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4 Things to Consider when Buying Curtains

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Whether it’s time for a change or you have moved into a new place, you want to make the right choice when it comes to your curtains. The right window treatments will make your room look welcoming and beautiful, and the wrong choices can make it seem cramped and dull. Before you head out to look at curtain options, consider these aspects to ensure that you buy the perfect ones.

Up to the Ceiling or the Top of the Window?

The first question you have to ask yourself is where the curtains will hang from. Conventional wisdom says that the curtains should be mounted a few inches above the window frame, but you don’t have to go conventional. If you have 8-foot ceilings, mounting the curtains near the ceiling will make your room feel taller and more luxurious. It’s an easy way to give even a small window more importance and make it feel larger. It’s an optical illusion that works wonders, so take a moment to consider how taller curtains would look in your space.

Make them Wider

Windows have historically been an expensive sign of wealth and success. Over the centuries, the poor couldn’t afford fancy glass windows, and they certainly couldn’t buy windows that covered vast areas of the wall. While windows are larger and more affordable now, the feeling that large windows belong to the wealthy lingers in our subconscious. You don’t have to invest in new windows and major construction to create the same feel. Use ready made curtains to make it look like a window is larger than it is. Take the curtains out several feet past the window, and you will find that your room instantly feels more luxurious and sophisticated than it does when the curtains stop just past the frame. This technique is so effective that you can even use it to cover an entire wall with beautiful curtains.

Pool them on the Floor

If you are creating the illusion of a larger window by taking the curtains further out than necessary, then you need to carry the fabric to the floor. Otherwise, the illusion will be ruined. Ready made curtains can stop right at the floor for a crisp, clean look, but they will look rich and elegant when you buy longer drapes and allow the extra fabric to drape onto the floor.

Limited Coverings for the Window

Of course, there are times when you just want to cover the window without trying to make the window look larger. This is often the case in functional rooms like kitchens and mudrooms and when the window is on a door. Anytime you want the curtains to closely match the exact window size, consider using beautiful shades instead. Elegant Roman or casual balloon shades create a clean look you will love. You can also use upper and lower curtain rods to keep traditional curtains close to the window and out of the way.

Once you know how larger or small your curtains will be, you are ready to start taking measurements. Don’t take measurements of your window, but focus on measuring the larger area your curtains will ultimately cover. Multiply the width by 1.5 or double it to allow plenty of space for the curtains to fall into attractive folds. With these measurements in hand, you are ready to head to the store and start shopping for your beautiful new curtains.

Aaron Edwards is an experience home improvement and renewable energy author.

Gray Is The Hottest Decorating Trend For 2013

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As the new year approaches, people are looking for a way to update the home. Every year brings new ideas and trendy colors. Here are some great ways to stay on top of design and transform the house for 2013.

Color Palette

The first part of decorating is choosing the right color. Recent seasons have included bright colors as a major trend. 2013 is seeing a departure from bright colors of the past, with the addition of a more sophisticated backdrop of neutral colors. This does not mean that the room must be boring. Decor is being filled with furniture and accessories that are made from great textures, shapes, and finishes. Light or deep blue is being used as an accent color and brown leathers are definitely important. Olive and purple are being infused into rooms as well. Reds are more orange in tone and as previously stated, caramel, cream, and gray are very popular.

Gray is one of the most used colors for 2013. It is beautiful when blended with gemstone colors like deep purple or green. It also looks nice with yellows and oranges.

Choosing the right tone of gray is important as well. Some grays are muddy which will detract from the room. A clear gray will appear fresh and crisp, especially when used with a pure white. Many major catalog brands are filling pages with grays. Gray paint, accessories, furniture, and stained woods are everywhere. Gray has the power to add class and elegance to a space while keeping it contemporary as well.

Decorating Ideas For 2013

When a person does not want gray as the major color idea, it can be used in small accents in the decor. Most homes are leaning in a warmer direction. People are also searching for quality products. As budgets become tighter and tighter, homeowners are looking to purchase furniture and household items that will be durable and last a long time. Even though this may cost more money up front, it will be worth it in the long term.

Many homes are becoming smaller sized without an aspect of comfort. Using soft colors and textures will make the home seem homey and welcoming. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to keep the floor plan open and flowing. Neutral colors along with natural accents are popular for 2013. More and more homes are exposing stone accents and open ceiling beams. Marble counter tops have continued to dominate kitchens as well.

To create a unique atmosphere, people are using special art and antiques throughout the home. Taking advantage of natural materials is also important. A “green” atmosphere can include the use of bamboo instead of hardwoods or plastics.

Decorating Themes

2013 is seeing a variety of decor themes. People may choose a French decor or more earthy ideas. Shells and ocean themes are popular and add a bit of relaxation to the atmosphere. Others install French doors onto patio openings and incorporate floral patterns into the room. This upcoming year, botanicals will be in abundance, since it is a simple means of bringing the outside into the indoors.

Other homes will use a Bohemian theme. This will be popular for the bedroom. Bedding and curtains are two places that designs can reflect the theme. Most patterns will combine two or three different colors. When mixed with neutral walls, the room will appear splashed with color.

Wallpaper is becoming more popular in 2013. Larger prints will keep furniture upholstery much simpler along with bedding or other accessories. Scroll patterns and chevrons are extremely trendy. A clean pattern of a few colors will not overpower the room.

2013 is the year for gray. No matter which room is being decorated, it is important to find something that will be quality made and last a long time. In the end, a timeless and neutral design will be worth the money.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://www.123rf.com

Jeff has been a blogger and content marketing expert since 2009. He works with real businesses, mostly on improving online visibility and user experience. Also Jeff is marketing consultant for ny homes for sale luxury community.

How to Select A Drapery Rod System

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Draperies can enhance the look of a room in an amazing manner. The look of draperies depend on a lot of factors like the fabric used to create the drapery, the style selected for the drapery, the hardware on which the drapery is mounted, the position of hanging the draperies and the type of drapery rod system. Drapery rod system is that aspect of a hanging a drapery which determines how the drapery rod will be installed and how the drapery will function. Generally the drapery rod system can be categorized under three types depending on the functionality of the drapery.

Manual rod system – As the name indicates, this style of rod system requires manual effort to function. Draperies hanged from such kinds on rods require manual endeavor to open and shut them close. In this case the draperies can be hanged in a lot of ways. The manual rod system supports rings, tabs and grommets to hang the draperies. The rings, tabs or grommets are attached to the curtain panel and are hanged from the drapery rod. Then they are manually operated to make the window treatment functional.

Traverse rod system – This is a traditional method of hanging the draperies and has been around for a long time. In this system, traverse rods are used in combination with a pulley and carrier system. This pulley and carrier is used to open and close the draperies. The draperies are attached to the back side of the drapery headers with the help of pin hooks which are then introduced into the eyes of the rod carriers. A cord that hangs at the side of the traverse rod is used to operate the pulley and carrier of this rod system. Traverse rods can be of three types, namely – one way traverse rod, two ways traverse rod and double traverse rod. In one way traverse rod the pulley system operates in a singular direction only. In case of two ways traverse rod, the draperies are drawn from the center to the right and left of the traverse rod with the help of two pulleys. This style is also known as center draw or split draw traverse style. In the double traverse rod style, two curtain panels can be accommodated on the same window. It is mainly used for the purpose of decoration.

Stationary rod system – This rod system is static in nature. The draperies are hanged from the rod for the purpose of appearance rather than being functional in nature. The curtains are not shut or open as the curtain panels have a static nature. In this style of rod system one can be experimental and divert from the traditional method of using curtain poles or rods to hang the draperies. Any long and slim but strong item like a metal stick, etc. can be used to hang the curtains. As the rod system is static in nature, the only thing to be kept in mind is whether the drapery can be hanged from the alternative item using hooks, rings, etc. or not.

Adam is a passionate writer and currently writing for Buycurtainrod, the best place to buy curtain rod hardware.





Interior Design Ideas for a Better Home

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When you are looking to beautify a room, the first thing that usually comes to mind is paint and soft furnishings. Putting a new ambiance to any bare and boring room is easily achievable when you have the right color of paint or some attractive wallpaper. However, if you want a more magnified way of rejuvenating it, placing some nice new accessories and decorations can definitely do the job for you. Get rid of old and worn skirting boards, and internal doors which can bring the aesthetic quality of your room to its lowest and bring in new furnishings which can lighten up any space and transform it into a place where you and your family would want to hang out most of the time and spend quality time together. Let your room achieve its maximum potential by replacing items that give it a discordant appearance. Internal doors, for instance, which are among the common items that are frequently neglected but in fact play an important role in interior decoration, often set the tone for the theme or concept you would like your room to have. Most people stick to their same old door even if they have already changed their interior’s style which then leads to an uncoordinated look.

Going for the Contemporary Look

At this age and time, some people still prefer traditional styles for their homes while others choose the modern interior designs. The more contemporary look is chosen by more homeowners and allows them to stay abreast of the latest trends. If you have just recently transferred to your new home or want to imbibe a new ambiance to it, it is important to know some basic ideas for contemporary interior design as this will allow you to determine if such design ideas suit the vision you have for your home.

Among the most common trends in design styles is the use of black and white contrast. Some people prefer to incorporate these colors in all items and walls in the room while some choose to limit them only to the furniture and accessories. No matter which you choose, the classic style and ambiance that the black and white combination creates will surely make your room much more inviting.

Bold Colors Add Life

If the magic of the black and white combination does not appeal to you enough, you can choose to make use of bold colors. People who opt to incorporate bold colors in their home’s interior design usually choose furniture pieces and décor that imbibe the African spirit. The life in the Safari is a very interesting theme to have in any room as bold colors are what give it its much-needed appeal. Throw pillows or curtains which have animal prints will definitely brighten up any living space and add life to it. If you are the adventurous type, this theme will surely appeal to your senses.

Visualize Your Choice of Theme

You can put your innate creativity to use in designing your home, or you can opt to relinquish this responsibility to someone who is more knowledgeable by getting the service of a reliable interior designer or decorator. Either way, you must know beforehand what theme or concept you would like your home or room to have in order to achieve a unified look. The Internet is a rich source of interior design ideas so it would be a good idea to do some research and find out if such ideas suit not only your taste, but also your budget. As soon as you have already decided on the theme, you can then shop for items and decors that go with it. Shopping in discount shops where rugs mentioned above can also be found are a great way for you to save money and still find quality items that can last you a long time.

Rugs Can Do Wonders

Aside from your door, there are other elements that need to be considered when enhancing or improving the look of your interior. Items like rugs in themselves play a role in your room’s transformation; from a simple space to one that seems to transport you to another dimension or part of the world. Persian rugs, which have are in demand all over the world because of their intricate patterns, are a mainstay in many homes. Aside from providing appeal to your living space, they function to prevent slippage thus providing safety to anybody who treads in your home.

The aforementioned trends and styles all show a variety of rugs that you can choose from, depending on the patterns and materials they are made of. Some can cost a fortune depending on the quality and craftsmanship but if you are on a tight budget, you can always go to any rugs sale in your nearby home furnishings stores and avail of huge discounts.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://morguefile.com/

Cedric Loiselle is a highly talented writer providing quality articles for a wide range of niches. These include business and finance, health and fitness, as well as home improvement and real estate.

How to Redecorate Your Master Bedroom on a Budget

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Are you desiring a new look for your master bedroom, but not the expense that may come with it? If so, then you will be pleased to know that there are many things you can do to restyle your room without forking out a lot of cash. Here are some great tips for how to redecorate your master bedroom on a budget:

 

Change your bedding. Your bed is the focal point of your room, and what you dress it with can set the entire tone of the room, as well as guide you on how to decorate the rest of your room. Fortunately, there are literally thousands of bedding styles to choose from – in an array of colors, fabric textures, and patterns – and it’s possible to find complete bedding sets that include sheets, a comforter, a bed skirt, pillow covers, accent pillows, and more for a relatively low cost, especially if you are willing to shop around. Check out bedding stores, as well as Internet sites, closeout stores, and retail department stores to explore your options and find great deals.

 

Rearrange your furniture. Creating a new layout with your existing furniture can completely change the look and feel of your bedroom. Roll up your sleeves and recruit some strong arms and try a number of different arrangements to find one that works for you.

 

Treat your walls. When it comes to giving your walls a new look, you are really only limited by your imagination, and one of the best things about treating your walls is that you can get a lot of effect for a very little amount of money. Of course, the simplest and cheapest thing you can do is to give your walls a fresh coat of paint in a new color. However, if you are creative (and a little artsy-crafty), you can apply a wall texture, create a faux finish, or even paint a wall mural. Additionally, consider options like wallpaper, fabric, and decals.
Refinish your furniture. Give tired, old furniture a new look by refinishing it. You have a lot of options here, some more labor intensive than others, but the hard work will be well worth the dramatic results you can get from a refinishing job. Consider re-staining wooden furniture to give it a new tone (or even just to make it look like new again), or choosing a solid paint in either neutrals or a bold statement color.

As you can see, it is possible for you to create an entirely new master bedroom environment without spending a lot of money as long as you are willing to invest some resourcefulness, creativity, and legwork. Draw from these ideas for inspiration, and happy decorating!

About the Author: Alvaro Nydam and his wife just finished redecorating their master bedroom. They found a modern bedroom set at a discounted rate and then went on to change up the colors and decor with inexpensive paint, artwork, and window treatments. The room looks completely different and is more relaxing than ever before!

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