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.
Home Security Tips For Basement Windows
Basement windows present a significant security vulnerability for many homes. Although the basement itself may not hold anything of value, often doors or windows leading to the basement are not as well protected as other entry points to the home, and therefore, burglars see it as easy access to the rest of your home.
Here are a few quick tips to guide you through improving the security of your basement windows.
Use good outside lighting
Make sure your basement windows are always well-lit during the evenings and at night. A dark place is always more likely to be broken into.
Keep basement windows visible from the outside
A basement window that is concealed by plants or shrubs is attractive to burglars because it provides them a cover under which they can easily operate.
Install security bars and good locks
Heavy security bars made of iron or steel offer sufficient protection against intruders. However, you must install these bars in such a way that firefighters can still use the window as an exit point, in case of an emergency. Most of these bars can be manipulated from the inside so that the window can provide an escape route.
Use a reliable set of locks and keys for the basement windows, if they do not have secure latches or other locking mechanisms. However, you must be able to open at least one window in the basement without the use of keys, in an emergency situation.
Advertise your home security system
A monitored home security system is one of the most effective ways of preventing break-ins. Make sure any passers-by can clearly see your home security stickers. Your basement windows must be secure and set up in alliance with the security system.
Use shatter-proof glass
To improve the security of your basement windows, it can also be beneficial to have shatter-proof glass installed as a replacement for regular glass. Since basement windows are usually fairly small in size, installing shatter-proof glass can be relatively affordable. Unless you have experience in glass installation, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional to upgrade the glass in your basement windows. Research professional glass installation services in your area, and choose a highly rated service provider that has positive customer reviews.
Block the view into the basement
Use glass block for your windows, so that any outsider cannot peek in and see what is going on inside your basement. The intruder will not be able to tell if the basement is empty or occupied. Glass block is also extremely strong and difficult to shatter.
Plant tactical landscaping
To help limit access to your basement windows, you can also use tactical landscaping methods. Plant low, thorny bushes around your basement windows, making them difficult or nearly impossible for an intruder to access. If you are worried about the appearance of your home, you can use Hawthorne, Rosebushes or Barberry bushes to create a visually pleasing “barrier” around your basement window area. If you need to have access to your basement windows, you can also use thick, thorn-free shrubbery that still provides limited access.
The most effective home security strategies are those devised with your home’s particular layout and weaknesses in mind. Always remember to protect every potential entry into your home, not just the ones you use every day.
© 2010 Canada Realty News™
Source: www.vanhomesales.com
Nine Ways to Visually Create More Space
Many people think of adding square footage to create more space. But that doesn’t have to be the case. You can make your home appear bigger without going through the hassle of renovating and remodelling. With just a few home modifications, it is possible to make more from less. And remember, often what the eye needs is the illusion of spaciousness not actually more space.
Here’s how to create the illusion of space without adding square footage.
1. Think diagonal views.
Think back to geometry and how the hypotenuse of the triangle was the longest of the three sides. Apply that to the sightlines within your small-house design. Your house will appear much bigger than it actually is if you are able to stand at one corner of the house and look to the far corner without any obstructions. Also, if you have a room that will be tiled, place the tiles on a diagonal. It makes the space seem larger visually, pushing the walls out.
2. Think like a sailor.
Sailboats usually have no wasted space and that’s what you should aim for. Look for opportunities for built-ins, such as building bookshelves in staircases, unique space-saving cabinets, drawers under beds, etc.
3. Use lighting to open up space and add interest.
In creating the feeling of more space, it is important to give your house an airy feel. Use simple window dressings to bring in natural light and steal space from the outdoors and give it to the interior of the house.
If possible, use recessed spot lights as they are both visually appealing and have a low profile that is perfect for a small space.
4. Play with the furniture.
Try to move furniture away from the walls if the space allows. It will give a feeling of more openness when a sofa isn’t butted against a wall. If you’re buying new pieces, try to purchase items that are on legs versus feet. The higher a piece sits from the floor, the more visual space is present. Also, armless furniture pieces give an illusion of extra space so consider an armless sofa or slipper chairs.
5. Accessorize.
The bigger a piece of artwork is, the bigger the feeling of a space. A wall filled with many small pictures seems cluttered and less dynamic versus a wall with a large piece of art, which makes a bold statement. Also, “lighten up” your corners by using lights and plants. It will look stunning at night, casting shadows on the ceilings and giving an illusion of more space.
6. Use mirrors to reflect light.
When using mirrors in a space, make sure that whatever the mirror is reflecting it is pleasing to the eye, or at least doubles the amount of light let into the space. In addition to mirrors, use other materials that reflect light and space (stainless steel, chrome, etc.). A glass table with stainless steel legs will allow light to bounce off it.
7. Colour your world.
The colour of a room’s walls has the power to create a mood and affect the room’s appearance. Use just one or two colours per room for visual simplicity that expands a space. Also keep in mind that white, neutral or pale colours best reflect light, visually “pushing back” walls. Cool blue and green hues will make a space seem larger and airier. Warm reds and yellows cozy a room and can make it appear smaller.
8. Let there be height.
Use at least one tall element in a room to draw the eye upward, towards the ceiling. Not only does this maximize the vertical space in the room, but it also draws the eye up to the less crowded ceiling space above.
9. Minimize the amount of furniture you have in each room.
It is both wise and essential to select furniture and accessories that perform multiple tasks. The smaller your space, the more this applies, especially with furniture. Storage is an obvious second job for many pieces of furniture.
Every room has good proportions which make its space flexible enough to create any environment you wish. Compromises in decorating, colour techniques, furniture arranging and lighting considerations can all contribute to the illusion of space. By following some of the tips above, you can create a visually larger room.
Copyright © 2010 Canada Realty News™
Source: www.vanhomesales.com
Decorating On A Budget? Use These Money Saving Ideas
By Michelle Ortiz
As a designer of high end homes, one would think I don’t know much about a tight budget. But it might interest you to know that my last master bathroom remodel cost my clients just $9,000.00. When the average master bathroom remodel can cost upwards of $20K, how is it that this one could cost so little? In these days stretching your dollar has become a necessity, but this bathroom remodel was so inexpensive, because it just was! Smart selections in fixtures that were well priced helped to keep the costs down. I believe in high end design for a fair price. Even if you are not ready to do a full on remodel, there are small, budget conscious steps you can take to add updates to your home. Here are just a few.
- In your bathroom, one of the largest statements that you can make is to swap out that plate glass mirror or medicine cabinet for a new framed or even frameless mirror in a fun shape. For traditional, transitional and old world inspired bathrooms, a chunky, decorative framed square or rectangle above each sink enhances your vanity. For a more modern touch, use a beveled edge, frameless mirror in a rectangle with tapered edges or an oval. This change can run you as little as $60- $200.
- Want to spend even less? Update your space with newer towel and toilet paper holders. Homeowners often forget these little details that can go far in changing your look.
- Have a kitchen island with recessed lighting above? Hang a pendant or mini chandelier in the center of your island for a wow factor. The big box stores sell retro-fit kits that can convert the electricity from can light to a hanging for as little as $30.00. For an even larger statement, do two or three pendants in a row, just don’t do more than that, as it can become overbearing.
- Add pizzazz to your wall photos. Pictures of family and trips are treasured pieces but often become old looking and uninteresting. Add appeal to old family photos by enhancing them with a bold colored mat and group several of the same colored matted photos together in a row of three or five. You can even create a larger grouping by spacing three separate horizontal lines of photos, three across. This gives you nine photos displayed in a more contemporary manner. Play around with the photo style by copying the picture in sepia tones or black and white and use a photo marker to highlight an individual item within the photo. Use a photo marker that matches a color within your room, tying the photos to your space with this highlighted item.
- One of my favorite budget conscious ideas for transforming your space is to add bold colored throw pillows to your sofa. There are discount stores that often sell overstocked name brand or designer pillows that you can get for a song! These stores also carry some fantastic leatherette (faux leather) ottomans. Ottomans are a great way to add the benefit of coffee table space while doubling as additional seating. In addition to seating and table space, many boast a storage area. I have to admit that I have an empty wall that I filled with three ottomans that I purchased at Target. (Yes, even the high end designers shop at Target!) They were stylish, fit my need and at $75.00 a piece, were a budget find! I lined them up against a wall with a metal piece above. It introduces a new color to my room (black, which is once again the new black), it provides storage for our blankets, which we use to cuddle on movie nights, and when needed, can be brought into the living room for additional seating.
While total room makeovers can involve spending thousands, there are many ways to change or update your look for small figures. Try and use some of these ideas within your own home.
Have you got any inexpensive decorating ideas that you have used? Share them with us in the comments below!
Michelle Ortiz is an Interior Designer in Mesa, AZ who caters to the high end lifestyle presented at a fair price point. Her company offers custom cabinetry and furniture in addition to unique and stylish interiors. You can reach her at 480.227.1832, fashionhouseinteriors@gmail.com or her website www.fashionhouseinteriors.net
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