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If you didn't manage to go on holiday this year, here are some decorating resolutions to refresh your life and your home.
1. Add a touch of romance
Spice up your love life with a new bedroom. Decorate in your favourite colours and add a splash of contrast here and there with bold accessories, cushions, bedding, or even add wallpaper.
Storage aplenty - Piles of laundry and clutter do nothing for romance in the bedroom. If you are in the process of building a new home, or renovating an old one, incorporate plenty of storage. Even a small room has storage space above and down the sides of the headboard. And while we are talking of headboards, today you can incorporate storage into the headboard, or under the bed, which is perfect for a small room with limited floor space.
So get organised and start romancing!
Dressing the bed - Reversible comforters are perfect for giving a bedroom a quick and easy makeover. A comforter also serves double duty as a decorative touch that coordinates with window treatments, bedlinen and accessories, or as increased snuggle during the colder months. Stock up on plenty of plain bedlinen and duvet covers, and make a statement with a comforter.
Setting the mood - A central chandelier or ceiling pendant is alright for getting dressed and undressed, but bedside lamps or wall sconces set the mood. If you like to start the evening off with a little light reading, add a dimmer switch to bedside lighting. It’s a faily easy DIY project that isn’t as difficult as you might think!
Excite the senses - Smell also plays an important role in creating the right mood and atmosphere in a bedroom. This is a haven, a retreat from the outside world, a place where worries are best left outside the door. A touch of aromatherapy does wonders for revitalising the libido. Candles, fresh flowers and potpourri, all can be used to excite the senses.
A matter of privacy - Your choice of window treatment for a bedroom is also important to the feel of a room. While some prefer curtains and heavy drapes, other prefer blinds. For complete privacy in the evening and late morning rising you could consider a combination of both. Not only will a layered treatment of blinds and curtains provide you with complete privacy, they will also block out noise and early morning sunlight - perfect after a night of romancing!
Keep it on the light side - In a smaller bedroom, try to keep furniture as light as possible. A dark bedroom suite can be refreshed with a couple of coats of paint to create a bedroom that is light and airy, yet still offers a touch of romance.
Finishing touches - No decor scheme would be complete without a few accessories - but don’t overdo it. Too many accessories will only serve to make the room appear cluttered. Once you have completed the decorating, only shop for accessories in complementary or accent colours that are needed to add that finishing touch. A vase or two, soft, plump cushions, photo frames, candle holders and a few trinkets are all that are needed. Your local Home Comforts have everthing you need for an affordable bedroom makeover.
2. Pamper yourself
Today’s bathroom is practical yet stylish. It has gone from being a plain room offering basic functions, to a space designed for relaxation and self-indulgence. Give your bathroom a makeover - it’s time to pamper yourself! You don’t need a large budget to make small changes to your bathroom. Here are a few ideas to get you started in creating a relaxing bathroom.
Lighten up - Start by taking a look at the existing lighting in the room. You probably have a ceiling fixture for general lighting. Adding more lighting - and perhaps replacing your existing light fixtures with something a little more trendy - will not only create a more practical bathroom, but will offer you the opportunity to control the amount of lighting in the room and create the right atmosphere for sensual bathing.
If you have a small, dark bathroom with very little natural light, skylights - even a small dome - are ideal for allowing natural light into the room. Even a small amount of natural light will make a big difference.
3. Get organised
As the room where most activity takes place in the home, the kitchen should be a place where there is plenty of room for mom to get cooking, kids to sit and do homework, and for family and friends to gather and chat. Of course, if your kitchen is completely closed off from the rest of the house, there might not be enough room to socialise! But there are ways for even the smallest kitchen to be organised and up-to-date.
Out of sight - By keeping countertops as clutter-free as possible you will be creating more counterspace for preparation and cooking, and the kitchen will appear larger. Small, high cupboards fit into small spaces yet provide plenty of storage room.
Light and bright - When painting a small kitchen, use lighter colours for walls and floors. Even countertops in a light shade will give the appearance of a larger space. See page 15 of this issue for tips on painting your kitchen cabinets. For countertops, use the new Rust-Oleum Countertop Kit.
4. Empower yourself
In today’s modern society, women - just as much as men - are getting involved in “Doing It For Themselves.” With some basic DIY knowledge you are no longer reliant on fly-by-night contractors, overpriced repairs, and shoddy workmanship.
Power tool manufacturers have taken note of the fact that women are getting involved in DIY, whether they are doing their own home repairs, improvements, or tackling creative projects. One of the world’s leading power tool manufacturers, Bosch, have introduced a wide range of cordless tools that are lightweight and easy to use - with women in mind. Empower yourself with the basics by attending one of the DIY Diva Power Tool and Basic Woodworking courses, and then move on up and start “Doing It For Yourself!” For more information: www.DIY-Divas.co.za
You don’t need any previous experience or knowledge to attend our courses. Our courses are designed especially for women who don’t know and want to learn. We take you step-by-step through each power tool, and the tools and techniques you need to use power tools in your own home.
5. Be eco conscious
Do you feel guilty every time you switch on the lights? A standard halogen bulb uses 50w, while energy-efficient bulbs use up to four times less electricity to generate the same amount of light. So here’s a bright idea - switch to energy efficient bulbs!
Another lighting option to consider is LEDs. These small bulbs are long lasting, energy efficient and do not cause heat build up. However, these bulbs are more expensive that CFLs, but because they provide a focused light, they are perfect for flashlights, bedside lamps and spot lights.
And whilst we are on the subject of lighting. Every South African homeowner is concerned about the personal safety of their family and home, but that doesn’t mean you have to switch on the 500w spots to illuminate your garden! There is a sensible solution that won’t cost you a fortune and will be extremely eco-friendly - solar lights. Most DIY and home centres now offer solar lighting. The latest technology means you can even have solar system with built-in PIR detectors that will switch on when movement is detected. Generally, these lights provide a dimmer light than mains or low voltage so it’s not a good solution if you want a strong directional light. However, your environmental conscience will be clearer - and solar is ideal for picking out low planting or lighting paths and decks.
Eco Tip:
Do you know how much energy you could save just by turning off a light when you leave a room? It may not seem like much, but when you add it up in the space of a year - you are really making a difference.
Janice Anderssen
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