Some ideas for buying your bathroom vanity lights

Bathroom vanity lights are often overlooked in a bathroom. Artificial light from vanity bathroom lights and general lighting is important during hours when natural light is not available. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. And since the day usually begins and ends with a trip to the bathroom, time spent there should be comforting, relaxing and easy to see when grooming.

Bathroom vanity lights typically include one light or perhaps two or more above the mirror. Or, there may be lights or sconces on each side of the mirror or medicine cabinet and one ceiling light or a row of recessed ceiling lights over the vanity, depending on the size of your vanity and mirror. Make sure your bathroom mirror is evenly illuminated and free of shadows since this is where applying makeup, shaving and other grooming activities will take place. If you have two bathroom vanities, each one should have the same bathroom vanity lights setup.

You should have both ambient lighting and task lighting in the bathroom. Here are lighting types for providing artificial bathroom light:

• Ambient Lighting - chandeliers, surface-mounted, bathroom vanity lights, wall sconces and recessed fixtures are types of general lighting that illuminate the overall bathroom area. This type of illumination allows you to move around and see safely in the room. These types of bathroom light fixtures should be controlled by dimmers where you can change the intensity of the light for a relaxing feel when you are soaking in the tub, for example. General ambient lighting gives your bathroom the most illumination towards the floor, but it will produce more glare than other types of bathroom light fixtures.

• Task Lighting - is a direct beam of light that illuminates a particular area with very work-specific tasks, not intended to light the entire room. Task lighting can be a beam of light directed towards the reading area while in the tub, while shaving, reading, exercising on the treadmill, applying makeup or putting in your contact lenses. It can be turned on only when you need it. Use wall sconces on both sides of the mirror or medicine cabinet as bathroom vanity lights so that you benefit from lighting from both sides.

• Accent Lighting - these types of bathroom light fixtures are intended to create a certain visual drama and atmosphere in the bathroom, and they provide focus to selected details of the room for a decorative touch. Consider using track lighting to spotlight decorative objects or to provide a relaxing environment that you will enjoy when soaking in the tub.

• Decorative Lighting - these are lighting fixtures that draw attention to themselves as objects and they are used to create an effect. Chandeliers, candles (traditional and electric), fireplace, candelabra and low voltage pendant fixtures are examples of decorative lighting.

Always choose light bulbs for bathroom vanity lights that provide light in the natural daylight spectrum. Bulbs that are mostly yellow or white will not show you how you will appear outside the bathroom, which makes applying makeup more difficult.

You should have many options for your bathroom vanity lights. Just as a luxurious soaking bath is a great way to begin or end the day, the lighting in your bathroom should provide you that warm, cozy feeling when you want. And when you need to see while grooming or shaving, vanity bathroom lights and lighting should make it easy to see.

If you find yourself unsure of how to proceed, consider consulting with a lighting designer to assist you in creating the best lighting for your home. Read and learn as much as you can about bathroom vanity lights and lighting in your home. Good lighting planning, design and implementation will provide you enjoyable, practical and dramatic effects for your bathroom and your home in general.

Setting the mood for love and romance in your bedroom

Want to spice up your bedroom to let some romance in?

Decorating your bedroom for romance doesn't even have to be difficult or expensive. You can really let your creativity run wild here.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want to soothe all of the senses to both take away other distractions and relax completely. This should be your oasis, your refuge to reconnect and enjoy your partner's company.

A great place to start is lighting. Get rid of the glare, and you're well on the way to more romance!

Candles, candles and more candles can bring a lot of romance into the bedroom for a pretty small investment. Candles, both large and small, tapered, pillar or votives all generate a warm, inviting, flickering light to the room. Group them together in several areas of the room for the best effect.

Adding a dimmer switch to lighting can also be quite effective in designing bedrooms for romance- and cost very little as long as you can install it yourself. It isn't as difficult as you might think!

Placing mirrors to reflect your softened light will add more depth to your bedroom.


Window dressings that are plush and appealing should darken the room and prevent lights from traffic or other external noise from interrupting the romantic mood you are creating. The window treatment can match or contrast the bedding and often can be found as an accessory to the bedding set you select. Draperies that billow and flow can add a touch of romance to the bedroom as well.

The bed, of course, is the focal point of the bedroom in most cases, and the bedding you select for romance can set just the perfect mood.

Many people think of silk and satin when thinking of romantic bedding. Both silk and satin can be costly and a bit slippery on the bed. The good news is that the same luxurious effect and feel can be created with 100% cotton sateen sheets if you don't want the added expense of genuine satin or silk linens.

Choose bedding for your romantic bedroom that centers on relaxing, romantic colors. Avoid using too much grey, yellow or pink. Red, black, white, blue and green is very popular. Newer colors like pearl, bronze and even gold can really create the feeling of luxury and are quite romantic.

Remember that all of your senses should be involved for the perfect touch of romance- so adding interesting texture for bedding can be another opportunity to bring out romance. Velvet, faux fur and velour are rich, soft to the touch fabrics that can be used for comforters, blankets and throw pillows.

Peacock Alley is one of the most well-known luxury bedding maker.

They offer an especially warm, romantic bed linen set called the Marrakech Ebony. It features shades of green, gold and ebony in prints reminiscent of the African plains and looks especially romantic when highlighted by candlelight. 55% linen and 45% rayon create luxurious sheets which are easy to care for.

The Vienna Ensemble from Peacock Alley is 100% Egyptian cotton in white on white featuring eyelet lace. Euro sham, coverlet, boudoir pillows add wonderful interesting detail to the bedding which brings back the romantic 1800s.

And if you'd prefer to keep your expenses down a bit, then you could go for the shabby chic approach, which means focusing on your own sense of style, mixing just about any romantic touches into the bedroom- as long as the overall result is soothing and relaxing. You don't have to follow anyone else's idea of romance. Just be creative!

If you really want to go all out, you could add a canopy to your bed. You can easily create the same effect of a canopy bed with about 10 yards of material like linen, silk or satin and four hooks placed in the ceiling. Simply drape the cloth so that it billows and flows to just above the bed linens. This touch will enhance any spacious bedroom and can provide a bedroom with low ceilings a more spacious feel.

Finish your new romantic bedroom with a bit of soft music, maybe some potpourri and some fine chocolates and champagne, and there you have it!

You can live in a bedroom that surrounds you with romance every night if you wish. Simply bring together your own creation of romantic touches and enjoy.

Shedding some light on lighting fixtures

Light fixtures are something not many of us think about. But, the way we light a room can cause us to feel a certain way or enhance what we want to accomplish in that room. There are many types of light fixtures for all areas of the home and even outdoor lighting fixtures for landscaping designs.

Planning to remodel a room? Consider light fixtures as one element to change. For instance, bathroom lighting fixtures can be changed from a bulb in a ceiling light fixture to lights sockets over the vanity and recess lighting throughout the room. The effect can be stunning. And all from just changing the bathroom light fixtures. You may wish to change the lighting in your home from dull, standard light to contemporary lighting fixtures thus changing the theme and style of the room instantly.

To find styles and ideas about your lighting fixtures, try checking into them at your local home improvement store. They often have many, many options and can special order things that they do not regularly carry. Or, you may wish to check out the online retailers that offer even more options for all lighting needs. You will find them by doing a simple web search for lighting fixtures using your favorite search engine on the internet. You’ll find many, many different websites to look into.

So, whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor lighting, contemporary or old style traditional, you will find many options to choose from. From different colors to different sizes and styles, there are many. You can find them online or in home improvement stores. And, when you do make the changes, you will notice that your home looks a little different. It may be subtle changes that make you see your home in a different light.

Cutting the clutter in your master bedroom

In a perfect world your master bedroom should be a haven in which you and your spouse can retreat from the world and enjoy each other. Unfortunately, the same type of clutter and dust that invades every other room in your house can spill over into your master bedroom.

One of the easiest ways to spiffy up your master bedroom on a daily basis is make the bed. It's a simple as that. If you aren't someone who routinely makes the bed you'll be amazed how much better a room will look and how quickly you'll be hooked. A great facelift for a bedroom is also a simple one, it's called a "bed in a bag". These sets come with comforters, coordinating sheets, pillow shams and bed skirts. If you have a visible bathroom attached to the master bedroom it's nice to carry your color theme through to the bathroom too.

Clear off the top of your dressers. As with all flat surfaces these will tend to gather papers too. If you don't have a home office where you keep bills and other important papers, get an organizer. A good way to organize bills and papers is in an accordion folder. They can be organized alphabetically or by month. Just get them off your dresser!

Now onto the vanity. It's time to part with what you really don't use. Bottles left sitting anywhere just become dust collectors and if you haven't used that perfume in the past two years, you probably aren't going to. You can pick up some small and nifty storage boxes and use one for lipstick, one for eye makeup, and one for foundation. It's a good time to go through all your make up and get rid of what's old.

If you don't already have one, get a laundry basket for your room. These can also be decorative items. Get those clothes up off the floor. Get a shoe rack for your closet and put your shoes in the closet when you change clothes after you get home from work. Shoes left lying around in a bedroom don't just look bad - they can be a health hazard. More than one person has hurt him or herself tripping over shoes on the way to the bathroom during the night.

Now that we've beautified the bed and are going to keep it made, cleared off the tops of the dressers and organized the papers. Picked up the shoes and dirty clothes from off the floor it's time to run the vacuum.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your master bedroom.

Getting inspired for your bathroom interior design project

Any advice or guide on the interior design of a bathroom should be based around one simple concept: keep it simple. Rooms inside of a home should have functional aspects, and if one room is designed for very specific functions, it is the bathroom. There have always been many jokes about the "throne" of a home, but the honest fact is that creating a visibly appealing and comfortable bathroom will inspire positive feelings to its users.

Hardware choices should be the primary concern when designing a bathroom. Faucets and spigots, as well as tubs and toilets, produced in a variety of shapes and materials can centerpiece a design. Open showers are currently popular with the younger upwardly-mobile crowd, and claw-foot bathtubs are almost always considered to be classic and attractive. Evaluate privacy issues first; don't put the toilet and tub too close together.

Is it a possibility to center your bathroom around a favorite theme? The answer is most certainly "yes." Keeping in mind that "less is more" while choosing a decoration pattern that will coordinate with the rest of the home will open many design possibilities. Finding a color or pattern inspiration from simple or small artwork may be the first step toward creating a bathroom masterpiece.

When designing a bathroom's tiling, take the time to shop around through different hardware, decoration and craft stores. The more expensive of the different types of tiles should have durability, aesthetic value, and a non-porous surface. It should be easily cleaned and sanitized, and it needs to install easily without any expensive or caustic glues or cements. Get creative also; all tile in bathrooms need not be made of porcelain.

After the design and production of a space-conscious and attractive bathroom have been completed, focus on decoration accessories to bring out personality and individualism. The bathroom is the most sacred room of any interior, and placing prized possessions on the walls or shelves is an interesting way to bless this special room. Use courageous ideas and do not be afraid to take chances, but above all: keep it simple.

Throwing in everything including the kitchen sink!

Looking to do some remodeling in your kitchen sink area or maybe the whole kitchen? There are many options out there for any idea you may have. Kitchen appliances on down to kitchen tables, and kitchen sinks are available at your finger tips online. So, whether you are repairing or remodeling, take a minute to notice all of your options.

Kitchen sinks and kitchen faucets are among the many things you can find online. Sinks ranging from stainless steal to tiled in every size and shape can be found. Faucets with many features like spraying hoses and tilting heads are available. Check out the designs and shapes! Another item every kitchen needs are Kitchen Exhaust Hoods. These, sucking up steam as well as smoke from cooking can help to prevent a fire. If your kitchen stove is small or oddly shaped, you may have a rough time finding the right size or style hood if you look in retail stores. But, online your options are numerous.

For larger items like Kitchen appliances and kitchen tables, the shipping charges of a product online to your home may not be worth it. But, browsing online at the many different online retailers and taking your time to choose what you like, will tell you where to go once you able to. For instance, if I am looking to replace my Kitchen Island, I can take my time, in my pajamas if I choose, and browse the dealers online until I find one or even a few that I like. Then, having this in mind, I can go to my local store and know what I am looking for. Or, perhaps, with something like kitchen islands, I will need to order it and have it delivered due to specific size requirements. Having an understanding of what I need and want, I can do this easier.

So, even our kitchen needs can be satisfied by searching online. You will benefit by taking the time to do the research or even, just browsing until you know what you want. Let's face it, the average salesmen isn't concerned about our needs, but making the sale. So, he may rush or push us along without us even realizing we have other options. Knowing the approximate cost of items will also help with these salesmen. Whatever the kitchen item is, even the kitchen sink, information is available to you online to help. A simple search can save you time and energy and even money.

What else can I do with my garage space? Well, plenty, actually!

What is the easiest way to add more space to your house? Of course the answer is to remodel your garage. A very cost-effective way to gain more space for your house is to remodel your garage. You can greatly expand your home’s living space especially if you no longer use your garage to park your car using your driveway instead. Remodeling your garage can help you become more organized and stop storing everything in your garage. This is why you have a basement.

Your garage offers a perfect environment to house your workshop, studio or home office. Many people also find that their garage can also be used for a gym or for another living room designed for special activities. However, remodeling your garage does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice your storage space or your parking area. Garages today have become multifunctional, allowing cars, general storage, a workshop and even a home office all in the same place.

Because many garages are attached to the home they can benefit from the same comfort as a home: phone wires, heating and cooling and plumbing. All you need is a little imagination, a fixed budget and a plan.

If you think that by remodeling you might be losing too much storage space, you can always build a small storage space behind your garage to house sporting equipment, tools and other items.

Moreover, when remodeling your garage you should consider an addition above the garage. Adding a room for work space and even for living, for one of your kids(they usually love this) above the existing garage can give you additional space and also increase the value of your home without major changes to the floor plan.

If you feel the need to remodel your garage but you don’t know exactly what you want or need, you should consider the following ideas.

You can transform your garage into a laundry room if you have your laundry room in the basement. By building a laundry in your garage you will eliminate the need to go up and down the stairs.

A music studio can be a great choice for your garage remodeling plans if you or your kids have some tendencies in this direction. The garage is the place where many “garage bands” got their start. To avoid your neighbors’ complaints consider soundproofing your garage walls.

Another idea for your garage can be to transform it into a gym. If you have your equipment and you don not have enough place to use it indoors you can always move it into the garage and have plenty of place for your daily exercises and training. Also here you will not be bothered by anyone.

Freeing up more space in your garage

One of the most important storage areas of a home is the garage. Because the space it offers is limited it should be used efficiently. So the garage is a prime candidate for storage improvements. Of course you have many options for improving the storage in your garage.

One of the options is to buy a modular storage kit. This can have parts and components that you can mix and match together and can solve many storage problems. Another option would be to build your own storage solution. If you have too many items that you keep in your garage maybe a modular storage kit cannot provide you the needed solution. The improvements made to your storage may help you reduce clutter, store seasonal items in a more conveniently way and improve organization.

Cabinets, shelves, wall-mounted racks and plastic containers are the most popular types of garage storage and organization solutions. Cabinets work well for protecting their contents from
moisture and dust. Shelves save space more efficiently but the most affordable solution are the wall-mounted racks. Clear plastics containers help you to store several items and allow
you to see the contents.

Sinks at kitchen corners

If your kitchen is U-shaped or L-shaped, a corner kitchen sink is likely to increase your efficiency as it would be equidistant from your working platforms. A corner kitchen sink may be in the form of a round bowl, a rectangle, a square or even in a triangular form. You can opt for a custom-made sink made out of granite, stainless steel or copper to be a perfect fit for the kitchen corner of your choice.

A center-fit kitchen sink is preferred when your kitchen is galley-shaped. The central idea behind choosing the position of a sink is to make it most convenient for you to work. Remember, the sink plays a central role in all your kitchen activities, from the preparation of food to cleaning up after the meal.

A corner kitchen sink does not hinder movement within the floor area and allows you to work on the platform of the kitchen with easy access to the sink from either side. With manufacturers offering custom-made sinks, you have the freedom to decide on the number and shape of bowls, holes for faucets and placement of faucets (mounted on the sink or on the wall).

It is easier to find corner kitchen sinks made of stainless steel, copper, or granite than porcelain, as these are now also being custom made.

One needs to keep in mind the drainage system in the house to decide the position of the sink. The sink should be placed near the water inlet and outlet so that one need not add extra long pipes.

Reflecting your personality with your interior design ideas

Interior decorating is that medium which can make your closed spaces convey to the observer a lot about you and your lifestyle through strategic use of elements which range from the visual (color, lighting, form) to the tactile (surface, shape, texture) to the auditory (noise, echo). The more alluring the result, the more the aesthetic, practical and technical appreciation for these elements the designer must have. He or she must understand how people use and respond to these elements, not just individually but as the elements interact with one another. Confusing? Not really! For at the bottom, all one needs is to know what one wants to show off to the world from the precincts of ones space. That is why home interior decorating becomes an easier task since one can identify with its needs more easily.

Original ideas can make a significant difference in your Interior Decorating plans.

Ideally, one should work from a total interior design plan. However, don't be hesitant! Try and be responsive to our own creative "hunches." When decorating your home, don't just go piecemeal from room to room. Work up a plan for the entire home, including budget and timetable. As you go along, you can be on the lookout for interior decorating ideas. Believe me these make a lot of difference. For instance, pictures should be hung at eye level; accessories are noticed better in odd-numbered groups - it's just a matter of balance; paint can be used to minimize structural defects and accentuate positive features. And most important – do not fear to experiment. After all, "Home" was not built in a day!

Tinkering with some ideas for home improvement

There are many home improvement projects that you can carry out to make your home a more comfortable space and to add to its value as property. These home improvement projects include remodeling the basement, kitchen, and bathrooms, and painting both the exteriors and interiors regularly.


Whenever most people think of home improvement projects, they think in terms of doing up the living areas, such as the bedrooms, drawing room, and dining room. However, there is just so much that you can do in a bedroom — maybe add a comfortable bed, a reading lamp, a table or ceiling fan, a bookshelf, and a study table. Most people seldom entertain formally, so areas such as the drawing room and dining room seldom get used. You can, however, put in some comfortable sofas, chairs, end tables, and coffee tables, and put in an expandable dining table, chairs, and breakfront in the dining room. You are most likely to use your kitchen as an area to not only prepare and cook food, and wash utensils and laundry, but also to serve family meals and entertain informally.

You can add electric floor warming systems for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements to make these areas of your home more comfortable. If you waterproof and ventilate your basement and use glass blocks to let in natural light, you can use it as a gym, study, home office, or home entertainment room. You will need to put in an intercom system so that you can not only make and receive calls in the basement, but also keep in touch with other family members.

To make your kitchen a visually appealing space, you can add countertops that complement or match the cabinetry, floor, or walls. Your countertops could be of granite, marble, wood, or stainless steel. To bring in more light into the kitchen, you can place a large ceiling fixture in the center of the kitchen, with track lights near the sink, range, and countertops. You can also use warm colors for the kitchen walls and floor, add recessed lights and dimmers, and highlight your cabinets. You can use tiles, laminates, and hardwoods as flooring. Your cabinets can complement or match the colors used in the walls and flooring. You can even use stained glass panels for kitchen cabinets.

To make your bathroom a truly relaxing space, you can always add a steam shower, a body spa, or a comfortable bathtub where you can soak for hours and allow the tensions of the day to flow away from you. See that your bathroom is well-lit. If you are interested in chromatherapy, you will find several products, such as bathtubs, shower systems, and sinks, which feature chromatherapy options. You can also install multiple showerheads and a waterfall in the bathroom to get a spa-like experience. You can also include a large bathtub, fog-free mirrors, and a towel warmer for more comfort. The tiles and walls in your bathroom should be in warm colors. You can also put plants and pictures in the bathroom to give a lived-in feel, and replace the sink sunk in a counter top with a pedestal sink. Nowadays, sinks come in a variety of materials, such as glass, stainless steel, stone, and copper — you can select a material that suits you. Your vanity cabinet could be of stone, wood, or glass. You can select from a wide variety of faucets, including single-hole and single-lever, widespread, center-set, and wall-mounted faucets.

Cutting out your closet clutter

Closet organizing indicates that you value the simple home improvement of added closet space. Below you’ll find simple ideas to get your closets organized:

A good suggestion for starters is to plan your closet with hanging rods nearest the outside walls. In most cases, this will give you the optimum access to shelves and drawer spaces.

For reach-in closets with double-folding doors, it’s often better to put the drawers in the center where they’re more easily accessible. For a closet with sliding doors, place the drawers on either end of the closet.
Wardrobe Inventory.

Separate your closet into these categories:

• What you currently wear
• What you've worn only a few times in the last 12 months
• What hasn’t even been considered in more than a year

You might want to bag and store clothing from the second category above, and consider donating the things from third. Numerous charities appreciate clothing donations and will even pick them up from your home.

When storing out-of-season items, remember to always clean the items first and store all boxes in a dry place.

Assess the cloths you want to keep in your closet. Think about how much drawer space, hanging and shelf storage you’ll need before you begin shopping for closet organizer kits and design ideas.

Do you share a walk-in closet with a spouse? Make the right side for one person’s wardrobe, and the left side for the other. If you have enough space, the back wall can be shared.

One of the trendiest closet designs of modern home improvement uses drawers or baskets with long verticals of 24" shelves in the center of the side walls, with hanging space on either side.

If you don’t have enough room for such a layout on each side of the closet, but you’d still like shelves, drawers, shoe storage or baskets, plan on using the side walls for hanging space and put a drawer unit on the back wall.

General Closet Organization tips:

Double the hanging space of your closet by adding a second rod at 40" from the ground and adjusting the upper rod to 80".

Use your closet doors to create more space by adding over-the-door racks. This space can be used for cap racks, shoe storage, valets, towel racks or general purpose hooks.

To avoid wrinkling, avoid hanging garments too close together.

Use specific hangers in your closet to gain space and store items, like multiple skirt hangers, multiple slack hangers, belt, scarf, and tie hangers.

To retain the original shape of your sweaters and eliminate hanger marks, it’s usually good to fold them instead of hanging them. New hangers are on the market however, with rounded edges to prevent hanger marks.

As you use up closet space, think about adding garment racks. These come with wheels for easy movement, and many come with covers.

Walk-in closets can be thought of as a series of “reach-ins”. Measure each wall separately and plan your storage wall by wall. Use corner shelving to craft the most of the space you have.

Institute just a few of these closet organizing tips and unleash the full joy of your “intimate space”. You’ll also see that this is one of the simplest forms of home improvement you can undertake.

Playing with colors can make your room larger than it seems

Did you ever wish your bedroom was bigger or smaller? Well if you don’t have enough money to change the actual size of the room, then you can use paint to make the bedroom seem bigger or smaller.

Paint is well known as one of the least expensive and easiest ways to change the look of any room, but if you pick your colors carefully you can give the space a new feel as well as a new look. Certain colors can make your bedroom walls feel closer or farther away.

If you have a small bedroom and you want it to feel more spacious, then consider painting the walls a receding color. These are the blue – green – purpleish colors and any combination thereof. Look at a basic color wheel – you’ll see that those colors are all next to each other on one side. You probably want to avoid the darkest of these combinations; however as painting a room in very dark tones can make it look smaller overall.

If you want to make a large bedroom feel cozier, then paint the walls advancing colors. These are the colors on the other side of the color wheel – the reds, oranges and yellow. Bright warm colors will close in the space and make the room seem cheerful and cozy. Also if you have a large cavernous room with a very high ceiling, consider painting the ceiling a medium or dark color which will make bring the appearance back down to a normal height.

When painting your bedroom, make sure you buy enough paint to do the job! Consider how many coats you will need. A dark color may need several coats. IF you are trying to paint a light color over a dark, you may need to use some primer and also a couple of coats. 1 gallon of paint can do about 400 square feet so keep this in mind. To measure your room, go around the edge of all the walls with a measuring tape and record the total width. Measure the height from floor to ceiling and multiply by total width to get the square footage. Measure all the doors and window opening and subtract this from the total square footage (or not, it’s always a good idea to have a little extra paint then not enough!).

Don’t forget to protect your wood moldings with painters tape, remove all the covers from the electrical outlets and plugs and cover the floor and furniture with drop cloths!

Any ideas for bathroom vanity tops?

Bathroom vanity tops offer many options to the discerning customer. Ideally, they should all have a strong, smooth surface that defies stains and spills, mild heat and impact. Some materials on the market are heat and burn proof. Product durability and appearance are important since the bathroom vanity top will be used often. Beyond these considerations there are the matters of style, design and function. Bathroom vanity tops come either standard or custom to suit your bathroom.

One-piece constructions come with the coved backsplash and the bowl formed into the top by the manufacturer, creating a smooth continuous surface, and eliminating dirt-catching hard to clean seams. If you choose a vessel sink, the splashguard would be inconsequential.

The choices of bathroom vanity tops can be overwhelming. Some basic types of materials are available to the homeowner, which help to narrow the choice based on what material is most appropriate for your bathroom furniture. Some of the most popular choices of vanity tops include: marble, stone, prefabricated and synthetic materials, slate and tiles. If you purchase your vanity top separately from your bathroom vanity cabinet and sink, you always have the option to install it yourself, and many of the prefabricated models come with standard faucet holes pre-drilled.

Design and style are guiding principles when refining your choice of bathroom vanity tops. From the simple, clean designs of contemporary rectangular and oval shapes, to more richly fluted scallop designs, you can begin to create a bathroom that carries your personal signature. Many bathroom vanity tops can be made to order allowing the more creative homeowners to express and define their personal vision. The top is one of the contributing factors to beautify your bathroom environment and should be carefully considered as an integral part of any bathroom vanity.

Setting up your home theater system along with some seating ideas

After a full day of work and mind bubbling activities in the workplace, the last entry in a young professional’s diary is to go to a movie theater to relax. The sight and sound of a movie theater relaxes and easily entertains even the most stressed moviegoer. The problem with this however is the fact that even before you reach the movie theater, traffic jam may be a hindrance to your enjoyment. Traffic jam usually makes you more stressed than you currently are. It may be best if you can bring home the relaxation and entertainment. Having to sit and relax with your spouse in your own home theater maybe best to eradicate the tiredness that you feel.

This is why the concept of home theater is born. Because of the growing popularity of home theater systems, you may easily find home theater furniture like home theater seating system and home theater equipments that will suit your requirements. This modern concept is slowly receiving a grand welcome from people because in the end, having home theater set up in your home may prove to be economical. Home theater system including home theater seating that completes the set up is not only available for the rich and the famous.

Slowly, the knowledge of the basic home theater design such as the three major components and home theater seating options is getting to be a concept known to the middle class citizenry. Home theater system with the addition of home theater seating options may be a neat gift of the older people because they can enjoy watching movies even without having to leave the house. Home theater seating options include lumbar back support and motorized reclining mechanism, especially designed for people who need to give their back a rest.

It may be worthy to mention what are the three basic components of a home theater system. You may not need to add home theater seating if the room is quite small, only the three basic components may be able to give you that home theater entertainment you long for. Do not mind home theater seating if you do not have big budget for the home theater system, a recliner may do the part especially if your living room has limited space. The three basic components of a home theater system are television set which should not be smaller than 27 inches; three speakers placed on the right, the left and on the center for a surround sound; and finally, the DVD player, you may need to find one with progressive scan because this will give you sharp images and flicker-free pictures. If you have all these basic home theater components, even without home theater seating, you may be able to experience the almost theatrical experience.

Relax and enjoy the entertainment your home theater system may provide. Sit beside your family in your home theater seating designed to your whole family, the kids will surely love to see a movie with you on your very own home theater system. You may not need home theater seating to complete the set up if the room is quite small. However, if you have a bigger room for your home theater system, including the home theater seating in the set up may be able to complete the best home theater package. You may even add television cabinet to compliment the design and your home theater seating which may be made of the same wood as your television cabinet.

Additionally, because the basic three speakers’ requirement is only good for smaller rooms, if you have a bigger room, you may need to add more speakers. You can even put six speakers and a subwoofer to complete that surround sound you love in a movie theater. All these will complete the grand package of your home theater. You may need to consider high-end home theater seating to help you relax you tired body from working all day. Relax and enjoy life with your family, your home theater system may do a lot of good for you.

Discussing heating solutions for your remodeled garage

Why do you need a heater for your remodeled garage? The answer for this question is pretty obvious: one of the major disadvantages of using your garage as a workshop or a home office is that it wasn’t meant for that. The garage is the special place reserved for your car, the garage is the room where you keep your lawn and garden accessories.

If you start using this space for other projects that you have, you need to deal with one major inconvenience, that is warmth. During the summer you don’t have to worry too much about this but during cold seasons you might find some difficulties in continuing your project because of the very low temperature.

You can find many ways to warm up your workshop-garage. You can try porcelain heaters; they work great and can warm up a good area but they are not meant to warm a large space for prolonged periods of time.

Another solution for you would be to use a kerosene heater. These heaters are easy to turn on, most of them have an electric starter. It should have a thermostat to be able to regulate the temperature also they have a specific scent, they do function on kerosene! So if you think you cannot handle this smell, a kerosene heater wouldn’t be a good choice for you. They are quite dangerous for your children, if they have access to the garage and you would definitely want to ventilate the garage very well!

A very good and popular choice nowadays is a gas heater. Of course you have to hire a professional to install it. You can find a gas heater suited to your budget for remodeling the garage. There are many models and almost all of them are fairly inexpensive. The main advantage of a gas heater is that it gives you a consistently warm environment. They are available in both manual and thermostatic control types. You would probably prefer a model that has a thermostat, even though its price is a little higher than the price of a manual temperature control model. The only thing that you have to do is to set it on a desired temperature and leave it to do its job.

There are two types of gas heaters: vented and ventless. The vent less unit uses air from the room and the vented model has a system that vents directly out of the garage. The disadvantage of the vent less model is that you have to keep the room vented at all times because the unit uses the air from the room where it has been installed. The main advantage for the both types of gas heaters is that they have a pretty low running cost compared to the kerosene and electric heaters.

Remember that if you choose to install a more advanced heating system like a gas heater, you must seek professional help.

Rubber flooring for your garage

If you are considering remodeling you garage you might consider choosing a rubber flooring for your garage. This is an inexpensive option for general purpose flooring: most common uses include parking vehicles on the rubber flooring, converting the garage space into a play area or into a workout room.

Parking your car on a recycled rubber matting is the least common use for this product because of two major inconveniences: recycled rubber tire products have very little resistance to petroleum products so an oil leak could seriously damage the floor; the melting point of this type of flooring is relatively low, in extreme circumstances the heat from the tires can be sufficient to melt the tires into the mat.

If planning to remodel for your garage and you also have changing the flooring in mind, it is important to know the primary function that you need your floor to fulfill. If you are going to convert your garage into a dog-house, the rubber flooring would provide insulation against extreme temperatures of the cement as well as an extra cushioning. Also you must consider the ease of maintenance for this type of flooring. For a home theater, a rubber flooring is desired to reduce the noise transmission.

Studying kitchen layouts and the work triangle - designing the perfect kitchen

Having a good layout for your kitchen is important, because the kitchen should be an efficient and pleasant area in which to prepare meals and do related tasks. Understanding the kitchen work triangle concept and the basic kitchen layouts is a valuable starting point for having a good kitchen design that you like.

The kitchen work triangle consists of the distance between the sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop. Each one of these areas becomes a focal point in the kitchen and forms the three points of a triangle with different distances between them. Done correctly, the kitchen work triangle provides the most efficient food preparation area layout in the kitchen.

Whether you’re remodeling an existing kitchen or building a new one, an efficient design means that your work triangle minimizes the number of steps the cook must take between the three areas during meal preparation and cleanup. The total distance from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator and back to the sink should be not less than 12 feet total or more than 27 feet. Each triangle leg should measure between 4 and 9 feet in length. The kitchen isles should be at least 42 to 48 inches wide to allow people to move around easily and for appliances to be opened with ease.

When selecting the floor plan for your kitchen, here are basic kitchen layouts to consider:

* L-Shaped Kitchen - this is the most popular kitchen design. It consists of a long leg and a shorter one and this type of design can be used in small and large kitchens. The L-shaped kitchen gives you the possibility of having a center island depending on the space available. In general, this design will have 2 or 3 appliances on one wall. The usual arrangement is to have the refrigerator at one end, the range or cooktop at the other end with the sink located in the middle. This shape of kitchen generally provides good traffic flow.

* Double L-Shaped Kitchen - this kitchen design has a lot of cabinet space and plenty of counter space. This design is used in large kitchens with two cooks, and it has two or more entering areas, which can cause traffic flow problems. To avoid some of these problems, create two separate working areas on each L of the kitchen so that workflow does not get interrupted by human traffic.

* U-Shaped Kitchen - this kitchen design shape has three walls instead of two, and the sink usually is located in the middle wall section. The refrigerator and range or cooktop are usually on the side walls opposite each other. The U-shaped kitchen design gives room for ample countertop space, and you have three walls for cabinets and appliances. This kitchen layout tends to create a working triangle that is very efficient.

The only problem with this type of kitchen design is that sometimes the two U corners are not used appropriately. Make sure you buy the appropriate storage items for the corner cabinets created by the U shape design. The U shape design can also create dark kitchens because of the shape and the amount of cabinets. Using skylights, large windows, lots of under-cabinet task lighting and light colors will help keep the kitchen bright with sufficient light to see what you’re doing.

* G-Shaped Kitchen - this type of kitchen shape is becoming very popular, and it gives you a fourth wall to use. The G-shape can be used if you have more than one cook in the house. This fourth wall section can be used for a counter, island and storage space. With this kitchen layout you can have two sinks, perhaps two cooktops or two ranges. You could have two working triangles - one for sink, cook top or range and refrigerator and a second working triangle with another sink, built-in grill and cooktop. It allows two cooks to do different things at the same time and entertain large groups of people.

* Single-Wall Kitchen - if you do not have much space, you may only be able to have an I-shaped kitchen. No problem. Just be sure the sink is placed between the refrigerator and the stove. Locate the refrigerator so that the refrigerator door opens away from the kitchen sink. This is a very common arrangement for small kitchens in narrow spaces.

* Galley-Shaped Kitchen - this type of kitchen design is more common in apartments or in homes where space is limited -- it is often called the corridor style. The kitchen cabinets and the appliances can be located on opposite walls for better work flow - place the range or cooktop on one side of the kitchen along one wall and the refrigerator and sink on the opposite wall. To eliminate traffic issues in this type of kitchen design, one entry is often closed off. This type of layout should only be used by one cook. If you want to maintain both exits, place the refrigerator near the end of the galley kitchen for easy access - this way, your family and friends can reach the refrigerator without interfering with the person who is cooking. If you need extra storage in the galley kitchen, install tall kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. Wall storage is crucial - buy a stepladder to use when you need to reach the upper shelf of the cabinets, and place the items you use less frequently on the upper shelves.

By understanding the kitchen work triangle concept and how you want your kitchen to function, you’ll be more likely to create the kind of kitchen you’ve always wanted. Today, kitchens are often viewed as the hub of the home as well as a social center for family and friends. Planning your kitchen can be a challenge, but the rewards you’ll receive are very much worth the time and effort.

Things to keep in mind when remodeling your kitchen

Functionality and aesthetics are the two main objectives of any kitchen remodeling plan. A kitchen must provide an efficient working place, even while it looks good.

Most kitchen designs in vogue for the last few decades have been based on three standard layouts: the U-shaped kitchen, the L-shaped kitchen and the galley kitchen. All of them make use of the classic work-triangle concept that basically positions the three major kitchen components (refrigerator, stove, and sink) in a triangular pattern.

With changing lifestyle and man-woman roles, whereby both wife and husband share home responsibilities, multiple work centers or work stations within the kitchen are gaining popularity in order to allow more than one person to work efficiently without getting in anyone else's way.

Adding an island is one of the most common ways to have multiple work centers into a kitchen. An island creates two to four small work stations along the perimeter of a kitchen. These stations can become major work centers if a second sink is added.

Placing gadgets and appliances in the kitchen in such a way that they do not obstruct movement is important while preparing remodeling plans. Selecting the cabinetry that best suits your needs and budget, determining whether re-facing or replacing will be your best option would be crucial factors.

The remodeling plan will have to also include scope for new sinks and plumbing, dishwashers, and ovens, ranges, and built-in microwaves. One has to also examine if your exhaust is in the right place and works more efficiently.

You also need to explore if your new kitchen can be remodeled around your existing floor plan or the space needs to be increased to accommodate your appliances and gadgets. Your new kitchen floor needs to be fashioned around the uses, sizes, and footprints of your appliances.

A well-planned and executed kitchen remodeling project can make a significant difference, both in the livability of your home, and in its value.

A fireplace screen to complete the look and for safety reasons too

An essential part of a fireplace at your home would be a fireplace screen to channel and control the smoke that accompanies the fire. Décor and budget are the two most important considerations while purchasing a fireplace screen. You might just want to sit down with your interior design consultant to work out the details of your purchase.

Fireplace screens typically have three components and can be transparent or opaque. Screens come in materials that are metal as well as glass; they cater to a simple look as well as a more floral appearance. So the question lies not whether you something is available or not, but whether your purchase of a glass fireplace screen or a decorative fireplace screen enhances the feel of your home. The question that one should ask while purchasing a fireplace screen is whether it integrates into the personality that your home represents.

Once the design and the budget aspects are thought through, all that is left is the shopping for the fireplace screen. Now, if it is a first time purchase it always a good idea to visit a few showrooms and get a good idea what is available. There is nothing comparable to actually handling the material you are going to use to enhance your own home. The first time around, you might also want to have your interior decorator accompany you to these places, and if you trust them enough then you could just delegate. If, however, you want to order from the land of the web you might want to keep in mind your experiential learning.

Feng Shui tips for interior design

If you wish to learn how to manage interior design according to Feng Shui design guidelines, there are some major tips you must know. We wish to help you achieve a balanced and harmonic Feng Shui design for any environment you wish it to be. Read the next paragraphs and learn the Feng Shui design most important tips.

1. Feng Shui design should always be done having the people who will be in it in mind. People's comfort must be a priority, and all you do must be done thinking of that.

2. You should be guided by the bagua map and the areas it indicates within that space in order to distribute objects and furniture in it.

3. Make use of the main Feng Shui elements. An interior design uses furniture and objects which may contain the different elements. These elements should always be in harmonic quantities and according to the bagua map indications.

4. You should choose colors according to what they symbolize and represent. Different colors represent different elements and have different symbolisms.

5. Good Feng Shui design does not allow dark spots in it since that doesn't allow chi flowing properly.

6. You should choose carefully the shapes of the objects and furniture; different shapes provide different feelings as well as tend to balance in different ways.

7. Couches and chairs should always be placed in a way that allows those who sit on them to easily look at the door.

8. According to Feng Shui design guidelines beds should not be right across the door and ideally should have a wall at one side as protection.

9. Mirrors should be placed strategically, thought according to the light amount wished as well as which objects you wish it to reflect.

10. Correct Feng Shui design would allow people to feel good and comfortable in that interior without really noticing it has been carefully thought of. It should be natural and balanced, providing comfort to those occupying it.

What kind of closet organizer should I go for?

Whether it’s a New Year’s Resolution or spring cleaning, no cleaning spree would be complete without cleaning the closets. This time, don’t just rearrange the junk—find a permanent solution. Closet organizers provide a way to organize your possessions. When every item has a “home,” it is much easier to keep the closet clean.

You have a few choices when it is time to buy closet organizers. First, determine your budget and go from there.

Under $100: If you are working on a small budget, it would probably be best to buy closet organizers at the local home improvement store or department store. These closet organizer kits contain all shelving, components, and hardware needed for your closet. You will need to measure your closet to determine the right sized kit. Some assembly is generally required, but it is usually simple. In addition to the basic closet, you can buy any accessories you need: shoe racks or cubbies, shelves, drawers, tie racks, etc.

Low $100s - $1000s: If you are working on a mid-level budget, you might want to consider closet organizer systems. These modular units are pre-assembled and simply need to be installed. Some can be placed on the closet floor; some need to be wall-mounted. You also have many choices of accessories with this option.

Unlimited: If price is no object for you, custom closet organizers are also available. These can be ordered online, using a “design wizard,” or a local company can send a consultant to your home. While this option is the most expensive, it also offers the greatest level of creativity.

There are many brands available. One of the best known, Rubbermaid, offers a unique “custom-closet-in-a-box” system. This is a combination closet organizer kit/custom closet organizer. This Configurations kit contains shelving, hand rails, brackets, hanging rods, and all necessary hardware. There is no cutting involved as all rods and shelves are adjustable. The hanging rods range from 2 ft. to 8 ft., depending on how they are assembled. Accessories and extensions are also available to further customize the closet. Customers report that this product is easy to install. It can even be easily reconfigured if you change your mind. Customers were also impressed that there is no cutting involved. Configurations by Rubbermaid are available at some Wal-Mart and Home Depot stores and at the Rubbermaid website.

Another popular brand for closet organizers is Stanley. Though these closet organizers are a bit hard to locate, they are very popular with consumers. Many customers have said the Stanley organizers are better quality than what is available at local home improvement stores.

Within each type and brand of closet organizers, you will have choices in color, material, and style. You can design your closet to match your home, your taste, and your lifestyle. With a little bit of time and money, your closets can be permanently organized.

You need a bedroom closet organizer!

If you are like most people, your life is pretty hectic. Whether you spend your days in the office, in the fields, with your children, etc., you are busy. Your home should be a haven. When you come into your bedroom, you want to relax, unwind, rest. That is difficult if you can’t even open the closet door for fear of having items fall on your head! The first step to creating a relaxing bedroom retreat is installing a bedroom closet organizer.

Bedroom closet organizers are available to match most any décor. No matter your personal style or the size of your closet, there is probably a closet organizer to match. You are limited only by your own imagination—and perhaps your budget. Bedroom closet organizers are available in a wide variety of materials, styles, and price ranges. Materials such as wood, metal, wire, and laminate are readily available.

Bedroom closet organizers are commercially available as either closet organizer kits or closet organizer systems. Kits are less expensive and are available at most local home improvement stores and some department stores. Closet organizer kits contain all shelving, hardware, and components needed. Most are adjustable, so there is usually no cutting involved. However, many bedroom closet organizer kits will needed to be installed, so drilling is usually required. Kits cost around $40 and up.

Bedroom closet organizers are also available as closet organizer systems. These modular units are pre-assembled. You simply have to measure your space and determine the correct pieces. These units can be permanently mounted to the wall or temporary floor-based units. An assortment of configurations is available depending on the size of the closet and your individual needs. Shoe racks, shelves, racks, drawers, and more are available, and can be mixed and matched to create a unique look. Closet organizer systems can be purchased at local home improvement stores or at specialty stores. Prices can range from the low $100’s to the high $1000’s.

With a touch of creativity, a little bit of money, and a well-designed closet organizer, your bedroom can be a neat, orderly haven.

Picking out the perfect countertop for your kitchen

Choosing a kitchen counter material can be an overwhelming task in the midst of a huge kitchen makeover. Before you select a material, try to decide what look you are going for. Scour magazines and take a trip to your local home improvement center to get an idea how each type of material will effect the overall style of the kitchen.

Some materials for kitchen counter tops include:

Laminate - The least expensive and comes in a huge range of colors. You have to be careful not to cut or put anything hot on the surface, but it is easy to clean. It is not as durable as stone or Corian and doesn’t look as nice either!

Tiles - Tiles can range in price from very inexpensive to very expensive depending on your choice. In my opinion they make terrible counter tops because food and such tends to get caught in the grout lines. Even worse, if you use light colored grout it gets dirty very quickly and must be scrubbed all the time. Tiles can crack and chip easily.

Corian - A very durable counter that is seamless and has the look of granite. It comes in a myriad of colors and can scratch, but these can be sanded and repaired. Unlike stone, it will melt so no hot pots on the counter top. More expensive than laminate but a bit less than stone.

Granite - This material is a long time favorite and one of the most expensive. It is extremely durable and virtually scratch-free and heat proof. It is porous, though so you will have to wipe up any spills quickly and be careful about what chemicals you put on it. These days, granite comes in a range shades in the gray - black - green and even dark blue colors. Granite must be sealed every year, but otherwise is quite easy to clean and care for.

Marble - Beautiful but very porous and is not really practical for a counter top. It will stain easily with normal food prep.

Slate - Slate has a nice warm earthy look without the shininess of granite. It is durable and easy to clean and unlike granite, is nonporous. Scratches can be easily repaired.

Butcher Block - Wood kitchen counter top materials can give hour kitchen a warm look. Butcher block is good for cutting as the marks can be sanded out but it is not very resistant to bacteria or stains. Would need periodic conditioning.

Concrete - Fast becoming a favorite in modern kitchens that want an industrial look, concrete is a mid priced material that can be mixed to form any color and even can be mixed with little pieces of anything you want with it! It is durable and easy to clean but is very porous and should be sealed to avoid staining.

Bathroom remodeling doesn't have to be complicated

Take a look around your own home. Is what you’ve been referring to as your “time-honored home décor” really just old fashioned? If so, maybe it’s time for you to join the remodeling parade. The good news is: there are lots of easy, low cost ways to give your home’s look a nice pick-me-up.

The bathroom is one of the most popular targets for home improvement. While any project involving plumbing tends to intimidate the average homeowner, there is a lot of new product technology designed with the do-it-yourselfer in mind.

One of the easiest and most cost efficient ways to spruce up a bathroom is to replace the faucets. “Improvements like this have a huge impact on the functional and aesthetic value of the space. You can create an entirely new theme for your bathroom -- such as contemporary, old world, or European -- based on the design of your faucet,” says Angie Coffman, director, Delta product marketing for Delta Faucet Company.

Before purchasing a new faucet, it’s a good idea to do some preliminary research. You may also want to consider a budget before beginning your search, as prices can vary widely. You will find that there are many different styles and designs in bathroom faucets. Consider ahead of time whether you want a single-handle or a double-handle faucet. Notice how the handles feel in the palm of your hand. Do you want something that is delicate or more heavy-duty? Explore different spout designs and finishes as well. Decide whether or not you want an escutcheon, the decorative plate beneath a faucet. An escutcheon will also cover extra holes that might be drilled in the sink.

Look for a faucet that installs easily -- you may notice language like “quick connect ” or “no adjust,” indicating that minimal tools are required. Pay close attention to the existing hole configuration on your sink. How many are there and how far apart are they? Do you need a single-hole, 4-inch center-set, or a wall-mounted faucet? Your single-handle faucet may have three holes underneath, but you don’t necessarily have to replace it with another single-handle. There’s a design, called a “mini-widespread,” which provides flexibility for customers who have a single-handle faucet, but are looking to switch to a double handle, widespread look. The Victorian Mini-widespread from Delta is an example of a faucet that offers intricate, old-world styling in a smaller sink setting.

Make a Lasting Improvement

Look for a design that won’t soon be outdated and one that will complement the rest of your bathroom, “one that will stand out without sticking out,” according to Coffman. “Keep in mind that you will probably be using this new faucet for years, so choose something that is durable, versatile, and a brand that is considered reliable.”

Installing high quality products in a bathroom will result in a high return on your home remodeling investment. That is why it is important to choose a faucet that offers long-lasting, worry-free performance. You want to look for things like solid brass construction and a company that offers a lifetime limited warranty, along with customer support, in case you have questions while installing the faucet yourself.

Now that you are ready to give your bathroom the facelift it has been waiting for, have a few tools handy for the installation. A pair of adjustable pliers, along with an Allen wrench and basin wrench, will probably be necessary. Also pick up some silicone or caulk, and Teflon tape. Always double check the instructions on your faucet for any other tools or supplies needed.

If you are looking for additional support, try consulting your local home improvement store. Or, check out manufacturer Web sites, such as deltafaucet.com, for installation tips. As you join the millions of Americans remodeling their homes this year, choose your projects wisely and remember that even seemingly small changes, like a bathroom fixture upgrade, can add value to your home.

Using the right accessories to decorate your room

Any interior space is primarily composed of walls, floor and ceiling. These elements give a habitable character to the interior space.

Apart from providing protection from natural elements such as rain, snow, wind and other natural calamities, an interior space is also responsible for creating moods, depending upon the theme of the decoration.

Depending upon the functional purpose of the interior space, the quality and quantity of the furniture and other elements may change. For example a "meditation center" might not require any furniture at all, but a gymnasium on the other hand requires specially designed equipment.

For the sake of this article we are only going to concentrate on bedrooms. A bedroom is a space, which is close to our heart. This is the space where we take rest and regain the vital energy force for the next day's work. A typical bedroom consists of a double/single bed depending upon the size and occupancy of the room, wardrobe, study table, chairs for informal gathering, dressing table, side tables adjacent to the bed for keeping items such as telephone, watch, etc..

Since a bulk of volume gets occupied with the furniture pieces, the beauty of a bedroom greatly depends upon the quality of the furniture. But that's not all. Any interior space can be greatly enhanced using "accessories" and some great amount of detailing can be added to an existing bedroom with furniture.

1)Use of decorative curtains.

These are called as "valances" are a very good means to decorate the windows and other openings. These decorative curtains have 2 purposes. a) They define a window opening b) They diffuse the incoming sunlight and help the dispersion of light evenly. Valances can be easily be prepared at home with some basic knowledge of stitching.

2)Wall Hangings

Wall hangings are used as an alternative for wall paintings. These have a great advantage that they can be prepared from almost any material. Some possible options for material use could be matt finished paper, handmade paper, silk cloth, bamboo sticks, jeans cloth!, wool, plastic sheets, crape papers, etc. Small square pieces of these materials along with bits of mirrors pieces can be creatively used to prepare a wall hanging.

3)Wall Paintings.

The choice of the painting in this case highly depends upon the likes / dislikes of the user. Also the nature of the surface on which the painting is going to be, is also important.

4)Photographs

Most people like to use framed photographs of the family members, ancestors, or some live stills from outside world. This method has got a great advantage. The user has got perfect control over which kind of photos to choose. Photographs of real people can greatly add a human touch to an interior space.

5)Statues

These greatly add to the quality of the space. In case of bedrooms the statues which can add some interest to the overall theme can be used. Some gift articles come in the form of statues or a watch embedded in it can serve two purposes at a time. They add some grace to the design and at the same time, become a useful functional piece.

6)Shade Loving Plants.

Depending upon the size of the bedroom, lots of varieties of shade loving plants are available today. If the plant is a flowering one, then this can be very creatively used. A flowering plant can greatly add to the mood of a space because of its changing nature of foliage and color.

7)Decorative Lamp Shades.

Decorative lamp shades have a very unique quality attached to them. Because they are functional mostly at night times, the shape of the lamp shade itself can be chosen in such a way that will add some interest in the bedroom. During its functional times a lampshade which is made of semitransparent cloth covers can add some wonderful ambience in the interior space.

8)Free standing wooden partitions.

These are used in large bedroom to define certain areas of the same space into different parts. For example a wooden partition can be used to segregate a study space inside a bedroom or a decorative wooden partition can be used to hide the direct entry to the toilet, by creating a private area.

These are some of the ideas I have come up with randomly. These can be a good starting point. You can always come up with more good and creative ideas of your own. A very creative use of these accessories can definitely cheer up an interior space.

Why not go pink?

While blue is often a preferred color in bedrooms, for couples, pink might be a wiser choice.

Blue is sedative, relaxing. Great for winding down. A tranquil color makes you want to sleep. If your bedroom is purely for sleeping, then blue would be an ideal color for the room.

Pink on the other hand is romantic. A tender color associated with romance. For a couple, that would be preferable as the bedroom is more than just for sleep. The bedroom is also a place for romance. For warmth and tenderness. For love.

If you are talking about passion, you might want to paint the room a bright passionate red.

But then again, how can you sleep in a bright red room. At the end of a hard stressful day, you just want to relax in each other's company for a time of romance and then sleep when you are really exhausted. Red might by going overboard.

A pale pink is calming. A pale pink bedroom is soothing at the end of a stressful day.

A vibrant sugar pink is cheerful. An uplifting color. One of celebration. Of fun. A perfect for a romantic setting.

For a couple that is constantly fighting, how about painting the bedroom a coral pink? Or at least furnish the room with coral pink rugs, bedding and other furnishings? Walls in prisons are painted a coral pink to effectively reduce the violence of the inmates. It might help reduce the fights in your bedroom.

Researchers suggest that pink tends to calm people and get them more soft hearted. Sounds like a recipe for romance.

By the way, before you do paint the room pink, get his approval first. No point starting a fight because you painted the entire room pink even though you know he hates pink.

With the right accessories, your bathroom can be very special

Bathrooms aren't just about the basics but are about the bathroom accessories! Bathrooms have become places to relax and unwind. They are not just for doing your business and leaving. People have spent time in designing a place to find peace and quiet! And the bathroom accessories that you have in there will help accomplish this!

Yes, bathrooms have toilets and bathroom sinks. Yes, there are reasons that we need these spaces in our homes beyond for the point of relaxing, but these rooms can be stylish and elegant or fun and relaxing just the same. Some might think, a toilet is a toilet. Go into any home improvement store and find the aisle of toilets. Yes, there are many to choose from. Its not just about which works the best. No, its about how the look and feel. There are lots of different options even for toilets!

Now consider the other bathroom accessories that you can customize to your liking to create the bathroom of your dreams. For instance, bathroom lighting fixtures. Bathroom light fixtures come in many options. Some may be bright and seem simple while others may be funky and fun. In different colors, shapes, styles these can add an added touch of sophistication or style. Or, maybe adding lighting that is dim and smooth as opposed to bright. This can create a great atmosphere for relaxing.

Other bathroom fixtures to think about are bathroom faucets and bathroom sinks to think about as well. In every aspect of the bathroom, you will find different styles, shapes, and colors all to help make the bathroom of your dreams. Many options can be put together to show an overall style of the bathroom. Many can carry the same theme throughout the bathroom as well. So, there are many things you can do to create a great bathroom.

Adding bathroom accessories will help you create the bathroom of your dreams. A place to come home to, to relax and find peace and quiet.

Designing your own bathroom? Some ideas worth sharing

A bathroom design idea - can I really design my own bathroom? Why not! Today, the bathroom is much more than just a room for grooming and a place to read. Bathrooms can be a good place for home exercise equipment and a good music system or TV, for example. What better way to unwind from the day than a soothing shower or warm soak in the tub with candles and relaxing music. So start a notebook. When you get a bathroom designs idea, write it down. Soon you will have defined the bathroom that is just right for you.

Design my own bathroom? You bet you can! When designing your own bathroom, some of the questions you should ask (and answer) include:

1. How big will the bathroom be? Bathroom sizes include:

• Master bathroom or luxury bathroom - includes toilet, bidet, two sinks, separate tub and shower, whirlpool or spa and perhaps more, depending on your budget. Some master bathrooms are large enough to have exercise equipment, and they are subdivided into smaller compartments for privacy depending on what is needed.

• Full bathroom - includes toilet, sink, and combination tub/shower plumbed along one wall. Typical dimensions are 5x7 or 5x8 feet.

• Half bathroom - includes sink and toilet only. It can be placed on the main floor of your home to reduce the morning rush, and the family doesn't have to go upstairs to use the toilet. Common dimensions are between 3x6 and 4x5 feet, about the size of a smaller closet.

• Small bathroom - includes corner shower stall, toilet and sink and typical dimensions are 6x6 feet.

• Children’s bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or full bathroom depending on the size of your home and how many children you have. Children's bathrooms should have plenty of storage and cubbies that are safe and colorful. If several kids will use the same bathroom, a wall or half wall between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom may be a good idea.

• Guest bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or a full bathroom.

2. Are you planning to have convenient storage in the bathroom? A design my own bathroom person will always include bathroom storage. You can find a combination sink/vanity for extra storage. A great bathroom designs idea is you can never have too much bathroom storage!

Use the wall space wisely with shelves or cabinets over the commode or almost anywhere in the bathroom. Consider using corner shelves, and hang towel bars above one another. Add a medicine cabinet with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine cabinet was always located above the vanity or sink, but nowadays you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom. Add a shower caddy to your corner shower for extra storage.

3. Do you have enough lighting planned for your bathroom? Natural light is an important element in bathrooms. A window, a wall or roof skylight will bring in natural light, a view or a dramatic skyscape. Having a skylight that opens is great because moisture build-up is reduced.

Artificial lighting is also vital and often overlooked in a bathroom. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. Lighting for your bathroom can be natural and manufactured. Lighting should be used to brighten and define the space since both can affect your mood and how you feel inside your home.

4. Another bathroom designs idea - what about ventilation? If you live in climates prone to mold and mildew, you should install an exhaust fan in your bathroom. Ventilating fans are sized by the number of cubic feet of air they move each minute (cfm). A design my own bathroom person will have a good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour or once every 7 or 8 minutes. Bathrooms generate humidity and moisture that can penetrate ceilings, floors and countertops. Remove odors and humidity from a bathroom by installing a power ventilator large enough to do the job. You do not want your walls to break into a sweat every time someone showers.

Design my own bathroom? Go for it! A design my own bathroom person will read as much as possible, thinking through what is wanted and needed in this important room. A bathroom designs idea will range from materials used to the bathroom layout to the finished colors. Having a successful bathroom project is about making informed decisions while planning and while building. Continue the process of learning as much as you can before building begins. How much can you spend, what style the bathroom will be, what size ventilation you should have and so on. Your answer to each bathroom designs idea question is what will guide you so you'll have the best bathroom ever.

Getting cosy while enjoying your home theater system

Home theater system may be best for you if you want entertainment and relaxation after a long day of work. If you are one of those busy executives who want to relax after a long day of work by watching movies but hate traffic jams, setting up a home theater may be what is best for you. Home theater is a luxury for some. This is because not many people can afford it however, knowing the basic components of a home theater may help you enjoy this modern entertainment. Know the basic components you need for your home theater system including home theater furniture to acquire the theatrical experience right in your own living room.

Basic home theater furniture such as home theater chairs and television cabinet may be good for your home theater set up. Other furniture that will enhance the home theater set up may be necessary but the home theater chairs and television cabinet are two of the basic home theater furniture that you may need. Other home theater furniture may be added dependent on the size of your living room. Apart from the home theater furniture required, the most important component of the home theater system, after considering the size of the room, are the three basic gadgets.

The three basic components of the home theater system like the television set, the speakers and the DVD player. Even for a small living room, the size of the television set should not be less than 27 inches. You may not want to watch a movie in a very small screen. Twenty-seven inches and above is necessary to acquire the big screen experience for a small room. Concerning the speakers, you may need at least three speakers for a small size living room. If you have a bigger room for the home theater set up, you may add up to six speakers. For extremely big room, a subwoofer may need to compliment the six speakers to arrive at the surround sound for your home theater. The DVD player is also important aspect to consider. A DVD Player with progressive scan will prove to be beneficial because of its sharp images and flicker-free performance. You may consider adding other equipments like home theater projectors, and for bigger rooms, you may add home theater projector screen. For the home theater furniture, the seating is a major consideration. The television cabinet is a secondary consideration of a home theater furniture. Adding other home theater furniture will give more life to your home theater system. However, we leave the recommendation to home theater experts especially concerning home theater furniture.

You may consider acquiring their services if you have bigger room for your home theater system. They will be able to advice you more particularly to the power rating requirements and speaker requirements like if you need an amplifier or other home theater furniture. Hiring the services of a home theater designer will add to the possibility of acquiring the most entertaining home theater system with complete home theater furniture.

A well-designed home theater system will be beneficial for the busy executive who needs to relax after a long day of work. If the home theater is not properly set up, the home theater experience will not be relaxing and entertaining. The surround sound will help you forget you are inside your own living room and not in a movie theater, but if the speakers are not of high quality, the sound may be irritating in the ears. Avoid having to suffer this, and enhance the possibility of a real-life movie theater experience with your home theater and the inclusion of home theater furniture by ensuring that a home theater designer will design it for your enjoyment.

Bringing the cinemas to your living room

The cinema is a good place to watch movies and relax. This is because you watch the movie in a wide screen with sound that can make you easily get lost in the movie scene. The picture and the sound is the most entertaining part of the cinema experience. However, if you can bring this technology home and with lesser expense, this is definitely something you will enjoy. This is the concept only a few American homes acquire in the past years. Lately late, however, a good number of American homes are starting to be less interested in going out of their abode to watch movies. This is due to the evolution of home theater system.

A simple home theater is easy to set up. All you need is a television set that measure bigger than 27 inches, a DVD player and three speakers. These are the basic components of a home theater. This may already give you the home entertainment you can enjoy with the almost theatrical experience. Why do I say almost, when I am sure you want the perfect feeling of a movie theater. This is because there are other equipments you might add to complete the home theater experience that will ensure a cinematic experience right in your own living room. As mentioned already, you may still enhance the three basic components by adding home entertainment furniture; however, everything is dependent on the budget you set for your home theater. The size of the room is another consideration of the complete package of your home theater.

A neat advice however by home theater experts is that you need to find a good size television set for you home theater set up. A good size does not mean the biggest you can find in the store. A good size television is dependent on the place in your house where you will set up the home theater. Big is not always good for you home entertainment system. It is a recommendation, however, that the television set should not be smaller than 27 inches. This is because the projection on a smaller television might be too inferior for your home theater.

Another recommendation is for you to find speakers that will give you the surround sound from high quality brand of speakers. In addition, you need to be sure that if you do not find the speaker that gives you enough surround sound, you need to be able to return it. There are speakers that sound good in the store but when you put it in a room, it may not sound well enough that will satisfy your requirement. If the store allows replacement, then that is a good deal. In addition, you may need to choose a good quality DVD player. It is however a belief by home theater experts that all DVD players deliver clear and crisp images, although there are those that promise a flicker-free picture, almost all DVD players provide this feature.

Knowing how big the room where you will set up your home theater will be the basis of how big the television needs to be. The size of the room is another consideration for the number of speakers. If the room is somewhat big, you may need more than the basic three speakers. Adding a subwoofer may also do good to achieve the best surround sound if your home theater is place on a huge room.

All these will give you the best home theater experience only a few in the earlier year’s experience. A home theater designer may be of big help in ensuring you will have the best home theater set up that will give you the best possible movie experience right in your own living room.