Archive for January, 2010
Wintertime Home Decorating
Most people begin the home decorating process for winter with a bang only to end with a whimper. Far too few people realize that Christmas is only the beginning of the winter season and that while Christmas decorations are a nice addition, they are also a temporary decorative addition in most homes lasting little more than a month if that long. This leaves two more months of winter with a sparsely decorated home in many cases.
There are many things that are associated with winter however far too many of these things have been swept under the category of Christmas décor and their values as simple hallmarks of winter have been forgotten or relegated to the mere distinction of yet another Christmas decoration. Winter months for some are long and cold. Anything that brings a feeling of warmth and cheer into the home is for the most part an excellent idea as a winter home decoration.
Believe it or not, hibernating animals for many brings about a feeling of winter. Try using black bears as a home decorating theme to make your home feel a little more cozy and better prepared for the cold nights of wintertime. Flannel is a great companion to these delightful black bears and can be used in throws, bedding, and curtains in order to complete the look with style and finesse. In fact, you might want to throw in a few flannel pillows so that you can attempt to hibernate right alongside the cuddly black bears. These are quite popular home decorations as of late so you should have no problem finding a bear or two unless you happen to be in my neighborhood because I’ve probably snapped them all up already.
Fireplaces. There isn’t enough that can be said about the ability of a nice roaring fire to add warmth and a wintertime glow to almost any room. It really isn’t winter for most people unless there is a nice fire burning in the grate. The warmth is so much more than merely physical it is also soul soothing and comforting to watch a fire burning brightly before your eyes while warming your cold hands and feet. These nifty devices can also add a touch of romance to your winter nights so be sure to keep cozy blankets and candles close by as well.
Speaking of candles. Much like a fireplace candles add a warm cheerfulness to the rooms they touch. There are certain fragrances that are perfect for wintertime candle burning but even less appropriate fragrances are often welcome during winter months as they provide the soft glow that makes the world seem so much smaller and friendlier in the process. Keep this in mind as you are shopping for your winter home decorating ideas as well as the fact that fragrances matter when creating an atmosphere so choose the fragrances appropriately to the season.
Use pillows and blankets in your winter decorating to add layers of warmth and comfort as well as visual appeal. It is amazing the things that the mind can do in the winter but one of the more amazing things it does is convince you that you are warm when you are surrounded by warmth. With blankets and pillows lining your sofas and chairs however, if your mind doesn’t convince you there is always the option of just bundling up and letting your body convince your mind. There is also something soothing about the comfort and close softness of the pillows and blankets whether one is in perfect health or really feeling the chill of winter down to their bones.
Don’t let the celebration of winter end when the Christmas tree comes down. Find ways to incorporate warmth into your home decorating style that only winter can accommodate. Embrace the season with affection and laughter and all that enter your home will be warmed by the charming atmosphere inside.
Mobile Home Decorating
Mobile home decorating presents challenges regarding space. The rooms in mobile homes are small and will require ideas and tips about decorating small spaces. If you have plans for decorating your mobile home, they may need to be compromised somewhat because of the space. However, there are ways to achieve your ideal theme in mobile home decorating.
The first step in mobile home decorating or decorating any small space is to get rid of the clutter. Sort through your things and get rid of any unnecessary or unwanted articles. This will automatically make your space look bigger. Find places to hide things like under table skirts or behind closed doors. Making sure everything is neatly stored and out of view will open up the space. While moving things and clearing away, you may want to rearrange your furniture. Make sure large pieces of furniture are not blocking walkways or entrances. Also place tall pieces of furniture on a wall and not in an open space. Mobile home decorating is about creating space in an area that doesn’t have much space.
Choosing color is important in mobile home decorating. In order to create an open, larger atmosphere, you should use light, cool colors. Painting your walls in soft tones of blue or green will provide an open, airy feel. You should also choose colors within the same color family in mobile home decorating. Not only when picking paint colors but also when choosing fabric for curtains or upholstery.
Rooms look larger when they are well-lit. In mobile home decorating it is very important to ensure rooms have plenty of light. Stay away from heavy curtains or drapes for your windows. Use window treatments that are lighter to allow the brightness from the outside in. To provide plenty of light in your rooms, have lamps, track lighting or recessed lighting installed. Small spaces need more light.
There are little tricks for mobile home decorating. Using reflective materials is one trick to make a room appear larger. Using mirrored tiles or a large mirror on a wall will definitely make a room look larger. You may not be fond of mirrored walls but this may be one compromise you’ll have to make. Another trick is to use see-through materials. This will make objects look further away. This idea could be used in shower doors or table tops.
When choosing furniture for mobile home decorating, it is better to pick big pieces. This may sound strange but a few bigger pieces of furniture, is much better than several small pieces of furniture. Using several pieces, the space is cluttered while two or three bigger pieces will allow for more openness in a room. If covering your furniture, be sure to pick plain colors instead of prints, plaids or stripes. If wanting to add something extra, use texture but also in plain neutral tones. Choosing plain colors and neutral colors for light, sheer window treatments, bedskirts and tablecloths will provide an airy feeling as well. Owning a small home like a mobile home can provide problems when decorating but if you follow advice and suggestions for mobile home decorating, your home could be comfortable and feel much larger than it actually is.