Simple Ways to Decorate Your Dorm Room 

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Add Impromptu Seating

There are many ways to add seating without bringing in extra chairs or a couch. You can get mats, poufs, and floor cushions. Stack them in a corner or place them at the foot of your bed to make them easily accessible but away from high traffic areas. Even if you don’t plan to do a lot of entertaining, the pieces offer relief from sitting in a chair or lying on a bed

Image via: Flickr

Get Creative with Storage

The most important word you should remember when creating storage in your dorm room is stacking. Turn every hidden space and nook into a storage area. For example, you can put your laptop in your desk drawer, fill the floor of your closet, and slide empty suitcases under your bed. If horizontal space isn’t enough, make use of vertical space.

Light Up

Dorm lighting isn’t the best in the world. Add different light sources to brighten up your room. Since you don’t have to pay for utilities, you can add as many fixtures as you want. However, be careful not to go overboard. Lights that look good in dorm rooms include desk lamps, pendant lamps, floor lamps, and rope lights.

Image via: Flickr

Many college students see dorm rooms as unavoidable realities of the higher learning experience. However, a dorm room doesn’t have to be dull and lifeless; it can be a warm and inviting place everyone wants to spend time in. Since you don’t have to abide by your parents rules, you can make it the area of your dreams. Use these dorm room décor ideas to make your dorm room a small heaven on earth. You’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd with these ideas to decorate your dorm room.

What creative ways do you know to decorate your dorm room?

How to Give Your Bedroom a Spring Color Boost

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Paint your Bedroom

A fresh coat of paint can always do magic in changing the mood of a place. You can apply this technique to your bedroom too. To choose the color of the paint, look out of the window and draw your inspiration from the Mother Nature. It can be the bright and invigorating colors of your favorite flowers or a soft and refreshing one found on the new leaves of trees. You can also choose a bright hue as the primary color of the room and build the color scheme around it.

Change the Bedding

New linens can make the bedroom totally different – no need to buy a new bed or a furniture piece! Update your duvet cover with some super soft and chic linen pieces. After that, splash a pop of color on the neat and clean bedding with a few vigorous throw pillows. They will break the monotony of the white or neutral bedding. You can jazz things up by choosing aqua and golden pillows with orange bolster. Additionally, roll out a rug that features bright spring colors.

Image via: iVillage

Fresh Flowers and Vase

No other décor elements can take the place of a bunch of fresh flowers. Flowers add colors and offer a unique sense of energy and freshness. Choose some colorful seasonal flowers or various types of orchids, as they are available in many wonderful shades. To keep these flowers, purchase a nice flower vase. A combination of blue and white (or any other suitable color combo) will be fine for a vase that can rest on your bedside table or nightstand.

Accessories

Artworks, colorful rugs, and great accessories can make a room smile. They are very effective if the color scheme of your bedroom is neutral. On the backdrop of grey, taupe, or white, embellish the room with accents in various patterns and colors. If soft and relaxing pastel colors like greens, yellows, or soft blues are the primary colors of your bedroom, accent them with brighter accessories.

Image via: BHG

Apart from making you relaxed, the bedroom should also have a refreshing vibe to exhilarate your body and mind. Bringing spring colors to the bedroom can do that job very well. The spring makeover for bedrooms should make the occupants feeling either rejuvenated or relaxed, or may be both. What other ways can you give your bedroom a spring color boost?

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

With the warm sunny evenings turning into chilly nights, it is absolutely necessary to make your bedding winter-ready. A lot of products are there to do the job – from cushy feather beds and woolly mattress pads, to fluffy blankets and soft flannel sheets. Here are some tips on how to keep the bed warm during the winter months:

How to Add Warmth to your Bedroom this Winter

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Use Flannel Sheets

There may be nothing better than flannel bedding if you want something inexpensive yet soft and warm for the base layers of your bed. Besides bumping up the warm-factor, flannel sheets are lightweight too because most of them are made of cotton. They are fitting for washing and drying but pill after several washings. So, choose higher thread count sheets to avoid pilling. If you want to double the warmth and coziness, add flannel duvet covers to the flannel sheets.

Cozy Down-Made Products

Use down blankets, comforters, and pillows to ensure the coziness and warmth of your bedding. Down-made products are also lightweight, which will ensure extra comfort. Down is considered one of the perfect products for comfy bedding because it can retain just the right degree of warmth for most bodies.

Add Layers with Sheets and Blankets

Adding layers is the best way to keep your bed snug during the chill. Once you have chosen the sheets, it is time for you to add a heavier blanket to the bed as your next line of defense. Just a plain simple one will be just fine. To keep the heat in, cover it up with a down duvet. People allergic to down can use one made of synthetic microfiber.

Image via: Bed Bath and Beyond

Add Extra Warmth with Wool Blankets

If you live in a comparatively colder area or in a cabin or a home with very low heat, add a wool blanket to your bedding for extra warmth. A unique quality of this material is that it retains heat even when wet. Fine wool blankets are something to be cherished and passed from generation to generation. The touch of wool might irritate your skin. So, put it between the duvet and the top flat sheet.

Image via: Le Souk

A Personal Piece to Warm the Soul

Sometime, a better way to keep the bed heated is to add something very personal and memorable – like a quilt handmade by your dear one. Quilts add warmth and comfort to any bed and the warmth of a quilt with a personal touch will straight go to your soul. If you do not have one, start the tradition by making one that can be passed down to your kids and to their kids too.

The right winter bedding should be one that will trap enough body heat to keep you warm besides being homely and relaxing at the same time. How will you keep your bedroom warm this winter?

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Simple Makeovers to Improve your Small Bathroom

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Brighten your Bathroom

Apart from using every inch of the bathroom wisely, you have do some makeovers to save it from looking cramped. A bright and light painting color along with plenty of lights creates illusion of space. To enlarge the space and to add interest to such a bright room, install high wainscoting and top the walls with a warm color shade. Using contrasting hardware on cabinets and doors will add architectural interest to a bright space.

Consider a Corner Sink to Save Space

A small bathroom has a narrow traffic lane and a pedestal sink can interrupt that track. So, you had better go with the option of installing a corner sink. In that case, do not place the sink across from the shower because that will create an uncomfortable walk-around situation at the time of opening and closing the shower door. Place the sink across from the toilet instead.

Choose low-profile trough sinks as a space solution. The clean-styling sinks are pleasing to look at and free up floor space when wall mounted. So, these sinks will also give room for storage and foot traffic.

Alternative Storage Solutions

Every bathroom needs certain storage space but in case of small bathrooms, you cannot sacrifice any surface area for that purpose. So, walls and behind-the-door area are the perfect places to create alternative storage. Install shelving unit into the walls and a small storage rack behind the door to keep containers, bottle, and other toiletries. Installing a double door cabinet extended to the ceiling is also a good idea. In that case, use glass fronts so that light gets reflected around the room and the bathroom does not look congested.

Over-the-Toilet Counter

Installing an over-the-toilet counter will also give some extra space for storing things. Either install a new one or extend the counter over the toilet. A wood or stone slab will be enough to do this makeover. It will create a discreet look and will not affect the toilet placement. If you know how to install a toilet, you can even try and get a less clunky model so that your extra space will be maximized. There are several new (and more modern-looking) models available that have a much slimmer profile and that automatically makes a smaller bathroom look larger.

Shower Curtain & Door

Wisely choose a shower curtain can also help freeing up some space. Instead of using an in-and-out moving glass door for the shower, save space by using a back-and-forth moving shower curtain. On the other hand, if your bathroom is too small, install a glass panel for the shower instead of a glass door. A glass panel will provide the elbow room besides keeping the water in the shower.

Use these helpful tips to make your small bathroom feel more functional, enjoyable and comfortable. Depending on its size determine what tips will benefit you the most. Your small bathroom can still be an enjoyable place to unwind and get ready in the morning!

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Looking to clean your kitchen this season in less time?  When the season changes and temperature drops, you just cannot come back to your home and have the kitchen ready for cooking. You have to clean it to make it ready for the colder days. Check out some ideas about how you can do the cleaning job:

Image via: Homes by Architects

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Clean the Refrigerator – Inside & Out

The refrigerator is one of the main points from where you can start your cleaning task. It needs a deep cleaning because the drips, spills, and other spots can get very dirty. Switch the power supply of the refrigerator off and remove the shelves, trays, bins, racks and other contents. Use an antibacterial cleaner to wash everything.

Clean the condenser coils, vacuum cleaner, and the decorative grill below the door of the refrigerator. Put everything back carefully and seal the door with door gasket to keep the cool air in and the warm air out.

Dishwasher: Clean your Kitchen

This appliance is used to clean up plates, dishes, cups, and glasses. However, it can get dirty too if not cleaned for a long time. To clean up the interior liner of the dishwasher, use some baking soda on a damp sponge. Use plastic scrubber if there is any stubborn stain. Use a deodorant, applicable for dishwasher, during the cleaning to make the appliance smell good.

Image via: Tidy House

The Pantry

Some people bake more in the fall. So, it is the good time to check your pantry and get rid of the expired baking supplies. Use up or donate any boxed or canned goods that will be expired in the next few months.

Stove/Oven

Cleaning the stove is a hazard but you have to do it because buying a new one will be expensive. You can skip some of the scrubbing works if your model is self-cleaning. The safest way of cleaning the oven will be to read its manual, which will surely have some cleaning recommendations. You can use oven cleaners or ammonia for the cleaning purpose. Do not forget wearing gloves and opening all the nearby windows during the cleaning job.

Cleaning Kitchen Areas:

Other spots in the kitchen that need to be cleaned are the sink, kitchen countertops, and backsplash. The sink can be nicely cleaned by using baking soda. On the other hand, use cleaner to clean the backsplash and the countertops. Scented cleaners are available in the market. Find one that will be perfect for the fall season.

Image via: The Kitchen

As kitchen is a busy place in the house, you have to clean it almost frequently. Occasional deep cleaning and regular maintenance will keep your kitchen germ and grease-free, looking brighter and smelling fresher.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Most of us want a home that looks like it could be featured within the pages of a home decorating magazine. For a lot of us, though, trying to decorate a home in any sort of planned fashion feels overwhelming. Here are some tips that will help you create a cohesive, organized and beautiful look for your home:

Ignore Fashion

When you walk through furniture showrooms and peruse home decorating magazines it’s easy to get overwhelmed by just how fashionable (and expensive) everything is!

Image via: Susan Glick Interiors

Here’s the truth: fashionable furniture and decorations are not meant to be touched. They’re meat to be photographed. You want a home that you can live in—a home that won’t be ruined if someone spills juice on the sofa or doesn’t notice a dropped chip on the floor before she steps on it. Aim for comfort and “livability” first. Look for washable fabrics, stain resistant carpets and rugs, etc. There’s plenty of beautiful stuff out there!

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The Color Wheel is Your Friend

If “cohesive” is a look you’re going for, create a color scheme for each room (or for your whole home). This way you can make sure that everything matches. These days following a color scheme is easier than it has ever been before. For example, now you can shop for art by color (which cuts down on the time you’ll need to shop for art considerably). Many stores group decorative items by color. You can even display your children’s art based upon which room’s color scheme it most matches.

Image via: Lieblingsdecke

DIY is Your Best Friend

Learning how to do things for yourself is a fantastic idea. It helps you save a ton of money. Painting your own rooms, learning to make your own simple pottery, sewing your own linens, curtains and even making your own basic furniture—these are all good skills to have. DIY is also considered incredibly fashionable right now and you’ll never stop loving the sense of pride you get when someone exclaims “you made that? That’s awesome!” If you’ve never done any DIY projects before, that’s okay—there are lots of tips and tricks you can learn to make your projects easier for you to master.

Image via: Alexander Design Group, Inc.

Minimalism

When you first start thinking about decorating your home, you probably picture the walls covered in art, every flat surface featuring something decorative, beautiful things everywhere you look. Stop! A beautiful home doesn’t have to be a filled up home. Leaving spaces empty can say quite a lot about you and your family too. In fact, the fewer things you put into a room, the more attention those things will get. Some families say that switching to a minimalist approach has even helped them with anxiety and stress because the open spaces help them feel calm instead of cluttered.

Above all else—even when you’re using these tips—you want to be patient. Yes, you want your home to be “finished” right now but here’s a truth decorators will never tell you: creating the perfect home takes time. It will look so much better if you’re patient and only decorate with things as you find them. Instead of hunting for inspiration, wait for it to strike! You’ll be glad you did.

For more summer home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Many people have the habit of curling up in their bedroom with a book or magazine before going to sleep. This good habit helps you unwind and after a stressful day it makes it easier to fall asleep. By arranging for enough lighting and other bedside amenities, you can make this bedtime reading very comfortable. Here are tips to make your bedroom more comfortable for bedtime reading.

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Use Task Lighting

The first thing you have to arrange for is enough lighting to save your eyes from strain. Natural light is a good option but it is not enough to read by. You will need alternative light source, especially to read at night. Task lighting will be great for reading as it, unlike table lamps, can be adjusted to shine directly on the reading materials. Adjustable lamps like gooseneck works best for task lighting. On the other hand, it will be better to use incandescent bulbs for task lighting because they produce tender, white light that is bright enough to read by.

Image via: FORMA Design

Pillows

Pillows can be a great addition to comfortable reading as they provide adequate support for your back, neck, and head so that you can enjoy reading comfortably. Choose a pillow that will hold up your back while you loosen up in bed. Some pillows are designed to support the back and neck while another type of pillows designed to support the arms too. You should experiment before purchase to make sure that you are buying the right pillow.

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Bed Lights

One of the most annoying situations can be the moment when you are about to fall asleep with a book in hands but you have to get up from bed to turn off the light. Make use of bed lights to avoid this torture. Consider installing dedicated reading lamps on one or both sides of the bed. These fixtures will create a private corner for you on the bed besides providing adequate light for reading books. However, the greatest advantage of them is that you do not have to leave the comfort of your bed to turn them off.

Choose Flexible Lighting Fixtures

Wall-mounted reading lights above the bed or close to the bedsides are a good option but articulated reading lights will give you the maximum flexibility. You can adjust these lights according to your height and reading position. However, choose a style that will cast light in a single thin beam rather than disseminating it over the surrounding space.

Shelf for Books

You will also need a good storage to place your books before going to sleep because tossing up on the floor is not a good option. A bookshelf built into the headboard wall, a shelf beneath the bed, a slim tiered shelf beside the bed, or a nightstand can solve this problem.

Image via: Flickr

You can also make use of other amenities like clip-on book lights or padded headboard. However, just make sure that you are getting the comfort that you have been seeking for.

For more bedroom ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! To all of you who are trying to make a statement in your master bedroom – why not do it with a rustic reclaimed wood headboard? Today’s DIY Saturday – watch a video showing how to make a reclaimed wood headboard, then see other ways to make a focal point over your master bed.

Image via: Rice Design

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Video – How to make a reclaimed wood headboard

Link to video –> How to make a reclaimed wood headboard

How to create a focal point over your master bed

Master bedroom is strictly a private place in your home where you can be completely of your own. Though it is mainly used for sleeping purpose, this room should be decorated nicely. You can bring a very dramatic and aesthetic look into your bedroom by simply creating a gorgeous focal point on the wall over the master bed.

Image via: Bloombety

Use Decorative Pieces

If you do not have the ability to afford a luxurious master bed, you have to adopt a different way to create the focal point. Consider hanging some elusive artworks on the barren wall over the bed. It may not be eye catching but can still add some characters to the desolate wall. You can give a touch of grandiosity by adding one or two antique scones over the artworks. Instead of using artworks, you can create the same effect by hanging a single decorative piece on the wall over the bed. Opt for pieces that will take colors from adjacent walls and will not contend with your bed and bedding.

Create a Luxurious & Bold Statement

If you want to bring a jaw-dropping look into your bedroom, invest on a grand and expensive master bed. A bed with a majestic decorative canopy combined with wonderfully patterned headboard standing tall against the wall will look great in a bedroom. For making it more attractive, you can use bold-colored leather or fabric on the headboard. Your bed should also be soft and covered with lush sheets and comfy pillows so that it creates an inviting effect. If your bedroom is considerably high, create a nice, bottom-to-ceiling focal point by using decorative fabrics or wallpaper on the wall behind the bed.

Image via: Digs Digs

Clever Use of Light

A large window can possibly be the most inexpensive way of creating a focal point in the bedroom. A light source – natural or artificial – can be a great focal point and add an instant appeal over your bed. In case of window, you can use blinds, curtains, or cellular shades to control the sunshine. In case of artificial lighting, try to use a more diffuse light instead of a strong bulb on the ceiling. Use a nightstand lamp or a lantern covered with canvas or thin bamboo sticks to create an interesting look. A unique lighting spot can also be created by hanging a pendant light or chandelier over the bed.

Architectural Features

Architectural features can also be used as a central point of attraction. A nice furniture item or accessory made of wood or iron can instantly catch the attention. The same effect can be created with a brick or textured wall. Painting the wall behind the bed in a different way can also fulfill your purpose.

Image via: Interiorholic

A striking focal point will make your bed feel great. Besides highlighting the master bed, it will also enhance the look of the wall.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

A sunroom is a great place to enjoy the sunlight. It provides you warmth during winter and let you to enjoy the brightness of the sun without getting burned during the summertime. It is a good addition to any house for multiple reasons. It provides extra sunlight that enhances the space beautifully, increases the value of a home, and provides extra space for relaxing or carrying out recreational activities.

Image via: Fraerman Associates Architecture

Set the Budget & Choose the Location

Setting up a sunroom is not a cheap project. So, you had better sort out the sources and set up the amount of your budget before starting planning and construction. Lining up the financing at the very beginning will let you to know the financial limitations you face when constructing the room. You can save thousands of dollars in building costs by planning the project properly.

After that, pick up a suitable location to set up the sunroom. You can take professional help in this regard by contacting a company that builds only sunrooms. Such a company can help you fixing a design as well as a location that will ensure maximum sunlight at different seasons.

Image via: Lucy Interior Design

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Choose the Features

Determine some features that you want to include in your sunroom. Finalize some issues like the size of the sunroom, type of flooring material, heating and cooling systems to be used, the way to access from house to the room, etc. In order to amplify heat, you can capture the sun’s energy by using thermal glass and tile- or stone-made flooring. On the other hand, ceiling fans and vents can be used as cooling systems. The ventilation can also be enhanced by using vent skylights. They will also allow sunlight into the room. In fact, the features will mostly depend on the climate of the area you live.

Image via: Pinterest

Consider its Usage

The design of the sunroom will also depend on its usage. You can use it for growing plants, for recreation of your children, as a cocktail lounge for events and parties, as a complementary dining space, for keeping pets and birds, or for multiple functions. You should consider these factors while planning the design of the sunroom.

Lighting & Colors

It is very important to set up the right lighting and use the appropriate colors. The lighting should be arranged in a way that it creates a relaxing and quiet atmosphere besides generating a feel-good effect. On the other hand, using bright colors will bring a cheery mood inside the room. Instead of using vivid colors on the walls, you can add brightness by adding colors on accessories like pillows, cushions, upholstery on chairs and sofas, etc.

Sometimes, you do not need to build a sunroom in order to have one. If you are smart enough, you can transform a spare bedroom with lots of windows or an outdoor patio into a sunroom of sorts.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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In every home, the bedroom should be treated with a special touch. The living room is the most public room, the kitchen is the hub of all household activities, but the bedroom should carry a tranquil air. A blissful atmosphere in bedroom can help relieving stresses and giving a night of peaceful sleep. Try these ways to make your bedroom a blissful sanctuary:

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Make it Clean and Simple

Try to remove as much item as possible from the room. Keep or add only those things that you truly love. Add a range of delightful textures like smooth wood furniture, washed linen sheets, or lumpy sisal rugs. Adorn your bedroom with inspiring artworks, treat your eyes by placing a vase with cut flowers on the nightstand, and amplify the natural light with mirrors – small or large.

Add Soothing Lighting Fixtures

Lighting is another factor in changing or creating a mood. Bright light is not suitable for bedroom as it stimulates the brain and makes it harder to have a peaceful sleep. So, avoid using fluorescent in the bedroom. Use lights that will give soft glow and create a quiet atmosphere. A bedside lamp with thicker lampshade or a lighting fixture for bedtime reading will be a good option. Curtains and blinds can also be used for blocking morning light.

Change the Color Scheme

Colors affect our mood and play a key role in setting a room’s atmosphere. So, give your bedroom a fresh touch by changing the color scheme. Choose those colors that give you a calm and relaxed feeling. Blues and doves are cooler hues that will give a soothing feel. However, adding pops of bold colors like citrus yellow or lemon green will give you a rejuvenating feeling while waking up.

Image via: Wall Pops

Become Disconnected

Many people eat, watch TV, and work in bedroom. However, if you want to make it a true restorative haven, remove high-tech devices from it as much as possible. We have become so accustomed to be connected that it may seem weird to remain without cellphones, TV, and laptops. But, these things can disrupt sleep. However, you can add a music system to listen to soothing music.

Appease Your Sense of Smell

After a day full of works, you should relax in a place that will calm your spirit and awaken your senses. So, you can keep a small carafe or bowl on your bedside table. Fill it with fresh water and put some fragrant flowers or add mint sprigs into it. You can also use scented candles or linen spray to appease your sense of smell.

Image via: John Neitzel Photography

Bedroom is the place that is used for relaxing, sleeping, and enjoying private time. So, run your imagination wild and coddle your taste to build a refuge that placates your senses.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.