| p>If your home décor is beginning to look a little | | | | arranged conversation area. If you have wall-to-wall |
| "frazzled", then here are seven tips to give your room | | | | carpeting, try layering a complimentary area rug in your |
| a quick make-over without breaking the family budget. | | | | conversation area. (Use carpet-to-carpet tape to |
| Not all home decorating projects have to mean | | | | anchor the area rug. This helps keep the area rug in |
| knocking down walls and hiring a contractor. You can | | | | place, and, more importantly, helps prevent someone |
| easily accomplish these seven tips over a few days | | | | from tripping over the edges of the rug). |
| and bring a lifeless, dull room back to life. | | | | 5. ADD GREENERY: Breathe new life into your room |
| 1. CLEAN: If you have a family, then you probably have | | | | with the addition of healthy green plants. Use plants of |
| newspapers, magazines, books, toys, shoes, clothes, | | | | varying heights and species for interest. Keep your |
| etc., that detract from the personality of your room. | | | | plants in good health and well-trimmed. (A vase of |
| Find or create new storage spaces for these items. | | | | fresh cut flowers is always a beautiful addition to any |
| Give your draperies and upholstered furnishings a | | | | room). If you have poor lighting, consider using good |
| good vacuuming. Remove all your decorative | | | | quality silk greenery. Silk greenery is actually a safer |
| collectibles and give each piece a thorough cleaning. | | | | choice if you have small children or pets. |
| You want the space to have a fresh beginning. | | | | 6. BUY SOME NEW LAMPS: Nothing can make your |
| 2. FOCAL POINT: If your room is lacking a focal point, | | | | room look more outdated and stale than lamps from |
| try painting one wall in a different, but coordinating | | | | the sixties. Find unique, interesting lamps that will make |
| color, that complements the rest of your room and | | | | a bold statement and relate to the personality of your |
| furnishings. The newly painted wall will instantly | | | | room. Look for lighting with three-way switches. This |
| become the focal point of the room. Decorate the wall | | | | offers you a variety of lighting options to set the mood |
| with interesting art work or a large ornately framed | | | | in your room. |
| mirror. (If you opt to use a mirror, make sure it reflects | | | | 7. ADD PERSONALITY AND ACCESSORIES: |
| a pleasant view - never a blank wall or closet door). | | | | Refresh your favorite family photographs by treating |
| Place a favorite piece of furniture against the new | | | | them to a new frame. Hang interesting artwork, mirrors |
| focal point wall to complete the look. If your room | | | | or architectural pieces that reflect your personality. |
| already has a nice focal point, consider giving the entire | | | | Give new life to your sofa and chairs with decorative |
| room a fresh new coat of paint. A simple color change | | | | pillows and throws. This is an easy way to add color |
| can make an incredible difference in your room. | | | | and texture to your room. Create vignettes with your |
| 3. REARRANGE THE FURNITURE: No matter the | | | | freshly cleaned collectibles. Group them in odd |
| size of your room, pull the furniture away from the | | | | numbers at varying heights. Use hardbound books in |
| walls. Place your furnishings at interesting angles in | | | | stacks, or assorted decorative boxes, to assist with |
| front of your focal point to create an intimate | | | | varying the heights. Bring in some candlelight to add |
| conversation area. If you room is narrow, try placing | | | | drama and warmth. Last, but not least, add something |
| the sofa on the diagonal to make the room appear | | | | "unexpected" just for fun. |
| wider. Never arrange your room so that the traffic | | | | With a little bit of imagination and creativity, you can |
| flow runs directly through your conversational area. | | | | turn your "frazzled" home décor into a fresh, |
| 4. REARRANGE THE RUG: If you have an area rug, | | | | exciting new space. Renew your passion for |
| turn it on an angle and use it to define your newly | | | | decorating your home - "one room at a time! |