Design Tips That Can Instantly Make Any Room in Your House Look More Elegant

Your home is the one place that you know you can always go to relax at the end of each day. Your home should be an oasis, but you should also feel comfortable enough to entertain your family and friends without worrying about whether a room is outdated. When your home needs an update, consider these design tips that will give any room an air of elegance that people notice.

Paint an Accent Wall a Darker Color

Dark paint colors add an air of sophistication that makes any room more interesting. Currently, royal blue, slate gray, and charcoal are trending colors that you can use to update living rooms, kitchen and bathrooms. While an accent wall is the easiest way to try out a darker shade, you can also paint the whole room to make it even more glamorous.

Install Hardwood Floors

Outdated carpet makes your house look shabby, and people’s eyes tend to go straight to the floor since it is one of the largest surfaces in a room. If your house has old linoleum, tile, or carpet, then consider upgrading to a hardwood floor. Wood floors are classic, and they come in a variety of shades that you can choose from to create the look you want.

Add New Light Fixtures

Pendant lighting gives an instant sense of glamor since it directs the light right where you want it to go, such as on top of a granite countertop. However, you’ll also want to explore how other types of light fixtures can increase the elegance of a room. Consider placing a floor lamp near a chair to create a reading area in your bedroom. You can also place two matching lamps on end tables by the couch to make the decorating scheme more cohesive.

Place Decorative Pieces Strategically

A few conversation pieces that reflect your style round out any room. In the living room, consider placing an interesting vase on the mantle or side table. You’ll also want to choose wall art carefully in rooms where others will visit. You can often find quality art at local markets that is affordable and gives you a story to share with visitors.

When you’re updating a room, make sure to start from the ground up. Once you’ve got beautiful floors, you can then move on to painting and adding the light fixtures. By the time that you are through, you’ll notice a dramatic difference in the general ambiance of the room.

Guest Post - Interior Design Ideas to Create Safer Spaces for Seniors

The aging population continues to grow and with their special needs for daily life, it is important to design homes to suit their needs. When creating spaces for seniors home designers should have the expertise and knowledge to design spaces that are accessible, safe, and comfortable for the seniors. This will not only ensure that they live independently and dignity, but they will age gracefully in their homes. Here are some practical interior design tips to help you create safer spaces for seniors.

General Design -

When designing a space to suit the safety and accessibility of seniors, it is essential to follow these general design rules:

1. Set Up Well-Lit Areas – 

Ensure all parts of your home are well lit since adequate lighting makes it easier for the elderly to find their way around. It also prevents injuries, and you can use large windows to maximize natural light.

2. Use Specific Colors – 

Bright and specific colors aid with creating a contrasting effect which helps with depth perception. This allows the seniors to differentiate items and it reduces confusion in their space.

3. Consider Open Floor Planning –

Rearrange your open floor layout to allow the seniors to move around without bumping or knocking over the furniture. Consider clean and clutter-free planning to allow free passage and ensure it doesn’t disrupt the traffic flow in the home.

4. Choose Slip-Resistant Floors –

Such types of floors make the home safer by minimizing accidents. If installing or changing the flooring is not possible you should consider using anti-slip rubber mats.

5. Install Ramps –

Ramps are safer and easy to walk on, thus you can replace step entries with ramps and this will allow the seniors to move in and out of their spaces with ease. Ramps are suitable for seniors who move by wheelchairs because it makes their home more accessible. 

The Kitchen – 

Ease of use and fluidity should be your principles when redesigning the kitchen for the seniors. If your loved one loves cooking install easy to reach cabinets and ensure all appliances are well-positioned to reduce too much movement. Adjust the height of the sink to their suitable height, opt for a hands-free faucet, choose shallow sinks, consider under-cabinet lighting and invest in a pull-out pantry. Have a sturdy stool in the kitchen that the elderly can sit on while cooking, have round edges for countertops, and put the microwave at counter height.

The Bathroom –

Bathrooms are a challenge for the majority of the elderly to navigate, however, there are a wide array of options to make them user-friendly and more safety. Invest in a shower seat, a handheld showerhead, or a walk-in shower will make the bathroom safer and accessible. For adults with difficulty in standing, you should adjust the height of the toilet or install a seat extender, an anti-slip flooring will help to avoid accidents, and adding shower rails will help facilitate their balance while they are in the bathroom. 

Bedroom & Closet Design –

The bedroom is an important space, and you should take into account the bedroom design tips to make the experience for the seniors hassle-free. Redesign the bedroom flooring with a soft, plush carpet and this will keep the room warmer, it will be easier on their joints, and it will prevent falls by providing friction. Avoid throw rugs or mats at all costs as they are a higher risk for causing trips that lead to accidents. Change their closest design so that it has more space and is accessible to avoid cluttering. Consider adding a sturdy chair in their closet to allow them to sit while they are dressing, add a bed rail, have a phone beside their bed, and adequately lit their closet. Finally, a profiling hospital bed can reduce the danger of falls, help discomfort of pressure ulcers that can be an issue in long term care environments and maximize comfort.

The Living Room –

The best living room for the elderly is one that is uncluttered and has a simple furniture arrangement to make it easy for them to navigate. Grab bars are also essential in the living room when they are fixed on the walls next to where the elderly love to sit the most. Consider adding lift chairs to aid the elderly with getting up from the furniture and arrange the living room in a way that accommodates the needs of those with limited mobility.

Laundry Room Design –

When designing the laundry room you should consider the needs of the mobility-impaired, thus you should design the laundry room in a way that makes it easier for the seniors to access the laundry room. Consider having the laundry room near the bedroom, easy-to-read controls, have the washer or dryer raised, and choose pull-down shelving.

Miscellaneous Tips –

Some of the miscellaneous design tips include installing a chair lift on stairs, clearing pathways, installing longer-lasting LED lights, and choosing east to maintain plants.

Final Thoughts –

These interiors design tips can make much of a difference and before redesigning your space you should consult with professionals. Redesign your home in a way that meets the needs of your aging loved one.

Author Bio: This article was written by Conor O’Flynn of O’Flynn Medical. O’Flynn Medical are the leading supplier of medical equipment in the UK and Ireland. 

Inject Personality into Your Room with these Creative Decor Ideas

Redoing your room or home is, objectively, a lot of fun. Even if you’re moving homes and it’s a hassle and you don’t really have the time, it’s still fun. It’s fun because your place, where you live, is essentially you. Right? It’s kind of an extension of you. A way for you to project your individuality beyond yourself. How cool is it to have someone walk into a space that you’ve created and start engaging with it, picking up subconscious cues? Everyone who walked into Dragonstone knew exactly what the Khaleesi was all about. You know, the whole grim, barebones, give-you-an-inferiority-complex type of decor. Now you don’t have to go so far as to install giant dragon figurines by your door (or do, if that’s your thing), but there is a whole lot you can do to remake your room in your image. And it doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul either. Small touches here and there can lend a sense of style to your surroundings and elevate an otherwise ordinary space. 

Walls

It’s often the first thing people register when they walk into a room: the color of your walls. Ever since paint became a thing, colors like white and beige have been the go-to, mainly because they reflect light better and make your room appear more luminous. By playing with the color of your walls, you can make a smaller room feel more spacious or add focus and character to a larger room. Don’t want too much color overwhelming you? Try a statement wall. Pick one side of your room and paint it differently — a rich blue, red, or green — to offset the otherwise neutral color palette. It could serve as a backdrop for your bed or an art display. You could even do a mural to add some life and movement to the room. 

Accessories

Accessories are everything. Install some that you like and not ones that the magazines say you ought to like. Everyone’s got feng shui or a laughing Buddha these days. Experiment with some eccentric home decor ideas that’ll catch your guests’ attention — maybe keep them occupied while you’re mixing the drinks or create some interesting conversation. 

Soft Decor

You’d be surprised how much real estate your curtains, couch covers, and pillowcases consume. After your walls, they probably contribute the most in terms of setting the color tone of the room. You could go the whole mismatched route for that boho-chic effect. If you prefer something more understated, let your furnishings blend in and place some decorative cushions to add a pop of color to the surroundings.    

The Floor

This is an interesting one. Picking your floor is both an aesthetic and a functional decision. It needs to look good, yes. But it also needs to feel good. Tiles, wood, vinyl — they all feel different to walk on and affect the acoustics of the room. People love solid wood since it makes for a timeless choice. It can also make for annoying clickety-clacks as you’re walking on it. Our recommendation? Try adding in an area rug. It’s a great way to soundproof the sitting area and serve as a beautiful floor piece for your furniture. 

‘Content’ Case

Yes, a content case. We used to call them bookshelves or record collections back in the day. And if you don’t like intellectual and creative pursuits being reduced to a generic consumer commodity like “content”…..well, then you don’t like it — it’s a problem, what do you want from us? But add one in any way. It doesn’t have to be books. Have it be whatever best reflects your interests. Video games, classic vinyls, BluRays, abstract art...something that presents a window into your mind and gets your guests talking. And if you run out of ideas, you can always stick up a poster of Che Guevara. Right next to the priceless china or opulent fireplace. People won’t know what to think. 

Natural Elements

Incorporating some greenery or raw wooden items into your home decor can really lift the vibe of the place, give it an earthy feel. If you don’t have enough time to look after potted plants, try placing some artificial ones around. They look just as good, minus the hassle of having to keep them alive.  

When redecorating your room, remember that you’re going to be the one spending the most amount of time there. Playing to the gallery is all well and good, but you don’t want to be weirded out in your own space. Take time with your decisions, ensuring you’re comfortable with the outcome. There’s nothing like hitting that perfect decor combination that feels like you and feels like home, and where it’s always a pleasure to entertain guests as well as spend time alone.

Out of the Dark Ages: Updating the Lighting in Your Old House

Updating your lighting is one of the fastest and easiest ways to give your home a new look. Inside and out, your home's lighting adds warmth and ambiance, and it also adds to the safety of your property.

Get New Lamps

You won't need an electrician to add a stylish, new table and desk lamps to your home. Industrial-inspired bare bulb clusters, sophisticated sculptural designs, and eye-popping shade colors are just a few of the current lighting trends. The right lamps can create a bold statement or invoke a subtle ambiance.

Switch to LEDs

You also won't need an electrician to change your bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs. You can even find vintage-inspired LED filament bulbs that look fabulous in an industrial or steampunk lamp. According to the US Department of Energy, LED bulbs can last 25 times longer and use 75 percent less energy, compared to incandescent bulbs.

Install New Types of Lighting

However, you will need a professional electrician to install recessed, track, chandelier, or pendant lighting. This is because this type of lighting requires accessing, or adding, wiring through the ceiling. You might be able to replace a ceiling lighting fixture yourself, but if you are adding something new, trust the job to a professional.

Add Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is also important, not only for security but also to create a beautiful night time atmosphere. Consider adding solar lights outdoors. They not only save money on your electric bill, but they are also easy to install yourself. You can place solar lights along a pathway, spotlight a wall, or flood a patio with light.

Solar string lights are an especially pretty way to light up a patio or deck. Some have retro-inspired naked bulbs while others can change colors.

However, if you are serious about a security lighting system, you'll want to have it professionally hard-wired into the grid. Alternatively, you can choose a more robust solar system that includes panels and a battery bank. This is because low-cost, garden variety solar lights may not perform well during the winter, since the energy they get from the sun is lower. Also, the small, internal batteries typically won't last through the entire night.

If your home is older, you may want to have an electrician come check your home’s wiring before you make any changes to your home’s lighting. Because today’s consumers typically have a higher reliance on electrical needs than in decades past, your home’s electrical system may not be able to support new additions. If this is the case, your whole home may need to be rewired to prevent future outages and fire hazards.

Whether indoors or out, your lighting creates both an inviting atmosphere as well as adding safety. The right choice can also save you money on your monthly electric bill. Robust security lighting can also add value to your property. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, now is the time to update the lighting in your old house.