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.

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.

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.

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.

The Basics

When building your online wine rack, you will find many different plans and instructions on the Internet or online that you can use to guide you through the process.  First off, you will need to determine the type of wine rack that you wish to build, and also the bottle capacities that you will be storing.  Also take into consideration the location where the wine rack will be installed and the general look and design that you want in a wine rack.  An obvious advantage to building the wine rack on your own as a fun DIY project is that you can customize the rack and the plans for the rack in order to meet your exact expectations, which is something that cannot be achieved when purchasing a ready-made wine rack.  There are a number of different plans on the market, many of them free, ranging from those simpler styles that feature two wooden supports that have openings that have been cut in them in order to hold the neck of the bottle, to the more elaborately designed racks that may be attached to a cabinet or have intricate latticework in their design.

Planning

Most plans will involve cutting notches or arcs into the supporting board of the wine rack to support your bottles in a horizontal fashion.  During this step of planning, consider the size of the bottles in your collection – or that you normally purchase.  Most bottles are from 3” to 4” in diameter. When you measure the length of the wine rack, allow a couple of inches for the bottle and space between the bottles.  For a wine rack that holds ten wine bottles, you would want a shelf that is 46” long.  This allows for the bottles, division between supports and a couple of inches at the end of the rack.  Each rack should be at least 7” deep, but racks that are even deeper will be even more stable, so keep this in mind for particularly tall wine bottles.

Other Things You’ll Need

Other than the wine rack plans, a simplistically designed wine rack typically does not require that you have anything on hand other than some basic hand tools, common power tools, and that you know how to cut wood stock.  Because bottles of wine can be somewhat heavy, use wood glue and screws when assembling the rack so that it is sturdy.  When finished, you can finish or paint your wine rack to complement the overall decor within your room, and then when it dries, add your favorite wine bottles and enjoy!

Artist/Designer, Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com and offers aspiring home designers the opportunity to decorate with abstract wall clocks or wrought iron wall grilles.

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.

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.

Feminine Flowers

Classically feminine flowers transform just about any bathroom into a wonderfully womanly space. They can be oversized and brightly colored, or they can be petite and pastel, but just by including flowers in the room, a feminine mood is added. If you are using flowers in your bathroom décor, make sure that they support the style that you are creating.

If you want to create a bold design, look for tropical flowers like hibiscus. Add brightly colored bath mats and tropical flower prints on the walls to coordinate the look. For a more delicate design, look for cabbage roses to capture the aesthetic of a country English garden. Pastel walls with creamy white cabinets will give the room a romantic and feminine feeling.

Pretty Polka Dots

For a more graphic design, go with polka dots. Youthful and playful, you can select favorite colors, school colors or even neon colors. Polka dots painted on the wall are fun and colorful. You can create a symmetrical design with dots of the same size, or you may prefer to paint a variety of different dot sizes on the walls. You can even add them to the ceiling for a little whimsy.

Another approach is to keep the walls solid in color and add a polka dot shower curtain to the room; you can even find curtains and accessories covered with dots. Or take the opposite take and choose a solid colored shower curtain that matches a color from your graphic polka dots on the wall. Find a round bath mat to pay homage to the polka dot in a more subtle fashion to finish the look of your bathroom.

Delightful Divas

For a bathroom fit for a diva, you can design something that looks very much like a starlet’s dressing room. Create a make up station around the sink with toiletries meticulously organized in boxes and drawers. Find inspiration from a famous star’s dressing room. The effect should be all glam with adjustable lights and a large mirror.

Use colors that are bright and bold: Pair colors that are feminine and graphic like hot pink and black. Use eye catching graphics like stripes to create a strong feeling in the room. Fill it with accessories that complement the style of the room, and add a super plush bath mat to the floor, as long as it is lush enough for diva toes.

Finding accessories for a feminine bathroom is not difficult. You just need to take care to choose a style and make sure that all of your design elements support it. If you need some inspiration, you can look online, or you can find great examples of feminine bathrooms in decorating magazines.

Jessica Ackerman, author and staff designer at WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, specializes in trees wall art and oversized wall art.

Picking the Perfect Jungle Tent

There are many different configurations available for tent beds. You can find them in virtually every size, shape and color. So if you are creating a jungle theme in a bedroom, choose a color that adds to your theme. You can use a camouflage pattern or khaki colored tent if you are going for a realistic look, or you may want a tent in bright colors that mimic a toucan beak to create a more fantastical jungle environment. You will probably want to find a solid color for your tent if there is a lot of other pattern in the room. For your sheets, you can use camouflage sheets, or find a fun animal print design for a more playful approach to the bedding. You might also consider an animal skin print for your linen.

When the Walls Become a Jungle

As you turn your attention to the walls of your child’s room, there are many different ways to reinforce your jungle theme. One of the easiest ways is to hang wallpaper with a jungle theme. Look for patterns that are reminiscent of the tropics like thick, green foliage, a waterfall or bamboo. You might also want to try using wall decals of jungle animals, trees and shrubs. A fresh coat of paint is a good idea if you are planning to use decals, and a light, neutral green or brown will work nicely. You can also paint a bamboo pattern to create jungle theme walls, or produce the effect of thick shrubs by layering many shades of green.

Window to the Jungle

For window coverings, try natural bamboo shades. They complement the jungle theme absolutely perfectly. Combine them with curtains that have a jungle print, or simply add a colorful window topper to add a little polish to the window. Then get some window stickers and let your child arrange and rearrange them on the windows.

Planting a Jungle

To really finish off the feeling of a jungle in your child’s bedroom, you can add a few plants to the room. A trailing vine cascading over a shelf from an easy care philodendron, or a large rubber tree or even a banana tree in the corner are all fun, easy care plants for a child’s room. You can also find silk versions of foliage to get the jungle effect without having to care for live plants.

Lions and Tigers and Elephants

After you have assembled all of the individual elements of your jungle room, you can add the finishing touches. Remember to add a flashlight to the tent bed for midnight adventures. You may also want to hang some pictures of jungle animals like lions, tigers and zebras on the walls. Add a natural fiber throw rug to the floor, and complete the room by displaying some fun stuffed animals or other jungle inspired toys.

Senior staff writer Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, writes “How To” articles on decorating with trees wall artwork and Asian wood wall art.

Clear Out Clutter

The best place to start creating this calm retreat is by clearing all of the clutter from the room. Examine all of your belongings and determine what you want to keep, what you can donate to charity, and what you can simply throw out. Most professional organizers can quickly whip a room into shape using these three categories: Keep, pitch and donate. As you go through drawers and closets separate everything by these three categories. Next, find the proper place for things that don’t belong in the bedroom. For example, you may have sports gear in the corner, which should be stored in a hall closet or the garage. Organize books and weed through magazines, and get rid of anything that you do not need.

Down with Dingy

Once you have the clutter cleared away, take a good, hard look at your room. Notice if your curtains, carpet and walls are in good repair. If they are dark and dingy, get rid of them and take this opportunity to brighten things up. Paint the walls a light, neutral color, and the room will feel immediately larger. If you select paint with a cool undertone, it will further the illusion of space. Adding crisp, white sheers to the curtains and installing fresh curtains will bring light into the room, which will also make it feel a little more expansive.

Bedding and Accessories

In most bedrooms the bed is the focal point of the room, so do not overlook it when you are trying to create the illusion of space in the room. Crisp, light colored sheets are a great foundation for a restful looking bed. Try not to have too many pillows piled on the bed as they will begin to feel like clutter. Editing your bed pillows and blankets is especially important if you have a particularly small bedroom. To keep it feeling roomy, store extra pillows and blankets in a trunk or closet. Keep the lines of the room clean and simple to promote a large, restful bedroom.

Bring in wall art that promotes a restful, serene feeling. Artwork that features natural themes in muted tones can make you feel like you are relaxing at a luxurious spa. Candles with a clean light fragrance, wood art, botanical prints and accessories with texture, such as baskets and stone, add sensory appeal without adding eye clutter.

Giving your bedroom the illusion of space simply requires a little editing and a good, critical eye. If you are willing to clear out the clutter and get rid of old belongings, you can create the perfect canvas for constructing a relaxing and comfortable bedroom where you can enjoy spending some of your down time.

Professional designer Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, and specializes in decorating with big wall art and trees wall sculptures.