Entries Tagged 'Interior Design' ↓

Just like fashion trends have a tendency to change from season to season, design and decor trends will also change with the times. 2010′s top interior design color trends will have evolved from the top design color trends of 2009, which evolved from 2008′s trends, and so on. Here is a look at some of the top interior design color trends of 2010 and what you can do with them.

1. Purples

Purple is definitely making a comeback as far as interior decorator colors go. You can work with a mix of different purples including rich plums and vibrant violets. Purple is always popular for interior design and decor, but usually only in small amounts. For 2010, on the other hand, purple began to see dramatic changes in its use, and now purple is breaking into the decorating scene in a very big way, especially since purple is often associated with luxury and royalty.

2. Pinks

Pink may once have been utilized only in bedrooms designed to suit little girls, but now it is beginning to take the decorating world by storm. Pink on pink in various forms is becoming increasingly popular, especially when dealing with bold and saturated pinks that are feminine but strong in nature. Pink makes a statement in a bold, warm and sophisticated manner, especially when paired with softer pinks like pastel tones.

3. Soft Greens

Soft green tones are increasing in popularity, especially when you consider their link to “green living.” Soft and diluted greens are at the head of the pack when it comes to home decor and interior design with an earth-conscious bent. Avoid deep-forest and jewel-tone greens in favor of soft hues to create a soothing palette, especially in combination with brushed metallics, wrought iron and deep wood colors.

4. Orange

Orange cannot always stand on its own, but it does work well in conjunction with other colors, especially when combined with purples or pinks. Orange is a bold color that you can use sparingly to make a splash in any room. Try adding orange into a room through accents and bold patterns, especially when using other bright, bold or saturated colors.

5. Earth Colors

Earth colors come and go as trends from year to year, but because there is such a big focus on green living and eco-friendly design, they are gaining notoriety again in a big way. Rich greens, rustic woods, clay reds and similar colors are excellent for these purposes because they tie in well together and can really bring an interior design to life.
This is just a brief glimpse of some of the hottest interior design color trends over the past year. These color trends are already shifting and evolving for the next season, and it is always interesting to see what the new year is going to bring in terms of interior design colors. What will you choose as your next color palette?

During the early stages of pregnancy, you should start thinking about decorating ideas for your older children.

They will feel less left out when you move them into different rooms or redecorate their existing rooms. From the most organized toddler space to the trendy teen bedroom, some of the best decorating tips for children’s rooms are listed below.

Double Up

If you find yourself having to move two children together to make room for the newborn, there are fabulous ways to do this. One trendy way to combine living spaces is to add a sliding room divider to the room. The divider can be pushed back for spending time together and extended for private time. You should start this project early, depending upon which stages of pregnancy you are in at the time (or even after you have your baby)

Double Time

If your children’s new room is small, find creative ways to make the existing space perform double duty. A great decorating tip for children’s rooms involves using furniture items that double as organizers. Beautiful headboards are available that incorporate shelving and drawers for the child to use for storage or personal items. Some have a mirrored background and can take away the necessity for a wall mirror. Drawers under beds can also allow for stylish storage and functionality.

To Do or Not to Do

The following list of do’s and don’ts include additional advice and decorating tips for children’s rooms.

Do:

• Do ask their opinions on the type of room that they would like to have. From the overall theme to the colors of the walls, everything can be based on their own sense of style.
• Do make a room for them they will remember and treasure, even after they have kids of their own.
• Do let the children help, especially if you are in the later stages of pregnancy. You may need an extra hand or two.
• Do shop around before making big purchases. Second-hand stores and discount shops are good places to buy dressers, toy boxes and bookshelf units. Also, friends and family members may have items they’re not using anymore.

Don’t:

• Don’t overcrowd the room with unnecessary things just because you think they are adorable in the store. Try not to over accessorize the room or it will just look cluttered.
• Don’t wait until the last minute or you could get overwhelmed during the last stages of pregnancy.
• Don’t try to make the children’s room something that you enjoy as an adult; make it uniquely theirs and let their personality dictate the theme.
• Don’t try to fit growing teens into twin beds or you may be shopping for a new bed in a couple of years.

Let your children help design the room of their dreams. Taking their thoughts into consideration and shopping together will also build lasting memories for all of you. There are as many decorating possibilities as the mind can imagine, and these are only a few. What additional advice or decorating tips for children’s rooms would you like to share?

Congratulations on achieving the American dream of home ownership.

Now that you own a home, how do you want to improve it? When thinking about whether you want to enhance your home through remodeling, construction or repairs, be sure to include a budget for all those glamorous home improvement projects.

Thinking of using a credit card?

Before jeopardizing your financial freedom with high credit card payments and overspending, consider saving for your home makeover by putting money on aprepaid card or locking it away in a savings account until you really need it.

Follow these money saving tips to ensure you have the funds to build your dream home:

Consider the Cost

Financial experts warn that homeowners should anticipate the added costs of annual maintenance, repairs and upgrades when buying a home. It is estimated that homeowners annually spend $100 to $3,000 on routine maintenance, and $2,000 to $10,000 on enhancement projects. To afford these costs, you can use prepaid cards and put money on the REACH card to get the security of a bank account without the bank fees.

Prioritize

Another money saving tip for remodeling projects is to make a list of all the changes you’d like to make to the home and then prioritize that list based on what is needed vs. what is wanted. According to Remodeling magazine’s cost-to-value ratio, homeowners nationwide can expect an average of 60 percent return on their remodeling investments.
That’s why it’s important to prioritize home renovations that will not only look nice, but also improve the quality of your home – for example, adding new granite kitchen countertops.

Make a Plan

After prioritizing your list, the next step in beautifying your home is to create a budget. Develop a plan that will allow you to save what you can and spend where you need it most. Setting aside money and putting it on a card like the REACH card will allow you to use funds you’ve already budgeted, reducing the chance that you’ll overspend. Smart money management is key to affording all of your glamorous home improvement projects.

Save, Save, Save

It’s recommended that homeowners save about one percent of their home’s purchase price per year. It’s best to start saving from day one so that you’ll have money when an emergency arises. Use prepaid cards to save money for all your home improvements with the freedom to spend without accumulating credit card debt or maintaining a bank account- they make it easy to save by allowing you to make direct deposits from paychecks, government checks and even tax refunds right to the card.

If you’re using the REACH card, you can transfer money from one card to another- making it easy to build a home improvement savings fund.
Now that you own a home, make sure you have the funds to make it a dream home.

Realize your goals, set priorities and start saving to improve your house- now and in the future.

Everybody wishes that they could win the lottery and buy their dream home, but, until that time, there are ways that you can update the look of your house to make it feel like more of a home.

Home renovations can quickly add up to thousands of dollars and months of mess. The following seven tips will help you give your home a face-lift without spending thousands and with results that you can see immediately.

1. Repaint Cabinets

New kitchen cabinets can cost thousands of dollars, but you can make them look modern and brand new in a single weekend.

Repainting the surface of your cabinets will make them look stunning; simply clean the cabinets inside and out, then sand them with fine sand paper, add a layer of primer and then paint the cabinets using a high quality brush or pneumatic sprayer.

Two coats of paint work the best.

2. New Hardware

Adding or changing kitchen cabinet hardware is another easy and inexpensive way to spruce up your kitchen.

New knobs and handles can be quite expensive and new faucets even more costly, so shop around. Check sources like offers.com for great deals, or check thrift shops and other bargain stores.

3. Inviting Door

Painting your front door is an easy way to totally change the curb appeal of your home. Exterior paint is somewhat expensive, but the effect will be worth so much more.

4.Discount Molding

Keep your eye open for sales and purchase molding if you find a great deal. Adding a chair rail to any room will instantly update it, especially if you paint the upper and lower portions in different, yet complementary, colors. Molding is easy to install and the strips are sold already finished, usually in high gloss white.

5. Slip Covers

Old furniture in the living room can be livened up and modernized with slip covers. Slip covers are easy to put on and most are machine washable, and certainly more affordable than buying new furniture. Slip covers are available in a myriad colors and styles so finding the perfect fit for your living room shouldn’t be difficult.

6. Bathroom Accessories

Bathrooms are easy to spruce up. Replace an old, ratty shower curtain with a new one.

Bath mats are a simple way to cover up what would otherwise be an eyesore. A new rain showerhead will quickly liven up your shower, and adding new toothbrush and soap holders will add extra style.

7. Rearrange

Bedrooms can get a new look with a little effort and very little money. Reducing the clutter in any bedroom will instantly make it appear larger, and rearranging the furniture will give the room a new look and feel.

Decorative pillows, bed skirts and bed covers can be bought from a second hand store and can considerably jazz up the room.

Making any of these inexpensive changes to your home will instantly change its look and ambiance.

These additions don’t need to be time consuming or costly; keep your eyes open for materials that are on sale, and frequent local garage sales. You never know what you’ll find.

Interior design is often influenced by the trends in the market and industry around the world. Consumer trends and business marketing trends have a tendency to trickle into fashion and interior design.

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