How To Decorate And Update The Kitchen

What would be in your dream home?

A budget of $10,000 to $40,000 can turn an existing kitchen into a dream kitchen with the addition of high end counter tops, new cabinet fronts, state of the art appliances and great decor. But fear not, here are some great ideas for you if major kitchen upgrades do not agree with your budget.

Perk Up Your Kitchen
Installing pull out shelves in your cabinets will allow you to quickly see everything inside. Sliders under the sink will give you easy access to the trash for recycling containers. A trip to the hardware store will give you many ideas on how to make your cabinet space organized and efficient. Take a look at your sink. Is it scratched, stained or just plain ugly? Update it with an extra deep sink that will make washing large dishes and pots easier. Add sparkle to the area with new faucets. Choose a style with a high gooseneck to make filling large pots easier.

Just Add Furniture
Play with the layout of the furniture in your kitchen to see if you have room for a small comfortable chair. It will become a favorite spot of family or friends as they keep you company while you cook. It is also a wonderful place for you to relax while they clean up after dinner.

A Few More Tricks
Find a pretty piece of pottery or glassware to hold your spatulas, whisks etc. That eight inch bowl that you fell in love with would make a great utensil holder. Do not let your favorite pieces hide in the cabinet - find ways to use them on the countertop. If you have too many favorites and do not want clutter, rotate them every month. It is an easy change that will keep your decor fresh.

A small lamp tucked into a corner on the countertop will softly light the kitchen at night, shop for one that has an interesting shape or shade. A favorite designer trick for adding color to the kitchen is to place tall thin floral arrangements on each side of the sink. Eighteen inch topiaries adorned with lemons or pears make perfect accent pieces.

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Appreciate Your Porch

Porches were originally built for practical purposes. They kept the direct sunlight from pouring into the house during the hot summer days and protected the home from the elements in the winter. It was not long before the residents of the home saw this area as an extension of their living space. It became a place to read, eat and even sleep on a hot night.

Are you using your covered space in the best way possible? Do you need a space for entertaining friends or a quiet place to drink your coffee and relaxing? Will your goals change with the seasons? You should decorate your porch regardless of the season, because you will invariably see it everyday. It might be fun to host parties on the porch. It would be wonderful when your home facilitates love between family and friends.

Porch Of Delights
When the weather is warm, everything is renewed with green healthy plants, bright colored pillows and a freshly set table. In the winter we could change the focus to a winter wonderland. Use decorative snowmen, a tabletop tree, and stuffed animals to brighten the area. Strands of lights bring a bit of magic to the area during the gray months of winter.

Quick Tips for Making Your Porch More Enjoyable

Set up your seating so that it is encourages easy conversation. Make sure there is a place for a beverage glass within reach of each chair. Installing a ceiling fan will bring a much appreciated breeze on a stifling night. Bead board installed on the ceiling adds texture to a forgotten space. Paint it light blue to portray the sky.An unused chest of drawers or dresser can be pulled outside and put to work holding placemats and napkins. Store playing cards, checkers and puzzles in the drawers so they will be within easy reach. Hang a wreath, ironwork, inexpensive art or a poster of your favorite vacation spot on the wall of a back porch.

Craft and floral stores have ready made garlands made from greenery, grapevines or silk flowers. Weave strands of small lights throughout the garland and hang as a border around your outdoor room. Cup hooks spaced around area will hold most intertwined materials.

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Decorating Ideas With Windows

Whether your dream room is formal and filled with fabulous antiques or if it is cozy and sporting worn leather, you can complete the vision with carefully planned window treatments. Privacy, protection from the sun and energy efficiency rank high on the list of consumer needs for their windows. Blinds and shutters will provide this practical layer of window treatments. Purchase the best that your budget will allow because constant opening and closing will wear on the mechanisms that work these coverings.

Let the (Partial) Sun Shine In
Often we want to enjoy the sun streaming into our home or the view of the trees outside our window but we still want the privacy of a covered window. The solution is installing shades with the top down/bottom up feature. Simply put, they can be lifted from the bottom to give a view of the outside world but still allowing the lower half of the window to be covered. When privacy is not a concern, they can be used as traditional horizontal blinds.

Top Down / Bottom Up Shades
It’s recommended for office or media room because they will minimize the glare on your computer or television while maintaining a well lit room. Do not underestimate the damage sun can do to your home and furnishings. Window film can also be used to control the harmful UV rays that will fade your flooring, furniture and artwork.

This coating placed directly on the window panes will block out the heat and deflect glare while allowing sunlight to safely come through the window. You can purchase do it yourself kits or have it professional done.

Clothes For Your Windows
Now it is time to think about the fun layer of window dressing. A room looks complete when you add great treatments. What is the style of your room? What will it look like from the outside? Do you want them stationary or functional?

Panels
Panels are as popular now as when your mother was decorating her home. The difference is the variety in headers.

* Grommets create a modern vibe. The panel has metal rings along the top which threads on to your rod. They look best when used in areas they can remain stationary.

* Pinch pleats are strong in the custom treatment business. The most popular look is to hang them from metal or wooden rings. This look works well if you want to open and close your curtains often.

* Tab tops are fun for casual rooms. The tabs can be of different colors, have added buttons or be adorned with tassels. They should be used on windows that you do not need to close the curtains.

Valances

Valances are strong in window treatment decor. They add a finished look over your blinds by hiding the mechanical header. Hang them high enough so that they cover the top casing but they do not block the sun streaming into your window. There are so many styles of valances from box pleats to swags. Let your fabric design and the style of your room guide you on choosing the perfect valance.

Enter The Romans
They can be easily lower when privacy is needed. When raised, they create a tailored look that works well in so many homes. They look great in crisp cotton as well as a raw silk.

Window Treatment Crazy? Seek Professional Help
If you have a hard time visualizing the end results, choosing decorative window treatments can be daunting. A designer specializing in windows will take you step by step through the process. They will give you access to resources (fabrics, hardware, specialized blinds) that you would not be able to buy at your local big box store. They will also help protect you from costly mistakes.

What kind of window treatments do I have in my upstairs office? Well, looking at my windows I see delicate wispy strands of silk like material. Even though the design is intricate and somewhat pretty, I think it is time to knock those spider webs down! Until next time, enjoy more decorating ideas and video at my site below.

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