About Home: How to Make Your Small Spaces Feel Huge

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor Just because your home has a small space, that doesn't mean it can't have huge style. From the kitchen, to the living room, to the bathroom, to the bedroom, we've got smart, efficient and on-trend ways to make the small rooms in your home look and feel gigantic. Making a Small Kitchen Work Between preparing meals and simply hanging around the kitchen (everyone in your family gravitates to the kitchen, too, right?), a roomy, functional and efficient kitchen is a must. But not all of us are lucky enough to have a massive kitchen! Whether you're remodeling your kitchen, dying for more counter space or simply looking for organization ideas, we've got ways to turn your dinghy-sized galley kitchen into a kitchen that'll make the Iron Chefs jealous. How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger Give Your Small Kitchen Good Feng Shui What You Need to Know Before Your Kitchen Remodel Search Related Topics:  kitchen design photos  kitchen paint color ideas  Designing a Family-Friendly Small Living Room Second only to the kitchen, families gather in the living room. So, what happens if you have a tiny living room and a big family? Or a tiny living room and a small family that has major energy? Try rearranging your furniture, keeping the space ultra-organized and changing up your living room décor. You'll be amazed at the difference small changes can make! Tips and Ideas for Your Small Living Room 10 Major Living Room Decorating Mistakes Must-Haves for Your Small Space Search Related Topics:  decorating with neutrals  decorating a living room  traditional style Making Your Small Bathroom Feel Bigger Small bathrooms need seriously smart design. Because you don't have lots of space to work with and it can be very difficult to change plumbing and lighting, generally, you have to work with what you've got. But fear not, my fellow small bathroom occupants! Simply updating your bathroom's décor and finding the right storage solutions can open up a ton of space. If you're feeling really ambitious, learn how to use bold, bright designs, without making your bathroom feel smaller. How to Make a Small Bath Look Larger Starting Your Small Bathroom Remodel 6 Stylish Sinks for Small Bathrooms Search Related Topics:  decorating a bath  small space design  decorating with color How to Design and Decorate Your Small Bedroom Your bedroom should be an oasis—which can be difficult if you feel like the walls are closing in on you! Luckily, making your bedroom look and feel bigger is as easy as changing the wall color or finding the right-sized furniture. And if your kids' tiny rooms need a makeover, too, don't miss our kid-friendly décor ideas. How to Organize a Small Closet The Do's and Don'ts of Small Nursery Design How to Decorate Your Small Bedroom Search Related Topics:  bedrooms  decorating tips  Related Searches Kitchen Wall Colors Living Room Remodel Decorating Kids Room Bathroom Paint Ideas Home Kitchen Featured Articles Easy DIY: Make Soothing Bath Salts 6 Indoor Garden Projects for Kids Building a New House? Read This! How to Give Your House Good Feng Shui How to Remove Rock Salt Stains from Shoes 50 Ways to Save Water in Your Yard   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Painting Your Interior Walls like a Pro

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor Why hire a professional home painter when you can do it yourself? Whether your walls need a simple touch-up or a total facelift, we've got tips, tricks and ideas to make your interior painting fast, safe and totally stress-free. Paint on, Picasso! Choosing a Paint Finish Matte, flat, satin or textured? There are so many choices when it comes to paint finish. I recommend choosing a finish based on the style of your space. For example, rustic style pairs well with flat finishes, while glam, modern styles work well with glossier finishes. But a word to the wise: use those glossy finishes sparingly on wall features or trim—too much gloss can feel cold. Decorating with Chalkboard Paint How to Create a Faux Venetian Plaster Finish The Top 10 Painting Tips and Tricks Search Related Topics:  paint finishes  paint tools  paint techniques Choosing a Wall Color Did you know the color of a room can affect your health, mood and behavior? Not to mention, changing your wall color is a simple—and effective—way to experiment with a bold, new color or completely change the mood of your space. So, whether you want to spice up your family room with an accent wall or design a bedroom for better sleep, we've got plenty of ideas to ensure you'll find the color that works for you. Gorgeous Bathroom Paint Colors Color Ideas for Your Kitchen Paint Colors for Your Bedroom Search Related Topics:  bathroom paint ideas  kitchen paint ideas  bedroom paint ideas Choosing a Pattern or Design This year, my New Year's resolution for my home is to incorporate more patterns into my décor. So, hear me out: you may be a bit hesitant to add a pattern to your interior walls (it's not the easiest thing to reverse!), but it'll add tons of character to your space. Accent walls create a dramatic focal point in a room; painting with an ombre effect adds depth and dimension to your walls; and stencils are super fun for kids' rooms or nurseries. How to Paint Designs on Your Walls Paint Your Own Wall Mural Decorative Painting Techniques Search Related Topics:  patterns  fabrics  wallpaper Painting Tools and Prep Okay—you've picked out a finish and a wall color or design. But before you start working on your masterpiece, you'll want to make sure you're fully prepared for the project; that means tracking down the right tools, taping off your space and following the proper safety procedures. Make sure you patch and seal any cracks or holes in your walls, too—we want a nice, smooth finish here, people! How to Make Painting Cleanup Easier (You're Welcome!) How to Make Your Paint Dry Faster Everything You Need to Know About Painting Your Home Search Related Topics:  paint preparation  preparing walls  how to prepare surfaces for paint Related Searches Painting the Home Interior Wall Paint Pro Painting Choosing House Paint Floor Painting Featured Articles 7 Ways to Get the Look of Granite for Less The 10 Best Flea Markets in the U.S. Wood Flooring for Dog Owners How and When to Prune Your Roses Everything You Need to Organize Your Closet The Do's and Don'ts of Nursery Decor   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: How to Love Your Rental

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor When you rent an apartment, it can be tough to make the space feel like home—especially when your decorating options are limited by square footage or your landlord's rental rules. But with a little bit of adaptability and creativity, it's easy to transform a rented space into a home! Finding the Right Apartment Apartment hunting can be an utter nightmare. Not only does it raise soul-searching questions like, Which neighborhood do I want to live in? Do I need one bathroom or two? How much rent can I afford? Does my cat really love me?, but it's totally stressful, too. Fear not, my fellow renters! We've got plenty of tips and tricks to make your apartment search a breeze. As for your cat's affection ... you're on your own. Should I Get a Studio or One-Bedroom? Apartment Hunting for Pet Owners How to Break a Lease Search Related Topics:  finding an apartment  lowering stress  leasing issues Furnishing Your New Apartment So, you've found the perfect apartment in the perfect location. And I bet your landlord is really awesome, too. Now you need to furnish the place! Check out apartment-sized sofas and stylish accent furniture for space-saving seating options; define spaces with area rugs or creative room dividers; and look for furniture with sneaky storage, like coffee tables, ottomans or bedframes with drawers. How to Make Your Apartment Feel Bigger Furniture Arrangement for a Small Space How to Furnish an Apartment Using Home Accessories I've said it before and I'll say it again: home accessories are the absolute easiest way to dress up your space. Plus, they're completely reversible, so you can ensure you'll get your security deposit back at the end of your lease. Toss some bold throw pillows on your sofa, blend antique treasures with modern accents on your mantel or coffee table or mix different fabrics for an eclectic, homey vibe. And hey, if you're not in love with the results, remember: you can undo your decor in mere seconds. How to Arrange Home Accessories like a Pro Mixing His and Her Style How to Choose Patterns Search Related Topics:  decorating accessories  displaying collections  books on decorating Renter-Friendly Wall Decor Whether your landlord doesn't allow painting or you just don't feel like painting (hey, I hear you—it's a lot of work!), there are plenty of ways for renters to add color to their walls. Try arranging a huge gallery wall with your favorite artwork and photos or, if you're feeling really ambitious, hang temporary wallpaper. I personally love these colorful, yarn-wrapped letters; you can spell anything and put 'em anywhere! How to Make Three-Dimensional Wall Art Turn a Greeting Card into Wall Art Simple Ways to Dress Up Boring Walls Search Related Topics:  diy projects  decorating with color  flea market decorating Related Searches For Rental com Rental Studio Space Rental Landlord Rental House Rental Agency Featured Articles 9 Small Kitchens with Big Style How Room Color Affects Your Mood Grow Your Own Garlic Indoors 5 Steps to a Clean, Green Shower 20 Gorgeous Kitchen Backsplashes Everything You Need to Organize a Closet   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: DIY Decor for Kids' Rooms and Nurseries

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor Decorating a kid's room presents a million design possibilities—and it's an excuse to experiment with bold colors and textures, fun accessories and do-it-yourself projects! So, whether you're decorating a nursery for your new baby (yay!) or trying to jazz up your teen's room (without totally embarrassing her and ruining her life), we've got tons inspirational DIY ideas, tips and tricks for amazing kids' rooms. Creative DIY Wall Art Wall art is the absolute easiest way to decorate a room, no matter the room's size, shape or theme. If you're new to do-it-yourself projects, try making a simple silhouette portrait or use a paper punch to create gorgeous three-dimensional art. If you're feeling really ambitious (or liken yourself to Martha), dress up your kids' walls with removable fabric wallpaper! Creative Ways to Display Your Kids' Artwork Decorating with Chalkboard Paint How to Curate a Stylish Gallery Wall Clever Storage Solutions Is the majority of your kid's wardrobe shoved under the bed? Have you seriously injured your foot on a LEGO in the last month? Do you fear your family pet is buried beneath a pile of stuffed animals? If so, it's time to cut the clutter. Lucky for you (and your pet), we've got ultra-clever storage ideas for kids' clothing, toys and the rest of the gear that's currently piled up in the corner of their room. 6 Essentials for Organizing Your Kids' Rooms How to Organize Baby Clothes Dorm Room Organization Search Related Topics:  closets  organizing  Fun DIY Accessories Interior Designer Abigail Ahern was totally on the money when she said, "Don't stop decorating too soon! The accessories turn a room from drab to fab; they're the 5-minute facelift of the decorating world." Accessories like yarn-wrapped letters, hand-braided rugs and hand-etched mirrors are crazy easy (and affordable!) ways to dress up your kid's room. 10 Amazing Uses for Washi Tape DIY Throw Pillows Easy Ways to Update Your Lamps Search Related Topics:  nursery design  nursery tips  accessories Super Easy DIY Furniture Grab your tape measure and hammer 'cause we're about to go Tim Taylor all up in this nursery. Create a focal point in your kid's room by covering a DIY headboard with a bold fabric; give an old chest of drawers a facelift with some paint; or ditch the traditional changing table and try a creative alternative. Voilà! Amazing Reading Nooks for Kids' Rooms 5 Potentially Dangerous Nursery Decorating Mistakes Alternative Bookcase Ideas Search Related Topics:  decorating plan  dealing with decorating problems  focal points Related Searches Storage Rooms Living Room Wall Art Decorating Rooms Home Decor Wall Art Nursery Decor Featured Articles 10 Paint Colors for Better Sleep Small Spaces with Big Style Simple Ways to Save at Bed, Bath and Beyond How to Choose a Color Palette Gorgeous Nurseries on a Budget How to Mix Patterns in Home Decor   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Advertisement