Changing the Look of Your Living Room

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It’s the room that your family relaxes in and the space in which you entertain your guests — your living room, then, should be as comfortable, appealing, and atmospheric as it can possibly be. To ensure this is the case, especially if yours is very much stuck in the past, it might be time for you to change the look of your living room.

For cost-effective advice on how to update your home’s main living area, be sure to check out the advice below. 

De-clutter the space

If you continue to treat your living room like a dumping ground for all of your worldly belongings, sooner rather than later, the area will feel cramped, muddled, smaller and, worst of all, uncomfortable. To fight this plight, you have to resolve to de-clutter the space… and you have to be ruthless when you do so. None of this ‘I might use it again’ when you have absolutely no intention of using it again — if something doesn’t benefit you and your family right now, sling it. This is the only way you are going to inject your living room with the spaciousness it needs to transform back into the comfortable living area you need it to be. 

Let there be light

Lighting could do wonders for you in your bid to change the look of your living room. Preferably, you should let as much natural light as possible rain in through your windows, as this will make your living room appear to be much larger than it actually is. At the very least, you should ensure that your electrics are wired up correctly and that all the lights are working. Quite simply, nobody is going to want to spend time in your living if they cannot see what they are doing or who they are speaking to!

Change your color scheme

If you wish to give your living room’s look a complete overhaul, then you should seriously consider changing its color scheme.

In this instance, there can be no half measures — either go all in, or don’t go in at all. Don’t just invest in a few matching ornaments, for example, and instead change absolutely everything about your color scheme. Lay your floor with white oak, such as that made available at Kensyard.co.uk, and buy white curtains and furniture that match it. By taking this kind of action, your living room will be transformed to the point where it will be all but unrecognizable.

Change your seating arrangement

Changing your seating arrangement is a simple yet effective way to change your living room’s look.

When it comes to re-planning the layout of your seats, you must keep the focal point of the room (which is, more than likely, your TV) in mind at all times. No matter how pretty your new layout may be, if visitors to your home have to strain to see something or talk to someone, it will constitute as a fail.

  

The next time you feel the urge to change the look of your living room, be sure to remember all of the above advice.

6 Interior Design Rules You Must Follow

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Every homeowner wants to create a beautiful, functional and inviting property, which will ensure they are bursting with pride each time a guest steps inside.

While interior design should come down to individual taste, there are various key elements you can incorporate that can impact the look and feel of your home.

If you want to elevate your property in 2019, here are six interior design rules you must follow.

1. Pick a Hero

Every room within the home needs a hero piece, which can make a visual impact once a person enters the space. The eye-catching focal point should steal the limelight from other furniture and accessories within your interior design.

Good examples of a hero piece can include:

• A feature wall
• Large artwork
• A stunning rug
• A fireplace
• An elegant chandelier

It is worthwhile browsing the market and potentially spending a little extra on your focal point, which will ensure it grabs people’s attention.

2. Mix and Match Your Shapes

If a living room, bedroom or dining room is filled with many square or rectangular shapes, it might be wise to incorporate different forms into your interior to add softness and texture into a room. For example, if you have many right angles and lines, consider including more circular furniture and accessories, such as a round table, mirror or rug.

3. Install Beautiful Flooring

Premium flooring can make a dramatic difference to your interior. For example, quality laminate flooring Charleston SC can add a touch of elegance into a room while elongating a space. Plus, the durable design will ensure it easily withstands heavy foot traffic, so your property can look beautiful year after year.

4. Create the Illusion of Height

Don’t despair if your property has low ceilings. All you need to do is create the illusion of height. For example, purchase low-profile furniture for your living room to make your ceilings appear higher than they are. It might also help to contrast low-profile sofas and coffee tables with a slim, tall bookcase, which will draw the eye towards your ceiling.

You also can effectively fake height by painting your walls, ceiling and skirting boards in the same color, as your guests will be unsure where a wall ends and your ceiling begins.

5. Position Furniture Away from a Wall

Many people make the mistake of placing their furniture up against the wall; however, this is a rookie mistake. Most interior designers will be the first to tell you to position your sofa, bed or bookcase away from a wall, which can break up the space while creating a more welcoming atmosphere.

6. Understand Negative Space

If you love to incorporate bold, bright colors into your décor, you must master negative space like a pro. This means featuring neutral spots across your interior to allow the eye to enjoy some rest. For example, aim to balance vibrant hues with neutral colors to add balance and style into your color palette.

Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling a Kitchen

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Remodeling a kitchen improves the value, functionality, comfort and aesthetic appeal of your home. However, when not done right, you may end up spending lots of money on a project that will not fulfill your expectations. Therefore, you should take your time to plan every detail carefully to avoid disappointment. This article highlights some of the key mistakes that people make when remodeling their kitchens and steps you can take to avoid making them yourself.

No Budget

The first mistake people make when renovating their kitchen is getting started without a financial plan. This often leads to under spending or over spending. To avoid this mistake, start by identifying how much you want to put into the project. The general guideline is to set aside 15% to 20% of the value of your home. Once you have a figure, assign an amount for every element in your kitchen including furniture and appliances.  If you don’t assign an amount for each item, some will end up neglected and the result will be an unbalanced kitchen.

Not Paying Attention to Every Detail

Another mistake you should avoid is not paying attention to every detail in your kitchen. Consider anything that affects the aesthetic appeal, functionality, comfort and usability of your kitchen. Ensure everything is laid down in such a way that it works well for you, your family and visitors. Pay close attention to the layout, seating area, storage, lighting, furniture and appliance arrangement, colors, cabinets, open shelves, sinks, lighting, ventilation, electric outlets, flooring, island and every other element in your kitchen. Incorporating functional and stylish countertops will also mean looking into all the details involved.

Making changes when the project is underway will add more costs to your budget. Worse still, you may come to realize some details were overlooked when the project is already complete. Therefore, list everything down and note your expectations for each. Don’t get started on the project until you are fully decided on what you want for the entire space. And when you have considered it all, picture the end result for the entire kitchen. Will it be too crowded? Have you underused the space? Is the functionality okay? Will you have enough storage? Have you incorporated too many designs?

Not Researching When Hiring a Contractor

The outcome of your project is dependent on a number of factors, and a key one is the contractor you choose. Therefore, don’t be in a rush to hire a contractor before you check their qualifications as well as reputation. In most states, contractors are expected to have both a license or certificate and insurance. This should be the starting point for your evaluation. Next, check their gallery to gauge their expertise. And finally, don’t forget to read reviews and check their ratings on the internet. Taking time to review an individual or company before you hire them will save you from a bad outcome. Additionally, when you are dealing with a licensed and insured individual, it will be easier to get compensation in case of an accident.  

No Contract

Your project should begin only when you have a signed contract indicating all the details for the project. A contract is the only tool that you can use against your remodeling contractor in case they fail to honor their end of the bargain. It will also keep you from having disagreements as the project is ongoing. Some of the details that should be included in the contract include payment amount and terms, duration, things to be done, warranty and materials to be used, among others. Ensure that the contract has all the details and don’t hesitate to seek help from a legal expert if some of the terms are not clear.

Buying Furniture and Appliances Last

Another mistake that you should avoid is getting your furniture and appliances last. Decide what you want in advance so that the designer or contractor can take that into account when making the plan. It will be easier to plan for the other spaces when you know the dimensions and color of your appliances. You can order in advance and have them delivered later in case you don’t have enough storage.

Not Thinking About the Future

Kitchen renovation is not something that you do every year, and therefore you should think about the future when you are planning. Some of the ideas that look very trendy today will be outdated in a few years. Therefore, go for designs and materials that will still look good in years to come. Quality matters too when you think about the future. Don’t settle for low quality materials that will begin to chip off before you are ready for your next home renovation project. If you are renovating on a budget, take time to find stores that have affordable but quality materials. You could also buy some second-hand quality items to cut on costs.

Not Getting a 3D Preview

Thanks to advances in technology, homeowners can now view designs in 3D. 3D will give you a better view of what your kitchen will look like when it is done. Many people make the mistake of relying on paper sketches only to realize that the design wasn’t that good when the project is almost done. Therefore, take advantage of technology and get a preview of your kitchen before the contractor gets to work.

Minimal Research on Materials

Finally, when remodeling your kitchen, don’t settle on the first design and material you come across. Compare the durability and strength of different materials before you make a decision. Also, consider factors such as aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency. Explore every option in the market before you make a decision.

Avoiding these mistakes when remodeling your kitchen will save you a lot of disappointment and give you value for your money. Most importantly, you will get your dream kitchen. If you are feeling stuck, seek input from your family members, friends or a professional in kitchen remodeling. However, remember to re-evaluate the ideas you get from other people before making a decision to implement them. Don’t implement any idea that you are not comfortable with.