Making the Best of Your Small Space
Dec 11, 2009 Interior Design Tips
Just because you live in a small cottage or a small place does not mean that your space cannot be comfortable and relaxing. Many homes with tons of square footage are furnished in a way that they lack comfort or feel crowded. When looking to make the best of your small space, look beyond square footage. Instead, look at type of furnishings, room purpose, furniture placement and use, and of course, practicality. Considering this will help you in making your cottage a comfortable retreat.
If your small place is furnished, you may have to think of getting rid of furniture that does not serve the purpose of is not practical for the space. Sell it, donate it, or give it away. Look at the different rooms and ask yourself if they serve the purpose according to your lifestyle. For example, if you never have any staying- over guests ( and think that this will not change much in the future) but you work at home a lot, then get rid of the guest bedroom and convert it into an office. Buy a small size sofa bed that you can convert into a bed if the need arises.
Look at every piece of furniture and ask yourself if you really use it, or need it. In this process, you will have to pare down some things and declutter your home. Most important, you will have to get rid of any doubles. By doing this, you will find that you do not need some pieces of furniture that were just storing extra stuff. Get rid of any piece of furniture that has become an extra, and pieces that are too big or clunky, for the space.
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How to Hang Window Blinds
Oct 20, 2009 Interior Design Tips
If you’ve decided to go with window blinds over buying curtains, there’s a few simple steps to consider on how to hang them. When deciding on where to put your roman blinds, it depends entirely on the window itself. If the window opens inward, your only choice is to put the blinds on the outside of the frame. If the depth of the window frame is sufficient – you can put the blinds on the inside of the frame or in the window recess. Another consideration is the window shape and whether the window is even square – if it is not, then placing the blinds on the outside is best.
How to Measure for Blinds
- For outside the window recess, you can choose to put the blind on the window frame itself, or to
measure approximately 5-10 cm on both sides of the recess and 5-10 cm above and below. - If measuring within the window recess, measure the width and drop of the area. Make sure to choose three different spots along the width of the window – and choose the narrowest measurement to ensure the blind can move up and down without hitting the sides.
When choosing blind or curtain material, consider your current decor. While polyester blends tend to be crease resistant, cotton, linen and even silk make excellent drapery choices. But keep in mind that silk, while gorgeous and decadent, is easy prey to sun and water damage.
How to Find Space in Closets
Oct 12, 2009 Interior Design Tips
Every woman wants more closet space—and she can have it if she knows how to store her clothes properly. Here are tips for arranging your closet for-maximum space usage:
• Take note of where the clothing pole in your closet is placed. Often it is placed in the center of the closet, neglecting the space in front and at the back. Read the rest of this entry »
See if you have enough space for two poles, by moving the “single” pole forward or backward and placing another one in front or at the back.
• Is there space above your first clothing pole for a pole placed higher up, for blouses and jackets? Many women have placed such a pole above the first clothing pole for shorter garments, and have found it very useful.
Garment bags take up space because they are often bulky. You might be better off keeping your garments in the plastic covers that come from the cleaners.
• Use thin hangers in your closet. The old hangers are wide and bulky and take up so much space.
• You can store shoes in several ways. You can just place them on the bottom of your closet, in rows. You can purchase a shoe stand that has raised prongs for each shoe. You can also use shoe boxes and label them clearly on the outside, so that you know what is inside. Then place them one on top of the other on your closet floor or on a shelf. You can also buy a shoe bag and place it on the inside door of your closet.
Ideas for Contemporary Interior Design
Sep 9, 2009 Interior Design Tips
Done well, interior design is a way to make your house look inviting, relaxing, and like an expression of your life and personality. Here are a few ideas you might try to make your house more beautiful.
Good interior design includes many processes: painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, lighting schemes, artwork, and furniture to name a few. Modern interior design is constantly evolving, and that’s a good thing. Wouldn’t it be weird to have a house that was exactly like the typical ranch house of the 70s? New design should always take into account some of the best of past designs without recreating them in their entirety.
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Interior Design Tips: Create A Fully Functional Home Office
Jun 24, 2009 Home Improvement, Interior Design Tips
The idea of having a fully functional home office for some, can leave them feeling weak in the knees. Most of us have a work space of sorts, consisting of the mundane and necessary hum drum office desk and if we are lucky a desk lamp. Many don’t know that with a little ingenuity and a source that will give you tips for creating a fully functional home office, you can have the office you have always dreamed of.
Whether you use your computer for your job at home or if you only use it for paying bills and such. Your computer needs a stylish work area to call it’s own as well. Many home improvement stores can supply you with the necessary items for putting together a home office, others will be envious of. If your short on money and don’t have the money or means to design and create a whole new home office space, then spend what you do have allotted for things such as file cabinets, work space organizers and accessories that will spruce up the area and give it a whole new look. By using your imagination a little, you can surprise yourself and come up with some pretty amazing ideas to give your home office a whole new look and arrangement.
By simply moving certain pieces of furniture or your desk around, you can find ways to use them like never before. A couple of simple milk crates, a piece of plywood or an old door with the knob removed and a table cloth with colors that match the room can become your new desk. That changing screen in your bedroom that no one ever sees can create room divider and a section for a whole space that can be dedicated to your new home office. There are many different things you can find just lying around the house and garage that can be incorporated into your new creation for a fully functional and stylish home office. All you need to do is look.
Design Tips – Spring Flower Arrangements
Apr 8, 2009 Interior Design Tips
When people think of spring, they normally think of flowers. You can bring a little bit of the spring indoors by using these flower decorating tips. No matter what your budget or the occasion you can find spring flowers to decorate with.
Tulips, hydrangeas, daffodils and narcissus are all very fragrant flowers that make a wonderful spring statement throughout your home. These flowers come in a variety of colors so you can always find something to suit the rest of your design. Try combinations of yellow, blue, white and pink for a fresh spring look.
The most logical place to use spring flowers is on your table as a centerpiece. You can use a tall glass vase to display your flowers. Make sure to trim the stems of your flowers once you bring them home, if you’re purchasing a bouquet from a store.
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