Thursday 21 June 2012

Modern Curtains & Blinds


When you are redecorating your home the choice you make when it comes to window coverings can make a huge difference to your overall look and feel.  It is definitely worthwhile looking into the enormous variety of designs and materials there are on the market.  By combining your design ideas with the various materials available to you, you can create a wonderful effect that really compliments the decor of your room.  Whether you are looking for modern blinds or simple modern curtains there is such a wide range of materials available you will be sure to find the perfects ones to incorporate into your home designs.

If you decide you want add some modern blinds to your room decor there are many materials to choose from.  In recent years metal blinds have become increasingly popular.  Metal blinds give a sleek, up to date effect and as metal is so hardwearing it can be cleaned easily.  Different types of metal are available but aluminium is the most sought after when it comes to modern blinds.  Another fashionable material choice for modern blinds is wood.  Wood blinds can give your room a warm and homely feel and is very natural.  If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to wood and metal then you can choose from materials like vinyl or PVC.  These materials are used to create robust and stylish modern blinds and available in a huge variety of colours and designs and are definitely suited to more modern styles of decor.  Modern blinds can be used on their own for a contemporary look that will also make a room appear larger or can be used in conjunction with curtains, valences or drapes.  Combining these features can create a feeling of depth to your window dressing.

If you prefer to use modern curtains for your window covering you will find that nowadays they come in a variety of fabrics from heavy to light and airy.  Regardless of your preferences there are a few factors that you need to consider before you purchase your modern curtains.  Firstly you will need to measure your window.  Record the height and the width and also allow room for shrinkage.

You will then need to choose a style of curtain.  There are different styles to choose from, casual, semi- formal or formal.  There are also variations within these styles like tab tops and eyelets.  These types of curtain are easy to install and are suitable for a more casual room like a kitchen.  For a more formal room like a living or dining area you should choose a more formal curtain, something like a pleated style would fit well within a formal room.  You will then need to choose your fabric.  Modern curtains come in a variety of fabrics both natural and man-made.  It is a good idea to get swatches and check them against your furniture so that you get a good match.

Modern curtains will give you privacy and style as well as bringing some colour and elegance to your room.  With the huge array of fabrics and styles available you will be sure to find the perfect modern blinds or curtains for your home.

Thursday 7 June 2012

Make Your Home A Stunning Haven


The majority of people have to careful how they spend their money in this current economic climate.  One area where it is easy to cut back on expenditure is home furnishings.  You can do this by looking at the cheaper options when it comes to furnishing your home.   A lot of manufacturers of expansive furniture will tell you that buying cheaper flat pack furniture may be false economy, but this is probably because they want you to purchase their expensive stuff.  When buying home furnishings it is important to keep in mind the anticipated level of day to day usage.  This is definitely going to vary depending on whether you have children or pets at home or whether there are just two of you.  An alternative to buying brand new home furnishings you can also visit charity shops and second hand stores where you will be surprised by the range of home furnishing items.

If you do not wish to buy at all then there is nothing wrong with rejuvenating items you already have.  If you already own furniture that suits the style and mood of a room then all you need to do is resurrect it.  Pretty much any piece of furniture can be given a new lease of life and you can do this by painting it, stripping it down or liming.  Painting furniture white can give it an appearance of shabby elegance and this is a look that can work in almost every room of your home.  Mdf and pine furniture can also be given this effect and you will end up with furniture that looks like renaissance decadence but on the cheap! Woods dyes, fabrics, treatments and finishes are all in expensive ways of rejuvenating your furniture but bear in mind that it can take a lot of time and effort to achieve the result you want.

When you buy cheaper furniture from places like IKEA you are not limited to stick with what you have got.  You can add your own design tweaks to tart up your furniture and make it fit in with the theme of your room.  You could use mirrored or ceramic tiles and simply stick them on to your furniture to add a touch of Hollywood glitz and glamour or even a contemporary twist.  When furnishing a small room using mirrored furniture is a good idea s it can make a room appear brighter.  This is especially useful if the room does not get a lot of natural light from windows.

There are so many ways to use home furnishings to your advantage and make your home a stunning haven.  With so many websites and blogs out there dedicated to giving you advice and tips on how to rejuvenate and spruce up your home furnishings, you shouldn’t have too much trouble creating different styles within the rooms in your home without having to break the bank.  Look at your current furniture to see what can be done before you go out and buy new items.