You may be tempted to think of area rugs as old-fashioned, boring, or purely utilitarian, but nothing could be further from the truth. Here are a few simple tips for tapping into the functional and beautiful potential of rugs that you may never have considered before.
Hanging out One of the most basic but effective tricks you can try is simply to move the carpet off the floor. After all, what's stopping you from making it into a work of art? This type of wall hanging is essentially a tapestry, but you can modernize this idea by choosing a rug in a bright, solid color or with a vivid pattern to liven up a sleek, contemporary space. Feel free to hang multiple rugs together in an interesting pattern, or turn them at unusual angles. You can use a rod to hang them by their top edge to create a tapestry effect.
When deciding where to place a rug, the sky's the limit - or maybe just the ceiling. Turn
Sick of staring at an empty hardwood staircase? Get in touch with your artistic�side and add some color to the steps. Make sure that when remodeling your staircase your new theme matches your current decor such as keeping your�wall colors and�windows and draperies�in mind. �All projects can be done on your own, so there's no need to hire outside help.�
Vacation or location tribute wall Collect different signs and artwork from vacations and special places and hang them up on the wall alongside the staircase. Dig up all of the old postcards from your travels and make a collage to pin up. Frame old scenic landscape photographs from the trip, and you will be reliving the vacation with every step that you take. �
Vintage family tribute wall Print some black and white photographs of your loved ones in all different sizes and frame them to hang them up along the walls leading up to the next floor.
It's not too late to take advantage of 2013's design trends. This year has been marked by a move away from plain, bland design and a greater emphasis on saturated color schemes, fun and graceful patterns, and sophisticated designs that combine vintage and modern elements. The shift towards brighter, richer colors is one of the most notable�trends. Here are just a few of the elements that designers are in love with this year.
The brighter, the better As video technology gives us higher-definition screens and�vibrant colors in our television and movies, more people are also eager to see brighter hues in the rest of their home. Even a pop of color in a rug or roman shades can provide energy and interest.
One brilliant shade you can take advantage of is Pantone's color of the year, 17-5641 - also known as emerald green. This rich, beautiful color works
Redecorating your home with an invigorating splash of mint is sure to help cool you down this summer. The hue made an inspired comeback on the runways last summer, and has remained popular ever since. The look�conjures up the energy of the swinging '60s, is�post-modern and entirely fresh. Here are some tips for decorating with mint.�
Minty fresh walls While mint may seem like a bold color, it goes on walls easily, without being too jarring. Simply pair it with neutrals to tone it down. The pigment looks amazing with black and white, or any variation of. Just picture a romantic mint room with sleek, dark blinds and shades and white windowsills. It's also the perfect color for a bathroom - soothing, and fantastical. Match mint ceramic tiles with onyx-colored ones and white accessories�and you've got yourself one�retro chic commode!
The big thing on Pinterest these days is a room decked out in white and gold. The color combo screams luxury, because it offers�a mix of Cleopatra and modern day California. Here's how to introduce�the trend in your home.
Custom window treatments By using bright white drapes and gold-colored hardware, you can hop on this fad naturally. After all, drapes require hardware, and there's nothing unusual about white drapes. Since the look is so casually implemented, you'll have no trouble working it into your existing decor. You'll be surprised at how much shiny new window treatments brighten a room!
Furniture Have you ever wanted a throne of your own? A hot white chair with gilded legs can be just that: The perfect addition to your castle. If you're worried about stains, toss a white slip over your existing furniture and top that with a throw with metallic thread. Remember, spray paint can be an inexpensive way to help you transform your
The fall semester is fast approaching, and�whether this is your first year or you're a seasoned student, you may have started hunting for dorm decor between barbecues and trips to the beach. Stores often provide helpful checklists for what you'll need, and while they often are on the right track, they tend to steer you toward low-quality designs. Though these items are inexpensive, and it's important to save money for the impending living expenses you'll have during the next year, chances are you'll end up tossing the cheap stuff after graduation. In the long run, investing in well-made home furnishings�will be�a wise decision. Here are some things you may want to consider buying to make the post-grad interior design transition a breeze.�
Decor Custom window treatments will be a welcome departure from the dull shades that come with the dorm, and will better fit in what are frequently uniquely-shaped windows. Not to mention�the typical window treatments found
Post-Fourth of July sunburn keeping you awake? It takes a serious AC unit to completely rid your bedroom of the insufferable heat, and even then there's still that sticky, humid feeling�to contend with. Fortunately, your interior design can help. Stow your flannel sheets and red paint in the closet - this is the time of the year for a total cool-down bedroom makeover.
Custom window treatments to suit your needs Sure, avoiding reds and yellows in your decorating will make you feel cooler, but choosing a set of energy efficient window treatments will actually help to lower the temperature in your home. First of all, it's important to keep your blinds and shades closed tight during the day or when the room is not in use. Otherwise, the sunshine will filter into your room and heat up the air. Natural light is a great decorating tool, but when the air isn't circulating and no one's home,
With so many options, it may be hard to pick out exactly what kind of window treatments go where�in your home. Between choosing what looks best and fits seamlessly into your decor, you should also consider what how much privacy you want for the room in question.�
Drapes No traditional room is complete without some opulent drapery. However, since you're probably not decorating a ballroom, it's okay to skip the tiers and stick with the simpler version. You may want to avoid using drapes in a kitchen or child's room, as the fabric can be difficult to clean. In a room with�light spillage�- dining rooms, bedrooms or living rooms - drapes can be cleaned using feather dusters, dry clothes or taken to the dry cleaners periodically. Match these elegant window treatments with Persian rugs, traditional-style couches and arm chairs and some soft lighting. They also provide enough coverage that they can�be used in more private rooms.�
If your commode is like most peoples', then chances are it's significantly smaller than the other rooms in your home. While this comes with limitations in terms of decor,�it also brings opportunity. Because the bathroom is such a small space, it allows you to go a little crazy with color. Here are some tips for decorating a bold, colorful restroom.�
Pick your pigment The first step in designing your brightly hued bathroom is to pick your pigment. Done the right way, any color can be used to create a sophisticated, stylish bathroom, but one money-saving way of decorating is to choose a pigment that complements your existing bathroom. For example, if you have dark marble floors, consider choosing a light lime color to brighten it. If your fixtures are primarily white, you could cultivate a Mediterranean feel and pick royal blue as your primary pigment. The most important part of choosing a color is to ensure that you'll like it in a month - pick a few�samples
Who doesn't want at least a little leopard in their decor? One of the style trends spotted on the runways this season was concrete jungle: Gold accessories, earthy colors and wild prints all sound perfect for a living room. Here are some tips for pulling the look together in your home.
Animal prints Implementing animal prints into your interior design is a delicate process - too much zebra print, and you risk turning a room into a cheesy bachelor pad. Luckily, there are some rules of thumb when it comes to the wild patterns. If you want to go with a full-on animal print with high contrast and accurate colors, use it as an accent, such as on a few pillows or a bed skirt. Keep the rest of the room pretty basic with roman shades and minimal patterns. If you're opting for a more abstract and low contrast print, you can go a little crazier and use it less sparingly.
