As Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday shopping season has begun, we must remember that 2010 is about to come to an end. As the times are changing, so are trends in home furnishings and decor. Many people are looking forward to 2011 and excited to start fresh with a new year. A way to reward yourself for making it through this past year in a current and radiant way is to freshen up your home with furniture and decor. Although we are in a time where we are cautious of how we spend our money, giving your home some zest can be inexpensive and fulfilling if it is done the right way.
Tips to Zest Up Your Home This Year:
1. Use different accent pieces and accessories.
The great thing about decor is it does not have to be very expensive. There is an array of home accessories you can purchase at a low price that will truly make your home pop. Try finding different pillows for your couch, loveseat or chairs. Vivid colors and bold patterns are very much in style for 2011. Bright colors in the green, yellow and orange families are also making a citrus splash this coming year. Add a large bowl filled with faux lemons or apples for your coffee table. There are so many little things that can be done to spice up your home that will cost you very little.
2. Add texture and colors.
Whether you are looking for a new area rug or are in need of new drapes, both can be an excellent solution in adding both texture and color to your home. Perhaps you are searching for a particular kind of drape and you have had no luck finding it. Cut costs and get exactly what you want at the same time by purchasing fabric and making your own. Add a colorful lamp to an end table or use a new piece of artwork over your couch to create a completely new look to your home.
3. Recycle and replace old furniture.
Although the economy has seen better days, it is fortunately the time to find bargains and good deals. 2011 is a great year to start fresh and recycle old furniture that you've been thinking about getting rid of for quite some time. Have a yard sale, sell used furniture on Craig's List, donate to charity or perhaps you can take your old furniture and re-paint it or refurbish it. No matter which way you go, now is the time to recycle what you have. 2011 is the time to rejuvenate your home.
There are so many fabulous ways to refresh your home without spending too much money. By making your home new again, it will not only make it look better but it will make you feel better! Everyone needs a fresh start once in a while. Let 2011 be the year of change, zest up your home this year!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Interior Design Spotlight: Color Psychology
Have you ever been told that the color of a room effects people's moods? As you are painting and decorating your new home, take into consideration that the colors you choose can create a particular vibe and set a mood for each room. They call this, color psychology and it is extremely important when decorating.
Red
Red is associated with fire, heat, passion, intensity, danger and love. Red is such a vibrant, intense and fierce color and can go a long way with decorating whether its for your walls or your accent color. Using red in your home will increases your heart rate, breathing and your central nervous system functions. Red is also known to increase appetites. Where would red be the most effective in your home? Try your kitchen or dining room where food has a strong presence.
Brown
Brown is associated with comfort, security and reliability. Brown is great to mix with warm colors as the rich tones compliment one another. Many people will use brown in an office, library, and virtually any room as there are countless different shades in the brown family. Brown is also considered and neutral which is quite beneficial to those who want to mix and match colors.
Green
Green is associated with health, nature, wealth and luck. There is something very fresh and clean about green. Green provides some relaxing and cooling factors that are great for a home. Instead of using green as a wall color, try using green in your accent pieces such as an area rug or curtains. Green has recently become a very popular color to accessorize your home with. There are so many different shades, each offering its own unique character. Whether you are looking for a warmer green or a cooler green, either will provide you with a beautiful outcome depending on what your needs and wants are.
Blue
Blue is associated with wisdom, tranquility, serenity, truth, spirtuality and cleanliness. Blue is a great color to appeal to the senses as it will relax and calm your guests. Blues are an appetite suppresent as there are not many natural foods that are blue in color. Blues decrease your heart rate, breathing and blood pressure (the opposite of what reds do). Blues can make you a little sad (yes, you may have a case of the blues), but all in all, proves to be an excellent option for your home decor if you are trying to accomplish a very relaxing and serene setting.
Oranges and Yellows
Orange and yellow are both associated with warmth, exhilaration and acceptance. Oranges and yellows are not as popularly used in the home as other colors, but still offer great benefits as it will make your guests feel welcome and excited. Oranges and yellows, like red, increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Yellow in particular is known to increase your metabolism.
Black
Black is associated with authority, darkness and death. Most people will not use black to decorate their homes unless it is decor or a piece of furniture (couch, chair, etc.). People find that choosing black furniture or black accessories tend to be timeless and sophisticated. However, you will hardly ever see a house that has a room painted black.
Purple
Purple is associated with femininity, prosperity and royalty. Rooms that are painted purple or have purple in them give off a romantic and feminine vibe. The great advantage of purple is that there are so many different shades and hues, each providing different levels of intensity. For instance, a lavender room may not be as ardent as a rich, eggplant purple.
Pink
Pink is associated with femininity, young girls, and innocence. Although almost instantly pink is considered to be very feminine, it actually has a different affect on human psychology. Research studies have shown that pink reduces hostile behavior and actually calms down an irate person. Many children, particularly, young girls, use pink in their bedrooms.
Grey
Grey is associated with clarity, creativity and knowledge. Grey is a neutral color and there for, becomes a blank canvas for the creative mind. Grey allows your imagination to run wild with you because the color options are infinite. Grey is a great color for a studio, library or office. Grey is also great for modern and contemporary homes.
Choosing what colors to use for your home can be very tough. Consider color psychology when focusing on a room color or accent pieces as it can truly affect how you and your guests feel. Adding neutral furniture and accent pieces can really pull the room together as a whole. The possibilities are endless but the color theory is a great way to begin when choosing colors and the mood you want to convey to everyone.
Red
Red is associated with fire, heat, passion, intensity, danger and love. Red is such a vibrant, intense and fierce color and can go a long way with decorating whether its for your walls or your accent color. Using red in your home will increases your heart rate, breathing and your central nervous system functions. Red is also known to increase appetites. Where would red be the most effective in your home? Try your kitchen or dining room where food has a strong presence.
Brown
Brown is associated with comfort, security and reliability. Brown is great to mix with warm colors as the rich tones compliment one another. Many people will use brown in an office, library, and virtually any room as there are countless different shades in the brown family. Brown is also considered and neutral which is quite beneficial to those who want to mix and match colors.
Green
Green is associated with health, nature, wealth and luck. There is something very fresh and clean about green. Green provides some relaxing and cooling factors that are great for a home. Instead of using green as a wall color, try using green in your accent pieces such as an area rug or curtains. Green has recently become a very popular color to accessorize your home with. There are so many different shades, each offering its own unique character. Whether you are looking for a warmer green or a cooler green, either will provide you with a beautiful outcome depending on what your needs and wants are.
Blue
Blue is associated with wisdom, tranquility, serenity, truth, spirtuality and cleanliness. Blue is a great color to appeal to the senses as it will relax and calm your guests. Blues are an appetite suppresent as there are not many natural foods that are blue in color. Blues decrease your heart rate, breathing and blood pressure (the opposite of what reds do). Blues can make you a little sad (yes, you may have a case of the blues), but all in all, proves to be an excellent option for your home decor if you are trying to accomplish a very relaxing and serene setting.
Oranges and Yellows
Orange and yellow are both associated with warmth, exhilaration and acceptance. Oranges and yellows are not as popularly used in the home as other colors, but still offer great benefits as it will make your guests feel welcome and excited. Oranges and yellows, like red, increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Yellow in particular is known to increase your metabolism.
Black
Black is associated with authority, darkness and death. Most people will not use black to decorate their homes unless it is decor or a piece of furniture (couch, chair, etc.). People find that choosing black furniture or black accessories tend to be timeless and sophisticated. However, you will hardly ever see a house that has a room painted black.
Purple
Purple is associated with femininity, prosperity and royalty. Rooms that are painted purple or have purple in them give off a romantic and feminine vibe. The great advantage of purple is that there are so many different shades and hues, each providing different levels of intensity. For instance, a lavender room may not be as ardent as a rich, eggplant purple.
Pink
Pink is associated with femininity, young girls, and innocence. Although almost instantly pink is considered to be very feminine, it actually has a different affect on human psychology. Research studies have shown that pink reduces hostile behavior and actually calms down an irate person. Many children, particularly, young girls, use pink in their bedrooms.
Grey
Grey is associated with clarity, creativity and knowledge. Grey is a neutral color and there for, becomes a blank canvas for the creative mind. Grey allows your imagination to run wild with you because the color options are infinite. Grey is a great color for a studio, library or office. Grey is also great for modern and contemporary homes.
Choosing what colors to use for your home can be very tough. Consider color psychology when focusing on a room color or accent pieces as it can truly affect how you and your guests feel. Adding neutral furniture and accent pieces can really pull the room together as a whole. The possibilities are endless but the color theory is a great way to begin when choosing colors and the mood you want to convey to everyone.
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Top 5 Must-have Items for Your Living Room
5. The perfect cocktail table. Although the cocktail table has a purpose, it is actually a piece that can really pull a room together. It almost becomes the focus of a living room because furniture typically surrounds it while it is somewhat in the center of the room. There are so many different kinds of cocktail tables out there, each with its own unique character. Whether you are looking for hard lines and a glass table that screams modern, or you're looking for a beautiful wood table to play off of the rich colors in the room, there is something for everyone. What ever your heart desires, it is important to remember that having the right cocktail table can really complete your living room.
Take a peek at this stunning tiered cocktail table!
4. The comfy club chair. Who doesn't love sitting in that gorgeous leather chair that is so unbelievably comfortable you want to sit there for hours? Everyone knows that a couch is a staple item in a living room, but it cannot sit in the room all alone. The best part is, the club chair does not have to match the couch. In fact, using different colors, textures and fabrics can really give your living room some originality and character. The club chair is an excellent piece while entertaining guests or even just sitting back and watching a football game.
For an example of a wonderful club chair, check this one out.
3. Find an excellent entertainment center. Whether you have a large television set or small, an entertainment center truly gives your living room a very finished look. There are many different kinds of entertainment centers and it all depends on what you are looking for and what kind of ambiance you are trying to achieve. Some entertainment centers have shelves which allows for extra storage and decorating. Whether you just need something small or are looking for something on the bigger side, an entertainment center will be a great focal piece for your living room for all to enjoy.
See this great entertainment center that also has storage!
2. Grab a superb side table. Side tables make an excellent addition to a living room. It's a great place for lamps, picture frames and other decor. Having a side table adds to your living room set. Living rooms may look incomplete without one. Whether you just need one or you prefer two for each end of the couch, side tables really add to the room. You can go for something subtle or something a little more decorative and whimsical. The choice is yours.
Check out this fabulous and chic Florentine side table!
1. Get a bookcase for you library. Are you an avid reader? There is nothing like having a gorgeous bookcase to really make your house feel like a home. Sometimes a bookcase can also be good for storage as well. Don't have enough books to fill up the shelves? Take advantage and put up pictures or other items you may have around the house but do not have room for. The possibilities are endless and there are so many wonderful bookcases available depending on the size you need. Make your home cozy and welcoming with this fantastic piece of furniture!
This bookcase is large and excellent for your book collection and storage!
For furniture in Charlotte, NC, Check out Boulevard Bazaar Home Furnishings!
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