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Perk Up Your Home And Your Mood With Simple Redecorating Tips

Written by Posted On Sunday, 13 February 2005 16:00

If you're feeling kind of blue lately maybe it's time for a new look. Rearranging a room can not only perk up your home, but also your mood, giving you a fresh perspective on life.

"It's just a much more subtle way to change your feelings about yourself than, say, a new car or clothes. If you really want to feel better about yourself, (re-decorating a room) it's just a fabulous thing to do," says Barbara Drosman owner of Cedros Design in Solana Beach, California.

Drosman says when you decide to redecorate a room give it your all -- the end result will be a direct reflection on your daily life's experience. "I think most people are color-phobic and afraid to use color. I think that's the one big thing that transforms most homes into really beautiful environments," says Drosman.

She recommends starting with a small quantity of your favorite color and using it as an accessory for pillows, swags or even an entire wall in a room.

Here are a few more tips to lighten the mood and spice up any room in your home:

  • In tight squeezes, use less bulky furniture. Opt for wrought-iron tables, light colored with curvy bases.

  • Picture perfect -- place the frame on a table or on a mantel as opposed to hanging it on the wall.

  • Place furniture at angles to break up the boxiness of a room.

  • Slip covers are marvelous, especially if you have pets -- always easier to wash the covers than the dog!

  • Bachelor style -- mom's cozy quilt over sofa cushions creates a homey feel.

  • Add colorful flowers in a see-through vase to a table or nightstand for cheerfulness.

  • Art is what you make it -- shadow boxes filled with collectibles can make a bold statement … just don't use too many in a room. Hang a wooden shadow box with wire for a simple look.

  • Instead of Picasso, frame your child's most prized artwork -- makes her feel like she's a star and adds unique style that sets your home apart from any other.

  • If your living room and sofa are dark, add some brightly colored throw pillows to lighten the mood.

  • Think comfort -- that old antique chair may be a beauty but replace it with comfortable furnishings that make guests and family want to linger.

  • Need more storage? Try a decorative trunk for a coffee table.

  • Light up a room. Don't get caught up in mood lighting. If a room is too dark it won't be used much. The strain on your eyes isn't worth the ambience, especially because family members will retreat to a better lit area to cuddle up and read a book.

  • Give your kitchen a zesty look by painting stripes on your cabinets or go more neutral and paint them brilliant white then use accessories such as decorative knobs, towels and window treatments to spice up the area.

  • For a clean feel use stainless steel in the kitchen. Try adding bar stools that combine wood and stainless steel.

  • Kitchen glass cabinet doors instead of solid wood open up a small area.

  • Oversized chairs with brightly colored fabric and a cheerful pattern at the dining table are an invitation to relax and not hurry through a meal.

  • Texture is wonderful in the bedroom. Try Venetian Plaster on the walls. As for furniture, try wicker, rattan chairs, bamboo blinds -- the color of wood-woven materials don't have to match exactly, but keep them in the same tonal range.

  • Use a simple swag to treat an otherwise boring window.

  • Stained glass panels on a portion of a window show creativity and style.

  • Don't be afraid to experiment!

Re-arranging your home can make you feel renewed and energized. Give your creative expression a chance to come alive. For more decorating ideas look at Real Rooms magazine from Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection.

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Phoebe Chongchua

Phoebe Chongchua is an award-winning journalist, an author, customer service trainer/speaker, and founder of Setting the Service Standard, a customer service training and consulting program offered by Live Fit Enterprises (LFE) based in San Diego, California. She is the publisher of Live Fit Magazine, an online publication that features information on real estate/finance, physical fitness, travel, and philanthropy. Her company, LFE, specializes in media services including marketing, PR, writing, commercials, corporate videos, customer service training, and keynotes & seminars. Visit her magazine website: www.LiveFitMagazine.com.

Phoebe's articles, feature stories, and columns appear in various publications including The Coast News, Del Mar Village Voice, Rancho Santa Fe Review, and Today's Local News in San Diego, as well as numerous Internet sites. She holds a California real estate license. Phoebe worked for KGTV/10News in San Diego as a Newscaster, Reporter and Community Affairs Specialist for more than a decade. Phoebe's writing is also featured in Donald Trump's book: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying Foreclosures. She is the author of If the Trash Stinks, TAKE IT OUT! 14 Worriless Principles for Your Success.

Contact Phoebe at (858) 259-3646 or [email protected]. Visit PhoebeChongchua.com for more information.

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