Design Ideas For Bedrooms
It wasn’t long ago that the bedroom was considered the inner sanctum of your house, the room that no one but you and your family would see. But bedrooms have come a long way in the last few years. Many now double as studies, social areas and, in the case of children, the ideal location for play dates. Use the following design ideas for bedrooms to create a space that is esthetically pleasing as well as comfortable.
Photo via homerevo.com
Lighting
The lighting in your bedroom should be warm and inviting. You can achieve this effect with a combination of natural lighting and overhead lights. It’s also a good idea to provide bright lamps for tasks such as reading, needlework, working on your laptop and other chores that you may perform in the bedroom.
Colors
There are no right and wrong colors to use in your bedroom, so you can indulge your tastes. If you’re looking for something soothing that will help you relax and even lower your blood pressure, consider light hues of purple, blue, and green. Warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange are also inviting, although somewhat less relaxing. Instead of doing your entire bedroom in one color, select two or three colors that complement or contrast each other. For instance, if you paint your walls a light shade of green, you might choose to hang a couch-sized, brightly colored oil painting to catch the eye.
photo via HGTV.com
Patterns
Patterns can be just as complicated as lighting and colors because you have so many choices. Many designers suggest that, as with colors, you select two or three patterns that complement each other or that play off of each other so the appearance of the room doesn’t become monotonous. Some of your choices in patterns include stripes, geometrics such as polka dots or plaids, nature or animal prints, motifs such as paisley, and solids. You can also use the texture of different pieces of furniture to add variety.
Furniture
If you’ve been working with plumbing services to update your bathroom, you probably know that you can get away with having a slightly cramped bathroom. The bedroom, though, is a different story. It’s important to allow space between the different pieces of furniture. Space at the end of the bed is especially important because it makes your bedroom seem larger and airier, and it reduces the likelihood of stumbling over furniture in the dark.
Decorating your bedroom to suit your tastes and reflect your personality can be both fun and challenging. Keep the decorating tips above in mind, and it won’t be long until you have a lovely space to hang out with friends or to work during the day and sleep at night.
Author bio: Carly is a freelance writer who loves animals, finding good plumbing services, and traveling. She loves how blogging allows her to share her writing with a large audience on the internet.
Energy Saving At Home: How Small Lighting Changes Can Save You Big Bucks
Are you still using incandescent light bulbs? What about standard light switches? Is the lack of natural light in your home inflating your energy bills? A few minor tweaks to your home’s lighting scheme can save you money, and even help make it more beautiful!
Energy Saving At Home: Lighting Tips
Keep it Natural
Natural light is probably the most flattering, invigorating, and beautiful light source there is, plus it’s free! It’s just too bad that enlarging those tiny, tiny windows isn’t. Before you start resenting the energy savings of all those people with cathedral sized windows in their homes, try simply fixing mirrors opposite your windows to double your natural light. It’s no fancy plan, but mirrors are pretty and they’ll even make your space look larger.
Have a Light Bulb Moment
It’s no secret that in the past few years lighting has gotten way more complicated. Sometimes it’s just more comfortable to stick with what you know. However, if you’re still using standard incandescent bulbs in your home, you’re missing out on the savings. Compact fluorescents (CFL) last about seven times longer than standard incandescent lights and LED last on average 23 times longer. Plus, LEDs and CFLs use much less energy than incandescent bulbs, so you’ll save money on your electric bill too.
Switch Your Switches
A hundred years ago, the standard light switch was innovative and now it’s the equivalent of a typewriter. There are a couple of innovative light controls that are easy to install, can save you cash, and will definitely make your life easier along the way:
• Dimmers are probably the most popular kind of innovative switch, allowing you to adjust the light levels in any room with the touch of a button. When you dim the lights for a romantic dinner, a family movie viewing, or even a blissful soak in the tub, you’re saving energy and extending the life of your light bulbs.
• Occupancy sensors are a great investment for those of us who are a bit scatterbrained. If you have trouble remembering to turn off the lights when you leave a room or your hands are full, these handy controls will do it for you.
Do-it-Yourself When You Can
If you are renovating, trying to sell your house, or perhaps are in bad need of an update, there are some simple lighting projects you can save on by doing them yourself. For example, installing recessed lights might seem like a task fit for a professional, but if there’s an existing power source in the ceiling and an electrical switch already in the wall, it’s really easy to do.
Some of these projects may require an initial investment of time or money to complete, but they’re worth it. Energy saving at home will allow you to reap the benefits for years to come and now you can use your savings on things you really care about!
Bio: Annie Josey is a blogger for Pegasus Lighting, a national lighting retailer committed to helping anyone save money with energy-conserving lights. She has assisted homeowners with everything from technical lighting issues to finding design inspiration.
Do It Yourself Home Security Tips
As a single woman, you’re likely very aware of your personal safety and have already taken precautions to keep your home secure. Whether you have a burglar alarm or not, there are a few do it yourself home security measures you can use to reinforce your home security.
According to the FBI, a home burglary happens every 15 seconds. About 34% of the time an intruder enters through an unlocked or inadequately secured front door, first level windows (23%) or door at the back of the house (22%).
Since no neighborhood is completely safe from crime, you can reduce your home’s burglar “appeal” by starting at the curb. Take a look at your home from the front curb through the eyes of a prowler:
- Is the front door in plain view of the street?
- Is the path covered behind landscaping?
- Is it a dark and inviting place to hide?
- Do you have an attached garage?
- Is it dark inside at night?
Next, take a look at the side of the house from the curb.
- Are there high bushes near windows?
- Do you have old windows?
- Do you have unlocked gates?
- Is it dark?
These are just a few key areas to look for that could provide easy access and a hiding place for prowlers to work on opening doors or window locks. Most of the time burglars want to get in and get out as quickly and quietly as possible without being seen.
Keep it Illuminated
Lighting is one of the biggest initial deterrents. Add motion lighting to side and back yards and directly over garage doors. It’s great for putting a spotlight on potential crime. Put your front porch and landscape lighting on timers or use photo sensors so the lights come on and go off automatically at dusk and dawn. These are nice because you don’t have to remember to turn them off or on and they save energy too. Indoor lighting on timers or automated controls give the impression of someone being home at night. This is much safer than a dark, uninhabited home.
Deterrent Landscaping
Landscaping should be kept neat with shrubs and bushes trimmed to a maximum of 3-feet high. Keep large tree branches pruned and over 8 feet high to discourage climbing. Planting prickly bushes such as holly, roses or creeping juniper near windows makes it difficult for a would-be-robber to hide in while working your side or back windows.
Secure Doors
Since doors are the first place a burglar looks to enter, keeping them locked at all times, and reinforced with heavy duty hardware is important. Most homes are built with basic door hardware, that wouldn’t pass a “kick test.” Replace strike plates (where the latch connects with the door frame) by using high security strike plates with 3-inch wood screws on all exterior doors, including the one to the garage. This will attach the plate deep into the wooden door frame, not just the door frame molding. Check to see if the door hinge screws are at least 3-inches as well, if they aren’t, replace them too. While you’re doing this, make sure the hinges are on the inside of the door, not the outside. If not, get some help to re-hang the door properly.
Electronic locks are growing in popularity, and are reasonably priced. They’re more secure than standard locks by protecting against “lock bumping,” a technique used by burglars to unlock standard pin and tumbler locks. They don’t require electricity either, so you don’t have to worry about being locked out if the power has gone out.
Always check the peep hole. Is it wide enough for you to see the whole walk way and door step? Is it low enough for smaller family members to see through it? If not, switch it out to a wide angle version.
Patio doors should be secured like the front door with reinforced strike plates, a deadbolt or knob lock, and a top and bottom lock. Since patio doors usually have glass, a 3-point locking system makes them more difficult to get into. Check your doors to see if there are three locking points, if not, this hardware is easy to install. Sliding glass doors should also include a top pin, key lock or classic wooden dowel.
Safeguard Windows
Your windows are the next area to secure. If you live in an older home with louvered windows, it’s best to get these replaced. They make it too easy to gain access by removing glass plates to reach for a door latch or by just climbing through.
One mistake many people make is thinking that a window is “too small” for someone to climb through; these include bathroom slide windows above tubs and showers. Thieves have been known to access these windows even on the second floor by climbing on the roof. Closing bathroom windows when not needed or installing venting locks keeps these small windows from being vulnerable.
Most new windows come with good locking hardware, but as with doors, one lock usually isn’t sufficient. Many casement windows also come with a secondary pin lock to keep it from being slid open. If your windows don’t have this, add a lock that goes over the track. You can even use these locks for venting to keep the window from being opened all the way. Just be sure to vent no more than 3-inches or no more than a small hand could reach through.
Secure double-hung windows with a long pin that goes through both sides of the sash to keep them from being lifted. Many windows come with this; if yours don’t there are plenty of options for securing this type of window including venting locks, hinged wedge locks or a keyed turnbuckle that can replace the existing latch.
Garage Door Risks
Garage doors are also a common entry point. Be sure to keep the door between the garage and the house locked at all times. Manual overhead garage doors should be kept closed and locked.
Automatic garage doors can also pose a risk. Burglars can quickly access your garage with a wire hanger by pulling the emergency lever. Designed to be used in the event of a power outage or other emergency, the lever allows the door to be opened manually.
A simple way to secure the automatic door is to use a zip tie to keep the latch firmly closed so it can’t be opened from the outside. To see where the zip tie needs to be placed, pull the rope or lever to see the point where it’s released. Close the door and use the zip tie to keep the lever from moving. The tie can still be broken from the inside by pulling hard on the rope or lever in the event of an emergency.
Keeping your home secure is as much about being aware as it is about how and when we use these security devices. Knowing your neighbors and looking out for each other is also a big step to keeping intruders out of your home and out of your neighborhood altogether.
This is an article written by Jeremy Kushner, a home security and automation enthusiast who blogs on topics related to crime, security, home improvement and automation. You can find more of his posts at HomeAlarmSystems.com!
Decorating Ideas to Turn a House into a Home
One of the best things about being a single woman with her own home is the freedom to come up with your own decorating ideas. All of the details, all of the styling choices and all of the decisions are up to me. Want to know one of the worst things about being a single woman with her own home? All of the details, all of the styling choices and all of the decisions are up to me.
I love being able to make design choices based on my personal style, but admittedly it can be overwhelming at times. The last thing I want is for my house to lack personality. Even the most well-decorated room can give off a hotel vibe without the special details that show off individuality. Luckily, there are simple ways to turn a plain house into a unique home.
Decorating Ideas
Focus On Entertaining:
Entertaining family and friends is the easiest way to make a house feel like home. Keep your
entertainment style in mind when decorating. If you often host large parties with a lot of people, you’ll want your space to reflect that. Create plenty of seating options and set up your kitchen to make party prep easier.
If you tend to host intimate gatherings for smaller groups, you’ll want comfortable nooks that encourage conversation. A low coffee table can double as a casual dining with the addition of large, comfy pillows. Arranging your furniture to suit your entertaining needs will make your life easier to manage and a lot more fun.
Include Personal Touches:
Whether it is a painting that your grandma made or a hat rack to display your vintage hat collection, the small details are what bring a home to life. Personally, I love to purchase art whenever I travel. It doesn’t have to be anything too expensive, but seeing a painting or clock that I got on a trip does more than just provide a decorating touch. It also reminds me of a wonderful memory. Framed photos of vacations or loved ones can serve the same purpose. You can place these photos sporadically throughout the house on bookshelves or atop of dressers for a subtle decorative statement.
If you are looking for a bolder option, you can create a gallery wall full of blown-up black and white photos. Mixing different sizes, shapes and colors of frames can create an eclectic edge to a photo gallery. Being surrounded by photos of the things that you hold dear can give each room its own distinctive flair.
Make Your Bedroom a Haven
There is nothing that I love more than curling up on my bed after a long day. Your room should be the place where you can completely relax and be yourself. Invest in a comfortable bed with nice sheets and inviting bedding. Being single allows me to have as many decorative throw pillows as I want without having to answer the dreaded “what’s the point of putting them up if we have to take them down each night? “question. If you are more laid-back, you can keep it simple with clean lines and minimal pillows.
Organization can be beautiful too. Your bedroom will hold your clothes, your accessories and your toiletries, so you need to have a clear system in place. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that
functional items have to be ugly. You can improve an outdated closet by rearranging the shelving or replacing the heavy doors with a sleeker design or pretty curtains. To keep your dresser clutter-free, look for storage options that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are helpful. Vases can be repurposed to hold makeup brushes or jewelry boxes can hold tweezers and nail clippers. Keep your necessities organized in a way that remains visually pleasing without distracting from your ideal bedroom.
Always Allow for Change
My home should reflect me now, not the me that I was five or ten years ago. I like to leave myself with options for future décor adjustments without breaking my bank account. The easiest way to do this is by mixing in accessories that can always be swapped out later. Just because I am currently obsessed with neon doesn’t mean that I will feel the same way about a hot pink meets lime green color scheme next year. Purchasing dishware, pottery or other decorative accents that reflect a current trend can update a neutral room without too much commitment. This allows for experimentation without that moment of “oh no, what did I do to my house?”
Decorating your home should be enjoyable, not stressful. Consider your needs and make choices that work best for you. Make your space fun and personal without sacrificing comfort. Let your home grow with you throughout the years. This way, you will always be happy.
Brooke Reiss currently works in hotel sales but would love to eventually go back to her roots selling new homes in Tampa. Seeing and walking through these new homes inspires her both professionally and creatively.
Student Decorating: How to Decorate On a Budget
Are you going to school and have limited funds to work with when it comes to furnishing your home? There are ways that you can decorate your house for style and comfort without spending a great deal of money. Learn some tips on how you can furnish the rooms of your home on a limited budget.
• Decorate rooms used most often first
If there are certain rooms that you use more frequently than others, such as your living room, concentrate on those rooms to make them as comfortable as possible. Other areas of your home can wait until a future time when your funds are not as limited.
• Preserve what you already own
Do not discard items of furniture that are still perfectly usable. If you have furniture that bears scratches or is worn in places, these items can be refinished and given an entirely new look. A fresh coat of paint or varnish and new slipcovers can work wonders with furniture that looks tired and old, and can save you a huge amount of money.
• Buy secondhand items
Thrift and consignment stores offer articles of furniture that were discarded by other individuals but that may work very well for you. These items can be bought at inexpensive prices. Check out the stores in your area that offer bargains on used furniture. You may very well find the perfect pieces for your home.
• Go to yard sales and flea markets
You can often find some great bargains at a neighborhood yard sale or local flea market. Take a day out of your schedule, such as a Saturday or Sunday when you do not have classes, to see what you can find in your area. Also, check the local newspaper for ads that list locations for yard sales and flea markets.
• Invest in unfinished furniture
Furniture stores will provide unfinished items at lower prices, giving you the chance to get in on a good deal and then put your own personal touches on what you buy. Unpainted items can create beautiful room settings when they are painted or stained in the way that appeals most to you.
• Elicit the help of friends and family members
You may have friends or family who have items of furniture they no longer want or need that they can pass on to you. It might also be a good idea to arrange a furniture swap where you can provide an item of furniture to one of your chums in exchange for an item he or she has that you like.
• Add accessories
You would be surprised how you can add charm to a room just by using certain accessories. Beautiful pillows on the sofa, a colorful area rug that complements your décor, and attractive window dressings can all play a part in helping you to furnish your home inexpensively.
Do not feel that you need to spend large sums of money in order to attractively furnish your home. You have a number of options for decorating affordably that will provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for you and your guests, and a peaceful place to study.
Christina Lloyd writes for a website that advises on student grants for women. She used the tips in this post to make her house a home when she was a student and believes it’s possible to furnish a home attractively even on a tight budget.
Closets: Design and Inspiration
When looking for a new home, one of the top priorities for each bedroom is whether or not there is enough closet space. Having enough storage can make a big difference in how spacious, relaxing and calming your bedroom feels. Here are a few examples of how to make any closet feel fabulous!
photo courtesy of myhomeideas.com
Adding a large mirror to the far wall of your closet is one of the easiest ways to add depth to your closet space. The beautiful gold detailing on the mirror frame picks up on the glamorous feel of the sparkling chandelier.
photo courtesy of pinterest.com
These expansive drum pendant lights add a bit of drama to this bright and airy walk-in closet. The windowpane cabinets help create organized storage space that still looks very stylish.
photo courtesy of fabhousewife.com
Plenty of mirrors and natural light makes this walk-in closet a dream come true. A small bench and ottoman are a good idea, if you’re fortunate to have the space, for folding your clothes, laying out some outfits or just taking a second to pull on your boots.
photo courtesy of twoellie.blogsot.com
This combined closet and bathroom makes excellent use of space, providing plenty of storage, lighting and space. Built-in shelving allows you to customize your storage to fit in perfectly with the size of your closet.
photo courtesy of designindulgencies.com
Black painted cupboards and a modern chandelier makes this closet very chic and dramatic. Recessed lights help brighten any dark corners.
photo courtesy of apartmenttheraphy.com
The crisp white French doors on this closet are a wonderful option for closets that do not offer much space. The doors open up without taking up much room outside of the closet, and allow full access to the lower drawers inside.
photo courtesy of pinterest.com
A brilliant light like this pendant light can make all the difference in how luxurious a closet feels. The mirrored center table helps add a bit of glitz to this lovely closet, as well.
photo courtesy of tobifairley.com
This fabulous closet is big enough to live in. The soft lavender color is perfect against the white in the rest of the room and the gold mirror frame. The wallpapered ceiling is a lovely accent that would help brighten even a modestly sized closet.
Author Bio: I’m a writer for Arcadian Lighting, with a background in English literature, art history and a bit of French. Every day I get to discover beautiful, inspiring interior design ideas and light fixtures, and then get to share them with blogs and websites like Home for Her. When I’m not searching for the latest inspiring interior designs, I enjoy yoga, hiking, photography and traveling to new places.
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