Interior Design In Kids Rooms

So you are planning to decorate your kid’s room. Where do you start? If you are decorating the room for your baby or very young toddler, the initial planning decisions will be yours (you may of course consult professional interior designers if your budget stretches that far) and the project will be designed and carried out by you.

However, if your young child has reached an age where they have started to develop their own personality and tastes, it’s a good idea to have your child involved in the process from the beginning. After all he or she will be the one using the room and obviously a child’s needs are very different to those of an adult. Children use their rooms for a number of reasons apart from sleeping. They will want to use it for playing alone or with their friends, reading and a host of other activities. Their room will also store their clothes, toys and belongings.

It is useful at this stage, before you give free rein to your child’s imagination and tastes, to bear in mind safety and the practical issues of maintenance. Children will want to play as freely as possible without you having to worry about the decor therefore hardwood floors and vinyls are useful. Wallpaper that can be wiped clean may also be a consideration. Wall-to-wall carpeting may be a problem for children with allergies and also difficult to clean. Curtains, rugs, pillows and bedding should be easily removable and machine washable. Some safety considerations both in terms of kids room decor and room accessories might be finding furniture with curves instead of sharp corners or making use of recesses in walls to build in furniture and storage areas.

Practical issues now dealt with, how can you help your child create an environment that reflects their personality, keeps their interest and uses their imagination?

Start by sitting on the floor with your child and ask questions about their favourite colours, themes or activities. Involve your child as much as you can in the initial planning process and their ideas in the final design. Try to find balance between what you know is possible and practical against what is in your child’s taste.

In terms of colours, use pastels to create cosy and inviting spaces. Neutral colours soothe and relax your child. If your child likes vivid colours you could create wall murals or ceiling pictures bringing their favourite toy figures or favourite images and themes to life. Remember children lose interest easily and change their tastes and `favourites` quickly. Unless you want to change your kid’s room decor frequently, steer your discussions in favour of neutral colours on walls and furniture and be more creative with room accessories.

There are numerous children’s room accessories that add colour, creativity and individuality to your child’s room. Clocks, height charts, name plaques, wall hooks, bookends and door knobs all help to personalize your child’s space. Many of these products are decorated with your child’s favourite theme.

You may wish to spend time with your child browsing for ideas for kid’s room decor. When you have found your products ensure they are supplied by companies that guarantee safety, quality and child-friendliness.

Kitchen Interior Design-Choosing The Right Décor For Your Kitchen

The kitchen interior design is very dependant on the right décor to make this design work. Unfortunately, many people mess up this very important component when remodeling their kitchen, and end up with the wrong look or feel. Here are some guidelines to help you avoid this scenario and achieve your dream kitchen.

The kitchen décor is probably the most important aspect of your kitchen interior design, because it is the measuring stick you use to decide if all your other appliances match accordingly. The décor all about choosing the theme that you want. For different people this will be different. The most important component is that it matches your personality and tastes.

If you’ve already redesigned your kitchen appliances such as countertops, island, sink, etc, then you must match your décor to these appliances or your kitchen interior design will never work. A much better idea, however, is to first decide on the decor that you want and then match your other kitchen components to this theme.

Before starting this process, sit down and decide how much money you can afford to devote to your kitchen interior design, and your décor in particular. Only after this is established should you even begin shopping.

Many people get to the middle or even end of their kitchen interior design projects and realize there is no way they can afford all the expenses involved. Taking care of this extremely important step at the beginning will be a lifesaver.

To get ideas for this décor, first start shopping at your local home improvement stores, and see what’s available. Remember, the first part of this process is just to get some ideas; don’t actually buy anything at this point.

When you go home, check the internet and compare its’ offerings with your local department store. Often times, the internet will offer a much wider variety of items and generally at better prices. Beware, however; shipping costs can be very high online for kitchen décor.

Before you purchase anything online, be absolutely sure you’ve chosen the right decor; it will be a nightmare taking it back if you make the wrong decision. Also, check out kitchen interior design magazines; there will be many trendy new ideas available in there that are often times just coming out.

Don’t limit on yourself in this process; don’t worry about what others might think of your new kitchen. The important thing is that it matches your personality and that you enjoy being in there.

Remember, you are the one who will be spending the vast majority of time inside it, not your guests. If you choose a kitchen interior design simply to please your guests and visitors, then you are ignoring the one who will be spending the bulk of the time inside your kitchen.

Follow these simple tips to finding the right kitchen interior design décor for your kitchen, and you will achieve your dream kitchen affordably and even quickly. Many people make the mistake of limiting their options in this process, such as only shopping at the local improvement store without taking in the other outlets available.

Make sure you’ve scoured every available source for kitchen interior design ideas. This will allow you to make the most informed decision possible, while sticking to your budget at the same time.

Bedroom Decorating Ideas - Turn Your Bedroom Into A Getaway!

Your bedroom should be one of the most relaxing places in your home. If your bedroom feels disordered, you may not sleep well. Experts suggest mess or reminders of work in your sleeping space will interfere with getting a good night of sleep. These things keep your mind moving, and you may be worried about what you forgot to do, or what you will have to do the next day. You have to design your sleeping space for peace and relaxation. Bedroom decorating ideas are abundant, and your biggest problems might not be finding ideas, it might be narrowing down what you want from a list of things you like.

Bedroom decorating ideas are everywhere. You can find inspiration in magazines, on television, in movies, and even in store displays and catalogs. What you have to do is decide what feel you want for your sleeping area. In most cases, you want a relaxing color. A bright red or yellow might not be the best idea. However, a deep maroon or a very light yellow might be all right. The idea is to make sure the color is relaxing to your eye and not energizing or bright.

There are other bedroom decorating ideas you can consider. If you don’t want to paint, you can choose to go with wallpaper. There are many from which to choose, and what you choose should be to your taste, but again, not bright or noisy. Look for something soothing, elegant, and easy on the eyes. You can find unique wallpaper designs by shopping around. You may not know what you are looking for, but don’t let that stop you. You will know what you like when you see it.

You can also watch home improvement shows like Trading Spaces, or television networks like HGTV to get bedroom decorating ideas. The options are endless, and you may end up feeling overwhelmed. Once you have found three or four ideas you have fallen in love with, turn the television off. If you have too many choices, you will end up having a hard time narrowing it down. Don’t let your selection of bedroom decorating ideas get the best of you.

If you can’t decide and don’t know what to do, you can ask with an interior designer to get bedroom decorating ideas. They will charge you a consulting fee, but it may be well worth it when you really want to do it yourself, but you have no idea where to begin. You can give them a general idea of what you want, and they can design something to fit the space you have, with the look you are looking for. They know how to mix and match colors, patterns, and ideas to make the perfect sleeping space for you.

Now Your Dream of Owning a Wet-Room Can be a Reality

Imagine the scene - a hilltop villa overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean sea. The Tuscan sun beats down on the travertine tiled floor of the veranda, a single screen of invisibly clean glass shields the cascade of shower water from the gentle honeyed breeze. Bronzed bodies fresh from the salt and sand revel in the open air shower, the glistening water snakes across the tiles and trickles away into the floor level gully. No walls, no restrictions just pure shower freedom.

The wet-room has always conjured images of luxury, design, space and wealth. The dream bathroom everyone will have as soon as the big lottery win happens or their daughter makes it big in the music industry. However what most people don't realise is the reality of the wet-room is now within everyone's reach thanks to huge advances in the engineering of wet floor systems, the ever rising skill of the British bathroom fitter, fantastically designed products and most importantly new ways in which we look at what a bathroom needs to be.

Most people's first thought is "I just don't have the space", but the wet-room concept is about bathroom freedom rather than bathroom space. Utilising a concise and clever bathroom plan will open up your bathroom in ways you never thought possible. For example, water conservation and rising energy bills have sparked a decline in the number of baths being used and installed, and even estate agents aren't insistent on a bath to help sell a property anymore. Because of this the wet floor concept has begun to inhabit the space in a bathroom where the bath used to be.

The wet floor system is a fully waterproof seal that sits level with the existing floor, it can come in the form of a tray, a kit or flexible matting, in most cases a combination of the three. Because the area is so adaptable the wet floor can be any size required, giving you the freedom to have anywhere from just the corner of your room, to the entire floor space completely waterproofed. Anti-slip tiles are then laid with just enough of a slope to ensure that all the water flows towards the drain and in essence that's it. From this point on there are no restrictions and the industry is full of great products to create your perfect wet-room.

A glass screen is seamlessly mounted directly onto the floor, the screen acts as a barrier keeping any spray or puddles in only the place you want. Not only is it stunning to look at but completely functional, no hinges, runners, or mechanisms to collect scale and dirt, or to break over time. Not only giving you the freedom of movement in your bathroom but also the freedom to do something other than scrubbing the lime scale again!

Wall-hung sanitary ware is the perfect choice to compliment a wet floor area as no part of the ceramic is in contact with the floor. Looking effortlessly stylish the concept makes the room feel open and free and throws open the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in a small space.

So choosing the wet room idea for your bathroom means more choice, more space, no restrictions and the all important wow factor. Today there is so much to choose from to make your space something truly spectacular including wall tiles, floor tiles, waterproof panelling ( wall boarding ), chromatherapy lighting, underfloor heating, towel radiators, shower systems, remote controlled options, accessories and even water proof televisions! So if you want real freedom in your bathroom there's never been a better time to go for it!

Some Points To Consider When Making A Private Library Interior Design

When you wish to have a private library within your home, it will make for a welcome addition and it can serve a number of purposes that can make your life more interesting and you can use your private library as a retreat from others, and once ensconced within the walls of your private library, you can focus your mind on things in which you are very much interested in. It can also help you can enrich your knowledge and this important area of your home would be further improved if you devote your time in having a proper library interior design to make the place more comfortable, useful and also functional.

Balance Solitude With Functionality

The advantage of a proper library interior design is that you can find the right balance between solitude and functionality where you can grow your knowledge and also become self-enriched. To begin with, your library interior design may require deciding on the type of library you wish to have and thus each person can think of various different things that need to be incorporated and which depends on how each person wants to use the library.

The library interior design can allow for your private library to double as a part office so that it would be necessary to have place for desks that are big enough for your computer and files. Some people might prefer their library interior design to cater for a study where they can sit in private and read without being disturbed which means including comfortable chairs and also having a lot of shelf space where you can store your complete collection of books. Still others may require their library interior design to accommodate a place where some form of craft can take place, or they may want to play games, or which are suited for your other interests such as collecting stamps or even coins which would require having big table space so that they can work well with their particular activities.

Next, your library interior design should take into account the atmosphere that the library should exude, and it can be anything that you prefer with some people opting for dimly lit libraries while others may want dark tones accompanied by lighting that can be adjusted to fit in with certain needs. Still others may want a vibrant atmosphere which would require light shades and also bright lights. What is most important when considering the various factors that will need to be addressed by the library interior design is that you have a clear picture of what you want and that you devote all your energies into achieving the end result. It may mean wanting fun to be highlighted in the design, or solitude and work-friendly designs, or maybe just somewhere that you can simply put up your feet and relax in.

Create A Practical Closet Design With Closet Organizers

Using closet organizers to save space is an excellent idea and it really can help you to find the things that you need quickly and easily. With such a large range to choose from you should have no problem finding one to suit you.

You wouldn’t believe the many things which you could use in order to get the most out of your closet space. There are some simple things that can be done which do make all of the difference. Then you have the more extravagant things that which good, are fully functional and they help to keep things that little more organized. Yes, closet organizers are definitely worth purchasing!

Keep Things Practical with Closet Organizers

Have you ever considered using closet organizers but you have never actually gotten round to getting them? Having a closet organizer can really help to keep things running smoothly, as well as keeping the house tidy and also making it easier to find everything that you need. Making the most of a closet is not something that everyone tends to do. It is sometimes used to throw clutter in any old how with no thought to it whatsoever and it could be a hard task finding what you need.

What Can You Expect From a Closet Organizer?

For anyone with a closet, the organizers can be extremely helpful when it comes to keeping things extremely organized. They come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, so there is plenty to choose from but just how can they benefit you?

Well, there is a different organizer for different needs and so there are going to be something to help keep all of the things organized in your closet. The benefits of a closet organizer will be evident as soon as you start using one and you will instantly notice how easy it is to find the things which you need.

You can buy anything from simple rods which hang in the closet and keep old clothes and jackets on it, to portable drawers which also can keep clothes as well as magazines and newspapers if needed. Shelving is another good closet organizer and possible one of the most common too. This is because it is easy to just install a shelf and put things on it. It clears more space within the closet and allows you to walk around in there instead of worrying about things falling on you.

Closets do tend to suffer over the years and you may find that sorting it out takes quite a good few hours if not days! It all depends upon how much clutter you actually have. It is always better to start off small so change things a little at a time. If you just rush in you could find that you get fed up easily and everything will once again get chucked into the closet instead of being put away nicely and tidily.

Overall closet organizers help you to find everything that you need and they also help to keep the home looking tidy and organized.

Having a private library in your home is something that can serve a number of functions in your life. First of all, it can be your own personal sanctuary away from the problems and pressures of the outside world. As long as you are within the walls of your library you can focus on anything you want, and nothing has to edge in on your private time. It is your space for self-enrichment, and that is what makes it so important to take care when designing your home library. If you are able to find the right balance when you are designing your home library, the result will be your perfect sanctum of knowledge and enrichment.

The first thing to consider when you are designing your home library is what sorts of library furniture you will need to have. Now, these needs will certainly be different from one person to the next, depending on what precisely you intend to use your library for. In some cases, your home library might be part home office, in which case you will probably need a desk with enough room for paperwork and a computer to fit comfortably.

Or, perhaps, you would rather use your library as a study, a private place to read and think, in which case you will need a comfortable chair and a great deal of shelf space upon which you can store your books and so on. If you want your library to also be able to support some manner of crafts you might be interested in, such as puzzles or models, or even some other interest you might have, like coin or stamp collecting, then you may want to include some large table space to give yourself a place to work.

Another important thing to consider when you are designing your home library is what sort of atmosphere you want to have. That depends entirely upon your personal preference, and what sort of atmosphere suits you best. If, for instance, you are the kind of person who likes a dim room that will allow you to relax in order to focus, then you should work in dark tones and adjustable lighting into your design. If you prefer a brighter atmosphere, than obviously you should work in lighter tones and brighter lighting.

The most important thing to focus on when you are designing your home library is to know what you want out of the end result, and then strive for that goal. If you want a place to have fun, then focus on fun in your design. If you want a quiet place to work, then make your space work-friendly. If you just want somewhere to relax, then tailor your design to whatever puts you most at ease. Whatever method you choose in the end, designing your home library will be a rewarding experience that will yield even more rewarding results.

Bedroom Interior Design-achieve The Look You Want Now

Your Bedroom interior design is crucial because the bedroom is the inner sanctum sanctorum of any house. A bedroom is the place you go to relax and just unwind after a long and sometimes stressful day.

Therefore, it is important then that the bedroom is designed to fulfill your needs. Not only does this room need to look good to the eyes but also must be soothing to the soul.

A bedroom design can be a challenging task because not only is the bedroom a very romantic place but in this age where stress takes its toll on many, a good night’s sleep is an increasingly rare commodity.

Before you begin tearing down the walls, it makes sense to talk over the design plans with your partner, if you have one. A romantic bedroom should reflect both people’s ideals.

Add some personal flavor that touch both of you at the same time. Pictures from a vacation or a picnic or from a romantic getaway can be great. Make sure that the lighting is just right for both of you.

If one of you likes to read late into the night, it may be better to install personal lighting. Soft lighting can create a good mood and some soft rugs can complement it. If you like, you can add an incense burner or potpourri to get you in the mood.

A bedroom is a place for rest and relaxation. The bedroom interior design needs to take that in to account. The beds that you choose should have adequate dimensions to accommodate you easily.
The mattresses should just feel right. A lot of people are increasingly falling prey to sleep disorders, and improper beds are contributing a lot of pain directly and indirectly in their cases.

Make sure that the coverings are just right. Duvets, quilts, comforters and sheets should not be very heavy. They should also feel good to your skin.

Bedrooms are our last refuge; they are where we end up after a long day at work and play. They need to be our own and their designs need to reflect who we are.

Bedroom designs, therefore, require definite planning and a lot of thought. A bedroom interior design needs input from the bedroom occupants and a lot of creativity, so get yourself a good designer and rest assured that every dime is well spent in the long run.

The bottom line: whether you redo your bedroom interior design yourself or hire someone, make sure that the overall look and theme match you and your partners personalities. Again, it cannot be emphasized enough-there are few rooms in the home as important as the bedroom. If you like your bedroom interior design, it will go a long way to enabling you to live a happy and stress free life.

Interior Home Design - More Bedroom Ideas

In order to stay focused, one should prepare an outline of exactly what the bedroom design will entail. That's why a good bedroom design is one which creates an environment that is relaxing. Another easier and less expensive method to come up with a bedroom design is to plan it around a coordinated bedding set. This is he best method because it is easier to match color to fabric than fabric to color.

Furniture

A teen bedroom serves different purposes, as this is a place wherein he or she not only sleeps but also entertains friends, studies and relaxes. So the furniture should be bought keeping in mind the arrangement and storage space, according to the requirements of the teenagers. Natural loom woven furniture with a solid aluminum, hardwood or steel frame is preferred because of its intricate and delicate exterior finish and strong internal frame.

Bedroom wicker furniture should be prevented from coming into contact with water. The bedroom is a person's private haven in the home, a place where one relaxes after a day's work. Custom bedroom furniture can undoubtedly add color to the dream. Chests of drawers provide a further storage option and come in the form of tall-boys and standard three-door varieties.

Space

If the room is also to relax and work in, a larger space is needed. If your bedroom space is small, a partition can make the room seem larger and give you room for dressing. The floor can also be covered with multi-colored rugs and cushions in a variety of shape and sizes for extra comfort and warmth.

Since a child owns lots of toys and books, enough space should be provided for these things, which can go above the study table. Nightstands or side tables should be on either side of the bed for books, medications and telephone. A dressing table comes in handy for women, and dressers with lots of storage space are ideal. Ample closet space is important, as are mirrors and wall decor. Full length mirrors are important for checking out your apparel.

Another way that you can double the closet space is to use hanging racks or double up on the rods. If your bedroom feels chaotic, you may not sleep well because it will keep you awake trying to figure out how to eliminate the clutter.

Window

If the window is on the sunny side, it is better to complement light curtains with thick ones, small screen rollers or venetian blinds. The ideal variant is curtains of medium thickness that disperse intense daylight and soften light contrasts.

Decoration

If you are having difficulty with the decorations you can ask for help from family and/or friends. Researching magazines that specialize in interior decoration is also a good idea and better than spending money to hire an interior decorator. Bedroom decoration is not dictated by conventional home decorating styles or even by expert interior decorators. It is accomplished by your personal preference and to make it a relaxing environment separate from the rest of the home.

Bathroom Tile Design - Material Types For Bathroom Tile Designs

Good bathroom tile design should create a floor surface that is attractive, water resistant and safe to walk on. Bathroom tile designs using ceramic tile, rubber flooring or vinyl and linoleum floors are all examples of bathroom tile design material choices that should be available nearly anywhere.

These types of tiles are easy to clean, water resistant and safe to walk on. If you are going to use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tiles on your floors to create a more sophisticated effect, make sure you buy the kind with a non-slip finish.

As you consider which bathroom tile designs to select, each type of tile will have unique properties that may or may not provide characteristics that are good for your bathroom. Here are different material types for bathroom tile design along with advantages or disadvantages of each:

1. Laminate and Vinyl Bathroom Tile Design - these types of tile in bathroom tile designs can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. Some tiles even imitate wood, stone and ceramic. It is not very expensive, is water resistant, easy to install and clean and it is durable.

2. Ceramic Bathroom Tile Design - ceramic tile can range from fairly cheap to expensive and it is the classic choice. Tile is made of clay, shale or porcelain and is formed and fired at very high temperatures until it hardens. The higher the temperature and the more times the tile is fired, the harder and less porous the tile. If you are using a white or cream ceramic tile for your bathroom, using a different color grout like "blue" will give your bathroom a dramatic look. Grout is the material used to fill the spaces between the tiles. Make sure you apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear like countertops. Sealers will also preserve grout colors.

3. Stone Bathroom Tile Designs (marble, granite, brick, slate, onyx, travertine and limestone) - this tile can be beautiful, very strong, durable in high-traffic areas, it will last a long time, is low maintainance and easy to clean. However, it is expensive, it's a cold material, can be slippery and absorbs stains easily.

4. Linoleum Bathroom Tile Design - this tile is made of renewable and natural materials like linseed oil, ground cork, limestone, jute and wood flour. This type of bathroom floor is making a comeback with new marbled and graphic designs, and it is more durable and easier to clean than vinyl tile.

5. Mosaic Bathroom Tile - this wonderful tile was an ancient craft that today can be made of tile, stone, porcelain and colored glass, creating stunning floor patterns. These tiles are small (1 or 2 inches square) and often expensive. What you can do is to add a small section of this type of tile for visual interest to your floor or countertop.

6. Concrete Bathroom Tile Designs - durable, low maintenance, perfect for wet areas and stunning. You can find this type of tile in beautiful textures such as shiny, rough, slick and sandpaper and in various colors and sizes.

7. Hardwood - you can build your bathroom floor using solid wood, parquet flooring or engineered woods (several layers of wood laminated and high-tech materials that are similar to plywood). Hardwoods are wear-resistant, attractive, comfortable to walk on, easy to clean and refinish, not very cold in winter, but they are more vulnerable to moisture when used in a bathroom.

If you want to use a bathroom tile design that includes rugs in your bathroom, make sure you buy the kind that has rubber backing, or add rubber backing strips to the rugs. Be careful with rugs that can slip and slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor which creates a safety hazard. Rugs can also harbor dust mites and allergens which is a problem for people with allergies.

Whether you'll be remodeling an old bathroom or creating a brand new one, being active in the design stage helps ensure that your bathroom turns out just like you want. The bathroom tile designs and styles, colors, patterns and sizes you choose can help you have a bathroom that is comfortable, attractive and functional and a room that you will enjoy every day.

Bathroom Décor: Matching The Color And Design Of Your Bathroom Showers And Accessories

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms of the house. Since we always use the bathroom everyday, we must see to it that our bathrooms do not only look beautiful, it must also offer a relaxing and stress-free atmosphere. To achieve the desired atmosphere in the bathroom, we should see to it that our bathroom décors match each other.

You do not really have to buy expensive bathroom décor to give your bathroom that nice look. There are plenty of beautiful and inexpensive bathroom décor that you can find in department stores and shops. On the other hand, if you live in a remote area where it is difficult for you to go to the department store and shop for bathroom decors, shopping online is your best option. The good thing about online shopping is that you can always find something that suits your needs easily. Besides, letting your fingers do the shopping online can be just as fun as actually going to the mall minus all the stress of fighting the traffic.

Harmonizing The Colors In Your Bathroom Showers

Your bathroom shower is one of the most prominent areas in your bathroom thus you need to place close attention to the shower when decorating your bathroom. Choosing bathroom décor for your shower is not really difficult. What is important here is that you choose colors and designs that do not come in contrast with each other. In other words, you need to choose bathroom decors such as shower curtains, towel bars, soap dish and racks wisely.

Choosing The Right Shower Curtain

Beautiful shower curtains can make your bathroom look really appealing. Even the most boring and lifeless bathroom could look quite interesting with the right kind of shower curtains. When selecting shower curtains, make sure that it colors compliment the colors of the rest of your bathroom decors. Prefer pastel colors over solid and dark colors. Note that dark colors can make your bathroom look gloomier. To give your bathroom a fresh look, change your shower curtains regularly.

Selecting Fixtures For Your Bathroom

Aside from the shower curtains, the soap dish, towel bars and racks inside your bathroom should go with the overall design of the shower. For instance, your towel bars and racks should be made of the same materials used in the knobs of your shower. On the other hand, if you want to use decorative soap dish in your shower, your soap dish should match with the rest of the bathroom décor.

Home Design - Bathroom Remodeling

Bathroom remodeling involves several processes including: design, plumbing, tile work, drywall work, electrical work, roofing, permits, inspections, flooring, wallpaper, and painting. Statistics show that renovating a bathroom adds more value to your home than the cost of performing the renovation.

Bathroom remodeling ideas for an average sized bathroom include such things as putting in new fixtures for your lighting, sink, or bathtub. Sometimes those small changes can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your bathroom. Remodeling ideas can be used to transform the room into a comfortable, attractive, spa-like and functional space. Remodeling a bathroom can help create a space for grooming and even for relaxing and indulging in after a long and tiring day.

Shower doors need not always swing but many can be fitted with a slider and thus conserve space. To keep the shower door glass clean you may want to install a shower curtain and rod. The curtain will keep the glass clean and it will be visible from outside the shower. So; be sure to use a curtain that looks nice and fits your décor. If space allows, consider adding a separate shower to your bath area. Keep the tub for a spa-like retreat, but install a shower, too, with body sprays.

Replacing a tub or shower usually means tearing out any existing tile-work or other wall coverings in order to remove the tub. You can easily get into the thousands of dollars; so be sure to set aside a budget for doing the work. And figure you may need a little more…just in case. Replacing a toilet can be a simple thing if you avoid the most common mistakes made by many homeowners.

Remodeling comes with the unexpected, and with that comes unexpected costs and delays. To avoid unnecessary delays you should stay in constant touch with the contractor and be sure everything is in writing before starting the project. Remodeling remains one of the best ways to set your home ahead of the competition. Upgrades to outdoor areas that expand the living space and add curb appeal can help sell your home faster and for a better price.

Floor tiles look great and provide a hardwearing, waterproof surface for your bathroom. Tiling a bathroom floor is the most hygienic thing you can do. Flooring, lighting, cabinets, and much more must be decided in order to prepare an accurate budget.

Flooring tiles are available in many shapes, as well as sizes. Sizes can range from 1 inch to 24 inches, and are available in octagons, hexagons, rectangles, and diamonds. The size of the tiles is an important consideration. Of course; there are many colors and types of tiles (stone, porcelain, etc)so be sure to have a color scheme and idea of what you are looking for before going to the stores.

And keep that budget in mind when shopping. The easiest thing to do when remodeling is to go spend over budget and that is when you get into trouble. So; you will want to set a budget and keep close watch when spending.

Home Design Sense - Creating Design Styles Or Themes

Many home design styles have evolved over the years and some are more popular than others. Keep-in-mind that design styles can also be trendy styles. This means that any particular trend can become obsolete in a short period of time. Consider this when choosing styles. Do you want to go out and purchase new styles when the old ones fade? Be sure you really like a particular style before purchasing.

Of course; many people like the home design styles for their look and feeling it gives a room. So, what design style should you choose when decorating your home?

That depends upon your own personal preferences. What do you like when choosing decorating items? Do you like painted furniture, American flags, soft and cozy? There are design styles which will fit your type of home. Look around and see what items you already have displayed.

If you are just starting out, it would be a good idea to go on-line or visit the library to see all the design styles available. Of course, your furniture choices could help with that decision.

Are your furnishings modern, traditional, contemporary or tropical? If so, then you are already tuned into a specific design style. Some styles fit specific regions of the U.S. Coastal areas use the nautical themes while those in the mountains and higher elevations prefer the ‘lodge’ themes.

Are you a world traveler? Or do you like foreign destinations? There are many styles that will fit your ideas. There are Moroccan, Tuscan and other exotic themes for you. These themes can bring the far away destinations right into your home without leaving the room.

If you like the warm and home town feeling then you may be ready for the country style. This is composed of quilts, rough furniture, patriotic, wood, metal and craft look items. There are many styles of country; such as Americana, Swedish, English and French. Choosing one style may be difficult be look at all the styles before finalizing your thoughts.

The Modern style is comprised of clean and straight lines with minimal accessorizing.

The Traditional style is the most favorite and preferred because it is handed down from generation to generation. This style has curved lines and carved furniture.

Contemporary is the next most popular because it mixes traditional items in the design.

The Exotic style is becoming more popular because it creates an oasis away from everyday life and its ordeals. This style uses floral materials, wicker and rattan furniture, and other items depending upon which tropical are you are trying to emulate in your design. There is Tropical, African, Moroccan, Tuscan, etc.

Of course; there is the Eclectic style. This is where you can combine many different styles in the same room; but doing it tastefully. You can use antiques with contemporary and exotic themes to create your own personal environment that is unlike any other.

This is just some of the styles available, but there are others such as; Shabby Chic, Oriental, etc.

Many home design styles can be created by using your imagination. Shabby chic furniture is painted white; so all you need to do is find a piece of furniture that is scratched and paint it white. Some pieces can be painted with designs that imitate an exotic location. Find some old luggage or trunks and make some labels of exotic locations (look on the web) to stick on them as if they traveled the world. Be creative and you will be surprised at what you can dream up.

Choosing a home design style doesn’t have to be difficult. Consider the room and it use and the others living in the home. You want everyone to be happy and comfortable with your choices. And make it as relaxing and pleasant as possible and enjoy decorating. It should be fun and not stressful.

Interior House Design-Achieve The Look You Want Without Breaking The Bank

So many people today want to change their interior house design, but often times are held back by a lack of money. Many people have the mistaken belief that redesigning their home will either take too much time or money to pull off.

Actually, this is only the case when you get started with your new interior house design without having a plan. Here’s a simple way to develop a plan to achieve the look you want without breaking the bank.

First of all, as with any endeavor, plan out how much money you will have available to spend for your interior house design. Quite simply, without this budget in mind, you will greatly exceed your limit, and will end up broke once the work is done.

Plan out the maximum amount you can spend for the project, and then allocate a certain amount for each room. Obviously, the bigger the room, the more money you will spend.

Once this is done, plan out the way you want your new home interior to look. Pick out the wall color, furniture, etc. Now, establish a schedule for achieving each individual goal. For instance, you might decide to change the wall color by a certain date, get a new couch in by a certain date, etc.

Make sure you have a specific date in mind for each part of the project. Without knowing how long you want the project to take, it can and will drag on for weeks and months longer than you anticipated. A lack of planning is the downfall of many an interior house design project; don’t become another victim.

When shopping, instead of starting out at your local department stores, try checking out the internet. Often times, you can find much better bargains online than you’d ever find at a physical store. There are literally thousands of interior design website on the internet, and you will have no trouble locating the materials you need for your home at a reasonable price.

Again, this is merely a brief yet very important outline for how to go about achieving the interior house design you want. Establish a plan, a budget, the dates to get each part of the project completed, and you will soon have the home of your dreams at a much cheaper price than you ever thought possible.

Tapestries Regaining Popularity Among Home Buyers

A brand new home (or at least one new to you) can seem awfully big and bare when you first walk in. If your are upgrading into a bigger house you probably don’t have enough pictures and portraits to fill all of your freshly painted wall space. Tapestries can be the perfect way to turn a new house into a home - on the double!

Most people are familiar with the use of family pictures and framed prints to break up the monotony of blank walls. Framing can become expensive however, and for a comparable price you can usually get a wall hanging twice the size and with four times the depth of the average painting. This alone makes tapestries well worth the money.

Tapestries have a richness of color and texture you don’t get from a flat glossy print reproduction or a framed photo. Textiles in general are more inviting a medium than most others. You can not only see the color and the pattern, you can feel the design in the warp and weft of the weave. The heavy richness of tapestries allows for a deeper connection to the room as a whole and adds a beautiful touch to any home.

Tapestries as Focal Points

A well laid out room will have a focal point where the eye is irresistibly drawn, and which ties the entire room décor together. Tapestries are perfect for focal points as they often generate a feeling of motion and contained energy that can add punch to otherwise plain surroundings. You can choose from knights doing battle, a dragon breathing fire, a river running through a forest or a butterfly landing on a branch.

If you opt for a medieval tapestry you can accent with heavier baroque style furniture. The lighter pastels of many Renaissance pieces complement a French look, and carefully feathered Asian lines can bring an air of the exotic into an austere room. The bold colors and geometric patterns of many ethnic pieces can set off black furniture and glass coffee tables.

Once you have chosen the tapestry, you can consider your paint color. Tapestries stand out even more when hung on an accent wall, so consider choosing two colors for your room - a main one and a secondary one. You can pull in shades of additional colors from the furniture you will be using and coordinate floor coverings and window treatments as well for a well rounded, balanced effect.

Why Tapestries Are so Desirable

Tapestries have several advantages over prints of comparable shape and size. They require minimal care, offer a more tactile experience, add warmth and depth to a room, and can’t get knocked down or broken. In certain parts of the country this is a definite plus, as earthquakes can wreak havoc among the family portrait collection. Older houses with shaky walls are also a risk for pictures falling off every time a door slams.

The expense of a tapestry includes the tapestry cost itself, plus a hanging drapery rod with brackets to hold it. Some people prefer to frame or shadow box small tapestries to protect them. This is in contrast to having to mat and frame prints, portraits or paintings, with wood frames becoming more expensive by the year.

Tapestries- The Perfect Choice For Home Décor

Some modern homes are so big and sprawling that finding enough things to put on the walls can be difficult. If you don’t have a lot of paintings, prints or portraits to fill the empty space, consider using tapestries as a quick and easy solution. They can bring life and color to a open room, or a sense of warmth and depth to a cramped one.

Tapestries can make a statement in a room. They add a layer of warmth and texture that a simple contrast color wall can’t touch. You can choose from so many different styles featuring scenes from different eras and countries. Oriental, Renaissance, Turkish - the possibilities are nearly endless, and you can find a wall hanging that is perfect for your own particular taste.

People are slowly discovering that tapestries make great conversation pieces. Hang one in your living room or den, and parties have a built in icebreaker. Guests instinctively will gravitate to a wall hanging, drawn by the warmth of the colors and textures, and tapestries make a great backdrop for family get-togethers or yearly parties.

Tapestries can be found in all different sizes, from huge murals that cover half a wall to smaller stretched or framed pieces to fill a gap. You can hang heavy ones from a rod, using decorative hooks for support. Lighter ones may be managed by framing to hang, or simply tacking up flat against the wall.

Wide Variety of Choices

The selections of colors and images available is astounding. The centuries have presented many different themes, from birds to landscapes to historical events. You can choose a tapestry to fit your current décor, or even pick out a tapestry first and build a room around it as a central theme.

Renaissance tapestries have a rich feel and fantastic images that create a wonderful feel to any room. The colors are deep and rich; gold, purple, forest green and crimson combine to make these works of art tell a story with every panel. Mythical creatures such as dragons and unicorns abound, along with dramatic renderings of butterflies and flowers.

Asian tapestries have a distinct flavor. Dragons again are a common theme, but the approach is radically different. The tapestries featuring birds are stunningly realistic, while tigers and horses are definitely stylized. For houses with an Oriental feel, a tapestry featuring a stork or heron might be just the piece needed to pull the look together.

English tapestries favor hunting scenes, with foxhounds in full chase or horsemen clearing fences on glossy steeds. Detailed landscapes featuring countryside or forest scenes are also popular. Early Americana favors old barns and covered bridges. Both of these make perfect backdrops for a country style décor.

Many tapestries are simple geometric designs, woven in muted colors to provide a sense of serenity and calm. These are an excellent choice for a library or bedroom, bringing a peaceful warmth and feeling of security to the place people take their ease.

Geometric patterns can be found in tapestries from around the globe, from India to France to the Andes. Many use various colors and weights of thread to achieve a textured, colorful result. These tapestry patterns can be extremely complex, and some have symbolic meaning.

Floral designs are common in Turkish tapestries, which compliment almost any room. The wide variety of colors make it easy to find a tapestry that will properly accentuate your basic color scheme. You can choose from a broad simple pattern to bring an open feel to a cozy room, or a tight busy design for focus in a large space.

Kitchen Cabinet Finishes And Design

One of the most important elements in any kitchen redesign is your kitchen cabinets. This one simple part of your kitchen is one of the most important elements, and the way you decide to go with your cabinets will greatly affect the look and feel of your kitchen. You may want to even go so far as consulting a professional. Making the right choice here, perhaps as much as any other, will either make or break your kitchen.

Something that a lot of people are doing these days in their kitchens is choosing cabinets with a unique finish. The finish of your cabinet should flow seamlessly into the overall theme or design of your kitchen. The right finish can greatly enhance what you’re attempting to achieve – be it a country look, a sleek, modern look, a traditional woody look, or whatever.

An example of the right kind of look for your overall theme might be a crackled-looking finish for someone hoping to achieve a French country style. Though the look may be old, the cabinets themselves need not be, of course. You should also think about color when thinking about your finish. Though one color may look good in one type of finish, it may not be exactly what you want in another type of finish. The texture of the finish itself may change everything, so be prepared to try out different possibilities. Insisting on what you thought you wanted in the beginning may leave you unhappy in the end.

Another example of a popular trend in finishes is the sleek, modern look. In place of the traditional wood cabinets, some are using a variety of materials to achieve this modern look, including metal and plastic. Those who are interested in ultra-modern, pared-down design often find inspiration in commercial kitchens (those found in restaurants, for example). And not only do they find their inspiration there, they often find their actual appliances and materials in commercial kitchen stores and warehouses. If this is your style, be sure to check out your local restaurant supply store. Even if they don’t have exactly what you want, you’re bound to pick up a number of ideas that will suit your modern-loving fancy.

Of course, the finish and look of a cabinet isn’t all that’s involved in choosing what’s right for you. The “practical” aspect of the cabinet’s design is equally important. Modern kitchens allow for much more storage than those of kitchens in the past, and modern home-dwellers have come to expect many of these differences as a given. If you have an older home, you may be able to easily update your kitchen simply by installing some of these more modern amenities into the kitchen. Having a trash can that sits on rollers inside of a large trash bin drawer is an example of what we’ve come to expect in a modern kitchen. An older kitchen, of course, would not have such an amenity.

In general, like the trash can, the modern kitchen is built to put storage away from public view. But there is also a nice mix of old and new that many people are turning to – a design where some storage items are purposely exposed. A colorful, neatly arranged pantry that is exposed to the kitchen can make for an interesting design element. However, it should go without saying that if you choose this type of cabinetry you should make sure that you’re someone who’s willing to keep your stored items neat and tidy. If not, instead of an added design element, you end up with an eyesore.

Design Styles - Traditional

Not so very long ago, Traditional style conjured up visions of grandmother’s house, with pristine carpets and impossibly uncomfortable furniture. I am happy to say that is no longer the case. Traditional style now is more pared down and clean lined than ever before.

Traditional style spans a broad range of cultures and time periods, and can include everything from opulent and ornate to spare and simple. The ties that bind them to Traditional style are the familiarity of silhouette and use of architectural details. Often homes with traditional style are older and have an abundance of architectural details such as elaborate or chunky moldings, arches, columns, intricate tile or wood floor patterns, beams, built in cabinetry, etc. The shapes are familiar because the have a historical influence. Much of the furnishings and textiles are called “traditional” because the shapes and patterns have been used for a long time.

Updated Traditional style is not fussy or stale, instead it is welcoming and more casual. Think of it as the little black dress of design; always appropriate, looks stunning, feels fabulous, and goes with everything. Different eras can be mixed with ease, just be sure to choose one element such as a wood tone or amount of embellishments to unify.

Here are a few ideas to help create Traditional style:

-Colors-
Develop a consistent theme based on color. Neutral colors are often used on walls and large upholstery pieces. Pops of color can come in artwork and accessories. Color palettes are often muted to show off other elements in the room like a great piece of art or a stunning rug. An all white palette is popular because it can lend both opulence and minimalism depending on the application. Balance is a key consideration when choosing. Bright bold colors are welcome as long as they offset by neutral tones.

-Furnishings-
Furnishings in Traditional style have a familiar shape- almost iconic and recognizable to most people. The wing back chair is one such example and though it is often updated and reinterpreted, it is mostly at home in traditional décor. Upholstery pieces are often neutral and comfortable, less fussy than in years past. Antiques, reproductions, and contemporary pieces can be mixed for a relaxed elegance. Rich wood tones and painted pieces are common. Even a bit of funky color may have a home on an accent table, perking up the room.

-Textiles-
Luxurious fabrics are welcome in Traditional style including but not limited to silk, cashmere, velvet, and mohair. Other more humble fabrics such as linen and cotton are found as well. In real life not many of us can get away with a sofa upholstered in silk or other high maintenance fabrics, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be used in low traffic areas like curtains or a pillow. Start with a pivotal fabric then mix other patterns from the same color family. Layering of pattern and texture will give interest to the space. Florals, damasks, paisleys, and even geometrics are popular patterns. Rugs are very popular because usually a traditional home would have hard floors- either wood or tile. Colorful Persian rugs are a great pick as well as tone on tone designs.

-Artwork-
Artwork introduces color, texture, mood, and personality. It is often helpful to choose a color palette and room arrangements from a great piece of art. If it is not in your budget to purchase a large statement piece of art, you can create impact in other ways. Group similar images in matched frames to add a graphic punch.

-Putting it all together-
The key to a great space is how the pieces are put together. To give the eye a resting place, be sure to have a focal point. It grounds the room and everything can be placed in relation to it. Focal points can be a fireplace, artwork, or even a piece of furniture such as a bed or sofa. Use symmetry to keep the space feeling balanced. For instance, you might have two chairs on either side of a fireplace. The do not need to be exactly the same, but they should be of similar proportions.

Design should be fun, and be about what you like. So don’t be afraid, the new Traditional style is beautiful and comfortable. Go for it!

Decorating Interior Design-How To Do It Right

So you want some decorating interior design tips to improve your home? Today, many people want to redesign their houses in order to match their personalities and lifestyles.

Unfortunately, how many people never take action to achieve the decorating interior designing want, simply because they believe it's too expensive. Actually, when you do it the right way, redesigning your home’s interior can be very affordable, not to mention rewarding.

Think about it: you spend so much time in your house, doesn’t it make sense to have a home design you want? And yet, so many people simply survive the interior their homes, because they believe it would cost much to change it. You spend so much time inside your house, if you like your home interior design, it can really do wonders for your mood.

Here's an important step in finding the design materials you will need at a discounted price. First of all, checking outlets around you that may be selling materials for wholesale prices. Simply, when you start out in a retail store, you will be paying as high a price you can possibly pay for materials that you could really get much cheaper otherwise, and probably for just as good quality. Also, check any discount stores around you.

Next up, check the Internet. The Internet literally has millions of results for virtually any topic you are considering getting more information on. In fact, you can literally check out hundreds of different decorating interior design sites in a very short time.

This will help you to find out exactly what kind materials you will need, and how expensive they will be. Not to mention the fact that on the Internet, you can generally find much better bargains online than you ever will be able to find off-line.

Another common question people ask when doing interior design is that whether or not they should do it themselves. Of course, this answer will be different for everybody. Quite simply, you need to ask yourself whether you know enough about the material you'll be changing in order to do yourself.

For instance, if you know a lot about your kitchen interior design, but you are forced to redesign your bedroom, you might consider hiring a decorating interior design professional, as they will know much more about the topic than you. You can often times end up paying much more money by trying to do it yourself and making many mistakes, as opposed to simply by hiring somebody in the first place who knows what they're doing and will do right the first time over. Hopefully, these decorating interior design tips will help you a great deal in deciding whether to tackle that next home design project.

All About Tanning Bed Lotions, Tanning Bed Lamps And Other Tanning Bed Products

There are several types of tanning beds and tanning bed products available in the market which can offer you that healthy golden glowing skin.

Tanning Bed Lotions

Using tanning bed lotions are one of easiest and convenient ways for sunless tanning. Tanning bed lotions helps you to get the perfect shade of bronze to your skin. But the real trick to effective and healthy sunless tanning is to finding out the best tanning bed lotions which can give you that healthy golden glowing skin. While selecting tanning bed lotions you need to be careful to select tanning bed lotions which contain moisturizers, cocoa butter or aloe vera. This is important as tanning bed lotions which lacks these ingredients can result in drying out of the skin.

Tanning bed lotions can be applied on a consistent basis to keep your skin healthy as you tan. For those people who used to burn easily can apply a thicker coat of tanning bed lotions for the initial few visits in the salon. By using more tanning lotion, one can reduce the effects of burning or peeling.

As the skin type and pigment level of one person differs from the other, it is always a good option to first try out various indoor tanning bed lotions to find the one which best suits one’s skin. Tanning bed lotions can be purchased from beauty salons or other stores.

Tanning Bed Lamps

Tanning bed lamps are designed in similar manner to general lighting low-pressure florescent lamps. The major difference between the two types is the phosphor used. The phosphor used in a tanning bed lamp allows UVA and UVB rays to be emitted at controlled levels.

The latest tanning bed lamps available in the stores are great at delivering a golden bronze tan for your skin. The lamps are designed so as to work quickly as well. Tanning bed lamps also helps to reduce your exposure to the harmful UV rays.

There are several types of tanning beds and tanning bed products available in the market. Many of them are designed to be used in home while several others are designed for commercial and tanning parlors. Before purchasing tanning bed lotions, tanning bed lamps, or any other tanning bed products, it is advisable to shop around and compare the latest models available in the stores. This is very important as the technology used in tanning bed products is constantly changing; so it is the responsibility of the customers to keep up with the technology and changing tanning bed products to achieve the best possible results.

Door Hinges – An Essential Fixture That Is A Beautiful Addition To Any Door

With the doors in your home, the one fixture that each one of them needs is door hinges. So, since they all need them, you might as well go with ones that have a fantastic look and there are many wonderful options that are sure to please.

The reason why door hinges are so essential is the fact that doors will not open or close without them. And, what would the purpose be of a door then if it does not open or close, right? With that said, what gives door hinges there beautiful appearance is the lovely materials that they are crafted from and the eye-catching ways that they can be finished. For example, you can get one made out of brass that has a polished finished or another crafted out of steel that has a brushed finished. And, the choices do not stop there because there are many other metal options and finishes to choose from including steel ones that have a flat black finish, bronze ones that have an oil rubbed finish, aluminum ones that have a dull chrome finish and many, many others.

Plus, the choices do not stop there when it comes to door hinges since they also come in different shapes, sizes, and styles. You can get small, medium, and large, even oversized ones great for installing on not only doors, but cabinets while the different shapes that are available include square, rectangle, even rounded edge varieties. When it comes to the style options, they range from very modern to traditional, and even antique. Basically, there are a lot of selections and what’s great about it is how all of them let you easily find the perfect ones to match the current décor that you have going on in your space. Because you want things to match and have a completed appearance.

Along with door hinges, another great way to add a decorative touch to your doors is with stunning door knobs. Like the hinges, these fixtures also get their wonderful appearance from the gorgeous materials that they are made from along with the finishes that they have. Some of the options include oil rubbed bronze finished ones, brushed stainless steel options, and lovely clear glass and crystal ones.

For a stress free way to check out the different selections, instead of heading down to the local hardware store, just hit the Internet for some shopping. You can browse the different online stores just by the click and glide of the mouse and when you do find something that strikes your fancy, it will probably end up being at the best prices possible.

In the end, since the doors in your home need door hinges anyway, you might as well get ones that have a decorative element to them. There are a ton of options to choose from, perfect for all kinds of doors. So what are you waiting for? Make sure to get some today so you can enjoy their beauty tomorrow.

Home Design - Kitchen Design Ideas

The key to a successful kitchen design is the complete understanding of the true needs of the intended user. Universal Design means planning the spaces that everyone finds easy to use. One of the most basic principles of kitchen design is offering a variety of work top heights.

The first thing to examine is the counter surface area. Look at where you put everything in your existing kitchen and where in your new kitchen design will these things will go in the new space. Kitchens need a personality and a look and feel that can liven up the senses in addition to being a functional place for the preparation of food. A good kitchen design should have sensible work triangles and the right appliance arrangements so it will be easy to move around.

Lighting

Even if the kitchen has generally good lighting, the counter areas can be somewhat dark. For these areas under-cabinet lighting can help provide more light to work in. In addition to decorative lighting which can match any style, remember to but abundant task lighting over food preparation areas. Mood lighting can accent glass front cabinets and cove ceilings. Accent lights can be located under cabinets, against walls, or other areas. Additional lighting can be added in larger kitchen spaces with wall sconces.

You’ll also want to consider how you light the island and table areas. Here is where you will want to insure that lighting is adequate, and looks great with the style of your kitchen. In the kitchen several requirements need to be met and these must be aided by precise lighting. Thus kitchen lighting is mostly task lighting and ambient lighting and less of decorative lighting. Direct lighting is achieved by using conventional recessed lights, surface lights or light fixtures that are on a pendant or chain.

Appliances

Even as family sizes decrease, the popularity of beautiful kitchens, designer cabinets, and custom appliances is on the rise. The latest energy saving appliances are a great way to remodel and update the kitchen. Most people who remodel their kitchen want everything new and to have it done professionally: but neither is really necessary for your kitchen to have a fresh new look. Just changing out old appliances may do the trick.

Countertops

The countertops are perhaps the most visible part of a kitchen remodeling project and there are many to choose from. Formica is the most popular due to its versatility and price. Ceramic tile countertops are available in many colors, as well as many shapes, patterns, and finishes. With kitchen color taking on more importance, many manufacturers of cabinets, appliances, flooring and countertops are offering the consumer more choices in colors. Consider new textures and colors for your countertops. And granite prices are more affordable than ever and offer some beautiful patterns, textures and colors.

Islands

The dimensions of a kitchen are an overriding concern in choosing a kitchen island. Many kitchen islands are wooden and use northern maple, red oak, poplar, birch, and plantation-grown exotic woods, but others are constructed of stainless steel, some combining wood with stainless steel. Use custom kitchen islands ideas to help you know how to create an attractive area that will perform a variety of useful functions. Designed correctly, kitchen islands will make your work area more functional and efficient and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years.

There are many more options when remodeling your kitchen but you must be creative and plan. Shelf storage islands can come with open shelves or closed storage shelves with cabinet doors. Pendants make excellent task lighting choices over stationary islands and will provide the added illumination when performing chores but can be turned off when dining or no longer necessary. Kitchen islands are typically used for completion of tasks which is why pendant lighting fixtures above this area are almost always a great idea.

Outdoor Design With Old Ladders

So you want to liven up the outside of your home, but don’t have a fortune to spend? A ladder may be just what you need to spruce things up. Below, check out some ideas for using old wooden ladders to spruce up and enliven the outside of any home.

Potted Bookshelf

Take an old rustic ladder and attach it to the wall of one side of your house. You can paint the ladder to suit the colors of your home or leave it with the rustic look. Take small flower pots and paint the outsides of them with a design that suits you (or, if you’re a “plain” style decorator, leave them as is or purchase them in a color/design that you like) and put colorful flowers in them. Annuals work best. Then, put the flower pots on the rungs of the ladder for an instant "bookshelf of flowers" for the outside of your home.

Flowered Shelves

If you aren’t keen on putting screws into the outside of your house (especially true for those who have vinyl siding), try taking a ladder and setting it up on your front porch. Paint it to suit your tastes or leave if weathered for a rustic look. Put a wine type plant on top to let it wrap itself around the ladder for an instant and creative trellis in a spot where you wouldn’t normally put one.

Patio Easel

If you have kids who like to paint and value the flooring (and everything else) in your home, use an old ladder to create a quick and simple outdoor easel. Take the ladder and nail a piece of thin plywood to the front. Nail a "chip clip" to the top of the plywood and you have an instant outdoor easel that can be used and easily cleaned by spraying with the hose.

Bathroom Organization

If you're lucky enough to have a "guest bathroom", one that isn't used by the family and one where you can always keep clean hand towels hanging for the guests, good for you. For most of us however, we have one or two bathrooms, and they both get a lot of use from the family members on a daily basis. Let's see how you can organize your bathroom so that it's guest ready too.

The one thing that most of us have too much of is lots of bottles of "stuff" sitting around the sink and countertop. Go through these and discard what you don't use on a daily basis, and what only has a drip left in it. Go buy two decorative baskets and have a "his" and "hers". One for his stuff, and one for her stuff. You could keep your toothpaste, hairspray, brush and comb, moisturizer, etc., in a basket that can be simply picked up and moved when guests come, and then put back when you're ready to use them again.

If you like to have magazines in the bathroom don't let them just pile up in a corner next to the toilet, get a nice magazine rack for them.

Next take a look at the inside of the shower. How moldy is that curtain? They cost around $4.00 - buy a new one. Look at the bottles in the shower, they tend to get left in the shower even when they're almost empty. Throw them out and try to streamline the number of bottles in the shower. If you don't have built in shelves around your shower get an organizer that hangs over your showerhead, or one on an extension pole you can put in the corner of the shower.

A cheap way to make your bathroom like new is with accessories. Buy a nice shower curtain with a matching rug. You can also get matching towels. If you have limited towel space you can buy a towel rack that hangs on the wall, they come in many different designs. With a nice wall towel rack you can make a display of beautifully colored towels - that you can also use too! Purchase a set of matching bathroom accessories, soap dish, toothbrush holder, cup, liquid soap dispenser.

Home Remodeling - Installing A Shower For A Beaming Bathroom

Do you know that home remodeling along with installing a shower stall in your bathroom can make the value and comfort content of your home high? The fact that more and more people are installing a shower stall in their bathroom proves this. Now you may wonder why the scenario is so? As answers numerous reasons can be cited. First comes space economy, especially in small bathrooms a bathtub occupies a lot of space. You can save a lot of space by installing a shower. Second comes time management, in today's speedy life it is difficult to spend a long time for a bath in the bathtub whereas a shower bath saves you a lot of your precious time. Moreover it is easy to comprehend the installing process of a shower and you need not require engineering talent for that.

Contemporary shower stalls are usually multi-sided, large sized enclosures. Various geometric shapes are imitated in their structures. Other than the standard square and rectangular models, you will have the option of choosing between a variety of shapes like triangular, pentagonal and hexagonal or any other shape. In fact, you can get them custom made to your specification to add a dash of style to your bathroom interior.

As the shower stalls are expanding, more and more enthralling scopes of adding numerous accessories are squeezing in. You can install a shower stall integrated with a bathtub in your bathroom. The span of additions is myriad like installing a theme based luxurious bath with special kits or installing a spa like shower. You can have a steam shower, just introduce a steam source along the ordinary showerhead but be cautious as steam shower should be essentially impermeable to water and enclosed. You can install Jacuzzi kits by the bathtub wall and enjoy a Jacuzzi bath.

You can also experiment with the showerheads. They come in multiple designs. In addition to standard 'out of the wall' showerhead, you have overhead showerheads, sidebar showerheads and even sliding showerheads. Overhead showers (affixed in the ceiling) allow you to stand directly below the down pouring water jet. Sidebar showerheads are slender rods running down the sides of the shower stalls. Together with an overhead showerhead, it makes for a 'total body' shower. Sliding showerheads that allow you to change the position of the showerhead vertically is ideal for families where heights vary.

Today's beautiful shower stalls geared with colored or etched glass finishes are sure to change the haggard look of your bathroom. But while remodeling or installing a new shower stall you must remember the following points.

If you are installing a new shower stall, you have to arrange all the water supply piping and drainage of both hot and cold water.

If it is remodeling a shower stall, check whether the water supply lines, drainage lines or the floor area needs any repair work and arrange for the required additions.

Be careful about proper ventilation while installing a steam shower stall

Fasten the tub to the enclosure

If you want a door for your shower stall make it at least 5 feet by 8 feet to aid the passage of water through the drain. A shower stall with a door need additional heating arrangements

Today shower stalls have crossed the threshold of bare necessities and has become a style and comfort factor of a bathroom. With so many pros installation of a shower stall is vital for a nice bathroom.

Bathroom Vanities - A Guide To Choosing The Centerpiece Of Your Bathroom Design

A bathroom vanity can influence the character and appearance of the whole room and can be an attractive focal point of your bathroom décor. Bathroom vanities come in all sorts of styles and designs, so whether you've got a small but functional bathroom, or a grand and spacious family bathroom, there will be a bathroom vanity to meet your needs and budget.

A bathroom sink vanity is the most common type of vanity unit available, consisting of a vanity cabinet with a built in sink. Not only does this design save on space and provide practical storage, it can look stunning too. Double sink vanities are another popular choice for families and couples. They can look very elegant in larger bathrooms. Vanity tables with matching chairs or stools are another option to consider if you have adequate space and you use your bathroom as a dressing room or for applying makeup.

Bath vanities are made from either wood or veneers and come in a wide choice of colors and finishes. Because your vanity is likely to be splashed with water whilst you're washing, it's important it has a water-resistant countertop. Vanity tops can be made from a variety of materials, from inexpensive laminates or plastic, to beautiful marble, granite or glass.

Styles range from antique effect through to contemporary bathroom vanities. Think about the theme of your décor and select a style that fits in with and compliments your room's image. For instance, an ornately carved furniture style vanity cabinet can look amazing in period home. On the other hand a sleek, minimalist design can look smart in a modern bathroom. Whatever your personal tastes and price range, you're sure to find a bathroom vanity that will transform your bathroom and give it a stylish new look.

Variety of Kit Home Floor Plans

When one hears the term kit home it often brings to mind a traditional three bedroom ranch home in a neighborhood where all the houses look alike. Not so. In fact kit homes are offered in three, four and even five bedroom packages. These packages can be modified within reason to your specific design plans. Can't find one you want? No problem. Design your own. There are reputable kit home builders who have the design teams on staff to create a workable home from your ideas.

Homes of All Types

The type of home you choose may have some restrictions on building materials and styles depending on whether or not it is being built in a fire prone bush area or in an area where a cyclone could be a threat. There are also certain regulations that have to be adhered to regarding wind buffering and blockading. National and local laws have to be observed and complied with when creating any building as well.

The floor patterns for each sized home are varied and unique and can be upgraded or downgraded to your specifications. If you want to remove a wall, ask your builder if it is possible. Say for example you like the square footage of the five bedroom design plan A from a particular builder, but you prefer to only have four bedrooms. Speak to your kit home builders, they are there to serve you.

Garages and Carports

If you want to add a garage or a carport to your kit home package they are easy to include. In fact if you would like to add a garage or carport to your existing property you will find kit home builders to be very well informed and eager to assist you in adding the appropriate and affordable choice to your property. They can help you choose the plan and get any needed permission from local council to get the work done.

Kit home builders also have design plans for barns whether you need a place for machinery or livestock. There are designs that will suit your needs. This can be included in your original kit homes financing package from your lender in many cases. Whatever your needs are there are kit homes and buildings to fill those needs. Factories

Shopping for Different Kinds of Modern Sofa

You should know that you have different options in today's market. Knowing these options would help you get more chances of using these options so that you will be able to get more benefit from it. You will also be able to get the choice that is more suitable for you when you know that you should not instantly stick to the first thing that you see in the market.

If you are shopping for a modern sofa, then you should know that there are different kinds in the market. When you know about the kinds that you can choose from, you will have to compare them and select the one that is more desirable and suitable for your situation. Comparing and checking the qualities of the other modern sofas would help you achieve a better decision in the future.

Your modern lifestyle would greatly benefit from a sofa because its design and functionality can suit your taste. Also, there are different kinds in the market so you will be able to select one that is suitable for your needs.

There are regularly shaped and styled sofas. You can also choose to accentuate this kind of sofa if you want to make it fit the theme of your home. There are also love seats which are generally smaller than the regular ones while there are also sectional sofas that are huge. You can choose between the two according to your needs. If you expect that there are many people who will sit in your sofa then it would be more practical for you to buy the sectional type. You should also consider the space that is allotted in your home as well as the size of your door so that you will not have a problem when it comes to getting your door into your home.

Added to these options, there are also sofa beds. This type of modern sofa is more functional and you can put it in your bedroom or in the living room. You should remember to design it well and find the right position for it. Another deviation of this kind is the futons. They are reclined and are aimed for comfortable seating.

Modern Bedroom Furniture And How To Select It

There are always many choices offered when selecting furniture. One popular choice recently is what is considered to be modern or contemporary style. When you choose this style it gives your home a sleek and minimalist look. Traditional furniture tends to be more ornate, while modern furniture typically has simple lines in the design.

Due to the simpler lines, a great advantage with contemporary bedroom furniture is it's easier to mix or match pieces. Even if pieces were not purchased at the same time or from the same store or manufacturer, they can blend with your modern bedroom furniture easily. When selecting bedroom furniture, the simplicity of the furniture lends itself to an easier shopping experience. Below are a few tips to help you make the most from your shopping experience.

Contemporary Bedroom Furniture Buying Tips Include:

• Look at your lifestyle. How often do you use this bedroom will be a large determining factor as to what kind of furniture you need. For example, if you read in bed a lot, you may want a nightstand close by to place a lamp. If you need storage for your clothes consider a larger style dresser or armoire.

• Consider the piece's function. There are many types of furniture that have multiple uses. For example, many modern platform beds will have storage options under the mattress, thus you may not need to buy an additional dresser.

• Go with a theme. There are many options when selecting modern bedroom furniture. You can go with black or white, brushed metal or wood composite. Decide which option suits your taste and build from there.

• The bed comes first. This is most likely the most expensive piece of furniture as it is usually the largest piece in the room. It's also the most cost-efficient piece. When selecting your mattress, get the best mattress you can afford since we spend approximately 1/3 of our lives in bed sleeping.

• Leave space to walk. Don't buy more than your room can easily accommodate. You'll want to have room to walk around easily. If you have limited space consider modern bedroom furniture pieces that are more vertical such as highboy dressers. If the room appears cluttered or cramped it detracts from the modern look that you're trying to achieve.

• Think about the future. Even though you should not put too much furniture in a room, if in the short future you're planning on moving from your small apartment to a larger home it should be a consideration. That king-sized bed may not look quite right at the moment, but if it is temporary it is okay.

• Quality and craftsmanship are important. Like most things, you get what you pay for. If you want top quality contemporary bedroom furniture you'll pay more. Select furniture made from solid wood instead of less expensive and less durable particleboard.

• Shop around to get the best deal. You'll be able to stick to your budget better when you shop around. Don't buy the first thing you see. Prices contemporary bedroom furniture can vary greatly from store to store even on identical pieces. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the salesman, in today's economic climate you may just end up with a better buy.

Contemporary bedroom furniture is timeless and easy to mix and match with other decors. By following these simple guidelines your modern bedroom furniture will last a lifetime and give your home a clean, sleek and uncluttered appearance.

Interior Design 101 - Choosing the Right Wall Accents For Your Home

Decorating your home can be a difficult and frustrating task. Your dilemma will be where exactly you should begin the whole process of decorating. It will be no surprise at the middle of the task when you will feel a little bit overwhelmed. You may probably have a clear idea on what you want but you are not sure how specifically you can incorporate these ideas on the actual room design.

It is always best to start slowly particularly if you are not a professional interior designer. Finding the perfect wall décor can be a very difficult process so it is essential that you do not rush yourself. Every artist needs a starting point so here are a few suggestions on various types of wall art you can use in the different parts of your house.

• For the bedrooms, you can use family photographs and soft draperies to the bedroom walls. You can even use a theme to decorate the whole room. For instance, you can use music theme wall hangings for your children's room to create a melodious atmosphere to it. Other themes you can use can be centered on romantic, sentimental and cozy themes.

• Bathroom wall décor can include ceramic fixtures that can be color coordinated to the room's theme. If you have chosen a Japanese garden theme, you may want to place fortune plants and white pebbles in the bathroom to create that effect. Match accessories such as towel bars, soap dishes to enhance the design.

• The living room is where large and beautiful works of art are displayed. The size of the wall hanging depends on the size and proportions of the whole room. Painting and mirrors are usually placed above fireplaces or sofas. It is important that these masterpieces are secured tightly on the wall it was mounted on. If this is not done properly, it may cause accidents especially when guests are sitting on the sofa.

• Hallways can be decorated by hanging touches of wall accents that can connect one part of the house to another.

• The kitchen or dining area can also be a place where you can have fun with the wall hangings. Have fun and decorate the room with dining or fruit images as well as other decors that you find interesting. In some homes, the kitchen wall is usually adored with beautifully painted plates. You can also hang assorted baskets, fake fruits and cookware which add a homey touch to the kitchen and dining area. Building a wall wine rack can save on space at the same time is a decorative piece.

Choosing the perfect wall accent can surely define an entire room and create the atmosphere you want. For instance, if you are musically inclined then music theme wall hangings reflect your personality best. You should base your decision on you own personal preference and not from advices from home décor magazines. Many people use wall art to make a dramatic statement about themselves. It is also a way of telling a story to your guests. Deciding onhow you would want your room to feel like when you are in it is the best place to start when choosing a wall accent. You should enjoy it as much as everybody else because for the most time, you will be the one staying inside your house.

Decorative Kitchen and Bath Accessories: Tidying One's Home

The most important places in the house are the bedroom, where in we can the comfort of retiring after a busy day; the bathroom, is where we take our time to cleansed ourselves and it is also where we spend the most of our privacy; and then, the kitchen, this is where we eat. All of the places I have mentioned above should be as organized and clean as possible. To keep the place in order especially in the kitchen and bath where the stuffs are smaller compared to the bedroom, we will need some kitchen and bath accessories.

Kitchen and bath accessories more or less have the same sizes; they difference is very minimal. If bath accessories have tissue holder or tissue cover, kitchen has a napkin holder. If bath accessories have lotion or soap pump/dispenser, the kitchen has a kitchen pump as well. In the kitchen, the accessories you will find include placemats, paper towel holder, napkin, holder, salt and pepper shaker, spoon rest, hand towels and holder, canisters, pot holders, oven mitts and many more. While in the bath, the accessories you can find are lotion and soap pump/dispensers, waste basket, soap dish, tissue box, different kinds of towels, shower curtain and more.

You can visit www.athomewithbullocks.com for more choices of kitchen accessories, and www.usawallpaper.com for your bath accessories need. Both of these sites feature interesting and beautiful designs of kitchen and bath accessories.

It is plain as the nose on your face that the kitchen and bath accessories are used to keep the place and everything in order, so that every time there is a need for something, it is easy to locate things. Imagine a bathroom without these bath accessories, or a kitchen without the accessories, both places would be in disarray. Nobody wants to have a messy place, no matter how small or big your house is. Who knows you are living with cockroaches and rattifellas. I don't mean to exaggerate, I just want to make a point how important bed, kitchen and bath accessories are in keeping the house in place.

Kitchen and bath accessories are not only for the organization of the two rooms, if you know how to choose the right design and style, these accessories can also be decorative. Don't settle for kitchen and bath accessories without designs or just simply plain. Add some life into your kitchen and bathroom by choosing durable and uniquely designed accessories. Don't limit yourself from browsing only a few websites expand your research and don't stop unless you find and settle for "the Best".

Decorating the Guest Bathroom

The guest bathroom is more important than you might think. While the bedroom that your guests stay in should be warm and inviting, the guest bath is often neglected. However, it doesn’t take a lot of time or a lot of money to create peaceful bath for your visiting friends – but it does take knowing about modern bathroom designs as well as bathroom vanities.

What you need to know about design

When you’re talking about modern bathroom designs, you will want to direct your attention to the idea of simplicity. And this is practical too. With a simple bathroom design, you will be able to create a timeless look that can be easily updated. Choose simple lines for your bathroom vanities as well as neutral bathroom faucets as well as mirror. The general idea is to create something that can be easily updated with towels or a new shower curtain instead of a complete remodel.

What you need to know about vanities

Bathroom vanities are a great way to welcome your guests without saying a world. In many modern bathroom designs, these vanities are able to hold a number of items underneath the main sink. What you can do is store any possible item that your guests might need, due to having forgotten them or misplaced them. No guest wants to have to ask their host for shampoo or soap, so make sure that it’s already available to them. You may want to keep a basket underneath the vanity that you will pull out when it is needed for a new guest, but then replace it underneath the sink when the guest has left.

Other things to keep for your guests

Guests will also need fresh towels in their bathroom as well as a clear idea of where to put them once they are dirty. Many modern bathroom designs for guest baths will include a hamper so that this is easy to do as well as easy for the host to monitor. Once the hamper is full, new towels can be placed in the bathroom when the guest is away.

You may also want to keep a small token of appreciation for your guest in the bathroom as well. Bathroom vanities that have a small gift basket for the guest to take home – filled with bath and shower goodies – is always a nice way to welcome someone as well as send them on their way. In addition, man modern bathroom designs can also include candles that can be taken home as a memento as well.

The guest bathroom is truly a reflection of the care and respect that you have for your guests. By looking at modern bathroom designs and leaving a little something extra on bathroom vanities, you can make sure that none of your guests ever feels out of place; not one of your guests will ever doubt that you care about their comfort.

For a large selection of bathroom vanities and more modern bathroom designs, go to www.discountbathroomvanities.com for everything that your guest might want and need.