Decorating Trends: Survey Shows What Homeowners Want

Screen Shot 2014-08-27 at 3.47.05 PMIs the TV gaining or losing ground? Are women or men trendier? Find out and learn more about people’s decorating plans right here

If you ever get frustrated that your home doesn’t quite look how you’ve always dreamed it should look, then consider this: The next time you’re standing in a room of 100 people, know that 98 of them share your frustration. That’s according to a recent Houzz decorating survey, for which more than 1,700 people shared their decorating intentions — and, yes, frustrations. Of those surveyed only 2 percent felt they had achieved their ultimate vision for their home. And on average most of us feel we are only about halfway to fulfilling our vision of home.

10 Recipes for Shabby Chic Style

Screen Shot 2014-08-21 at 12.56.31 PMRustic furniture, floral fabrics, sparkling chandeliers. Here are 10 easy ways to bring the romantic cottage look into your home

Vintage and antique finds; distressed, cracked and imperfect finishes; antique linens; sparkling chandeliers; and lots of white. Though certainly not for everyone, for those who love the style, Shabby Chic is utter comfort and luxury. The spirit of the style is to work with what you have, enjoy the hunt for unique antique and vintage pieces, and celebrate imperfection. It’s not for everyone, but more than two decades after its rise, Shabby Chic appears among the top decorating search terms on Houzz. If you’re among those who would love to bring the look home, check out these 10 decorating combinations.

Rethinking the Master Bedroom

Screen Shot 2014-08-05 at 12.26.39 PMBigger isn’t always better. Use these ideas to discover what you really want and need from your bedroom

For some time now, it’s been the norm in new construction to include an enormous master suite in the plans. Is it a blessing, or is it just overboard? The answer is, there is no cookie cutter answer — it depends on you.

Zeroing in on what you personally want and need from your master bedroom can help you build the just-right space (or tweak the one you have). These tips can help.

8 Beautiful Ideas for Floating Shelves

Screen Shot 2014-07-18 at 12.56.08 PMGet clean-lined storage and display on walls, over windows and in nooks using versatile floating shelving

Floating shelves — those that attach to the wall without visible brackets — are sleek, chic and so versatile. From filling a tricky nook to customizing a workspace, floating shelves are an underrated workhorse all around the house. Here are eight ways to use floating shelves, plus key tips for when it comes time to hang them.

Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom

Emmanuel FonteLearn the dimensions that will help your bed and more fit neatly and comfortably, so you can get a good night’s sleep

We spend more time in bedrooms than in any other room in the house. Even though we are sleeping most of that time, we end and begin our days there. An organized and well-considered space can improve your mood when you need to get to sleep, and get your day off to a good start when you wake.

Planning bedrooms starts with learning standard bed sizes, which one you prefer and which one will work in your plan. Other bedroom furniture comes in all kinds of sizes. Once you determine your room and bed dimensions, you can make good decisions about dressers, chests, benches, chairs, nightstands and so on.

How to Pick Out a Coffee Table

Screen Shot 2014-06-26 at 8.02.24 AMAssure a great fit for your room and your lifestyle by considering a coffee table’s size, features and aesthetic

coffee table does a lot of work. It needs to hold books, magazines, drinks, food — even games on game night. You might want to put your feet up on it, or the kids might need a place for coloring. Plus it’s usually smack dab in the middle of the room, where you can’t miss it — so make sure it’s a good one.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re picking a coffee table.

Take It Outside! Inspiring Ideas for Outdoor Dining

Screen Shot 2014-06-16 at 8.03.52 AMMake fresh-air meals as comfortable and genteel as those indoors — and maybe even a bit magical

As the days get longer, the temperatures gets warmer and the light gets brighter, our daily routines undergo a radical paradigm shift. Whereas just a month or two ago, we were huddled indoors eating hearty stews, roasted meat and baked potatoes, we’re now ready to spend time outside in shorts and T-shirts, consuming lighter fare. One of the great joys of the summer is dining al fresco, enjoying the cool breezes, the late-evening light, the riot of garden color and the smells and sensations of warm weather.

More relaxed, more spontaneous, more colorful, al fresco dining is a different kind of experience. Here are some ideas that will inspire your shift to the outdoors.

9 Ways to Make Your Yard More Fun for Kids

Screen Shot 2014-06-09 at 12.29.24 PMDraw the younger set outside while keeping grown-up spaces and style intact. Some of these ideas don’t even cost a dime!

Play is at the heart of childhood, and an inspiring outdoor play area can give children many hours of enjoyment. But what if your garden is compact? Maybe you would like to avoid having a playset that takes up precious yard space, or you don’t want to look at toys year-round from the interior of your home. With some simple strategies, you can still incorporate play into your landscape. Here are some ideas for a range of project budgets.

Small but amazing changes when redecorating

Website pic 1Do you ever get the feeling that your home is just a bit outdated when it comes to design? Maybe you’ve lived somewhere for many years and are just ready for a change. Or maybe you’ve just moved in and really want to create an amazing feeling to your new home. Whatever the case may be you deserve to live in a space that feels uniquely yours and is designed according to your preferences. Many people think that great design has to come at a large cost, so they find it easier to avoid this altogether. But this is simply not true. You can redecorate your home, on your own, for a very low budget and end up with great results. Here are some ideas on how to do it.

Swap out pillows

It’s a small change, but swapping out your old throw pillows for some new and fresh ones can really brighten up your living room. The same goes for your bedroom as well! Toss out old pillows in monotonous colors, they are doing nothing for your room! Instead, bring in some bright colored pillows to add a punch to your space. Add some pillows with fun patterns as well, and don’t be afraid to mix and match! Old traditional design rules might frown upon mixing colors and patterns that don’t match, but you can create a fun and funky feel this way.

Window treatments

If you think about how many windows you have in your house, you’ll see what an impact the window treatments can have on your overall interior design feel. If you have old curtains that aren’t doing anything to add ambiance to the room, swap them out! You can get some more brightly colored curtains or even remove them altogether. Curtains add a more traditional feel to a room; if you’re looking for something more modern, consider polyvinyl shutters or something similar. Shutters create a crisp and clean look in your room.

Fresh paint

There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to add new zip and pizzazz to your room. It can be so much fun trying out different paint colors to see what really resonates. Don’t be afraid to use a punchy, bold color you might not normally try. It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone in a way that’s totally reversible if you really don’t like it. Try painting just one wall a different color for a fun, modern feel.

Lighting

By changing up the lighting style in your room, you can completely change the feeling. So rather than investing a lot of money in new furniture and remodeling just try this quick fix first! Add some soft hanging lamps or lanterns in your kitchen and dining room area to create a great ambiance for meals. Add reading lights to your living room, and fun colored string lights on your porch outside for a festive atmosphere. If you add a dimmer switch to your overhead lights, you’ll be able to adjust the mood of the room. This is a great option for the dining room, bedroom, or anywhere you might want to take the lighting from high to low.