Room Decorating Ideas

Cheap Shelving Ideas with the Ikea Billy Bookcase

2012-01-31T12:50:33Z

If you are an avid reader and have collected a sizable amount of books over time, you will definitely need a proper home for those tomes that are like old friends every time you pick one up. The challenge today is how to find shelving that is cheap, yet durable enough to hold such a sizable collection. Built in bookshelves are very pricy, and if you’re renting an apartment, it is most likely not worth the investment to have them made. So after searching for some time for cheap shelving ideas, I came across the classic Billy Bookcase from Ikea which retailed for only $79.99, which was much more in the budget range I had in mind. I bought four of those and supplemented them with the four smaller Billy Bookcases which were basically the same height but half the width, giving me quite a bit of flexibility in arranging my living room space with the shelves.

There are obviously more modern looking styles I could have gone with to include fancy glass doors for the shelves, but I personally like the more traditional shelving and price-wise, it comes out much cheaper. These shelves have held up beautifully over several moves, showing that they are durable and good value for my money.

In terms of color, I chose to go with the medium brown shelving to give the room a warmer feel. The darker colors made the living room look too cold, and the lighter colors clashed with the rest of my living room décor. I have a dark red Persian style carpet on the floor, incorporating gold and cream, which blended very well with the almost cherry-colored medium brown shelves. Our living room lamp uses a yellow light bulb through a cream lamp shade, which also makes for warm colors in low light. These bookcases look best with brownish reddish décor. On the couches, accenting the dark furniture with a little bit of gold/cream/red in the pillows does wonders for bringing out the best in the shelving. So although these bookcases are cheap and standard in terms of size and shape, with the right arrangement, they can actually add class to your living room and really highlight your home library with a solid traditional feel.

On the practical side of things, these shelves are also fairly easy to assemble and most importantly, in contrast to other more expensive bookcases or built-in shelves, they are adjustable based on the size of your books. You can place around 25 regular sized books on a shelf and the shelves are wide enough if you need to double up.

For those of you who are intimidated by “do it yourself” projects, don’t be. The instructions are cartoon based and all you have to do is follow the picture. You will need a hammer, a pencil, a regular flat head screw driver and a Phillips screw driver. Take your time in putting the pieces together. Give yourself ample work space. Match the pieces to the diagrams so you can easily identify the hardware during assembly. I used my electric drill at very slow speeds to spare my wrists and make my work easier. The only challenging part was making sure that I aligned the back board properly so that it would sit correctly as I nailed it in.

When you finish the assembly you will be satisfied with the results. The shelves look good, they hold lots of books, they easily match the other items in the room and they prove that living room decorating can be fun and satisfying.

Bohemian Dorm Room Decorating

2011-09-06T12:04:18Z

College life demands hard work and lots of studying, but it is also a time for exploration and self expression. As much as your dorm room needs to be a functional place to sleep and study, it is a great way to let your creative flair run free and create a unique home away from home. Bohemian dorm room decorating is perfect for any college student on a budget. Not only is bohemian decorating affordable but in its essence, it emphasizes individual taste and personal expression.

Bohemian decorating is great for your wallet. This room decorating idea incorporates unique and individual items that you can make on your own, find in your parent’s attic or purchase for pennies at a local flea market. Some bohemian decorating ideas you can use are: antique light fixtures, old picture frames with cool carvings, rich colorful fabrics for your bed or table or a distressed vintage bookshelf.

Bohemian style makes use of variety: variety of textures, colors and patterns. This is great because it means you can
mix and match to your hearts content, incorporating new items with pieces you’ve had for years. Stripes with florals, ethnic patterns and bejeweled middle-eastern fabrics can be harmoniously brought together to create a dorm room you love. A great way to make use of variety is with wall hangings, area rugs, table cloths and bed covers. All of these items are relatively inexpensive and can add lots of color to your space.

Another dorm room decorating idea is to try to bring in some cool “non-dorm room like” pieces to give your room character. Homey pieces like a vintage side table, a funky lamp or a Moroccan tea set will give your room a super cool, unique character!

So try these bohemian dorm room decorating ideas, but be warned! Your room might be so comfy and chill that you won’t want to go back home!

Fresh Summer Decorating Tips

2011-07-20T09:14:36Z

Summer is here and with the hot weather comes the desire to get rid of heavy fabrics and dark colors and embrace the sunshine! Here are some summer decorating tips to freshen up your home for summer.

Floral Prints: Warm, beautiful summer weather just makes you want to go outside. Bring the flowing, fresh feeling of summer into your home with floral décor. Floral designs are ultra feminine, beautiful and fun. They can easily be incorporated into an room of your home! A floral patterned sofa or arm chair or floral wall paper will look amazing in your living room. Looking for floral room decorating ideas on the cheap? Try stapling $5 floral material to a canvas for some stunning wall décor or buying a few floral throw pillows.

Pops of Color: During the winter, days are short and cold and the long nights are a time for being comfortably cozied-up indoors. On the contrary, the summer is full of bright long days, vacations and an overall happy atmosphere. Let your home reflect your summertime cheer by incorporating bright splashes of color! Some great choices for summer are yellow, orange, honeysuckle or spring green. Pops of color can be integrated into your home via a large modern vase, a colorful wall, some vibrant wall art or new colorful drapes!

Sheer Fabrics: Sheer fabrics are a great summer decorating idea for capturing the season’s aura! Used as window shades, soft sheer fabrics let in the sunshine allowing it to illuminate your space! They imbue your room with the softness of a warm summer breeze. Sheer fabrics are also great as tablecloths, especially if they are long enough to drape down from the table and topped with a transparent glass vase of greens or flowers. Any old table can be instantly given a summer update with a whimsical, sheer tablecloth!

Getting your home ready for summer doesn’t have to mean changing around your entire space! Just follow these simple summer decorating tips and welcome the season into your house.

Honeysuckle Summer Decorating Ideas

2011-07-04T15:00:07Z

Honeysuckle has been named Pantone’s color of the year for 2011. Named for the popular flower, this bold, feminine color has taken center stage in the world of fashion and design, and it’s no wonder! This beautiful shade falls perfectly between pink and red; it harmoniously retains the unobtrusive character of pink while embodying the energy and vigor of its mother tone, red.

Furthermore, this shade is perfect for summer. According to Pantone’s Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman, honeysuckle brings a “a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.” This intense shade expresses the confidence and uplifting spirit of the season and it’s bound to make a splash in your home décor!

So how do you incorporate honeysuckle summer decorating ideas?

This invigorating color is known to stimulate both appetite and conversation, so it is great in the kitchen, dining room or living room. Some room decorating ideas for the kitchen or dining room are to decorate the table with a honeysuckle tablecloth, some place-mats, napkins or a centerpiece. You can also buy some honeysuckle glassware for your summer entertainment! If you feel like being bold, try painting your kitchen cabinets in honeysuckle! For a more subtle way to integrate the color, paint the cabinet and drawer knobs.

Nothing will invigorate your living room like a wall covered in honeysuckle paint or wallpaper. But if you don’t feel like going all out, add some spirit to your living room with honeysuckle candles, storage baskets or throw pillows!

It is easy for this color to blend into your home décor. Honeysuckle looks great with almost any color, especially lack, navy, charcoal or gray. It can also be used against a neutral color palette for contrast, but this season it is being paired with bronze-greens for extra sophistication.

So this summer, be sure to add some flair to your home with bold, energizing honeysuckle summer decorating ideas!

5 Hipster Decorating Ideas

2011-06-27T21:48:11Z

A “hipster” is generally defined as a young, urban middle class adult who rejects mainstream society and consumerism in favor of a critical subculture which lauds critical thought, green living and obscure music. Hipsters have a distinct style that can be described as effortlessly cool, androgynous, urban, bohemian and creative. You are likely to find hipsters searching for styles at vintage stores, thrift shops and flea markets . But even if your not a hipster, you can still incorporate this cool, urban style into your home by following these 5 hipster decorating ideas!

Chandelier made from sunglasses

Tip #1: Your Bookshelf

Having a visibly displayed bookcase is hipster essential. Since hipsters pride themselves on appreciation of great literary works, a cool bookcase filled with classics is key in creating an aura of sophistication and depth. Make sure your bookcase includes a variety of “approved reads” by authors like Franz Kafka, Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy and other hipster faves. The bookcase can be vintage or modern with a 60s or 70s feel.

Tip #2: Ironic Accessories

Your hipster room should contain at least one ironic accessory that can (but doesn’t have to) function as a focal point. The accessory could be ironic for many reasons: it could blatantly clash with the rest of the room décor, be noticeably out of context, be an object that was normative for children in the 80s or early 90s or gently mock a part of society that is considered by hipsters to be somewhat less cultured. Examples of ironic items would be a unique and wacky chandelier like this “chandelier made from shades” a piece of taxidermy (yes, I’m serious!), a flamboyantly religious item or a 90s inspired canopy bed.

Tip #3: Vintage Furnishings

The right furnishings are essential to creating an appropriate hipster vibe. The idea is to mix modern items with enough vintage ones to show you have an appreciation for a time before furniture was mass produced. A few key vintage finds that are actually from the 50s, 60s or 70s will be enough to create the right vibe in your home. A retro couch, record player or old roll top desk are great room decorating ideas for your hipster pad.

Tip #4: Going Green

Not only is going green good for the environment, it is a key ingredient of hipsterdom. Do-it-yourself, environmentally friendly elements are great additions to your home décor. Handmade items made from recycled goods are great hipster decorating ideas and are readily available on greatgreengoods.com and other sites. These items are generally creative, funky and great conversation pieces. Check out this area rug made from recycled measuring tape!

Tip #5: Make it look like you didn’t try

This is my final and most difficult hipster decorating idea. Making your décor look effortless is important to achieve the “naturally cool” vibe of a true hipster. The room should be decorated without clear attention given to symmetry, color schemes and matching. It should seem like items (such as an electric guitar, vintage television screen etc) simply happen to be in a certain place which looks great. Generally, a wide array of colors and textures can be used that naturally and casually come together in a somewhat bohemian manner.

Hope you enjoyed these tips to decorate your home according to “hipster standards”. What are you waiting for? Go raid your local thrift shop or flea market and create your glorious hipster pad!

Yellow Summer Decorating Ideas

2011-06-23T20:24:33Z

Bold yellow is summer 2011′s hottest decorating trend. This must-have tone is perfect for the warm months ahead as it brings happiness and cheer to any room. Some of the season’s most wanted shades are marigold, neon, canary, laser, and poppy. Here are some yellow summer decorating ideas to help you update your home for the season.

Yellow furniture, accessories and accents shout out against a neutral palette. To make a bold statement and attract attention, use a lot of yellow in one area of the room. In your bedroom, try a bright yellow blanket cover to turn your bed into a focal point. Bold yellow drapes are another great idea for summer. Just make sure to only have one focal point since using too much yellow will make your room look gaudy and overdone.

Yellow Room Decorating Ideas

A yellow couch is a beautiful way to add a pop of color to your living room. For a summer update on a budget, simply purchase a new yellow couch cover or large throw. Alternatively, you can try painting a bookshelf or display case in yellow. One of my favorite yellow room decorating ideas is painting one whole wall of a room yellow! Although it takes a little bit of time, it is a great way to add intense color without breaking the bank.

To complete the look, use smaller yellow accessories as colorful accents. Accessories will enhance your décor by highlighting and accentuating the focal point. Try using yellow patterned throw pillows, picture frames or flowers to tie your room together.

By incorporating a few room of these yellow room decorating ideas, you’ll be instantly creating a trendy, fun look that is perfect for summer! Do you have any great yellow finds for summer 2011? Share them here!

Home Office Decorating Ideas: The Basics

2010-09-20T11:21:33Z

The great thing about having a home office is that you can design it to fit your personal needs! Here are some basic home office decorating ideas to help you make your home office the best work environment possible.

Choose the Location Carefully.
The most important aspect of your home office is that is it a place that you can get your work done. Therefore, where the office is located is of utmost importance. If you work better in a noisy space, you may want to place your home office in the center of your home or near a window. Some people get distracted easily and prefer having their home office tucked away in a quiet corner. If you plan on seeing private clients in your home office, consider access. Do you want them to have to go through your whole house to get to the office? If not, consider placing the office near a door to the outside.

Office Layout.

One of the main elements of home office decorating is practicality. When considering the layout, keep all the room’s activities in mind. Will it be used only as a home office only or perhaps as a guest room as well? If this is the case, you will need a layout that can be easily shifted around to accommodate for the room’s dual functions. Office furniture should be arranged in “L” or “U” shape so that everything important can be more or less within reach. Make sure there are enough electrical outlets, telephone jacks and shelving units. The furniture should complement other decor in your house but be functional as well. Get a comfortable chair and a desk that meets your needs!

A desk organizer will help keep your home office in order.

Keep Your Space Organized.

If only one room in your house is to be kept neat and organized, it should be your home office! Nothing is worse than losing important documents or other work-related necessities. Keeping your office is a matter of buying a few main storage items and being disciplined! Make sure you have enough shelf space and storage containers. Dedicate 15 minutes at the end of each workday to putting everything back where it belongs.

Create a focal point.

Once you have the practical elements down, you can focus on more creative room decorating ideas. Try an eye catching focal point for your home office. Some rooms already have unique architectural elements like a fireplace or giant window with a beautiful view. An antique style mahogany desk or artwork can also make great focal points.

Personalize your Home Office with Funky Accessories.

Your Personalized Space.

Your home office is not your cubicle at work. Personalize your space with fun home office decorating ideas like wall color that you love! Forget bland office white or beige walls. Decorate with colors that put you in the working zone weather those colors are lime green, black and white checkered wall paper or calming blue. Fill your space with things that inspire you. Feel free to decorate with pictures of your loved ones, works of art that get your creative juices flowing or wall stickers with an inspiring quote.

I hope these basic room decorating ideas gave you some inspiration for making your home office more than just a place to hold your desk and computer! Let your creativity flow and create an ideal workspace where your productivity can soar.

Romantic Decorating Ideas for your Bed

2010-08-30T13:36:11Z

The bedroom is the most important room of your home to create a feeling of romance and relaxation. But how do you turn an ordinary bedroom into a romantic retreat? Here are some romantic decorating ideas for your bed that will help you begin to create the sensual bedroom of your dreams.

Four poster beds are a great romantic decorating idea.

Since the main purpose of this room is relaxation and sleep, the bed is essentially the “raison d’être” of your bedroom. Special attention must be paid to the bed when creating a romantic setting. First of all, consider the type of bed. Four-poster beds are extremely luxurious and create a romantic feel. A french ornate bed or a canopy bed are also great choices. A canopy in a small bedroom is great if you put it around a large bed and the nightstands as well. It will make you feel like you are in a huge, spacious bed instead of in a small room.

A headboard can bring new life to your bed.

Other decorating elements can make you feel like you have a new, romantic bed without actually having to buy one. A new headboard will do wonders for your bedroom design. You can purchase a headboard or make your own. You can also make your own canopy by hanging sheer material around your bed from the ceiling. See-through fabric will make your bed feel extremely sensual and “other-worldly”. Another way to make your bed feel like newer and more romantic is by adding a mattress cover. The extra padding and comfort will turn your bed into the place you want to be most!

Good sheets are a romantic bedding essential.

The right linens are essential to creating a romantic bed. Purchase sheets with at least a 300 thread count to ensure maximum comfort. Linens with a high thread count linens are much silkier to the touch. Satin and silk sheets are the best for seduction, but aren’t the most practical. Satin sheets can make sleep difficult and silk sheets need to be dry cleaned. But they are great from time to time for a special romantic feel. Solid white sheets that smell fresh and have a high thread count are great for everyday romantic decorating ideas for your bed.

Other essentials for creating a romantic bed are: a comfortable blanket, duvet and pillows. It is important that all these items, including the sheets, be placed properly on the bed. A beautifully put-together bed is very romantic. Sheets should be folded with square corners and folded over the blanket. The duvet can be folded in thirds and placed horizontally over the end of the bed. Make sure the duvet is large enough that two can comfortably use it! There is nothing romantic about fighting over the comforter.

Romantic Pillow

Pillows are a fun room decorating idea for your bed and the final touch. Choose two Euro-sham-size pillows (about 26″ x 26″) for the back. These pillows are for decoration only. The regular sleeping pillows (2-4) are placed in front of the Euro-shams. Then toss on a boudoir and neck pillow. The different sizes, shapes and styles of the pillows add visual interest and a comfortable, romantic look.

A romantic bed will change the entire feel of your bedroom to a more sensual one. Stick to these principles and your bedroom will begin to transform into a romantic retreat.

Click on an image to shop this look!

Feng Shui Nursery Decorating

2010-08-24T07:57:58Z

Nothing is more fun for expecting parents than setting up the nursery! But how can you ensure that the first bedroom your baby will live in is the best one you can make for him?

Feng Shui decor can do a lot for your baby. This 3000 year-old interior decorating style originated in China to ensure that energy flowed properly in the home. Feng Shui literally means “wind water” in Chinese and its practitioners believe that in order for energy to flow freely, the space must be arranged in a certain way. Feng shui nursery decorating can give your child a healthy and relaxing space to grow and develop.

Feng shui has a lot of principles and many people consult experts to get professional advice. But if you want to add some zen to your nursery decor and incorporate feng shui principles on your own, here are seven basic guidelines.

1. Consider the location of the nursery in the house

Many people don’t have many options when it comes to which room in their home to make the nursery. But if you can choose a location, it might as well be ideal. According to many feng shui experts, a nursery shouldn’t be placed over empty space such as a garage or a storage area Also try to avoid choosing a room with a wall that is shared with a bathroom or storage closet. The nursery should ideally be in a part of the house that is relatively quiet, so that the baby won’t be disturbed from excess noise such as the neighbors talking, the television in the family room and the like. You should also consider choosing a room with a window so that the nursery gets plenty of light and fresh air from outside.

2. Furniture choices & arrangement

When decorating your nursery according to the principles of feng shui, furniture placement and arrangement must also be considered. The crib should be placed so that the baby can see when a person walks into the room. The head of the crib should be against a wall and the baby’s feet should not be pointing straight out the doorway. In general, furniture for the nursery should be light in both weight and color. Sharp objects should be moved away from the crib and a comfortable chair should be placed in the corner of the room. All of these room decorating ideas are meant to provide a feeling of comfort, safety and relaxation and create a peaceful energy in the nursery.

3. Color

White, pale or pastel colors, as opposed to primary colors, are the best choice for feng shui nursery decorating. The ceiling should be kept white regardless of what colors the walls are, to allow energy to flow properly. There is an idea in feng shui decor that energy gets “stuck” when the walls and ceilings are painted the same color. Pale pastels are considered to be “yin” colors and promote serenity and restfulness. In general, white is a great color because it is associated with creativity. Many people decorate a nursery with bright colors, but feng shui principles consider these colors too stimulating for a small baby. For a baby, the whole world is new and it is important that they do not get overstimulated so that they can rest properly.

4. Movement

It is important to have movement in a feng shui nursery. Air circulation is directly related to a positive, relaxing vibe. Fans can be used to move air around a room and create dynamic energy. Other ways of creating movement are putting a mobile hung near an open window. In addition, there is “negative movement” which can be caused by electrical energy in a room. Electrical energy has its own movement that can be sensed in a room. It is therefore best not to have any electric items that can “hum” and disturb the peaceful, zen energy of your baby’s nursery.

5. Lighting

Lighting in feng shui nursery decor should be balanced. It should not be too dark or too light in the room, as both states can affect a baby’s sleep. Blinds are a good choice for nurseries as they allow you to adjust the amount of natural light that is let in at any time. Soft light is important for gently stimulating your baby. ENTER AD- the light featured here gives a soft, warm glow that is perfect for feng shui nursery decorating.

6. Decorating Accessories

Feng shui decorating is sensitive to anything too harsh or stimulating that can interfere with your baby’s rest. It is therefore important not to hang up pictures or wall hanging with pictures of wild animals, which can be intimidating. Other images to avoid are pictures of water, which may cause respitory or nasal issues. Better room decorating ideas for the walls are family pictures or images from nature.

Plants make wonderful room decorating acessories. In general, other decorating elements such as bedding, linens and other products should be made from organic, breathable materials. Subtle patterns are more pleasant for babies that harsh graphics.

7. Clear Away the Clutter

One final principle to mention here is keeping the nursery free of clutter. Clutter can quickly reduce energy flow and cause unrest. It is easy for things to pile up in your baby’s room;

presents, diapers and toys can easily cause clutter and mess. Make sure to have lots of organizing solutions so that you can keep the nursery clutter free without feeling like you are tidying up all the time.

Try these feng shui decorating ideas and make your baby’s first room a relaxing and peaceful place.

Click on an image in the article to shop this look!

Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas

2010-08-05T15:23:18Z

Many teens are looking for cool, fun decorating ideas for their bedrooms that are both easy and budget friendly. If you are a teen looking to redecorate without completely changing your entire room, here are some ideas.

1. Lighting Ideas. Because teen bedrooms are a place for doing homework and studying for tests, they need to have good bright overhead lighting. But what about when the studying is done? Fun, hip lighting is a great teen bedroom decorating idea! Try stylish chandeliers, lava lamps, Indian lanterns, black-lights or lamps with colorful shades and cool designs. Candles are also a great lighting idea.

2. Stylish Storage. Teenagers have a lot to store in their rooms and a room that isn’t neat and organized is no fun to hang out in. Try stylish storage solutions for schoolwork, books, pens, magazines, sports gear etc! To keep your teen bedroom organized, it is important to have as many storage solutions as possible. Purchasing a bed with extra storage can be a big help! Painting plain wall shelves with colorful paint can add tons of style while providing essential storage space.

4. Get an awesome chair. There are some really cool chairs out there that can turn your room into a place you really want to hang out in (not just study and sleep in). Hanging chairs (that are kind of like swings) are really comfortable places to chill or to read. Put a decorative pillow on the chair to add some style.

Photo credit: BHG.com

3. A Flying Desk. A good desk is really important for teen bedrooms. But why get a huge clunky one when a “flying desk” (or suspended desk) takes up so much less room? Suspended desks make cleaning a lot easier, as there is less furniture that needs to be moved around. They are comfortable to sit at and come in stylish designs. You can even make your own flying desk if you are feeling like a good DIY project!

5. Cool Memo Board. If you’re a teen, you’ve got a lot of things to remember: homework assignments, extra-curricular activities, dates with friends and exams! Keep everything chic and organized with a cool memo board. Some memo boards are magnetic and you can just stick your notes on them or “write” yourself notes with magnetic words/letters! You can also try decorating your own bulletin board with fabric, paint, ribbons, tape and other accessories to make one that fits your style and needs.

6. Area Rug. Nothing makes a room feel homey like an area rug. With endless shapes, designs and colors you can find an area rug to fit any decorating theme. Many inexpensive rugs can be purchased to make your room feel like an awesome comfy space.

Looking for more teen bedroom decorating ideas? Check out our last post on wall decorating!