Pile
On the Pillows
One pair of pillows always looks
skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures.
Buy
a Bigger Bed
Small-scale furniture only makes a
small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will
grow.
Leave
Cabinets Open
An open armoire is more interesting
than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.
Go
Dark
Dark walls do the opposite of what
you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger.
Wallpaper
Is Easy
The fastest way to make over sliding
closet doors is to wallpaper them, like Melissa Warner did to turn a bedroom
into her office.
Large
Collections Need Order
Wall brackets can bring order to a
large collection or odd shapes.
Use
a Real Rug in the Bathroom
Use a rug instead of a bath mat. It
was made to withstand a lot more wear than the occasional wet foot.
It's
Okay to Skip the Sofa
There's no rule that a living room
has to have a sofa.
White
Works
You'll never get tired of a white
living room.
Mix
Styles
A four-poster bed will take the
chill out of a modern bedroom.
Layer
Your Lighting
Four lamps are better than two. You
need ambient light for mood and direct light for reading.
Tuck
in Your Throws
Keep throws under control. Fold them
lengthwise, then in half, then tuck them into cushions.
Kick
Your Traditional Coffee Table to the Curb
The most versatile coffee table
you'll ever own is an ottoman topped with a tray.
Skirted
Furniture Finishes a Room
Too many chair and table legs can
make a room "nervous." A skirted piece or two will make it feel
"grounded."
Gold
Is Gorgeous
Gold is back in a big way. A few
accents will warm up a room, like this classic living room.
Plants
Cheer Up a Lonely Corner
Nothing softens a lonely corner in a
big room like a potted tree.
Leather
Lasts
The most indestructible fabric for
dining chairs is leather or vinyl. Especially if you want white.
Switch
up Your Seating
Mix up the seating at your dining
table. You wouldn't have eight identical chairs in your living area.
Don't
Forget the Closet Lighting
Love your closets. Paint them, paper
them, hang pictures in them to inspire you. And definitely light them.
Refinish
Vintage Finds
Don't be afraid to paint a vintage
piece. Every piece of furniture can't be brown.
