Using Color To Change The Size Of Your Bedroom

Did you ever wish your bedroom was bigger or smaller? Well if you don't have enough money to change the actual size of the room, then you can use paint to make the bedroom seem bigger or smaller. Paint is well known as one of the least expensive and easiest ways to change the look of any room, but if you pick your colors carefully you can give the space a new feel as well as a new look. Certain colors can make your bedroom walls feel closer or farther away.

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

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

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

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

Lee Dobbins

Teen Rooms on the Cheap!

How to decorate a teens bedroom is one of the most common questions I receive. Especially for those on a budget, this can seem like a daunting task! Never fear, The Budget Decorator is here! Teen rooms are different for kids rooms in that they should be treated more like an adult space, but with a fun flair. Involve your child and come up with a theme that helps to express who they are. (NOT what you want for them!) Be sure to give the theme a name, even is its something like "Modern Plush in Blue", or "Country Princess" - whatever will give it life! Let your teen choose their colors, but give them some guidance. Buy a decorating magazine, and have them choose a color theme out of the pages, or surf decorating sites on the internet. That way, they feel they have chosen themselves, but you are assured you two have chosen a proven color scheme.

Now, use these quick ideas for transforming your teens room, on the cheap!

1.PAINT!!! Perhaps a teens room is the most important room you could consider painting. Teens are very sensitive to color, and they are much more free with their sense of adventure. Use a bolder color on the wall behind the bed, and you have instant drama and a great focal point! (Teens LOVE instant gratification, the paint will be one of their favorite parts of the decorating project!) Cost of paint: around $12.

2. Bedding. The bed is usually the focal point of the room, and a favorite hangout spot for teens to read, do their fingernails, talk on the phone - so it definitely deserves some attention. An easy way to update bedding on a budget is to create covers for the old comforters. You can do this quite easily with two flat sheets the same bedding size as the comforter. Flat sheets are cheap, you can pick up twin size at your local discount store for less than $5! Sew the sheets wrong side together on three side leaving one short side open. Turn right side out, the add Velcro, ribbons, or snaps to the inside of the short end. Insert the old comforter, and close! Easy, quick, and cheap! Throw pillows can easily be made out of flat sheets as well. Try using bright, funky colors on the bedding to make a real statement. Cost of four twin sheets for comforter cover and pillow - $20.

3. Windows. Light control and privacy can best be met in a teens rooms with vinyl mini blinds - they are cheap, and easily replaceable. If an extra boost of color or softness is desired, add simple curtain panels over the blinds. Keep it simple here, fussiness is rarely a quality teens are looking for in their rooms. Remember those cheap sheets? These are great for sewing curtains because of their large size - no piecing panels of fabric together. You also don't need to worry about quality of fabric as much as color, after all, the blinds are really providing the light control. Cost of sheets or blinds - less than $10.

4. Accessories. Punch up a teens room with some funky details to add drama and style. Pick up some cool (and maybe a little tacky) fringe or beading from the clearance table at the craft store, and glue around the bottom edge of the lampshade, the hems of the curtains, even onto shelf edging. Save all those free cd's from Aol and the like, and then turn them over to the clean side and glue to the frame of a mirror, or to cover a closet door. Glue together in an overlapping fashion to make faux frames for all your kids inevitable posters. Pick up wooden letters from the craft store in their initials, or to create a significant word or phrase, then paint one of the brighter accent colors of the room and hang over the bed, window, or doorway. Use old sports equipment picked up at a yard sale as curtain rods, hat racks, or magazine holders. Even hung on the wall as an art grouping, sports memorabilia can be meaningful for a sports buff. Total cost - can be done for less than $15.

5. Finally, personality. Inject your child's own special personality into his special place. Hang those ribbons and certificates, frame a few personal photos of family vacations, or find a shelf for those special stuffed animals they aren't quite ready to part with just yet.

Use this opportunity to recognize your Child's individual gifts, and celebrate them. Cost - not a thing. As the commercial goes; memories - priceless.

Kathy Wilson   

Taking Care of Your Futon Covers

Futon Covers are made from some of the unique & supreme upholstery fabrics produced in the home furnishings industry. Futon covers allow the customers with the exclusive opportunity of changing their room decor by changing the futon covers. The futon cover also facilitates in grand way to get customers at least peep back into the store for repeat business. Proper care and washing will greatly extend the life & beauty of your futon cover and protect your valuable deal.

The futon cover is primarily decorative but it also serves the very important function of protecting the mattress and furniture from dirt & spills. The futon covers come in wide range of prices, variety of colors and styles.

How to take care of your precious futon covers?

1. Wash monthly: The covers should be washed at least once a month by using a sponge and a mild solution of liquid ivory soap and clear lukewarm water. The solution should be applied to a clean wet sponge and the cover should be washed and rinsed well. Then it should be towel dried.

2. Do not use: Saddle soaps, oils, abrasive cleaners, furniture polish, varnish or ammonia based products should never be used for futon covers. The futon cover is already preserved in the tanning process and needs no maintenance other than the simple cleaning recommended

3. The Sun can be harmful: The new cover should be kept out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can dry and possible fade the cover, much like a sun's effects on our own skin.

4. Use cotton covering: When you store, it should be placed in a cotton covering. Proper breath ability is essential because it will give a long life to the futon cover.

5. No oils or chemicals: Keep the futon cover out of the way of harsh chemicals. Hairsprays, perfumes, and the like can contain alcohol and/or other chemicals that are detrimental to the lifespan of the futon cover.

6. Turning: To equalize wear and maximize comfort, turning your futon cover over and turning from end to end every other month is recommended.

7. Fluffing: Fluffing the covers allows air into the fibers and evens out the peaks and valleys from sitting and sleeping. Fluffing enhances the product's comfort and resilience.

At Futon Covers USA you get the extraordinary shopping experience with features like high quality, trust, honesty, customer value and a guarantee to be the lowest price on the internet ? as the arrows in the quiver. To read more just give us a KNOCK...

Dan Noyes is a very well known author who writes articles on various topics including various categories of products like futons!

Shabby Chic Bedding Can Add An Elegant Vintage Touch to Your Room!

Shabby Chic bedding is definitely the answer if you are looking for style and comfort with a touch of softness in your bedroom. Shabby chic is a very simplistic yet stylish method of decor, using bedding, linens, and window treatments with a time worn elegance. Muted blues, pinks, greens, and all shades of white are very common with the Shabby look. Stripes, small floral (mostly roses), and checks make this 100% cotton bedding very appealing to the eye. That is why the Shabby Chic look has become so incredibly popular over the years. You may be thinking that Shabby Chic bed linens are too delicate and untouchable to be used in your children's bedrooms, but think again. The Shabby Chic line of bedding was designed specifically with children and your busy lifestyle in mind. Designer Rachel Ashwell decided that her creations would have to be kid and dog friendly, so most of her Shabby bedding can just be thrown in the wash.

If you decide you want to decorate your entire bedroom around the Shabby chic look, you'll be happy to know that you can purchase Shabby chic fabrics to accent your bedroom with. Curtains, chair covers, decorative pillows, table runners, and lampshades are just a few accessories you can give your own look to by using the Shabby Chic fabrics. Shabby Chic furniture will also add a touch of class to your bedroom while complementing the ageless bedding.

A mixture of old and new give Shabby Chic bedrooms an inviting atmosphere, similar to the popular cottage look of days gone by. The Shabby look is less than perfect, but its comfort and character make the vintage look very chic. Shabby Chic designer bedding is a hot commodity, so be sure to always have an open mind and eye searching for Shabby Chic pieces.

There are some things to look for when on the hunt for Shabby chic items. Does the piece in question have a soft, comfortable character? Would it fit in with romantic, French Country, or Cottage decor? Are the colors aged to perfection? You want your items to be time worn but not worn out.

Shabby chic designer bedding is the perfect way to create a comfy, faded, airy look of sophistication while staying vintage all the way. With this great look, you'll never want to leave your bedroom!

Chris Rodriguez   

Sexy & Romantic Bedroom Decorating Tips

What exactly are sexy colors, you may ask. Sexy colors are the colors that represent the mood or the feelings of sensuality and intimacy. If you wish to create a room based on this particular color concept, then it is quite easy! First before commencing your project, you must know what colors are considered "sexy" and which colors you wish to use. Let take a look at some colors and see how they can fit into your plan for a sexier bedroom. The Color Red This is an obvious one. Red is a symbol of passion and romance and of incensed sexuality. Red is a bold and vivacious color. But be careful if you overdue the red color, say for instance paint all your walls red, it can have an adverse effect. It can instead of inciting positive romantic emotions; it can incite negative emotions which could lead to a depressed mood. That is the last thing that you would want! So using red as an accent color is a good idea for creating that romantic and softly sensual mood. Purchase a few red accent pillows or throws. Also red linens, preferably silk, will add an extra "oomph" to your room.

The Color Purple
This is another color that is considered romantic and passionate. Purple is a cool color that appeals to the senses of both men and women. Purple is considered a color that is creative and imaginative. Purple is best when used as an accent color as well. Too much purple can be overwhelming. Some great ideas for an accentual purple presence are flowers, candles, linens and pillows.

The Color Blue
Blue has been long known as an alternate romantic color. It symbolizes calmness, trust and reliability. These are the basis for any romantic relationship. Blue is also another one of these romantic colors that need to be used in moderation.

Now that you've come to an understanding of what some of the romantic colors are, next is to purchase the linens and proper decorations to go along with these colors. The fabric material that is considered to be the sexiest is silk. But of course silk doesn't come cheap in most places. If this is the case, then settle for any type of soft linens that are appealing to both sexes. Nice solid colors work well.

Candles, flowers, decorative glasses and more are great decorations for setting the mood in your bedroom. Candles and flowers more than anything are used more. When considering buying candles, remember to choose the colors that are romantic and sexy. Reds, purples, blues, whites and any shades of these colors are perfect for the mood. But most importantly, whatever you choose to get, it is important to remember that romantic feelings are incited by what the eyes can see. Make sure the colors, the accents, the decorations and the room all coordinate well and are appealing.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard.

http://www.diyhomedecorating.com 

Decorating a Guest Bedroom - Get Out of your Own Way

Decorating a Guest Bedroom The guest bedroom is the one room in the house that you aren't decorating for yourself. Therefore when you go to design the rooms décor, it is important not to get in your own way. Overdoing the decoration in this room will be a disservice to guests by reinforcing the fact that they are not in their own home. As comfortable as they may be with you, they will never be as comfortable in your home as they would in their own setting. On the other hand, failing to place those few simple pieces that make a space feel personal; will leave the guest room feeling cold and empty. Arguably the most important item in the guest room, the item that turns it from an extra room into a guest bedroom, is the bed. The bed does not have to be visible. You can have a regular bed, a fold out couch or futon, or a semi permanent bed such as a cot or an air bed.

A regular bed will cost you some space, and a full mattress can be expensive. If you get a small twin sized bed you can throw some pillows on it, place the long end against a wall, and let it double as a couch. A sofa bed does this even more effectively, creating a room that has a dual purpose. Futons are also often less expensive then full mattresses. The least expensive method is a removable bed, such as an air bed or cot. This can open the room up completely, allowing it to double as a gym, sitting room, or library. Usually these beds are very uncomfortable however some of the better quality air mattresses are being made to higher and higher standards. Be sure to try it out before you buy, and make sure that you only get one that is self inflatable.

After you have settled on the bed you have to fill in furniture. If the room doubles as something else, such as a gym, you will have to work around that. A traditional guest room will contain a set of drawers, and a small table. Additionally you can add TV stands, plant stands, or desks, if you have the room. Think of a hotel. They provide just enough to make a person feel comfortable, but they are sure never to clutter the room.

For ambience you can add lamps and different lighting. Lighting is a decoration on its own that is much understated. A floor or desk lamp can provide both illumination and décor. Adding a television or a radio is also a nice touch if it's in the budget. These items can be used even when the room is unoccupied, as a way to relax in a secluded setting.

The finishing décor touches should be small. Any artwork placed in the room should be restrained, don't force extreme tastes on others. Impressionistic prints are often the right touch to complete the room. Wall clocks or desk clocks are also a nice way to make a room feel more comfortable.

Decorating a guest room is fairly uncomplicated. You want to provide just enough so that the person in the room is comfortable, without overloading them with your decoration. Just remember to keep it simple, and you should be able to design a room that will make it hard for you to get your houseguests to go.

Joey Lewitin is an author, artist, and designer of home décor accessories made from imported stone. Original designs from him and other artisans can be seen at The real stone decorating store

How to Kickstart a Good Bedroom Design Project?

Dear friends, Any room in your home is primarily a space within walls, floor and a ceiling. When the structure or the apartment gets constructed, the architect and the structural contractor has taken all the care that it is stable and can withstand outside natural forces like, earthquakes, heavy winds, rainfalls, etc..

Amongst all other rooms the bedroom is a space where comfort levels have to be kept maximum. But the word comfort is a relative term. The meaning of comfort is not just a sleep of 8 hours. A good sleep inside a bedroom is a bare minimum expectation which can not be ignored.

But comfort varies from person to person. For someone it feels good by just sitting in a rocking chair, sipping a cup of coffee and enjoying good view around the house or for someone it could be listening to good music or watching night sky full of stars.

So when it comes to design any space many aspects come into consideration. Design is not just arrangement of furniture, choosing color schemes, deciding textures/finishes etc..It has to deal with "feeling good" about the space.

Of course all these factors when used in a unique way, can turn out to be a great design. The above mentioned "feel good" factor comes about by selecting a "theme" based design.

When we try to look towards the empty space through a theme, everything gets a definition and can be dealt upon easily.

Let's see an example.

If I decide to decorate a bedroom which is empty, first I will have to decide on a particular style to execute. If it's my own bedroom then I must know what kind of style best suits my personality. This choice of style will greatly influence, the kind of furniture, color scheme, finishes I use.

Here I can go for contemporary style/oriental style/country style. All these have a unique set of parameters right from the layout of furniture to what diameter should I use for the curtain rods.

A design deals with a big view starting from furniture layout and goes in-depth, deciding with each and every minute details of linen. All these affect the final expression, which is required for "feeling good". All these detailing will change the moment to shift from your theme/style.

That's why by fragmenting the entire design process into theme options can make the process easier and gives a direction to start the execution of any project.

If you are designing for someone else, it's a good idea to first know your client's likes and dislikes. I mean his personality, his hobbies, his job profile, etc... Remember that HE is going to use this room, it's his baby.

Of course once you start with a theme, it normally happens that you will get more richer and creative ideas during primary sketching process.

I hope this article was helpful.

 

Shrinivas Vaidya

http://www.bedroom-design-and-decorating-ideas.com/

 

Decorating a Bedroom for the Subconscious Mind - Psychology of Colors

Psychology of colors ? the bedroom Color can have an astounding effect on perceptions, feelings, and interactions. Different colors evoke different memories and different ideas. In the bedroom, where one is supposed to be most at ease, it is important that you plan out your color scheme so that it creates the maximum comfort for you. Psychologists have been studying the effects of color on people for many years. While they have made many discoveries about color effects on people in different societies, they have not found any effects that occur across all societies. For instance in China the color red tends to make people feel calm, while in America red tends to make people more aggressive.

This means that the effect of color on a persons mind is individual and perceptual, rather then being physiological and inherent. In order to choose the right color for a setting, you will have to get in touch with your inner self, and see which color you harmonize best with. In the bedroom one tries to achieve maximum relaxation. By choosing the colors that you feel most comfortable with, you will find the greatest contentment with your decor.

Think about the following colors. Think about each one separately. Think about their different shades, how you feel about them, what they invoke in you.

Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Violet. Purple. White. Black

Once you have gained insight into how you feel about those colors, you can read about the general effects these colors have on people in American society. Don't be afraid to disagree, your tastes are different from anyone else's, but do keep in mind that the average American that enters the room will feel these effects to some extent.

The two extreme colors are white and black. Black is an attention grabber, and can create a bedroom with a dark, sultry look. Unfortunately it will also make the room look smaller and seem more restrictive. Overuse of the color black can be dangerous in a room like the bedroom, as it can darken a person's mood. It may even produce night mares. Meanwhile its polar opposite, white, can be uninspiring. Most rooms start off with white walls, and it is the generic look for many homes. It can have a positive and soothing effect on ones emotions, but it may also lead to a lack of stimulation which can be a terrible thing in a bedroom. Whatever ones perceptions however, white is a good color for warm climates. White reflects light creating cooler temperatures and a breezy feeling.

The earth tones are gentle and will keep a bedroom feeling close and snuggly, as long as you pay attention to the tones you use. These colors include browns, oranges, and yellows. Browns tend to remind Americans of family, and of emotional bonds to each other and the world. Orange is a color that makes people happy, but is also the color associated with food and could lead to midnight snacking. Yellow creates a very positive effect on people psychologically, but only short term. Long term exposure to this color can lead to irritation.

Blues and greens evoke serenity and peace. They are colors associated with nature and the ocean. Using these colors heavily in your bedroom can help to calm the emotions of its inhabitants, and bring restful nights. Blue will also calm cravings for food after you've gone to bed, because there is very little blue food in nature, so our minds tend to repress hunger at its site. Pink is the extreme claming color and many will find it impossible to act aggressively when surrounded by it. Purple is a nice color for a bedroom that will make it look more sophisticated.

Red is an exciting color. If you have trouble falling asleep, don't use red in the bedroom. However, to get a tired relationship going, red may be just the color you want. Red makes Americans aggressive. It speeds up their metabolism and gives them energy. Red is a good color for sheets or blankets, because if it becomes too distracting it can be put away until desired.

Combining these colors yields further effects, which are numerous beyond the scope of this article. Remember that shade and tone is important, and will alter these effects. Most importantly, you should have the final say; it is the colors effect on your own mind that is important, and only you can truly understand your own impressions.

Joey Lewitin is an author, artist, and designer of home décor accessories made from imported stone. Original designs from him and other artisans can be seen at Pebblez.com - The Rustic Stone Home Décor Store

Black and White Themed Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas

When we found out we were having twins, our teenage daughter volunteered to move into a smaller bedroom so that the twins could have the bigger one. It was definitely time to come up with a new bedroom theme! We also didn't have much space to work with or a lot of money to spend. So when we moved her into the smaller bedroom, she decided to decorate with a black and white theme. The walls were already white, so that part was easy. Having the walls white also makes the room look as large as possible. As a school project, our daughter repainted an old cabinet that was mine when I was growing up. She sanded it, painted it white, and then decoupage onto the cabinet black and white photos (mostly scenery she liked) from magazines and photos that she had printed from the Internet.

She then printed some of her favorite Bible verses in different sizes and in different fonts and decoupaged them on the cabinet. We found some black knobs to match. She was happy with how it turned out, and she got a good grade on the project!

She found some black and white posters for the walls that she liked. Because of the limited space we decided to put up shelves on the walls to replace her bookcase. My husband spray painted the metal runners that the shelves hang on black, and the shelves are white. It looks really nice and frees up a lot of room. We also found an inexpensive black TV stand at Walmart to put her stereo on since she had to give up the dresser it had been on before.

We had an old bulletin board that needed a facelift. We taped around the inside of the board and then spray painted the frame of the board black. We then used a paintbrush to paint the cork white.

My daughter likes candles, so she accented her room with white candles and black candle holders.

So that's how, on a very small budget, we decorated our teenage daughter's bedroom in black and white, and we were all very happy with the result!

Pictures of the finished results: http://www.frugal-home-decor.com/articles/053005a.shtml

Rachel Paxton  

Bedroom Benches - The Ease of Decorating With Them

Do you want to add a sense of style and sophistication to your bedroom space but are not sure how to accomplish it? Do you have a large bedroom that would benefit from the addition of a gorgeous, functional piece of furniture? Is your bedroom lacking in closet space? If so, you should consider getting a bedroom bench. Far from being just another piece of furniture, bedroom benches bring unparalleled grace and elegance to bedrooms with all types of décor. Whether you prefer rich upholstered bedroom benches or the more practical, but just as beautiful, storage benches, you can truly customize your space and add that needed touch without spending a lot of money or doing a complete remodel.

Upholstered bedroom benches can be used to add a romantic or Old-World feel to your intimate space. Available in a wide range of wood finishes, upholstered bedroom benches can be matched and blended with practically any existing bedroom furniture or can be selected to make a bold statement or to become the focal point of the room.

Bedroom benches can also be covered with rich, colorful fabrics chosen from a large tapestry of colors and designs. Want something a little more personal or customized? Simply cover your upholstered bedroom bench with your own needlepoint work or family heirloom fabrics.

Need some extra storage space? Storage bedroom benches can be the perfect solution for non-existing or small and cramped closets. They are ideal for storing off-season bed linens and clothes or personal treasures and family keepsakes.

Not only are these pieces practical, they are beautiful as well. Storage bedroom benches are available in a wide range of wood finishes including oak and deep, rich mahogany. These pieces can also feature intricate hand carving and delicately hand painted designs. Some even come complete with upholstered cushions that can be chosen to color coordinate with your existing décor.

Bedroom benches are usually placed at the foot of the bed and can be an ideal place to store your bedspread and throw pillows when the bed is being used. They also come in handy as a place to sit when dressing or lacing up your shoes. You can turn them into showpieces with the clever placement of decorative quilts, collectibles and/or brick-a-brack. Or you can simply let them make a statement on their own.

Do you want something simple but elegant? Maybe an exquisitely designed wrought iron footboard bench complete with a cushion covered in rich damask fabric would be more suited to your tastes and decorating style.

The addition of a bedroom bench to your décor is also very affordable. Pricing usually starts out as low as $200. Of course, you can spend more than that depending on what style of bench you pick and what custom options you choose.

As you can see there is a large variety of options when it comes to choosing a bedroom bench. No matter what piece you finally decide to purchase, you can be sure that your bedroom bench will become one of your most treasured possessions.

Jennifer Akre is a successful business owner of numerous furniture websites such as http://www.simplybenches.com/. Her websites offer product and information about bedroom benches and other decor and furniture for indoors and outdoors.

Bedroom Furniture

Buying bedroom furniture can be an exciting time; unfortunately if you have not shopped for bedroom furniture in awhile or this is your first time to buy bedroom furniture on your own you may not be well versed in the many different kinds of bedroom furniture available. Confusion about bedroom furniture often arises in the different sizes of beds and mattresses available. The twin or single bed is about the smallest type of bed on the market and while manufacturers differ in the sizes slightly, the standard twin or single size bed measures 39" x 74." If you need a twin or single bed that is slightly wider and longer you might consider the size known as the super single; which measures 48" x 84." The old fashioned or full bed also known as the double bed is measured at 54" x 74". This is the kind of bed that you commonly see in standard hotel rooms.

A queen size bed measures at 60" x 70" although you can purchase what is known as the California queen bed, a size that comes in longer than the regular queen bed at 60" x 84." The next size up in bedroom furniture is the king size bed measuring 76" x 80" while the California king size bed measures 70" x 84."

When shopping for new bedroom furniture, you will also need to be aware that there are very different types of furniture and beds. For example, you can get a standard bed or you might think about purchasing a water bed. Today, adjustable comfort level beds are also very popular and a wise choice if you have a sleep partner who prefers a different firmness level than you.

If you happen to be shopping for children's bedroom furniture, today there are many different styles and designs on the market that will actually change to accommodate the growing needs of your child. These styles often start out as cribs that will convert to toddler beds and beyond. The bed that your child sleeps in as a baby can now be the same bed that they sleep in when they go off to college. While these styles are more expensive, they are definitely a good investment when considered over the duration.

Regardless of the type and style of bedroom furniture that you ultimately decide to purchase it's a good idea to take your time when shopping. Making a hasty decision when purchasing bedroom furniture often leads to regrets later, as well as many poor nights of sleep.

Matthew Anthony  

Add A Little Spark To Your Bedroom With A Satin Comforter!

If you want to make your bedroom look rich and luxurious, then top your bed with a satin comforter. Not only does satin carry a certain amount of sex appeal, but it seems to be an expression of wealth and prestige as well. Satin comforters seem to have maintained their popularity over the years mainly because of those two reasons. Satin is a beautiful silky smooth material that feels incredible next to your skin. There are two main types of satin, a woven satin, and a knit satin. Most satin bedspreads and comforters are made from a knit acetate satin which is more durable than the woven satin. Woven satin makes an incredibly soft and smooth sheet, but it is also very expensive, which is why this satin is usually not used for comforters.

Satin duvets can be found in almost every color you could imagine. Rich reds, sleek blacks, lustrous purples, exotic golden browns, and many other radiant colors. Satin, especially red and black satin, is the material of choice for lovers as it seems to set the stage for romance. So if you are looking for ways to enhance your love life, you should definitely look into satin sheets and comforters.

Satin sheets and comforters continue to hang on to their age old reputation which encourages romance and desire. So your satin comforter will not only look fabulous on your bed along with all the decorative extras, but it will serve you in other ways as well.

Chris Rodriguez 

7 Tips for Decorating Your Childs Room

If you're not sure where to start or how best to tackle updating your child's bedroom, you're not alone. In a lot of families, the baby nursery takes a lot of planning and decorating time but there's often less thought and energy put into decorating the same child's room as they grow older. It's common for baby toys and furniture like diaper disposals, pull toys and cribs to get removed, but other things often stay around for quite a bit longer than the growing child might wish. For instance a wall paper border with prints more suitable for your baby or young child's room, may not be as enjoyed by your now older child (or teen?!).

Here are a few tips to help you get started with decorating your child's room. The best part about this is that your child can help you do it this time around. So this can be a fun project you can do together!

1. Select a new color to paint the walls, a color that your child likes. If you have a strong objection to it, though, negotiate with perhaps a lighter version of that color, or limiting their color choice to only one wall. (Or, encourage them to put up some nice posters to lessen the wall color's impact!)

2. Mood lighting! Kids of all ages enjoy mood lighting of one sort or another. Together, select either a night light, a small novelty lamp with a low-wattage bulb, or an interesting colored or black light bulb lamp. Other lighting effects kids enjoy include disco lights, dog statues, flowers with light effects, and glow in the dark items.

3. Bedspreads. Get rid of baby blankets and exchange for favorite cartoon throws or bed covers. When they're teenagers, they might enjoy sports, frilly, or even more adult taste bed coverings.

4. Personalize something for their bureaus or their walls, with their names and/or photographs. Photos can be made into a collage. Exchange those baby and stork photo frames with an upgrade to novelty photo frames. Try one with hearts, a sports theme or a safari look, for instance. Engraved stones with your child's name or an inspirational thought and personalized acrostic poem name prints are fun and unique decor ideas that kids enjoy. Engraved name stones become long-lasting gifts and keepsakes. Acrostic name prints use the letters of your child's name to start off self-esteem enhancing phrases that can inspire your child and highlight their special talents and interests.

5. Create a comfort zone area in the room, for cuddling up cozy and reading. You can use big pillows, plush or inflatable chairs, anything your child might enjoy to sit on and relaxing in. You'll also want to conveniently have some books placed within their arm's reach. You can also place some music equipment by that area for them to enjoy. And if there's room, add an additional seating space for you. Then together you can enjoy reading, listening to music, or simply chatting with each other. If you have a teenager, they'll likely want to have another seating space for you or their friends to use.

6. Together with your child, agree upon a wall paper border that you can use to decorate their room with. This idea can be in addition to or used instead of painting their room. Adding or changing a wall paper border can be a very simple and quick way to change the look and feel of your child's room.

7. And... here's an interesting idea my daughter suggested when I asked her for suggestions about decorating a child's room ... (I simply had to share this intriguing idea with you!) She said, "tell them to get an extra thick room door so you don't hear your kids fighting!"

Can you tell that she shares her room with her sister and something about the noise level in their room at times?

Hmmm... she might have a good idea there after all!

© 2004 by Liz Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings.com

5 Tips to Preschoolers Bedrooms, on a Budget

Decorating on a budget can always be a challenge, but nowhere do our hearts yearn to provide a beautiful room as much as when it comes to our little ones. Luckily, there are some great ideas you can do today, to punch up your preschoolers room, and keep the costs as little as they are! 1.Paint the room a wonderful, dreamy color. Soothing pool blues, apple greens, and soft yellows are great for a young ones restful spot. Make the colors too bright, and you will affect their ability to rest well as the colors will be too stimulating. Make them too pale pastel, and young ones have a hard time even registering them as colors! You can pick up a gallon of quality paint from your discount store for less than $10, which should cover the average bedroom, and make a quick and dramatic change in just a couple of hours. I recommend Dutch Boy paints for kids rooms, as they are almost odorless.

2.Get craft foam from the craft store in varying colors, and cut out shapes according to your rooms theme. The foam comes in sheets kind of like thick paper, cuts quite easily with scissors, and is brightly colored like a box of crayons! For instance, if your child loves trains and planes, cut out trains and planes! Learning to read? The alphabet! Trace from simple coloring books if you like. Now glue these shapes on the walls in a border or all over pattern. Quick, dramatic, cheap? and they will love it! (Can't glue? Use double sided tape!)

3.Pick up some cheap frames from the dollar shop, remove the glass for safety, and place pictures of your family, beloved pet, or even their own drawings right in their special place! It provides them with comfort when they are alone, and teaches them to value those close to them.

4.Keep an eye out for a low coffee table at yard sales. (Or maybe you have one in the garage?) Pick one up and paint it to match the room. This makes a great art table for kids? you would be surprised at how much time kids will spend being creative if only they had the materials to them available when the creative urge strikes! Cover empty wipe containers with contact paper, and keep full of washable crayons and chalk. Layout paper for them each morning, and be ready for the masterpieces!

5.Finally, make a little book corner for your little one. Even if they aren't reading yet, every small child should have the opportunity to spend time with books, and reliving the stories you read to them over and over! Place plastic crates on their side as bookshelves they can easily reach, and give them a soft spot to cuddle up, either with pillows on their bed, or a little beanbag chair in the corner. Yard sales are great places to pick up colorful books for just few pennies. And above all, find time to read to them each day in their special spot!

Just a few quick projects can enliven your kids imagination for years to come!

Kathy Wilson 

Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes

Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't feel bad, a lot of folks are in the same boat. The bathroom is one room in the home that can look drab and run down very easily. And what if you don't have an unlimited budget to make changes in the fixtures and plumbing? Well take heart, there is lots that you can do for very little money that will totally and radically improve the decor of your bathroom. One of the biggest problems with bathrooms is their tendency to get cluttered. You know, towels hanging all over the place, bath products on top of the vanity and on the shower floor, and things like that. So if you really want to make a 100% improvement in your bathroom clean up the clutter.

Fortunately, that is very easy to do and inexpensive. If you go to any WalMart or Target store, you will find plenty of organizer products for use in the bathroom. They are also very cheap. So get some of them and start to install them so that the most used products and items are within easy reach of wherever they would be used in the bathroom. If you make the storage spot convenient most people will continue to put it back in it's place after they use it. If you make the storage spot even a little difficult to access, you will see those items left all around wherever someone finds a spot for it.

Next, get some extra towel racks and install them so that there is a towel holder within easy reach of almost anywhere in the bathroom. Extra towel holders mean that even used towels can have a spot to be hung up instead of just left lying over the tub or shower stall door. Another advantage decor-wise of having extra towel bars is that you can use some of them to put up fancy towels for show that will really pick up the appearance of the room and highlight the colors that you used in your bathroom design.

Another simple and easy change to the appearance of any bathroom is the flooring. If you don't like what you see, change it. Fortunately, most bathroom floor spaces are fairly small and so not much material is needed. There are several options that you can choose from including vinyl sheets, ceramic tile, or vinyl tile squares. If you want simple and easy, stick-on vinyl tiles are probably the way to go. You can get them at a local Home Improvement store and they are usually very inexpensive too, and you can get some great looking designs that look very close to actual ceramic tile at a casual glance. Armed with a small cutter to trim the tiles when needed or shape them around an object on the bathroom floor, you are ready to go. If you make a mistake, peel up that tile, throw it away and use another one. Simple and easy!

Finally, buy some new towels for the bathroom. Get some great new colors and designs that are eye-catching and pleasing. Again, not much money invested for lots of return in visual appeal.

Change out the door knobs on your vanity and closet, and change the shower curtain and rings if you have one.

Just a few of these inexpensive changes in a bathroom can go a long way to changing that tired, old, cluttered, bathroom into one that makes you proud to show it off, and a pleasure to use.

Duane Jones - All About Bed And Bath provides free information, resources and tips on finding bedding, comforters, bathroom fixtures, tubs, and more for your home at the very best price.

Do It Yourself Bathroom Curtain

Need An Easy Bathroom Curtain Idea? I've always had a hard time decorating my bathrooms. You want them to look more "cute" instead of fancy, after all, it is a bathroom not a bedroom! I wanted to have some type of window treatment over the windows, but the ones I usually picked out were more decorative and elegant and didn't serve as a good shade for those looking in! Those plain old roller shades were perfect for keeping peepers out, but they were ugly! So plain and not colorful at all. Well, not anymore! Now all you need is a roller shade for your windows. Buy some paint, stamps, sponges, beads, ribbons or anything else you'd like and decorate the roller shade itself. Whether your bathroom is decorated with seashells, fish, ducks or flowers, you can create a roller shade to match perfectly. You can sponge paint the shade with colors that match your bathroom, or you could stamp on images of fish, flowers or ducks that coincide with your current décor.

Roll out the shade all the way as if it were hanging on the window and covering it completely. Before you start decorating away, start with a plan. Decide what colors you're going to use and how you're going to design it. Then start decorating it!

This is a great crafting project for you and your older kids. If they have their own bathroom, let the kids decorate the shade all by themselves (with your supervision of course). You can also use these shades in bedrooms and let the kids decorate them according to the décor in their rooms.

Jennifer 

Decorating The Bathroom ? Dress Your Mess For Less

The bathroom may be the hardest room to decorate. Its use and nature make the room decorative uninspiring, and its limited size and necessity of function make it difficult to add very much. Further, making a major change to the room's décor generally requires huge sums of money, when you consider the expense of changing tiled floors or walls, or replacing existing fixtures such as showers and sinks. However, there are a few thrifty things you can do to turn your bathroom from an eyesore into a place of decorative elegance. The first thing you have to do is decide what color range you can use. If the bathroom has existing features such as ceramic tiling or fixtures, you have to choose any other piece you bring in to match those colors that are already there. This is only a slight stifle to your creativity though, as there are an unlimited number of shades and colors you can match up with others. Even if you don't like the original colors of the room, you can always balance them out with opposite colors in your décor.

The easiest way to decorate a bathroom is by using fabric coverings. You can throw carpets down to cover up boring tiles and add some color to the floor. They will also soak up water and help prevent slippage.

If your toilet looks out of date, get a seat cover in a funky color and turn it into an artistic eye catcher. Or go the whole way and get a whole new toilet seat. They are relatively inexpensive, and they allow you to change the look and feel of a fairly permanent piece. Here you will have to find a balance of comfort and style.

Bathrooms are functional areas, and they need to stay organized. Choose your containers with an eye towards color and style, and you will be adding natural décor touches to the room. There are soap dishes, toilet paper rings, and toothbrush boxes which can be purchased in matching sets. Buying items in the same or similar colors will give the bathroom a finished look that shows its appearance was planned with an attention to detail. In a room that is as small as the bathroom, one wrong color can unbalance the whole effect.

Bathroom accessories such as towels and washcloths are only temporary residents of the bathroom, and will be cycled in and out at various intervals. Buying a few matching linen sets allows you to change the look of the bathroom every few days. You can get a set in black for when you're in a dark mood, and a set in red when you're feeling particularly sensual. Always keep an eye on the rest of the colors in the room however, and try not to purchase anything that will clash with the colors already present.

The shower curtain is one of the most important décor pieces that you can easily change in your bathroom. They are prominently displayed, usually taking up a large section of the visual area in a room. This is the piece that can pull the whole bathroom together, so choose it carefully as every other color you bring into the room will have to match with this piece.

When it comes to bathrooms, take what you were given, and make it something that is your own. Play off of the features that are already in the room, balancing out what you don't like and reinforcing what you do. By making small touches you can make the décor of any bathroom fit your style.

Joey Lewitin  

Create the Right Splash With Bathroom Accessories

When decorating your bathroom, it is important to choose practical and beautiful  bathroom accessories that also enhance the style of the room. It is this kind of attention to detail that separates a bathroom with charm and character from one that is strictly ho-hum. Bathrooms have come a long way from the days of strictly utilitarian design and use, and are now viewed as sanctuaries to which people escape and indulge in personal pampering. The Powder Room ? Go Wild A powder room will be located where it is convenient for the use of guests, and is usually a small room. This means you can opt for such expensive decorating touches as crown molding and high-priced wallpaper which may not be affordable for the larger bathrooms in your home.

As well, no bathtub or shower means there are no moisture concerns when selecting materials and decorating touches. You can hang a nice piece of framed artwork without worrying that dampness will destroy it. This is the bathroom in which you can use vibrant colors, and display luxury collections on a counter or shelf.

The Family Bathroom ? Make Sharing Easier

Even if the family bathroom is of average size or larger, it may seem small because of the number of people using it. If this is the case, incorporate some creative storage ideas and pull out all the stops in creating the illusion of spaciousness. If there are young children in the family, you need to pay special attention to safety features as well.

* To make the room appear larger, choose light, cool colors for walls and trim, such as buttery or cream colored walls with white or beige trim, and make sure your bathroom accessories are also color coordinated: towels, shower curtains, bath mats, rugs, the clothes hamper, scales, and storage bins. Oversized mirrors can also enlarge the appearance of the room.

* Make sure there is at least one drawer or cupboard that can be locked so that medicines and other poisonous items can be safely stored.

* Attach a grab bar to wall studs located by the bathtub or in the shower stall as another good safety feature.

* In this day of pedestal sinks, storage has been sacrificed for style but do not accept defeat. If there is a closet of any kind, buy a closet organizer to hold towels and facecloths, and bins for personal items, one for each family member. If there is no space for a closet, add open shelves over the toilet, or any place they will fit, and use decorative bins to hold various personal items.

* If you can add a second wash basin, it will help relieve some of the bathroom traffic problems.

The Master Bathroom ? You Deserve All the Luxury You Can Afford

The master bathroom, depending on its size and your pocketbook, can incorporate decorative ideas from both powder rooms and family bathrooms, and can include more luxurious bathroom accessories since it is generally an adult-only room.

If it is large enough, you can turn the master bathroom into a personal spa, with an oversized, jetted bathtub and an in-line water heater. Steam showers and rain bars are other elegant amenities, as is radiant heating and towel warmers.

Make A Plan

There are bathroom furnishings and bathroom accessories available to fit any budget. Before you begin to decorate or remodel, list what you need to do, what you would like to do and what you would do if you could find the money. Estimate the cost of materials and tools for the do-it-yourselfer ? if you are one ? and the cost of a plumber, an electrician, a carpenter, and a painter, if you are not. Decide what you can afford to do and whether you should go for an economical quick fix, or a more expensive major overhaul.

Paint, wall coverings, and flooring materials for all bathrooms except the powder room must be appropriately chosen for durability and water resistance. A water-base paint is acceptable throughout most of the interior of your home; however, interior painting of the bathroom requires an oil-base ? enamel ? paint. In general, materials that stand up well to excess moisture are:

* Plastic laminate
* Vinyl-coated wallpaper
* Semi-gloss enamel paint
* Masonry block
* Cast marble

When choosing colors, remember that light cool colors will make a room appear larger, as will painting walls and ceilings the same color. If you have a large room with a high ceiling, a dark color on the ceiling will lower it.

The Quick Fix

* Paint or wallpaper the walls.
* Paint the trim and the bathroom cabinets and shelves.
* Replace bathroom faucets.
* Color coordinate bathroom accessories: towels and face cloths, the shower curtain, scales, hamper, and storage bins, rugs, and bathmats.
* Replace the mirror or paint the frame.
* Replace lighting fixtures.
* Add decorative, color coordinated items to hold cotton balls, swabs, bath salts, hand lotions, etc.

The Complete Overhaul
As well as the quick fix:

* Install new fixtures: bathtub, shower stall, toilet, and sink.
* Replace bathroom cabinets, and bathroom countertops
* Choose new flooring.
* Install new bathroom faucets and showerheads.

Select Your Favorite Style

When you have settled on a decorating style that reflects your taste and your lifestyle, choose your bathroom accessories so that they will reinforce the look you want to achieve. There are three main styles, and, of course, you can develop one that is very personal.

1) Contemporary
The contemporary style demands clean straight lines and solid colors. Choose plain fixtures, natural wood for cabinets, stainless steel faucets, and decorative materials of wood, stone or tile. The room should look sleek and clutter-free, which means a minimum number of items on display and on the counter. Select streamlined bathroom accessories.

2) Country
The warm, cozy, country style calls for pastel earth colors and vintage-looking fixtures. You can go wild with floral patterns and fabrics, and use wicker for towel and toilet tissue baskets, and for the clothes hamper. Collections of bottles, framed botanicals, stencils on the wall, and other such decorative items are appropriate.

3) Traditional
Glamour and elegance are hallmarks of the traditional style and you should select porcelain fixtures with gold, silver, or brass faucets and fittings. Think floral fabrics and groupings of treasured collections, and use gold accents and gilded finishes wherever you can.

4) A Personal Theme
A collection of seashells, or your fondness for cactus plants or birds might dictate a particular motif that delights you and other family members. Bathroom decorating and bathroom accessories can revolve around this theme and inspire particular color choices and the inclusion of elements from the sea, the desert, favorite animals or birds, a fantasy world, or anything that has captured your imagination.

There are countless products and materials designed to enhance the beauty, comfort and convenience of bathrooms. When it's time to decorate, you can really have fun!

Scott Gray  

Country Style Bathroom Decorating Ideas

If your hectic life makes you yearn to escape to the countryside, why not create a little "get away" in your own home? Believe it or not, the bathroom is a prime candidate for a country theme. This is the room you use to shower or soak away the day's dirt as well as prepare for the day ahead. Why not give it a relaxing, country feel? The easiest way to give your bathroom a "down-home" country feel is to add rustic accessories. Wooden pegs are a clean, simple way to add a country feel to hanging towels and bathrobes. Pine baskets are a charming way to hold guest towels, and a large wicker basket on the floor keeps bath towels handy as well as adding a country-life touch.

If your bathroom is shared by many people, you might want to consider using wire baskets instead of wood or wicker. The large amounts of steam created by numerous people showering can create the perfect environment for mold on wooden or wicker baskets. Either make sure you seal the baskets before using them, or substitute the kind of wire baskets used to gather and store eggs on a small, country farm.

Glass canning jars make great storage containers in a country bathroom. They are great for holding all the little miscellaneous things that float around a bathroom. You might have toothbrushes standing head up in a tall jar, and use progressively shorter jars to hold things like combs and hairbrushes, hairpins or barrettes, and cotton balls. You can purchase plain canning jars in most supermarkets, but to give your bathroom even more of a country feel, look for "bail-lid" jars with a glass top on hinges that clamps down tight. These are especially good at keeping cotton balls clean and dry until they are needed. Browse antique and "collectible" stores and you'll find beautiful antique canning jars that will add an authentic feel to your country bathroom.

You may find that these simple touches make you want to go "whole-hog" and add country style bathroom fixtures. Home improvement stores and bathroom showrooms have an amazing range of faucets, sinks, and tubs to meet your county bathroom design needs. A claw foot bathtub and pedestal sink will take your bathroom back to a simpler time. Need storage? A pine or painted armoire fits the country theme perfectly, and is easy to find either finished or unfinished. If you choose to finish the piece yourself, products are available to help you give it an old, crackled or distressed look.

Whether you opt for just a few flourishes or completely redo your bathroom, your time will be well-spent. Your new accessories not only improve the functionality of your bathroom, they create a peaceful place to escape the frantic pace of everyday life.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard.
http://www.diyhomedecorating.com 

Bathroom Vanities and Cabinets Come in Many Different Styles

Modern bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets come in a huge variety of styles and finishes, from the simulated antique look to sleek modern designs. Your choice of vanity unit and storage cabinet can have a big influence over the look and feel of your bathroom, so it's worth putting some thought into your decision to make sure you get it right. Think about the theme of your decor, as well as the layout of your bathroom. The positioning of your bathroom cabinets and vanity set plays an important role in the overall appearance of the whole room.

Country Flame introduced their wood stove as an economical option heating option for people who were hit hard by the recession. Now, Country Flame is on the cutting edge of wood stove manufacturers, winning the prestigious Vesta award in 2002 at the National HPBA Show.

A well designed bathroom sink vanity can be adapted to store all sorts of items to help you keep your counter tops neat and tidy. You could have partitions in the drawers for small things such as makeup, with shelving for larger toiletries, and perhaps a pull out trash can to save space. Door racks for holding hair dryers or electric shavers are another useful feature of many contemporary vanity units. Similarly, bathroom medicine cabinets can hold all kinds of accessories, from towels to toothpaste. They can rest on the floor or be wall mounted or situated in a corner, depending on the best use of the space available.

Bathroom sinks can be made from a number of materials, from traditional porcelain to rustic looking stone or fashionable glass. Vanity tops can be custom made from your choice of material, including polished marble and granite. As well as choosing whether to have a furniture style vanity with legs or a block cabinet design, you can select all kinds of finishes, from unfinished wood to glazed maple or distressed paint. Attention to details such as your bathroom cabinet hardware can make all the difference to the end result. Try to find hinges and handles that match to the style and finish of your bathroom fixtures, such as your faucets.

Vanity units and cabinets are relatively easy to install and can work wonders at transforming an outdated bathroom. Vanities and cabinets for bathrooms are available in loads of different designs and can be the icing on the cake when remodeling your bathroom.

Caroline Smith

Bathroom Tips II

Creating a Great Looking and Usable Bathroom Your bathroom is a utility room, but that doesn't mean it can't look good, stay organized and be chic all at the same time. If you move into a pre-existing condo or home, your predecessors may have made some interesting décor decisions. Work with the permanent fixtures like ceramic tile, toilet and bath finish and anything else that would be more expensive to replace, but add bath furniture that meets your needs like wall mounted bathroom cabinets, a hutch, or a simple shallow bookcase to spruce it up. Replace the shower curtain according to your tastes and grab towels and a bath mat that work with the existing fixtures and with your new bath furniture. When you put it all together, you'll have a good looking and efficient space.

Color-Coded Baskets Aid in Bathroom Organization

Keep your bathroom organized by making color-coded baskets for toiletries for each family member. The baskets are designated areas for hair and body products, toothbrushes, loofahs, etc. This is a foolproof method of bathroom organization.

Everyone should either keep their baskets in their individual bedrooms to take them in the bathroom as needed. The more organized the bathroom, the easier it is to get to things when you really need them. The baskets can also be stored in a designated area, such as under the bathroom sink or on a wall storage unit in the corner of the bathroom. This will help keep additional bathroom furniture to a minimum, which will keep your bathroom from looking overcrowded.

Shower Caddys Aid in Bathtub Organization

Use a shower caddy for storing items in your bathtub area. This is the space for shampoos and soaps. Do not overload your shower caddy, as they can be fragile. Just keep what you absolutely need in the shower/bath on your caddy.

There are several varieties, however, the most sturdy include those with suction cups attached to hold the caddy in place or those that you can screw into the wall above the tile of your shower area. There are a number of brands to choose from, so before you choose one that's best for your bathroom, take stock of the layout of your bathtub/shower area. Note details such as what kind of tiling you have, how many types of products you have to place on the caddy and how permanent you need it to be. Considering these factors will help you choose the best shower caddy for your bathroom.
 

Storage for Bath Toys

Keep a plastic container for bath toy storage. A plastic box is preferable because it is easier to keep clean. Keep bath toys stored in it and be sure to disinfect the toys and the container often to keep germs and bacteria from developing on both in the bath toy storage area. The container should also be emptied of any excess water after each time the toys are placed inside of it.

Keep the container underneath a cabinet or sink, so that this extra piece of bathroom furniture doesn't clutter an already small space.

Even your linen closet can be organized

Here are two quick tips for your linen closet:

How many sets of sheets do you have? Are they all complete sets, or have years of wear and tear caused havoc on them. I believe you need only to

have only 3 complete sets of sheets for every bed in your house. Why 3? Because one is on your bed, one is in the laundry and one is in your closet.

I also take one of the pillowcases and put the sheets and the other pillowcase inside. If you do this for all of your sheets, your linen closet will be very organized.

Now, about the towels. I believe, having three full sets of towels –bath, fingertip and cloth -- per person, per bathroom is enough for anyone. If you disagree then you must be my aunt who believes that towels in every shade of blue, green and yellow is never enough. That is why she is aunt clutter to the family. Do you want to be known as aunt or uncle clutter? No, so keep to these rules when you are dealing with the linen closet.

Bathroom Tips I

Don't Overlook the Toilet, Look Over the Toilet In considering bathroom storage, the space above the toilet tank is frequently overlooked in terms of storage options. For instance, many people hang art above their toilet, but why use the space for that when it could become a valuable storage option. A bathroom etageres is a great storage solution, especially when well designed. If you choose a cabinet that is deep enough, it can be used for towels and linens - especially hand towels for your guests. This is another great opportunity to use baskets for small item storage - perhaps your manicure set or hair care products? You need to think a lot about what you want to store where in your bathroom. A bathroom storage tip: If you want to keep certain supplies private, a basket in your linen closet or your bathroom hutch will do the trick. Keep items you don't mind people seeing in your étagère.

Bathroom Storage 101

Bathrooms and their supplies frequently get away from us because all of those bottles, tubes and towels take up a lot of space and are really awkwardly shaped. Its not as simple as buying like sized containers to get the most out of your storage closet, in this case you need to create storage that can absorb your supplies and linens. In some cases, you may not even have a linen closet to work with, so you need to work with what you have.

The first step is to assess your supplies - any duplications of supplies like shampoos, conditioners, hand lotions and the like should be tossed, and make sure you don't have anything more that about a year old. If you haven't used it, chances are you won't - so don't hold on to the clutter. As for your linens, assess the depth and width of your storage area - fold all of your items, sheets and towels alike in shape so that you use the most of your space - cut cardboard pieces as a guide if you must. Try to keep piles of like items and make sure the colors are visible on the outside so you can see what you have available.

Tips on Bathroom Storage

If you decide to use baskets, or other storage bins throughout your bathroom, make sure you group your items by type so you can find things. For instance, group first aid in one bin, shampoo, conditioner and soaps in another and over the counter medications in yet another. By doing this, you'll know which bin to grab when whatever issue you are having presents it.

Another smart bathroom storage tip, even if you have used most of a given medication, keep the box it came in! The foil packets that hold pills rarely tell you what the medication is or what the directions are for usage. Because of this, if you ditch the boxes, you won't know what you are taking, or for how long you need to take it!

Wall Mounted Bathroom Cabinets

If you have open wall space in your bathroom, rather than just installing another towel rod, think with storage in mind and consider a wall mounted bathroom cabinet with a towel rod incorporated into the design. This way, you get additional bathroom supply storage for bottles of shampoo, shaving supplies or even vitamins and prescriptions and you get the benefit of the towel rods. Typically, we overlook wall mounted bathroom storage options because the medicine cabinet may have already been installed and be in use, but you can never have enough bathroom storage and if you have empty wall space you should really make the most of it.

Bathroom Hutch

Is your bathroom large on space and small on closets? In many of today's condos - old renovated homes in particular, they manage to create spacious and well appointed bathrooms that are only missing one thing - and that is a linen closet. So if you don't have a linen closet, and you don't have the desire or the means to build one, you should consider a bathroom hutch or wardrobe cabinet.

Choose one that fits your decor whether it is wood or painted and make sure you choose the right size for your space. It should hold towels, sheets and other bathroom supplies in good order. You may consider using baskets in the cabinet itself to you have better access to the supplies that would end up in the back of the cabinet. You'll also be able to store more of the small items that typically cause the clutter problem in your bathroom.

Adding A Shower Enclosure Can Transform Your Bathroom!

In these days of deadlines and time limits, shower enclosures are an increasingly popular option. Jumping in the shower is a time-saving alternative to a long soak in the tub, so having a shower enclosure fitted in your bathroom can transform your daily routine. As well as providing a practical function, a shower stall enclosure can look sleek and modern, adding a touch of style to your home. To help create a feeling of openness and spaciousness, an all glass shower enclosure can be the perfect choice. Shower stall enclosures made from tempered safety glass can let the light shine through, brightening up your shower times! Clear glass is great if you have some decorative bathroom tiles you want to show off.

Alternatively, for the more modest, there is a selection of colored, moldered and etched glass patterns. A frameless shower enclosure offers an up to date look, which also benefits from being easier to keep clean than the more traditional framed option. Simply use a squeegee to remove water droplets to prevent mold growth.

When looking at bathroom shower enclosures, do not be afraid to ask manufacturers for their advice on which style would fit in with your bathroom's design and layout. Pay attention to all the details, such as the finish of your shower door hardware. Choices range from satin chrome to brushed nickel and brass, depending on the style of your existing bathroom fixtures. Look at a range of shower doors to find one that meets your needs and looks the part.

With a bit of thought you can find a shower enclosure that is ideal for your needs, which will provide many years of outstanding performance. As much as a relaxing bath is very pleasant, it's always nice to have the option of a quick shower!

Simon Phillips 

Add A Splash Of Color To Your Bathroom With A New Shower Curtain!

If your bathroom is looking a bit tired, but you don't have the money to spend on refurbishing it, then a simple touch such as adding a new shower curtain could work wonders. If you are on a budget then a shower curtain is an inexpensive way to instantly liven up your bathroom and give it a fresh new look. As well as looking good, a shower curtain is a practical way to prevent water spraying out into the rest of the bathroom and damaging your furnishings. Shower curtains come all kinds of different designs, so whatever your personal style and the color scheme in your bathroom you are sure to find something that will look great. Many people like to have a specific theme in their bathroom décor and try to find a shower curtain to fit in with this. For example, aquatic and nautical themes are very popular. You can find a wide range of shower curtains along these lines, with images such as dolphins, fish and sailboats in loads of different colors.

In addition to images, there are an enormous variety of different patterns when it comes to shower curtains. All kinds of stripes, polka dots and plaid designs can be found. There is also a fantastic selection of shower curtains designed especially for children, which can be a great addition to bath times.

These days shower curtains can be made from several types of material, most of which can be easily cleaned in a washing machine. Plastic and polyester are widely available. Cotton ones can also be found, but it is worth checking if you will need to buy a separate liner to make sure your curtain is waterproof. Liners can be bought at low prices from the same stores that sell shower curtains. You will also need to have a rod or rail to hang your curtain from. These are easy to install above a bathtub or shower stall. Shower rods and hooks come in a choice of different finishes, so you can find something to match your other bathroom fixtures.

So, if you want to smarten up your bathroom on a budget, sometimes the simplest option, such as a new shower curtain, can be remarkably effective!

Caroline Smith