12 Quick Decorating Tips to Add Some Style to Your Home

If you don't have the time or the money for a full home renovation, here are 10 quick decorating tips to add a little excitement and style to your home:

1. Wallpaper borders: You don't have to paint or fully cover walls to add a bit more interest. Try wallpaper borders. They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and shapes.

2. Add a Throw Rug: Even if you already have a carpeted room, you can add a brightly colored or uniquely patterned rug for a different look. You can place them at floor level, mid-level or up at the ceiling. Get creative!

3. Put Valances on the Window: A window valance is simply a small decorative curtain. It's much shorter and it's only function is to look pretty on a bare window or a window with blinds.

4. Keep Your Home Organized: Okay, that doesn't really sound like a decorating tip, but the more organized and uncluttered your home is, the better it will look and the more comfortable it will feel.

5. Try New Ceiling Lighting or a New Lamp: It's amazing what a difference lighting can make in a home. Update your look with some new lighting.

6. Add Color: There are so many ways to add color to your home. You can do it with towels, throw pillows, table skirts, folding screens, new bedsheets and more.

7. Paint Your Cabinets: Not ready for new cabinets? If you have wooden cabinets, you can easily paint them with acrylic paint made for wood.

8. Decorate Your Walls: Add paintings, framed photographs, art-work, candle sconces or whatever suits your fancy.

9. Add New Decorative Light Switch Covers: Forget about plain and boring white or beige light covers. Add some excitement to the room.

10. Add Cushions to Your Chair: Not only will it create a new look for your chairs, but it might cover up some of those scratches that build over time.

11. Change Your Door Handles: Door handles aren't too complicated to change and come in a variety of styles and color choices.

12. Add Candles, Vases or other Centerpieces to Your Tables: You can try pillar candles in various sizes placed on a decorative plate, a brightly colored vase with fresh flowers or another unique centerpiece to add beauty to any room.

Not all home makeovers require a contractor and thousands of dollars. If you have a bit of time this weekend, now's the perfect time to get started with these great ideas.

Ten Home Décor Items that Combine Taste with Functionality


When organizing your home, you want it to look neat, but you also want it to look nice. There are so many options out there that are well designed and fit into almost any décor. There is something to fit any taste.

1. Baskets are always a popular organizational item. If they are wood baskets, they give a nice natural look to the room. They are handy for holding all kinds of things, from makeup to toys.

2. Shoe organizers are something no family should be without. Who doesn't get tired of either tripping over shoes as they come in the house or not being able to find the mate to the kids' shoes as you are getting ready to head out the door? There are different styles available, from shoe racks that fit in the bottom of a closet to those that hang on the back of a door.

3. Closet organizers are becoming big business; as a matter of fact there are companies dedicated to helping you design the perfect closet organizer for your home. They can be as simple as plastic or metal adjustable shelves, or beautiful wood cabinets that are built to fit in your closet. They can have shelves, drawers, and places to hang clothes and baskets.

4. Desk organizers are a must-have for any home office or homework area. In addition to the standard pencil can and paper clip holders, there are nice wood pieces that are great for sorting mail and important papers. A classic desk blotter and penholder will add a touch of class to any desk.

5. Clothes trees can add an old-fashioned flair to any room. There are also more modern designs to choose from. They can be used near an entry for guests' coats, or in the bedrooms as a great place for kids to put their PJ's, robes, or even a towel after a bath.

6. Furniture with drawers can be great in homes with limited space. There are couches and beds that have drawers built into the bases that make great places to store out of season clothes or toys. There are also coffee tables that come with built in storage.

7. Video and audio storage are often wonderfully crafted pieces of furniture. They can be incorporated into a media center in the home, or used as stand-alone pieces. Some of them are designed to look like antique pieces of furniture.

8. Jewelry boxes are a wonderful way to not only organize all your precious pieces, but many are almost as beautiful to look at as your jewelry. You can find hand-carved pieces, or boxes with inlay. They look great on a dresser.

9. Carts with wheels are a handy form of storage, as they can be used anywhere in the house. Plus, if you don't need it all the time, they can be tucked away in a closet, pantry or corner. They can have drawers or shelves and offer additional workspace. They are great for kitchens.

10. Caddies are great for things that may need to travel from room to room. They can be nice looking buckets or baskets. There are also fabric caddies that have pockets that can be hung on the wall. These can be found in a wide variety of styles. They are great in kids' rooms for storing small treasures.

No matter what your taste is in decorating, it's pretty easy to find great accents to your home that add not only to the form, but to the function of your life.

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