro feel with a futuristic vibe. These tiles, along with other metals, give your kitchen or bathroom some functional bling. In a kitchen, try a copper penny tile backsplash paired with white cabinets and walls and dark countertops. Continue the neutral hue with wooden roller shades, and spread the shine with stainless steel appliances.

In a bathroom, do a penny tile stripe across all four walls to break up your usual tile, or do the whole floor in the tiny tiles for a unique take on a classic floor.

Brighten your laundry room

Payless Decor — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:06:00 GMT

Even if you live alone, it's likely that you spend a decent amount of time each week in your laundry room. The area has the tendency to look a bit bleak, whether it's a cramped space, in an unfinished basement or is part of a multi-purpose area. Here are some tips for brightening it up.

Small laundry rooms
In small spaces, efforts should be made to make the room appear less busy and cramped. One way to do this is by painting the walls white, or any particularly light hue. This will make the room look bigger and feel airier, eliminating some of the stressful feel. You could also try utilizing walls for storage to maximize the amount of available floor space and give yourself more room to move around in. Keep the walls and ceiling smooth and in solid colors, as texture - both visual and tactile - will make the space look smaller than it is. Roman shades, as opposed to blinds, are a great way of keeping the walls smooth. Try to place items in convenient, reachable places, so you're not forced to move around the tiny room as much.

Basement areas
A laundry room in an unfinished basement runs the risk of looking dark and unpleasant. You don't have to complete your cellar in order to reverse this process: There are some simple things you can do to make the space nicer. To make the area seem less gaping, put in a divider. This could be in the form of a privacy screen, or custom window treatments hung from the ceiling. Aim for light or bright colors to counter the tendency of basements to be dark and musty looking. You can further divide the area by strategically placing a table on which to fold laundry in the space. Use a folding table to save money - but cover it with a bright tablecloth to liven it up. Consider putting a rug down in your washer and dryer area: Not only with this distinguish the pseudo-room, but it will also help to warm it up, as basements typically have cold, concrete flooring.

Strive to give yourself ample lighting in your laundry room. Avoid the traditional overhead basement lights and try to use antique looking floor lighting to give the space a unique feel.

Combination rooms
Laundry rooms are often combined with mud rooms or linen closets, which can cause mess and clutter. Make it easier to keep clean by creating a system for yourself. Install cubbies or lockers, or place a chest by the door, apart from your washer and dryer, for your shoes and jackets to help organize yourself. Hide some of your laundry-related clutter by storing your detergent and other items in baskets or other containers, or by keeping them hidden on shelves behind patterned curtains.

More design ideas
To make the room beautiful, explore unusual ways to incorporate useful but elegant design elements. HGTV recommends storing powdered laundry detergent in glass jars with metal scoops to eliminate the sometimes clashing bottles of product. Find a method of drying clothes that is also visually appealing, like hanging a stripped birch branch on the wall and hanging your delicates from it. Don't be afraid to use various wall decorations either - framed vintage detergent ads are a cute way of adding visual interest while keeping with your laundry room theme. You can also try hanging pretty baskets for a unique means of storage with maintaining form.

Planting a window box for summer

Payless Decor — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:51:00 GMT

The interior of your home is important, but the warmer months provide you with the perfect opportunity to adorn its exterior. Planting colorful window boxes is a great way to invigorate your home on a dime, albeit temporarily. Here are some tips for how.

Pick the right flowers
Real Simple recommends choosing flowers that do best with the amount of sunlight that the window box in question would receive. If the front of your home gets a lot of direct sunlight, consider planting Dusty Millers or Verbenas, and if the opposite is true, grow Dark Hearts and Kiwi Ferns.

Take proper care
Out-of-ground soil holds less moisture and nutrients than soil still in the ground, according to Martha Stewart. Use a water-soluble plant food to help supplement some of the disparity, and be sure to water regularly.

Further adornment
While passersby are admiring your lively flower box, give them an attractive background that doubles as a visual barrier. Cellular shades in light colors make gorgeous backdrops for vibrant flora while helping you to maintain your privacy.

Trend spotted: Sophisticated man cave

Payless Decor — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:51:00 GMT

House Beautiful dubbed the hi-tech man cave one of the top 2013 interior decorating trends, and it's hard to disagree. Who would object to making the sweaty rec room into a more upscale area? Here's how to transform the cave into an elegant but masculine TV room.

Don't neglect design
One of the worst things about the typical "man cave" is that it looks like a space thrown together with spare parts - a shag rug, plaid sofas and mismatching curtains does not make for the most attractive room. Stick to a specific design in your decor. Both rustic and contemporary design are gorgeous while still being masculine, and they use similar elements. Decorate with a lot of rustic, natural materials like wooden blinds, canvas fabrics or leather accessories, and try to use a muted color palette.

Keep the team colors to a minimum
As a general rule, vivid green and yellow should not be painted on all the walls to match the giant Green Bay Packers rug you received as a gift from your mother-in-law. That being said, there are other ways to show pride, such as artfully framed photos from the team's winning games, or by putting vintage memorabilia on display. If you want a quirky man cave, derive colors from the uniforms and subdue them in some way. For example, for Packers fans, use a deep green as your primary decorating color and light yellow as an accent and offset these with natural materials. Sports watchers will get the hint, but anyone who isn't an avid fan will find it a tastefully decorated room.

Up the tech
The man cave is all about comfort, and what's more comfortable than having hi-tech accessories do most of the work for you? Consider installing custom window treatments that retract automatically or a flat screen TV mounted into a frame on the wall, fitted with a DVR to record the games while you're away. You could also set up an overhead projector facing a white wall, so you can watch the game (or your program of choice) on a big screen without the big screen price, or the look of a massive TV in your home.