How To Choose The Right Colors for Home.

How to Choose a Color Scheme

Discover your color preferences with eight tips for picking perfect color palettes.
 Pick a color, any color.
If only choosing a color palette for your interiors was that easy. It can be, thanks to designer Mark McCauley. The author of Color Therapy at Home: Real Life Solutions for Adding Color to Your Life, he offers eight tips to help you discover your color preferences and take on white walls.
Tip #1. Choose a color scheme from the largest pattern in the space.
If you've got patterned upholstery, an Oriental rug or large piece of artwork, pluck colors you like from the pattern. For a neutral wall paint color, look to the pattern's whites and beiges.
Tip #2. Start with the formal areas of the house.
Specifically, the living room, dining room and entry way. Choose a color scheme for those areas first, then pull one color from the scheme. For example, take the red sofa and tone it down (say, to burgundy) for an accent in more private spaces such as the den, office or bedroom.
Tip #3. Decorate your space from dark to light, vertically.
A real "cookbook" way to make any space look good without much risk, McCauley says, is to use darker color values for the floor, medium color values for the walls and light values for the ceiling.
"Any interior space replicates the outside world," he says. "The exterior environment is generally darker below our feet (the earth itself), medium-valued as you look straight ahead (buildings/trees) and lighter values skyward."
Tip #4. Study the color of your clothes.
Most people buy clothes in colors they like to wear and think they look good in. Similarly, you should decorate your rooms in colors you look good in. "If you don't wear yellow, don't get a yellow sofa," McCauley says. "You're going to look sickly on it."
 Tip #5. Use the color wheel.
In general, analogous color schemes — colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue and green — are more casual and relaxing, and work best in informal or private spaces. This is a good strategy for a bedroom, where you want to rest and recover.
Whatever color scheme you choose, McCauley advises to put something black in every room. "The black clarifies all the rest of the colors in the room," he says. Try a black lampshade, a black vase or a black picture frame.
Tip #6. Use the rule of 60-30-10.
"When decorating a space, divide the colors in the space into components of 60 percent of a dominant color, 30 percent of a secondary color and 10 percent of an accent color," McCauley says. The walls will most likely be the majority, the upholstery would represent the secondary color and accessories such as a floral arrangement or throw pillows would make up the rest. "Works every time!" he says. "The colors are properly balanced and there is a shot of color (the 10 percent color) for interest."
 Tip #7. Go with the architecture.
If you have a small room in your house, don't paint it white to make it seem bigger. Instead, cozy up to its architecture with a rich, warm color scheme. Let your big rooms expand with light, and your small rooms wrap you up and nurture you.
Tip #8. Follow your personal style.
If you decorate honestly, other people will appreciate it because it's you, even if they'd never decorate their own house in the same way. That means if you want to make every room in your house red, white and blue, go for it. You can make any color look good as long as it's your taste.

Enhancing Your studio apartment with Country style decorating

Enhancing Your studio apartment with Country style decorating

To get a calm and comfortable decorating scheme in your studio apartment, you might consider the Country style decorating. This is an interior design that derives its beautiful looks from country stuff - snow shoes, baskets and the like together with basic red, green and blue tones along with beige. Decorating with country decorating will make you feel like you are in the country.

You need your sofas and chairs to enhance your room appearance. This theme works nice with things which are stained or painted pine. By and large, Country style decorating looks perfectly with simple style.

If you really want your studio apartment to have a unique touch, you would be smart to shop for decorative accessories such as artwork and accent pieces. Find decorative items that have a comfortable, unfussy theme. Making the most of decorative items can serve to add your own unique touch on the interior decorating scheme.

To make your decorating theme look it’s best, it�s crucial to invest in the appropriate lights for Country style decorating. When decorating with this type of room design, you�ll strive for your lights to be of a country or natural theme.
Selecting accent lamps in this style to your studio apartment will likely be a beautiful path to enhance on your home decor.

It�s valuable to install a suitable form of window treatments for your studio apartment. You are looking for a plain look, so take this into account when buying curtains. If you seek a put together design think about using some plain curtains.

Bring your decorating style down to the floor by displaying suitable accent rugs. Purchasing the most fitting type as well as colors of floor decor is crucial. Acquiring braided or oriental rugs in earthtones ought to become a fascinating addition to the room design.

See how easy it is to decorate a studio apartment in Country style decorating? If you engage smart shopping practices at flea markets and yard sales you will be able to save loads of cost and adopt a custom decorating style for a lot less cost.

Having Contemporary home decorating style In Your studio apartment

Decorating with Contemporary home decorating style In Your home

Contemporary home decorating style is a sleek and stylish way to add interest to your home. This interior design uses beige tones with black and white with accessories for a perfect style.
Get the feeling of modern design with contemporary decorating no matter where your residence is.

You can perk up your home by displaying area rugs. It�s smart to pick floor covering that is most suited to the decorating scheme color and also look. Choose white, black or beiges with your short pile or shag rugs and your floor choices ought to show off the design theme fantastically.

The right lights can be a perfect way to round out Contemporary home decorating style thus you need to think about this area. With this kind of design style, you�ll want your lights to be simple.
Think about shopping for lighting that coordinate with this type of contemporary decorating.

You are looking for your furniture to compliment your room style. In most cases, sleek steel items go well with this theme. Select types of pieces that look charming with this decorating theme are sleek linear style items.

Personal touches are a critical part of any design style and adding paintings and knick knacks to your room could help complete the decorating theme. Decorating with items which have a minimalistic theme could look best with this sort of decor. Decorative items give a sense of style to the room so you want to be sure to get ones that are a part of your own style.

Picking window treatments for your home is a key responsibility because the wrong type can essentially diminish your decorating style. You are trying to go for a minimalist style, Therefore keep this in mind when selecting curtains, drapes or shutters. Decorate with simple blinds to achieve an effective attractiveness.

By applying Contemporary home decorating style in your home is a fine way to have a fine decorative style. If you practice smart shopping practices at consignment stores and yard sales you ought to save a lot of cash and make a custom decorating style for less cost.

Interior decorating for apartment

So you have a small apartment. You are possibly wondering how do I make my small space look comfortable and inviting with out looking cluttered? I have your answer. Actually several answers first of all start with looking around, notice the placement of windows and which way the light reflects in the rooms during different times of day. You do not want to blind someone, who could possibly be visiting, by that stunning sunset.

Also look at your current furniture and the colors that it is or is not. Some colors can make a room look small, clinical and cold. Good warm toned colors also make it more comfortable for you to live there. Browns, Reds, Yellows, and Oranges are great colors to open up space and make the room warm and inviting. Use accent rugs to help with the addition of colors as some Landlords do not allow you to paint. Sofa Covers are a great way to add color and save from wear and tear on your furniture.

When choosing a color scheme please note that you should choose something that is easy to clean i.e., browns and grays. White is not a good choice, unless you plan on never really living in your place. Try to look at the big picture, small living rooms means that you shouldn’t get a sectional sofa. Instead try a small love seat or futon couch.

Not only does the futon couch help with space but it can be converted to a bed for those single room apartments. If you are on a budget and don’t want to get rid of your current bed and you are in a studio apartment try a bed that looks like a bunk bed with out the lower bunk. That way you can store your dress and other articles under the bunk and enclose it with a curtain and no one can see your unmade bed up top. This is very useful for bachelors.

Try creating rooms with the use of decorative screens. It can make a single room look like two or more rooms are there. Also remember your curtains, they should be allowing the light in, the more light you allow in the bigger the space looks. Use a small bistro table as a dining table. It is intimate and makes for a great coffee talk spot. If you are lucky enough to have some one in your apartment remember to always hide your laundry. Laundry laying around makes the apartment appears cluttered and small.

Plants are a great way to make your room appear bigger. Try hanging them from the ceiling or by using hooks on the wall. Don’t forget the importance of mirrors. The use of mirrors can make your small apartment look large. Use a focal point and angle your mirror towards it, it gives the illusion of depth. Most importantly make sure you always have a clean space, it is always bigger when it is clean.

Ok so now you have gone and cleaned, you are noticing that the apartment still looks small. Question your storage. You need some ideas for storage you say? Well I am full of them. Look around and if you notice you have lots of magazines laying around get yourself a magazine holder. It is a handy little box that is decorative to your specific likes and it cleans up your tables of clutter. Get your self a footrest that has storage inside of it.

It is nice for when the surprise guest comes over and you need to store something quickly. A coffee table with storage underneath it is also a wise choice. The more storage you have that isn’t added clutter makes your life easier. Wall shelves help to eliminate tabletop mess. Put your collectible gnomes on a small wall shelf and look at all the free space you have just created for yourself. All of the suggestions presented here to you are easy doing it yourself projects. You can get most of these easy to use items at your local all purpose store and hardware store.

DINING ROOM-FURNISHING TIPS

The dining room or area ,nowadays,it is more than just a room primarily dedicated to eating.These days,it serves beyond it's conventional use as a mere eating place.In urban Kuala Lumpur,combining functions in the dining room is not unusual,especially families with school children or young couples bringing laptop home from work.Here,around the table ; children do their homework's or friends gather for a game of cards.Hence,your dining room is a hub for doing things with your family,friends and guest around.Of course,when you have the luxury of a separate dining room ,this is will generally be the grandest and best room in the house.

At a first glance,the dining room seems to be the easiest of all to furnish.What's required is a table,some chairs,perhaps simple draperies and light that would go well with the rest of the furnishings.What more does one needs?The answers lies not in what you need but what suit your lifestyle!

• Do you entertain often?





• How many other multiple functions does it serve?





• Your budget and space constraints





• Any storage or display cabinets?





• Number of seating?





• Your color scheme preference.





• The wall treatment and lighting requirements.

These factors have to be taken into consideration when planning and designing.Living in an apartment should not deprive you of dressing up the dining area;with ingenious planning,it can add to the character of the whole house.Constraints can be overcome with careful planning and with some creative efforts.

Here are some easy tips to guide you as you plan about furnishing your dining room.Keep in mind that if you want to have a knockout look for your dining room,a simple approach can be just as effective in creating a formal dining set-up.Just remember simplicity often gives the best results!

GETTING THE RIGHT TABLE AND COMFORTABLE CHAIRS.

Rule of thumb,when you buying table or chairs,is to make sure it is suitable for the space you have-you need to be able to push our chairs back and move comfortably around.If you plan to have a side cabinet or display table,that space should be factored in as well.For smaller space,it is good idea to have extendable table or a table with folding flaps that can be used for those occasional big gatherings.The standard height of a dining table is 75cm (30")but the length and diameter varies according to designs.

There are other interesting shapes available in the market like oval,hexagonal and even octagonal if you are adventures!Do remember to have aside a 'lazy susie' if you have a large table to make access to the food easier.

Traditionally,dining tables are made of varnished wood,but in this modern era,we have glass,laminated or spray painted taps; combined with metal legs. The overall look is your choice and your style- modern or traditional.Do keep maintenance in mind,especially if you have a young children at home.

As for chairs, most popular types are also made of wood in various different shapes and designs with upholstered seats.Choose comfortable chairs with armrests and padded backs if you are the type who lounges wine or have after-meal activities with guests.Note; unless you have abundant space, chairs with armrests do not tuck all the way under the table, so it will take up additional width in the room or area.

You can also buy a dining suite to save you the hassle.Just pick the right style you wanted then set it up.Or some people opt to buy tables and chairs separately which can be very interesting and challenging. Mix and match is fun but the wrong choice choice can end up as a visual eyesore-so do exercise extreme care.

TREATMENT OF WALL.

Your dining room wall surfaces do not have to be quite as robust as in other rooms of your home but it should be easy to clean.Do not have all the walls in the same color or textures; dress up the walls, as it completes the look of the dining area,and it helps creates the ambiance of coziness.Some designers use some mirror as a feature to help expand the illusion of space ,making the whole room look bigger.Wallpaper is also excellent for decoration.This would give your dining room personality and interest.If you want to project a richer textural look , fabric can be applied as wallpaper and can be changed seasonally-just ensure you treat them for easy maintenance.

Avoid choosing wall covering that is in independent from floor / rug choice. Take into consideration that textures and patters for dining room wall and floor should be coordinated very well.

Another good option is wood paneling,generally slightly costlier but it has good sound absorbing qualities.

Another common approach is to knock down a wall and use a well designed divider to separate the dining area.This is an effective and excellent choice when the layout is odd or room is small.Additional storage or display space can then be incorporated into part or whole of the divider.

CHOICE OF COLOR SCHEME.

As your dining area is generally adjacent to the living area, make it transition that is natural and easy by relating colors in both rooms.Wheel co-coordinated color scheme are pleasant to the eyes while an occasional spots or dash of colors gives vibrancy and adds freshness.This can be achieved through the colors of the chosen window fabrics; an interesting wall painting ; feature wall or even with coloured chairs! Sometimes, a large colourful flower arrangement as a center piece of the dining table can be just the final finishing touch.

WINDOWS AND CURTAINS PLAN.

If the dining rooms as dual-purpose dining areas have windows,you can dress it up with whatever curtains, shades and shutters that may take your fancy.

With curtains, you can summon up traditional feeling with deep gathers,simple cord ties and a decorative curtain rod in creating an outstanding visual elements.It should draw attention but won't overpower the table visually.Lights concealed behind a valance can enhance the effects of any soft windows dressings.Whereas if you opt for blinds,so add a dash of color or shades.

The important principle at work here is symmetry.The dramatic drapes,color,table,chairs,floor plans are balanced to the point of being synchronization.Even the accessories and fixtures in the room,should reflect the room's symmetry.

LIGHTING.

A dining room is often used at night , so proper lighting is essential.Chandeliers always give a touch of elegance,but one must extremely careful not to place a large ornate chandelier in a very small room.We should aim to achieve balance in looks and illumination using layers of lights.

Take note that dining room lighting should fulfill two functions: first and foremost ,the lighting must make the food appetizing by bringing out its varying color and textures.Secondly.the lighting's must set the mood for you to relax.

Dining room lighting should emphasize on the table .This means that the tables take the central role of illumination and it should be evenly lit.If the room is being designated for formal dining as well as doubling up for the purpose.It's good to make ensure that the lighting works for both purpose.It is important not to shortchange your vision in the dining room-particularly if you use them for multiple functions.

Let your imaginations runs.In today's more eclectic decor,even casual homes can have elegant dining rooms with classy lighting fixtures.Just remember to keep the artificial lighting level low,but bright enough for people to see what they are eating.Check the height of any hanging light fixtures to avoid glaring situations.

Besides the main light at the center of the table,you can add valance or cornice lights,up lights, table lamps on side or serving table or ceiling spots and down-light; this gives great flexibility to achieve the correct ambiance for whatever the occasions.

Lastly, one of the must have is dimmer switches which are inexpensive and extremely useful.You can turn the lights up when you need them,then down to a candlelight's glow at dinner time.It is ideal to have separate dimmers in ensuring that the main light are turned down once dinner are seated, while the other lighting fixtures are adjusted for gentle accent lighting for painting ,objects,window treatments, side table etc.It is make achieving layers of lights easy and possible to suit any occasions.

OTHER FINISHING TOUCHES.

In decorating a dining area,consider both function and beauty in mind.Adding some accessories will make the room look complete.Do not clutter nor leave too many empty spaces or corners.Adding some indoor plants,a craving or statue can enhance the whole ambience of the place.If space allows, add a tall display cabinet to showcase some family treasures or a low cabinet for some ornaments to be placed on top.

Dining is a special events and should always be treated as such.Hence, no matter how small the room or informal is your home,you can always achieve gracious and charming atmosphere by blending harmonious and balancing elements.The right finishing touches should complement surrounding furnishings and accessories while achieving balance and completing the final look.

TABLE SETTING.

Setting a table well can create a relaxed ambience for us to enjoy your food.A well-laid out table will always help ensure a positive eating experience.Silver ware, matching china, embroidered table cloth, maths and napkins are the norm for a formal dining experience.For the casual parties or normal day to day dining,colour can still be introduced through smaller items like coloured coasters or special shapes table mats to live up the mood.