Bibi's tree has grown.......

Bibi's tree has grown......., originally uploaded by frillie designs.

Wall decoration

Bookcase

Bookcase, originally uploaded by It's Great To Be Home.

normal bookcase

Chelsea 2007 - Other Large Show Gardens

Chelsea 2007 - Other Large Show Gardens, originally uploaded by UGArdener.

colorful garden

staircase as bookshelves

22, originally uploaded by captainqueen1125.

White living room staircase doubles as under stair storage shelves bookshelves mezzanine floor wood flooring L etc 05/2007 not used real home

Bathroom in Grey with Tub

Feb bath, originally uploaded by peacheydesign2009.

Bathroom dark grey tiled tiles stone wall marble cork stool orange towel luxury luxurious porcelain bath grey tiled wall shelf tap L etc 02/2007 not used

Walk-In Closets Basics For Every Home

Walk-in closet, originally uploaded by JILLs DEsigner.

Walk-In Closets Basics For Every Home
Author: Bruce Lipski

Most new homes now come with walk in closets and the bigger the closet the bigger the "Wow" factor. Women seem to love a big walk in closet while men don't seem to care that much. If your home doesn't have a walk in closet, it might be time to start thinking of getting one.

All the expensive houses now come with master bedroom walk-in closet designs that are creative and big. Some of these closets are as big as a room used to be. If you choose to put a walk in closet in your old home, it may be a bit expensive because you will probably have to tear down a wall or too. There will be a monitary benefit when you sell your house, however, as your new walk-in closet should increase the value of your home.

When you have a master walk-in closet that two people use, it is important to try to have the best his and her closet organization as possible. As long as you can come up with his and her closet ideas that will satisfy both parties, there will be no hard feelings or animosity.

If you have a big walk-in closet then you definitely need good lighting. And if you have one of those really big walk in closets with maybe an island or a chest of drawers or something similar, you need to find some neat closet lighting ideas.

Track lighting is always cool looking and you might be able to put it in your large wak in closet. You can find some good deals on track lighting at Ikea and other places and if you set it up properly, your closet will be stunning.

Florescent lights are most often used in closets because they are cool (not hot). Electrical codes have distance requirements for all light sources (except LEDs that also run very cool). Closets usually have a lot of things in them with low ventilation that could easily catch on fire from an incandescent or halogen bulb. Luckily, we are talking about a large walk in closet so you will be able to use something other than florescent lights or the usual ugly light that all closets seem to come with. Just make sure you don't have any of your clothes near the lighting.


Walk-in closets are also great because they give you so many more closet storage options. If you have a problem with your junk piling up in your room, you can have it pile up in your closet instead which is better for appearances sake.

Depending on the size of your walk in closet, you can have many things in there in addition to all your clothes and shoes. Some walk in closet ideas have full length mirrors in them and even a small bench or island to make them feel like dressing rooms.

About the Author:

Are you looking for more walk in closet lighting ideas? Maybe you are just looking for some great closet design ideas. If so please visit my site Closet Ideas for some great closet design tips.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/walkin-closets-basics-for-every-home-584356.html

Downsizing Without Losing Space

Image by flowers & machinery via Flickr

Downsizing Without Losing Space

Author: Terry Henman

Initially when moving home down sizing can feel like a step backwards. Space- or the impending lack of it- is obviously a common concern. However with careful planning during the design or decoration period, a more compact space can actually improve the quality of our lives through giving us back the most valuable commodity- time. Less space means less cupboards, drawers, shelves, floor space, pots, pans etc. This in turn means less clutter which in turn means less time cleaning. The key word here is efficiency. You must be streamlined if not cut-throat in your decision making! Only take with you what you really need- now is not a time for knick-knacks. A more minimal and open plan design will create the illusion of more space. That is not to say you cannot add colour or interest to a room. A brightly coloured settee or kitchen work surface not only provides visual stimulation, but also helps define areas as separate spaces- thereby further increasing the feeling of space. A change in flooring will also help indicate spatial perimeters (i.e. tiles in the kitchen and carpet in the sitting room).

Physical barriers between areas are allowed but try to squeeze as much use out of them as possible. A particularly effective way to separate the kitchen and living room is with a breakfast bar in place of a wall, you could also incorporate much needed storage underneath. Now you have a room divider, storage and a sociable dining area where you can keep an eye on the chef and your favourite T.V. show at the same time. You have also cut out the need for a wall and for a bulky dining table thereby increasing the active space of your home and decreasing wasted space. The settee can also be used to create a physical barrier between two spaces and prevent the living room from becoming a corridor-like access route to the kitchen. Rather than a conventional three piece suite which can waste an awful lot of space, investing in a modular corner couch system can be a much shrewder move. Instead of fitting the couch into a corner of a room, turn it the opposite way to define the perimeter of your living space. The modular system means that the couch is able to separate into smaller sections thereby allowing you to fit it to the shape of any room which again meaning less space wasted. A room can effectively be cut in half using this method, meaning a study or games area can be created in one half whilst still allowing people to relax in the other.

Try to keep harmony between soft furnishings and fabric covered items for a more cohesive feel to your scheme- a patchwork of patterns or materials will only obstruct the flow of a layout resulting in a disjointed effect, whereas similarly patterned cushions, curtains and rugs will combine to create a soothing ambience. With a little imagination down sizing can be seen as a positive way to organise your home and its contents effectively.

About the Author:
Terrys Fabrics retail in curtains and fabrics.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/downsizing-without-losing-space-784660.html

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