More design ideas

    This page will give you the tips and tricks that would take a long time to compile and find in one place. Magazines always give a few tips and tricks, but they always apply to the pictures. Designers in the same books always limit exposing their secrets. So, if you need an area straightened out or better decorated you have come to the right place.
We have compiled years of learning, knowledge and experience in interior design and have written it into subject sections to make it easy and quick to find what you need. We hope you will find what you are looking for, but if not, be sure to go to our chat room and see if we or our readers can help.
Make decorating fun and not stressful!
  TIPS and TRICK
• Always purchase the best your budget can afford   Sometimes you see an item that is within your budget, but poorly made. How long will it last before you have to replace it? Keep in mind that this is an investment and you don't want to have to replace items every year due to poor craftsmanship.
• Have a clear idea of what you want to do before prchasing items. What is your decorative scheme? Do you want themed rooms? Think about the kind of activities your home experiences on a daily basis. Do you entertain? Large or small groups? All this information is critical for knowing how you will eventually decorate your home.
• Allocate a design budget and s tick to it as much as possible. Budgets are a great way to avoid overspending, but they can go over if you don't plan ahead.
• Remodeling budgets can run over due to electrical or structural problems which are not revealed until demolition. So keep a reserve budget for such situations. How many times have you heard from someone who is having remodeling done on their home and say, "Boy, this is costing more than expected!" Sure, it does happen because homeowners budget only the amount the contractor has indicated. Well, the contractor can't see behind walls or floors. Expect the unexpected and you will be prepared.
•Trace or sketch your floor plans for a better understanding of the room. Designer's always plan a room with sketches and drawings. A floor plan will also help avoid constantly moving furniture around the room to find the best position. Graph paper can be purchased at any art/craft store.
• Create a color board with the furniture your contemplating and fabric samples and color swatches and place them onto a piece of oak tag. Now you have a complete view of your design plan. This is where you eliminate or add items. You will also be better able to see how everything matches and which items work better than others.
• Shop salvage yards or flea markets Antique and older pieces are made better and have lasted all these years. You can have a piece re-upholstered in your favorite fabric with the money you saved buying used.
• Purchase items during sales if possible; make deals to finalize the sale. Salespeople like to sell. They also like to make deals to close the sale. See if the store you are in has more than one piece or accessory that you want and make a deal with the salesperson. Often they will work with you. Sometimes they will forego the delivery charge or give a volume discount. Remember, all they can say is no. There are a lot of furniture stores; so if someone won't make a deal; someone else will. Also, buy when there are sales to get a better than retail price or buy display pieces for an even bigger discount.
• Mix different materials Consider the touch of leather and the feel of satin. It also gives the eye visual variety and is widely used by designers.
• Take a chance with decorating t Sure, there are lots of magazines with nicely decorated rooms, but is it really your taste and personality?
• Don't let anyone talk you into a color, fabric or pattern you're not totally in love with. Don't be swayed by magazines, books salespeople or even designer's. Carefully consider what you really like before purchasing any items.
• Stay away from trends with d ecorating after the trend has passed can be costly. If you like trendy pieces you can intermix them with most design styles.
• Get ideas and inspiration from websites and magazines and k eep them in a binder. You can also place fabric and color samples in it. When you go shopping take it with you to make it easier to match colors and materials or find pieces of furniture or accessories.
• Good design is in the details when planning a room. Moldings, cabinet handles, light and outlet switches, etc; can bring elements together and form a more cohesive appearance.
• Explore all the decorating possibilities decisions. You don't want to walk into a store and find something you really like because you never went into that particular store. Explore everywhere before purchasing anything.
• Large-open plan rooms are hard to separate into smaller section.   Area rugs can do a great job of delineating areas in the same room. But, since they are in the same room they need a common color to link them together.
• His and her design ideas can bring harmony t It's hard when two people living together want to have completely different ideas implemented. So, you have to compromise. If he likes antiques and she likes modern...mix them together. It's called eclectic. Compromise is the middle ground where two different ideas become one.
• Take your time when making decorating decisions   The results will be better than if you rushed to get it finished. Rome wasn't built in a day. And those TV shows take a lot longer than an hour to complete those 'fast' rooms.
Let us know what tips you might like to see by e-mailing us with your suggestions.

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