home-improvement

If you assume that the interior decorator you’re thinking of hiring has a degree of some kind, there’s a good chance you’re wrong. Interior designers are the ones with degrees. They’ve received a formal education in architecture and related fields. Interior decorators, on the other hand, don’t have to have any formal training.

Anyone with a good eye for color, pattern, and texture and an ability to combine all these elements together successfully can call themselves an interior decorator. So before you go out and spend a sizable chunk of your decorating budget on a decorator, consider the following home decor tips that can help you decorate like a pro, but for less money.

Start with a base color you love

If you don’t like foundational color you’ve chosen then it stands to reason that you won’t like all of the pieces you select to match it. When sampling a paint color, remember to view it in different lighting situations. If you paint a sample patch on your wall, view it at dawn, midday, and dusk before making a decision. Remember that darker, more vibrant colors, no matter how much you love them, will make your space feel more cramped and you’re more likely to tire of it quickly. A light, neutral color is easier to match to and it’s universally appealing so you won’t have to repaint when you sell. You can go with a light neutral color for most of the room and paint an accent wall a darker, more vibrant color.

Big ticket items, then accessories

Once you have your paint color(s) picked out, it’s time to select the larger pieces like sofas, loveseats, and armchairs. You want to pick these items first and make sure they go well with your base color. The colors for these items are usually more limited than the colors you can find for accessories so pick them first so you don’t have as hard a time trying to find furniture that matches that super-specific colored vase you purchased. Once you’ve purchased and arranged the furniture, you can get the smaller items: rugs, artwork, end tables, etc...

Plant life and floral patterns

Your interior decorating should incorporate plenty of plant life and floral patterns since it is a great way to add some color and vitality to a space. Indoor plants give the space a more organic feel and makes people feel a little more relaxed.

Illuminate dark corners

A single light, however big, on the ceiling in the center of a room can’t fully illuminate the space. Good design requires plenty of lighting for every space so you want to make sure there’s no dark corners. In addition to ambient light above, make sure to scatter light throughout the space at varying heights by using a combination of desk and floor lamps.

Use mirrors to enlarge a space

Mirrors are a great way to make a small space appear larger. When strategically placed across from windows or near an artificial light source, they reflect light throughout the room making it appear brighter and more opened up.

Install baseboard heater covers

If you’re looking for a quick and easy project that makes a big impact without costing a lot of money then consider installing baseboard heater covers. They can make old baseboard heaters look new and shiny. They’re especially good for a more modern looking space since old heaters will clash with the rest of the decor.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: tnp.sg/lifestyle/shopping/5-quick-home-decor-tips


Tags: home decor, home decor tips, interior decorating, interior decorating tips, baseboard heater covers

There are several advantages to renting as opposed to buying a home and more and more Americans are choosing to rent longer before buying a home. But one thing not on that list of advantages is the freedom to remodel and redecorate as you see fit. If you want to get that security deposit back after moving out, you have to play by your landlord’s rules. The following tips will tell you which projects to avoid and which ones you can probably get away with.

It doesn’t hurt to ask

Before getting into specific projects you should or shouldn’t do, it’s good to remember that it doesn’t hurt to ask your landlord for permission regarding a project you’re considering. Many landlords are happy to let you make certain upgrades to the apartment or home if you’re the one paying for them and doing the work. Some may even be willing to help pay for the materials. On the other hand, the answer might be a no. So unless your contract specifically states that you can or can’t do a given project, don’t be afraid to run the idea by landlord or property manager.

New light bulbs

You will almost certainly need permission to do anything with the electrical wiring in your rented home or apartment but even the strictest landlords won’t complain about upgrading the lighting since you can always swap out the new bulbs for the old ones again before you move out, just be sure to store them in a safe place where they won’t get lost or broken. LED bulbs are a good investment since they use less energy and last a lot longer. Some LED bulbs are even dimmable and can be controlled by an app on your mobile device.

If you paint, paint light

This is one where you’ll definitely want to ask the landlord since many won’t be okay with this but you shouldn’t assume that just because you’re renting it doesn’t mean you can’t repaint the interior. If you’re repainting to match the existing color because it’s become worn looking, there’s a better chance your landlord will say yes and may even pay for all the paint. If you want a different color, your landlord may be willing to allow it if it’s light and neutral and it can be easily painted over when you move out.

New shower head

You don’t have to put up with a cheap shower head for however many years while you’re renting. As long as you take care to remove the existing one without damaging it and you store it away where you won’t lose it, you can install whatever shower head you want and then swap it back out and take it with you when you move.

Baseboard radiator covers

If your rented home or apartment has a baseboard radiator system instead of central heating and you’re not crazy about the look, you don’t have to tear them out. You can purchase baseboard radiator covers and install them by snapping them into place. If your landlord doesn’t want them, you can easily remove them and throw them away when you leave.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a25187/the-diy-renters-guide-to-fixing-up-your-place/


Tags: DIY tips, DIY remodeling, DIY home improvement, remodeling tips, baseboard radiator covers

The majority of home remodels take longer than expected and go over-budget. While it’s impossible to guarantee that a remodel goes exactly according to plan—there are many factors that you have little to know control over—there are things you can control to increase the odds that your remodel goes more quickly and under budget.

Don’t rearrange the layout

Changing the layout of major features in your kitchen is where you’re most likely to run into problems. For instance, if you’re going to tear down a wall to make your kitchen have a more open floor plan, have you thought about what you’re going to do about the gap in the flooring where the wall once was? If you’re planning on hardwood throughout, then you’ll need to have someone come and install some wood flooring in the gap. Not only that but you’ll probably have to have all of the hardwood sanded down and re-stained so that it all matches since your existing hardwood is going to look more worn and discolored than the small patch of new flooring.

Moving appliances around is difficult too. With the exception of the fridge which uses a standard 120-volt outlet, appliances usually require special outlets of a higher voltage to power them. Even the fridge can be problematic though if it needs a water line for the ice maker. That means in addition to completely tearing out cabinets and counters and rebuilding them to accommodate a new layout, you’ll also have to bring in an electrician to redo all the wiring. That will add at least a day or two of labor at $50 to $150 per hour. The same goes for moving the sink to a different location—it will require the plumbing for the kitchen to be completely redone and a plumber will cost around the same as the electrician.

Avoid the most premium options

Marble may be the favorite countertop material currently but it isn’t the most practical. For one, it’s price point means it will require a significant portion of your budget for the remodel. Also, it’s a more porous stone so it will stain more easily. A good alternative that’s still attractive but more durable and less expensive is quartz or granite. Instead of hardwood which is more easily dented or damaged by water, laminate closely resembles the look and feel of hardwood but it is a lot more durable. Finally, don’t go for the professional series appliances. They cost a lot more than their mid-grade counterparts and they’re not worth the extra money. Don’t go with the cheapest appliances either. Some mid-range stainless steel appliances from a trusted brand should work fine.

Don’t tear out the baseboard radiators

If your kitchen has baseboard radiators, or if you’re expanding the kitchen into a space that has them, you don’t have to tear them out to accommodate your vision for the space. You can purchase baseboard radiator covers which snap into place to give them a new look for a lot less than the cost of having them removed completely and replaced with some other heating solution.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: consumerreports.org/kitchen-renovations/cut-kitchen-remodeling-costs/


Tags: remodeling tips, kitchen remodel, baseboard radiator covers, home renovation, renovation tips

Every year, Houzz releases their annual “Houzz and Home Report” that looks at various remodeling statistics from the previous years. Two projects in particular that you probably wouldn’t expect were trending in 2016.

Spending on room makeovers was up 11% in 2016 compared to 2015 which is surprising when you consider that Houzz doesn’t include kitchen and bathroom remodel spending in this category (the two most frequently remodeled rooms in the home). But even more surprising was the rooms where the majority of the spending was going. If you guessed living rooms or unfinished basements, you’d be wrong. The master bedroom and laundry room were the hottest remodeling trend in 2016 and it’s continuing into 2017. In fact, spending in 2016 increased by 23% for master bedrooms and 24% for laundry rooms in the span of just one year. Since this is what homeowners obviously want right now, they’re probably wise investments especially if you may be selling in the next few years.

Remodeling the master bedroom

Prospective buyers love a luxurious master bedroom complete with master bath where they will want to spend more time. This is a good place to spend your remodeling budget. For smaller budgets, even smaller-scale projects like baseboard radiator covers which can be installed in minutes for a minimal cost can make a difference.

Remodeling the laundry room

The laundry room is a trickier room to remodel because they’re traditionally small. If it’s at all possible, physically expanding on the square footage in this room could be a huge selling point. If that’s not possible, you can still create more space by incorporating some creative storage solutions and a stackable washer/dryer combination. Above all, focus on any upgrades to the laundry room that make it more functional and add as much shelving as you can fit since it’s the room where most people like to store cleaning materials and other odds and ends that they need to access occasionally and don’t want to store in the garage, basement, or attic.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: architecturaldigest.com/story/everyone-is-renovating-these-two-rooms-houzz


Tags: remodeling tips, home improvement, home improvement tips, home improvement projects, baseboard radiator covers