A little clutter, some misplaced furniture, and an overly dim work area can quickly transform your home from a castle into a headache. Interior design has purposes beyond simply getting ahead of the Joneses. Mood, stress levels, productivity, and organization are all affected by the furniture and design elements used in a space. Do you have a small room that feels claustrophobic when used? Read this article and learn how to make any room seem airy and open. One of the easiest ways to make a small room seem like it has more space is with paint. If you paint a room a single color you will unify it and draw the eye outward. The best colors to choose to accomplish this task are colors from the cool side of the color spectrum like blue and green. Such colors appear to recede when viewed. Another very popular color widely used to make rooms seem larger is white. White is an excellent choice for rooms that don't get a lot of sunlight since the color will reflect back any light in the room. If you choose another color other than white, make sure you paint the ceiling of the room white. Otherwise the use of a sole color can mitigate the effect of the cooler color. A blue ceiling will remind people that the ceiling is there whereas the white will make it blend in with the rest of the walls. In addition to painting walls a single color, you may also wish to look carefully at every thing you place in an undersized room. The primary rule here is to avoid clutter. Putting too many items in a room takes up floor and wall space, leaving less room for other activities. If your goal is to make a room appear larger use books, knick-knacks and family photos should be used sparingly if at all. Another aspect of decorating to pay close attention to in a petit area is furniture placement. Any couch, bed or table should be considered carefully and thoroughly first. Ask yourself if the room really needs it. Good design can be of great assistance here. When choosing furniture for smaller spaces look closely at the materials used in the construction of the furniture. Wicker, for instance, has an elegant and airy feeling that takes up little visual space. Wicker items are available in a large variety of finishes and colors so you should be able to find a piece that suits your taste. Think about putting in a glass topped coffee table rather than a wood table. The transparency of the glass will seem to almost disappear in the room. A couch that is open underneath the cushions rather one that has a skirt that falls to the floor is another good choice. All furniture you use should ideally be scaled to the size of the room. Overstuffed couches and massive china cabinets will not work in a smaller room. Consider choosing a love seat and breakfast table instead. Manufacturers have marketed items that are specifically designed for smaller spaces so investigate these choices. When accessorizing a smaller room it is best to choose pieces that draw the eye upward. Avoid horizontal lines if possible. Put paintings on the wall that are columnar in shape rather than square. Long thin candles are a nice item to choose. Group several over the fireplace mantle if you have one. Another way to draw the up is to use a decorative border or stencil. Place the border wallpaper parallel to the ceiling and use it all around the room. A stencil can also be placed right below the ceiling. Using a stencil is very easy. You can either buy one from a kit or make one yourself. If you have painted the room in a dark color, a contrasting stencil done in white will look very attractive. Follow a few simple rules and you should be able to make even the smallest of rooms in your home appear sleek and open. Most popular color choices and why. When remodeling your home's interior there are many important questions to take into account. One of the key considerations is color. The color of a room is one of the room's more significant design elements. With proper planning you can use color to create a mood, add height or bring warmth to the coldest of spaces. A well chosen color palette has the added advantage of accomplishing these objectives with minimal costs. By far the most popular color choice of all is white. White is a very versatile shade that can be adapted nicely to any home. It works well with nearly all styles and decorating preferences. Using this color has several advantages. Perhaps the most important is the color's ability to make small spaces seem larger. Even a very tiny room may appear to have more square feet when you use this color on the walls. Another advantage is the color's ability to add light and a feeling of freshness to a room. White is a good choice for rooms used more often during the summer months when a cool retreat is a welcome break from the heat. While white is often an excellent paint choice, it does have a few disadvantages. Too many white walls can make a house feel sterile and uninviting. It is also a difficult color to keep completely clean. To counteract the color's drawbacks many homeowners add an additional color to white paint before putting it on the walls. A small hint of red or blue in the paint mixture can soften the color's sometimes stark effect. Another color often used in homes today is an off white or light brown. Light brown is a particularly a good color to use in a large space. Unlike white it won't make the room seem even larger. The extra hint of warmth is a good way to add a subtle masculine touch to a room. This color works well with many other colors particularly shades of blue and pink. Avoid using it in a small space because it can overwhelm the room and seem oppressive. In addition to white and shades of light brown there are several other popular interior paint colors. What shades are popular often depends on the room's function. For example yellow is a warm shade that is frequently associated with happiness and good cheer. This color is used a lot in bathrooms and kitchens. It can also be used to fine effect in a room in smaller quantities. Paint the wall above the bathtub yellow and enjoy a sense of serenity when you use the Jacuzzi. Another popular warm color is red. Red is very vibrant color so many people prefer to use it as an accent color rather than for an entire room. Adding small touches of red in the form of seat cushions or a bowl of apples to a kitchen can give this highly used area even more zing. Red is also prized because one can adjust the hue in many ways. Add a bit of orange and you have a brighter shade that stands out even more. If your color preferences lean towards the cool side of the color spectrum you can choose reds with a hint of blue in them and still have a shade that works well with the rest of your color choices. On the cool color side of the color spectrum there are also many popular color choices. Blue is also frequently used in bedrooms. This is a popular choice for little boy's room because it is the color most associated with their gender. It's also a popular choice for adult master bedrooms. The color has many shades so it is often a good way for a man and woman to compromise on their decorating preferences. Light blue suggests the warmth of a sunny day to many observers while darker tones like navy and midnight bring in sophistication and elegance. People chose interior paint colors for many reasons. The most popular paint choices are often popular because such colors can be adapted to suit a variety of tastes and needs. Create a floral arrangement to accent any room in your home inexpensively and unique to your taste and personality. Use non traditional containers and blooms to match your color schemes. Floral arrangements always dress up a room. You can choose fresh flowers or silks, in a wide variety of colors and blooms. Any arrangement you make will likely be beautiful. There is almost nothing you can do to ruin them so don't be afraid to get creative. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Flowers on the wall? Go to your local craft store and look for fans. There are many different styles and materials you can choose from. Use glue or florist wire to attach the flowers to the fan. The best shape is to follow the shape of the fan, using longer stems in the center and shorter stems to each side. At the very edges you can have the flowers trailing downwards. This arrangement works very well for dried flowers and looks very romantic. Use some baby's breath, gypsum, or strips of lace that you've gathered with a florist pick. Florist picks can be purchased at any craft store, and consist of a green wooden stick with wire wrapped around one end. For the Christmas season you can pick up some antique looking instruments such as horns and use the florist wire to attach some poinsettias and holly to them. They can then be hung on the wall or placed on a table or mantelpiece. Let's talk containers. Traditional vases are always a safe bet. From the small bud vase to the very large, there is an infinite number of colors, shapes and sizes. Again, you can use fresh flowers or silks. Make sure to get some blooms in the same color as the vase to use as accents, and the rest of the colors should match the colors in the room. One professional tip when using a variety of blooms in one arrangement is to use the same color for each different type of flower. For instance, if you have an arrangement with roses, lillies, and orchids, you would want your roses all pink, the lillies all purple, and the orchids all white. When arranging the flowers, place the tallest stems in the middle and surround them with shorter stems. If you have buds that trail, use those for the edges so they won't interfere with the upright stems. Don't forget to add small fillers throughout the arrangement. Green leaves, and baby's breath are two examples of these. You can even get small beads like pearls that are made similar to the baby's breath. Feathers go surprisingly well with dried arrangements, and there are many different kinds of leaves that you can use also. You can also experiment with different types of containers, such as small tin watering cans, large conch shells, and wine bottles. What will look best depends on the theme of the room. A breakfast nook would be a great place for a small to medium size arrangement placed in a creamer jar, or an old fashioned milk container. Fill it with light and bright colored flowers, to go with the sun rising in the morning. The best thing about arranging flowers is that you can keep rearranging till you're satisfied with the results. So don't be afraid to be yourself and make it your own. An overview of the basic principles of Feng Shui as how various school measure and interpret them. The Chinese phrase Feng Shui can be roughly translated as "the natural forces of the universe" or "the way of wind and water". They believe that the energy fields we live in, such as the Earth's electromagnetic field, affect all aspects of our lives. The main principle underlying feng shui is to live in harmony with the environment so the energy works for you and not against. There are several variations of feng shui, the main one being traditional or classical. The basic principles of feng shui are Yin/Yang, the five elements, East/West compass points, the solar system and the environment. There is a set of complex calculations and theories that are used. Yin and Yang are the two opposing principles. Yin and Yang accomplish their work through the five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The natural environment is part, as well as the elements of the solar system, that works into the calculations used by the practitioner. There are two forms of energy in feng shui, visible and invisible. The exteriors of buildings or landforms such as rivers and mountains are considered visible energy. These objects have a physical and visible structure and using a landform classification, their energies are typed positive, neutral or destructive. Invisible energy flows inside a building and can only be detected and charted using the compass and trigrams (pa-k'ua). When both energies are known, then the practitioner will understand completely what is needed for the building. Extra care and measurements are needed for the invisible energy inside buildings. This was outdoor energy that could move freely, but is now captured inside. It has two spatial dimensions to it now. The dimensions are the directions that the back and front of the building are facing. A second dimension is the year in which the building was finished. This information forms the main method for the feng shui form of the Flying Stars School. Using trigrams of the I-Ching, the magic square (lo shu magic) divides a structure into nine sectors. Many factors and practices such as numerology and Chinese astrology are brought into this form. The other compass school is called the Eight Mansions or East-West. It uses eight directions on a compass based on the four good directions and the four bad directions that every person or building has. Each one belongs to the East group or West group, determined by the birth year or facing direction. This school does not factor in the element of time. Feng shui principles are common to most schools. Differences come from techniques and methods for identifying the energies and helping to balance them for the best results. When looking for a feng shui consultant, find one who is willing to explain 'why' they are making certain suggestions. This is a good indication that the person is familiar with the Chinese history and culture, as well as having attended a well-known school. By knowing some of feng shui yourself, you will be able to ask questions that are meaningful and understand the answers.



A little clutter, some misplaced furniture, and an overly dim work area can quickly transform your home from a castle into a headache. Interior design has purposes beyond simply getting ahead of the Joneses. Mood, stress levels, productivity, and organization are all affected by the furniture and design elements used in a space.
Do you have a small room that feels claustrophobic when used? Read this article and learn how to make any room seem airy and open.
One of the easiest ways to make a small room seem like it has more space is with paint. If you paint a room a single color you will unify it and draw the eye outward.
The best colors to choose to accomplish this task are colors from the cool side of the color spectrum like blue and green. Such colors appear to recede when viewed. Another very popular color widely used to make rooms seem larger is white. White is an excellent choice for rooms that don't get a lot of sunlight since the color will reflect back any light in the room. If you choose another color other than white, make sure you paint the ceiling of the room white. Otherwise the use of a sole color can mitigate the effect of the cooler color. A blue ceiling will remind people that the ceiling is there whereas the white will make it blend in with the rest of the walls.
In addition to painting walls a single color, you may also wish to look carefully at every thing you place in an undersized room. The primary rule here is to avoid clutter. Putting too many items in a room takes up floor and wall space, leaving less room for other activities. If your goal is to make a room appear larger use books, knick-knacks and family photos should be used sparingly if at all.
Another aspect of decorating to pay close attention to in a petit area is furniture placement. Any couch, bed or table should be considered carefully and thoroughly first. Ask yourself if the room really needs it. Good design can be of great assistance here. When choosing furniture for smaller spaces look closely at the materials used in the construction of the furniture. Wicker, for instance, has an elegant and airy feeling that takes up little visual space. Wicker items are available in a large variety of finishes and colors so you should be able to find a piece that suits your taste. Think about putting in a glass topped coffee table rather than a wood table. The transparency of the glass will seem to almost disappear in the room. A couch that is open underneath the cushions rather one that has a skirt that falls to the floor is another good choice.
All furniture you use should ideally be scaled to the size of the room. Overstuffed couches and massive china cabinets will not work in a smaller room. Consider choosing a love seat and breakfast table instead. Manufacturers have marketed items that are specifically designed for smaller spaces so investigate these choices.
When accessorizing a smaller room it is best to choose pieces that draw the eye upward. Avoid horizontal lines if possible. Put paintings on the wall that are columnar in shape rather than square. Long thin candles are a nice item to choose. Group several over the fireplace mantle if you have one. Another way to draw the up is to use a decorative border or stencil. Place the border wallpaper parallel to the ceiling and use it all around the room. A stencil can also be placed right below the ceiling. Using a stencil is very easy. You can either buy one from a kit or make one yourself. If you have painted the room in a dark color, a contrasting stencil done in white will look very attractive.
Follow a few simple rules and you should be able to make even the smallest of rooms in your home appear sleek and open.
Most popular color choices and why.
When remodeling your home's interior there are many important questions to take into account. One of the key considerations is color. The color of a room is one of the room's more significant design elements. With proper planning you can use color to create a mood, add height or bring warmth to the coldest of spaces. A well chosen color palette has the added advantage of accomplishing these objectives with minimal costs.
By far the most popular color choice of all is white. White is a very versatile shade that can be adapted nicely to any home. It works well with nearly all styles and decorating preferences. Using this color has several advantages. Perhaps the most important is the color's ability to make small spaces seem larger. Even a very tiny room may appear to have more square feet when you use this color on the walls. Another advantage is the color's ability to add light and a feeling of freshness to a room. White is a good choice for rooms used more often during the summer months when a cool retreat is a welcome break from the heat.
While white is often an excellent paint choice, it does have a few disadvantages. Too many white walls can make a house feel sterile and uninviting. It is also a difficult color to keep completely clean.
To counteract the color's drawbacks many homeowners add an additional color to white paint before putting it on the walls. A small hint of red or blue in the paint mixture can soften the color's sometimes stark effect.
Another color often used in homes today is an off white or light brown. Light brown is a particularly a good color to use in a large space. Unlike white it won't make the room seem even larger. The extra hint of warmth is a good way to add a subtle masculine touch to a room. This color works well with many other colors particularly shades of blue and pink. Avoid using it in a small space because it can overwhelm the room and seem oppressive.
In addition to white and shades of light brown there are several other popular interior paint colors. What shades are popular often depends on the room's function.
For example yellow is a warm shade that is frequently associated with happiness and good cheer. This color is used a lot in bathrooms and kitchens. It can also be used to fine effect in a room in smaller quantities. Paint the wall above the bathtub yellow and enjoy a sense of serenity when you use the Jacuzzi.
Another popular warm color is red. Red is very vibrant color so many people prefer to use it as an accent color rather than for an entire room. Adding small touches of red in the form of seat cushions or a bowl of apples to a kitchen can give this highly used area even more zing. Red is also prized because one can adjust the hue in many ways. Add a bit of orange and you have a brighter shade that stands out even more. If your color preferences lean towards the cool side of the color spectrum you can choose reds with a hint of blue in them and still have a shade that works well with the rest of your color choices.
On the cool color side of the color spectrum there are also many popular color choices. Blue is also frequently used in bedrooms. This is a popular choice for little boy's room because it is the color most associated with their gender. It's also a popular choice for adult master bedrooms. The color has many shades so it is often a good way for a man and woman to compromise on their decorating preferences. Light blue suggests the warmth of a sunny day to many observers while darker tones like navy and midnight bring in sophistication and elegance.
People chose interior paint colors for many reasons. The most popular paint choices are often popular because such colors can be adapted to suit a variety of tastes and needs.
Create a floral arrangement to accent any room in your home inexpensively and unique to your taste and personality. Use non traditional containers and blooms to match your color schemes.
Floral arrangements always dress up a room. You can choose fresh flowers or silks, in a wide variety of colors and blooms. Any arrangement you make will likely be beautiful. There is almost nothing you can do to ruin them so don't be afraid to get creative. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Flowers on the wall? Go to your local craft store and look for fans. There are many different styles and materials you can choose from. Use glue or florist wire to attach the flowers to the fan. The best shape is to follow the shape of the fan, using longer stems in the center and shorter stems to each side. At the very edges you can have the flowers trailing downwards. This arrangement works very well for dried flowers and looks very romantic. Use some baby's breath, gypsum, or strips of lace that you've gathered with a florist pick. Florist picks can be purchased at any craft store, and consist of a green wooden stick with wire wrapped around one end.
For the Christmas season you can pick up some antique looking instruments such as horns and use the florist wire to attach some poinsettias and holly to them. They can then be hung on the wall or placed on a table or mantelpiece.
Let's talk containers. Traditional vases are always a safe bet. From the small bud vase to the very large, there is an infinite number of colors, shapes and sizes. Again, you can use fresh flowers or silks. Make sure to get some blooms in the same color as the vase to use as accents, and the rest of the colors should match the colors in the room. One professional tip when using a variety of blooms in one arrangement is to use the same color for each different type of flower. For instance, if you have an arrangement with roses, lillies, and orchids, you would want your roses all pink, the lillies all purple, and the orchids all white.
When arranging the flowers, place the tallest stems in the middle and surround them with shorter stems. If you have buds that trail, use those for the edges so they won't interfere with the upright stems. Don't forget to add small fillers throughout the arrangement. Green leaves, and baby's breath are two examples of these. You can even get small beads like pearls that are made similar to the baby's breath. Feathers go surprisingly well with dried arrangements, and there are many different kinds of leaves that you can use also.
You can also experiment with different types of containers, such as small tin watering cans, large conch shells, and wine bottles. What will look best depends on the theme of the room. A breakfast nook would be a great place for a small to medium size arrangement placed in a creamer jar, or an old fashioned milk container. Fill it with light and bright colored flowers, to go with the sun rising in the morning.
The best thing about arranging flowers is that you can keep rearranging till you're satisfied with the results. So don't be afraid to be yourself and make it your own.
An overview of the basic principles of Feng Shui as how various school measure and interpret them.
The Chinese phrase Feng Shui can be roughly translated as "the natural forces of the universe" or "the way of wind and water". They believe that the energy fields we live in, such as the Earth's electromagnetic field, affect all aspects of our lives. The main principle underlying feng shui is to live in harmony with the environment so the energy works for you and not against. There are several variations of feng shui, the main one being traditional or classical.
The basic principles of feng shui are Yin/Yang, the five elements, East/West compass points, the solar system and the environment. There is a set of complex calculations and theories that are used. Yin and Yang are the two opposing principles. Yin and Yang accomplish their work through the five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The natural environment is part, as well as the elements of the solar system, that works into the calculations used by the practitioner.
There are two forms of energy in feng shui, visible and invisible. The exteriors of buildings or landforms such as rivers and mountains are considered visible energy. These objects have a physical and visible structure and using a landform classification, their energies are typed positive, neutral or destructive. Invisible energy flows inside a building and can only be detected and charted using the compass and trigrams (pa-k'ua). When both energies are known, then the practitioner will understand completely what is needed for the building.
Extra care and measurements are needed for the invisible energy inside buildings. This was outdoor energy that could move freely, but is now captured inside. It has two spatial dimensions to it now. The dimensions are the directions that the back and front of the building are facing. A second dimension is the year in which the building was finished. This information forms the main method for the feng shui form of the Flying Stars School. Using trigrams of the I-Ching, the magic square (lo shu magic) divides a structure into nine sectors. Many factors and practices such as numerology and Chinese astrology are brought into this form.
The other compass school is called the Eight Mansions or East-West. It uses eight directions on a compass based on the four good directions and the four bad directions that every person or building has. Each one belongs to the East group or West group, determined by the birth year or facing direction. This school does not factor in the element of time.
Feng shui principles are common to most schools. Differences come from techniques and methods for identifying the energies and helping to balance them for the best results. When looking for a feng shui consultant, find one who is willing to explain 'why' they are making certain suggestions. This is a good indication that the person is familiar with the Chinese history and culture, as well as having attended a well-known school. By knowing some of feng shui yourself, you will be able to ask questions that are meaningful and understand the answers.