Tag: home decor

A basic guide to rustic home decor

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If you want to redesign a space with a rugged yet comfortable aesthetic, consider adding rustic home decor. The term “rustic” can apply to many interior design styles, but all have the same basic elements in common.

Here is a basic guide to the pinnacle of comfortable yet classic home decor: rustic design.

What are the key features of rustic home decor?

Heavy

Rustic design is often described as “heavy.” Bold, thick lines in basic shapes and angles without intricacy are common in rustic furniture and decor. A great example is a dining table and chairs with large, square legs. Heaviness also applies to fabrics and upholstery. Think sturdy leather armchairs, thick throw blankets and dense but simple window drapes.

Simple

Rustic decor is more about the material and function than intricacies seen in other design types. Therefore, the representations are often simple. Go for streamlined furnishings that showcase the material while clearly communicating the chosen function. For wall art, keep busy patterns and detail to a minimum.

Handmade

Rustic design includes handmade elements with character and imperfections. This might include unique pieces like hand woven blankets, wooden shelving and light fixtures. Avoid anything obviously mass-produced, and instead create rustic charm with one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories.

Real wood

Real wood is essential to rustic interior design. Wood furnishings with natural knots and grain are key elements of rustic decor, and the more lived-in the better. Wood doesn’t need to be unfinished to count as rustic, however. Stains that show the natural imperfections of wood pieces are ideal, as they can protect your furniture while giving the rustic aesthetic.

Textures

Rustic decor requires variety in textures. The more natural textures you can bring into a space, the more rustic and comfortable it will feel. Experiment with combining exposed wood grains, jute weaves and soft leather. Avoid heavily polished surfaces, but add some weathered brass or wrought iron accents for things like lighting and wall art.

Rustic home decor can make any space stylish and comfortable without being fussy. Remember these key elements of rustic design when planning your next style makeover.

3 Tips for Picking the Perfect Area Rug

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An area rug can make a significant difference in the aesthetic and feel of a room. You can add style, affect the sense of space and tie together all of your furnishings in one step. But how do you choose the right rug for the room? Everybody’s taste is different, but here are the main things to consider when picking the perfect rug:

Rug Size vs. Room Size

The size of the room is the first thing to consider when choosing a rug. Most designers advise centering the rug in a room so it isn’t touching any walls. That said, be careful not to choose too small a rug. A rug that’s too small for the room can make the entire space feel more cramped. Instead, try to find a rug that will let you keep 10 to 20 inches of bare floor on each side.

Color & Pattern

Color is another great starting point when choosing the perfect rug. The color of your area rug will affect the palette of the entire room, so consider your existing color schemes in your choice. If you have a room with lots of color and pattern, try a more neutral or single-colored rug to ground the space. Conversely, a brightly colored or boldly patterned rug can enhance a room with lots of neutral tones.

Lifestyle & Maintenance

Practicality matters with area rugs. You want to choose a rug that will match your lifestyle in addition to your design. Think about the purpose of the room and the amount of regular traffic the rug will endure. Also consider elements like moisture, probability of stains and amount of direct sunlight. A dining room rug should ideally be easy to clean in case of food or drink spills, and a bathroom rug should be resistant to damage from humidity.

Flat-weave rugs are easiest to clean, while cushy, high-pile rugs often need professional shampooing. You can usually find all of the maintenance information for a rug on its tag, but if you want more information, you can consult a vendor or rug cleaning surface for advice.

An area rug can serve an important utilitarian purpose as well as a stylish one. Choosing the perfect rug for your space will enhance the aesthetic and your enjoyment of the room.

Functional decorating: Game room design tips

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When homeowners get to decorating, game room design might not be the priority. Decorating a dedicated space for video games or board games might not top the list of interior design projects, but it can make a huge difference in your entertainment experience.

However, it’s important to keep your decorating ideas practical and focused on gaming.

Game room furniture basics

When it comes to furniture, there are plenty of video game room ideas you can use in your space. The key to perfect game room furniture setup is to plan for optimal comfort and performance in multiple scenarios.

After all, the perfect solo seating arrangement won’t do the job when it’s time for an eight-person tournament.

One of the simplest ways to go about setting up your furniture is to choose pieces that are easy to maneuver and reconfigure based on need. Sectional sofas, cushioned folding chairs and bean bags are all comfy options you can use in a variety of situations and design styles.

Decorating for your favorite games

If your game room focuses on billiards or other games involving large equipment, you’ll want to plan your decor around them. A ping pong table, foosball table or pool table will need ample space surrounding for players to maneuver.

Arrange seating far enough away to prevent accidental injury or game interruption. For a stylish yet practical approach, opt for bar-style seating on one or more edges of the room for spectators. Include plenty of surfaces for food, drink and game equipment to keep everybody comfortable and focused on fun.

Game room design is dependent on many factors, including the type of games you plan to play and how many players will be using the space. Using these tips and adding your own personal flair, you’ll be able to create the perfect atmosphere for the ultimate game experience.

3 Celebrity Home Trends to Try in Your Own Home

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Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels

Using celebrity homes as a source of design inspiration can require some creative thinking. After all, it’s almost impossible to replicate exactly what some stars have in their homes. Luckily, there are ways to take ideas from extravagant star abodes and make them work in your own home on a smaller scale. Here are some of the hottest trends from celebrity homes you can try yourself:

Celebrate Your Personal Style

Everyone has their own idea of what makes home truly their own. Some celebrities have taken this concept to a whole new level and created iconic interiors completely unafraid to emphasize what they love most. One easy way to do this is with a favorite color. If you have a specific color you love, don’t be afraid to use it in your decor. You can start small with accent pieces like throw pillows, rugs and wall art or go completely monochrome and match your furniture, curtains and more. As long as you don’t allow the features and furniture of a room to completely disappear in a sea of a single color you can make a truly personal space you’re excited to be in.

Love the Outdoors

Celebrity homes can provide incredible inspiration when it comes to outdoor living spaces. You can achieve some of the same luxury without the Hollywood price tag, too. Try adding curtains or retractable shades to a covered patio for privacy and ambiance. Cozy cushions on outdoor furniture and an outdoor rug will boost the comfort and style of the whole space and make it somewhere you want to spend time. If it’s safe to do so, setting up a small fire pit surrounded by inviting chairs can create a luxurious but accessible spot to enjoy the fresh air. For smaller spaces you can achieve a glamorous look with soft lighting and a plush throw blanket to ward off a chill.

If you don’t have any outdoor space to decorate, don’t worry—you can still use this trend to your advantage. Emphasizing your windows to bring in the light and the view from outside can do wonders for an interior space. Use hanging plants as decor to bring nature inside and create a boho-chic vibe. Use botanical motifs and soothing, natural colors to let the sun shine in.

Layer & Combine for Comfort

Another hot style trend currently found in celebrity homes is layering textures and materials. Think overlapping rugs or table cloths. If you stick to the same color palette while mixing patterns and textures and still keep the room feeling upscale but not stuffy. Use wall art of different sizes and an eclectic mix of lighting and you’ll achieve an atmosphere that’s relaxed but refined all at once.

If you find yourself feeling envious of celebrities for their home design, don’t forget that you can do a lot of the same things for less. What’s even better is that you’ll be doing it for yourself and create a space you can truly be proud of.

How to Press Leaves: DIY Art Guide

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Some might be familiar with the old practice of pressing leaves or flowers inside books to keep them preserved. While this is a fun way to keep and dry plants, you miss out on the opportunity to display those plants as art in your home. If you have fallen leaves from your houseplants or from the outside world and you want to turn them into art, here’s how you can do it.

What Do You Need to Press Leaves?

There are different techniques for pressing leaves, but the easiest way is by using paper towels, wax paper and something heavy to put on top. You can use a heavy book, a small box or even a jug of milk. The only requirement is that the item you choose distributes its weight evenly over the entire surface of the leaf you want to press.

To preserve leaf color, you will also need a hot iron and a towel. To frame and mount your pressed leaves, find a frame, matting board and the hooks or stand for display.

Which Leaves Should You Use?

You can press virtually any type of leaf for this project. However, different types of leaf will dry at different speeds. The thinner the leaf is the quicker it will dry and the more delicate it will be afterward. Some recommended plants to try include ferns, philodendrons, arrowhead vines and pothos. For a bigger and more dramatic art piece, try an alocasia, ficus or ZZ plant.

How to Press Leaves

  1. Place the leaf between two pieces of wax paper. Cover it with a towel.

  2. Use a hot iron (not steam) to press down for a few minutes until the leaf seems dry.

  3. Flip the towel and wax paper over, leaving the towel on the bottom this time. Gently iron again.

  4. After about 2 minutes, carefully peel away the wax paper. This should leave a thin layer of wax on the leaf which will preserve the bright color.

  5. To frame your pressed leaf, simply place onto a piece of matting board and put together the frame as if you were adding a photo. To keep the leaf in place, you can use a tiny dot of glue on the back.

If you’re mounting your finished leaf, try different colors of background to create contrast or harmonize with the rest of your decor. Creative frames are also an excellent way to enhance your final product. This simple art piece will make an excellent edition to any room of the home, whether on a table or on the wall.

A Beginner’s Guide to Decoupage

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If you’re wanting a fun and inexpensive way to create custom home decor, search no further than decoupage. Decoupage is the art of gluing layers of paper to other surfaces to achieve unique designs and textures. All you need to get into decoupage is a good paint brush and a jar of Mod Podge or other decoupage glue. Here we’ll go over the basics of decoupage so you can apply this DIY technique to create your own art and home decor.

What Can You Decorate With Decoupage?

One of the best things about decoupage is how many surfaces you can apply it to. Some commonly decorated surfaces include wood, terracotta, cardboard, glass or plastic. You can even add decoupage to more delicate surfaces like paper as long as you are careful about the amount of moisture.

Many DIY experts recommend using an acrylic base coat, whether it be acrylic paint or protective finishing spray. This will give the surface a little extra strength to withstand layers of glue and your chosen decorative material.

How To Use Mod Podge

Mod Podge is quick and simple to use no matter the project. Here are the basic steps:

  1. After preparing your surface either with an acrylic base coat or otherwise, use a normal paint brush to add an even coat of Mod Podge to the surface. Aim for a medium amount of coverage, as too little will cause wrinkles and too much will make the surface soggy. If you use too much, wipe away excess with a sponge.

  2. Adhere your chosen materials to the Mod Podge-covered surface. For a clean look, cut your fabric or paper to size so it fits the object snug. Otherwise, have fun experimenting with layering and combining different shapes.

  3. Once you’ve placed your materials where you want, it’s time to smooth them down. You can do this in a variety of ways, including with your fingers, a small roller or any hard flat surface you can apply pressure to. Smooth out all the bubbles and wrinkles and then let dry for at least 15 minutes.

  4. To finish, add another layer of Mod Podge on top. You can add more than one coat for extra protection from moisture and other damage. Consider the function of the object you’re decorating in determining how many protective top layers to use.

  5. As an optional step, add more layers! One of the fun things about decoupage is that you can build up colors, textures and materials by using the same method. You can also add decorative elements like glitter, gold leaf or translucent paint.

Once you try decoupage, you’ll find it’s a great way to add character to practically any existing piece. You can create beautiful art or give new life to old furnishings and surfaces. While there are countless ways to use Mod Podge, there are also multiple formulas available for specific materials. Consider what you’re planning to use before you choose your formula to ensure success and satisfaction with any crafting project.

No Renovating Needed: Easy Ways to Divide Up a Room

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Sometimes decorating a large room is difficult. With so much space, knowing how and where to arrange furniture and accessories can seem daunting. One thing that can make the process easier is dividing the space in half or into smaller pieces. Rather than call your contractor about building a new wall, we’ve gathered some easy and inexpensive ways to divide up a room.

Shelving Units

Backless, cubby-style bookcases are a popular trend in both storage and interior design. One of the best things about them is that they allow partial visibility to whatever is behind the shelf. If you put a shelving unit like this in the middle of a room or perpendicular to a wall to create a corner, you can define the space without cutting off airflow or light. This will also keep both parts of the room connected, but comfortably separated.

There are plenty of choices for shelving units to divide a space, but you can also create a bolder division by using a bookcase or shelving unit with a back or two sides. Floor-to-ceiling modular bookcases make a solid definition without adding an actual wall. Whichever style you choose, you’ll appreciate both the definition it adds to the space and the myriad options for storage and decoration.

Indoor Trellis

Trellises have ever been a popular and simple way to divide an outdoor space or add privacy. However, using a trellis indoors can be just as helpful. Houseplant lovers can encourage climbing or trailing plants to cover the trellis with natural greenery and liven up the space while creating depth. Those who prefer not to keep live plants can also use artificial vines to mimic the same outdoor look.

A trellis can also make a bold statement all on its own. Try staining a wood trellis with a rich, dark mahogany color or even black paint. You can also opt for a metal trellis for a more industrial angle. Regardless of whether you use plants, an indoor trellis can divide up a space easily and inexpensively.

Rug Placement

Not every room divider has to be vertical. In fact, strategic placing of area rugs can make an enormous difference in the flow and structure of a large space. If you want to define two specific areas, for example, place two different rugs with space between them. The empty floor space will create a natural division that’s unobtrusive and easy to change if necessary. This method works especially well for separating a living room from a dining room or office nook.

You can use rugs of different sizes, colors and styles to make an even bolder separation. However, keep in mind the scale of the space and the furniture. You don’t want to go too far and make the space feel crowded by using too many oversized pieces.

A large space is like a blank canvas and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. One of the best things you can do to help solidify your decorating and design plans is to divide up the space. Using these tips you’ll be able to section off a large and intimidating space into manageable pieces with specific functions and aesthetic. Best of all, without building an entirely new wall, you can save money and give yourself the freedom to change your layout in the future.

Tips for arranging living rooms with TV stands

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Many homeowners arrange their living rooms with TV placement as their priority. As a common focal point, a TV can pose some design challenges, especially in small or unusually shaped rooms.

However, there are plenty of places to put your television in your living room without sacrificing style or comfort. To help you find the best arrangement for your living space, here are some points to consider:

Power source & outlet placement

Concerning practicality, it’s important to think about placing your TV near an outlet or power source. Extension cords are plentiful and useful, but it can be a hassle to route an abundance of wiring around the room.

Remember to account for your other devices when planning TV placement as well. It’s not only your TV you’ll be plugging in – DVD, Blu-ray, sound systems and game consoles all require power of their own.

Windows & screen glare

Think about where your windows are in the room and avoid placing your TV directly opposite of them. If you have east or west-facing windows, consider the glare from low-angled sunshine early and late in the day.

Window screen glare can be eliminated by heavy curtains or closed blinds. Other sources of glare, like task or accent lighting, should be avoided when possible for a clear picture.

TV stands & living room furniture

Consider what support you need for your television. If wall mounting a TV, identify and measure the locations of studs before drilling any holes. If you prefer to use a TV stand, consider what style will work best in your living room.

Open shelves keep your components easily accessible, while closed cabinets have a sleeker aesthetic. For a fully integrated entertainment center, plan your TV placement alongside wall shelves for the best possible use of wall space.

Celebrate Your Travels With These DIY Decor Ideas

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There’s nothing more exciting than having the opportunity to travel. Whether you are taking a weekend trip to a nearby locale or you have planned an international adventure in hopes of seeing the world, you are going to make memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

While traveling is wonderful, there’s also something special about coming home to a place that you love. These travel-inspired DIY decor ideas will help you incorporate those wonderful moments abroad into your home’s interior design.

Map Magnets

Map magnets are a subtle yet powerful way to showcase the places that you have visited throughout your lifetime. You can take the backings off of small frames, and attach a magnet so that they hang on the fridge. Instead of putting a picture inside the frame, cut out pieces of maps that you brought home from your adventures. You can display these magnets on your refrigerator as a way of commemorating your recent travels.

Travel Shadow Box

The possibilities are endless when you create your own travel shadow box. The materials that you will need for this project include an empty shadow box and a variety of souvenirs from your most recent vacation. Some ideas for things that you could put in your vacation shadow box include pictures, ticket stubs, maps, paper money or brochures. Many people opt to make their own background for the shadow box, either featuring a favorite landscape photo from their trip or the name of the destination they visited.

Framed Coin Collage

If you are a world traveler who collects foreign currency, then one of the most unique ways to display your collection is to design a framed coin collage. You can use a sturdy piece of cardstock or slim piece of cardboard to mount your favorite coins. Once you have completed your collage, you can frame it and display it in your hallway, study or living room. It is sure to make an interesting conversation piece for anyone who comes to your home.

Push Pin Map

One unique way that you can mark your past vacations while still looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead is to design your own push pin map. You can complete this project by taking a new map of a specific country or of the entire globe and attaching to a framed bulletin board. Use colorful push pins to mark the places that you have already visited and keep an extra set handy so you can keep adding destinations along the way.

Sand Souvenir Jar

The sand souvenir jar is the perfect travel-inspired home decor project for those who like to frequent the beach. Whenever you head to a new beach, bring home some sand. Pour that sand into a small bottle and add a few shells or other treasures that you found on the beach. Label the jar with the name of the beach where the sand was collected and use a cork to seal it shut.

When you display these mementos from your travels in a way that is inspiring and inviting, you will surely find yourself sharing more about your adventures with your family members and friends who visit your home. Plus, you will enjoy having these memories on display and close to your heart at all times.