Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: interior design

  • 10 Easy Low-Cost Upgrades for Your Home

    You don’t need to remodel your entire house to make it look fresh. A few upgrades here and there, completed on your own schedule and budget, can do wonders for your space. Check out some of the easiest and cost-efficient upgrades.

    Whether you don’t have the budget or the time to go through a complete home renovation process, there are still plenty of smaller things you can that are budget-friendly and are not as time-consuming. Some of them will further increase the value of your home. All of them give a fresh new look to your space.

    Repaint the walls

    Repainting is one of the easiest ways to completely reinvent your space. It is an opportunity to shine a new light on old furniture and items of decor. You can re-program the mood of a room by understanding the psychology of colors and picking accordingly. Even if you decide to stick to the same color, a fresh coat of paint will make your home look more polished. Before getting started, check out the 6 things you should know before repainting.

    Upgrade kitchen cabinets

    Start by repainting your old kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint has the potential of making your kitchen unrecognizable! The next step is to replace old handles with something more elegant and trendy. Et voilà! A small kitchen upgrade like this one can also significantly improve the value of your home by making it look more expensive.

    Add crown molding

    Crown moldings visually unify a room, add more elegance and a smoother transition between dimensions. From classic to colonial, you have a range of choices in terms of style and budget. You also don’t need “the guy” to install crown moldings. Check out this guide and you can do it yourself.

    Swap out the faucets

    Replace the old faucets in your kitchen and bathroom with new ones. This is something that will uplift the style of the space surrounding the sinks. An easy home upgrade like this one may seem insignificant, but you will be surprised by how much small things can transform the overall feel of a room.

    Replace the backsplash

    Your options of tile materials are diverse and can accommodate any budget. Ceramic is the cheapest. Other options include glass, stainless steel and stone. Select something that’s easy to clean and adds personality to your kitchen.

  • Ask a Pro: A Repurposed Entertainment Center for Get-Togethers

    An entertainment center is essential to any home, as it’s the perfect place to bring everyone together, but what if you’re building one from a re-purposed vintage piece? Interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams has the answers to turn old furnishings into new functional – and stylish – decor  in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

     

    Q. I need to create an entertainment center on a main wall of my living area.  I have an old sideboard buffet piece with marble top and 4 drawers. It is sort of traditional in style. It is low to the ground and 48″ wide.  I want to add shelves on the side I think to extend the width on the wall. (My wall is 16′ long).  Can you suggest a style to look for? I was also thinking I should paint all 3 pieces to create a more modern look.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

    — Linda S.

     

    A. What a great idea to use your sideboard in a new way, I love this. Adding shelves to both sides will help make much more of a statement, and will frame your sideboard to highlight it like the treasure it is. I agree with you that the 48” wide sideboard all by itself is not going to hold its own against your big wall!

    I’m assuming you want to add a TV. If you don’t have one yet, think about getting one that is close to 48” wide to match your sideboard, or go a little smaller. Note that it’s 48” in width, not what size the TV is considered! When you buy a 52” TV, that’s the dimension of the diagonal, measured corner to corner. You’ll have to dig deep or measure the display model to find out what the actual width really is.

    Look for shelving units that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. A sleek, modern system would contrast your sideboard nicely. I love to mix and match vintage treasures with modern pieces. Choose two tall units for the sides, ideally to be taller than the TV.

    And to finish off the look, add another shelf to go above the TV. Ideally the top of this shelf would align with the top of the side units, but the center part above the TV could be taller if the pieces aren’t working out, or if you need more space above the TV. Also, please be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about securing your shelves to the wall if necessary.

    As far as painting goes, I don’t think it matters if all the pieces match or not, it’s just what you prefer. I would definitely have all the new shelves match each other, and be a color that coordinates with your sideboard. You could always live with that for a while and paint later!

    —Jennifer A.

     

  • 10 Quick Kitchen Storage Updates

    Your kitchen is the hub of your home. It’s not just the room where meals are prepared, and as such, it deserves some fresh design ideas. Great kitchens also have the potential to bring more value to your property if you decide to sell in the future. A great way to start is by enhancing your kitchen storage capabilities and layout visibility for ease of use!

    Here are the best kitchen storage options that can instantly bring value, appeal, and practicality into the space, regardless of how small the dimensions and budget may be.

    10 Quick Kitchens Storage Upates - bhgrelife.com

    Install Pull-Out Shelves

    A kitchen update that has taken the interior design industry by storm is pull-out shelves, placed inside your cabinets, so you don’t always have to reach far inside for materials. This little addition to your cabinets can even be done without a contractor if need be. With one little tug, you’ll be able to reach all the items in your cabinets. Talk about smart storage!

  • 6 Must-Have Accessories for the Ultimate Man Cave

    Every man needs to have a space of his own, whether it’s for watching the big game or hosting his closest pals for the night. The man cave is an essential area that must have personal and unique characteristics to be considered a real man cave. To be a connoisseur of the cave, each man has to create his own theme and style. It can be classic and rustic or contemporary with a more sports-themed approach.

    However, there are a few key items that should be found in every man cave. What are these essentials? Below, we have compiled a list of the ultimate signature pieces that your room needs. Once you have these in place, you’ll be the proprietor of your very own official man cave.

    6 Must-Have Accessories for the Ultimate Man Cave - bhgrelife.com40” Inch—or Bigger—TV

    The phrase “bigger is always better” holds true for any man who enjoys watching his favorite sports team. It’s imperative for any real fan to witness a crushing hit or an incredible score in near life-size high definition.
    Don’t be fooled by all the pretenders with a measly 32” television. No one wants to watch the big game on a TV most people can carry with one hand. This is the most important necessity in any man cave, as it brings together your friends, family, and all who enjoy a cinematic experience.

  • Decorating Tips for Couples Moving in Together

    Congratulations! You and your special someone have decided to move into a place to call your own. It’s an exciting time, but one of the biggest challenges can be deciding whose style will prevail for the interior design of your new home. If you both have drastically different tastes in interiors, there’s no need to panic. There should always be an elegant combination of style and textures within every interior. It’s just a matter of pairing them eloquently—and with these decorating tips, you can blend both of your lives perfectly into one.

    Decorating Tips for Couples Moving in Together - bhgrelife.com1. Establish an in-between style

    Before you move in together, it’s important to take a look at each other’s belongings and determine what you plan on utilizing in your soon-to-be home. Since drawing a line down the center of each room to separate his style from hers is highly unlikely, you’ll need to establish an in-between style with which you’re both comfortable. Find a happy medium and run with it.

  • Trendy Treehouses Uproot Millions

    Happy April Fool’s Day from Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate! Before you make like a tree and leaf, check out some our favorite decor tips and design inspiration to make this spring your best season yet!

    Top 10 Decorating Tips for Your Home

    Improve Your Curb Appeal

    Tips for Water-Efficient Landscaping

    Foolproof DIYs You Will Want to Do this Year

    Fun Springtime DIY Paint Projects

    Organization Tips for Every Room of Your Home

    Revive & Refresh Your Home: 100 Quick & Easy Tips

    Don’t forget to visit our blog every week for more home and garden tips!

  • 5 Master Bedroom Decorating Tips

    We’ve all seen photos or been through an open house that showcases a luxurious master bedroom. Every inch of the room flows together eloquently with the rest, in a desirably tranquil atmosphere. Did you know that you can recreate the same feeling within your very own home? With these five master bedroom decorating tips, you can rest in a room that feels like a five-star hotel penthouse suite – and for a fraction of the cost.

    5 Master Bedroom Decorating Tips - bhgrelife.com1. Always Focus on Comfort

    It’s important to remember the purpose of the master bedroom, and also how much time you spend in your bed each night. With this in mind, you’ll quickly come to the conclusion that comfort is an absolute must. Be sure to purchase high-quality sheets and fluffy comforters, while focusing less on luxurious furniture for the room. You can snag a stylish bed, dresser, chaise lounge, and whatever else you need at an affordable price, but comfort is something you just can’t skip out on. Opt for higher thread counts, a high-quality mattress, supportive pillows, and a good comforter.

  • Top 10 Decorating Tips for Your Home

    Whether you’re planning on decorating for a little pick-me-up within your interior design, or you just moved into a new home and want to make it match your style, you may need to get your hands on some interior design tricks. Whatever your reason, everything you need is right here. With minimal effort and cost, you just can’t go wrong with these 10 decorating tips for your home:

    Top 10 Decorating Tips for Your Home – bhgrelife.com1. Paint, Paint, Paint

    It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for the interior of your home – and exterior if you want to expand your project outdoors. There are some simple tricks that can make a huge difference without having to paint your entire house: focus on smaller rooms within your home and paint them in soft, lighter colors to instantly make them appear larger. Or, for a fun and fresh pop of color, paint an accent wall, bookcase or even the front door.

  • How to Select a Backsplash for Your Kitchen

    The kitchen is believed to be the heart of the home, and one one area that the entire family gathers to make delicious and hearty memories regularly. It’s also a huge selling point if you’re looking to put your house on the market in the future. A kitchen’s backsplash is like its jewelry, adding a touch of sparkle and flair. It can also help bring your kitchen décor together while making the room easier to clean, which is always a bonus.

    To determine what backsplash is best for your kitchen, you must first know the options – and there are a lot. Here are some things to consider:

    How to Select a Backsplash for Your Kitchen - bhgrelife.com

    1. Consider the Material

    When selecting a backsplash for your kitchen, the first thing you need to consider is the material. You have an abundance of options to choose from, as tiles can come in cement, mosaic, pattern, laser cut, subway – and the list goes on. A few of our favorites are:

    • Mirror backsplash: Incorporating a mirror backsplash into your kitchen is an excellent and flawless way to lighten up the room, and can even make the smallest of kitchens look significantly larger.
    • Ceramic backsplash: Ceramic tiles are the most commonly used ones for backsplashes and come in a wide range of colors and designs that can be perfect for adding some personality into your interior.
    • Glass backsplash: Glass backsplashes are a new trend that add a bit of sparkle and shine into your kitchen. As a bonus, they’re super easy to clean!
    • Mosaic tile backsplash: Mosaic tiles offer a unique, rich and attractive look.

    These are just a few of the materials available to you when creating your backsplash; there are many more, so explore your options!

  • The Newest Hue: Blue

    One of the coolest colors on the spectrum is now the hottest hue in decorating. Blue is as familiar as the sky and as versatile as a pair of jeans, making it a universal favorite. Using blue in changing shades, varying intensities, and different patterns creates high-impact rooms that please the eye. And while it may be considered a “trend” color now, blue has staying power. In its range of hues—sky, aqua, turquoise, cobalt, indigo, navy—blue offers a livable, everyday palette you can use now and still love later.

    The Newest Hue: Blue - bhgrelife.com

    Blues perfectly play off of white or neutral elements already in your home and the diverse shades mix and match well together. However, as a general rule, pair darker tones with lighter ones for a balanced combination. If there is a blue you particularly love, you might choose to paint the walls that color. But if you’re looking for less of a commitment, even adding in a new decorative accessory like a ceramic lamp in a bright teal gives a room a little lift so it feels more current.