Archive for the ‘Home Improvement’ Category

« Older Entries

Enhancing a Family Room with a Media Corner

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

While media rooms have been the trend in recent years, it may not be feasible or even desirable in many cases to have an entire room dedicated to electronic media and movie viewing. For many families, the family room is the most comfortable room in the house, and with great access to the kitchen and a half-bath it can also be very conveniently located. Often a family room is a great room, so it is also big enough to accommodate everyone comfortably, whether you are entertaining adults or the kids are having their friends over for pizza and a movie. And as media equipment has become more compact and streamlined, it has become easier to create a media corner just about anywhere: in a master bedroom, a lanai or sheltered patio, or a family room, for example. If creating a family room media corner makes sense for your home and lifestyle, consider the following planning tips.

Choosing a Prime Location in the Family Room

The first order of business is to assess which corner of the family room would work best for a media corner. Pick a corner that isn’t prone to producing glare from sunlight either on the screen or in the faces of viewers. If there is no way to avoid glare from a window, light-blocking shades can be used alone or in conjunction with other window treatments and drawn as needed. It’s also important to choose a location in the room that will allow for optimum viewing from all seating areas. This is one reason why a corner often works best: It is easily seen from all other areas of the room. It also allows space behind for cords and components and, by nature of the corner, the media area will be somewhat recessed in the room, so it doesn’t intrude into the rest of the room.

Choosing a Media Unit

There are many media units specifically designed for corners. Your main concern is to find one that will fit the size and number of components in your system, such as the TV screen, DVD/CD players, gaming systems, etc. The goal is to choose a unit that will house everything efficiently and neatly, so there are no unsightly cords or black boxes visible in the room.  You also need to remember to leave enough clearance behind and around components for ventilation to avoid overheating.

Wireless speaker systems and newer flat screen TV’s that don’t take up nearly as much space as their recent counterparts make it easier than ever to fit a ton of fun electronic media into a small space. When designing your system think about what you want to do – i.e. watch movies, listen to music, play games, etc. – and customize your system from there. Also consider potential add-on components for the future. A media system that also includes room to store DVDs, CDs and ear phones can cut down on visual clutter.

Targeting “do it yourselfers,” Jessica Ackerman writes regularly for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, offering simple illustrations of contemporary metal wall decor.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Home Improvement, Interior Design, Remodeling | No Comments »

Using Patterns to Connect the Foyer with the House

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

When decorating a foyer, you can create a more pleasing visual effect if the area naturally flows into the room. Many times the entryway of a home leads into a foyer area, which then leads into the living room. Whether you have a large formal foyer, or just a small entryway area, decorating the foyer so that is blends in nicely with the living room can create a nice visual flow into the room.

Look for Patterns in the Room Which Can Be Repeated in the Foyer

When planning your decorating scheme for the foyer, look for inspiration from the living room, or other rooms that the foyer might open up into. Patterns and colors are a great way of visually tying multiple rooms together. Although you don’t necessarily have to use the exact same colors and patterns, look for similarities and design cues that you can pick up from the larger room, perhaps mirroring in the foyer in a smaller format. For example, if your living room sofa is upholstered in a bold plaid design, adding a few pillows to a bench in the foyer with a smaller plaid pattern in the same color combinations can be a good way of using patterns to tie the areas together. If you can see your formal dining room from the foyer, pick up details from your table cloth, wallpaper, china patterns, or any other designs within the room which you can use for inspiration.

If your living room is wallpapered, you might choose to use a similar coordinating pattern, just in a smaller design. When purchasing wallpaper, you will find that sample books often feature coordinated wallpaper collections which are useful for this purpose. You can also use wall color very effectively to tie the foyer in with the rest of the home, perhaps using the same color in just a bit more dramatic of a shade to add some drama to the foyer.

Artistic Interpretations of Patterns in the Foyer

Artwork can also be used to provide the inspiration for patterns in the foyer. For example, if you have a large framed print in the room of a floral arrangement, try creating your own replica of the arrangement in real or fine silk flowers on the foyer table. Stenciling is also a great way of duplicating patterns. Create a stencil pattern from something else within the room, such as some detailing from an ornate photo frame, a piece of vintage china, or the pattern on a lamp base, and stencil a few designs on the foyer walls.

When applied creatively along with other decorating techniques, such as arranging a basket on a shelf in the foyer with a small border of stenciled designs bordering the bottom, it can be very effective. Part of the fun of this type of decorating is that it isn’t immediately noticeable, as it can be quite subtle, but your eyes will perceive a nice flow of design from the foyer to the next room. Plants can also be used to create a duplication of patterns. If you have several plants in the living room, add a similar plant to the foyer table to tie the look together.

Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com generously shares everything she knows about contemporary metal wall hangings.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Home Decorating, Home Improvement, Interior Design | No Comments »

Creating a Library with No Books

Saturday, May 19th, 2012

Although most people automatically think of books when they think of a library, in this digital age, books aren’t actually even needed. If you have an unused room in your home, or even a corner of your family room or home office that you can spare, you can create a unique library that doesn’t contain a single book.

Planning the Space for Your Book-Free Library

Finding the location is the first step to creating your book-free library. If you have an unused bedroom, this can be a great spot. However, since there won’t be a need to store a lot of books, as is usually the case with a home library, you can fit this type of library into a much smaller space. Even the corner of your family room, game room, home office or bedroom can be the perfect location. Most times only one family member at a time will be using the library, but if you have children who might use the library to do research for homework, make sure to allow enough space for everyone to work comfortably.

How to Furnish a Book-Free Library

Access to digital books and reading materials is the main focus of a book-free library. This can be provided through computer access, books on tape or on MP3, or through hand-held electronic reading devices. If you include a computer in your book-free library, make sure to provide a good desk of the proper height for keyboard use. If you have several children who might need to use the library for homework purposes simultaneously, you can use wooden work table, and simply cut the legs to the proper height for keyboard use. This will allow you to put the computer on the table so that it can be more easily shared. One or more comfortable reading chairs should also be included in any home library, and the book-free variety is no exception. The only difference is, instead of books, you will be using a pair of headphones and books on tape, CDs, or in MP3 format. Make sure to provide access to an electrical outlet so that digital reading devices can be recharged or used in power mode. A bookshelf can also be included as part of a digital library to store book CDs and other electronic media. If you have children in the home, adding some soft seating such as a beanbag chair can also be a nice touch. In addition to electronic books, a book-free library can also be a handy location to play video games, simply by adding a small entertainment center to hold the television and gaming console.

Adding Decorating Touches for Comfort

Once you have the basic necessities in place for your book-free library, add a few extra touches to make it even more enjoyable. A small end table placed beside the reading chair makes it easy to keep a bowl of snacks or a cold drink close at hand. A foot stool or ottoman is a nice accompaniment to a reading chair, and always keep a cozy blanket or tapestry throw nearby for digital reading when the weather is chilly.

Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, has skills in all areas of contemporary metal wall art.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Home Improvement, Interior Design | No Comments »

Preparing a Textured Wall for Wallpaper

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Textured walls can obviously cause all sorts of problems when it comes to hanging wallpaper.  But you can create a beautiful wall using wallpaper of your choice with just a bit of preparation of the wall.  Yes, it will take a bit of “elbow grease”, but the effort will pay off in the end when your wallpaper transforms your room completely. The biggest part of the project will be sanding the wall, and although you will likely be tempted to use a power sander, be aware that doing so will create a huge, dusty mess.  For that reason, it is suggested that you use regular sandpaper and a hand scraper to prepare the wall for wallpaper.  You will also need primer or flat paint to provide a better surface for the wallpaper to adhere to.

Sanding

Before you get started, protect the furniture in your room from dust by covering everything with plastic sheets.  You will also want to wear a mask to keep from inhaling the dust as you sand, and safety goggles to guard against getting debris in your eyes.  Your goal is to remove as much of texture from the wall as possible, and to get rid of all the bumps on the wall.  The valleys and peaks that make up a textured wall leave the wallpaper with nowhere to stick.  Sanding the wall allows for the wallpaper to have a good, flat surface to adhere to so that it can lay flat and stays in place.  You can use a hand scraper in unison with your sandpaper to get the textured paint or putty off the wall.  Coarse sandpaper works the best when you use it with a rubber holder that will allow you to get it flatter against the wall as you sand.

Cleaning and Painting the Wall

Once your wall has been completely sanded and feels smooth to the touch, you need to use a damp cloth to wipe down the wall to remove any dust and debris.  You will be applying a coat of paint in the next step, so it is important that no dust remains on the wall because it will mess up the finish.  Fill in any holes from nails or screws using drywall putty or caulk.  Next, you will apply a coat of primer or other flat paint to the wall that has been sanded. This eliminates the need for sizing solutions that some folks like to use on the wall before hanging paper.  This coat doesn’t have to be applied to perfection; after all, you will be papering over it momentarily.  Although painting the wall will add an hour or more of time for drying, it will keep the wallpaper adhesive from soaking into your exposed drywall, which can cause the wallpaper to fall off the wall and that would be a real mess!

Hanging the Wallpaper

If possible, use pre-pasted wallpaper; it is so much less of a hassle than paper that is not pasted.  Measure the wall and cut an appropriate length of paper from the roll.  If you have a square tub that is around the length of the wallpaper and not very deep, this works well for soaking pre-pasted wallpaper.  You can improvise with a square plastic storage box, like those that are sold for under the bed storage.  Fill your square tub or other container with warm water. Fold the wallpaper section “accordion style”, with pasted side to pasted side, and then allow the section to soak in the tub of water for a few minutes.  Each wallpaper manufacturer will have specific soaking times, so follow their directions to know exactly how long to soak your wallpaper.  For the most part, three to four minutes is sufficient.  Position your wallpaper on the wall loosely, and then use a wet wash cloth or sponge to gently rub out any wrinkles or bubbles.  It also helps to have a clear spray bottle of water handy; if you have a piece that is not positioned correctly or that slips out of place before you have it in the proper position, you can spray underneath the paper to remove it more easily to reposition it.

Paneled Walls

A special note about hanging wallpaper on walls that have paneling: it can be done.  You will need to fill in the vertical grooves of the paneling with a spackling compound and then apply primer or hang some heavy duty lining paper on the wall and then seal with an alkyd or acrylic primer and allow curing of the liner and primer before hanging your wallpaper.

Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an interior designer who illustrates how simple it can be to use outdoor wall artworks.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in DIY, Home Improvement, Home Repair | No Comments »

Designer Tips for Taking a Bathroom from Little to Large

Monday, April 30th, 2012

When designing a bathroom begin by considering its size, because many bathrooms are very short on space. However, there are several designer tricks that can be used to make them appear larger and more luxurious than they actually are. As a matter of fact, even bathrooms that are quite large can look very small and cramped when they are not properly designed, so these same tips work for making any sized bathroom look more open and inviting.

Color Choices

One of the key components to making a room feel larger or smaller is color. Darker more saturated colors tend to make a room feel like it is closing in, which makes it seem smaller than it actually is. Lighter, brighter colors tend to open up a space making it feel larger and more spacious than it actually is. Using light neutral or pastel shades for wall and tile colors is a great way to make a bathroom look larger than it actually is. To add a spa feel to the space use cool colors like blue or green, and to make a room feel bright and energized bring in warmer tones like melon, taupe and yellow. While light colors on the walls goes a long way towards brightening up a bathroom, keeping the ceiling and floor colors light helps to further open up the space. Then complete the look of the room with light colored fixtures and adequate lighting.

Brightening the Space

Since dark spaces seem to close in and make a room feel smaller, adding the proper lighting to a small bathroom can go a long way towards opening up the space. Make sure that the room has adequate overhead lighting for general use, and then add proper task lighting where needed, specifically around the mirrors for grooming. While mirrors are quite functional in the bathroom, they are also excellent accessories from a design standpoint, because they are perfect for reflecting light around the space, which in turn makes the bathroom feel a little larger and more open. By letting in as much natural light as possible and keeping window coverings as airy and minimal as possible, any small bathroom naturally looks larger. If there is a large window or skylight in a bathroom, make sure to take full advantage of it to enhance the light throughout the space.

Simplicity

Another key factor to making a small bathroom feel larger is to remove any clutter. When there are too many things in the room it tends to make the space look smaller. Keep surfaces clear and hang a single large print on the wall rather than a grouping of many smaller prints to keep the space looking sleek and open. When adding pattern to the wall, as with wallpaper, it is important to select a small, muted pattern. If it is possible to remove any other enclosures in the room like shower curtains or frosted shower doors, you will also visually expand the space. By replacing the shower door with clear glass, organizing countertops using boxes, bins or baskets and keeping the floor area clear, a tiny bathroom looks open and large.

With signature design style, Jessica Ackerman, an online writer with WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, describes bold approaches to wooden wall wine racks and modern metal wall clocks.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Bathroom, DIY, Home Improvement, Interior Design, Remodeling | No Comments »

Surprising Reasons why Wallpaper May Be Right for Your Room

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

If you are struggling to determine what type of wall covering is best for the room that you are redecorating, then you shouldn’t overlook wallpaper. There are some surprising reasons that wallpaper may be just what you’re looking for.  More and more homeowners are selecting wallpaper in lieu of paint or other options.  Let’s look at why.

Stylish

Modern wallpaper is stylish.  Unlike wallpaper of the past that may have been overpowering or even jaded, modern wallpaper can be very stylish and trendy. Depending on the pattern, color, texture, brand, or style of wallpaper that you choose, you can take your room from ho-hum to ooh-la-la very quickly by simply hanging the right wallpaper.  There are loads of options out there for you to choose from, and thousands of retailers sell modern wallpaper.  This vast selection can make it hard to pick out just the right paper for your room, and choosing the right paper is not an exact science.

Perhaps you like a variety of wallpaper that you’ve seen in someone else’s home, or even on a home improvement television show.  But seeing the wallpaper in another location is not necessarily a good way to gauge how the paper will look in your home alongside your furniture and with your decorative accents. By getting a swatch or sample of the wallpaper you will have a better idea of how the wallpaper will actually look in the home. You can obtain samples from your local wallpaper retailer or by ordering them online.

Budget-Friendly

Some types of wallpaper can be expensive, but there are loads of budget friendly wallpaper options on today’s market.  When weighing the cost of wallpaper against other options like painting a room, be sure to take into consideration that wallpaper may initially cost more than paint, but it can also last much longer and take less effort and time to achieve the effect you are looking for when compared with paint.  Hanging wallpaper is not that difficult and many people find that they are able to paper an average sized room in one afternoon.  Wallpaper, when properly cared for, can last for a long, long time, whereas paint can fade and chip or become damaged faster.

With that in mind, it is also great to remember that wallpaper can add a true sense of elegance to any room, and this is particularly true with heavy, high-quality paper.  Wallpaper can dress up a room that has become stale or boring and can work to make your furnishings look more attractive and refined. Wallpaper can improve the overall ambience of any room.  And when used appropriately, it can increase the desirability of your home.  After all, if the home looks more attractive, it has greater appeal to potential buyers.

Although it can be difficult to judge beforehand just what effect wallpaper will have on a room, the result is generally a positive one.  With the right techniques during installation, your wallpaper can add an attractive, contemporary, stylish look to your home that you’ll simply adore.

Targeting “do it yourselfers,” Jessica Ackerman writes regularly for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, offering simple illustrations of metal wall wine racks and metal wall grilles.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in DIY, Home Improvement, Home Repair, Interior Design, Remodeling | No Comments »

Update your Home with New Door Hardware

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

One of the most used buzzwords on home decor networks these days is “curb appeal”.  Curb appeal refers to the appearance of the front of your home and, if your home is up for sale, it can mean the difference between someone scheduling an appointment to see the house or simply driving by. Even if you are not selling your home, great curb appeal makes your home more inviting and welcoming. While landscaping, lighting, new paint and a new front door can all improve curb appeal, one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve curb appeal is with stylish new front door hardware.

Here are some tips for using this often overlooked upgrade.

The Benefits of New Front Door Hardware

New front door hardware can instantly make your home look classier and more upscale. If you have an ordinary, non-descript doorknob, upgrading to a shiny brass door knob with some heft and size will make your entire front facade look more exciting. In addition to a door knob, a knocker and kick plate can truly elevate the style of not just the door, but the entire home.

Choose style and finish that coordinates with the look of your home. Polished brass is classic and looks wonderful against dark colors, like deep natural wood tones and traditional door colors like navy blue, burgundy, and Charleston green. If you have a contemporary style home, brass in contemporary styling or cooler metallic finishes, such as brushed nickel or stainless steel, can provide the sleek, minimalist styling that perfectly coordinates with the sharp angles and soaring eaves of your home. Cool toned metal finishes also look great against black, natural wood tones and less traditional colors like turquoise, yellow or red.

New door hardware is so effective at upgrading the curb appeal of your home that it is one of the most recommended changes requested by real estate agents before listing a home. It immediately conveys a sense of a well-maintained home, and when people get that feeling right at the front door, they are less like to peer into every nook and cranny of the house, looking for potential problems.

Continue the Upgrade to Interior Doors

New door hardware and knobs on interior doors has many benefits as well. It makes you home look cleaner, cared for and well maintained. Old scratched door knobs will detract from your decor and make everything from your furniture to your wall decor less attractive. In addition to new doorknobs, it’s also a good idea to replace your door hinges if your doors no longer open and close smoothly. This is a simple fix that makes life a little less frustrating on a daily basis.

New knobs and hardware for cabinet doors, from the kitchen to the bathroom, provide another opportunity to add style and interest to your interior spaces. From vintage style glass knobs to brushed stainless steel bin pulls, Mediterranean inspired ceramic pottery knobs or rustic style wood knobs, new cabinet knobs and pulls are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to give you kitchen or bath a fresh updated look.

Artist, Jessica Ackerman, is a consultant with WallDecorandHomeAccents.com; she demonstrates what a well-trained eye can accomplish with contemporary metal wall clocks and wooden wall wine racks.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in DIY, Home Improvement, Home Repair, Remodeling | No Comments »

How to Choose the Perfect Sofa for your Living Room

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Choosing the best sofa for your living room is not just a matter of finding a style and color that you like. While those factors are important, shape, size and function are equally important. A sofa is a large piece of furniture that will have great visual impact on the appearance of the living room. Because it has so much visual presence, the right couch can make the living room even more stylish while improving the layout and traffic flow in the room. Conversely, the wrong sofa will detract from the room’s design and may even make the room feel cluttered and dysfunctional.

Choosing the Right Size

Before shopping for a new sofa, take accurate measurements of the area where you plan to place the sofa. In most cases, however, it is best to measure the entire room and make a scaled drawing of the room on graph paper, noting the location and size of permanent features like the fireplace or staircase. It’s important to keep an open mind with regard to layout and the professionals at the furniture store can work with your drawing to help you create the optimum layout.

When it comes to size, the most important factor is to choose a sofa that is in scale with the size of the room. Remember that furniture will look smaller in a showroom than it will in your living room. Drawing the sofa and other furniture to scale on graph paper, cutting it out and moving it around on the room drawing is the easiest way to determine a functional floor plan.

Durability and Quality

Especially if a couch is going to be used everyday by members of an active family, it needs to be durable and of high quality. A strong frame, well-made joints and a well-designed coil system will keep the sofa looking and feeling great for along time, which means that you won’t have to replace it a year or two down the road.

Choose a fabric in a medium shade, rather than a light color, so that dirt and grime won’t show as readily. Leather is a great choice for durability and ease of cleaning, as are microfiber, acrylics and olefin. Polyester blends and other synthetics typically clean up better than natural fibers like pure cotton. Having your new couch professionally treated with stain guard before it ever leaves the furniture store is well worth it. Make sure that the fabric you choose can be steam cleaned as needed.

All About Style

The color, shape and design of the sofa you choose depends on the style of the room. Contemporary rooms look best with low profile, sleek pieces of furniture with simple clean lines. A traditional couch for a classic living room is more likely to feature curves and rolled arms, arched backs and generally possess a more overstuffed look. A solid colored couch is easy to coordinate with other furnishings, but patterns and designs can make the room more stylish and can be very attractive when accented with solid colored pillows. Another option is a sculptured or tone-on-tone fabric that adds texture and interest without a predominant pattern.

Jessica Ackerman writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com where she provides detailed instructions for decorating with modern metal wall clocks and wall mount candle holders.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Home Decorating, Home Improvement, Interior Design, Remodeling, living room | No Comments »

Windows – Painting Them Like a Pro

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

While painting a window may not seem like a particularly hard thing to do, you would be surprised at all of the little things that can go wrong during the project. Something as simple as painting the window shut can happen when you do not follow the proper steps for preparation. By employing the steps that a professional painter would use, your painted windows will come out perfect every time.

1. Tools & Materials

While you can certainly buy a $2 paint brush, if you do, you will end up with a $2 paint job. You do not have to get the absolute best rollers and brushes on the planet, but good quality brushes and rollers can help your paint job look professional. You will also need sandpaper, a drop cloth, painter’s tape, and of course, paint and primer. You can find everything that you need at your local hardware or home improvement store. After assembling everything that you need to get the job done right, you can begin your project.

2. Tape It

Mask off the glass with painter’s tape and newsprint. You should also mask off the wall. Make sure that you use low-tack, blue painter’s tape, which is not too sticky and does not leave any residue on the wall.

3. Preparation

Set a drop cloth on the floor in front of the window and begin by sanding the frame and window sill along with any other surfaces that you plan to paint. Use a tack cloth or a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any sanding residue. Sanding helps to remove any dirt from the surface of the old paint, and it roughens up the surface to help the new paint adhere. If you can remove the window from the frame, definitely do, because it will make the whole painting process so much easier.

4. Primer

If you are going from a light color to a dark color, you will definitely need a coat of primer before you paint. Your project will take a little longer, because you have to wait for the primer to dry, but it will make sure that your new paint properly adheres to the surface, and it will let your color be true and bright..

5. Paint

After the primer is completely dry, you can begin painting. If you are diligent about only painting one section of the window at a time, you will dramatically decrease the likelihood of sticking your window together and making a big mess. If you work from the top down and from the inside to the outside, you will end up with a professional looking paint job. If you let your paint dry completely, you will end up with beautiful and fresh windows to brighten your room.

Whenever you set out to paint a window, remember to be patient and let your paint completely dry before proceeding onto the next section. You also want to invest in a decent brush, and quality paint and primer. Then make sure to properly prepare your surface before you begin painting, and you will end up with professional results every time.

Jessica Ackerman is a freelance writer and works for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com. She shares her wealth of knowledge on architectural wall art and contemporary wood wall art.

Photo credit to voxdeix.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in DIY, Home Improvement, Home Repair, Remodeling | No Comments »

What to do with a Nine-year-old Boy’s Bedroom

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

When you are decorating a room, some rooms call for restraint and control, while other rooms invite creativity and color. When you are decorating a bedroom for a nine-year-old boy, you can let your creative juices flow freely. Here are some lively designs that can work for just about any young boy and grow with him into his teen years.

Blue Spice

Blue remains a very popular color for a little boy’s room, but it can be a little predictable and somewhat boring. However, if you pair blue with an unexpected color, you can really bring the room to life. Pair cadet blue with a bright red and pure white, and you will add a palpable vibrancy to the room that suits a busy, little boy perfectly. Keeping clutter out of the room is key to keeping it looking good, and try to limit any additional pattern to the bed keeping the look from getting too busy.

You can also use blue along with other vibrant colors like orange and green and round out the pattern with neutral gray and cream. Then use these colors to create a random, block pattern on the focal wall in the room. Add a striped comforter to the bed in matching colors, and place the bed against a wall that has been sponge painted in a solid orange. The combined effect of these design elements is electrifying, and the room is definitely full of life, which is again perfect for an active, little boy. The rest of the room can be simple and neutral to keep the design from being too overwhelming.

Pattern Fun

Adding any pattern to the room gives it instant interest. You can use a color palette that is all in the same color family to add stripes on your wall, and as long as you stick to the same color palette, you can add stripes, plaids and polka dots, and they will work together beautifully. Add solid white walls to help your focal wall really stand out, and use patterns to change the shape of the room. For example, adding stripes horizontally along the wall makes the room feel longer than it actually is. Then add a dash of surprise color by adding a red, shag area rug on the floor, which can relate to a Spiderman poster on the wall and a red lampshade on the bedside table. Keep everything else in the room neutral to let the accent pieces really command center stage. Use plain white boxes on the shelf so that they blend into the wall behind, and then add sheer curtains to keep the room light and bright.

When you add patterns to a room it does not have to be simple, graphic designs. You can add pattern and texture to a child’s bedroom by covering an entire wall with a huge map. Not only do maps make great wall art, but they let your child learn at the same time. You can also cover a wall with a mural or wall decals or even fabric panels to add some interest and vibrancy to a child’s bedroom walls. A faux paint treatment is another excellent way to add texture and depth without adding an overt pattern to a room. Using a really saturated color on the walls and filling the room with light colored furnishings is another method that will set off the furniture in the room while keeping the design youthful and lively.

Sensible Storage

From their collections of little treasures to toys to sports paraphernalia, a young boy needs lots of storage in his room if you expect him to be able to keep it neat and tidy. Look for unique solutions that help to organize his clothes and toys, and make sure that all storage is easily accessible if you expect your child to actually use it. Shelving with boxes and bins is a great way to tame the clutter in any child’s bedroom. Make sure that the shelves are low enough for him to reach them and label the outside of the storage bins for quick and easy identification. This way a child can grab a bin to play with, and just slide it back on the shelf when he is done. You can also color code bins for toys, clothes, shoes, etc. You can also label the bins with pictures of what is inside.

With just a little imagination and skill, you can take an ordinary room and a simple color palette and create a bedroom that is sure to please your growing, nine-year-old boy.

Online contributing editor for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, Jessica Ackerman has extensive design experience, using architectural wall decor and extra large wall art.

Photo credit to seandreilinger.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Bedroom, Children room, Home Decorating, Home Improvement, Remodeling | No Comments »

« Older Entries