Shop Room Ideas – Page 43 – Home Decorating Ideas, DIY Projects, Home and Garden, Renovations, and More!

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[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#000000″ txt_color=”#ffffff”]Small bathrooms are an awesome way to put your design talents to the challenge! These cute small spaces offer plenty of room for added character and style. [/mks_pullquote]

Changing the appearance of your bathroom is a major challenge! Complete renovation is sometimes the only logical and acceptable solution, whether we like to admit it or not. Before embarking on your renovation, it’s important to choose decorating components that you love and that will also meet the daily needs of your family.

For all the small bathroom owners out there, here are 8 mind blowing makeover inspirations to inspire your next project.

1. Before: The Downright Embarrassing Bathroom

After years of use, your bathroom may be showing signs of age. Dirty grout, a leaking toilet, and caulking that seems to separate from the tile are all signs of an urgent renovation.

After: A Calm Country Oasis

DESIGN TIP: Create storage space in your small bathroom with chic shelving placed above the toilet. You can find baskets at IKEA to hold your toiletries. Baskets or containers keep your stuff clean and sanitary from the germs and also look stylish!

An insanely impressive renovation, this new bathroom takes advantage of natural light to give the effect of a larger space. Octagon tiles are extremely popular for bathrooms because the illusion of a small pattern makes the floor appear larger.

2. Before: Dark and Dated

Brown walls, outdated hardwood, and a mirror too small for the vanity limited the potential of this small bathroom.

After: Airy and Sexy

What a breath of fresh air! The newly renovated bathroom looks bigger, brighter, and cleaner. The owners chose a circular mirror with a brown leather frame, to match the natural elements in this bathroom A black marble sink adds drama and beautifully compliments the geometric tile

3. Before: The Builder’s Bathroom

Builder’s bathrooms are the ultimate design plague haunting homeowners across America.

Dull, boring, and crying for help, they’re just begging for a coat of fresh paint and a magical renovation. This bathroom screams potential. It has plenty of space and a double sink which offer endless opportunities for added character and style.

After: A Tasteful Copper and Metallic Twist

It all comes down to what you love! When faced with a double sink vanity, you can place a large horizontal mirror on the wall or two individual mirrors. Individual mirrors are a good idea because they show off a beautiful metallic backsplash as shown here.

4. Before: Lifeless and Unwelcoming

Poor lighting and a lack of focal point in this bathroom offer opportunity for a total glam makeover.

After: Clean and Stylish

Proof that even the smallest changes can achieve a huge difference. A graphic print wallpaper has become the focal point of this space without overpowering its overall look. The matching marble countertop and tile look consistent and pulled together.

5. Before: Teenage Disaster

Thinking about decorating your small bathroom? Stay far away from black and dark colors. If you want to incorporate dark shades, choose accent pieces such as towels, accessories, or a patterned fabric or tile.

After: Grown-up and Modern

Matte metals are a timeless choice for any bathroom renovation. Here the owners decorated with a matte gold wall light, black matte mirror and plumbing fixtures. With matte becoming more and more popular, it is readily available online or even at your local hardware store.

6. Before: Begging For Mercy

Starving for attention, this bathroom was completely outdated from the green walls to the peach vanity. Although still “usable,” this bathroom desperately needed a complete update to bring it to the 21st century.

After: A Breath of Fresh Air

During the renovation, more space was created by ripping out the old, boxy vanity filled with clutter and junk. In its place are new porcelain sinks with nickel plated and crystal faucets. The vanity’s legs feature an elegant, soft shape that was paired with white wainscotting for a country look. Brown wood and woven baskets were used as storage – an affordable and pretty design option.

7. Before: Small Bathroom Dilemma

DESIGN TIP: Looking to create storage? Think vertical, not horizontal. Shelving can be installed higher for extra storage.

Small bathroom renovations such as this one can seem daunting, but don’t fret. Due to their small size, you won’t need as much material so you can treat yourself and spend a little more on higher quality tiles and vanities.

After: Well Thought-Out Solution

If you are faced with a very small bathroom renovation, make use of small corners for ample storage space. Stick to clean, boxy lines for a modern twist that will look polished in a tiny area. A geometric print will draw the eye away from the small size of the space.

8. Before: Princess Theme Disaster

Maybe this seemed like a good idea when the kids were younger, but the homewoners of this bathroom wanted a fresh new look.

DESIGN TIP: Pink is beautiful if used in small quantities, just don’t overdo it or else you will have a pink mess on your hands!

After: A Bathroom Fit For Queen

Elegant and timeless, the homeowners decided to tranform their bathroom into a vintage farmhouse setting. Wooden shelves were installed for towels which are an easy reach from the bathub. A vanity with large drawers provides more than enough storage space. The artwork was added for a burst of color that makes the space feel more like home.

Renovating your bathroom? Send us your before and after pictures and we would love to feature them!

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Winter Checklist: How To Prep Your Home for the Coldest Time of Year

by Josie

Fall is amongst us and before we know it, winter is right around the corner! Prep your home for the cooler months with 5 easy tips!

Fireplace Facelift

Don’t forget to have your chimney and fireplace inspected each year by a professional chimney sweep! Each year you should be cleaning out your chimney for soot and creosete build up. Grab a flashlight and check for any birds nests or broken bricks. Remember: safety first! Build-up in your chimney is a danger to your family, as it can cause carbon monoxide to enter your home.

Check your fireplace for drafts and air leakage. Make sure your fireplace damper is not worn out, broken, or rusty as this can cause cold air to enter your house. A professional may install a chimney balloon in to the flue to seal the area tightly. Always consult with a professional before making any changes.

STYLE TIP: Make your fireplace cozy and stylish by adding some firewood in a corner. Even if you have a gas fireplace, it’s still looks romantic and cute. Candles are also an option and can be lit in the evening when your family watches TV together.

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Style At Home

Protect Your Patio Furniture

Patio furniture can be a big investment, and if you leave it outside the harsh winter can do a lot of damage. TIP: Make sure you dry your patio furniture from Globo Surf and cover it with a heavy tarp to protect from water damage. If you can, store it in your garage or even rent a storage unit where it can stay in a dry place. Humidity, wind, sun, and rain can damage patio furniture and will fade it’s color. It’s an essential that you have a place to store your furniture to ensure it lasts many years to come.

Stock Up On Cozy Blankets

The easiest way to create winter style in your home? Drape super soft faux-fur blankets on your furniture. Fir can really change a summery room into a more appropriately styled space for the cooler months. What’s trending right now? Faux-fur blankets in soft white and cream colors.

Brad Norris/Grainger Home

Decor TIP: How do you style a fur blanket? Option 1 :If you’re going for structured style, fold the blanket lengthwise and drape it over the center of your couch. Then, place a pillow on top n the center. It’s a perfect way to inject some color and layered appeal to your couch. Option 2: Simple fold it and drape it over the arm of a chair or couch.

Weatherstripping Your Doors and Windows

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Pickell Architecture

Did you know? You can save 10-15% on your heating bill this winter by replacing old weatherstripping on your windows and door frames to prevent heating loss. Replace the weatherstripping if it’s old and worn out. The most common type of weatherstripping is the super affordable “V seal.” It can be cut with scissors, then you peel and stick it to the edges of your door or window.

Clear Out Your Kitchen

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Jane Kelly Design

Check your fridge to make sure you’ve thrown out those expired, summer kitchen staples: old salad dressings, wilted veggies, and that barbeque sauce nobody really liked. Clean out your fridge and wipe it down with baking soda and soap. Don’t forget to line your drawers with paper towl to absorb excess moisture and check for any liquids that may have leaked in any cracks.

TIP: Clean off your countertops! Take a look around and decide what you won’t need next year If your tight on space, remove barbecue utensils, decorative summer glasses and plates and store them in a plastic container for next year. Make room for the crock pot and bread machine that you will use to stir up those yummy winter recipes. Don’t forget to organize your shelves to make room for mugs that will be used for hot drinks.

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Buyer’s Guide: 5 Secrets To Choosing The Best Quality Furniture For Your Home

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by Josie

[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#000000″ txt_color=”#ffffff”]These 5 easy secrets will help you recognize a timeless quality piece from a wolf in sheep’s clothing.[/mks_pullquote][mks_dropcap style=”letter” size=”60″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]E[/mks_dropcap]very new design challenge is like a blank canvas, and every home is a work of art in progress. Once you’ve decided what you want your home to look like, defined a budget, and picked out an awesome color palette, it’s time to hit the shops in search of the perfect furniture to complete your home. So how do you choose the best quality furniture that will stand the test of time?

Dining chairs, beds, and sofas are pieces that will see the most traffic and will bear a lot of wear and tear throughout the years. If you know how to choose great quality furniture and care for it properly, these pieces will not only last a lifetime, but can be passed on to your future generations!

Take some tips from the professionals as we reveal 5 secrets that will help you choose the best quality furniture for your budget!

Invest In Quality Custom Furniture

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Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

With proper care, custom furniture can become a collector’s item and a great return on investment!

Experts agree the dining room is the wisest place to invest in custom furniture. It’s a high traffic area and a space that shows off your exquisite taste in design and décor. A comfortable dining chair is the focal point of any gorgeous dining area, and creates a welcoming gathering place to entertain family and friends.

The best part of investing in custom furniture? You have total control of the look, comfort, and finish of your furniture that will stand out from the crowd and last for many years to come.

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Amy N Lee design

Custom furniture is a great choice because it’s made with expert craftsmanship, comfort, and beautiful details in mind to ensure your furniture is a timeless classic. With proper care they can become a collector’s item and a great return on investment!

Study The Finish Closely

Run your hands over the material to check for bumps, splinters, and an uneven surface.

You don’t need to be an expert to scrutinize the details when shopping for furniture. Take a closer look at the basics. High quality furniture will have an even and opaque finish, with no visible brush strokes or bubbles on the surface. Paint and wood stains should emphasize a beautiful wood grain, and should not be used to camouflage flaws.

Know What Kind of Wood Your Buying

In the furniture world, it’s important to know what type of wood your paying for. Once you’re armed with this knowledge, you can haggle with the seller for a better price.

Solid Wood – Solid wood is the highest quality and can withstand more use, PLUS it can be easily repaired. The good news? Solid wood has a range of 9-60 stain options. If you want to refinish your wood down the line to a more modern color, you have endless options.

“Wood Veneers” – Furniture made of wooden veneers has the beautiful look of solid wood, but for a cheaper price. This means a cheaper particleboard construction with thin layers of “solid wood” glued on top. The layers are usually around 3mm (1/8 inches) thick. It looks great and is more affordable, but is susceptible to peeling and water damage.

Particleboard – The cheapest of all options, particleboard is a combination of wood pulp and scrap wood, combined with plastic and glue. This is the most affordable type of furniture, but won’t hold up for many years. Furniture companies tend to sell high ticket items made of this material, so make sure you know what you’re buying before you pay.

Leather vs. Plastic

Fun fact: Polyurethane furniture is not as environmentally friendly, since it takes 500 years to become biodegradable vs leather at just 50 years.

This one comes down to durability and lifespan. Traditional leather furniture is overall a better investment than faux-leather, also known as polyurethane.

Although faux leather is easy to clean with just a quick wipe of the sponge, it is susceptible to cracking and UV damage caused by sunlight. If you’re buying furniture for a sunny room in your house, leather is a smarter choice in the long run.

Test It Out and Get Physical

Designer tip: A second opinion never hurt anybody. Shop with a friend to help you test out that new bed or chair you have your eye on. Chances are they may notice something you won’t!

You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first, would you? Shopping for high quality furniture should be approached with the same mindset. Sit on that chair or couch you have your eye on, bounce up and down and don’t be shy to even lie down on it. Better quality furniture should be comfortable, more ample sized, and heavy. The higher the quality of raw materials, cushions, and springs, the more weight will be added to the item.