Tuesday, April 26, 2011

How to Decorate a Room

Is your room plain and boring? Do you want to add some amazing features to make your friends jealous? Just follow the simple steps below!

Step 1: Paint (one color)
If you already have paint in your room and are happy with it, skip to step 4. However, if you don't have paint, or aren't happy with the paint you have, read on. Everyone has different preferences. Maybe you would like a relaxing room. If so, choose soft, light colors (i.e. lavender, baby blue, light green).



Maybe you don't want your room to be relaxing, maybe you want action. If so, bright, neon colors are best (i.e. bright yellow, neon blue, fierce red). Another idea is to have the same color, but different shades. Example: A bright, exciting orange on the walls, a soft, relaxing orange on the ceiling, and an in between orange on the door.
 
 



Step 2: Paint (two or more colors)
If you think one color is boring, why not add more colors? One idea is to put contrasting colors. Example: One wall is red, the opposing wall is green, a contrasting color. Another idea is to find colors that are close (i.e. one wall is orange, another is yellow, another is red, and the last is hot pink).

 
 


Step 3: Paint (decorations)
You can also put decorations in paint. You can put stripes, waves, curves, circles, stars, etc.


 
 

Step 4: Furniture
Choose furniture that is comfortable for you. The furniture should match the paint, the same color, or a contrasting color. Furniture includes (some are optional) a bed, a rug, a dresser, a table, a chair, etc.


Step 5: Other ideas.
Here are other ideas. Open your closet to display your clothes. This is kind of like showing off, but it is also convenient. Choose the clothes that you would use more often to display, and store away the other clothes. Another idea is to hang up any medals or trophies all around the room along with photos of you.


How to Choose the Right Colour for Your Room

Steps: 


Step 1: Pick a colour that suits your personality
    • There's no point in choosing a colour and a week later regretting it. 
    • Colours can also change your mood and make rooms look bigger or smaller. Take a look at these colour descriptions:
      • Blue: A very relaxed color that works best with a lot of natural light. Dark blues can make small rooms seem very small so watch out! Without windows dark blues will also make your room seem very crowded and claustrophobic. Light blues can also seem a bit babyish. It works well with wooden floors in particular and can be very healing and calming. Posters also look horrible against dark blue walls! Most people have blue rooms.



      • Green: Both a very natural and artificial color depending on its shade. Dark greens are great with lots of natural light and can make you feel very free. Light greens work well at brightening rooms with no natural light and can make them seem bigger, they give a nice 'cool' feel and are also original. Green also works well in either male or female rooms.


      • Black: Should be avoided. Can work very well with other colors such as greys, silvers and some dark blues but gives an overall 'goth' feel to rooms and makes them feel small, cramped and scary at nights. They can also make you feel very depressed, give you headaches and look weird with natural light. Posters work well against them though.


      • Yellow: Brightens up rooms, boosts your mood and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Yellow works well with any light and with most floors. Posters also work well against it. Gives a sense of freedom, peace and energy. Can give headaches. Very good for those who are feeling down. Original.



      • Red: The ultimate original colour, shows you've got confidence, pride and strength. Nothing can get you down with this colour. It works well with any light and can make rooms feel spacious. This is a very vibrant, hot color and is not usually recommended for bedrooms. It is best that it is used in combination (one or two walls red, the others white) or as an accent color.



      • Pink: Girly but not all girls like it. Pink can give the impression that you are very superficial and materialistic but also fun and friendly. It gives your room a calm and relaxed look and can make your room seem bigger and airy.



Step 2: Choose colours that complement each other
    • Have a look at which colours go well together and coordinate them! Play around with different shades to get a good match.
Step 3: Take any existing colours in the room into account
    • Are you not allowed to change a carpet that is a certain colour, for example? Choose colours for the walls and decorations that go with that existing colour - work with what you have.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Creative living room

Global-style living room

A neutral sofa and pale walls create a soothing backdrop in this exotic living room, while zigzag patterns and woven fabrics warm up the look and inject a touch of global-chic. Mix plain and patterned cushions for a look that isn’t too ‘done’ and opt for rich wooden furniture to add extra warmth. On large areas like curtains, swap zigzags for softer wave patterns to keep the scheme calm.

 

Contemporary living room

Mirrored alcoves on either side of a classic Chesney fireplace create a pleasing sense of symmetry and space in this elegant living room. The symmetry is continued in the matching wooden sidetables with lamps and framed photos, and smart padded footstools. A coffee table leads the eye to the fireplace. The stylish sofas are by Helen Green Design.

 

Glamorous metallic living room

Silver patterned wallpaper adds a touch of shimmer to this luxurious living room, and is complemented with warm cream furniture and golden accessories. The dark-wood bookshelf adds definition to the neutral colour palette as well as bringing life to the corner of the scheme. Mix-and-match striped cushions are a great way to liven up a sofa.

 

Fancy florals living room

Pretty classic-style pieces and restful shades of sage, taupe and chalky white create a traditional feel in this living room. Natural flooring introduces a country touch, while vintage-style accessories add decorative detail to the fireplace. Teak and walnut tones add depth to the scheme.

 

Traditional living room

An Elverdon plaid sofa in pinks and browns is warm and inviting in this traditional living room. Add cushions in different designs by Eleanor Pritchard, a Susannah Hunter leather screen and a Zebra lampshade with twisted stand from Neisha Crosland to complete the look.


 

Modern and vintage-style living room

A contemporary armoire in this living room, lined with Grasscloth wallpaper from Altfied, helps to frame the space and draws the eye towards the Valerie Wade Art Deco mirror and classic fireplace. The leather coffee table from Louise Bradley adds a modern twist.

 

Living room with floor-to-ceiling storage

Floor-to-ceiling storage, comfy chairs, a small side table and floor lamp create a decicated area for relaxed reading in this living room.

 

Living room lighting

A comfortable button-back armchair from Graham and Green and soft lighting creates the perfect reading corner in a living room. Here, a shimmery metallic shade from Liberty with a stylised pattern updates the classic drum on a standard lamp, while the tripod stand makes a dramatic base. Set against a plain backdrop the lamp creates a decorative focal point in a simply furnished room.

 

Duck egg living room

Blend a mix of duck egg and taupe in your living room for a look that’s restful and easy to live with. A luxe floral print at the window is mixed with cushions in a modern grid fabric to keep the look from being too feminine. A starburst mirror and shiny accessories provide contemporary glamour.

 

Classic home office

Create a relaxed yet tailored look in your home study by using natural fabrics and mix checks and stripes with a soft, old-fashioned floral in toning shades. Rustic accessories like this twig lamp stand provide textural contrast, while the Soane leather chair has a very masculine feel. Keep the room clutter-free with a tall bookcase and a woven basket for newspapers and magazines.

 

Natural-style living room

A textured nature-inspired wallpaper creates a fresh Spring look in this living room, and is combined with modern furniture and wooden accessories to create a natural feel. Highlights of green, as seen in the cushions and vases, give this neutral scheme a lift.


 

Modern vintage living room

Accessories and fabrics in shades of duck-egg blue, taupe and pearl keep this living room scheme looking pretty and fresh. A faded floral wallpaper is teamed with classic-style furniture to create a vintage feel, while a traditional fireplace with a delicately detailed large mirror becomes an eye-catching focal point.

 

Provençal-style living room

Patterns in chalky, faded colours are reminiscent of a Provençal salon. Team painted furniture, such as this armoire from Oka, with crisp linens and introduce French-style soft furnishings, like bolster cushions, quilted throws and layered tablecloths.

 

Colourful formal living room

This souvenir-filled living room, bursting with luxurious colourful fabrics, has a lived-in feel. The blue draped curtains from Colefax & Fowler take full advantage of the high ceilings, and the yellow-striped wallpaper is from Osborne & Little.

 

Warm and rich living room

A rich mix of chocolate brown, rusty red and fresh green gives this living room a warm and relaxed feel. Bold pattern is introduced in the accessories for a focal point, while layers of cosy textures adorn the sofas for extra comfort.

 

Eclectic living room

A room with a classic sofa from the Sofa Workshop and cream walls is transformed with striped curtains and patterned cushions. The dark-wood coffee table from Laura Ashley also adds to the mix of traditional and contemporary touches.

 

Orange living room

A bright contemporary colour scheme is perfect for a living room. Opt for pale-orange walls, complemented by dark-leather chairs from Raft. The striped footstool from HomeHeaven really adds to the warming tones and is covered in fabric from Parkertex.

 

Modern living room

This 1960s terrace is given a modern feel in the living area. Laminate flooring provides a clean backdrop for the leather suite and striking rug from Ikea. This is finished off with softening cushions and throws from House of Fraser.

 

Fresh living room

Introduce fresh shades of colour to a neutral scheme by introducing aqua and green cushions from Asda, set against a plain sofa from Argos. The light green curtains are from Osborne & Little and the coffee table is from Ikea.


 

Modern living room

The drawing/living room has a refined feel with walls painted in a creamy white and a traditional chair covered in a striking geometric pattern.


 

Geometric living room

This media living room has been designed with a desire for a clear structure, with geometric rug from Beales, which complements the cream wool carpet from John Lewis. This is a clever use of a media room as a multi-media unit for the computer is neatly hidden away.

 

Classic living room

Set against a neutral colour scheme, this ornate antique mirror blends seamlessly with a modern coffee table by William Yeoward. Silk curtains from Colefax and Fowler add a luxurious feel to the room, perfectly complementing the Dudgeon sofa and chairs.

 

Traditional living room

Chandeliers from Willowpool Architectural Reclamation hang from exposed beams in the living room of this former coach house. A fireplace set in the dividing wall means it can be enjoyed from both ends of the long room. Seating from Gregory & Porritt complements the Zoffany cream-painted walls and cream silk curtains from The Curtain Exchange.


 

Neutral traditional living room

An elegant glass-fronted dresser from McLaren Antiques is a centrepiece of this tastefully decorated living room. The deep brown tones provide an accent colour mirrored in the furniture, cushions, lamps and picture frames.

 

Traditional living room

Cream walls and accessories create a light, traditional living room. Linen-covered sofas are grouped around a centrepiece fireplace decorated with flowers, candles and china. An ornate oval gilded mirror above reflects light. A traditional polished dark wood table and chairs add contrast and warmth, while a footstool has striped covers from The Volga Linen Company.

 

Opulent living room

This living room shimmers with brass effects and highly polished wood floors. The smooth olive walls are highlighted to dramatic effect by a series of well-placed lamps. The Versace fabric-covered sofa, bought at Fenwick, and granite-topped coffee and console tables, fit perfectly into the opulent scheme.

 

Living room study corner

Hessian-backed wallpaper from Turnell & Gigon creates a cosy corner in this study. Mixing checks and florals on upholstery and Ralph Lauren curtains adds colour and interest. A simple geometric standard lamp from Mr Light provides a relaxing place to read.


 

Traditional living room

Soft tones and an ornate fireplace give this living room a warm and homely feel. The walls feature trompe l'oeil panelling (a three-dimensional painting technique) by specialist Christopher Boulter, and the twin green sofas have cushions in contrasting Zoffany fabrics.

 

Houseboat living room

This houseboat living room is a cosy as any on dry land. Keeping furnishings, walls and flooring neutral makes a focal point of the artwork and rugs.

 

Two-tone living room

Colour is used to create interest in this living room. A yellow Burley armchair makes a dramatic focal point against a brown wall and blue sisal flooring adds further contrast. The Nina Campbell black ash table lends a subtly sophisticated feel and displays favourite accessories.

 

Shimmering living room

Dark-wood panelling provides concealed storage in this traditional living room. The chandelier and sumptuous silk rug give the room a luxurious finish

 

Elegant neutral living room

Cushions in a spectrum of brown and burnt orange tones bring out the warmth of the walnut coffee table. The silvery-beige colours in the carpet and curtains add a pleasing contrast.


 

Pink traditional living room

Warm neutrals on the walls and flooring are highlighted with rosy floral soft furnishings and decorative pieces of French furniture

 

Cosy traditional living room

Mixing traditional patterned textiles and wallpaper with ethnic touches, like Buddha heads and dark-wood furniture, establishes a living room with a grown-up feel.

 

Indulgent living room

Choose filigree fittings designed with curling elegance, such as these rustic iron wall sconces, decorative fire guard and ornate mirror.

 

Neutral living room

Variations on a similar neutral tone draw together all aspects of this traditional living room - from the furniture to the soft furnishings - to ensure a coherent scheme.

 

Classic cream and white living room

Cream and neutral flooring, walls and furnishings create a calm living room area and highlight a treasured oil painting. A Habitat sofa provides inviting seating.

 

Gold and brown living room

Subtle cream wallpaper highlights the fireplace while gold and dark brown accessories provide warmth. Metallic accessories and textured cushions finish off the look.