A big picture window in your kitchen can give you and your family wonderful lighting and a refreshing view of your garden. You also need less heating or cooling while you are cooking or preparing meals because kitchen windows can let natural light and warm sunshine in. You also get fresh and cool air. With all these benefits that your kitchen windows offer, it is only ideal to find the perfect curtain style and color for it. Many homeowners buy cheap kitchen curtains but most are not sure which styles to go for.

For kitchen windows, one of the most preferred types of curtain are the café curtain styles. A curtain made from light net material is a wonderful option for the kitchen especially during those warm and toasty summer days. These styles of window sets are quite popular in French cafes and home interior decorators brought it into residences.

[Photo courtesy of Republica/pixabay.com]

Designers suggest hanging curtain in the middle part of the window to achieve chic café ambiance on your kitchen. It should leave the upper part of the window exposed, but it will still depend on what you want. You can hang the curtain from different heights to create different effects and for you to control natural lighting. You may also tie your curtains to the window’s side to let more air and natural light in.

Kitchens are the perfect place to recreate that French café air because it can be a casual and informal place for dining. When hung in the right places, these curtains can create a lovely mood and effect. However, you must still consider the colors and styles of the fabric you are going to use. It should complement the overall design of the kitchen not stand out like a sore thumb simply because of its contrasting color or design. Go for light materials, net and Jardinière material can make small kitchens look more spacious and airy. You may also work on layering net materials over colorful patterns during the colder season.

Vintage interior design refers to the furniture, fabrics and other elements that create a nostalgic feel in a room. Generally speaking, vintage designs may draw from a number of periods, including the Victorian and Edwardian periods; the 1920s and Art Deco era; the post-WWII era and the 1950s and the psychedelic 60s and the 70s disco era. More specifically, vintage refers to design elements and style that recalls the look and feel of the 1940s and 50s.

Incorporating vintage design into a room, for example the kitchen, may begin on a small scale. Simply adding in vintage canisters, an old-fashioned bread box or advertising imagery can create a vintage 50s look in a modern kitchen. There are a great variety of furniture pieces and accessories to be found in specialty stores, antique stores and even at local sales and flea markets, to help create the look. With the addition of popular paint colors and finishes from the era and some simple window coverings, a vintage-style kitchen is easy to achieve.

[Photo courtesy of jill111/pixabay.com]

Vintage kitchen accessories and furniture

Furniture designs from the 50s made use of many, at the time, new materials; one of the most popular and iconic being chrome. A mainstay of the 50s-era diner, chrome can be used to form the base of a Formica-topped kitchen table, vinyl-covered chairs or swivel bar stools. Caned-back chairs are a slightly more formal way to go when paired with a coordinating table.

Appliances from the 50s are still to be found and some may even be in working order; however, many of the old designs for these durable metal machines have been reproduced to blend well with vintage kitchen designs, among them lever-handled refrigerators, ice boxes and Chambers cook-stoves.

Vintage 50s accessories include red and white enamelware dishes and cookware; glass milk bottles and vintage milk cans; bread boxes and vintage and reprinted art designs and advertising images.

[Photo courtesy of alluregraphicdesign/pixabay.com]

Vintage colors and finishes

The color palette in the 50s was characterized by a wide array of hues, ranging from natural stains and white to Mackinac green, a soft forest green. In addition, golden yellow, light gray, medium gray-blue, desert sand and pale mist green were also popular throughout the period. Enamel paints and finishes were widely used in 50s era kitchens, from the furniture and cabinetry, to the walls and even the floors.

Directional design was a popular and functional choice during the 50s. Using the direction in which a particular room faces as a guideline, directional design guides the choice of color to be used, based on how much natural light enters the room and its overall temperature. On account of their exposure to the sun, south and west facing kitchens tend to be described as “hot”, so cooler blues and greens are the best choice. North-facing kitchens tend to be “cold”, so choosing “warm” or “hot” colors, including yellow, orange and red, work best. East facing rooms are flexible and can pull colors from both palettes.

Vintage window dressings

Vintage 50s-era window coverings are both simple and decorative. Full window panels in gingham fabrics, with clean white tie-backs; valances featuring charming and animated motifs, such as teapots, fruit or vegetables; white curtains edged in colored bands and custom shutters painted in period colors, are all great examples of the style.

There are times as a family that you might like to spend time playing games together. It can be a great way to have fun together and spend some valuable family time. However, having the space and the equipment to play pool or darts, can be difficult in the house itself, so you might want to consider creating a games room in your home. Before you begin, there are a few things you need to consider.

Choosing the Location

Before you start, you need to think about where your games room will be. There are a few common locations that a lot of people use, one is the cellar and the other the attic. The reason these are usually preferred is that they are often space that is not used, so you are gaining additional space without sacrificing any existing rooms. As another alternative, you can always build an outside shed to act as the games room. It will need to be big enough to fit everything in, and you will need the space in the garden.

[Photo courtesy of manbob86/pixabay.com]

Clearing and Cleaning

The chances are that the room you choose will need to be decluttered and cleaned before you can start converting it. It can be a good excuse to have a clear out of some rubbish and old things you no longer use. You might even be able to sell some of the things you have to fund the new games room. After you have decluttered, you want to clean up and replace anything that is old or damaged. The flooring should be durable, but if this is going to be a games room for watching sports as well, then a floor that easy to clean could be a bonus.

Creating the Space

The space you have in the room depends on what types of games you be using. You want there to be enough space so that you can play pool or darts with enough space so that others aren’t hurt. You also want there to be comfy chairs that you can all sit down and play games. You can have a TV set up on the wall so that you can watch sport or research truths for truth or dare games. If you can, try to choose furniture that will be easy to move, this will give you more scope to adapt the room to other games.

[Photo courtesy of StockSnap/pixabay.com]

Adding Extras

As well as the obvious things you need in a games room, you might want to add some other things as well. One thing that can be useful is a drinks fridge. You can keep alcohol and soft drinks in there, and it will save you having to carry things to the room. You can also think about having a snack bar as well if you have the room.

Having a games room doesn’t just mean that you can have family games, it can also be a place for your kids and their friends to hang out.

Fans of loft and platform beds know that sometimes it can be a challenge to get bedding which fits properly and looks good. No amount of chasing from store to store will net the sort of results one can get from surfing the web – when you need waterbed sheets or twin extra long sheets or anything outside of the standard stuff, the internet is the way to go. Perhaps you have a tiny bathroom or one with an odd shape – it can be difficult to find specialty vanities and sinks designed to meet your needs when you only shop the big box stores; take a tip from the pros and shop the web.

[Photo courtesy of jeanvdmeulen/pixabay.com]

If you have never bought anything online before it’s a good idea to start by browsing the websites of the stores where you normally make your bed, bath and home décor purchases because you know they will stand behind the goods they sell should there be any kind of a problem. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the online selection far exceeds what the local store carries and that’s because most chains ship from central warehouses which can stock a far greater range of goods than what any local outlet could offer.

Browsing online is so convenient because you can shop at your convenience any time of the day or night without regard to conventional store hours. When you shop online you can literally comb the world for solutions to even the most challenging home décor problem and in the process you will find all sorts of inspiration and ideas without spending so much as a penny. When you shop in real time you need to use the car and incur the costs of gasoline, tolls and parking simply for the privilege of looking around.

Even with a limited budget, you can still upgrade your home’s looks using window treatments and dressings. If you have old windows it would be a good idea to upgrade them with Cleveland Heights windows before adding curtains. Some homeowners are hesitant to look at those cheap kitchen curtains from their local shops in fear that it might still cost them an arm and leg despite the its “cheap” tag. We all know that nothing good comes in cheap nowadays so some also worry about the quality and material of any cheap home decorating items.

Carefully choosing styles and designs of kitchen curtains can lend an elegant touch to your windows. You’d feel really relieved that you found something that looks classy and expensive at very low prices. Check out curtain materials such as sheer net panel curtains which can either be floor length or simple hand on sills. A pop of color can make a major difference to your kitchen’s monochrome.

[Image source ebay.co.uk]

Take careful consideration of your kitchens’ overall theme and the colors present around you. You may brighten up or tone down your kitchen’s ambiance with the different colors and styles that you can find. Bright yellow and red hues will lighten up space and make it appear livelier and more spacious. Blue and green colors have a more soothing and calming effect when used as window treatments. They are more often used in bedroom but more formal kitchen and dining area may also take advantage of its formal air.

Kitchens can sometimes be the most neglected part of the home when it comes to interior decorating. Window treatments are hardly ever changed because of the pricey costs of good quality kitchen curtains. But with a little time and effort, you can find cheap yet good quality kitchen curtains which will not only upgrade your kitchen’s ambiance but will also cheer up people coming into this part of the house. Start your search from your local shops and try to check out online shops on your free time. You’re bound to find something that suits your needs and your budget within a few more clicks.

If the home is to be considered your castle, it’s imperative that your bedroom is fit for a queen. After all, this is the place where you start and end each day. Achieve perfection in this part of the home, and your relationship with the entire property is sure to thrive.

Gaining the desire to build a better bedroom is one thing, but actively doing it is another altogether. Use these five simple tips for guidance, and you won’t go far wrong.

[Photo courtesy of xiangying_xu/pixabay.com]

Start With The Bed

Finding a great mattress stands out as the obvious starting point for any bedroom upgrade. Given that you probably spend around one-third of your life lying down on your bed, choosing the right type for your comfort and posture is key. A better bed frame can have a positive impact too but isn’t always essential. The main thing is that you get a great night’s sleep. After all, that is the primary function of the bedroom space.

Don’t Forget The Sheets

While the mattress is clearly the most important feature, you mustn’t overlook the importance of linen. Whether it’s coverlets for platform beds or finding a duvet with a suitable tog rating doesn’t matter. When coupled with the right bed, you’ll be sure to enjoy better sleep patterns almost immediately. This is great news for the sake of your health, appearance, and energy levels.

Build A Winning Atmosphere

The importance of your bed cannot be ignored, but the surroundings do have a key role to play too. A good color scheme can instantly bring a happier tone while making the space feel bigger. Decor by Palazzo Collezioni is a great way to bring a sense of style and luxury to the room. Just remember that the furniture and storage shouldn’t leave the room feeling overcrowded. Utilize the walls with shelving, and you should retain a greater sense of floor space.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels.com]

 Get The Lighting Right

While lighting certainly feeds into the overall vibe, it is something that deserves extra attention. Without going into too much detail, the wrong lighting (from tech devices) makes it harder to sleep and reach levels of deep sleep. Conversely, having a dimmer switch or touch lamps allows you to maintain greater control. In turn, this can help your body prepare for sleep in those crucial moments.

Think About Temperature

There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable due to the wrong temperature. HVAC system from Ventis encourages good air circulation and a comfortable heat. This won’t just help you nod off, but can also aid the quality of sleep throughout the night. Whether you sleep alone or share the room with your partner, getting this step right is essential. After all, your quality of sleep is on the line.

Creating a great bedroom doesn’t suddenly turn your home into a palace, but it does remove a whole host of issues. Moreover, it will make the faults throughout other parts of the property seem far less problematic.

Every single day we hear how appearances aren’t important and it’s what is on the inside that counts. The thing is, when it comes to selling your home, it’s really all about the appearance! Selling a house is no easy job, and while there was a lot of work that you put into your efforts to buy a house and do it up, the same level of effort has to be given when you want to sell it, as well. First impressions could make the deal, or it could break it into smithereens, and if you’re not paying attention to your exteriors, you could lose an entire deal.

The interior of the home is the most concentrated on part of a house sale. You know that people are going to be wandering from room to room, making judgements and imagining their own furniture and decoration in the place that you’ve spent years working hard to make look beautiful. It doesn’t work for books – you would never judge one by its cover – but when it comes to your house, how much attention have you really paid to the outside? Taking yourself across the street to just take a moment and look at your home is important. Are the garage doors looking tired and chipped? Are the light fittings outside dirty? Do the windows need to be cleaned? Are there any bright flowers looking nice outside? All of these questions need answering, and it could make the difference between whether your home is ready for viewing. The last thing that you want to do is to put your home on the market looking less than presentable, and while you may not have cared whether you have a garage door that’s a little stiff and doesn’t work, and you may not have cared what colour flowers are planted outside, other people will. Think about it; the most beautiful box of chocolates will be the first off the shelf, because it looks appealing and people can imagine biting into a luxuriously smooth sweet. You need to make your home the chocolate box that appeals to the people who look at it. You can’t imagine the house to look good, you have to make it happen so that your home sale can go through quickly.

[Photo courtesy of Caliber Roofs/wikimedia.com]

A potential buyer can take eight seconds to decide whether they could buy a home. Even if they could make changes to the exterior to suit them, they shouldn’t have to, and they’ll be thinking just that when they view your house. If you booked to view two houses and one had a beautifully laid out front lawn, a tidy driveway and daisies dotted around the grassy area, and the other was overgrown with weeds, had debris all over the drive and the only flowers were wild ones strangling the daisies, which would you pick? We know, we’d go for the tidy one, too. The moral here is that while someone could make changes and tidy a house up, they’d rather move into one where the owner has shown that they care about the house itself. If your house doesn’t have the right curb appeal, the only message that you will be sending is that you really couldn’t care less whether your house sells or not.

For most people, improving their curb appeal won’t add value to the house, but that’s not what you are aiming for here. The whole point of curb appeal is to attract buyers, and while that won’t necessarily add value, it will get you that sale that you so desperately want. Getting potential buyers excited and in the right, positive frame of mind before they even step into your house is important, as that could be all you need to entice them around the house and get them to make an offer. You need to set up your property on the outside as carefully as you would on the inside. So, if you’ve already added flowers to vases across the house, washed and pressed the curtains so that they hang in neat pleats, and shampooed all the carpets so that they look as good as new, you need to read these ways you can improve your curb appeal.

[Photo courtesy of Justin Henry/flickr.com]

Paint The Front Door

Your front entrance hall has already been repainted and decorated to look fresh and beautiful, but what about your actual door? The rust across the letterbox and the door handle are not appealing to buyers. They want to see some care, so getting the front door sanded down and repainted to match the tone of the house is important. Peeling paint that has been weather-beaten does not invite a buyer to want to buy, it tells someone that you haven’t shown your home due care and attention. The best thing you could do for your front door is to go bold with the colour. You could go for an electric blue or yellow like these doors here and really make people give your house a second glance. It also shows a little of your personality off, compared to the more neutral interior that you are trying to sell.

Door Furniture Matters

If you have a modern build, then heavy Victorian letterbox features and door knockers are not going to match and will look ridiculously out of place. Try and avoid a doorbell that plays a jingling tune other than the standard: it looks tacky and that’s something that you definitely want to avoid.

[Photo courtesy of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of San Antonio & the Hill Country, LLC Follow
/flickr.com]

Light It UP

Outdoor lighting is going to change the overall look of your house, making it look beautiful in the evenings and stylish in the daylight. Most houses come with outdoor light fixtures near the front door, which add symmetry to the overall look. Update these if they are looking tired or out of touch with the neighbourhood. These little expenses will make a difference to the attractiveness of the home, and you want that to happen so that you can bring in the right buyers. If you really want to impress, make most of your lighting hidden and motion sensitive, so that when people walk up your front path their way is lit for them. Good lighting is mostly hidden and impressive when it switches on.

Tidy Up

The pathway that leads up to the front door should be clear of debris and look smart. If the path is uneven, invest in getting it levelled and tidied. You should be able to make an entrance from the beginning of the drive to the front door, which means tidying the flower borders and making sure bushes are trimmed back. Cars and kids’ bicycles should be parked out of the way and if they have to be out, not left halfway across the drive. Newly painted railings and a tidy porch are a must, as they have a reputation for being a bit of a dumping ground for coats and rain boots. Porches have the ability to give an air of distinction, but if yours isn’t looked after properly, the only air it’ll give off will be stinky!

Windows!

These are the eyes of the home. The light comes in through them to make everything inside look beautiful, but if your windows aren’t beautiful on the outside then all you’re likely to achieve is a nice house with dirty windows. Bring in professional window cleaners for the upstairs if you must but get the windows as sparkly clean as possible before you have any viewings. You want people to want to come into the house, not feel disgusted by the outside. Rotten window frames are also not a good look, and you should be ensuring your frames are sanded back and painted before you put your home on the market. They don’t have to be white, though, you can choose to colour match the front door so that you give your home a unique look.

[Photo courtesy of /pxhere.com]

Greenery

Flowers aren’t just something to see. They’re brilliant to give people a chance to smell their way into your home! Lilies are an example of a flower that is very strong-smelling, and planting these in the borders along your path can give your home a gorgeous scent, drawing people in and turning heads from the pavement. It doesn’t matter how small the space is in front of your home, you can do a lot with a little greenery. Making window boxes that are uniform in colour and even having hanging baskets outside the front door can really give your house a makeover. Try and avoid creeping ivy up the walls of the house, though. They make people imagine bugs and spider webs, which isn’t what you want people thinking about when they come to the outside of your home.

Curb appeal isn’t something that you should take for granted. You want to make a good impression, and the way that you can do that is with a beautiful exterior that matches the interior. Go big and go to your new home – because now you can afford it!

It isn’t easy to maintain a home, and it isn’t easy to keep it nice and modern. Through one reason or another, it can actually become a little boring. But we’re here to change that for you. The home should wow your guests, both inside and out. You don’t even need to do that much! All you have to do is think outside the box and go for something you’ve never gone for before. If you’re still struggling for inspiration, read on to find out more.

Inside

A lot of people consider the inside to be the most important, so we’ll start with that first. When people first walk in, you want them to be wowed. The best way to do this is actually a lot easier than you think. Smell is the most important sense here. Have a nice candle burning, or even one of those scented plugins that releases amazing smells all day long. It isn’t necessarily about making your house look good! Then, for a bit of decoration to spruce the place up. First we’re going to suggest a whole new colour scheme. It is the only way to truly wow your guests. Think of something you’ve never gone for before. Even if it is just switching from the usual white in the hall and landing, to maybe a mink colour. It isn’t too dark, but it isn’t too light. But it does change the mood of the house. Then for the living room, we’re really loving the white and grey contrast look. Paint the walls the brightest white you can ever find. It’ll help to draw in the light as well as look good. Then for the sofas, try and get yourself some grey, to dark grey either leather or other material. It’ll contrast against the white so well. Now, we know white carpet is a nightmare, so you’re going to have to go for grey as well, but it really does look nice. Get yourself some white or black coffee tables and a TV stand and you’ve transformed the room.

[Photo courtesy of wolfields/pixabay.com]

Outside

The outside is easily as important as the inside. All you need to do is wow them from the minute they enter your drive. The first step is the driveway, line it with Italian cypress trees. It is a bold statement that really does set off the driveway, and we guarantee people are going to love it. If you have a front lawn, make sure it is nicely trimmed all year round. If you want to get that extra bit of green out if it, throw down some grass seeds and fertiliser every so often. As for the back garden, you need to make it as colourful as possible. Plant some of the most vibrant colours you can find, and again, make sure the grass is lush and green.

So, after following our tips your guests truly should be wowed. All it takes is a bit of dedication to get your home looking perfect again. If you’re struggling for more ideas on the interior, just check out this link!

Now that the winter is finally leaving us, many people are starting to think about projects they can do in the home. You may fancy getting your hands dirty in the garden, ripping out the bathroom or simply painting the walls a fresh new colour.

With it being the first few months of the year it can be difficult for us to afford larger home projects without having to take out signature loans or dip into the holiday fund. However you can still make some fresh changes to your home without having to spend the earth.

Reshuffle

Rather than going out to the furniture store and buying a ton of new items for your home, why not have think of what you already have? Take a look at the way your living room is currently set out. Is there any way that you can move things around to create more space and light? Sometimes, simply moving the TV to the other side of the room can have a massive impact on the way your living space feels.

Lighting Is Key

The right lighting can instantly make a dull room feel so much brighter and modern. If you have an old fashioned light fitting with yellow light beaming into the space, your home will look dull and old. However simply by changing to a modern fitting such as a spotlight and using a cool toned light bulb, you will add a sense of light and space into the room.

Soft Furnishings

If you can’t afford to buy a whole new sofa for your space, don’t fret. You can update your living room easily by covering up your sofa cleverly with soft furnishings. By investing in a soft fleece throw and some brightly coloured cushions you will immediately be able to make the space feel put together.

Mirrors

Mirrors are your absolute best friend when it comes to decorating your home. A mirror can make a huge impact on the look and feel of your living space. No matter how small your living room is, a well placed mirror can add length and depth to your living space. It won’t cost you the earth and can add that missing element to your living room.

Paint Everything

Sometimes all you need to make your room feel brand new is a lick of paint. This weekend try buying a tin of white or pastel coloured paint and using this to revamp your walls and the ceiling. You can even paint wooden floors to add a new design feature to the room. If you have an old or tired bookshelf in your living room, a great way to change things up would be to paint the bookshelf white and then add colour to the back of the shelves. This will make the room feel instantly bigger but also give you a new design features that you will love.

Plants

Every room looks better with a plant in it. If you have some space in the living room which feels as if it is missing something, a great idea would be to add a houseplant. It will make your home feel much more lively and add some texture to your design.

Give your bedroom that long overdue makeover that you have putting off for months. With just a few subtle changes and additions, you can add flair and vibrancy to your bedroom that you are sure to love. Upgrading your current bedding to a sleek beautiful bed that is draped in stylish Laura Ashley bedding is a great place to start your bedroom makeover. This designer collection helps bring your bedroom a fun and colorful ambiance to your bedroom.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels.com]

Changing the look of your bed can significantly alter the aesthetics of your room, as it is the centerpiece. One great way to enhance your bedroom aesthetics is by adding a platform bed. The countless options of this type of bed include faux leather, tapered and king. Designer collections offer many accessories to suit your bedding needs, including sheets, blankets, comforters, bed skirts, shams and pillows. Find the bedding that best suits your room’s decor, such as floral print beddings or goose down pillows with European shams in the color of your choice. You can find full, queen and king-sized bedding available to spruce up the look of any bedroom in your home.

Whether you are doing a complete redesign or simply want to change things up for a new beginning, a new faux leather platform bed draped in your favorite designer bedding and accessories is certain to do the trick. Browse the broad selection of beds and bedding to find the ideal home solution to enhancing your bedroom.