Loft Beds

There is no other more functional piece of furniture I recommend  in a small bedroom but a loft bed. It is having a bed space and at the same time having more space in the room that it would have occupied.

A loft bed is a bunk bed minus the bunk underneath, thus, producing an extra space that opens a number of designs and storage possibilities, of course, depending on the occupant's needs.

A Perfect Solution To Maximize Your Kid's Room

Kid's rooms are a challenge yet fun to tackle with organizing ideas. With toys, school things, crafts, arts and books that surround a child's basic necessities in life greatly add up to a storage burden. Putting in additional storage unit is out of the question because it would cramp up the room further. There is nothing wrong with the conventional type of bed, however, it is the most basic furniture  that occupies a large portion of the bedroom. And if challenged with a limited space, one would explore other possibilities to maximize what is already given. Therefore, types of beds such us bunk beds, loft beds and day beds are produced by manufacturers to bring wider options to home owners with space concerns. A great thanks to the creativity of these individuals who are behind in uncomplicating the lives of the many.

A loft bed is a good option to consider that you can take advantage of because it frees up space in an efficient manner. Not only can you use the extra space for drawers or cabinets but it can allow your child to have enough room to play. This is a great solution for parents who are trying to create a fun and enjoyable ambiance in their child's bedroom. The many designs available now in the market can add a creative element to a bedroom.

To gain an extra space means more room for other pieces of furniture. The interests of the child should be the top consideration when selecting what else to add in the room. One idea you can do underneath, is to transform the empty space into a work shop or a study area. It will encourage your child to be creative and establish study habits as this can give him a quiet conducive place for learning. Provide an area where you can install shelves for his favorite books and drawers for his toys. A proper storage for each of his things can help encourage your child to manage his room in an orderly manner. To help him organize everything at an early age can make him an organized person for life.

The popularity of loft beds has increased over the years. Houses and apartments with small bedrooms opt for pieces of furniture wherein even the last available possible space is not compromised. Therefore, Loft Beds are not only popular for the kids but also for the biggies. In buying loft beds, regardless of age, consider the safety of the occupant above all aspects. When dealing with children, make sure that the guardrails are high enough to protect your child. It should be nothing below five inches from the mattress. Moreover, ground rules must be established to avoid untoward incidents. Roughhousing and horseplaying are the most common reasons for injuries. A guardrail is also critical since anyone asleep can fall out of bed.

Keep in mind that there are a variety of loft beds in the market. Younger kids may enjoy the themed Loft Beds. However, I would advise though to get something that can be used over a longer period of time rather than a shorter period. Themed loft beds can only be used for a specific period and kids can outgrow the design. It would be rather practical to get the regular one and just accessorize it with themed bedding set. Again, the color scheme plays a big factor in making a room appear bigger than its size. Select a lighter color to make the appearance of the room lighter. This is a major piece of a bedroom and could be the biggest inside the room. Selecting the lightest of color can make a huge difference. Do not worry if you find the color dull as there are ways to perk up the room. You can still play around with bright colors.

Create A Color Scheme

The occupant's favorite color would be the recommended basic color you should use. If the room is too small, you have no other option but to use a plain of the lightest shade made available in paint stores. For example, if a pale blue paint is used in the walls, compensate the lack of real blue in other items inside the room. A bed cover can have a brighter blue, depending on your choice of blue, of course. Other complementary colors can be added as accent to the room. An area rug is a good add on to create a homey atmosphere. It can be a blue of a different shade or a complementary or a split complementary color. A printed design may be selected but nothing bold in pattern. Do not be scared in choosing color combinations. The examples cited here are just suggestions and can be useful in helping you decide with what to do with your preference.

For additional help with selecting a color scheme, you may refer to Choosing Interior Color Combinations.

Free More Space With Bunk Beds

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Using the floor efficiently gives more free space regardless of how small a space you are dealing with. Selecting the right furniture is always the best solution.

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It is such a pity for kids who have no option to play inside the house especially on rainy days or even before going to bed. The living room is certainly not the best idea to transform it into a play area when you have breakable decors. Not to mention the clutter they can create around the house. It would be a strain for working moms to deal with a lot of cleaning and de-cluttering  after kids have gone tired of playing. It would be practical to confine the kids play area in their own room. At least, with the idea, you would only get to deal with one small area to clean with.

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 You can use more floor space if you try to explore the options for a free space. And one of the most economical solutions to maximize that very small space are bunk beds. This is also very ideal for kids sharing a room.  Stylish bunk beds are now available both online and in local stores.  There is a wide selection of bunk beds from different makes and brands and I am pretty confident that you would be able to find something that would suit your kids' room. Kids would love the idea of having a bunk bed because of the adventure it can bring them. How they love to scramble up and down and transform them into their own little house. Moreover, with more free space, kids can invite a friend overnight. I guess, as parents, we would rather have a friend of our kids to sleep over than our kids spending overnight in another house. 

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One important thing you need to consider is to select a bunk bed with guard rails. It must be there on all sides and firmly attached to the bed frame to secure the safety of your kids when they are asleep. Make sure that you measure the height of the guard rails, at least, five inches above the mattress to prevent the child from rolling off. Moreover, the bed size must depend on the number of kids and how much space is available in the room.

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Another space solution the bunk bed can offer is the extra storage you can find under it. There are bunk beds with built-in study table and bookshelves too. Is it not a great space saving solution?


Please visit the The Atelier Home Furnishings for more bunk bed options.

Redecorating A Child's Room

There are multitude of ideas you can find all around the net about decorating a child's room. The many different ideas, suggestions and designs are all appealing and very encouraging especially to moms. But being faced with so many options can be overwhelming. All the options can be somewhat confusing as to which would work best for your child.

Let me help you narrow down your options by establishing the purpose of redecorating your child's room.

• To create a pleasant and cozy atmosphere.
• To organize the room.

These are the two basic reasons why you should give it a go and redo your child's room. Redecorating need not be expensive if you know what to do. For parents, the most challenging part is probably how and where to get started. Consider the fact that kids will not forever be kids. Therefore, it is essential not to get too excited and thrilled with wallpapers, furniture, fixtures and window treatments that suggest too much of a kiddie thing. True, they are all cute but surely your child would outgrow the designs in just a matter of years. There are so many ways to present a timeless design for your child's room. Of course, redecorating your child's haven would greatly depend on the size of the room. Don't fret, you can also do so much even with small rooms. You just have to carefully select the type of furniture pieces you would want to buy.

Here are some suggestions:

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A bed with under storage is ideal for small bedrooms. The drawers can provide additional storage for the linens, pillow cases, towels or clothes. Select a bed that is manufactured in its simplest design and nothing elaborate. A natural finish would look good in any room because of its neutrality in color. Your child will surely not outgrow this type of bed because of its simplicity in design.

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 A simple night stand can be added without occupying too much space of the room. This can also provide additional storage for books or toys and other items your child own. Night stands can match the finish of the bed but may not be limited to it. You can probably get colored ones to accentuate the bed. Whatever your preference is, just make sure that this will match one of the colors of the printed bedding, pillow case or your window treatment to create a sense of unity inside the room.

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For me, a chest is another essential add on. Most small houses have a limited built in closet. Additional drawers can certainly make room for all the clothes your child have. If you intend to get one like this, I would suggest to get something that would match the framing of the bed. It is always best for small rooms to have one color of furniture to group them for a unified look.

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Available at AMAZON.COM

Available at AMAZON.COM

Decorating a child's room is a lot of fun. These timeless suggestions can surely carry any age of your child. Be cautious in selecting your wall paint. Should you wish to have a colored wall, you can do so provided that the shade must be in the lighter tone. Something dark will make the room appear smaller. Window treatments may be of the same color as the walls. It can be on the lighter or darker shade. Again, not too dark but just a bit darker than the walls. If you are considering something printed, select the ones with small prints and nothing bold.

Opt for blankets, pillows and comforters that can reflect the age of the occupant. Your child will surely enjoy the atmosphere it can create. It can make play time and bonding  moment with your child a lot of fun.  For younger ones, you can get those with cute cartoon character inspired collection set. There are a lot to chose from in the market today. Toys and other kid's accessories can make the room more interesting.

Remember, there are no hard rules in decorating a child's room. Sometimes, just the accessories alone can make a lot of difference to the kind of atmosphere you wish to create for your child. Create a theme out of your child's favorite cartoon character or interest.

Closet Organization

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Make a great place out of your space! There's almost nothing in the  home that can be more pleasing than a well organized closet. A closet where things are organized and in appealing geometry is something that will make your life easier. 

A murky closet where contents tumble down on our heads whenever the door opens poses some sort of danger especially to the kids at home. Clutter in the closet makes it difficult to identify what's inside much less retrieve the item you need. This is the dilemma in most homes.  Isn't it disheartening to look for something that you cannot find instantly? Of course, all the the clutter makes it impossible to identify items inside the closet.

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These are but a few desperation why manufacturers have sprung up devoted to closet organizing attachments, shelves, hangers and the many other ideas designed to  fit any closets at home. Most homes that have built- in closets have the most basic layout of shelves, drawers and hangers. Later on, as the months go by, one would realize that these are not enough to provide space for every clothes, personal effects and other items you buy over a period of time.

Closet storage and organization is truly a unique challenge. But due to the desperation of most consumers, manufacturers have sprung up devoted to closet organizing attachments, shelves, hangers and the many other ideas designed to  fit in any closets at home. Closet organizers have flooded the market in the past few years. Different materials and designs from wire to wood to hanging shelves, each closet organizer offers it's own unique approach to getting your wardrobe organized. But before anything else, you need to understand that closet organization is all about utilizing and maximizing some of the potential dead spaces in the closet. 

 

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Inventory of the closet is the first thing you need to do. Sort the things you still want to use from the the things you want to let go. After you've taken inventory, measure the inside spaces you have available and you can opt to purchase prefabricated closet organizers, shelves, drawers, rods and other organizing accessories. Most of these items are designed to fit standard sized closet spaces. The best advise I can give you is to determine in advance what organizing accessories you want and need to implement into your closet. Of course, you always have the option to build your own closet organizers from scratch. However, building your own is time consuming and a risky project especially with no professional help. A small error in measurement or calculation can cost you money and time. 

 

If you are decided to give a go on this project, make sure that the end result is functional and that you will achieve the exact storage environment you exactly need.

 

 

A Wide Variety Of Closet Organizers Available At:

The Atelier Home Furnishings 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over The Sink Shelf

Small kitchens and bathrooms usually have limited space around the sink area and sometimes none at all. It would be difficult and more often inconvenient if the most frequently used items are out of arm's reach. Water drips after washing the hand can mess up the floor when the hand towel is situated far from the sink. It can also expose the person of danger by accidental slipping because the floor is wet. Household members who does not maintain the kitchen may find it hard to find where the hand soap is kept. Scrubs for pans and pots may be misplaced if not kept to somewhere that's visible to the eyes and just within reach. Wouldn't it be more convenient if these items are right there in front of you and neatly organized?

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If there is one area that's commonly overlooked in the house, it would be the sink. We never think of accessorizing this space unless we mess on it. Most shelving solutions are found under the sink which is great because there is more room under compared to the upper portion. Most sinks are situated by the window and there is nothing much you can do as you wouldn't want to block your view to the outside.

The over the sink shelf  not only provides additional space but it dresses up the sink area. This can give plenty of room for soaps, scrubbies, hand towels and a space for special touches such as house plants and small pieces of decors. It is also great for organizing your condiments and seasonings on one of the tiers.

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The over the sink shelf is just one of the many ideas for kitchen storage solutions. Instead of having a space wasted, the accessory can help maximize space in sink and counter tops. An organizer that helps improve the over-all state of your kitchen and bathroom. 

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If you want a more organized kitchen or bathroom, the over the sink shelf is ideal. The shelves are designed  mostly to hold all your washing needs.  But then again, you have to consider a lot of things before purchasing one. Make sure to measure the available space where you intend to put it. Most common mistake is buying the item without even getting the length of the sink. There should be enough room where the over the sink should stand.

Bathroom Accessories

Small bathrooms are not worth giving attention to. At least, that's what most people think. Why settle for leaving it bare and devoid of other essentials when it is possible to put a style into your own bathroom. Regardless of its size you can do a lot of things to accentuate your bathroom.

The bathroom is the first and probably the last you are in at home before retiring to bed. Wouldn't it be pleasing to the eyes when you do your morning ritual in a bathroom that is clean, well organized and somehow decorated? Wouldn't your bath be relaxing and comforting if you have a beautifully and carefully designed bathroom? Instead of leaving  it bare and dull consider adding life to your bathroom.

Just like any other rooms at home, there are a lot of  ideas that can make a big difference to your bathroom. Selecting the right pieces will not affect the leg room in any way. You will still have enough space to move around conveniently. 

Don't be helpless if you have a very small space around your bathroom sink for your personal effects. There can be a room for your small items such as cologne, deodorant, aftershave, etc. The over the sink shelf is a brilliant add on that can give more storage to the bathroom.

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Another idea you can make use of is an over the toilet stand which can accommodate some of the most frequently used items in your bath such as shampoo, soap, lotion or small decorative pieces you would want to accentuate your bathroom with.

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There are also a lot of hot items available in the market today where you can further decorate your dull bathroom. Pieces like toilet paper holder comes in a variety of designs that you can choose from.

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Buy this at AMAZON.COM

Shower curtains and rugs can be great add-ons. It can surely give life and personality to a once dull bathroom. Make sure to carefully select the colors that would be in harmony to your walls. If you need help with color combinations, you may refer to Choosing Interior Color Combinations. This will guide you on how to select the appropriate colors to your bathroom.

You may also like to read:

Bathroom Solutions

Kitchen Island

 

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A Kitchen Island is a great addition to your kitchen. Not only can it provide extra work space and storage but it can be decorative as well. It can surely bring style to your kitchen. Three functions in one can make a big difference to your needs.

In kitchens where there is no built-in Kitchen Island, furniture manufacturers made it all possible for you to have one. A wide range of styles and designs are available in the market today. If you are struggling with additional space, there are types of Kitchen Islands designed with cabinets and shelves for frequently used items. Though some cabinets may not be deep enough but it will still serve its purpose as an extra storage. Condiments and spices can also be arranged in the open shelves for easy access when cooking. You can also install hooks on one side to hang hand towels. It will definitely make your counter tops clutter free. Organizing your kitchen gives you ease of comfort where everything is within an arm's reach.

There are Kitchen Islands set that comes with chairs or stool. It can serve as a breakfast nook where you can have a quick meal alone. Kids can have their breakfast in the morning while you are still preparing something to eat for other members of the family. A convenient way to do things at the same time - tending to kids while they eat and cooking. There is no need to set the main dining area as you can serve it right there on the Kitchen Island.

Manufacturers have come up with many great designs of their product to fit in the needs of the homeowners. There are types where the top can be folded when not in use and can be moved to one side to allow traffic flow to the small kitchen. Some have extended tops to provide larger areas for working. And there are some that can be closed and fixed to the wall. You have a lot of options to choose from depending on what type of Kitchen Island would fit in your kitchen and your needs.

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As a decorative piece, the Kitchen Island can serve as your kitchen's accent. If different designs are available in the market, you can also select a color that would be in harmony to your kitchen walls. If you want your Kitchen Island outstand in your kitchen, you can select a color that would  complement your walls and cabinets. If you need help with color combination, please refer to Choosing Interior Color Combinations. What's more, stools and chairs can be accentuated with colorful cushions that would match your window treatment.

Remember, you can do so much more with a small kitchen if you know what to add and what piece to select. Kitchen Islands can do so much more for you. Even if you already have a built in one you can still purchase this piece to add more storage to your kitchen. You need not limit the room of what it can basically offer you but rather explore the possibilities of having another storage solution.

Kitchen Islands are portable. If you are sick and tired with the usual set up, you can easily move the piece around and settle it to the desired spot. Decorate it with fresh flowers or anything that tickles your fancy.


Go to The Atelier Home Furnishings to shop for a Kitchen Island or click the tab above.









Breakfast Nook Storage Ideas

Due to today's cost of materials, labor and maintenance; building of big houses are out of the question. Small houses, townhouses, aparments and condominiums are a practical choice nowadays. If you live in the city, most likely you are one of the dwellers of these types of abode. A typical area of such as we all know is just enough for a small family with enough space to move around. But no matter how small the number of the family members are, there are things necessary to make your dwelling a home.

One of the great challenges is where to find additional storage space at home . There never seems to have enough storage anywhere especially in the kitchen where we have items of varying sizes; from biggest to smallest.  Kitchen cabinets can only offer a limited space and the moment the shelves looked cramped, the need for an additional storage comes to mind. One potential solution that can provide storage opportunity is the breakfast nook. One may wonder how but you'll be amazed to find that markets of today can give you a variety of options to choose from depending on the need of prospective buyers.

When breakfast nooks come to mind, one would think of it as a set of table and chairs. Not anymore, there are different types and designs available in home furnishing stores. Breakfast nooks offer lots of options to sneak in storage. Benches with understorage are now incorporated with the set. It is a chest type of bench hinged on one side so the seat can be pulled up for storage. There are also single chairs or stools with under storage seats. These storage can be used for tablecloths, placemats, plastic containers or other kitchen things you seldom use. There are some types of tables that have drawers underneath where you can keep small items. The need for extra storage at home has led manufactuers to create innovational furnishings so consumers can maximize the use of their products.

Benches, chairs and stools can be topped with customed sized seat cushions for comfort. Colors would depend on the color scheme of the room. The color combination must be in harmony to exude unified atmosphere. There are a great many ways in sprucing up the breakfast nook. You just have to be creative and experimental enough not to be afaid of trying new ideas.

You may also use the following reference:

• Choosing Color Combinations 
• Breakfast Nook Decorating Ideas
• Basic Guide for Home Decorating

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CrownPoint Cabinetry

CrownPoint Cabinetry also offer cabinets custom designed for your home office, or built-ins that can take advantage of that "free" space in a wall, and special pantry designs. And of course, custom kitchens!

Go to The Atelier Home Furnishings to shop for a Breakfast Nook.

Breakfast Nooks Decorating Ideas

Traditionally breakfast nooks are situated by the window facing a beautiful scenic landscape near the home. Most homeowners opt for this because of the calming effect it can give to a person. Wouldn't it be nice to start the day fully relaxed and with a calm mind? However, nowadays, most people opt to settle near the metropolis due to practicality. Breakfast nooks are often forgotten without realizing the benefits of having one. I am not saying it's a must for every home but I personally think it's something a homeowner should consider for the functionality it can offer. If you are considering to provide a space for your breakfast nook, I am going to give you some ideas on how to make it  in style.

Nowadays, most homes I see have their breakfast nooks situated in the kitchen which is the most used room in a home. Because people at home love to hangout there with the family members, the room should reflect you personality and must be decorated in a manner whereby it should compliment your kitchen if it's enclosed or the rest of your home if it's open. There are numerous ways to accomplish your decorating goals in the breakfast nook.

The first decorating decision one would do is the personal selection of the table and chairs. Consider the kitchen interiors. What existing style does your kitchen have? Whether it's tradition or modern, your option for the breakfast nook should be in harmony with the kitchen unless renevotion is in the mind. Wooden furniture tends to make the surrounding more traditional or country while glass furniture will make a modern statement. Rule number one: Select furniture that should go with the existing appliances and cabinets.

The second thing that can add decorating touches to the breakfast nook is the color of the furniture. A variety of breakfast nook sets come with the back or seats of the chairs painted in a variety of colors. Color choices brings out subtleties in the counter top or in other rooms of the house. Cushions for the chair is a great addition to the breakfast nook. You can incorporate its colors with the placemats and window treatments.  Solid colors or repetitive desings can add personality to your kitchen every day. Seasonal decoration is a lot of fun to do with the breakfast nook especially on holidays. Curtains provide a perfect decorating opportunity for the breakfast nook. You can do a lot of things with the wide array of window treatments available in the market. Valences and cornices can add rounded lines that would offset any angular pieces surrounding the breakfast nook. This can surely add to the aesthetics of the room.

Windows that surround the breakfast nook can provide abundance of natural light and air in the morning but when the sun sets, a lighting fixture is a must. Be careful in choosing one. In a tiny room, consider light, airy colors, track lighting or an antique chandelier.

Go to The Atelier Home Furnishings to shop for a Breakfast Nook.

Space Saving Breakfast Nooks

A breakfast nook never crossed your mind because of the small space around your home or it can be that you always wanted to have a breakfast nook for casual dining but the little space you have at home isn't giving you any option. Sometimes, in two person homes, a nook is more practical to be the main dining space in a home.

A breakfast nook is an ideal space for dining alone. Eating in the main dining area with so many chairs around you is lonesome. Also, such space is practical for feeding kids breakfast. It is easy to clean and more convenient since it's just within the kitchen area.

You may get visitors from time to time. Small homes have small dining set to feed the visitors. Kids need not join the adult and they can have their meal ahead of time in the breakfast nook. Parents wouldn't have to worry how to keep their kids on their best behavior to avoid spilling of water and other accidental cluttering of utensils and breaking of glasses right in front of the visitors. Before the visitors arrive, kids can eat ahead of everyone and can be sent early to bed.

You may be wondering, how is it possible to have a breakfast nook in such a small kitchen? There are a lot of wall mounted drop leaf folding table available in the market today that it made it all possible for your kitchen to have a breakfast nook. It can be folded if not in use which is great as it won't block any traffic in and out of the kitchen. This can also serve as a work table when preparing family meals. It is not only convenient but a space saving solution too! Keeping the drop leaf up permanently is also an option you can take. Jazz it up with cushioned stools or chairs. It can be your kitchen's focal point.

       

Go to The Atelier Home Furnishings to buy a Breakfast Nook.

Magazine and Book Organizer

Most magazine lovers do not have the time to read all the articles in one sitting. More often, you browse through the pages before beginning to read each and every content posted in the magazine. After browsing through it, you put it aside and come back on it at a most convenient time because of obligations around the house, the family and work. 

People I know would have magazines on bathroom shelves and more often pile them right near the toilet sink. Magazines eat up space bathroom shelves. Shelves are ideal for organizing your bathroom stuff such as soap, shampoo, towels and other personal effects. Bathroom sink should remain free from clutter except for those in-use items such as hand soap and moisturizer. Other than that, we need to free the space from any unwanted articles. Magazines or pocketbooks neatly piled near the sink are in danger of getting wet. Who would want to read them wet anyway?

This Spectrum 3 Tier File Holder is a cool item to organize your recently bought magazines from the store. This wall mounted organizer is ideal for small rooms as this does not occupy floor space. Moreover, this stylish metal chrome would fit in any decor of your room. The file holder is not only great for magazines but other reading items as well. You can have this mounted in your kitchen wall or bath. It can also hold your frequently used cookbooks and the like. With its 3 tier file, it can accommodate other items like newspapers, important mails and house bills too. 

In addition, you need not limit yourself with the idea that this can only hold your reading materials. With enough creativity you can make use of this simple organizer in a variety of ways. Expand your creativity and maximize its use. Adding hooks on the last tier can hold your car and house keys. What is more, with a hook, you can even hang hand or small plate towels, umbrellas and what not. 

Spectrum 3 Tier File Holder available at spacesaver.com

Deciding On Wallpaper

There are multitude types of wallpapers in different styles, textures and patterns available in the market today. Of course, you are having a hard time choosing the right one for your home. With some basic guidelines it shouldn't be that hard to think what to get for your walls. This will help you pick the best combination of colors and patterns that would best suit your room.

Not all types and make of wallpapers are suited to all rooms. Therefore, it is important to consider which room you would like to put a wallpaper on. For example, in kitchens where cooking is done with all the grease and dirt, it is important to carefully select the make of your wallpaper. It should be something that is easy to clean and does not absorb grease and stains. It is always best to go with the practical vinyl type that are durable and stain resistant. It can easily be cleaned with soapy water and a scrub brush. On the other hand, vinyl coated ones are the opposite which will be a disaster when used in stain prone areas.

What do you want to accomplish in your decorating scheme? Are you thinking of covering stained defective or cracked walls? Or you just want to totally change the look of your room by going with a new color scheme? Identify.

Think about the room you are preparing. Consider its size and natural ventilation. A wallpaper with small prints may be lost in a big room. Bold prints on the other hand can overpower small cozy rooms. Check the height of your room? If the room has a low ceiling, a striped pattern will add height to the area. Jumping right into a store and buying something that you are just thrilled about, may turn out to be a total disaster on your wall.  I would strongly recommend that you go to a store and ask for wallpaper swatches or samples so you can bring it home and carefully select what you really want in consideration of the above guidelines I just mentioned.  Always look at the size of the pattern and see if it's harmonious with the scale and proportions of your room. Check all the existing finishes (flooring, ceiling, window treatment and furniture) in the room before deciding on the wallpaper you want.

Most wallpapers today are available with coordinating fabrics. They can all be constructed to blend or contrast with your pillows, window treatments and beddings. Always think whether you would want to incorporate matching fabric in your scheme. By the way, you need not cover all the walls with a wallpaper. You can only decide on one wall to create a sense of drama. The range of colors and patterns available will surely complement any style be it traditional or ultra modern.

Mix and match. If you are planning to wallpaper a room and you can’t find enough of your favorite paper in stock, consider using a second, complementary style of wallpaper. For example, mix striped wallpaper with a solid color. In fact, there are no hard rules in setting them up. A bit of creativity and imagination will make  designing enjoyable and achieve the desired results.

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Bathroom Solutions

You're lucky if you have a regular bathroom at home. But for some with just about room for bath, you may be struggling big time for the necessities and the convenience of organizing stuff within your reach. Hard as this may seem, anyone can make this happen. It won't be too hard to address the current state of your bathroom and at the same time work on with putting personality and style that you always wanted with just a bit of creativity. Since your utmost priority is improving and making the best use of your existing space, the first thing that would come to mind is how to make your bathroom look inviting without losing its functionality. I hope the tips here would fit well in your plan and help you meet your objective.

More than anything else, picking the right color paint for the walls can create a huge impact for your bathroom. It is more practical rather than changing and reinstalling new tiles. I suggest something on the lighter shade as this would give an illusion of a wider space and airy atmosphere. Bright, bold colors can be an option but careful considerations must not be overlooked. The intention is just to accentuate your bathroom for a stylish appeal. If you fancy wallpaper treatment, ensure to select the ones with small prints and keep one wall free from prints. Thinking what would be the best color for the walls - there are lots offered by manufacturers. The best choice would be choosing something of the same color as your floor. Incorporating the wall color to the flooring will make your bathroom appear more open.

Installation of a wide mirror can make an enormous difference especially if you are dealing with a much cramped area. This will help the bathroom appear bigger than it really is because it will capture all of the available lights and reflect it back into the room to make it bigger and brighter. Additional lighting, will even make an enormous difference in the way the small area in the bathroom is perceived. With both of these considerations, the space would look more open and the walls would appear to be wider apart.

Limit items in the bathroom. You only want enough storage for your necessities. Think of what you and your family needs. Bulky storage shelves, hampers, magazine racks, etc. can eat up valuable space. It is a good idea to transfer or make storage cabinets near your bathroom for all the other things you normally store in the bathroom. Hampers can be moved to your bedroom or laundry area.

Towel bars is a practical tool to hang towels in use. Make sure though you get enough air circulation, otherwise, the towel might not dry and will end up with a mildew and a bad smell situation. Before installation, check the length of your towel to prevent from overlapping with the bars. Do not install on hollow core of the door. However, if you use the proper hardware this can be made possible. It is a wise idea to always talk to your manufacturer before purchasing any of their products. Towel bars can also be used as a magazine organizer. Maybe three of the latest issues of your favorite magazines can be hang over it instead of the usual magazine rack that can take up space of the floor area.

Accessorizing your bathroom may include installation of open transparent shelves on eye level for your frequently used toiletries instead of cluttering them around the toilet sink. Arrange the pieces by their kinds or by their height for a unified look.  If you have enough space, you may decorate with miniature plants, scented candles and other decorative items you fancy. Incorporate the design of your window treatment with the shower curtains if at all possible. Small bright prints with white backdrop would be recommended. It would be best to have the color of the prints as your wall color.

Image Credit to Contributor: twobee

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2020

Under - Stairs Storage Ideas

For an average house, the lack of space is a worrisome due to some things you want to keep or have. Most people coveted homes with so much room for all their personal effects and other possessions. But, guess what, this shouldn't be a big deal if you know where to tap additional spaces. You just have to look around and see vacant areas in your home that you can transform into something that you can maximize its use. More often than not, the under-stairs is the most neglected space in the home without even realizing its potential that it can give you another extra room for your things. There's a lot you can do on the empty spaces around the stairs; not just under it but almost the whole of it. You just have to identify what type of extra space you need. Is it for the books you collected over the years, other collections, wine storage, shoes and other stuffs you need to store neatly. 

Various ideas can be done to maximize the use of the under-stairs; depending of course on how you want to do with it. Installation of bookshelves is one of the many ideas you can do to those empty spaces. Constructing the shelves need not be done in a uniform pattern as books come in different sizes. It is, therefore, important to get the measurement of your biggest and smallest book so your bookshelf can accommodate them all. The two images on the upper right hand shows you different ideas on how to install the bookshelves.

If there is not enough room for your shoes in your bedroom, here is another idea where to store your shoes. Who would think that you can actually have drawers in between the steps? Isn't this a great way to hide your shoes and that of the family members'? At the same time so accessible to everyone? Not to mention the fact that those drawers can keep your shoes from accumulating dusts on the skins. But of course, do not limit yourself to thinking that the drawers can just be for your shoes. You can store other things as well.

 So much more can be done. You can create extra storage on the flight of steps. The functional space can help you organize frequently used items. You can even use it to display decorative items, memorabilia, trophies and other collectible things you have. If you are so enticed with these storage ideas and would want to work on something similar, let the location of your stairs help you determine what would fit best. If the stairs are near the entry way, you could use the storage for your coats and umbrellas. If it's somewhere in the kitchen, a good idea would be additional cabinets or a pantry perhaps. If location is in the basement, you could convert it into a storage of seasonal items or clothes.

With a bit of imagination and creativity and depending on the size of  how much space you have under-stairs, you can even transform that bit of an area to a modern bar or a work area. All you need is a small cabinet or shelves and a desk for your personal computer. Instead of leaving the dead space unused and empty, create something useful for the family. Measure the size of the space and think about what you want to do with that space. In case you dream to have another bathroom or toilet, you can do so, just make sure there's enough room for the basic needs of one.

Bedroom - Decorating And Organizing Ideas

Having an organized and a clutter free bedroom can also relieve you from stress. After all, it's the only place at home where you can indulge yourself to relax and sleep. For most, keeping the bedroom organized is all important. It is the first place you see in the morning and the last place you see before you sleep. Wouldn't it be nice to come home after a day's work to rest in a quiet and pleasant atmosphere? 

For small bedrooms, refreshing shades of paints are very stimulating to the eyes and can draw a sense of a larger space in comparison to dark colors. Elegant in colors such as white and cream or paints in pastel shades provide a spacious feeling. Lighting fixtures installed near your bed are not just easier to maintain but can give you an illusion of a spacious area. Selecting the type of bed is also important in consideration of the limited space you have. 

Ideally, bedrooms should not be used apart from relaxing and sleeping. However, in most cases,  bedrooms are used for a large amount of other activities such as listening to music, watching T.V., exercising, doing office work, or spending time with children just to name a few. It's out of choice and most often than not, out of necessity. For an average family, there's just no room for activities like these anywhere else. Therefore, the first step to consider is to decide what activities will be done in that room. 

Plan your place. Make a sketch of the room and plan how the furniture will be laid out. Try rearranging your pieces of furniture until you are satisfied. Start sorting your items.  Decide what items you want to keep and get rid of others you don't need anymore. The lesser you have the more room for you to move around. Keep your decorative items to a minimum. Organize your closet and sort items that go together. Get storage boxes or wicker baskets to store extra things you get in your bedroom. Use organizers for you accessories, hats and shoes. Explore potential areas where you can store those boxes. Under-bed storage is a good idea. You may want to start using a hamper to contain your dirty clothes; make sure it does not overflow. This would make your  laundry day easier because you don't have to take the time to decide what is clean or dirty.

Since the bed is the focal point of the room, its bedding would play an integral part of decorating and choosing a color scheme. For small rooms, you may use printed ones but make sure the prints are small in pattern. Prints may have the color of your walls or patterned with your window treatments. It's all up to you just follow the simple guides I have discussed in the  previous post on Choosing Interior Color Combinations. I would suggest a light color bed framing so as not to cramp the room with it.

If you are the type of person who cannot do without books and you wouldn't want to get rid of them but you don't have anywhere else to place it, you may install 2 layers of wooden shelves one and a half feet from the ceiling around the walls. Shelves maybe varnished in natural color or have it painted with the same color as the walls to camouflage it. Pile the books neatly according to its height and size or you can organize your collectibles up there too! For a chic touch, I would suggest that you put a small pot of plant with leaves that run down like a vine. That's gonna be awesome!

You are probably thinking what window treatment would best fit that wee room.. Small prints is always the best. Choose the kind of fabric that is light in weight. Avoid bold dark colors as this would surely make the room more smaller. Blinds are an option with its color patterned probably with your bedding to give it a unified appearance.