8 Tips For Managing Your Own Decorating Project

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If you love interior design and want to tackle a decorating project on your own, goodness knows there are resources available to help you do everything under the sun. But somehow, despite our best intentions DIY home decorating projects often get waylaid — sometimes for months or even years at a time. Stay on track with these nine tips, covering everything from budgeting to shopping.

1. List specific, measurable goals for your project. One of the first things an interior decorator does is define the parameters of the project. When doing your own decorating, it’s easy to justify skipping this step — but nailing down your goals now is essential to a successful project.

Answer these questions before you begin:

• Which room or rooms will I be decorating?
• When do I want to have this project completed? What’s my timeline?
• What is my budget?
• How do I want this room to look, feel and function when the project is done?
• Are there any specific issues I want to address in this space?
• Who will be making the decorating decisions: just me, or will I be collaborating with a partner or housemate?
• Might I actually need a pro to help?

Written goals will help keep you on track — no veering off from your living room project to accessorize your kitchen!

2. Draw up an item-by-item budget. Sticking to your budget is a science and an art, and it will not happen without some careful planning on your part. Start by making a master list of all of the items you plan to purchase for your room, including paint, jobs for a handyman and so on. Initially you will not have everything chosen yet, so you will need to estimate costs.
Think about the options for each item — for dining chairs, for instance, you could find a mismatched set at a yard sale and paint them yourself for a hundred bucks, you could go to Target or Ikea and spend a few hundred, or you could splurge on a designer set. Set your priorities and consider which items will be your splurge items and where you can pinch a few pennies.

3. Be realistic about your lifestyle. A good decorator would steer you away from ordering silk or velvet upholstery if you have kids or furry friends — do yourself a favor and do a reality check for each design decision before committing. There is nearly always an alternative that will work with your scheme just as well (if not better than) your original choice. And you will thank yourself later!




  

 
4. Order samples. During your initial shopping explorations, order samples of anything and everything you can that you are considering. Having fabrics, paint and wallpaper samples in hand will make those final decisions more likely to be a success. You cannot trust the colors on your computer screen!



5. Go shopping. Once you have done the groundwork — and only then — will it be time to begin laying your money down. Be sure to check the return policies on everything before buying. If you are not sure about something, snap a picture of it to look at in your space.




6. A little of this, a little of that … It’s important to take a breather midway through your decorating project to reassess. How are the things you have bought so far looking in your space? Is it coming together as you envisioned, or do you need to rethink some parts of your scheme? Are you sticking to your budget?
Every decorating project has its surprises — the important thing is to adjust to them, rather than steamrolling on no matter what. If, for example, you spent way more than you planned on the lighting, look for ways to cut costs elsewhere.

7. Stay busy while waiting for orders to arrive. The results of all of your hard work are on their way — use the downtime to complete some tedious but necessary tasks that will help your finished space look its best. Send out area rugs for cleaning, polish your wood floors, clean windows inside and out, clean window coverings and paint, and touch up trim. This point in the process is also a good time to sell or donate your unwanted furniture and accessories.

8. Don’t settle. By the time your new furnishings actually arrive, you may be so tired of working on your project that you are tempted to let less-than-perfect products stay, rather than expend the energy needed to deal with them.
Don’t do that. Mistakes happen, even to the pros, but a pro would never let a piece that just doesn’t work stay in the space. Muster your strength and send the piece back — the sooner, the better.

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7 Home Improvement Apps to Help Your Inner Handyman

Whether you're remodeling your kitchen or just fixing a leaky faucet, keeping up with your house's basic maintenance is an essential part of home ownership. And with these helpful mobile apps in your tool-belt, you'll be able to tackle virtually any project without having to get your contractor's license.

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Inspiration

You never know where you'll find the perfect color for your living room. But when the moment of inspiration strikes be sure you're ready for it. The free Colorsnap app (iOS, Android) from Sherwin-Williams can help by analyzing that perfect color, wherever you find it, and converting it into a matching, custom tint mix code for the company's paint brand.

All you have to do is take a picture of the color you like, tap on the hue you like best, and the system will return its "closest result". An image of my Navy Blue lighter shot under bright white indoor LED lighting for example, came back as "Quixotic Plum, SW 6265" which is close enough!

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Planning

"Measure twice, cut once" is one of carpentry's most fundamental rules, up there with "no horsing around near the band saws." The same holds true for home improvement in general. Before you can start in on a project-whether re-tiling a bathroom, laying down new hardwood floors, or even painting a hallway-you've got to know exactly what the scope of the project is and how much materials you'll need.

The Handyman Calculator (Android) can assist you with the more complex math-from figuring square footage and stud spacing to unit conversion to asphalt volume, tile, paint, carpet, and linoleum coverage calculators, this app takes care of all of the heavy mental lifting. You just need to provide the correct measurements.

The iOS faithful should check out Home Improvement Calcs from Double Dog Studios ($2, iTunes) for similar functionality to the The Handyman Calculator, including more than 74,000 preset functions from mulch coverage to attic insulation volumetrics. It also includes enough helpful explanatory illustrations that you'll be able to BS your way through the lumber section of your Home Depot with ease.

Or better yet, avoid the hassle of going to the home improvement store altogether. Both the Home Depot and Lowes offer dedicated apps for both iOS and Android which allow you to shop, purchase and, most importantly, have delivered just about everything the two stores sell.

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Ongoing

In addition to big renovation projects, a house requires regular maintenance and upkeep- especially the older it gets. To keep on top of the innumerable little duties that keep small problems from becoming big, expensive issues, check out House Maintenance Schedule ($2 freemium, Android). This calendar app helps schedule and remind you of upcoming maintenance projects, from flushing the water heater and inspecting fire extinguishers to changing HVAC filters and cleaning downspouts.

And if you find yourself stumped by a project, there are plenty of resources on the Internet to help you along. The Family Handyman DIY Tip Genius ($5 freemium, iOS) by Readers Digest is designed for both the iPhone and iPad and is packed with more than 300 (1,800 if you pony up $5) ideas and tips to keep you from bungling the job. For more ideas and tips be sure to also check out the regularly scheduled podcasts from Handy Guys and Money Pit Home Improvement. Now get out there and make Tim Taylor proud.

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Article source http://www.gizmodo.in/articleshow/25234220.cms

Feng Shui Home Renovation Tips

When remodeling your home consider following feng shui tips. Feng shui allows the home to have a balanced space for each family member.

Feng shui allows those who use it to attain positivity in their homes and lives. The focus of this Chinese philosophy is to control the flow of energy. When using this concept it will help home owners to arrange their rooms and furniture in a way that will help to gain positive energies in the home. Below are four tips to help home owners utilize feng shui.
1. Balanced space for each family member:
It is important to establish balance in spaces such as the children's bedroom. Children's rooms should be of equal size. This will avoid fights of inequality between the children. Using this technique will also establish an equal amount of love among the children.

2. Location of the kitchen:
The kitchen is the heart of the house, meaning the location of the kitchen is a vital part of the house. In order to achieve a positive flow of energy the kitchen should not be seen directly after entering through the front door or from a bedroom. It should be more centrally located.

3. Figure out the lighting:
Another essential of feng shui is lighting. When performing a home renovation, consider the lighting and the arrangement of the lighting fixtures. Focus on areas inside the house that is not endowed with natural light. This will help to light your house evenly.

4. Know the basics of feng shui:
Familiarize yourself with other aspects of feng shui, such as ba-gua. Ba-gua helps to analyze the energy of a certain space while using feng shui. Also, consider introducing five elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Be aware of the colors that fall within these elements, such as red, orange and pink which are fire colors.

Top 10 Remodeling Trends of 2011

As the New Year begins so do new trends of remodeling. While houses may not be selling, homeowners are still looking to modernize their homes and stay with the current trends. Below is a listing of the top 10 remodeling trends that are expected in 2011.

1. Bathroom Remodel: Bathrooms are the most cost effective rooms to remodel. Many require only small fixes, such as new tile or appliances. Meaning 2011 is the year for a bathroom update

2. "Must Do" Remodeling Projects: Also in an effort to be cost effective, home owners are predicted to complete projects that 'need' to be done, such as a roof that leaks. People will be working towards completing their "have-to" projects instead of their "want-to" list.

3. Warm Up the House: Interior decorators are noticing more warmer colors and tiles in recent decorating. People are moving away from minimalist, white designs and are in favor of cozier, earth tones. The new trend is a mix of earthiness and modern design.

4. Backyard Deck: Homeowners have also begun to increase their outdoor space. Many people enjoy being outside and are spending more time at home.

5. Opening Up Rooms: Open floor plans are in and many homeowners have removed interior walls to enlarge and modernize older spaces. Open floor plans help families be more flexible with the square footage they already have.

6. Bronzing: Metallic features are also moving towards warmth. Oil rubbed bronze, aged bronze or distressed hardware are becoming increasingly more popular.

7. Going Green: Bamboo floors and bark siding are some of the newest and more popular green home products. Homeowners are looking for greener and more energy efficient appliances. Some homeowners have even moved towards tri-pane windows.

8. Industrial Flair: Exposed beams will continue to be popular, but so will stainless steel cable and architectural products. Many homeowners have begun to work from home, meaning homes will take on a more industrial or commercial look to enforce business credibility.

9. Relaxation Space: Tranquility has become a more common need for homeowners as of recently. More people are looking for 'zen like' bathrooms, with works-steam, seats and body sprays.

10. Planning Ahead: Finally, many homeowners are looking towards the future and to their retirement years. People are adding ease into their homes for their later years through easy opening cabinetry, hand held showers and more accessible kitchens and baths. They may not be in need of the products now, but homeowners are increasingly thinking about their future with these additions.

How to Protect Your Home Remodel from Con Artists

Con artists are in full swing! Steven Paley, a con artist in Palm Beach, has been arrested 47 times. One of the counts was for stealing money from a "customer" who he promised to remodel their house. In recessions, con artists are more common. Below are some crucial questions you should ask a possible contractor. They will help you to determine the legitimacy of the contractor. For more tips on how to avoid remodeling scams check out the free Remodeling Hell Salvation Guide.

How long have you been in the business?
Can you provide me with a list of references of jobs you've completed similar to mine?
What percentage of your business is repeat business?
Have you done work in my area before?
How many other jobs will you be working on simultaneously with mine?

To find out other important tips to protect yourself against scam artists check out the free Remodeling Hell Salvation Guide.