Home sellers are facing stiff competition to sell their home to would-be buyers. You have to stand out from the crowd if you want to sell your house quickly. If you can make your home hit the right notes with buyers, then you increase the odds of your home selling for more than your list price. However, this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are six easy things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers.
Fix the Little Frustrations
Every little thing wrong with your house is a strike against you. It will hurt you even if they love the open floor plan and the location. This means you have to fix the broken door handles, the sticking doors, the dead spots in the lawn and other minor problems. This is the time to go through the house and fix every little thing that’s wrong and could frustrate a home buyer. Moreover, if the issue is part of a home inspection, you must fix it now so that it doesn’t come off the list price of the property.
Clear the Clutter
Make it easy for home buyers to imagine themselves living in the house. This doesn’t mean you need to remove all the furniture in the house. In fact, you want to leave the beds in the bedrooms and sofa in the living room. This makes it easier for visitors to determine what each room is for. However, you want to minimize your presence in the home. Take down your photos from the walls so it doesn’t feel like they’re intruding into your space. Remove your trophies, plaques and personal mementos from the shelves. If you have children, picking up their toys and keeping them out of sight is essential.
Remember to declutter work surfaces throughout the house. Declutter the kitchen counters of all unnecessary appliances and utensils so that the kitchen looks big. Declutter the garage so that your two-car garage looks like it could hold three vehicles. Pick up the toys in the backyard, too, so that it appears as a large, inviting space.
Deep Clean It, Then Keep It That Way
Regardless of how clean your home normally is, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned before you list it for sale. It isn’t enough to pick up the clutter and wash that dirty table cloth. You need to clean the carpets and tile floors. The bathrooms need to be so clean that people would feel guilty for using them. The kitchens should be as clean as a model home.
All of this will make your home look attractive to home buyers, and you can do it all yourself with nothing but a bucket of cleaning supplies and some hard work. However, that isn’t enough. It needs to stay that way. It is therefore necessary to clean up spills promptly and thoroughly clean the house before any showings.
Make It Low Maintenance
In a busy world, people increasingly value their time. This explains why we pay others to maintain our yard and swimming pool. If you’re fixing the landscaping, make changes so that the yard is low maintenance. If upgrading your floors or counters, choose low-maintenance materials. Look for upgrades that home buyers will see as improvements. For example, update outdated fixtures and put in LED lights. Consider putting in a programmable thermostat and other smart upgrades to make the home more attractive to younger buyers. Clean the gutters so that homeowners don’t feel like that’s something they’ll have to do soon.
Increase Your Curb Appeal
Your home’s exterior provides its first impression for most home buyers. Do everything you can to increase your curb appeal. Cut the grass, trim back the trees, and pull up the weeds. Fix the fence and clean up the debris and toys.Talk with a reputable contractor that does garden or yard waste cleanupsif you don’t have the time to do it yourself. Services will be able to clean up your front and backyard for a reasonable price. They’ll also be able to do some landscaping touch-ups for you if you have any problem spots.
Wash the exterior of your home to remove dirt from the siding. Make certain that walkways are clear of ice and snow. Do what you can to make the front porch inviting. For example, you could put flower pots by the front door to make it more attractive. In addition, fix your roof, because a leaky roof will scare away interested home buyers.
Get a Home Inspection
Before you list your home, have a home inspector walk through it first. They’ll give you a list of things that need to be fixed before you can sell the home. Fixing these issues up front will ensure that they won’t kill the deal. While you’re at it, ask your realtor for tips and tricks you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers .A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.
Your home needs to be welcoming, inviting and in good condition for home buyers to be as willing to buy as possible. Follow our tips, and your home could sell faster and maybe even for more money. Thinking of putting your house on the market? Check out our other guides to selling your home, styling your home and making your home appeal to families with children.
If we’re being honest, there’s a lot more to choosing and combining colors than meets the eye. There are so many different shades and hues, it’s no wonder that sometimes people misstep and choose the wrong one. That said, there are a few common color mistakes that designers see over and over again.
Keep reading to see what they are. If you’ve made one of the mistakes below, it’s okay. You’re definitely not alone in it and we’ve provided easy fixes for each one. Once you follow this advice, the rooms in your home will look better and brighter than ever before.
Don’t forget to check how light will affect the shade.
Not considering light
Believe it or not, lighting has a huge impact on the way a color looks and feels in a room. If you don’t consider how a room’s lighting works with a color that you picked, there’s a good chance that you could end up living with a very different shade than you originally intended.Fixing this mistake is all about prep work. Before you choose a paint color – or any type of color, for that matter – get some samples. Then, place the samples in various corners of the room and watch how the light affects them throughout the day.
You may notice that the color turned out to be lighter, darker, or have different undertones than you originally intended. At that point, though, it’s much easier to switch out your sample color for another option than to redo the whole room from scratch.
Forgetting about balance
When dealing with multiple colors in a room, finding the proper balance between them is key. There’s a place for bold colors to stand out and there’s a place for neutral colors to provide an opportunity for the eye to rest. However, if you have too much of either one, you run the risk of the room becoming either too overstimulating or too boring. It’s up to you to find the middle ground.
Luckily, there is an easy trick to help you. It’s called the 10/30/60 rule. This rule dictates what percentage of the room should be taken up by each shade in your color scheme. The first 60% is your base color and usually a neutral shade. The next 30% is your secondary color, or a middle ground, and the final 10% is your accent color, which is the boldest shade.
Planning out your spaces can be easy if you understand the principles of applying balance. It is key to making a room look visually stable by the simple placement of furniture, accessories, the use of colour and other elements such as form, and size. Without it you will end up a room that feels, and looks uncomfortable to be in.
There are basically three different types of balance: Symmetry, Asymmetry and Radial.
Consider the house as a whole rather than designing room-by-room.
Designing each room separately
At first, it may seem to make sense to decorate each room in your home as its own separate entity. After all, each room has its own individual uses, right? However, it’s actually a much better idea to think of your home – or at least each level – as one cohesive unit and work your design with unity in mind. If you’ve ever wondered why model homes and professionally-designed spaces always seem so put together, it’s because of cohesion. Every room in those spaces shares a similar color palette. As a result, they all flow together seamlessly.
You can do the same thing in your own home. Start by doing your best to make sure that each room works in harmony with the ones adjacent to it. Then, when you’re ready to take things to the next level, consider going for one cohesive look throughout the entire space.
Remember to include some contrast so the look isn’t too matchy-matchy.
Foregoing contrast
That said, you also don’t want to go too far in the other direction and have the rooms in your home become too “matchy-matchy.” When the colors you use are too similar to one another, the room runs the risk of becoming boring to the eye. In this case, everything starts to blend together and none of the design elements really stand out.
Luckily, if this is your color mistake, it’s an easy fix. Simply add some contrast to give the room a little more visual interest. You can do this in multiple ways. Try adding an eye-catching accent color through the room’s accessories or throw a bold print or pattern into the mix.
So you have some traditional pieces with muted colors and classic curves and you’re looking to add some modern, sleek flair? While one item would stick out like a sore thumb, a few modern items throughout will create cohesiveness and a deliberate feeling to the style. This is good news for you newlyweds who are trying to combine two interior design styles! Rather than leaving your husband’s one lonely, modern chair to fend for itself, give it a few buddies like a lamp, rug or piece of art. Just keep colors in the same family. Modern and traditional pieces play well together in this contemporary kitchen and living room. The muted colors and classic curves fit seamlessly with the sleek, modern designs because there are a few pieces from each style.
The kitchen and bathroom are the hubs of every home. They’re used multiple times throughout the day by family members and even guests! The more time you spend in these spaces, the more you need them to functional! Because every homeowner’s needs and styles are different, it's safe to say that no two homes are alike. If your cabinets and counter tops seem to stick out like a sore thumb, this might be the year for an upgrade.
Changing your cabinets and counter top can help make a dramatic change to your home. It’s a good idea to know what’s trending before making such a big investment. Here are the top cabinet & counter top trends for 2021.
Cabinet Trends 2021
A great space needs to be both functional and stylish, and you can’t have one without the other. The best place to start is by upgrading or updating your cabinetry. You have plenty of other options, such as refacing or refinishing to bring your cabinets up to date. Here are a few of the latest cabinet trends:
Matte Black
Both elegant and practical, matte black is the hottest trend of 2021. In terms of functionality, matte black cabinetry is very easy to keep clean and is not going to go out of style any time soon. If you think a black kitchen is going to feel too dark in your home, combine it with warm chestnut wood and gold finishes, you have an instant update the eighties classic look.
Stained Wood Cabinetry
If your outdated wood cabinetry is still in good condition, but in need of an update, staining it is an easy and cost-effective alternative to painting or even replacing the cabinets. Gray has been popular for quite some time now, kitchen and bath. Now we’re seeing it not only in painted cabinets, but stained cabinets as well. In that same vein, stained cabinets are making a comeback. Staining allows the natural grain of the wood to still show and comes in a variety of colors besides natural wood.
Two-Tone Cabinetry
While this trend was just finding its footing last year it is hitting its stride in 2021. There are some fun ways to play around with this trend to really make your space stick out from others. You’ll find this most often with the top cabinets in one color and the bottom in another, likely darker, hue. You can either choose two shades of the same color or go bold with a pop of color to create a focal point. Two-toned cabinetry is going to be around, so find your style expression and go with it!
Glass Front Cabinet Doors
Glass front cabinet doors are the grown-up version of open shelving. You can still showcase your dishware, but they’ll stay clean behind the glass. That being said, you can’t just put anything behind the glass doors. Think of this trend as another version of home décor. Only worthy dishes and glassware should be shown. That means no Tupperware or chipped dishes. If you’re not tidy, but love this trend, mix and match your glass door cabinets with some that are full doors.
Counter top Trends 2021
Once you have your cabinetry in place, you’ll need an equally trendy work surface. Your new counter top should be one that you love as well as one that can stand up to the need of each space. If you’re ready for a new counter top this year, here’s what’s trending:
Quartz
Quartz, the strongest commercial grade stone, is known for its durability and the consistency of its color throughout the entire piece. When it comes to maintenance and upkeep, quartz counters are made from fine quartz crystals, making them completely non-porous. Like granite, hot pots can be placed directly on the counter top, no need to search for a trivet while holding a hot pot again. Quartz is on the higher end when it comes to cost. Remember, this investment comes with zero upkeep, so the price just might be right!
Concrete
Concrete also looks great in a large variety of architectural styles and aligns with contemporary interiors, industrial decor, and rustic looks. There are so many reasons why a homeowner would want to update to concrete counter tops when remodeling. It is a great choice if your space is oddly shaped and other conventional counters just won’t make the cut. It is the easiest way to customize your space because it comes in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes. Does this all sound too good to be true? Well, there are two major downsides to choosing concrete counter tops. The first being that they require regular sealing and the second that they are susceptible to cracking, but are easy to repair!
Reclaimed Wood
As we’ve mentioned before, sustainable and re purposed items are a top trend for 2021. Naturally, reclaimed wood counter tops will be a hot choice for updating a kitchen or bath counter top. Some way to incorporate this trend into both areas of your home is easy. Think a vanity in the bathroom, a counter top or even open shelving in the kitchen. Using wood is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to the sourcing of natural stones such as granite or marble.
Terrazzo
This updated 1970’s flooring trend is really making a big comeback in 2021. Made of a combination of materials, like glass, marble, and granite, into a rough mosaic. You’ll see terrazzo popping up in different variations to be used throughout the home, not just as a counter top or flooring. Not all trends last, so I would tread carefully with this one. That being said, terrazzo is extremely versatile, ranging in a variety of colors, making it one of a kind focal point. If you’re looking for something really unique, terrazzo is perfect for you.
What’s Out In 2021
Updating cabinets and counter tops is an investment back into your home, so you’ll want to be sure that you’re making a sound decision with any changes you’re making to your home. While trends do change, kitchen and bath trends change slowly and overlap throughout the years. These trends might out in 2021, but have no fear, what’s old is always new again.
All-White Kitchens
While a white kitchen will never go out of style, now is the time to update your kitchen with some color. The daily upkeep of an all-white kitchen can be exhausting and time-consuming. By bringing in some colored cabinets or counter tops, you will find that daily upkeep will be much less, so you can actually enjoy your kitchen or bath without your mind wandering to the dirt.
Subway Tile
Once popular subway tile is now becoming less popular. While it will always have a timeless appeal, more homeowners are opting for other tiles as a back splash. Traditional subway tile is not as popular as it once was. While it’s always a classic look, I’m seeing a lot larger format subway style tiles that are more the size of 4 inches by 12 inches or even longer at 16 inches. These sizes require less grout and, in the right application, can make a space feel larger.
Conclusion
Updating your cabinetry and counter tops is a large investment, one that you want to get right the first time and feel timeless year after year. Whether you’re completely remodeling your home or just need an upgrade, consider these current trends to keep your home in style.
Though we’re only half way through the year, we’re already thinking ahead of the game for clients on current projects and as we’ve studied future 2019 interior design trends since the new year to make the most of their spaces for a lifetime and beyond, we thought we’d share our finds with your for inspiration as you wrap-up your own summer projects.
From which materials and finishes feel fresh to a surprising design style comeback we never saw coming, here’s a roster of enviable 2019 interior design trends to consider and give a go for good reason along with helpful tips from our designers.
Every year we see remarkable progress with uses of materials and how they are produced, light as a feather glass with irregular veins echoing those found in marble.
Her mesmerizing series of oval-shaped tables laid on asymmetrical legs are dynamic and enchanting with the glass top’s vein pattern appearing to be fluid with a shift of viewpoints creating a sensual and dynamic option that tops our list of 2019 interior design trends that go beyond the expected.
Since we couldn’t share the top 2019 interior design trends without taking in the color of the year and our take on it – here goes…
Coined Night watch green, this moodier alternative to hunter and bottle green makes for a nice alternative to today’s on-trend matte black and looks great with high-shine finishes and elements. But if a full room is too much, do consider small yet expressive ways to bring the color in, say a vibrant textile here, or a deep green rug set against a luminous marble floor.
From modern iterations on Murphy beds to movable walls and multi-purpose built-in’s, convertible dwellings are one of the most sensible and intriguing 2019 interior design trends to get our attention.
After all, who wouldn’t want a home brimming with genius, conversation-starting design that makes the best of even the smallest space with practicality, great design, and ease?
As more and more people gravitate towards urban city dwelling, it makes sense for designers to finally catch on to the need for smart, multi-purpose furnishings that are petite in scale.
Say hello to furnishings that can adapt to different spaces and needs and fit into challenging rooms that aren’t short on style – making this a welcome trend and one of the most popular 2019 interior design trends to make a splash.
Okay, so boho style really never completely faded away, but its impact on the design world last had its moment about a decade ago and for good reason. That rich, offset layered look just couldn’t keep up with the times decidedly subdued take on expressive design nor did its laid-back approach feel fresh anymore.
And as you can imagine, we were floored when we continued to find it coming back on every list and in every showroom highlighting 2019 interior design trends. For starters, it feels unexpected, is sure to set your home apart, and best of all is quite easy to bring into your home to add a sense of whimsical character that’s been absent for so long in the design scene.
With the enduring popularity of mid-century modern design showing no signs of slowing down, it comes as no surprise that Terrazzo surfaces and decorative extras made a big impact on design forecasts looking at 2019 interior design trends.
A composite material consisting of chips of marble, quartz, granite, and glass to evoke a playful, confetti-like abstracted spirit, we’ve seen plenty of genius ways to bring the material into your home with Terrazzo covering everything from flooring to lamps to even shower curtains (in print, that is).
Every year there’s quite a rush of excitement when Pantone announces it’s color of the year and new shades are released to the public, but in all honesty, those new paint shades offer very little change in tone and inspiration as we’ve all seen enough accent walls and clever takes on wallpaper installations to bore us to no end.
But ceilings? Now that’s fresh! In fact, the last time we can note ceilings making such a buzz as they are with 2019 interior design trends harkens way back to the ornate molded tin ceilings of the roaring 20’s.
From expressively painted to lacquered, to wallpapered and molding covered ceilings, there’s much to be said about the enticing visual impact thinking about what we often dismiss has to offer. A reimagined ceiling can make a room appear larger, brighter and best of all, more memorable than any common accent wall could.
When it comes to lighting, ask any interior designer and they’ll instantly suggest that you layer your lighting scheme with various sources to create a warm and inviting feel. Which makes some of the modern lamps we’ve seen of late look all the more compelling.
Take this snake shaped one from Fios for instance. Its mesmerizing silhouette will be sure to charm and create conversations while helping to illuminate a space all the better. Plus, we love its unique color to boot.
Since most kitchens are short on ample seating, create a warm communal feeling in one of your homes most frequently used spaces with a chic built-in layer your lighting. It’ll be sure to make for the best solution in even the smallest of kitchens.
Whether you only have a small kitchen breakfast nook to work with or if you’ve got an oversized kitchen, a beautiful kitchen banquette will be sure to encourage conversation while potentially boosting the resale value of your home as long as you go for a well-built, classic style. And a kitchen banquette will also help you use the space you do have to work with all the better so you can seat as many people in your kitchen as possible without having to bring in extra seating. Even better if you can build concealed storage under your kitchen banquette seating.
Popular in the 60’s and ridiculed from then on, curved soft furnishings made quite an impact at recent design shows as rigid lines have had several decades in the spotlight and feel a tad routine and expected.
Note how the crimson velveteen sofa above lends this otherwise masculine room a much-needed sense of sensuality and subtle play that’ll save it from being an of-the-moment fad soon to fade away. We’ve seen curved lines take hold on tabletops and even rugs as of late, but their return to sofas and seating make it one of the most intriguing and even covetable 2019 interior design trends to consider bringing into your home – even if it’s in the form of a simple side chair or utility bench.
While geometric patterns almost never go out of style thanks to their symmetrical harmony, ethnic and tribal-inspired prints seem to come and go about every 10-15 years or so as times and tastes change.
But what makes them feel so right when considering 2019 interior design trends is the warmth, familiarity, and offset pattern they can easily introduce to even the most minimal of rooms. And though warm minimalism has had its moment for quite some time now, there’s something to be said about bringing more life into a room as a direct reaction to the today’s somewhat strict, limiting, and straightforward approach to interior design.
That said, if a full-on heavy-handed ethnic inspired look like above is not for you, think about small ways to bring in the moment with fresh linens, go-to decorative pillows and throws, and miniature framed prints that you can easily switch out once the design scene moves on.
With the environment suffering major crisis after major crisis, we’re always happy to see new takes on production and décor that are easy on the eye while leaving little to no impact on the planet and its resources.
From leftover materials like marble being recomposed in smart ways to energy-saving appliances, to live plant walls, whatever you bring into your home from now on ( if you haven’t been doing so already) needs to follow suit and take less and give back to the planet as much as it can.
Choosing my first color to share here at ITALIAN BARK… well that’s a tricky one! When it comes to the World of Color there is an infinite source of inspiration. However after a little ponder over palettes; I thought of no better way to start our colorful journey, than with color of the moment ‘must have’ mustard yellow!
A versatile smart, sassy hue with both retro and modern appeal. Car of choice for this venture, well it just has to be a ‘vintage fiat 500’ suitably in a shade of Milano Mustard (see below). That sorted-vehicle in mind, let’s begin by heading off to the fast-paced metropolis- Milan -city of the future; global capital of Fashion and Design. Milano Mustard is dynamic and can vary from subdued saffron to a dirtier hue of yellow edging towards Mustard Yellow. The earthier more muted mustard works well in contemporary and classic settings.
But I wonder what it is that makes us go mad for mustard?This is possibly because it gives a wonderful warm aura in the summer, reflective and reminiscent of sunny days. Whilst remaining perfectly cosy and comforting in the cool winter months. Mustard Yellow as the name suggests is bright, perfect for those who appreciate colour yet has a touch of sophistication by the delightful dose of respectable mustard. A dark yellow, that is softer on the eye than vivid yellow. If mustard is your favourite colour it may suggest you have a desire for creativity and uniqueness.
Thinking of adding a splash of colour; why not add a dollop of this warming hue to your home decor. Feature walls to soft furnishings, mustard works well with both dark and lighter colours; with its underlying warmth, pairs well with cooler greys, taupe, clay tones and crisp white.
However when it comes to mustard a little can go a long way. Incorporate into more muted colour schemes to create a relaxing environment just boosted by that little burst of brightness, stimulating not just the space but our mind too.However when it comes to this deep yellow it is a brave colour choice and you can either love or hate it! Remember if you don’t want to overwhelm a room, use it subtly in your home by mixing with greys, break it up with a wonderful white or if you really want to pack a punch consider pairing with black. A bold choice!
Hopi Shade Mustard Yellow
Hand woven mustard jute
Mustard-accented installation called Hemma
source | source
Whether you are an interior designer or just looking for some fresh home-décor ideas, Pantone colour of 2019 will undoubtedly come to your attention. This year it’s Living Coral, a bold, vibrant colour that will make a statement in every home it enters. Although it’s amazingly versatile, you may want to take a minute and think how much of it you actually want to incorporate into your home. If you’re craving a big change you can paint the whole wall. Maybe you just want to accessorize your living room with a little splash of colour? Here are some tips that will help you bring this gorgeous colour into your home.
Big and Bold
If you wish to make this colour a focal part of your home, go and paint the whole wall. It will brighten up the room and bring that beachy vibe, especially if you live in a country like Australia. With almost 3000 hours of sunshine a year, walls covered in Living Coral will make any Australian home an oceanic paradise. If you’re into DIY you can do the painting yourself. However, if you prefer to leave this job to professionals, a good idea is to look for any kind of Brisbane painters who will not only get the job done but will also give you a five-year warranty. Pretty cool, right? With this box checked off the list, you can now devote your time to other things like choosing the new bedding if your coral wall is in the bedroom or throwing in some new cushions in the living room.
Pillows
If you often tend to have a change of heart and don’t like to stick to new trends for long, then coral accented pillows may be the perfect solution for you. They will cosy up any space you put them into and depending on the type of fabric, they will blend in perfectly with the rest of your furniture. Velvet and satin will bring a touch of luxury whereas cotton pillowcases are perfect for rustic and shabby chic interior. There is also a great span of patterns you can choose from. Plain colour will keep you in the minimalistic zone but if you like to mix and match, you can go for stripes, dots or any other pattern that tingle your senses.
Bring the Outside In
This stunning Living Coral is found in many flowers like roses, dahlias, orchids and many more. Whether you choose a vase filled with fresh-cut flowers, a new flowery rug or a painting with some eye-catching blooms, you will certainly bring in this Pantone’s colour naturally. Since Living Coral is inspired by reefs, the bathroom is the perfect area for your redecorating adventures. Find some lovely coral towels or a statement mirror frame. Coral drawer pulls may seem like a small detail, but they will definitely make a big change. A bath mat or a toothbrush holder are just some of many simple ways that can transform your bathroom into a joyful area. As you can see, there are many subtle and not so subtle ways to incorporate this fun new Pantone’s colour into your home. It’s joyful and optimistic on the one hand and energizing on the other. With its versatility, it can go perfectly with cold grey tones as well as with vibrant colours like yellow and turquoise if you want to change the ambience of your home to a tropical one. Whether you follow home décor trends or just looking for ways to brighten up your place, these tips will help you along the way and provide you with some inspiring ideas. Either way, you will be pleased with the results and the sense of joy Living Coral will bring into your home and life as well.
Retro is the new black. Again!
Structural, experimental, and free standing; this post-depression design, flexible in size with multifarious functionality is fitting to the lifestyle and crammed spaces of post millennia living. Created by revolutionary mid century designers with a focus on sleek geometry, the ‘less is more’ philosophy has resulted in iconic pieces such as legged coffee tables, statement light fixtures, and eccentrically set chairs. Glazed in earthy tones of brown, accentuated with accessories hued in amber, orange and olive-green tones, the Retro look is easy to attain with just a few changes to already existing furniture. The retro color palate, unlike any seen before or after, is experiencing a revival; brought on by the onslaught of Instagram users trending unsaturated filters on social media. The retro look is an amalgamation of texture and bold inventiveness, inspired by outlines found in nature. Creativity pairs organic wood and natural fibers to make pieces that reflect the past and the future. You can transform your living space to exude retro appeal by applying simple remodeling and refurbishing tricks at home.
Apply a New Stain
Ideally the material of wood used to build the furniture must be walnut, cherry, oak, or rosewood for an authentic retro feel. However, a wash of stain on wood can bring about similar results and make the furniture seem retro. Update the finish on your chosen piece by opting for natural stains in earthy tones such as Cherry, Walnut or Mahogany. Plain maple with orange hues is characteristic of the era while the brightness of the color opens up small spaces. Additionally, if you’re going for a more serene tone, walnut colored and fruitwood stains add an old world charm on rustic wood. Pair lighter browns featuring reflecting gold undertones with structural pieces while reserving darker finishes reflecting pumpkin undertones for geometric statement pieces. This will balance the aesthetics in the room.
Change Design Elements
When it comes to mid-century appeal, less is more. Originally, pieces constructed in that era followed the rule of clean geometric lines while surfaces may be laminated with particle wood. Tables, characteristic of the 1950’s era, exhibit sleek legs and eccentric arms. Most designs from the 1970's are bulky with low seating. Media stands and TV console tables are a throwback to the CRT television age and iconic of the era. For a quick and simple retro look, add wooden or metal legs to legless console tables, dressers, and even storage cabinets. Use these as coffee tables or media cabinets for living rooms. Adding a layer of laminate to the surface is a quick way to update your furniture and give it a retro look. Play around with wood laminates in neutral colors, or opt for the classic white; however, make sure the laminate showcases a Teak, Rosewood or Cherry wood pattern reflective of the time period.
Textures
Add elements of the past in your bed covers, curtains, and cushion accessories. Unsaturated green and orange tones like Carrot, Dijon, Olive, Honey, and Amber bring maturity to the living space while sporadic bursts of floral designs add charm. Upholster chair cushions with floral prints, or textured cloth and couches with somber brown leather. Distinctive of that era, you can also do away with bulky couches and set lounge chaise, designed with a thin wooden frame, with leather seats. Add natural materials like wool and cotton to contrast wooden accent, by placing rugs, cushions or even crocheted sofa throws.
The retro look and feel are all about the boldness of character and charm, thus focus on each piece of furniture collectively, and holistically. Add in a few ottomans with charmingly bright velvet upholstery to add dimension.
Colors
When talking about the 50's and 60's, what instantaneously comes to mind is the checkered tile patterns, mint green finishes, and cherry red velveteen chairs with sturdy metal legs. While the pre-industrialized era placed a great emphasis in the neutrality of hues, complemented with whites and blacks, the retro trend amasses designs from the last 50 years of the century, only to filter out the redundant and produce modern retro. In lieu of this shift, layered spaces adorned with textures and colors are expected to pop up. When choosing the color scheme of your room, it is important to think of other colors that could stand in contrast or complement your base tone. Shades of brown work best with cream, and hues of oranges; however, if you’re opting for a brighter look, you can always look into mint-green linoleum with a black base. For smaller spaces, pastel tones work best in adding a spacious perspective. You can choose from an array of color blends, but our favorite remain the dusty rose, with a laminate white finish, and the pale orange statement cabinets, with dark brown furnishings set against a textured creamy background.
To add in that final touch, opt for a contrasting shade for your curtains or blinds, or simply add a splash of green by setting up a few potted plants. The checkered patterns should also be incorporated as gingham has once again risen to the forefront, thanks to trendy hipsters. The checkered pattern, typically white with one other color, can be used anywhere, even walls. As the design makes a comeback, its general usage has been seen in the cushion and sofa covers, curtains, runners and table covers.
Accessorize
Once the bigger pieces of the room have been chosen and set up, it’s time to accessorize. This is where you can really be creative. Antique wall-mounted light fixtures and small chandeliers give off warm hues of light that complete your retro revamp. You can also look into simple pendant lights add subtle retro hints to space without overpowering its tone. 
You can add gilded mirrors and ornate brass finishes completing the overall look. Most importantly, remember that once completed your room must seem cohesive. Adding too many colors or shapes and patterns will complicate the look and make your interior seem like the result of a squabble between trendsetters throughout the century.
Everyone dreams of a well-styled home, not just well-styled but well-organized as well. If you have an eye for home décor like I do, you have come to the right place. Consider this article a mini guide to a well-decorated place. Although these ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ don’t really affect me but there are certain things that are considered as must-haves for a well-decorated home. They can transform your home instantly and make it look a lot prettier and organized. Despite the fact that you can decorate your space according to your likes and dislikes, but a few things are known as essentials that you MUST consider purchasing. Read on to know about what you have and what you need to get. Have a look:
A Splurge
You may be expecting this one to hear and here it is, the first piece of advice for everyone trying to decorate his/her house. You should definitely go for the fancy pieces you always wanted to get if it goes with your budget. The entire look of your house can be affected if you compromise on everything including the furniture as well as accessories. Hence, you ought to invest in quality pieces that can elevate the look of your space.
stylish curvy couch is the best thing to splurge. You can look for other pieces as well and don’t forget about accessories including the lights, mirrors, cushions, rugs, art pieces, antiques and more. Make sure to create a balance between things when decorating any space in the house so that your eyes can enjoy a pleasant view from every angle.
Statement Lights
Lights are exceptionally important. It is something that can make or break the entire look of your house in less than no time. No matter how well-decorated your space is, if the lighting is good, it can instantly turn your elegant space into a dull, gloomy one. Therefore, you need good lights in your house. It could be anything, from a crystal chandelier or statement ceiling light to a curvy floor lamp. It is the best way to add that amazing wow factor to your space.
If you don’t have any budget limitation, you should stick to a chandelier. It can add a contemporary touch to your space whether it is your lounge or bedroom; a chandelier has got your back.
Wood Table
There is never enough wood when decorating your home. Wood tables and ottomans are the first things everybody thinks of when purchasing pieces for their home.
Needless to say, wood is necessary stuff for adding sheer sophistication to an area. It is something that you can introduce everywhere in the house beyond storage space and sofa set. Invest in wood tables and ottomans as they instantly bring warmth to your home. Wood comes with its own organic element, and thus it can make any place stylish as well as natural.
Rugs
Another must-have for your home that adds extreme warmth is a rug. Rugs look super elegant, and they can add the final touch to any space and make it look graceful in less than a few seconds.
Rugs are available everywhere these days, and they come in a massive variety, different prints, colors and sizes. You can check area rugs online and before you make a purchase, keep your color scheme in mind. If your home theme is dark, you should get a rug in a pastel shade to complement the dark colors and if your home theme is light, you ought to stick to bold patterns and bright colors. Your accessories should complement your home décor. So keep it minimal, add the pop of color and choose the patterns wisely.
A Good Place to Read
A quiet corner in the house where you can curl up (and read all your favorite books) is essential. After a hectic day at work, everyone needs some space to unwind.
Choose a space that is silent and not in the middle of the home, add a comfy chair, a luxe floor lamp or table lamp, and a curvy table near at hand to make sure that you have an area of your own where you can just come, sit comfortably and have some ‘me time.’
Let Art Pieces Do the Talking
Art pieces are included in the most versatile decorating accessories. From sculptures to paintings, art is all about diversity. Regardless of your likes and dislikes or home theme, you can always find suitable art pieces or just create one of your own. If you want something stylish, you should consider a sculpture, particularly with metal finishing. In the event, you want to keep everything traditional, go for the classic landscapes or ceramic decoration pieces. In addition to that, don’t forget about the classical religious pieces, for example, a sculpture of Jesus, Islamic calligraphy and more. To make your home differ from others’ and to add a personalized touch, art is the best remedy. It is something that dates back to the prehistoric era. In the prehistoric period, people used to make cave paintings, which were later used for décor purposes as well as communication.
The cave art is preserved till date. If you have ever been to ancient places or museums in France or Italy, you may have come across such cave paintings. Hence, art is undoubtedly the most basic kind of home decoration. But remember that you need to have a skillful eye in order to purchase good art. All these things mentioned above are must-haves whenever you make your mind to decorate and organize your home. I hope it helps you out. Have a wonderful day!
Entertainment is a must for every human being on earth. And in India, entertainment more or less means spending time with family, watching TV shows. Though other indoor entertainments have started to gain momentum, enjoying TV or any other visual media remains one of the most popular ones. No wonder, the extent of our inclination to cinema theaters is greater than in many other countries. But with lives getting more hectic by each passing day, we find it hard to take out time to travel to a good cinema theater to enjoy a movie. Well, if you are ready for a one time investment, why not think of a home theater instead! Home theaters mimic the experience in a commercial cinema theaters (or in some cases even exceed the feel). If we are to count the upsides, there are plenty. Firstly and most importantly, you are at home, enjoying the ambiance of a cinema theater. Secondly, there is no time schedule you have to follow. And thirdly, well, the list goes on. Along with a home theater set, you need to spruce up the room to get that theater right at your home. Following are some of the coolest home theater designs to emulate at your home. Home theaters can be a part of your living room or a separate entertainment room like this. Since we are designing a theater at home, we get the flexibility to furnish the room with variegated furniture.
Here the room has a theater bed couch and plush recliner sofa, giving you a comfortable and luxurious experience. To make the room look more interesting, the colourful walls are adorned with black and white images of celebrities. Warm lights and false ceiling give an engaging look to the interiors.
This house has gone lavish with the entertainment/home theater area. To avoid a congested look of an actual cinema theater, the furniture is kept sleek and low. A simple addition of an area rug has given a crisp detailing to the room which matches well with the dark wooden floors.
A simple yet functional home theater design. With colours kept neutral, the space flaunts a sober look. Focusing mainly on the functionalities, the room gets a highlight with flashing neon lights.
A basement has been put to, probably the best use, by creating a home theater. Since the availability of light is usually low, sufficient recess lights have been provided. To give the perfect feeling of a cinema theater, the seats are arranged at different heights to enable a comfortable watch. With a bar counter at the back of the seats, this home theater has outdone the commercial theaters in comfort and luxury.
The striking element indeed is the lighting here. With two large bed couches and 4 giant recliner sofas at the back, you can play the perfect host without thinking twice for an evening extravaganza.
To make it more homely, this home theater has been planned within the living room. A large screen and a good amount of furniture (in a sufficiently large room) is all you need to create such a simple home theater.
Commercial theaters should take a tip or two from the above home theater. A large curved sofa is arranged in front of a sufficiently large screen, making it possible for people to have a chat while enjoying the show.
The room has been converted into a wholesome theater space. With multiple layers of furniture, the space gives the family the freedom to carry out their respective works while watching their show. Home theaters will never be an overboard investment. After all, enjoying a TV session with your family members, with the ambiance of theaters and comfort of your home, is indeed priceless.
Vastu Shastra is a traditional Hindu system of architecture which literary means “science of architecture”. There are theories of Vastu Shastra describing the principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement and spatial geometry. The need for Vastu Shastra is mainly to concentrate positive cosmic energy in the living spaces. However, it should be noted that Vastru Shatra is only a set of guidelines and may not be compulsorily used in all designs. Now let us see some key features of Bedroom design as per Vastu.
Location, shape and size-
Key features and preferred arrangements- 
Things to be avoided- 
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