Have you ever entered a room and been instantly drawn to its decor? There is just something about that space, and you cannot quite put your finger on it. How does one master the art of decorating? Is it a trait you are born with having? While these questions may be going through your mind, we are here to assure you that you can master the art of decorating with our eight simple ideas. Then you too can have the space that everyone is desiring. Let’s take a look!  

Simple Ideas for Decorating:

1. Your Reflection. 

Mirrors are a designer’s best friend. They reflect natural light to create a more open, brighter space. Plus, you can incorporate some stylish mirrors to feature a beautiful twist on the classic look. 

2. Always Accessorize. 

Another easy way to add style to your space is through accessories. Chic clocks, modern art, and rustic lights are examples of accessories that can add personality and style. 

3. Go Green.

Greenery can add life and beauty to your room without taking away from the other decor. You can even incorporate plants in different ways. From hanging plants to windowsill succulents, you can create a homey feel with added greenery. 

4. Au Naturale. 

If you are lucky enough to have it, natural light can be a considerable asset inside of your space. Not only does natural light brighten up the space, but it can help make your room feel more open and big. And in turn, a more open space feels more inviting for guests. Just be sure to use the proper type of curtains to ensure you are letting in light. For example, sheer curtains can be stylish and functional for allowing natural light to flow throughout the space. 

5. Splash of Color. 

While neutrals are soothing and a traditional choice, there is something special about a splash of color inside of a room. With a tasteful addition, you can add personality and style to your space just by incorporating some color. From a bold bedspread to an electrifying sitting chair, the options for adding color are endless. Just be sure to limit yourself. You want to be sure that the room is not overwhelmed by the amount of color. 

6. Be Bold. 

Decorating is your chance to be unique. Be bold and different with your design and let your creativity go wild. You can even gain inspiration from others through online boards, magazines, and television shows. 

7. Texturized. 

Texture can help add dimension to your space. You can incorporate visually stimulating pieces that have a soft or unique texture. For example, blankets, pillows, and rugs can be used for style, but they can also be used to add texture and detail. 

8. Clear out Chaos. 

The best way to make your design plans go the furthest is to clear out any clutter. Make sure countertops are clear off non-decorative pieces and try to keep your space clean and clutter-free.  

We hope you enjoyed these tips! Be sure to check back weekly for more. 

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. 

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! 

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! 

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.

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! 

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.