Pick the Right Colors
25 | If you are in doubt about a color, paint a 2-foot square on a wall and live with it for a few days to see if it suits. September 1985
26 | All blues work well together. Also, any color with a blue undertone, like violet or lavender, has a soothing effect. September 2009
27 | Picking paint? Take your cues from what's in your closet. You'll be comfortable with the colors you like to wear. April 2010
28 | Consider using gray in halls or the dining room. It's a wonderful background for art and sets off glass, crystal and silver beautifully. August 1992
29 | Whether you're starting from scratch or updating a room, make a plan before introducing new colors. Take into account the hues in the furnishings you already have so your new favorite shade doesn't clash. March 1943
30 | You can't go wrong following this traditional progression: Floors are dark, walls are lighter and the ceiling is the lightest. October 1985
31 | If you're shy about using a bold color, use it as a lively accent in pillows. February 2010
32 | Buying a rug? It's one of the largest color areas in the room, and the more neutral it is, the more decorating options you will have. November 1941
33 | Don't use equal proportions of several colors. They will end up fighting for attentipon. September 1985
34 | Green goes with everything because it's a return to nature. August 1992
35 | Use warm colors in north-facing rooms. Washed-out shades, especially with a lot of blue in them, will look dull in weak natural light. September 1985
36 | When a room has a lot of natural light, you can use brighter, richer colors. May 2005
37 | Neutral doesn't have to mean "beige." Try pale shades of blue, green or pink for a hint of color that won't fight with your furnishings. October 2004
Master the Mix
38 | For bookshelves that are attractive as well as functional, separate vertically standing books with an occasional horizontal stack, or leave spaces for decorative objects. February 1996
39 | Furniture from different periods can be used together if they have some factor in common, such as curved lines or a similar type of ornamentation, or are alike in size and scale. September 1985
40 | The more matchy-matchy your furnishings are, the harder it is to introduce a different or unusual element. August 1992
41 | To arrange a collection of framed photos on a small table, put the tallest in back and the lowest in front. May 1968
42 | Mixed patterns should share at least one of these elements: color, scale or design. October 1985
43 | If a room is visually "busy" (many patterns, small pieces), add a dark brown or black item, such as a table. Eyes will naturally settle on it. February 2010
44 | When sticking to one color—say, all-white bedding—use different textures, such as matelassé or an open knit, to create a look that's interesting and inviting. October 2010
45 | Before arranging multiple pictures on a wall, use the floor to work out placement. February 1962
46 | More than one rug can be used in the same room if the designs are similar or the colors compatible. September 1985
47 | If the table, china cabinet and sideboard make your dining room feel boxy, soften the angles with round objects on the wall, such as a mirror or decorative plates. March 2011
48 | Balance in a room makes it restful to the eyes. Extend drapery rods and curtains onto the wall on either side of an off-center window. March 1939
49 | If a piece is really beautiful but doesn't fit in, give it a special place in a hall or at the top of the stairs. August 1992
50 | If you have a variety of items that happen to be the same color, gather them from around the house and put them together to create an eye-catching display. February 2010
51 | Group furniture with proportion in mind: No high pieces alongside each other, and no low ones lined up monotonously. September 1939
Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
52 | The least expensive way to make an old bathroom look new is to change the shower curtain. Try a bright, bold color or print. March 1986
53 | Adding texture—like beadboard along a wall or faux "punched tin" to a ceiling—can change the look of the room. November 2003
54 | Fads are fun as long as you don't spend too much money on them. For instance, color trends are worth following if you buy accessory pieces because they can provide a quick change for a minimal cost. October 1985
55 | Purchase an affordable fabric in a solid color. It won't betray its price the way a patterned fabric will. June 1975
56 | Labor is a huge part of decorating expenses, so the more you can do yourself—painting, sewing, etc.—the more you can spend on materials. September 2003
57 | Add pattern to just one wall so an architectural feature like a fireplace or niche will be set off. It's also a great way to put a single roll of discounted wallpaper to use. November 1941
58 | If a complete redecoration is beyond your budget, concentrate on small changes such as curtains and slipcovers. January 1938
59 | Update your kitchen by simply painting the cabinets and changing their hardware. January 1982
60 | Don't automatically buy what costs the least. If you do, you may soon have to repaint, recover or make repairs. Economizing should mean getting good value, not inferior stuff. June 1975
61 | If you like fresh flowers but bouquets are too costly, purchase just three or four stemmed flowers and arrange them in a small-necked vase. September 1991
62 | Instead of using one big mirror, which can be pricey, hang several small ones in different sizes and shapes. If the frames are all the same material—white painted wood, brass, natural wood—the collection will look integrated. June 1979
63 | When selecting furniture, avoid overly ornate pieces. Simpler lines are easier to coordinate and more likely to stay in fashion over a long period. October 1985
64 | Wall decals are an inexpensive way to add personality. The best part: When you're ready to try something new, you can just peel them off. February 2010
65 | Give store-bought curtains a custom-made look by purchasing four pairs of panels for each window (instead of the usual two) for additional fullness. June 1997
Spruce Up a Room
66 | For a decorative element, add trim or a few inches of contrasting fabric to the bottom of plain window shades. March 1974
67 | Place cushions on kitchen chairs. They'll look and feel more inviting. June 1997
68 | Give a prized plant something to stand on, like a painted wooden stepladder or an offbeat chair. February 1996
69 | Nail a strip of wood around the room at chair-rail height and wallpaper the area below it. June 1975
70 | Paint a piece of furniture glossy white or black—a wakeup for any room. February 1996
71 | Add colorful crystals (they make magnetic ones now) to a chandelier for a simple, affordable way to up style. November 2009
72 | Brighten the foot of the bed with a colorful quilt. February 2010
73 | Glue braid or even simple grosgrain ribbon around the bottom of a plain lampshade. February 1996
74 | Add molding to a bare door and stain or paint it in a contrasting color. May 1991
75 | Update a space by introducing a modern material such as stainless steel as an accent. April 2011
More Home Decoration Tips:
If you want to know more about home decoration tips, please refer to
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