A Few Simple Tips and Tricks to Add Stylish Updates to Your Living Room

The living room is one of the rooms in the home that you want to be cosy and comfortable. You will want it to be stylish too. We spend quite a bit of our time in it, and it is where we take guests when they come to visit. So we want it to look stylish, right? Here are some of my thoughts on how you can easily add a stylish update to your living room.

Choose the Color Wisely

The color that a room is can affect the mood of the people in it. There has been a lot of history behind the psychology of color and the findings are interesting. Cool colors like blue and white can make the room feel relaxing. It can make the room feel spacious, open, and fresh. Bolder colors like red and purple add a luxurious feel but can make the room feel a little smaller and dark. Warm colors like orange and tan can be nice and homely and help you to feel relaxed. So think about the ambience that you are trying to create and then go with the colors from there. The good news is that changing the color of the room is easy to do. Just get a paintbrush or some wallpaper. It could be done in one day if needed, so it’s a bonus.

Think About a Focal Point

When you walk into a room, it is always better if there is a focal point in the room. In a living room, a fireplace is a natural focal point. There is nothing cosier than being able to snuggle up by a fire in the living room. There are so many options that you can choose from, though. You can even get electric fires or remote controlled ones these days. You could choose to have a wood burner or an open fire place. These are all great options, but might be better if you don’t have young children. You could get a fire guard, though. You could mix it up with logs, coal or even Fire Glass. So think about the style of the living area and decide what would look best.

Comfortable Seating

One of the most important parts of a living room is being able to sit down and be comfortable. It might be for cosying up to watch a movie, or just to entertain with friends. Whatever you use it for, the seating you have is so important. Think about the layout of the living room too. You want it to be easy to make conversation and for everyone to see each other. It can be tricky, depending on the size and shape of the room. So have a play with the furniture to see what will look best. It is also a good idea to get something like a bean bag or large pillows that can be moved around the room. Then it changes up the options for seating, depending on the number of people.

7 Ideas for an Instant Bedroom Makeover

Giving any room in your home doesn't have to be expensive. Follow these seven makeover ideas to transform your bedroom instantly. 

Choosing colors and textures

The hardest decision of all is selecting a color scheme. Firstly, find some inspiration on Pinterest and decide what type of bedroom you are drawn to. You can then start putting together a mood-board of colors and features that appeal to you.

Once you've chosen a color scheme, you can start to decide what kind of finishes and textures you like. Combining different textures can give you room depth, so consider choosing a few. 

Add some personality

Wallpapering or painting one wall in your bedroom is an excellent way to add a splash of personality. Feature walls are a quick and easy way to give your bedroom a makeover. It's unlikely you'll need to move furniture, too because it's just one wall.

If you're not ready to commit to painting or wallpapering one wall in your bedroom, then that's okay! You can add personality by adding throw cushions to your bed or changing the curtains. 

Invest in new bedding

If you can't invest in a new mattress, then at least treat yourself to some new bedding. Choose a duvet that is one size bigger than your bed, and double up on pillows.

Buy a fresh set of sheets and pillowcases (plus you'll need if you've got a new duvet!). Opt for white Egyptian cotton for a luxurious feel. 

Let there be light!

Lighting impacts our mood, so it's crucial that this is in the forefront of your mind when decorating. Consider installing a dimmer, to adjust your lighting, depending on how you feel.

LED fairy lights are also an excellent alternative to the bedroom if you don't fancy having a bedside lamp. They can add a touch of sparkle while not overpowering the room.

Not sure what type of lighting you want? Check out lighting stores online for lighting inspiration. 

Wall art and decor

Looking on websites such as Etsy for handmade pieces though can be a great place to start looking. You'll find something unique and handmade especially for you.

If you want to decorate your bedroom with unique pieces of art and decor on a budget, though, why not make your own? DIY home decor tutorials are the perfect way to add personality to your room, while sticking to a theme. 

Hide the clutter

There's nothing worse than unwinding in bed, and finding yourself surrounded by clutter. Clear your surfaces and tidying away your clothes, so that you can relax in a clean bedroom.

Perhaps organize your belongings into a closet, or tuck them away under your bed. 

Don't forget to look down!

So many people forget to look down when they are decorating their bedrooms. You don't have to tear up the carpet to change the style of your room. Choose rugs that suit the style of your room. There’s nothing better than a cozy rug under your feet on a winter morning, too!

How to Create Vintage Looks in Your Home

At the moment, there are quite a few modern home decor trends that are popular. Think monochrome or scandi styles for example. They are styles that people are getting quickly bored of, though. They look good for a little while but it can easily become outdated. It can hard to keep up with too. Imagine trying to keep an all white room pristine and crisp, when it is a nursery for your toddler? Not going to happen. So they can look great. They just aren’t that practical. One look that is always a winner, is choosing a vintage look. It is easier to maintain and you won’t need to get a whole lot of new furniture for it either. So it makes it a more affordable option than other styles. It is more feminine as well as being sweet and charming. So here are some tips for creating the vintage look in your own home.

Make Things Yourself

The vintage look isn’t all about having lots of technology or modern accessories. So one way to create the vintage look in your home is to make some of the accessories yourself. How about making your own curtains? You could update some that you have already. You could add new stitching or applique some netting or beading on to them. You could hang some lace over your window, to create a vintage style lace blind. You could try making your own photo frames or word art for your walls. There are a lot of possibilities of things that you could create yourself. It is a lovely way to decorate in the home and will leave you feeling happy that you created it all. Rather than just buying it all.

Upcycle Furniture

One way to get the vintage look is by upcycling furniture. You could update chair cushions by altering the material and then reapplying it. You could sand down something like a dresser or a sideboard. Then you could repaint it to update it. Lighter colors work well for the vintage look. White or cream coloured furniture, that has been distressed slightly works well. Pastel colours also add to the look and can look so pretty. Try not to go for deep, bold colors like navy or reds. If you wanted something that isn’t as plain, you could use something like mod podge to stick patterned fabrics or papers to the furniture. If you have a bookshelf, you could attach them to the shelves, so you see a pattern through the books. You could attach them to the front of a chest of drawers, to add a different dimension to the drawers.

If you already have some furniture to update, then great. Have a look around and get creative. If you don’t, you could look around some oak furniture stores to choose something. Real wood furniture is the best to upcycle and alter. 

Style with Florals

Florals scream vintage and retro, right? So make sure that you use plenty of it. It doesn’t all need to be the in the same room of course. Just add touches of it, with throws, tablecloths, and soft furnishings. Having actual fresh flowers helps to channel the vintage vibe. Think classic roses or something like peonies. They just ooze style and are full of color. They will compliment the colors that you have in your home too.

Think About Accessories

Accessories are key to completing the vintage look. If you have a French style dresser, think about getting some mirrored trays or mirrored storage boxes. You can buy these things in the stores that you would normally shop at. You can also get them from thrift stores too. Then they will be real vintage too. So pretty much perfect for trying to achieve a vintage look. Change up drawer pulls or door knobs for pretty and detailed ones. They will change the look of the furniture and be channelling the retro vibe.

Photo frames and little trinkets are big for a retro theme. If you have shelving or a dresser, fill it with little retro trinkets, vases or photo frames. Go for different sizes and styles. When things are mismatched or eclectic, it looks much more vintage. Frames or mirrors that are uniform do not help to create the look.

Have you got any tips or advice for styling a vintage look in the home? Is it a look that you like? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this and what tips you might have.

Get the Most Out of Your Bathroom Remodelling Contractor

Finding a bathroom remodelling contractor that thinks outside the box and produces something individual and outstanding is not easy. Here we’ve compiled some insider tips so you can sift the good from the bad.

1. Ask to see some examples of work – You’ll be able to judge their creativity, get some great bathroom ideas, and know the standard of work you can expect. You can also see if they have worked on a similar project before.

2. Reputation and review – Look up reviews, check recommendations, and assess the reputation of your bathroom remodelling contractor.

3. It’s the small things – Consider how fast the company gets back to you, how open communication is, how long they have been in business, and how you feel about the customer service.

4. Get a vision – Ask for a plan of your potential bathroom, both blueprints and a sketch or 3D walk-through. This way there is no grey area in design and expectations are clear.

5. Are they legitimate – Make sure your bathroom remodelling contractor has all of the necessary qualifications, experience, insurances, and licenses to work in your area and on your bathroom. Sometimes looking local can be a great idea for these exact reasons.

6. Make it official – Your relationship with your contractor should be transparent. There should be a contract in place with a clear timeline, plans, expectations, and costs once you make your choice.

Choosing a good contractor is imperative to your bathroom remodelling experience. Your chosen contractor will be with you from start to finish so you need to feel you have 100% trust in them. If you’d like to come up with concepts for your next bathroom remodelling job, check out this bathrooms page to find some great ideas and products.

How To Create The Bathroom Of Your Dreams

Your bathroom should exude tranquillity and luxury every time you enter the room. Whether you’re having a soak in the bath or brushing your teeth before bed, this space should make you feel at ease. It should be the first place you want to escape to after a long day to relax and destress. But if your bathroom currently feels more drab than fab, you could be missing out on the soothing effect it could have. Instead of just sticking with what you’ve got, use this guide to start creating the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of.

Consider what you want

Before you do anything else, you need to think about what you want to be included in your new bathroom. Look at your current bathroom and consider the strengths and weaknesses it has. For instance, it might have a spacious layout but the tiles are too difficult to clean. This should show you which elements you are missing and what would make your bathroom more suitable. Write down your ideas and look on interiors blogs and in magazines for further inspiration. You should then consult with specialists such as Ultimate Kitchens and Bathrooms to assist you with the design and layout. Knowing what you want will make the remodelling process far easier and ensure you are creating a room that is tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

Colour is key

Once you’ve determined the important factor and have a layout decided you can start thinking about colours. Colour is an essential feature in any room as it has the ability to affect our mood. They can make you feel calm and relaxed or energetic and alert. Think carefully about vibe you want your bathroom to evoke when choosing your colour palette. Whether you’re painting the walls or using coloured tiles, you need to get the colour right. Choosing something too vibrant could make it hard to relax or something too dull could have an adverse effect on your mood. You should also consider how your chosen colour will work alongside your new cabinets and bathroom fixtures. Again, use the internet for ideas on colours that compliment your tastes and personality.

Choose a statement tub

Instead of choosing a conservative style, why not use this opportunity to install a statement bathtub into the space. This can bring decoration, interest and versatility into your new bathroom while also creating a unique focal point. Free-standing baths with extravagant fixtures can give the room an elegant and glamorous feel. If you prefer a contemporary look, you can also find streamlined designs with clean edges and finishes. Consult with your bathroom specialist about the varying styles of bathtub that could work within the design. This can then help to influence your choice of sink, toilet and shower.

You should now have a good starting point to create a bathroom that you can be proud of. Bathroom renovations should always be completed by experienced professionals for a high quality finish. So as eager as you might be to get stuck in, always hire expert help before you begin.