Decorating Ideas

Although not for everyone, carpet is still a viable choice.

If you are looking to refurbish your bathroom and fit a new floor, there are many different options to choose from. From carpets to tiling, you have a wide range of products that each have their own pros and cons, and it is completely down to your requirements and preferences as to which you eventually pick. It is strongly recommended that before you make a decision you have a shop around, however, as prices can vary from store to store and you may even be able to get a price match plus extra discount if you bring a quotation from one company to another. In order to help you make the right decision for you and your home, I will provide advice and information about the options available.

• Carpeting – this is seen as the worst choice for bathrooms, as the warm, moist conditions can turn the carpet into a soggy mess. On the plus side, the bathroom floor is soft and warm in the morning, when compared to the other types of flooring that are available!

• Vinyl Tiles/Sheet Vinyl – as a cheap and easily installed flooring solution, you can’t go wrong with vinyl. You can lay an entire floor in a weekend, and with the great price you won’t have to break the bank either. With the tile option there is the chance that over time they will start to come up, but due to their price you can easily replace any damaged areas. Sheet vinyl doesn’t have this problem, but is a little trickier to lay; and as it is vinyl it is not exactly the most luxurious floor to have.

• Ceramic Tiles – an excellent choice, these tiles are reasonably priced, durable and stylish. You can get a wide range of ceramic tiles to suit your exact taste, so get to your local DIY store and see what they have on offer! The only problems are that ceramic tiles can be slippery when wet and they can be a bit chilly, but this can be helped by laying textured tiles and installing underfloor heating.
  

  Stone flooring is expensive, but rightly so!

• Stone Tiles – an extremely luxurious choice, stone tiling is seen as the very best flooring solution. Stone flooring will last a long, long time and can resist anything that is thrown at it, meaning that although the initial outlay may be fairly high you can be sure that it will last for many years to come. As with ceramic tiles, there is the fact that stone flooring can be quite cold, but this is not too big a problem when you consider the fantastic look and feel of a real stone floor.

• Engineered Wood Flooring – this is basically a layer of real wood on top of a plywood base, which means it has the benefits of both laminate and real wood, but without the susceptibility to water that plagues the real wood flooring. The price is more reasonable than real wood flooring too, so this is probably the best choice if you are looking for wooden flooring in your bathroom.

• Real Wood Flooring – this is the real deal. Real wood has a great texture and is warm compared to tiling, and on top of that it looks great too. The downside to this is that moisture can damage it quite easily, and if it is not sealed correctly it will lead to problems down the line.
  

  Laminate flooring is hard wearing and reasonably priced.

• Laminate Flooring – these planks are basically just a picture of real wood covered in resin and backed with woodchip, but they do a surprisingly good job. Laminate is reasonably priced and easy to fit, you can even do it yourself if you don’t want to spend extra money bringing someone else in! Although they are water resistant and usually guaranteed for 5 years or more, even in a bathroom environment, if water finds its way to the base it can cause a lot of problems and require a complete refit of the laminate.

Its cold and grey outside so stay in and shop for bargains online. This is a great time of year to snap up a January sale bargain, with some fantastic deals around at the moment on many websites.

Take a look around at some designer home interiors websites, like Beverley Hills Home, where you can choose from a selection of luxurious items at reduced prices, whether it’s designer rugs from Jacaranda to cosy up your living room, in luxurious wool and a range of fabulous neutral shades, or a gorgeous scented True Grace candle, in Hyacinth to bring the aroma of Spring into your home, plus other fragrances like Amber or Moroccan Rose?

Sale time is frequently just an opportunity for retailers to clear the decks for new ranges, so there really are some lovely items available at reduced prices – For example, Sheila Sheep or Richard Ram are quirky items that would make a great presents, especially if you have hard to please friends and family, or for the keen host or hostess in your life, how about a shiny, silver champagne bottle stopper, or a smart new knotted handle cheese knife?

Why not be ultra organised early on, and even get a head start on next years Christmas shopping, or stock up on some gifts for upcoming birthdays and events, meaning you will save yourself time and money and be able to treat yourself or your home when all the Spring stock starts to arrive very shortly?

It’s not a new concept to cover our floors with carpets.  For centuries rugs have adorned our interiors adding colour and texture to a room.

Rugs have offered a complete luxury finish to a room.  Historically the halls in the great houses of this country had little furnishings.  Floor treatment for practicality, you can imagine, would be hard floors swept by the general traffic of daily life.  As they were  often frequented by horses and livestock passing through, it is little wonder that the furnishings were kept for the wealthy and general court life.  Rugs were made and hung as wallhangings, being too decorative for the floor.

Today our perspective has completely changed.  Through the ages the world has opened up and the influences from abroad bring back the trappings of other cultures and with that our creativity has  taken us into fascinating interiors to match our lifestyle choices.  The beauty of a rug is that it is transportable and so the possibility of introducing the styles of other cultures permeates our little island.

We don’t use rugs just on hard flooring but add rugs into a well furnished room and invariably over fully fitted carpets.  The colours dictating interesting perspectives.  As a designer I love using a rug as a focal point within a room to base and pick up on accent colours.  Teamed with a well chosen colour scheme this will certainly attract the eye.

Many companies have introduced  designer rugs into their choices inviting designers from both the fashion and interior worlds to design a rug for their collection.  This benefits the end user by creating an instant designer feel without trying too hard.  The colours, design and texture are guaranteed to be in vogue.

Is this what has been missing from your interiors?  Why not try it and see!

I recently read a statistic from Lloyd’s Pharmacy, which stated that around one in six people never clear out old and out-dated medicines from their bathroom cabinets. Add to that the fact that many women don’t realise that make-up and beauty products have expiry dates, and it seems that the typical bathroom cabinet could be teeming with nasties that could have negative health effects.

As I read these articles about the various bacteria that multiply in an open mascara tube, and the loss of effect of certain medications, I thought quite smugly to myself that you wouldn’t find any thing harmful in my bathroom cabinets….although perhaps it would be a good idea to check…

I headed off to the bathroom and opened the doors of my bathroom cabinets. The first thing I noticed was that someone in the family has a terrible habit of not replacing the bottle-tops after they have used a cream or hair gel! Obviously, this means that dust, air and goodness knows what else can make their way into the container, so those all had to be tossed into the rubbish bin. I also got rid of any lotions, potions and products which looked “off” – a good rule to stick to here is that if it has changed in consistency(texture), fragrance or colour, get rid of it!

Next, I focused on medications – we had the usual non prescription items such as paracetamol and aspirin, along with some leftover cream that had been prescribed when one of the kids had a skin infection and some tablets which my husband used to take for a stomach complaint. Now I was starting to realise that my bathroom cabinets had a few secrets to hide – it had been at least a year since the cream was prescribed and the tube was looking worse for the wear. As for the tablets, the expiry date was long passed by. Rather than throwing unused and expired medication into the general rubbish, I bagged it all up to take to my local pharmacy, as they have the means to dispose of these things safely.

Finally, I hit the make-up, and I think most women will agree with me here when I say that throwing cosmetics away is not a habit! Make-up provides a perfect environment for bacteria, while certain ingredients can become unstable as they are exposed to air over a long period of time. I steeled myself to be strict and again, was shocked at what I found. Lipsticks dating back five years (how could I ever have worn that shade!), mascaras that were so dry that they were useless and foundation which had separated – all destined to the garbage. Again the rule to follow here really is, if in doubt – throw it out!

The outcome of all of this – very tidy looking bathroom cabinets, with nothing to harm my family lurking inside – and I’ll certainly be keeping a closer eye on the contents of my cabinets from now on!

Mosaic tiles can be used to create some truly spectacular effects in the home, but many people don’t know where to start. Because they are so versatile, it can be challenging deciding what to do with them, but mosaic tiles are a great way of adding colour, form and texture to almost any part of your house. Whatever atmosphere you want to create, mosaic tiles can help you achieve it.

The most important considerations are the size and colour of the tiles. Get this wrong, and they won’t complement the space you’re working with. Be guided by the purpose of the room and the mood you want to produce, but also be prepared to be a little bit daring and make a statement.

Shower rooms and cubicles are the ideal place to start experimenting with mosaic tiles – this is a natural space for mosaics, where the interplay of water and tiles echoes the natural world (think of a waterfall surrounded by mineral-rich rocks). For this reason, natural, earthy colours tend to work best. A well-chosen shower curtain and a few other accessories can really help bring everything together.

Bathrooms in general can really be transformed with mosaic tiles. Whether you simply use them around the bath itself, on the floor, or to create a statement wall, you can create an indulgent space – perfect for leaving behind the stresses and strains of the day and emerging with body and mind both cleansed.

The kitchen is also a natural space for decorating with mosaic tiles. They provide an excellent mix of functionality and style, and you can be as understated or as bold as you choose.

Whichever space you want to transform, don’t be intimidated by mosaic tiles – embrace them and marvel at the results.

This year there are some fabulous interior design trends which can be used in homes of all styles, shapes and sizes. From superb colour choices to interior design styles with a vintage and nostalgic feel. Even new types of accessories and accents are being seen this year.

Colours:

The official Pantone colour for 2011 is honeysuckle pink, not everyone’s cup of tea but there are other colours which team beautifully with honeysuckle which can be used as the dominant colour in a room with honeysuckle as the accent. If you really can’t bear the thought of using honeysuckle try one of this year’s tan shades such as wheat, which is tan with yellow undertones, or pastel blues and greens even gold and copper are are being seen, but this are the sophisticated tones with a matt finish not the bright, shiny and somewhat ‘tacky bling’ golds!

Vintage:

Step back in time to remember an era that was full of new hope and new beginnings, especially just after the war when people were glad their world had not completely fallen apart. Yes, times were hard but there was hope and anticipation of better times. ‘Make do and mend’ was the motto during the war years and this is now being coined to encourage people to be more eco-friendly and as well as the need to be more economical as the cost of living is still biting many people’s budgets. But this doesn’t mean you can’t have new soft furnishings, window dressings or bedding. These are necessities, not luxuries and the great advantages with online shopping is the ability to snap up some genuine, discounted bargains. Making your own curtains or Roman blinds is not being viewed as the ‘poor man’s choice’ – far from it! It’s now the ‘in’ thing to do so that you can show your own individuality and design flair.

Floral:

Floral fabrics are seeing a huge revival this spring/summer. Roses, the quintessential English bloom, are the perfect choice to add a touch of nostalgia to you home. Remember that if your rooms are small you should opt for small overall designs otherwise the pattern can be too overpowering and make the room appear smaller, while large blooms are the perfect choice for open-plan contemporary interiors. Choose bright and cheerful curtain fabrics or ready made curtains online from Terrys Fabrics to add a fresh spring/summer feel to your home.

Home decorating is great any time of the year but it seems to be exceptionally popular during the Christmas holiday. When November rolls around, people are making plans to decorate and are searching for unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday. Since this season only comes once a year, people tend to go all out, filling their homes with festive ornaments and decorations.

There are many home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday but finding unique ways to jazz up your home may not quite so easy. This might be where your imagination steps in. You may have visions of what youd like but turning that vision into reality may seem inconceivable. When it comes to unique home decorating, nothing is too difficult to accomplish. With the right materials and help, you can work on your unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday.

Fortunately professional home decorators and home dcor businesses understand the need for help in home decorating. Because if this need, they publish magazines and set up websites featuring decorating tips, including unique home decorating tips for the Christmas holiday. Actually these home dcor specialists usually publish material according to the season. A special publication is often printed for the Christmas holiday. If searching the Internet, youll find many sources for unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday. Its easy to run out to a department store and pick up whatever is in style this year but many people would rather have their own unique decorations at Christmas time.

When home decorating for the Christmas holiday, people generally stick to the traditional red and green theme. This is unfortunate since there is a wide range of colors that could be used at Christmas time to enhance your home. Trendy decorating magazines will likely suggest you use any color you like to create those unique decorations. Often youll see purple, blue and yellow used in Christmas presentations in store windows. Unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday is all about individuality. Using your ideas and your imagination, you can create something totally individual, unlike any other decorations. If your creation is a hit, it may not be unique the next Christmas holiday.

Unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday should include traditional things such as pine cones, poinsettias, holly berries and cranberries. These items make great additions to Christmas arrangements, trees, table settings, wreaths and anything to do with home decorating for the Christmas holiday. Unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday, no matter what materials are used, will certainly be a reason for conversation when guests come to visit. When on the topic of home decorating for Christmas, perhaps your guests may be able to share a few unique ideas with you. It might be wise to jot down any suggestions and ideas for Christmas decorating. Since youre unlikely to use these ideas until the next Christmas holiday, these great tips and suggestions just may be forgotten and once again youll be searching for unique home decorating ideas for the Christmas holiday.

If you are having difficulty making a decision about a home decorating theme, tuscan style is a great home decorating idea. Many homeowners are attracted to the tuscan style because it combines subtle elegance with simplicity. Using a palette of earthly tones, tuscan style, which is an Italian country design, is meant to bring the outdoors inside. This great home decorating idea uses distinct materials to help accomplish this goal. Tuscan style is unique as well as beautiful.

When deciding to use a tuscan theme to decorate your home, youll be using textures. This home decorating idea implements the use of various textures, such as stone and tile for the flooring. This helps to create a natural atmosphere. Plaster is suggested for the walls to add texture. This would provide an opportunity for you to be creative and even have fun. Tables are often made of stone. Tile mosaics are another recommendation for tables in tuscan home decorating.

Any home decorating theme that focuses on nature uses wood. Tuscan style makes great used of wood. One example of this is the exposed framework constructed from large wooden beams. This great home decorating idea uses wood in furniture. The goal is to make it look aged in appearance. This can be accomplished using staining techniques. Of course if wanting furniture which looks really old, antique furniture would be the ideal choice.

Tuscan decorating is based on a cultural heritage. By using accessories this tuscan heritage can be brought out. Accessories that are homemade are common for this home decorating idea. Ceramics are a big thing in tuscan decorating. Silver frames, silver candlesticks, copper pots; these are all common in tuscan design. Wine and wine glasses, these are also popular accessories for this great home decorating idea. Large glass jars filled with olives, another great idea for tuscan decorating. Terra cotta is a popular color when using the tuscan theme so it might be nice to use terra cotta pots or vases.

Tuscan fabric is in a class of its own. When using this home decorating idea, you will be looking for fabrics made of burlap, abaca fiber, fibers from the banana tree, savannah cloth and tobacco cloth. These are all fabrics used to create a natural space. These materials are quite versatile and can be used for just about anything in your decorating project. Curtains, drapes, blinds, dividers, screens, placemats, floor-mats, these can all be created from the various tuscan fabrics because of their weight, density and flexibility.

This great home decorating idea makes use good use of colors such as yellow and red. These colors are probably used in tassels or painted beads in tie-backs to accent the drapes. Using yellow and red ribbon to decorate accessories like candlesticks or jugs is common in tuscan decorating. Any material or accessory which resembles the sea, the earth or the forest, make great additions to tuscan style home decorating. This great home decorating idea found in tuscan style, is a good choice for your space. The color, texture, fabric and accessories will create a warm and inviting feeling in any space in your home. This theme of simplicity and nature is a great home decorating idea.

One of the things that drives me the craziest about people who are decorating their new homes is seeing them rush into many decisions and then regret them soon after. As an interior designer, that is the worst thing I see. It might be surprising that one of the biggest things I have to tell people is to relax, slow down and enjoy the process of gathering decorating ideas before they commit to anything.

I think part of why people are in a rush to decorate their new homes is because our culture is all about rushing and getting things done quickly. So few people like to enjoy the process and really make intentional decisions about their home. I think that having a home is one of life’s best gifts, and therefore I love seeing people take that gift seriously and make the most of the opportunities they have.

When you realize what a privilege it is to have a space to call your own then I think you will value the decorating process even more. I think only as you see the value of the home will you value taking time to gather decorating ideas. By gathering decorating ideas keep in mind that I am not suggesting that you take six months or a year to gather an endless amount of ideas that you will never use. I do, however, mean that you should take a few weeks and really look at your options before making any big commitments.

One of the all-time best places to look for decorating ideas is in magazines that are focused on home decorating. Order a subscription to a couple of good ones or borrow some magazines from a friend. Just get yourself into them and start looking at what is popular right now and what catches your eye. You will quickly learn that the things that catch your eye have a pattern to them and you’ll be off and running to creating your personal style in no time.

While it is wise to ask for opinions and suggestions from decorators, friends and family, ultimately you have to choose what kind of decorating ideas to incorporate into your own home. So be cautious about letting others influence you too much. Don’t be afraid to try something unique or to go out on a limb with a decorating idea. The best place to experiment is within your own home.

Your bathroom decor is probably the most neglected in the home. It gets the least amount of attention because it’s not out in the open for all to see when they enter your home. Believe it or not, guests do notice your bathroom decor. They notice whether the bathroom feels pleasant and comfortable, safe and secure, or messy and disorganized. They also notice the colors and patterns displayed in every decor item.

After giving this some thought, shouldn’t your bathroom receive a little more attention in the decor department? One way you can spruce up your bath decor is by using seasonal shower curtains and other decor items.

The Seasonal Look

Every season has its own colors and patterns. Autumn is associated with orange, brown, and red colors along with leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows, and harvest time. Spring brings out the bright colors and pastels such as pink, blue, purple, lavender, and light green. In winter, darker colors are used such as burgundy, black, red, emerald green, or royal blue. In summer, spring colors can still be used or summer-type themes such as underwater themes, roses, animals, and so forth.

Use your shower curtains as a springboard for the remainder of your bath decor. Choose shower curtains for every season to reflect the theme or colors you want to portray. The shower curtains can be fabric for formal baths or plastic or vinyl for informal baths. You can also choose shower curtain liners, rings, and rods to enhance the theme.

Other Bathroom Decor Accessories

Once you choose a shower curtain and shower curtain liner, add pictures or paintings, accessories, window curtains, rugs, and other items to go along with your seasonal decor. You might get by with changing just a few small items such as a toothbrush holder, wastebasket, and window curtain ties. Think ahead when buying bathroom items to find ways to accommodate the seasons without emptying your pocket book each time.

Cleaning and Storing Shower Curtains for the Seasons

Since shower curtains line the bathtub, they are susceptible to moisture, soap scum, hard water stains, and mildew. Keeping them clean throughout the season makes it easier to clean them for storage later.

When you change out a shower curtain, be sure to clean it and the shower curtain liner thoroughly before storage. Be sure all mildew or mold is removed. Use a brush or sponge and bleach and vinegar to scrub off mildew. Otherwise, it could ruin other items that are stored with it. Also, be sure the curtains and liner are completely dry before storing. Allow to drip dry and then wipe any additional moisture away with a towel. Store your shower curtains in a dry place in a sealed container. To keep it fresh, consider placing a fabric softener sheet in the container.

Types of Shower Curtains for the Seasons

There are many types and styles of shower curtains to choose from for the seasons. Look for patterns and colors that will match your overall bathroom decor. Painted walls, wallpaper, wallboard, and flooring colors should all be considered.

Also, choose shower curtains that are durable and easy to clean. Many curtains can be washed in the washing machine. Check the labels to be sure. You can also get zip-on and zip-off shower curtain liners to make cleaning them easier. These easy-to-remove shower curtain liners enable you to clean more often without removing them from the rings! It saves time and makes this task a breeze.

Decide on a fabric such as cotton, vinyl, or plastic. The fabrics can enhance your decor theme as well. Shower curtain fabrics can add elegance, playful design, or practicality to your bathroom.

Each season, your bathroom can offer a new exciting look and feel that your family and guests are sure to enjoy!