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5. Bursts of orange. The orange accents in this bedroom are a bold departure from the neutral tones that were so popular in 2012. Playful but still sophisticated, it has bright colors and classic lines that make it a great inspiration for a tween or teen girl's room.
11. Readers were immediately drawn to the accessories in this room. The upholstered headboard and the Art Deco-inspired fixtures give it a glamorous look. The use of all-white hotel bedding keeps the room feeling crisp and fresh.
Design idea: Wine storage niche.How: Install a wine rack in an existing hall niche to house a growing collection of bottles, or have a new niche made specifically for the purpose. If you’re using an existing niche, measure carefully. Depending on the dimensions of your niche, you may be able to use ready-made wine racks; otherwise hire a carpenter or handyperson to craft a wine rack to fit your space. Cost: Ready-made wine racks can be purchased for $20 to $100 and up per piece. If you need to have a new niche created, expect to pay a carpenter $300 to $500 and up.More:From Awkward Corner to Multipurpose Lounge A New Drop Zone Keeps the Clutter at Bay
Here a banquette works as a window seat and dining area in one.
A corner bench offers the coziness of a booth and the flexibility and added storage of a straight bench.
Another tip for corner banquettes is to use a table that has a pedestal base. No corner legs to wiggle around.
Lighting. Good lighting can make all the difference in how a room looks. Why not take it a step further and use your fixtures to emphasize an accent color? The chic red pendant and matching sconces in this room match a subtle pencil-line detail around the center table, pulling the interior design together.
Upholstery. A monochromatic design can be beautiful, but playing with unconventional colors will give your room a lively look. Choosing playful colors on select pieces of upholstery is a great way to do this. I love how the bright fuchsia on the dining chairs and living room chair ties the two adjacent spaces together here.
Accessories and paint. Sometimes an accent color just doesn't feel right on the walls. This designer painted the window frame over the sink to create an instant focal point, and found accessories in the same hue to show off behind the glass cabinet doors.
1. Get your priorities straight. Begin by asking yourself a few questions — as you go on, refer back to your answers and let them guide your decorating choices. Not everyone needs a top-notch ergonomic desk chair at home, but you might. Set your own priorities and stick to them.• Who uses the space? Do your kids play here? Do you share the space with your spouse?• How much time do you spend here? If it's not much, you can budget less for a desk chair than if you sit for hours at a time.• Do you run a business from home?• What is your budget? What can you spend now, and what can you budget for in the future?Budget tip: Use wall-mounted spice racks from Ikea as picture shelves. For a built-in look, paint them to match your wall color.
The wraparound desk, individual spaces all within the same room, low pendant lights, red throw pillows for when one needs extra lumbar support, and beautiful windows make this a space where a group can work in harmony.
Grass green and glossy white keep this office fresh and light, but the vintage camel leather desk chair, overstuffed sofa, thoughtful lighting and architectural details on the ceiling make it inviting.
Rich gray walls, a comfortable chair, a stately wood desk and a long and comfortable window seat give this office its cozy appeal.
1. Squeeze it in. I love how this modest home office has been tucked into this beautiful Moroccan-style living room. The white woodwork creates the perfect backdrop for the silver fretwork lanterns and bright Moorish patterns, and allows the desk and computer to fit in without any fuss, while the orange chair chimes perfectly with the textiles.See more of this house
15. Take the focus off the TV. If your room has a beautiful fireplace, let that be the focal point. And if your living room is the only space where you can put the flat screen, position it to the side on a swivel mount, rather than above the mantel. That way you can still comfortably watch TV when you want, but when it’s not in use, the screen can step back from center stage.More: Decorating 101: How to Start a Decorating Project
10. Reinvent your bar cart. Just because it’s called a bar cart doesn’t mean it must hold a bar! Swap out the glassware and bottles for a lamp, art and books. Or turn yours into a tea trolley or a spot for your record player and a stack of your favorite vinyl. Use your creativity, and put your cart to work for whatever little odds and ends need a home.See one bar cart’s spirited spruce-up
6. Rich accents in North Carolina. If you're lucky enough to have a full room dedicated to your office, take advantage! The black back-painted shelves in this room show off beautiful book collections and tie in with the chandelier and café chairs.
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