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  • How to Create a Cosy Living Room

    How to Create a Cosy Living Room

    The living room of your house is often the room which is changed most frequently, and also the one that people visit most often. This may be why you find it difficult to balance how homely it feels and how the room looks to people visiting your home.   

    Whether you’re trying to keep up with the latest trends, or display photos of your loved ones; it may be hard to make your living room feel cosy when there are many different elements happening and confusing the interior design.

    If you’re wanting to make your living room cosier, we’re sure that these five tips will make your space look and feel more homely in an instant:

    Feature candles

    The chances are, you’ll probably have realised how soothing and relaxing candles can be, but they don’t just have to be saved for a relaxing bubble bath!

    You can feature candles in your living room to give the same ambient vibe. The soft lighting is calming and relaxing and if you opt for a scented candle, your entire home can smell nice and inviting, further adding to the level of cosiness.

    Layer different textures

    Layering textures is a fantastic way to make your home feel cosier and you don’t have to compromise your existing living room design to get the effect!

    Chunky knits such as layered blankets can be thrown over the edge of your leather sofa to give an interesting yet warm effect to an otherwise cold piece of furniture in the winter. You can even add linen cushions layered over the top for a cosier look within the warmer months.

    Include rugs

    One of the simplest ways to instantly make a room feel homelier is to include a rug. Even if your living room already has carpeted floor, adding a rug on top will also aid with layering different textures.

    Rugs add depth to a space and help with keeping in heat. This means that they’re perfect for rooms that tend to be on the colder side (especially throughout the winter!), and provide an extra dynamic to add interest to boring floors.

    Make it personal

    When you think of a cosy home, you might imagine it to be warm and ambient, but it should also have a personal touch to give it more character. The best way to achieve this effect in your living room is to include personal items that will make your house feel like a home.

    You could try displaying photos in stylish photo frames around your living room to bring the place to life with happy memories. Also by mounting canvases to the wall or displaying other ornaments and books around the space, you can create a cosy atmosphere.

    To avoid the place feeling too cluttered however, don’t overdo it, and make use of display cabinets and book shelves to keep things organised.

    Use different tones

    If you’re looking to carry out a complete overhaul of your living room, you could consider changing the colour scheme that the space uses. This has a huge effect on how cosy a room can be.

    Source: Living rooms image

    Shades such as muted grey can be paired with bolder colours to make the room feel more inviting, and including varying tones throughout small décor pieces in the space can help to make them stand out.

    Whilst the journey to making your living room feel cosier may be a case of using a trial and error method until you achieve the vibe you’re looking for, there’s no doubting that these tips will provide you with a fantastic way to get started!

  • How to Create a Great Living Space in your Attic

    How to Create a Great Living Space in your Attic

    Are you looking to expand the space you have in your home? Do you want to make better use of the space you already have? If so, then you could try to convert your attic into a comfortable living space.

    However, trying to take on a task such as this can be difficult, even for the best DIY enthusiast; therefore, you might need to find a tradesmen that can do all or at least part of the work for you. Here are a few useful tips for you to remember when you find a tradesmen.

    Do you have enough space?

    Firstly, you need to consider what space you have available in your attic and if it can be used to create the room you want. You could find out that the roof is too shallow or there are too many beams in the way. However, there are ways you can still use this space, but it may involve more work than you are prepared to do.

    The general rule is that the attic space has to be 7 feet high and 70 square feet to be usable as a living area. Therefore, make sure you research whether it is feasible for you to transform your attic into a certain room before starting the renovations.

    Are you compliant with local laws?

    Before you consider commencing any work on your attic, you need to look at the local planning laws and rules. It is important that you check what permits or legal requirements you need before you make a solid plan. Requirements such as a particular opening and one rescue opening can involve changes to your overall design.

    You may be made to change or dismantle your finished attic if you do not address such issues or comply with any requirements before commencing work.

    Insulating your space

    If your attic is to become a place for work or rest, you need to make sure it stays warm in the winter months. Insulation is not just good for the flooring; you also have to think about having insulation in the roof spaces.

    When you insulate the roof, you usually also attach plaster boards to the ceiling beams. This will hold the insulation in place and makes the roof area more appealing. It also helps with decorating afterwards.

    Obstacles

    During the planning stage of the conversion, you need to look at any areas that might give you problems. It could be pipework, a water tank or power cables. You may want to use some of these for your finished space, so knowing where they are is important when it comes to placement of sinks or lighting.

    You also need to make sure that you inspect the wiring and plumbing while you have access to them. Any problems are easier to repair now rather than later after the work is completed.

    There are many things to consider when you decide to convert an attic space. However, with help and advice, you can turn this additional area into something useful that could even add value to your property in the future.

  • DIY Bedroom Hacks to Improve Your Home That Won’t Break the Bank

    DIY Bedroom Hacks to Improve Your Home That Won’t Break the Bank

    Our homes are important places, aren’t they? They’re where we go in order to retreat from the world, and they are a space that we share with our nearest and dearest. Added to this, they’re often our largest financial commitment too, so it’s no surprise we’re so eager to DIY our homes to perfection.

    However, home improvement can be a costly business, with furniture, accessories, decorative supplies and tools quickly amounting to what feels like a small fortune! If your bedroom needs particular attention, here are a handful of DIY bedroom hacks you can make to your home without breaking the bank.

    Fix hooks to the back of your bedroom door

    Installing hooks is one of those little storage hacks that requires minimal effort and expense but goes a long way to improving your quality of life in your home. Fix a few hooks to the back of your bedroom door so you have somewhere to hang your dressing gown, making it easy to grab as you head downstairs in the morning or easy to hang once you’re done with it for the night.

    Make your own headboard

    Your headboard is likely to be one the focal points of your bedroom, so it’s understandable if you feel like you need to spend lots of money on it to get it ‘right’. But, it’s surprisingly easy to make an affordable DIY headboard. The simplest designs include those made from reclaimed wood (perfect for a rustic or industrial look), but even ‘complicated’ designs such as this diamond tufted headboard can be made at home if you’re prepared to try.

    But, don’t be temped to cut costs on the bed itself. The quality of your sleep is very important for your mental and physical health, so invest in a decent mattress. That said, you don’t have to spend much money at all: you can find discount mattresses at Divan Beds Centre that are just as high-quality as anything you’d pay full price for, so be smart about it and you’ll have a very comfortable bed that doesn’t break the bank.

    Hang your bedside tables

    We all dream of having a huge bed with neat, symmetrical bedside tables either side, but many of us simply don’t have the floor space. So, rather than taking up any valuable floor space at all, why not suspend a single bedside surface from the ceiling? It’s not as crazy as it sounds (just check this out, for example), as it will ensure you have the surface area you need without gobbling up floor space. And it makes a bold design statement too.  

    Add interest with rugs

    Rugs are perfect for adding pattern or colour to bedroom in a way that’s low commitment and easily changed. As a bonus, a rug will muffle noise and and trap old air beneath the floorboards, helping to insulate your bedroom in the colder months, bringing your heating bills down a little. When choosing a rug, however, pick one that’s large enough to be positioned beneath the bed, ensuring it extends well beyond the length and width of the bed rather than adding a tiny ‘floating island’ rug.

    Hang a mirror in small spaces

    Bedrooms that are on the smaller side will benefit from having a mirror placed on the wall. Not only will it give you somewhere to check your appearance when you’re getting dressed, but it will also bounce light around the room and give the illusion of a bigger space than you actually have. For best results, position a mirror opposite the window as this will reflect the most amount of light.

    Put a shelf above your headboard

    The wall space above a bed often goes unused, which is a lot of wasted space. Fix a shelf above your bed and use it to store books, lamps, plants, picture frames or whatever else you want: just be sure it’s deep enough and high enough above your head so that you don’t accidentally knock things off.

    You could even install shelving along the perimeter of your bedroom walls, high up near the ceiling – if you’re an avid book collector, for example, this hack could give you exactly the kind of storage you need without breaking the bank.

  • Top Interior Design Tips For Your New Home

    Top Interior Design Tips For Your New Home

    Buying and moving into a new home can be one of the most fun and exciting experiences in life, but even after you’ve signed the papers and transported your furniture and possessions over, there’s still one more hoop you have to jump through before the home is truly yours: designing it the way you want it.

    Yes, while you technically own the home and now live in it at this point, some people don’t consider a new house to be officially theirs until after they have redesigned the interior of it to match their personal taste. If you fall into the same category, you should find the information in this article to be of use to you.

    Here are the top interior design tips for your new home:

    Begin With The Master Bedroom

    Rather than attempt to tackle your entire home at once, start with designing the master bedroom. Not only is the master bedroom where you’re going to be spending much of your time, it also requires more simple decorations than the other rooms in your house such as the living room or kitchen and will therefore be easier to do.

    Examples of how you can begin working on your master bedroom include selecting the furniture you like, painting the walls, and adding window curtains.

    Give It Time

    You shouldn’t feel pressured into believing that you have to begin designing your new home immediately. In fact, it’s actually wiser to give it time by settling into the house for a few weeks. During this time, look around and start thinking about what you can do to improve its look.

    Choose The Right Colors

    The colors that you choose can make or break the look of your home, so you want to choose specific colors that will complement each other. For instance, if most or all of your furniture in a certain room is one color, you should strongly consider making the walls in that room the same color so it looks more unifying.

    Keep Things Under Budget

    Finally, it’s important to set a budget to determine how much you have to spend on your home design, and you must ensure that when added up your expenses do not exceed the price ceiling you have set. Don’t feel discouraged if your budget is rather small, because there are actually a number of frugal or DIY ways to enhance the look of your home without spending a fortune.

    For example, let’s say that you don’t like the look of the cabinets in your kitchen. Actually replacing those cabinets would undoubtedly cost you a lot of money and might be out of your budget range. But as an alternative, you could pursue a cheaper option such as repainting the cabinets themselves so they’ll look the way you want them to.

    Designing Your New Home

    Designing your new home so it matches the vision you’ve always had for it should be a fun process that you look forward to. The tips you have just read will help ensure that everything goes as smoothly and trouble free as possible.

     

  • Important Things to Check When Renting an Apartment

    Important Things to Check When Renting an Apartment

    When people think about shifting into new apartment, they not just look for a place for safe haven but even a place where they can make unforgettable memories. No doubt then that it is for the apartment to be comfortable and convenient. This doesn’t just mean that it must be an airy structure with good arrangement but even needs to be in an opportune location also. People normally get confused and flustered with some things they notice and cannot make a decision on what they really want while rent an apartment near UC Davis campus. Here are some important tips for you that can help you when renting an apartment.

    Apartment’s Neighborhood

    Confirm the nearby area before renting an apartment. Check for hygiene, safety, neighbours and their behavior, neighbourhood’s noise levels, light, privacy and view from the apartment, etc. Even you need to check if there are any medicine stores, departmental stores near to the apartment. You can discuss with some neighbours and get more information about that area. You can check about your landlord and your apartment with those you talk to.

    Rent

    The U apartments Davis CA can be taken for rent for specific time period. Confirm that you properly read the rental contract and talk about the terms and conditions of the contract with the property-owner in advance. You do not need to be in a condition where you argued one thing and finished up paying a lot higher cost. Even confirm that the period of contract for the rental is somewhat you can commend to and in line with your needs.

    Damages

    One more important thing to make sure before shifting into an apartment is the damages like broken tiles, water leakages, faulty fittings, etc. Confirm that you see if there are any types of damages to the apartment and if there are any; confirm that you notify the landlord in advance. If it is not done, there are high chances that you may later need to pay for the damages. In case the property-owner is informed in advance, the damages can even be repaired before you shift in that apartment.

    Maintenance

     

    Confirm that the apartment is in good condition. Look how perfectly maintained the apartment, how is the protection systems, in case of emergency is there any type of help is available or not, etc. Checking out these important things before renting an apartment will effectively save you the work out of running around at the last time in case there actually is an urgent situation.

    Utilities

    Confirm the available utilities in the apartment before renting. The utilities can be a series of things from water, gas, cable tv, electricity, internet connection, trash removal and many more. Not the entire apartments offer all of these kinds of things. Few of them may offer you some of the necessary utilities only. Even find out what type of utilities are included in the rent and what will need to be paid for.

  • Afghan Rug – An Extraordinary Home Decoration Material at Ordinary Prices

    Afghan Rug – An Extraordinary Home Decoration Material at Ordinary Prices

    Afghan Rug – An Extraordinary Home Decoration Material at Ordinary Prices

    This quote by Jim Rohn truly holds water –“Take care of your body. It is the only place you have to live”. –These words truly highlight the importance of health. However, you have one good reason to disagree with Jim up to some extent. You have one beautiful place to live. It does not matter whether it is small or big, your house deserves all the attention and care you can give. And, when it comes to endowing your home with a beautiful interior, you can choose a décor from a wide range home decoration materials.

    And, if you are not willing to invest a boatload of bucks in interior design, you can opt for Afghan rugs. It is an extraordinary piece of beauty that does not dig deep into your wallet. This pinnacle artwork and craftsmanship by Afghans has qualified as gorgeous décor centuries ago. Today, genuine and charming handmade afghan oriental rugs are available worldwide.  So, you can revamp the interior of your home with authentic afghan rugs whether you are living in America, Europe, Russia, India or at any place from where you can shop online.   

     

    Just as Afghan weavers craft rugs, we have crafted a guide for buying authentic afghan oriental rugs best known for unique design, colors and not to forget, the durability.

    Choose Size  

    Give the first thought to the size, even before you start searching for afghan rugs online. There are different types of afghan rugs available in a wide range of sizes. Measure the size of the space where you want to place the rug. You may love to use more than one rug of different styles and colors to give a face-lift to the interior of a room. Therefore, take measurements accordingly. Note the dimensions of the area and start searching afghan rugs online.

    Color

    Consider the color of the walls and floor of the room while choosing the color of the rug. The rug should perfectly blend into the color and style of the room. The color and style of the rug should complement the looks of the room. Traditionally, afghan rugs are available in a combination of dark red and black motifs.

    Material

    Afghan weavers use wool from their sheep for making hand woven rugs. Wool is used for making weft, warp and pile. Goat hair is used for overbidding the sides. They drive their sheep into a stream in order to wash before shearing.

    Dye

    They still use natural dyes. However, now-a-days, synthetic dyes and sometimes combination of natural and synthetic dyes are used. The wool is soaked in dye to obtain the desired color and then the wool is hung for drying. Wild colors found in afghan rugs are synthetic.

    Pigments in India, on market stall
    Please let me know if you use this photo. If you like it please give it a rating or leave a comment – Thank you!

    Construction

    Afghan weavers hand knot rugs. Therefore, the quality of a rug greatly depends on the craftsmanship of the weaver. Therefore, when you examine the quality of an afghan rug, examine the quality of knot and wool. Wool from healthy sheep is smooth and firm. If you find the rug harsh and dry, the wool is from a deceased animal.

    Apart from afghan rugs, Kilim, Turkish, Persian and Turken rugs are also very popular. In addition to oriental rugs, Ikat pillow covers, engraved brass, Ikat fabrics and Suzani embroidery are also of great use as phenomenal home decorating materials. These pieces of beauty are easily available at https://www.alesouk.com/ at prices you can easily afford. Alesouk Oriental Artisans Online Store is one stop shop for authentic and luxurious cushions & pillows, oriental rugs, wall art and other home decoration materials online. So, visit Alesouk for authentic home decoration materials.

    Author Bio

    Oriental rugs define the looks of your house in a way which never fails to impress. Rustam Fayziev is a professional home décor blogger who has experienced the beauty of Afgan rugs personally at Alesouk and writes all about it.

  • Top Ways To Easily Upgrade Your Living Room

    Top Ways To Easily Upgrade Your Living Room

    When it comes to upgrading or renovating your home, the two rooms that people will usually focus the most on are the master bathroom and the kitchen. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making upgrades to those rooms a priority, one equally important room that is often overlooked is the living room.

    The living room is an important room to upgrade because it’s usually the room where you’ll spend the most amount of time with guests visiting your home, as well as the main room where you’ll come home to relax in after a long day at work.

    Here are the top ways to easily upgrade your living room:

    1. Simplify It

    The very first thing you should do to upgrade your living room is to simplify it. This means making it as organized and clutter free as possible. Rearrange your furniture to create more living space, and get rid of any accessories or furniture that you don’t need. A simplified living room is that will enable the fewer elements you already have in it to truly stand out.

    1. Swap Out Curtains For Shades

    If you’re currently using curtains as your window covering in your living room, swap out those for window blinds such as honeycomb blinds. The biggest negative to curtains is that they are not the best option for controlling how much light you want to enter your living room at a time.

    1. Polish Your Hardwood Floors

    If you have hardwood floors in your living room and they’re looking rather dull or scratched, this isn’t anything that a little polishing work can’t handle. Polishing your floors with a simple stain will be the most effective thing you can do to flesh them out and make them shinier.

    1. Have At Least One Piece Of Artwork

    You don’t want to leave the walls in your living room completely blank, so hang up at least one relatively large piece of artwork at around eye level on the wall. You can further improve the look of the artwork by having it framed as well. Think hard about what specific type of artwork you want to hang, whether it be a painting or a photograph, because it will serve as the focal point of the room.

    1. Add A Rug

    Finally, simply adding a rug to your living room can really enhance its overall look as well. Choose a rug that goes well with any other colors you have in the room. Always position your  furniture at the end of the rug so that the front legs are resting over the rug while the back legs are off the rug and over the floor.

    Upgrading Your Living Room


    The best thing about each of the upgrades that we have covered in this article is how they can be done by spending very little money, if any money at all. These easy upgrades will help make your living room more attractive and potentially even enhance the overall look of your home.

  • Small Space? Maximize its impact. Here’s how to create the illusion of a larger abode with the help of Wilcott Weaves

    Small Space? Maximize its impact. Here’s how to create the illusion of a larger abode with the help of Wilcott Weaves

    If you have a small space, you can trick yourself into thinking that it is a lot larger by using these simple techniques. There are simple techniques that you can use to create the illusion that your living space is much bigger than it actually is. Just a few changes will make it feel more roomy and comfortable.

    Choosing the Ideal Size

    Every space deserves a beautiful area rug. However, if you choose a rug that is too small, it can minimize the feel of your living space. When choosing an area rug, you want to make sure that it fills up a large majority of the space. Place the rug so that it fits in the middle of your living space and the bigger the better. A small rug will make the space look more compact and stuffy. Brands like Wilcott Weaves provide great selection of rugs with just the right size.

    However, a rug that takes up all the space in the room can be just as suffering. Measure your space, and then purchase a rug that leaves a healthy amount of floor space uncovered. You want around a 70 to 80 % coverage ratio.

    Rug Placement

     

    Place the rug in the direction that you want your eyes to move. If you walk into a room and the rug longest part of the rug is along the horizon line, it makes the room look smaller. By turning the rug around, you will increase the length of the room and make it look bigger. If you are placing the rug in your living space, try to get one that reaches almost to the edge of your furniture or one the is placed in a way that sits underneath your furniture. Your furniture does not have to be on the carpet completely. However, if you place it up against the wall, it should be longer and wider than the bed. Placing it so that the rug shows at the base of the bed will make your bedroom appear larger.

    Use a Mirror or Window

    Mirrors are a wonderful way to increase the look of a room. If they are properly spaced, they will be able to expand the room beyond its natural boundaries. Placing a large mirror at the shorter end of the room, can open the space up. Also, large windows that allow natural light can brighten a room, and make it feel larger.

    Choosing Furnishings

    Choosing fewer furnishings that are larger is another way to widen a room. Make sure to not clutter up the space. Lots of things will decrease the size of the space. Placing minimal furniture on top of a well-placed rug will create a warm and cosy space that is not too cramped. It is a great idea to include some spaces that allow for hidden storage. That way you can easily grab your book or favourite magazine, without having to broadcast it or incorporate it into your design.

    Top Furniture Choices

    Choose a nice foot rest with hidden storage space. It is a terrific way to keep your space clutter-free. Shelving can give you more room to display your favourite trinkets and don’t take up too much wall space. That is a lot more welcoming than a wall full of tiny objects, like a book shelf.

    When you are stuck with a smaller space than you would desire, these tricks are sure to broaden the space. It is the best way to deal with smaller spaces. These tips will help you create a space that you can be proud of, even if your tiny piece of our earth is smaller than you’d like.