Lifestyle & Trends - Home Decorating

Lower costs make now a great time for a bathroom remodel

Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up. If so, you're part of the re-energized remodeling market. For the first time since 2006, home-improvement spending is up, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Read More

Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days

Replacing dark accessories with brighter, lighter ones is a fast, easy way to lighten the mood in your home. Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from some home decor experts to get you started. Read More

Rounded, organic shapes soften a bathroom's style

A major concept unveiled this year in bath design was "soft geometry" - using rounded, organic shapes in room structures and products to soften a bathroom's style. Learn how you can use this top trend, as well as others, in your next remodeling project. Read More

Virtual showrooms make shopping for bathroom renovations easier

Big box store or specialty showroom, the hardware store down the street or the home improvement center four towns over - just where do you go when it's time to shop for your bathroom renovation? If you're looking for the widest range of options in colors, sizes, shapes and brands in hard-to-shop-for items, the answer just might be - "online." Read More

Help kids get back into the swing of school with simple room updates

There's no avoiding the return to school. But parents can help kids ease the transition by creating an environment that's comforting -- and conducive to learning at the same time. If your child is struggling to adjust to going back to school, some simple changes in her bedroom might help make the move less difficult. Read More

Decorate your dorm room to express yourself

Freshmen heading off to college don't have to over-think decorating dorm rooms. Save all that mental energy for your studies. Creating inexpensive and interesting living spaces is easier than your high school finals. Read More

Practical upgrades pay off in kitchens and bathrooms

Practical pays off when it comes to kitchen and bath renovations. Gone are the days when virtually every kitchen or bathroom remodel involved top-of-the-line luxury upgrades and a budget big enough to fund an Ivy League education. Today's homeowners want more value for their remodeling dollars, and that means turning to improvements that make both functional and fiscal sense. Read More

Color, murals can turn your kid's room into a castle

The effect of color and decor on mood is widely recognized by both designers and psychologists - but among the general public, not so much. You can use color and decor to help your kids relax after a hectic day or stimulate them when it's time to get up. A wallpaper mural is a great way to incorporate both color and theme into the decor in your child's room. Read More

Just married? How to reconcile your decorating differences

After the "I dos" are exchanged and the reception is over, couples find out that the realities of cohabitation do not always make for smooth sailing, especially when it comes to blending different tastes and styles. While newlyweds find themselves saying "I do" at the altar, that phrase frequently turns into "I don't" when the couple begins combining two unique decorating styles into a single household. Read More

Get more bang for your renovation buck in the bedroom

Whether you're renovating to attract potential buyers, or to improve your enjoyment of your house, sprucing up the master bedroom has multiple benefits. You can make the most of your money by adding high-quality, high-impact touches like these. Read More

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