Lifestyle & Trends - Home Decorating

Fast, frugal fall fix-ups

The ebbing sun and dropping mercury in the garden thermometer signal the end of summer. The shorter, cooler days also mean you might be coming back inside from the great outdoors to discover your home could use a little pizzazz. After all, you spent the past few months soaking up the rays while you worked and played in your yard rather than inside the house. Read More

Today's laminate floors - a 'real' wood alternative

You love the look of natural wood flooring but are afraid to install hardwood because you know the floor will take a beating from the kids, dogs and the heavy day-to-day traffic all too common in modern family life. But you don't have to sacrifice high style looks for boring sensibility when considering a new flooring option in your home - not if you choose laminate. Read More

Demystifying contemporary home decor and design

Mixed up by modern? Confused by what's considered contemporary? With more emphasis on home design today, it can be difficult for homeowners to distinguish between the array of design styles. Here are hints for creating a modern look in your home. 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

Hot interior design trends and design psychology for 2010

Interior design trends definitely change with the state of mind of the majority. So, with the stresses and challenges of the recovering economy, continuing fast-paced lifestyles, and a desire for positive change, the latest hot design trend is to create a tranquil and optimistic home environment. Read More

How to get a custom closet on a do-it-yourself budget

Both fashion and budget-conscious Americans alike are taking better care of their clothing and other possessions, starting with how they store them. But if you haven't been reading today's most popular home and style magazines, sneaking a peak inside your neighbor's closets, or house-hunting lately, you might not have noticed: Closets have evolved from clumsy and non-functional to downright fabulous. Read More

Affordable ways to make your new house feel like home

Even though numbers are down, 35.2 million Americans changed residences in 2008, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. There are many ways to make your new house feel like home sooner than later. Read More

Fall: The ideal season to give your guest bath a makeover

For most people, overnight house guests go hand-in-hand with the holidays. Rather than waiting until the last minute when stress levels are already high, fall is the ideal time to begin preparing for company and refresh the guest bath. In fact, updating a tired bathroom can be an easy goal to achieve on any budget. 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

Luxe looks for less

When summer's over it means back to spending more time indoors. But don't let the dropping temperatures take you down with them. Instead, spruce up your space with easy projects. With a little time - and even less money - you can transform your home with simple and luxurious looks ... for less. Read More

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