Category: decoration

4 areas of your home you should consider redecorating for a modern contemporary feel

4 areas of your home you should consider redecorating for a modern contemporary feel

When it comes to your home, there are many areas you can consider redecorating to give it a modern and contemporary feel. From the living room to the bedroom, here are four spaces in your home that you should look at and see how you can update them to create a more stylish space.

Living room

For most people, the living room is the heart of the home. It’s a place where family and friends gather to relax, watch TV, play games, or spend time together. And because it’s such an important space, it’s crucial to ensure that your living room is comfortable and stylish. Fortunately, there are several ways to achieve this goal. One option is to choose soothing colours for the walls and furniture. Another is to hang art that reflects your personal taste and style. No matter what approach you take, remember that the living room is a place for you to enjoy spending time with those you love. With a little effort, you can make it a space in which everyone enjoys spending time.

Bedroom

A typical bedroom contains bedroom furniture such as Mattresses & Beds (ranging from a cot for an infant, a twin bed for a toddler or child to a queen- or king-size bed for an adult), a night-stand or bedside table, one or more dressers (or perhaps, an armoire) and a mirror. Depending on the size of the bedroom, the occupant may have access to another room as well that can be used as part of the bedroom; in larger bedrooms, this second room may serve as an office (“study”), dressing room (“walk-in wardrobe”), lounge area (“sitting room”) or nursery. Bedrooms with attached bathrooms are usually referred to as en suites. Particularly large and stately bedrooms might be referred to as chambers.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most critical rooms in the house, so it’s worth spending some time redesigning it correctly. Families gather to cook, eat, and spend time together in the kitchen. It’s also a place where friends gather to chat and share meals. As such, it’s crucial to create a space that’s both functional and inviting. One way to do this is to add sleek cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a granite worktop. These materials give the kitchen a contemporary feel that’s stylish and practical. In addition, they’re easy to keep clean and maintain, making them ideal for busy families. With a few simple changes, you can transform your kitchen, making it an easier and more enjoyable space in which to work.

Bathroom

The bathroom is often one of the most neglected rooms in the house regarding design. However, it’s also one of the most important rooms, often where we begin and end our day. A well-designed bathroom can help to set the tone for the rest of the day; a poorly designed bathroom can leave us feeling stressed and frazzled. When rethinking your bathroom, there are a few things to remember. First, consider the lighting. Soft, diffused light is soothing and relaxing, while harsh light can be jarring and stressful. Second, choose neutral colours that will create a calm atmosphere. Finally, add a touch of luxury with soft and fluffy bath towels and accessories. You’ll start each day off on the right foot by creating a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom.

Have you started redesigning your home’s interior yet? If not, now is the time! By following the tips we’ve outlined in this post, you can create a modern and stylish look for each of the main rooms in your house.

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5 ways to make your new house a home

5 ways to make your new house a home

Your new build house is crisp, clean and… a bit lacking in character. While you’re thrilled to own it, you’d really like to add a few touches that reflect your and your family’s tastes and lifestyle, transforming it from being just a house into a real home.

Luckily, you don’t have to upend the kids’ toy chest in the middle of the lounge floor just to make your house feel lived in! After all, you’d like to keep things tidy. A few little jobs around the house and garden, and you’ll start feeling more settled. Let’s get to work creating a comfy feel, working from the outside in, to make your new house a home.

1. A curbside welcome

Designers often use the ‘journeys’ people make through spaces to shape the way they experience them. You’ll do the same kind of thing starting at the curbside. Begin by shopping for custom address plaques. Thinking of giving your house a name as well as a number? Even better! It doesn’t have to be anything pretentious – it could even be amusing. What you choose reflects the character of the family that lives within those four walls. If you’re a keen gardener and have a border along the pavement, add your special touch here too.

2. Up the garden path

Now that you’ve seen to the initial steps in creating a sense of place, it’s time to continue the journey. There are many little details you can add that inject interest to the walk from your gate to your front door. Apart from using your favourite plants, consider adding some garden statuary or an ornamental water feature to welcome friends and family as they approach your house. The area around the door is particularly important since it’s a place where people pause. An attractive collection of potted plants is a good start, but don’t overlook the vertical wall space. Use it to display a carefully-chosen artwork, antique, or object of interest.

3. Moving indoors

Clutter is a definite no-no, but a minimalist interior can seem rather cold and impersonal. Scatter cushions and throws can make a huge difference in transforming the sterile look of a new home into something altogether warmer, friendlier and more personalised. When it comes to paintings and objects d’art, be selective. It’s better to choose one or two statement pieces than it is to fill the space with tons of knick-knacks. And while you aren’t planning to leave things lying about, a well-chosen coffee table book or two help to make the space more interesting with a lived-in-look that isn’t in the least bit messy.

4. Throw your heart into the kitchen

In the kitchen, you can really let your hair down and have a bit of fun. Brighten it up with your children’s artworks, flowers picked from your own garden, a display of your heirloom china and glassware or anything else that says ‘family’ to you. After all, it’s considered the heart of the home, and home is all about family. I love adding vintage touches like an old set of scales or granny’s handed-down mixing bowls – and no matter how modern your kitchen is, a vintage touch here and there won’t look out of place.

5. Comfortable and personal bedrooms

Assuming the basics are already there, each bedroom’s owner will add their own personal touches they like. If you have small children, they’ll need a bit of help, but you already know what they like best, even if you don’t altogether agree with their tastes. So, if your daughter wants to plaster the walls with music fan posters, or your son wants to decorate with model dinosaurs, that’s their choice. In your own bedroom, you and your spouse can reign. Work together to create a restful atmosphere in which you can both relax after a busy day.

There’s no wrong way to do it

No matter how much you like your new house, the ways you choose to make yourselves at home personalise it. What you do depends entirely on you, and there are no wrong or right ways to do it. Turn getting settled in into a family project in which you take everyone’s preferences into account. It can be fun too!

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How to brighten and style your home’s hallway

How to brighten and style your home's hallway

Creating a welcoming entryway to your home is both an art and a science. It’s an art because it’s one of the few interior spaces you can almost exclusively design to please your senses, not just your logic. On the other hand, it’s a science because specific things about this space make it challenging to get right; and even trickier to style well. Fortunately, creating a beautiful entryway doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Here are a few ways to brighten and add style to your home’s hallway.

Use unique lighting

Adding unique lighting to your hallway is one of the best ways to instantly transform it into an inviting space. Whether an ornamental chandelier or decorative wall lamps fitted with Edison bulbs, atmospheric and extravagant lighting can be a star in your home without actually costing you the earth. It can be subtle or show-stopping; whichever you decide on, it’ll make a bold statement.

Create an accent wall

An accent wall can do wonders to brighten up your entryway. With just one wall, you can alter the entire mood of the hallway from uninviting and bleak to warm and welcoming, all from one simple decorating job.

A simple application of wallpaper or creation of a gallery wall can create a huge impact. If the entrance area has stairs, you can use carpet stair runners to add a decorative touch.

Mix and match accessories

There are so many ways in which to present your hallway furniture. Mixing and matching can be an effortless way to create an impressive first impression. Place an antique console table against the wall and top it with a modern vase of flowers. Alternatively, lay a bright or patterned area rug on the floor and on top of it place a natural wooden shoe rack for storing your outdoor footwear.

Be minimal and clear

An important thing to remember when decorating an entryway is to try to keep it minimal. It can so easily become the place in the house that becomes a dumping ground for things – large and small. You and your family come through the door and immediately leave your coats, bags, keys, bicycles and packages just inside the front door. Think about the storage requirements you need to create in the space to try to keep it clear; the previously mentioned console table, coat rack, lidded storage boxes etc.

Go for a mini-exhibition

You don’t have to be an art enthusiast to wow your guests with a gallery wall. If it’s a compact area, installing a gallery wall can enhance the look of your hallway without taking up precious floor space.

In fact, hanging a few inexpensive prints or posters on your wall can create an instant centrepiece that needs no maintenance and can add colour and interest to the room.

Lay decorative tiles

Decorative flooring such as patterned encaustic floor tiles transform a boring entrance way. Choose between reclaimed antique tiles or examples that are currently being manufactured. Encaustic tiles beautiful to look at and are extremely hard-wearing and easy to clean – exactly what’s needed in the most high-traffic part of the home.

Use mirrors for a dramatic effect

Mirrors can play a crucial role in enhancing the look of a room. They’re especially useful when used in a hallway. By simply placing a mirror on the wall adjacent to the front door, the area instantly looks larger and brighter. The mirror bounces light around the room and gives the optical illusion of more space.

Enliven the hallway with plants and flowers

Pot plants & vases of flowers are great decorating options for hallways. They provide a relatively cheap and almost instant way of introducing colour, texture, scent and nature to your home. The houseplants you opt for will depend on the size of the space, the height of the ceiling, room temperature and amount of natural light it receives. If the ceilings are high, a tall palm or hanging baskets are ideal. If the room is warm & bright, succulents and cacti are perfect – and they require very little attention.

Install curtains or blinds

Like any other area of your home, curtains and blinds are installed to be functional and decorative at the same time. They provide privacy, especially if your house faces a busy street. They also help to regulate the temperature of your entranceway; They can stop draughts in the winter and keep out the heat in hot temperatures.

Conclusion

The entryway of your home is an oft-neglected space that few people think about. The foyer, vestibule, portico or hallway; whatever you call it, this common area is the first thing visitors see when they walk through your front door.

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7 ways to give your home a minimalist makeover

7 ways to give your home a minimalist makeover

The minimalist style is fashionable in-home décor trend. It gives a home a clean and organised look that makes a space relaxing to be in. You don’t need to try too hard or make any substantial changes to give your home a minimalist makeover. Here are 7 things you can do to make going minimal simpler.

Clear your clutter

The minimalist style is all about clean lines and tidy spaces. You need a place for everything and everything to be in its place.

Consider storage options for furniture that doesn’t fit the style or space. Expert storage solution providers such as Stored Away can keep your old furniture out of the way until you decide what to do with it. You could always bring it back later if you change styles again.

Mute your colour palette

Bright and bold colours won’t work well if you’re going for a minimalist look. Tone down feature walls by repainting or papering them in muted, natural shades.

Stone and sand colours are perfect. Accent them with deep browns where appropriate. This makes a minimal room feel warmer.

Add minimalist art to your walls

If you do want some colour in your space, you should introduce it via art on the walls. Prints by artists such as Mark Rothko and Bridget Riley have a very minimalist style but will often use strong colours or patterns.

Monochrome prints look good in minimal spaces. Black and white photographs can help create an atmosphere. Use them to define spaces. Hang a painting of a still life with food above your dining table, for example.

Use textures to warm things up

The clean and clinical look of the minimalist style can make a living space seem cold and uninviting. Style is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of comfort.

Clever use of materials can make a room a warmer, friendlier place. Balancing a living room’s crisp lines and muted colours with a soft and comfy suede sofa or fluffy cushions works well.

Make the most of natural light

Fussy curtains and blinds don’t suit the minimalist style. Letting in the light helps the natural colour tones bounce light around a room. This makes a space seem larger and airier.

The downside is a lack of privacy. Use sheer, monochrome curtains to cover windows if you must. This will still let a lot of light into your interior without compromising on the simplicity.

Pick quality accessories

The minimalist style makes furnishings and household objects stand out. Bear this in mind when picking out accessories like lamps or wall art.

This is an opportunity to focus on quality. You want to keep the level of clutter down so you have a little extra to spend on the few things you need. Use what you have available to buy a few, high-quality things.

Find a place for pattern

Floor rugs and sofa cushions are good candidates for introducing pattern into a space. Use them to add some contrasting colours to accent the minimalist shades in your living room.

Simple geometric patterns suit minimalism. Try to avoid complex patterns of many colours. These can seem a little chaotic in an ordered, minimalist space. Messy patterns spoil the vibe.

Try a few of these simple tips to get a more minimal look in your home. They make it easy to give your interior a modern, stylish makeover.

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