Your bedroom should be so much more than just a place to sleep. In fact, it should be your oasis; a place you can retreat to in the midst of chaos. With these budget-friendly ideas, you can turn your bedroom into your own sanctuary without breaking the bank.

1. Paint the room a darker color
   Light colors can make a room feel larger and more open. Darker hues envelope the space making it more intimate. Yes, using a dark hue on your walls will create the perfect space to relax in. Since color has the power to change the mood of an room you’ll want to select a color that you really love. You can contrast and add some color to the room through your bedding and accessories.

2. Adjustable lighting
   Soft lighting is ultimate for cozy living. If overhead lighting is necessary than you’ll want to invest in adjustable lighting solution. Consider installing a chandelier with a light dimmer so you can set the right mood by simply adjusting the level of illumination according to your needs.

3. Layering Rugs
   There’s nothing that says comfort more than a soft rug. Rugs provide warmth especially during the colder winter months. Whether you have hardwood floors or wall to wall carpet be sure to incorporate a couple of area rugs in different shapes and textures to provide that super comfy look.

4. Make your bed extra comfy
   Of course, your bedroom can’t be a retreat without a comfortable bed. When creating the ultimate bed you can never have too many blankets or throws. Use an assortment of blankets in various textures from soft cotton blankets to plush fleece throw. For an added comfort you can invest in a quality mattress topper. Don’t forget the pillows. What’s more inviting than a huge pile of pillows?

5. Create a reading nook
   Put together your very own reading nook in your bedroom so you can cuddle up and read a book, browse a magazine or just enjoy the view. Forget about building a window seat since this can be costly. Instead, you can form a reading nook with a comfortable chair, a small bookshelf for your books or a small side table to hold your reading material and snack.

Tired of staring at your stark and empty walls? Expansive, windowless walls are the perfect canvas for a creative mind so you don’t want to waste the space. Artwork isn’t the only way you can add some style to your bland walls. Here are some lively wall decor ideas you can use in any room of the house.

Ceiling Medallions
If you’re searching for a unique way to embellish your walls consider using ceiling medallions as wall art. You can find ceiling medallions at most home improvement stores. Although they are inexpensive they make for expensive looking wall art especially when they have painted a similar shade of the hues that you’re using within the space. Ceiling medallions are lightweight and they can be applied to the wall with temporary adhesive.

Book Covers
What are your favorite titles? Well, you can implement them into your decor with this creative idea. Using a craft knife you can remove the pages and hang them flat against the wall. You can use an upholstery nail to attach them to the wall.

Block Numbers
What dates have a special number for your family? Perhaps it’s a birthday or an anniversary. You can hang block numbers in a variety of sizes and colors on the wall. From metal to plastic blocks, try and mix up the finishes. Anchor the arrangement around a shelf or flat piece of furniture.

Cutting Boards
What about the kitchen? Turn your cutting board and platters into an artwork by hanging them on the wall. They can be attached to the wall with super glue or by hanging them on hooks. Arrange them so that they are mixed and matched. Use a variety of wood stains and finishes to accentuate the look. You can even add plates to the mix.

Fabric Artwork
You can really make it chic by using a fun or pretty pattern as artwork. Play around with textures and colors. You can frame the fabric or have it suspended against the wall. Search for vintage goods or handmade pieces.

Dramatic Artwork
Of course, you can use traditional artwork to dress up your walls. However, for a modern spin opt for super oversized pieces that will immediately capture the eyes of guests.

Decorating with natural elements by bringing a hint of the outdoors into your home can bring nature inside. If you are nature-starved, what are some easy ways you can implement nature into your home’s decor?

1. Faux Fireplace
   Love looking at a campfire? Well, you can get the same look anytime you desire by purchasing a faux fireplace. Faux indoor fireplaces look so realistic and they even sound similar to the sound of a campfire.

2. Decorate with “greenery”
   Of course, the most obvious way to bring nature indoors is to bring in some plants. Plants can brighten any space. When incorporating greenery into your design scheme look for ways to steer clear of the traditional flower in the vase thing. Mix it up by using a variety of pots in your plant area. You can even opt out of using flower pots and instead hang them on the wall using plant hangers.

3. Natural Wood Furnishing
   Decorating with natural wood furnishing is a great way to create a rustic feel. Wood furniture is super durable and with great craftsmanship, it can be formed into all kinds of beautiful designs. You can add wood furniture sparingly. Perhaps a wood finished rocking chair in the living room or a wooden coffee table. A sleek, wood finished headboard adds a bit of outdoors to your bedroom.

4. Buy a grass rug
   You can easily purchase an artificial rug that simulates the look of grass from popular furniture companies. It can serve as a focal point for your living room or the man cave. The grass can withstand foot traffic. It’s available in a variety of sizes.

5. Constellation Projection Lamp
   Enjoy staring up at the stars at night? Well, you can do so right from the comfort of your bed. A constellation projector lamp allows you to easily project the beautiful heavens on your walls and ceilings.

Be imaginative when searching for ways you can make your home reflect your love for nature. Use different colors, textures, and patterns that are inspired by nature to energize a space.

Are you tired of your tiny and cramped living room? Decorating a small living room can be challenging especially when you have your eyes set on furniture pieces that would never fit in the space. Don’t fret. By employing these easy design tricks you can create a living room that is larger than life. Here are five ways you can make your living room feel much bigger than it actually is.

Oversized Mirrors
Using mirrors to visually expand a space is the oldest trick in the book. However, it actually works. Professional interior decorators use oversized mirrors in small rooms because they reflect light which makes the room appear bigger. A unique way to apply this theory is to select architectural mirrors which provide the illusion of a window or door.

Trim and Ceiling
When painting their living room, homeowners tend to leave the ceiling and trim white. Since these architectural features are just as important as the walls you should harmonize them with the rest of the space. You can use a lighter shade of a consistent hue that you’re using throughout a design scheme or the wall color on the ceiling. Apply a slightly darker shade on the trim.

Multifunctional Furniture
When decorating a tiny living room you should take advantage of multifunctional furniture. Consider purchasing a double duty coffee table that serves as both a table and extra seating. An upholstered storage ottoman can double as additional storage and seating.

Mount the Television
Instead of a television stand, mount the television on the wall to save space. You can put a decorative spin on this by surrounding the flat panel t.v with artwork.

Properly Fitted Rug
A custom cut rug that properly covers the living room floors is important for creating a unified look. Store bought ready-made rugs won’t always fit around the corners and dips in your living room’s layout.

Plan the layout
It’s important to plan out the traffic flow in your living room. Section off different areas of the living room according to their function. For instance, set aside zones for working, eating and lounging.

Most of us enjoy the glamorous and luxurious appearance that gold evokes. It’s a color that catches the eye which why it’s no surprise that it has become trendy in home decor. Decorating with this metallic color can be challenging because if it’s not executed correctly it can look gaudy and unflattering. If you’re interested in adding some sparkle to your home, we’re going to show you how to decorate with gold.

Make A Statement
When working with gold materials you have the opportunity to create great interest because gold has such a big impact. So if you’re going to use gold in a room you want to be sure that you create your “wow” moment. Whether it’s gold wallpaper, a side table or a gold covered pillow you should make sure that it perks up the room.

Mix Metallics
To truly bring out the beauty of gold in your home’s decor you should try mixing it with other metallics like bronze, rose and champagne gold. Mixing metallics has become increasingly popular because it adds layers of dimensions to a room. When mixing metallics you should also mix up the finishes. Combine matte, glossy and brushed metallic pieces to create a versatile yet harmonious look.

Gold and Natural Materials
Pairing gold accessories with natural materials makes for a great balance. You can use organic touches like floral arrangements and wood materials to break up metallics. Mixing these elements will prevent your gold decor scheme from being too overpowering.

Gold and Bold Colors
Gold is also appealing with paired with other bold colors like purple and blue. You can use various tints of colors like yellow, purple and green. Using such variations softens the theme and adds a sense of depth to the overall design. If you want to further tone down the look incorporate more neutral tones.

Use In Moderation
As glitzy as the gold look you should avoid incorporating too many gold pieces in one space. Doing so will have the opposite effect and will be overwhelming. The sparkly specks in gold materials naturally catch the eye. So you don’t need to use several gold accents to make a statement.

Home is where the art is. The truth is no home design is complete with quality art pieces. Many people are scared at the thought of curating artwork for their home. However, with some planning and a bit of creative flair, you can create a home that tastefully embraces the arts.

Create A Timeless Collection
When curating your home with beautiful artwork is important to think beyond what artists and pieces are trendy and hot right now. Instead, you want to build a timeless collection of artwork that resonates with you. Art is only a good investment if it can give you some daily inspiration and improve the overall mood of your living space.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Get out of your comfort zone and look for pieces that don’t just depict the average things. Try expanding to different styles such as Industrial or Scandinavian pieces. Your collection should add a little surprise to your space. Investing in your average, catalog pieces will create bland and “cookie cutter” look.

Collect Pieces That You Love
All too often, homeowners purchase artwork just to fill up space on their blank walls. However, you should only invest in artwork that you absolutely love. Also, you don’t have to stick to just one style. Mix up the genres and sizes. There are no rules to what kind of pieces you can combine in a space. The only thing that matter is curating a collection that you’re in love with.

Create A Showcase
Do you really want to make a statement with your art collection? Turn an average area like the hallways into a showcase. The hallway is a great area to create your own gallery. Avoid hanging large pieces because they are likely to fall in such narrow spaces. Hang series of small to medium prints to capture your guest’s attention. Select a bold piece to hang at the end of the hallway to add to the look.

Blend Family Pics with Prints
Of course, no space can truly feel like home without hanging up photos of your family or personal mementos. Create a unique experience by blending your original artwork with your favorite prints.

Quality Frames
Protect your pieces will quality frames that not only preserve your prints by also adds to the overall design scheme. Look online and at consignment shops for unique frames that feature intricate designs.

Are you in the process of designing a space? There’s no doubt, that you’ll have to focus on selecting a color scheme. Color schemes are a combination of colors that best complement each other. Anyone who’s ever decorated a room knows that picking out a color scheme can be challenging. Basic knowledge of palettes and where they are placed on the color wheel can be really helpful during this process.

If you seek to use colors to create different effects and feelings than you’ll need to know the four most common color schemes in the design world which include: Complementary, analogous, triadic and split complementary.

Complementary
Complementary color schemes sit on opposite ends of the color wheel. Some examples of complementary colors include: orange, green and red. These are known as opposing colors because they are drastically different from one another. Just imagine it. A room painted green with bright red accents with no doubt be bold. Even though complementary colors are different from each other when used correctly they will draw attention and add emphasis to a space.

Analogous
Analogous color combinations are soft on the eyes because they often utilize colors that are situated side by side on the color wheel. Many analogous color schemes simulate the type of colors that we see in the natural world everyday which can provide a serene effect. Yellow, yellow-green and hunter green are some examples of analogous colors. When using an analogous color scheme experts suggest using one color as the dominant color in the room.

Split Complementary Colors
A split complementary color scheme is very similar to the complementary color combo. When using this scheme in a space you’ll have to first select a base color and then use opposite palettes on the color wheel as accents to complement each other. The base color is what brings in the design and makes it less risky.

Triadic
A triadic color scheme will consist of three that are positioned evenly around the color wheel. Orange, green and violet are some examples of a triadic color scheme. A triadic color scheme is best pulled off by using a base color.

Decorating can be a fun and exciting way to express your personal style and creativity. Each homeowner has the opportunity to show off their unique taste with their home decor. If you are looking for new ways to decorate, we have four quick tips for decorating this summer.

Decorating Tips & Tricks:

1. Patterns. Homeowners may be scared of using too many patterns in their home and avoid using them all together. We recommend embracing patterns in your decor by accenting the room with a statement patterned piece. If you are up for a challenge, use two different patterns in one room. You may be surprised with the beautiful outcome. A floral chair can pair well with a polka-dot lamp. If you are nervous, we recommend using the same base color in different pattern pieces to help them go with each other. The same base color will make it easy on the eyes.

2. Pastel Colors. Pastel colors are back and taking the interior design industry by storm. From appliances to decorations, pastels can make a subtle statement on your room’s design. If you are into neutrals, pastels can provide the pop of color you are looking for in your room. You can even gain inspiration from a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

3. Mirrors. Mirrors are the perfect decorative piece for any room! From your bedroom to living room, mirrors make quite the impression on your rooms decor. Shop for antique mirrors or your local thrift shop to transform a mirror to fit your unique style.

4. Walls. Your walls can be so much more than just a simple paint color. From chalkboard paint to stencils, you can recreate your current space into something spectacular. Try adding a chalkboard wall into your kitchen for a unique grocery list. Also, you can try incorporating a beautiful stenciled wall as an accent to any room in your house.

We hope you enjoyed these quick and easy tips for decorating your house. The final step in home decor is brand flooring from Dolphin Carpet & Tile. With a wide selection at an affordable price, we are proud to be one of the top flooring providers. Call us at (1-800-NEWFLOOR) or visit or showroom for more information. We look forward to working with you.

Blue Color Schemes

Blue is a very popular color used in homes on or near a body of water. This is for good reason. Blue is associated with water.

Color schemes done in blue are very versatile. They can be paired with greens or different shades of blue. Schematics can be kept understated by pairing blues with monochromatic colors like white, cream or gray. The color scheme shown has a very spa-like look and feel.

A calm look can easily be created by using soft blues or subdued blue/greens. This color scheme creates a calming effect. Soft blues are perfect for homes on the water. It creates a way to bring the outdoors in. Homes on the ocean can really benefit from a soft and understated blue color scheme. Add some bright green accents to add a pop of color. Green is the great accent for calm blue schemes. It further reinforces bringing the outdoors in.

Notice in the photo that the color of the outdoors is literally flooding indoors and on to the walls. The white floor and ceiling is paired with white lighting; which mirrors the white clouds. White accent pieces flow perfectly in this interior. Blue paint creates the calm and the white adds a crispness.

Black and white art is framed in black and creates a nice contrast on the wall. The contrast is subtle but effective. The art does not simply get lost in this vast space. It is accentuated and noticeable.

For a more exciting blue color scheme, consider the tips below. There are ways to dress up soft blues, or be more dramatic with bolder shades of blue!

Create an exciting look by using bright royal blues. For a bright room add coral as the accent color. Coral is a complementary color of blue. Other exciting accent colors that work well are green and orange. To create excitement, use complimentary colors with blue, in the accents.

Metallics such as chrome, nickel or gold look wonderful with blue color schemes. Metals dress up the blue; adding class and glamour to the look.