Posts Tagged ‘Interior Decorator’

Easy Tips for Decorating Your Staircase

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Another area of your home that can be easily decorated to make things appear stylish is the staircase. When it comes to decorating, the staircase is often overlooked. But depending on the layout of the home, especially if it’s the first thing people see when they walk in, the staircase may be more important than you think. Read on for some useful tips for decorating the staircase in your home.

Use Photographs to Decorate the Staircase
An easy décor option is to frame a few of your favorite photographs and hang them up along the staircase wall. You can choose to display photos of nature or other decorative objects, or photographs of your family. You want to hang them so they appear to be descending with the staircase. Choose frames that complement the color of the wall. Or try to match the color of the stairs (if they are wood) to the color of the wood in the frames.

Paint a Mural or Design on the Staircase Wall
A great way to create a staircase that really catches the eye is to paint a mural or design on the staircase wall. This could be a simple mural, such as a leaf or flower pattern that winds its way up the stairs, or you might choose a design that’s larger and more intricate. If you’re not confident in you drawing and painting skills, then there are stencils you can use for the design or you always have the option of hiring a professional painter.

Add a Decorative Banister to the Staircase
If you have a plain banister, then see if you can find a more decorative one that matches the style of your décor. Depending on the type of stairs you have, there are plenty of banisters to choose from. One of the latest trends for stairs is the mixture of wood with wrought-iron. This look goes great with a Spanish-style or even a modern-style home. You can research all the different options either in home décor magazines or online.

Lay Down a Decorative Runner on the Stairs
Lay down a decorative carpet runner on your wooden stairs to add more style to the area. Choose carpet that is solid colored, or if you’re looking for a real attention grabber, it can be patterned and multi-colored. If your staircase is already carpeted or tiled, a runner will still work. You want the edges of the stairs to show on the sides, so choose a carpet runner that’s slightly narrower than the width of the stairs. A wide selection of runners is available, so you should have no problem finding one to suit your staircase and fit the style of the rest of the area.

It’s important to put some attention toward decorating the staircase in your home, particularly if it’s right in the entryway. This way, you’ll be able to show off the staircase to its best advantage so it doesn’t look like an eyesore. By choosing more than one of these decorating ideas for your staircase, you can make the look even more appealing.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior decorating industry for four decades. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in California. They carry a large selection of Amish made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for a oak dresser for your bedroom or a wood file cabinets for your home office then they carry everything you need.

Tips for Staying on Budget When Decorating

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Homeowners sometimes have trouble working with a budget, especially a small one, when it comes to decorating their home. Although decorating budgets can be difficult to stick to, you need to realize that they’re necessary. A homeowner should never allow himself or herself to go into debt when decorating a home. By making sure to set a budget and by following these simple tips to stick with it, you can have a wonderfully decorated home that won’t end up costing you an arm and a leg.

Make the Decorating Budget Firm
You don’t want to set a decorating budget and then forget about it when you actually start shopping. You need to remember that you’ve set that budget for a reason. You don’t necessarily have to get all your decorating done at once. It might be better to do some of the decorating now, and then once you save some more money, revisit the room to add more items later. Be sure to firmly stick to your budget, no matter what.

You Will Have to Give a Little to Get a Little
If you are going to stick to a firm budget, you are going to have to be flexible and compromise in some areas. You’ll have to go the cheaper route for certain less crucial items, if you want any more expensive pieces that you just have to have. Thus, if you’ve found a coffee table or side table that takes up a third of your budget but you’ve fallen in love with it, then you might have to settle for spending much less on window treatments, picture frames, or other items.

Don’t Worry What Other People May Think
Getting caught up in what other people will think and say is such an easy thing to do. After all, if the figurine you find is perfect for your décor, does it really matter if you found it at the local discount store? It’s not likely anyone’s going to know what you paid for items in your home unless you tell them. It’s not necessary that everything in your room is of the highest quality. So if you find something you really like and it’s inexpensive and it fits in your budget, then go ahead. Buy it. Don’t worry about what others are going to say. It’s funny, but sometimes the least expensive item in the room will garner the most positive attention.

Invest in Quality for the Big Items in the Room
When you plan out your budget, it’s best to allocate the majority of your money toward the larger items like a wood bed in a master bedroom or a dining room table, thus making sure that you can afford quality that will last. You just don’t need to put as much money into window treatments or other décor items as much as things such as wood furniture, flooring, and artwork. You will ensure that those larger items will last longer and look better when you invest in quality products. Remember, it’s fine if you end up with a high end sofa with inexpensive decorative pillows on it, as long as you stick to your final budget amount.

It’s usually very tempting to want to go over your decorating budget, completely forgetting about what you can afford. The problem is, when you do that, then you’ll have negative thoughts about that debt every time you walk into your redecorated room or home. What’s the point of spending all that money if negative thoughts end up leading you to not being able to enjoy the space. Stick to the budget, not just for money, but for peace of mind.