Winter Garden Nook

You can have a cozy space in your garden no matter what time of year it is. Even if you live in an area where snow is a frequent occurrence for most of the winter, you can make a cozy and fun place to be.

First of all, think warmth. You will need an area where you can make yourself and your guests warm. You can cook out any time of year if you set up a little place in your garden or patio area to entertain within. If you don't already have one, a gazebo is a great way to have a semi-enclosed area to gather on cold winter days.

Chimneas are another way to get the warmth in the immediate area. If you're entertaining in a gazebo, put the chimneas just outside the gazebo in three to four different areas. If you are entertaining in a patio type environment, you can place your chimneas nearly anywhere and for a neat way to create a gathering spot - a table sized fire pit is a great way to gather around on a winter evening with your family and friends and enjoy the dark nights while remaining cozy and warm in front of the fire.

If you don't already have thick, cushy pillows on your patio furniture; add them and even a throw or two around so guests can use them. After enjoying a friendly gathering by the fire, bring the group inside your home to enjoy a cozy fire in the fireplace and continue your evening together.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals   

Don't Fear Red

When you tell your friends you're thinking of putting more red into your decor, they may raise their eyebrows and jokingly ask you if you're about to open a house of ill-repute. Laugh it off, red can be incorporated just beautifully into almost any decor.

Red is a primary color and as such it's the basis for many other colors in the spectrum and as such, is very easy to match to your decor. If you look around your room and realize your French country dream living room has turned into the boring beige palace, add a rustic red pillow or two to your sofa. Trade in your lamp shades for a red shade that will match seamlessly into your decor.

Also you can highlight your walls with a splash of red. No, not paint - use red creatively as an accent. In a grouping of artworks use a couple of red frames to make the entire collection stand out. If you have a wall that is so dull and boring it is practically yawning, add a wall clock with a red rim. Another way to wake up a room with color is to add an area rug that incorporates the basic colors of your room along with a shade of red or two.

Use these tips to highlight your room and don't be afraid of using bold colors in your decor - like red!
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals   

Console Table

Do you have a room that just needs a little something more? You may think you've cleverly used all your space in your room but there is one addition you can make that will bring both beauty and function to your room.

A console table is a great way to use space in a small area that you can place items on and keep the continuity of a room flowing. You can be as simple or ornate as you would like. Console tables are usually a simple wooden table top with a long slender leg design. They are made to sit up against a wall space and some are square or others are in a half oval shape.

If you choose to use a console table in a hallway area, you might include a small tray or ornate bowl for guests to toss their car keys or lay down their sunglasses. Other items you can put on a console table include small photographs and other personal knick-knacks that will lend an individual air to your decor design.

Another way to utilize a console table if you only have a small space to work with is to make it into a small corner bar area. You can set up an impromptu area to enjoy a glass of wine and light snacks with friends without giving up any of your precious room space for a traditional sized bar.

When you're looking for just that little "something" to add to your room that will be beautiful as well as functional, think console table.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals   

Thought About Changing Your Headboard?

If you want to make a change to your bedroom but you don't have a lot of money to spend on completely changing your decor; start with your headboard.

You can make a change from romantic to conservative to sleek and modern just by changing your headboard. Depending on the mood you want to set, if you're going for a softer and more romantic look add a Victorian style headboard with it's intricate scroll work and light colors. If you can't spring for a lacy comforter, at least add some lacy pillows to soften the look of your bed.

If you're going for a soft and romantic look, make the lighting soft as well. No matter how much your bed might set the stage for romance with a beautiful soft look; a blaring light will kill the mood. Think candlelight and softer lights. Several candles around the bed area will set a lovely mood full of romance. Oil lamps turned down low will emit a low level of light that is soft and keeps the romantic mood in the room. The oils for the lamps come in various colors so you can even match the oils to your decor.

Window treatments can probably stay as is. If you're looking to soften the areas around your window areas, you can add sheers behind your existing curtains and they will soften and filter any light that comes into the room. Best of all, sheers are usually not expensive at all.

If you're looking to give your bedroom a new look, you can make a big change with just one change to your headboard on your bed.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals   

Dorm Room Desks Make Good Sense

If you're a college student you will need a central place to do your projects and assignments at. A desk will be your most important piece of furniture next to your bed.

Since dorm rooms are usually low on space you will need to make sure you can get a compact desk that will have the ability to perform many necessary functions. Holding your laptop or desktop computer will certainly be used on a daily basis for research, communication with the folks back home and entertainment such as downloading MP3s.

If you want a desk that is a unique and yet very sturdy and functional, try an instrument desks. An instrument desk has a base that is replicated after an old optometrist's table. It has sturdy cast iron legs and a wooden top that is sixty inches long and 28 inches wide. The unique feature on this desk is that it can be raised or lowered to fit any height person perfectly. If you're very tall or very short - you can adjust this desk to fit your sitting height so you're comfortable when you're cramming for an exam or doing hours of research online for your thesis.

Choose your dorm furniture wisely. Make sure you get items that are sturdy, well made and will allow your comfort when you use them.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals