Category Archives: Design Inspiration

How to Style a Coffee Table

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The coffee table just may be the most neglected piece of furniture in the living room. It is much more than just a place to set the remote and magazines. In fact, all the swoon-worthy living rooms that you see in home decor magazines and on social media have one thing in common, a chic coffee table. That is right, with the right accessories, you can make your living room coffee table become the focal point of the room. Let’s see how!
 
How to Style a Coffee Table: 
  • Make a Statement. 
It is always great to have a coffee table that makes a statement all on its own. From intricately shaped legs to bold hues with patterns, there are so many different coffee tables on the market. If you want to add some interest to your living room, choose a table that helps to make a statement and add to the overall design. 
 
  • Chic Basket.
Baskets and coffee tables mesh together well. Not only are baskets super functional because they help collect your tabletop items and create a sense of organization, but you can use them to create chic vignettes. Start off, by picking out an eye-catching basket, organize a few objects within the catch-all, and top things off by adding a scented candle and small vase with flowers.
 
  • Style with Books.
Believe it or not, books are more than just a reading material. Did you know that they are interior designers’ go-to accessory? Books, specifically, can add dimensions to the coffee table’s flat surface. Whether it is just one book or a stack of them, they add style to the tabletop, especially when you incorporate in a few accessories like tray or basket. For an easy and clean look, stack books within the same color scheme. You can also go bold and mix together books with different palettes or patterns.
 
  • Accent with A Game. 
One unique way to dress up your coffee table is to accent it with a game board like a collector’s chess set, oversized dominoes, or tic tac toe set.
 
  • The Space Underneath.
Do not forget about the space underneath your coffee table. You can stylishly stash throw pillows or accent it with chic stools.
 
There are numerous ways you can dress up your coffee table. Get creative and make the design special to you. 

Expert Tips for Mixing and Matching Patterns

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Using multiple patterns within a space can seem like a daunting task. With so many choices out there, you do not want to make the wrong selection and end up having an overwhelming design. To help you, we have created a guide consisting of four tips that experts use to mix and match patterns. Let’s take a look!  

Expert Tips for Mixing & Matching Patterns: 

1. Odd Groupings = Success. 

Interestingly enough, odd groupings work well in the design world. We are not sure why, but this concept creates an interesting and well-balanced look that is loved by all. While searching for the perfect mixture of patterns, you will want to start off with groupings of three, five, seven, etc. To help you understand the concept a little better, you will want to choose three pattern pillow designs from the options below: 

1. Pattern One: Large Scale; Organic Design. 

2. Pattern Two: Medium Scale; In-Organic/Geometric Design. 

3. Pattern Three: Small Scale; Organic or In-Organic Design. 

  • A geometric (inorganic) pattern would be things like chevron, stripes, plaid, etc. 
  • An organic pattern would be things like vines, flowers, swirls, leaves, etc. 

2. Same, Same. 

When incorporating different patterns, you will want to have one similar color that is found in both designs. For example, if you have a floral pillow matched with a vertically striped pillow, you would want one of the colors from the floral design to be found in the vertical stripes. This will help create congruity and consistency throughout your mixing and matching. 

3. Balanced Out. 

The placement of your patterns can play an essential role in the design. You want to watch where you put your patterned objects because misplacement can weigh down a side of the room. Ideally, you will want the patterns to create a balanced-out look in order to create a visually appealing design. 

4. Be Wary of Whites. 

Mixing and matching whites can cause a bit of an issue. With so many differences and undertones, you may find yourself trying to mix an off-white with a bright white, and this look is not flattering. To help avoid a mismatch, we recommend veering away from whites as often as possible. 

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks. Let us know what you think in the comment section. 

The Ultimate Guest Bedroom

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Guest bedrooms are one of the most exciting rooms to decorate in a home. You can explore your creativity and make it into an incredible space. No matter where your guests are visiting from, a guest room offers them an escape from their everyday life and routine. For tips on decorating your guest bedroom, we have created four steps towards making the ultimate guest bedroom. Let’s take a look! 

How to Create The Ultimate Guest Bedroom: 

Step One: Get The Mindset. 

When you are traveling, you are bound to forget something at home. Whether it is a cell phone charger or a toothbrush, you left it and you are struggling to figure out a plan. Be your guest’s saving grace by preparing a basket or drawer for their travel needs. You can add things like: 

    • Toothpaste
    • Toothbrush
    • Towels
    • Deodorant
    • Cell Phone Charger
    • Hairbrush and Hairties

Step Two: Consider Your Routine. 

When you get ready in the morning, what are some of the things you cannot live without in your bedroom? Add these items into the guest bedroom that you typically use every day to help them will they are staying with you. You can add: 

    • Alarm Clock
    • Full-length mirror
    • Desk 
    • Nightstand with a Lamp

Step Three: Create Comfort. 

A guest bedroom is meant for sleeping and getting ready; therefore, the bedroom should be comfortable and functional. Make sure to provide extra pillows and blankets for your guests in case it gets cold at night. Also, you will want to leave space in between furniture so that they do not bump into things with their suitcases. Lastly, buy a nice bed and comforter for comfort. It may take some time to save for a quality bed but your guests will appreciate a good night’s rest. 

Step Four: Always Entertain.

You may not be there to entertain your guests at all hours; therefore, the bedroom should provide some entertainment. You can add

    • Various books 
    • Magazines
    • A Television (Plus, a Gaming System) 

How do you make your guest bedroom special? We would love for you to share your tips and tricks with other readers. Thanks for reading! 

Embrace The Softer Side with Velvet Curtains

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Are you ready to turn up the dial on your home’s glamour? Then you might want to swap your traditional sheer window treatments for velvet curtains. Velvet curtains have a special quality that can bring great balance into a room full of rigid surfaces. The way it captures light and emits color makes it the perfect material to use in order to set the stage in a space. Take a look at some of the ways you can take your decor to the next level with velvet curtains! 

Embrace The Softer Side of Your Space with Velvet Curtains: 

Dressing up Big Windows

Are you searching for the perfect window treatment for your big and substantial windows? Velvet window treatments are a worthy contender. Dressing up such windows can become a challenge because it is important for the window treatment to match the intensity of the architectural feature. While velvet curtains are pillowy, they are a heavy statement piece, and the way it drapes and its hue demands attention against the glass of the window.

Brighten A Room

Velvet curtains are often purchased in darker shades, but to lighten up a space, opt for one with punchier color such as mustard or Picasso blue. Using velvet curtains that feature vivid colors can create an uplifting mood. Just be sure to select velvet curtains that create a deep pile at the floor for a dramatic appearance. 

Keep it Classic

Deep red curtains are traditional and timeless. Opting for such a classic look is bound to create an opulent look. You can make deep red velvet curtains work in a modern contemporary room by using a lot of fresh, pure white throughout the space for a soft contrast. 

Go Regal

Want the royal treatment? Purple is a natural choice when it comes to shopping for anything velvet. As a regal hue, what better way to introduce luxury to a space than by dressing your windows in purple or dark wine velvet curtains. 

Select a Material

If you are considering investing in velvet, it is important to keep in mind that it can be produced from a variety of materials such as polyester, cotton or silk. Silk provides the ultimate shine in velvet while cotton and polyester rein in softness. Artificial velvet also provides a beautiful sheen and it is stain resistant. 

Be sure to check out our other blog posts for more design inspiration. Thanks for reading! 

Outdated Design Rules: Part Two

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Previously, you read three design rules that are outdated and meant to be broken. We are here to continue with three more rules that you can absolutely use in your home’s design. Let’s take a look!

Design Rules That Are Outdated: Part Two 

No. One: Neutrals are Bound to go with Everything. 

Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true. While decorating with neutrals can be easier than with other colors, it can also be kind of difficult. The issue with neutrals is their undertone. Sometimes the undertone can be so obvious that it smacks you in the face whereas other times, it can be extremely difficult to see the undertone. The problem with not being able to recognize the undertone starts when you begin pairing it with other colors. To help make sure that everything goes, we recommend keeping it simple with a warm tan or greige (gray + beige). These two colors truly go with everything and their versatility cannot be matched by all of the other neutrals. 

No. Two: Do Not Paint Your Ceilings. 

Having color on your ceilings is actually becoming a huge design trend. Your ceiling harvests an ample spot for color and design inspiration. While white is the most common color, we recommend taking it to the next level with a pop of color. You can showcase anything from black to bright pink. The options are truly endless, but we recommend utilizing a neutral wall color if you decide to do a colorful ceiling. This is where our favorites: warm tan or greige can come in handy! You can use one of these two neutral tones on the walls then match it with your favorite color on the ceiling. Voila, you have a beautiful and unique design. 

No. Three: Never Mix Patterns. 

Mixing patterns is actually one of our favorite design tricks. You can create a harmonious design with different patterns if mixed properly. We recommend giving yourself some time to get used to the concept. Mixing and matching patterns is easy once you learn the basics. Take some time to play around with different shapes, lines, and designs until you get the perfect mixture. 

Do not let a rule hold you back from your home’s potential. Everyone’s design is unique to their home. Do whatever makes you happy and everything else will fall in place.

Outdated Design Rules: Part One

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Most homeowners try their best to follow the basic design rules in order to accomplish a beautiful, well-liked design. But what if we told you that a lot of the rules you are still following are outdated? That’s right! We have three popular design rules that you should definitely not follow and are worth breaking. Let’s take a look! 

Design Rules That Are Outdated: 

No. One: Matching is a Must. 

While matching can help keep consistency and make the room look put together, we completely disagree with the idea that everything must match. Instead of worrying about finding the exact wood species or same color fabric, we recommend searching for similar undertones. The undertones will help keep that consistency in the design that you desire without causing a ruckus to find everything in the exact shade. Plus, your colors also do not have to match. If you are putting a pillow on your couch that contains the color blue, you do not have to find that exact color blue for your lampshade. A similar blue tone will do just the trick. The one color to be wary of is white. Off-whites and pure whites are not interchangeable; therefore, you want to be careful when mixing whites. 

No Two: Mixing Metals Causes Chaos. 

If you want to mix metals, do it! Designing gives homeowners the opportunity to express their uniqueness and personality and no “rule” should hold you back from doing so. Design experts do not recommend mixing metals, but if we look closely at the rule, they really just want homeowners to avoid mixing metal finishes. The difference between a matte and shiny finish can create a little less congruency than we desire, but you can most certainly mix rose gold with gold.

No. Three: Never Use Dark Colors in Small Spaces.

We definitely do not want you listening to this rule; you can absolutely use dark colors within a small space. A long time ago, homeowners were encouraged to use only light colors in smaller spaces because they help to open up the space. But on the other hand, dark colors help to hide how small the space is and creates the illusion of a bigger space. To ensure that you do not overwhelm the space with dark colors, we recommend adding the colors in one at a time to make sure that they flow properly. Also, lighting is key when using dark colors. Just make sure that you provide adequate lighting in a small space and you will be fine! 

Are you interested in learning more rules that are just meant to be broken? Be sure to check back for part two! 

Do I Need a Headboard?

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If you do not have a headboard in your bedroom, you are probably wondering what exactly it can do for your room’s interior. While headboards are not essential to the structure or the overall aesthetics of the room, it can make a world of difference. Here are five reasons why you might want to invest in a quality headboard: 

1.A Range of Styles.
From tufted to custom DIY headboard ideas, there are a plethora of styles and colors. They are produced in a variety of materials like wood stains, metal, brass and other textures to meet your style preferences. Plus, the styles range from contemporary, traditional and mission. There is bound to be a headboard style that matches your style and harmoniously blends into your bedroom’s decor.
 
2. Increases The Room Size.
The right headboard can make your bedroom look bigger. Experts recommend forgoing a footboard and instead, opting for a headboard. When working with a small bedroom, it is best to choose a headboard that is thin and less bulky. Styles such as a wrought iron or a brass headboard can make your room feel much more spacious.
 
3. Cost Effective.
You can find headboards that fit with any budget. Painted and faster-growing wood material headboards are generally less expensive while intricate metal, tufted headboards are more expensive. Also, headboards that are manufactured from hard to find or unusual materials require a bigger budget. A headboard also eliminates the need for a frame for your bed which means that you will be saving a lot of money in the end-run. 
 
4. Makes a Room Stylish. 
A well-designed headboard can bring a lot of style to your bedroom. A beautiful headboard can take a bland, boring bed and turn it into something eye alluring and luxurious. You can purchase handcrafted headboards that have been wrapped in a vibrant patterns to create an interesting piece. Also, certain wood stains or painted headboards can be easily painted and revamped in your style taste changes.
 
5. Comfortable.
Since your bedroom is meant for comfort, a headboard only contributes to relaxation. A headboard provides the ultimate back support when sitting in bed especially if it has a cushion. If it is positioned against the wall or a window, a headboard can also keep you warm at night.
 
Ultimately, headboards will affordably help to add comfort and style to your space. 

Embracing Summer in Your Home’s Design

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Most of us live for the longer days and the warm weather that summer brings. Summer is all about relaxing and having as much fun as you can. So how can you bring such an energy into your home? Rest assured, you do not have to own a beach house to get those summer vibes in your home. Here are some summer-filled decor ideas that you can try in your own home. 

Embracing Summer in Your Home’s Design: 

1. Add Some Color to The Room.

Dark colors are great for the fall and winter; however, in the summer, you want to create a light and airy look. In order to capture this look, you will have to take advantage of bold, bright colors to add some brightness into the room. Adding new colors to a room does not have to be expensive or a permanent change. For instance, you can transform your dark neutral color couch into something bright and fun with removable slipcovers or blankets. You can even add emphasis to the look with colorful throw patterns with exotic patterns. If you are scared to go too bright, you can stick to neutral colors such as bright whites and beige to create an airy feeling in your home. 

2. Get Rid of The Drapes. 

In the summer months, you can store your more heavy draperies. They tend to weigh down the room. Instead, during the summer months, you will want to opt for something light-weight and maybe even sheer. These light-weight curtains allow the warm breeze to flow inside of the space while letting the sunlight glisten into the room. 

3. Bring in The Outdoors. 

Summertime is all about enjoying the outdoors. Bring the outdoors into your home by incorporating flowers and plants into your design scheme. You can let fruit arrangements serve as your centerpieces and incorporate plants around the room. Adding a hint of nature to your design strategy will add a homey feel. If you do not want to commit to real plants, you can always opt for faux pieces such as a plastic bamboo tree. 

4. Spruce up The Outdoor Area.

Whether you plan on entertaining outdoors during the summer months or you simply plan on retreating to your favorite outdoor space, you will want to keep it clean and fresh. Be sure to cut the grass, clear away old leaves and wipe down your outdoor furniture. Make sure your outdoor furniture is comfortable by adding pillows and throw blankets.

How do you embrace summer? Let us know in the comment section.  

 

Decorating with Throw Pillows for Any Style

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What Type of Throw Pillows are Trendy?
Whether you are searching for throw pillows for the living room or your bedroom, it is helpful to know what is trendy right now. Loose linen pillows have become popular because they complement both classic and contemporary interiors. Also, pastel-colored pillows are on trend now which is perfect for a soft setting room that embraces white and gray palettes. Fur, embroidered and velvet pillows are also a fresh and current choice. 
 
What Size Pillows Should I Choose?
Creating the perfect arrangement requires choosing the right size pillows. When shopping for throw pillows, you should try and mix different sizes. For examples, for a large couch, you can mix 24-inch pillows with a 22-inch pillow. The smaller pillow should always be arranged in front of the larger one. For a smaller piece of furniture, you can opt for 18-inch and22-inch throw pillows.
 
Styling Pillows for a Traditional Look…
If you have a more traditional style living room or bedroom, you will want to keep things simple by incorporating two or four large throw pillows that are arranged on both opposite ends of the bed or sofa. In a classic setting, velvet or silk pillows create a chic look. You can use colors and patterns to keep things fresh and interesting. 
 
Styling Pillows for a Modern Look….
For a modern look, pair pillows in odd numbers such as three or five. Opt for slightly bigger pillows because they look much cleaner than a bunch of small throw pillows. In such a space, you might want to try limiting the color palette and instead focus on pillows that embrace large geometric prints. You can pair a busy pillow with a more simple one or coordinate a print with a solid color accent pillow.
 
Styling Pillows for an Eclectic Look….
For an eclectic room that does not play by the rules, do not be afraid to use a mix of throw pillows of a variety of sizes. You can arrange them in odd pairs to create interest. Be open to different fabrics, patterns, and colors but you want them to have some harmony; therefore, make sure there is at least one common color found throughout the arrangement.
 
We hope you enjoyed these tips for decorating with throw pillows. Be sure to check out our other blog posts at https://proudtobuild.com. See you next time! 

Decorating on a Budget

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Do you have big dreams but you are working with a small budget? While we would all love to have access to extra cash for designing the home of our dreams, sometimes it is just not possible at the moment. If you are in this situation, know that you can still improve the look of your place without having to drain your bank account. In fact, you can make lots of small changes without launching a major remodeling project. We are going to show you how you can update your space with the things that you already have.

Decorating on a Budget (Designing with What You Already Have):

1. Less is More.
You do not have to be a minimalist to appreciate the fact that sometimes “less is more.” Sometimes what a room really needs is more space. That means it may be time to remove clutter by clearing out excess furniture and finding a better place to store things like extra clothes and books. It is always good to have somewhere in the room where the eyes can rest even if it is for a moment. If a room’s decor is in need of a refresher, you should consider moving a piece of furniture or accessory that has been in the same spot for awhile. Try looking around a room with fresh eyes to determine what items you can do without and put in storage.
 
2. Get Creative.
You may be surprised at how the items lying around your house can be used to create a unique style in your home’s decor. For example, you can showcase a nice greeting card as a piece of artwork by encasing it in a nice inexpensive frame. You can even use a special greeting carding that holds sentimental value or purchase one that grabs your attention.
Also, you can create artwork out of anything, whether it is your favorite album or book cover. They can be displayed as standalone pieces or part of a tabletop vignette.
 
3. Change the Scenery.
The bedside tables that you are so used to seeing in your bedroom can be brought into the living room for a new look. Reconceptualizing furnishing in a space breathes a whole new look into the piece. You can also score all kinds of pieces through thrifting. Introducing something visually unexpected into a room is a great way to add interest.
 
4. Switch out The Lampshades.
Is your space lacking color? Consider replacing the lamp shades throughout your home with ones featuring a vibrant hue. Lamp shades are inexpensive and they can be purchased at any home goods store.
 
5. Reupholstering Furniture.
Another way to add style with your current items is by reupholstering the sofa or other pieces of furniture yourself. Reupholstering a piece of furniture will completely transform it. Start with a simple frame and use minimal fabric to create a chic, timeless look. 
 
We hope you enjoyed these tips! Let us know what you think in the comment section.