Archive for the ‘Interior Decorating’ Category

Most people spend a lot of time decorating their home for the holidays…

…but are at a loss when it comes to the kitchen.

Here are some easy and inexpensive ways that you can use to get your kitchen into the holiday spirit.

Decorate above the cabinets

If you have a space between the tops of your cabinets and the ceiling, then you have a great place decorate! Put up some garland or greenery. Maybe add some red bows or ornaments and little white lights for the season.

If you already have decorations up there, work around them or go all out and replace them with Santa’s, trees and other holiday decorations.

The kitchen table

Give your kitchen table a festive look by putting a holiday centerpiece in the middle. If your table is big enough, you can even put a small tree on it! Maybe one of those quaint Victorian bottle brush trees would look neat? Just something about 2 or 3 feet tall but not so wide that it takes up the whole table.

Complete the look by leaving your table set with Christmas theme dishes, placemats, glasses and silverware—this will add a wonderfully festive look to your table. If you’re on a budget, shop at your local consignment store, thrift store, or flea market for holiday themed tableware.

Another way to dress up your table is to give it a great holiday tablecloth. You can even make or buy matching slipcovers for the chairs.

Decorating the windows

Another great place to add some holiday cheer is around your windows. Drape garland or greenery over the valances or tops of your curtains and put Christmas candles in the window. You can even buy fake snow for the panes.

One little touch that looks great is to take a nice piece of ribbon and hang an ornament in each of the windows.

Don’t forget some accents

Another great decorating tip that really rounds out the look and pulls the room together is holiday accents!

Buy pot holders, kitchen towels and throw rugs with a holiday theme and splash them around the room to complete the look. If you are really ambitious, you can get cookie jars, canisters and other counter top items in the Christmas theme. Again, try yards sales, consignment stores and even antique stores for inexpensive items to use in your decorating.

(Adapted from “Kitchen Decorating Tips for Christmas” by Lee Dobbins—www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com )

Here’s a wonderfully creative idea you could use for some wall décor – it’s made from Christmas lights, cellophane and some pipe cleaners.

Trying to redecorate your home is an interesting challenge…

… because everyone wants to spend as little as they can while creating a unique design that really works for their lifestyle.

For this reason people from all over the world go out of their way to find inexpensive and unique furniture to accent their homes.

So how do you know if it’s truly a fabulous furniture find? Read on…

Cheap and Great Potential…

Furniture that’s inexpensive is usually found at rummage sales, furniture fairs, discount stores, salvage yards, and flea markets. That’s why designers use the phrase “flea market finds”, and why there’s great truth to the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”

When you’re visiting these flea markets, sales, and discount stores, realize that haggling and asking for a lower price are a common occurrence. You want to look for cheap furniture that is still in good shape and won’t require major structural repair. Pay attention to ornate details, architectural designs, and interesting structures.

Many of the unique period designs of the 1950s, for example, have found their way to these thrift stores and bargain areas. For a relatively small cost, they can be repaired, updated, and re-upholstered to bring them back to life.

Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to remain open-minded when picking out various items—consider that they could be used for entirely different purposes than those for which they were originally intended.

For example, sturdy wood in a rich color that was used formerly for a door or a window pane will work well as a coffee table or desk in your home.

Don’t be afraid to go to salvage yards and look for wood, excess metal, and other rejected portions of furniture. These could potentially be used as materials for projects like:

• Tables
• Stools
• Window treatments
• And many other purposes

Many of these things may be free or purchased for a very minimal price.

Antiques in Excellent Condition

In flea markets and furniture fairs, some antique furniture and ornaments may be found among the ordinary knick-knacks.

Keep your eyes open for these antiques and don’t be afraid to pay a little more for a unique and authentic antique piece: it’s a fabulous find if these antiques are less expensive than they might be, especially if they need very little restoration and/or repair.

Multi-purpose and Nifty

It’s absolutely fabulous when a piece of furniture fulfills more than one purpose around the home or the office. Savings abound when one piece of furniture may be used for multi- purposes at the cost of a single piece.

Watch for these smart designs that are found in the most unexpected places, like all-around home stores and department stores.

Find the Genius Furniture Designer

Many furniture expos feature first-time designers offering the public their products. Because this is their debut offering, many of these designers offer their avant-garde and noteworthy designs at a much lower price than they would in the more sophisticated home and furniture stores.

After you’ve finished hunting, the final measure of a fabulous find is the use you get from it. Make sure that your purchase will end up as a useful part of your home. Fabulous furniture should give you stylish design as well as your money’s worth.

One of the most versatile items to consider…

… in your interior decorating effort is wood molding.  Not only are there tons of uses for it but there are literally hundreds of different types and styles of molding.

Adding it to your décor will also increase the perceived value of your home.

Why are moldings important?

Moldings are something that’s added purely for esthetics and not as a necessity.  Savvy real estate agents know that when a potential buyer spots moldings in a home they’ll usually start exhibiting positive “buy” signals.

Molding’s many uses…

Wood molding can be used in many different ways.  Here are just a few:

• Door trim—Set your home apart by deviating from plain old mitered edges.  Adding blocks to the corners will give a pleasing, upscale look to an otherwise plain doorway.  Instead of a single door trim, try adding an additional decorative molding for another look.

• Baseboards—Your baseboards need to be sturdy. The entire reason for having them is to protect the wall.  There are different synthetic materials you can get such as vinyl but nothing takes the place of solid wood.

• Base shoe—A base shoe molding added to the baseboard provides additional transitioning from the flooring material to the baseboard.

• Window casings—Try dressing up your window casings.  Just like doors, windows are usually finished off with a single plain trim and mitered edge.  Try adding blocks and trim to match the doorways and you’re sure to please the eye.

• Chair railing—Is your dining room or kitchen eating area a bit on the cramped side?  If so, think about installing a chair rail.  Just as the name implies, this molding is designed as a rail around an area to prevent damage to the walls.  If the room for your table and chairs is somewhat cramped, sliding the chair back to get up from the table can create unsightly nicks, dents, scratches and sometimes even knock out the drywall.  Installing a chair rail at the height of the backs of your chairs will provide a “stop” that prevents damage to the wall.   Chair rail material is easily spruced up with a new coat of paint and is much easier to maintain then repairing and replacing drywall or other expensive finishes.

• Crown molding—One of the best uses for wood molding is crown molding.  Just as the name implies, crown molding gives a “crown” to your room. Placed at the top of the wall as a transition to the ceiling, wood crown molding is one of the best ways to add value and beauty to any room.

• Stair railing—Wood molding can also be used as handrails in your stairwell creating beauty and safety for your stairs.

• Wainscot cap—Another use for wood molding is as a top to wainscoting giving a “finished” look to any wall with wainscoting.

• Framing—Another decorating tip is to use plain molding as a “frame” on a wall.   The frame can act as a design element by adding a contrasting paint, wallpaper or finish to the area inside of the molding frame.  This is a great way to display your favorite art or other personal items such as a collection of sorts mounted to a backboard of simple, finished wood.

Decorative moldings can be used in many areas of your house to add appeal and dramatic effect, so have fun with this inexpensive tool.

With just a little imagination you can definitely make the most of moldings in your home!

Change is needed when your child becomes a teenager…

If you’re the parent of a teenager, sooner or later the subject will come up of redecorating what has been a child’s room up till now.

A teenager’s room is different from a child’s room and should be treated more like an adult space, but with a slightly fun flair to it.

It’s best to involve your teenager in coming up with the theme that’ll express who they are (and not what you want).

Choosing your colors…

It’s a good idea when redecorating your teenager’s room to let them choose the colors but with some guidance from you.

Suggest to them that they have a look on the internet and see what they can find.

Remember: they’re very sensitive to color, and much freer with their sense of adventure.

Consider using bolder colors on the wall behind the bed—creating a great focal point.  Not to mention that it’ll save you having to decorate the whole room.

That means you’ll be able to include a color in their room that they really like and want without it completely overpowering the whole room.

Windows…

Another cost effective way to redecorate your teen’s room is to change the window covering.

Instead of curtains, why not choose a suitable blind?  They come in so many different designs, colors and materials, there’s likely to be something they’ll like.

For teenage girls only…

Why not get hold of a small table and turn this into a cool make up vanity by painting it to match your teenager daughter’s bedroom décor?

Get some colorful bed linens to bring all your décor elements together.  You could purchase extra sheets to make curtains and lampshades that’ll match the rest of the room.

The floor…

If you can’t afford to replace a worn out carpet in your teen’s bedroom you might opt to have it removed and go for low maintenance painted floors with some throw rugs.

Think about including some large cushions they can use when their friends come round. It’ll provide them with a more relaxing and friendly atmosphere and a place where they can get away from it all.

The furnishings…

Rather than replacing a perfectly good bed simply get a more adult-like headboard instead.

Rearranging your teen’s furniture in their room will give it a whole new dramatic look.  Many successful teen room makeovers were quickly and easily accomplished just by changing the layout of a room.

Introducing new accessories and lighting to their room could dramatically change the look of  your teen’s room.

If you want to make your teen’s room look a little funkier pick up some fringe or beading from a clearance table at the local craft store.  Glue this around the bottom edge of the lampshades, hems of curtains, and edges of shelves to provide a new look.

Keep those free CD’s—you know, the ones that AOL puts in to magazines etc. Turn them on to their reverse side and glue them to a mirror frame or cover a closet door.

Another great way is to glue them in an overlapping fashion and use them as a faux frame for your teen’s posters.

We’ve just scratched the surface, but as you can see, there are many ways to redecorate a teen’s bedroom that won’t end up costing you an arm or a leg.

It’s a great idea to get your child involved…

When starting any project where a child is concerned, it would be a great idea to get them involved.  Remember this is their room, and you want the space to reflect who they are and what they love.

Why not grab a pen and some paper (as your child is likely to come up with 100’s of ideas) and get talking!

Some ideas to get you started…

• When decorating your child’s room be sure to choose the wall color carefully.  It’s important to pick a color that matches the theme that you’ve chosen—so you can be sure that everything complements and looks like they belong together.

• If you want to add a splash of color to your child’s room but don’t want to repaint consider adding a solid colored area rug.

• As curtains can be expensive, why not consider getting a blind instead.  Then all you need to do is hang a sheer panel. You can further complement your child’s color scheme by painting it with fabric paints (you could even let your child do it themselves.)

• You could purchase a new light or lampshade to match the theme.  This is a great way of adding a new look to the room, as well as being a cost effective way of reducing the light they use in their rooms.  You could buy a plain lampshade, get some acrylic paints, and let your child decorate it.

• If you want bedding that will complement your child’s bedroom but can’t afford to buy it—consider purchasing some flat sheets (which only cost a few dollars and come in a wide range of colors). You can then sew them together to create a duvet cover and some simple curtains and pillow cases that will set off the décor of the room.
  

  Let your child get involved with the process

• Scour consignment stores for small items that will complement your child’s chosen theme—a lamp, bookcase, shelving unit, toy box, etc.

• Removable wall decals are another great idea. They’re super easy to install—just peel off the backing paper and apply to any wall or smooth surface. You can mix and match to create a wonderful themed bedroom. If you can’t find any decals local try Fathead.com online—they have a great selection to choose from.

• Another great way of redecorating their room that won’t break the bank is to create a comfort zone.  All you need are some big pillows, or a plush or inflatable chair.  Make sure it’s something your child will enjoy sitting on and relaxing in.  Since they’ll be using this area for reading you’ll want to put up some small shelves or place some plastic boxes on their side to hold their books.

• Why not personalize something for their walls?  You could take photographs of them and the family and pets and make them into a collage.

• Find posters from children’s museums, libraries and bookstores—mount them onto foam board with re-positionable adhesive spray. Both foam board and spray can be found at any craft supply store.

Remember the days when your child was more interested in the wrapping paper than the actual gift?

This same theory applies to their bedroom design. There’s no need to go overboard and spend a lot of money.

Whatever you do choose to do  be sure to keep it simple and fun. Take some time to pre-plan the task—then let loose and enjoy yourselves.

A little effort and creativity on your part will go a long way in creating a room that both you and your child will be able to enjoy for many years to come.

We all have a vision of the perfect nursery…

But is there really any need for you to spend $2,000 in order to decorate and furnish a space that, in a couple years, will be outgrown?

This month we’re going to look at several different ways in which a nursery can be decorated no matter how small your budget.

Follow these steps…

• Paint the nursery instead of using wallpaper -Choose colors that’ll co-ordinate with the baby’s toys, rather than going for the traditional colors.  Invite friends and family and get them to dip their hands into a pot of paint and place their handprints on the wall.  They could even sign their names underneath if they want. By doing it this way your baby will get to enjoy a brightly colored room full of contrasting patterns.  This is of especial appeal to young infants.  It’s also an interesting way of introducing them to those people who’ll be important in their life as they grow up.

• You don’t have to be artistically inclined, but if you want, why not add some stencil designs to the walls?  This is an inexpensive and easy way of adding different elements and features to your baby’s room. It’s best to choose stencils which will match the theme of the room.

• As far as the floor is concerned, make sure that you have a stain resistant carpet, or choose a hardwood floor with some scatter rugs on it.  If you already have carpet and you’re worried that it may not stand up well, why not get an area rug which will cover and protect it?

• When you’re decorating your nursery consider buying some secondhand, or lovingly used, pieces instead.  You may find items that are of a higher quality than you’d normally be able to purchase.  You might even find a vintage piece of furniture, which you can then refinish to match the décor of the nursery.

• Get an old, beat up chest of drawers and paint with a high gloss paint and replace the handles on it.
  

  Stuffed animals make the room cozy

• Consider buying a piece of furniture that can be used for many different things. Don’t spend money on buying a changing table but instead buy yourself a dresser that’s about waist high, and put your changing mat on top.  Then fill the drawers with all your diaper needs. In order to stop the pad from slipping, place a small bath mat with rubber backing face down underneath it.  Then, once the child is older, the chest of drawers can be used as it was intended.

• Instead of spending large amounts of money on buying storage boxes for your nursery, why not use baskets and shelves instead to store toys and other infant essentials?

• Create a wooden letter wall accent by purchasing wooden letters that spell out your child’s name. Give the letters a fresh coat of brightly colored paint that matches your chosen décor and hang them with a ribbon from the focus wall or ceiling.

• Add some stuffed animals – Create a small grouping of stuffed animals on a dresser or bookshelf to add that cozy feel to the room. As your child gets older they can become his/her toys.

• Add some colorful characters to the walls. Use stencils, decals, or posters to add a mural to the focus wall. Storybook characters from nursery rhymes or books work well—characters such as Raggedy Ann and Andy, Noah’s Ark and Mother Goose.

There are many decorating ideas around which could save you a lot of money.  If you want still more ideas simply Google “decorating a nursery”.

Hopefully, the ideas above will help you when making your decorating decisions.

It’s really quite easy to change the look of your bedroom…

…without spending a fortune.  Using a little creativity on your part will go a long way to improve the layout and the ‘look’ of your haven away from the stresses and strains of modern life.

Put these tips to work…

• A good thing to do before you start redecorating your room is to de-clutter.  Unfortunately, many of us tend to use our bedrooms as dumping grounds because they’re away from the public eye.  Stash any items you don’t need in labeled boxes and store them under the bed, in a closet or the garage or loft.

• Next, why not give the walls a new coat of paint?  This is the most inexpensive way of changing the look of a room, it’s also the one that’ll give the most impact.  You don’t need to paint the whole room. Try repainting one particular area (that may be in need of renovation), such as the wall behind the bed.  You don’t even need to change the color; all you need to do is paint on a fresh coat of the same paint. Whether you decide to change the color or not you’ll find that the ‘feel’ of the room has changed. Consider putting up a border, or stenciling some designs on to the walls in order to give them a little more life.  Both of these ideas are inexpensive and will give any tired old room a new lease of life.

• Rummage through your drawers for scarves, tablecloths or pillowcases that compliment the color scheme of your bedroom.  These can be used to soften the top of a dresser or the edge of your bedside table.

• By adding scent to your room, you’ll be changing the way the room feels.  If you don’t have any potpourri, then cut up some orange peel and allow it to dry.  Once dry, mix it with whatever sweet spices you have (cinnamon, ginger or all spice) and put it in an open bowl in your bedroom to freshen it up.

• Get some old baskets and hang them up in nooks and corners of your bedroom.  Not only will they add style to the room, but will provide you with some additional storage space as well.

• A great way to change the look and feel of your bedroom inexpensively is by buying a new lamp or even just a lampshade. Choose a color and style that’ll compliment the décor of your room.  Such an item can be used to accent the color scheme of your room also.

• Add an area rug– this will quickly change the feel of your room. Check around in your local consignment stores or even eBay for some great deals. Plan your paint color around one of the colors in your area rug.

• Add a simple duvet or a few pillows to your bed—they’ll help bring out the colors and patterns in your room.

• Add a couple of plants. Plants will make your room feel warm and inviting—not to mention that they make great air fresheners. Choose plants that don’t require a lot of watering or attention, unless you have a green thumb, of course.

• Create a collage out of pictures, fabric swatches, favorite greeting cards, or even wrapping paper—whatever catches your imagination. Frame the finished piece of art and hang it on your focus wall—usually over the bed.

It only takes a little imagination to create an entire new look for your bedroom—your only limitation is the time and effort you want to give to the project.

It’s important to remember though, that your bedroom is the place where you’re likely to spend most of our downtime. So why not spend a little time and effort on making it a haven for yourself—and it won’t even break your budget.

Before starting you need to know that your bathroom is in good shape…

It’s important to make sure there are no leaks in your bathroom and that all the caulking is tight.

You don’t want to complete redecorating your bathroom only to find a leak that means you’ll have to re-redecorate after it’s been fixed.

Unfortunately, although the bathroom is one of the easiest and least expensive to decorate, it’s often the most neglected.

For many of us, redecorating our bathroom consists of replacing an old shower curtain with a new one and that’s it.

Hopefully, by using the tips provided below, you’ll be able produce a whole new and inviting look to your bathroom.

Let’s get started…

• You can make a huge impact on this room by getting rid of any dark wood and old hardware on cupboards.  By using some paint and replacing the handles on the doors, you’ll give your bathroom a completely different look.

• Add some plants to your bathroom—they’ll thrive in such an environment.

• Use light.  Bright colors will create the illusion of space even in the smallest of spaces (which many bathrooms are).

• Change the light fixtures. The right type of lighting can make a huge difference to any bathroom.

• Consider replacing the taps of your bath and sinks. Replacing the tired, old looking taps of  your bath, will give it a completely different look. It’s an inexpensive way of updating an old room.

• Instead of buying a new shower curtain, why not choose to use a regular curtain.  This can be hung from a tension rod and backed with a shower curtain liner.  Such liners come in a variety of colors and are inexpensive to buy.

• Get a few candles. Not only are they attractive, but they instantly add warmth to a space, even when not lit.  There’s so much variety in colors, shapes and sizes of candles available, that you’re likely to find it difficult to choose exactly what you want.  It’s best if you buy candles which co-ordinate with the décor of your bathroom.  Add a few bars of scented soap and your bathroom will soon feel warm and luxurious.

• Add something new on your countertop by replacing your toothbrush holder, soap dish, and tissue box with something new and exciting. Add a vase with colorful flowers to add a touch of elegance.

• Replace ratty towels with fresh, new, colorful towels. Co-ordinate their colors with your shower curtain and other bathroom accessories.

• Add some framed pictures or art work. Frame some of your favorite pictures, verse of poetry, or inspirational verse and arrange them artfully on your focus wall.

• Add a fashionable new rug. They now come in some pretty amazing colors, patterns and themes. Rugs can give you a lot of decorative bang for your buck

• Get rid of clutter. Take a few hours to pitch out old jars of face cream and shampoo. Then sit back and enjoy your ‘new’ clean countertops.

• Introduce a great new scent to your bathroom with some potpourri, scented candles, or scented oil reed diffusers. Change the scents with the season so that there’s always something new and fresh.

By using the tips provided above, your bathroom will soon be looking fresh and bright.

Not only this, but you’ll know just how easy and inexpensive it is to do.  Soon you’ll be ready to start decorating another room in your home!

Redecorating your kitchen can be frightening…

Think you need to replace everything in your kitchen to get that whole new look? Think again!

By following the tips provided below, you should be able to create something new for next to nothing.

• Instead of replacing the cabinets in your kitchen, why not repaint them? There are many techniques around which are easy to learn and will provide your cabinets with that expensive designer look.  Techniques such as crackling, faux finishing and glazing are not only simple to do, but will save you money.  If you need help on looking for ways to up date old and tired kitchen cabinets take a look on the internet.

• Provide your kitchen walls with a new coat of paint. Paint them in warm and inviting colors to make the room an even more popular place to be.  If you have good quality wooden cabinets, a new coat of paint will help the wood to appear richer.

• Why not spend a little of your budget on purchasing some new hand towels and potholders that’ll match the color of your new décor?

• Another simple and easy tip for redecorating your kitchen that will cost you nothing, is to get beautiful dishes and glassware out of the cupboards, and use them to accentuate the kitchen.

• A great way to change the whole décor of your kitchen is by putting up new curtains.  Try this first before you do anything else.  They’ll help to create a fresh new look to your kitchen, and certainly won’t break the bank.  You may well find that just making this one change will give your kitchen a completely different look.  By changing your curtains, you can actually bring out the personality of your kitchen with little to no effort on your part.

• Why not use fabric in your kitchen? If you have appliances that you wish to hide—using fabric is a cheap and cost effective solution.  Just get some material that co-ordinates with the décor of your kitchen, some wire and hooks—hang the fabric in front of the appliance.  The fabric will provide a new dimension to your room.  If it gets dirty all you need to do is take it off and put it in the washing machine.

• Consider replacing the cabinet doors. There are many companies around which provided a variety of designs, colors and shapes of kitchen cabinet doors.  This is a much more cost effective way of giving your kitchen a whole new look without actually having to replace the whole cabinet.

• Replace the hinges and handles on your cabinet doors.  Just by doing this you can give your kitchen a whole new look.

• Another affordable way of making your kitchen look different is by adding a kitchen island. It not only provides you with more counter space, but provides a place where people can gather.  If you’re on a budget consider getting a kitchen cart.  When not in use they can be put away leaving you with more room in your kitchen.

• Finally, if your kitchen redecorating budget is so small that you’re unable to do any of the above why not think about replacing the backsplash instead. Just by doing this, you can really dress up that drab and dull kitchen that you have.  The great thing about backsplashes is that they now come in a variety of different colors and materials, as well as styles.  But how much you spend on this will depend on what material you select for it. You can really dress up your kitchen this way.

As you can see, redecorating your kitchen on a budget can be as simple as just giving the walls a new coat of paint, or changing the existing hardware or doors on your cabinets.

By making even just one small change to your kitchen you could give it a whole new look.

Give your dining room a whole new lease on life without breaking the bank…

This month we’ll take a look at a number of different ways you can decorate your dining room without killing your budget.

Check out these tips…

• Try covering the table with some fabric in order to hide any ugly surfaces. You can then use the colors in the fabric as the basis for choosing a new décor for the room.

• Use inexpensive accessories to help change the whole appearance of your dining room.  Get some candles and candleholders in order to provide a different look and feel to your room.

• Why not make a wall hanging for the room.  If you can, purchase some Chinese posters (they’re quite inexpensive) and turn them into wall hangings (which is quite easy to do).

• Check out flea markets, eBay, consignment stores to see if you can exchange or replace a piece of furniture for something that’s ‘new’ to you.  You may find the ideal dining table and chairs that you want for the theme of your room.

• Remember the rule of three. Instead of placing items together in even numbered groups, do it in odd numbered groups instead.  Where 2 candlesticks together look symmetrical, by adding a bowl or another smaller candlestick holder, you’ll give the element of surprise. Mixing colors and textures in order to form groups of three in a room can provide you with a whole new look.

• As we discussed last month when talking about redecorating your living room, move the furniture.  Instead of the table being horizontal to the walls, why not place it in the room at an angle (make sure you have enough space to walk round it).  Also, move any cupboards etc., away from walls, and instead place these in corners of the room at angles.  By doing this, you’re giving your dining room a whole new look.

• You could build and attach a fold-down shelf to one of your dining room walls.  It’ll certainly make it easier for you when entertaining, and can be used as a buffet area as well.

• How about giving your dining room cabinets a new lease on life and paint them to accentuate the color of the room?  Check at your local paint supply store or DIY store, as well as online for advice on how to paint unusual surfaces.

• Use a mirror to create light and space in your dining room.  Frame one in such a way that it creates a mock window.  You could even use one by placing it behind some artistic belongings in order to highlight them from all sides.

• If your dining room chairs are looking a little tired and dated, then recover them with slipcovers…why not try making some covers yourself?  You could purchase another tablecloth or two that matches the one you use for your table, and upholster them in this as well.

• Repaint the room. You don’t need to do the whole room, just paint one or two walls with an accent color.  Maybe go for a color which will accent all the various aspects of the room, and integrates well with any soft furnishings that you have.

• Add an area rug to pull together all the colors in the room. It should be large enough to fit under the table and chairs, even when they’re pulled out.

• Add a centerpiece to your table. This is a great way to add color to your room and express your personality.

• Set the dining table to add some style to the room. By setting out a nice set of china along with placemats, etc. you add a more finished look to the room.

The only limit to your redecorating efforts is your imagination. Have fun!