Posts tagged as:

home decorating ideas

Interior Design – Styles Using Interior Paint Ideas, WallPapers and Other Coverings

Part One – Walls

Walls, floors and ceiling are the large planes of a room. Because of their dominating proportions they must be considered with care.

These surfaces form the canvas on which to introduce other colours, patterns and textures.  Whereas painted walls and ceilings are relatively inexpensive to alter, a floor is a costly item to change.

The main decision about these surfaces is whether to draw attention to them or use them as a backdrop.

This will determine how decorative they should be – the amount of colour or pattern you introduce onto each one will have a direct influence on the complexity of the decorative scheme.

If in doubt keep surfaces as plain and as neutral as possible; there will be plenty of scope to introduce layers of decoration later through the use of furniture, textiles, lighting and accessories.

Doors, windows skirting boards, cornices and fixtures such as radiators must be considered within the design theme. Although they are proportionally smaller, they play a vital role in defining the perimeters of the room – places where the eye pauses to consider the effect as a whole.Collection art was never so reachable

The key to choosing wall decoration is to think beyond the wall being simply a boundary when it can easily provide a visual bridge between two rooms or a backdrop to a focal point within the room.

Choosing Wall Coverings

Decide whether you want the walls to recede into the background or whether they should have more impact in the design scheme. This will guide you towards neutrals and plain colours on one hand or patterns and stronger colours on the other.

Consider what will go against the wall. If you have paintings, objects and imposing pieces of furniture, the must sit comfortably with the wall colour.

Think of the forest greens and vermillion reds found in art galleries. You will also need to decide how to light such pieces and whether to install picture lights or other fittings before decoration.

If what is going on or against the walls does not pose an issue it comes back to personal preference; paint or paper, colour or neutral, smooth or textured.

Some homes have beautifully textured walls such as tone or rough plaster which can be further enhanced through colour or lighting. Conversely if a room lacks interesting features consider covering the walls with pattern for character or a strong texture, such as hessian. Or opt for fabric walling, such as a moiré check to provide a sense of luxury and warmth.

<Wellesley Sofa- Burke DecorWellesley Sofa- Burke Decor
From: Burke Decor LLC

If you have  inherited someone else’s decorating tastes and are not sure what to do, the best option is to paint the walls white – and choose a shade of white that is soft rather than brilliant – one third of magnolia mixed with two thirds of while is an excellent way of achieving a more muted effect.

With so many shades of white now available, you can even choose three shades of while for the same room, subtly altering the tone and texture.

Living with this bare canvas for a while will give you a greater insight into the room’s good and bad points, while also allowing you to observe the amount and direction of natural light. Colour can be added through furniture, texture, paintings and decorative objects.

In the end it doesn’t matter whether you want to use paint, wall paper or fabric for you walls, the important thing is to take the largest sample possible and live with it for a while before making a decision. This applies to white paint as well as colours – a white paint can appear pinker, yellower or grayer according to where it is used in a room – likewise yellows can quickly turn green or brown depending on how it was mixed.

Good home decorating ideas evolve, they take from many interior design styles and ideas until they become your own.

{ 0 comments }

Interior Design Home Decorating – Living Room Decorating Ideas

One of the simplest ways of transforming your living room is by using a few living room decorating ideas and spending a few hours moving tables, chairs and chests to different positions. Here are a few home decorating ideas for fast transformations with great interior design impact.

Colour Changes

Colour is one of the quickest and most effective ways of giving a room a facelift. So if you want to change the look of your living room, step back and look at the colours in the existing theme.

Pillow Decor – Contemporary Damask in Green and Taupe Throw Pillow

The eye naturally focuses on the big planes of colour; walls, floors, windows and major pieces of furniture.  Take into account smaller objects like lamps, vases, cushions and collections – paintings, china – it doesn’t matter.

You may not be in the mood or have the finances to repaint or recarpet so let’s focus on the smaller items.

Most of these items don’t connect in any way for the simple reason that most of us buy because we like these things individually rather than thinking about how they will fit into a whole theme. It’s you job to bring them together by blending tones of colours and finding the best home for them around the room.

Pillow Decor – Cream and Chenille Stripes Rectangular Accent Pillow

If you can do that successfully you can get great results in an inexpensive and original way. Decorative details can alter the colour of a room without needing to change the major elements. Changing one group of accessories for another gives your living room a fresh new look  – it can be that simple.

If you want to give a room impact, look for ways of achieving a more cohesive look – and colour is the easiest and fastest way of doing just that. It can create an illusion of a complete overhaul when in fact the key components remain unchanged.

The secret is to use flashes of colour and echo them throughout the theme.

When home decorating, the furniture you select such as a sofa, a bookcase, an armoire or bureau must not only work well in terms of comfort and practicality but should suit the style of the room to get a harmonious effect with other items in the room and that includes the wall colour. You want a room that feels comfortable no matter what style or theme you choose.

That means living room decorating ideas should take into account shape, scale, colour and texture to be successful and work at blending them.

Major Pieces of Furniture


Larger more permanent items of furniture such as sofas and armchairs have the greatest impact on living room style. These large or decorative pieces become focal points for the room; anchoring it.

It helps the design of the room if your major pieces suit the style and proportions of the internal architecture. Layering the two elements becomes easier, unifying the room more naturally.

If you have a low living room ceiling stay away from furniture that is too boxy or too high. Visualize the impact of your items on the space – will it feel bigger or smaller, darker or lighter?

If you use furniture that is very solid looking such as dark wooden pieces can make a small room feel crowded – not cozy. Remember that less is more; a few well- chosen and carefully placed items will maximize the light and space in a room – which is crucial to a feeling of relaxing and comfort.

Smaller Items

Smaller items of furniture offer great scope for style and practicability – but are only added once the major elements are in place and usually collected over time. They are generally the fun pieces to collect or buy. They also the most portable pieces and can be moved around a room or home to revitalize different areas.

Home decorating ideas for the home should look and feel as if you have taken no trouble at all and the best living room decorating ideas are simple and make everyone feel at home. That is successful interior design.

One of the simplest ways of transforming your living room is by using a few living room decorating ideas and spending a few hours moving tables, chairs and chests to different positions.

These few home decorating ideas for fast transformations with great interior design impact.

{ 0 comments }