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Specialty Rooms

How To Decorate Your Foyer For Christmas

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, filled with celebrations, gift giving and get-togethers. With guests likely to be coming to your home during the holiday season, you want your entire house to be a welcoming reflection of the joys of Christmas.

Your foyer is the first glimpse of your home visitors will see, so decorating it beautifully should be a priority. Don't leave your entryway to the end of your decorating efforts, and then slap up whatever you have left over. Give some thought to creating an inviting entry with Christmas decorations that set the tone for the rest of the house.

Front Door and Frame

Surrounding the front door with holiday adornments lets your guests know they are in for something special as soon as they step over the threshold.

For a traditional look, edge your doorframe with pine garland, accented with red bows and small white lights.
Go a bit more glam with tinsel garland in silver or gold, twinkling with small lights and amplified with metallic glass ball ornaments.
Set a country feel with a string of garland created from small calico fabric strips tied over pine boughs, and set off with red berry sprays.

The door itself should be decorated to complement the frame's edging.

A pine garland wreath with a simple red bow finishes the traditional look.
Your glamorous door shouldn't go overboard, so accentuate the glittery doorframe with a wreath made of wire silver-star garland twined into a circle.
Set off your country door by tying more of the calico strips around a grapevine wreath, and positioning a fabric Santa, snowman or Christmas tree in the wreath's center.

Entry Floor

Don't overlook your foyer's floor when decorating for the holidays. Swap your everyday entry mat for a holiday touch of bright color.

Your traditional entry will be cheered with a mat in red or green, decorated with a simple pattern of poinsettia, Christmas trees or snowmen.
Set off a sparkling entry with a mat in a solid gold or deep green accented with a bit of metallic trim.
A country home continues the theme with a floor mat decorated with rustic Christmas trees, animals or Santas.

Entry Table Display

If your foyer is large enough to have a small table near the door, you can create a wonderful holiday display.

Set up a lighted holiday village display, with a bed of faux snow for a wintery feel.
A centerpiece of pine boughs can be accented with thick pillar candles in hurricane glass holders surrounded with pinecones and berry sprays.
Cover the table with a fabric runner embroidered with metallic thread, then display a glass bowl filled with silver, gold, white and clear glass ornaments. Accent with silver candles.
Show off a collection of beautiful reindeer figures, or vintage angels.
Spotlight your treasured primitive Santas or a tiny tabletop tree decorated with roughhewn cloth ornaments.

Set a patchwork or braided wool table runner on the entry table, then top with a basket filled with pinecones, interesting twigs, pine boughs and berry sprays.

Make Use of the Ceiling

Don't neglect the ceiling when decorating your entry. You can hang a variety of items from the entry light, or use wire to dangle decorations from the ceiling. Make sure to keep hanging items high enough so visitors don't hit their heads.

Mistletoe is a classic for hanging overhead.
Attach a large red bow to the light fixture.
Dangle glass ornaments on ribbon from the entry ceiling.
Suspend a few gold paper lanterns for a whimsical look.
Tie paper or plastic snowflakes to fishing wire and hang them at varying heights for a wintery feel.
Hang primitive stars from the light on thick ribbon.

Stairway Banisters

If you have a staircase with its base near the foyer, be sure to decorate it to carry the Christmas theme into the house.

Wind pine garland around the base of the banister from top to bottom, then weave the garland around the banister to the top of the stairs. Add red bows to punctuate the garland at the bottom, the middle and the top of the banister.
If you are decorating with a sparkly style, use tinsel garland to weave between the banister slats, then add a few metallic balls to punctuate the shine. Tie strips of iridescent fabric around banister posts every couple of feet, forming large bows that will reflect the light in shimmering patterns.
Give your stairs country flair with pine garland decorated with fabric stars and candy canes. Tie calico bows around the banister, and hang a few jingle bells from the center of the bows.

Whatever your decorating taste, your entryway should set the theme and show guests that you welcome the holidays. Your foyer gives the first impression of your home; so don't neglect to decorate it in your favorite Christmas style.

How To Choose The Best Home Gym Equipment For You

If you are tired of spending hundreds of dollars each year in gym memberships, maybe a home gym is the better solution. A personal home gym is always open, never crowded, and is a great time-saver. And, if you are committed to strength training and building muscle, a home gym may be the way to go.

Installing a home gym may seem daunting at first. But, breaking the decisions down into several considerations can lead you to the right equipment that will fit your budget, space, and lifestyle.

1. Gyms that fit your space

If you don't have a lot of money and you don't have a lot of space, several experts advise building your home gym around individual pieces of equipment. Several pairs of dumbbells, horizontal bench, resistance bands, and pull-up bar may be a safer way to go than buying a cheap infomercial promoted gym.
If price and space is less of a consideration, you can choose a free standing machine that combines a wide variety of strength exercises and features such as; weight stacks, inclines and presses all within one exercise machine.
A session or two with a personal trainer can ensure safe and effective home gym workouts with your new equipment.

2. Low cost vs. high end

At the low end, fixed weight dumbbells start at about a dollar per pound. Adjustable dumbbells are slightly more expensive. Barbell sets begin at about a dollar and a half a pound. Horizontal benches for lifting start at about $140 and go up from there. Determine how much weight you will need for your workout and start there.
High quality, free standing, strength machines range from slightly less than $1,000 to $5,000 or more depending on how many features are built-in. If you are buying a mid-range or high-end machine, research objective reviews carefully and avoid the infomercial products.

3. Weight plate machines

Serious weight lifters interested in adding muscle and bulk will want to choose gym equipment with weight plates. Weight plates can provide more resistance and a similar workout to a commercial gym. Machines made for home gyms usually come with several weight stacks attached to various workout stations. Exercises include a leg station for extensions and curls, a chest station for presses, and an abdominal station. Weight plates are usually attached to a cable/pulley system and may additionally offer exercises like triceps pull-downs and shoulder exercises.
In most cases, home gyms with weight plates offer more weight for advanced lifters and a more consistent range of resistance.

4. Resistance machines

The second type of exercise machines avoids weight plates in favor of rods or bands to provide resistance. Bowflex exercise machines, for example, use fiberglass rods that provide resistance when bent under pressure. Another technology is Bio Force's exercise machines, which use nitrogen charged cylinders to provide needed resistance.
Several low-cost machines such as the TRX Suspension Trainer use resistance bands assisted by gravity to provide a workout at home. But, many reviewers have complained that resistance machines or devices seem less effective than gyms with weight plates and fail to provide a consistent range of motion throughout the exercises.

5. Cardio machines

If overall fitness is your goal, cardio will play an important part or your exercise regimen. Cardio can provide increased heart health, overall body fitness, cardiovascular conditioning, muscle toning, and weight loss.
There are several categories of cardio machines for the home gym: elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, stair steppers and treadmills. Any of these machines can provide smooth and continuous movement and an elevated heart rate for the minimum 20 minutes required for a good cardio workout.
Elliptical trainers start at $675 and go up to $3,000 for the more durable machines. Exercise bikes are even less expensive, available for as little as $150 up to $650 for the higher end models. Stair steppers can be as inexpensive as $130 or as sophisticated as the LCD TV commercial gym models at about $4,300. Treadmills start at less than $1,000 and quickly increase to $3,500 for sport trainer models targeted to serious cardio enthusiasts.
Whatever equipment you choose, you'll be better informed if you carefully research consumer reviews. Actual owners of the individual equipment will write the more trustworthy reviews. Avoid the breathless enthusiasm of fake reviewers.
A final word of advice is to check the Consumer Product Safety website for the latest product recall information. Manufacturers' websites are another good place to find product information, specifications, and recall information before you purchase your home gym equipment.

Basement Conversion: How To Design A Family Room

Do you love every part of your home except your dark, dingy basement? Your basement doesn't have to be a place you can't wait to leave. Transform your basement into a place where you'll actually want to spend time by converting it into a family room. Building a basement family room increases your usable living space and the resale value of your home while creating an environment that encourages togetherness with family and friends.

Preparing Your Basement

Before getting started with your new family room, you'll need to prepare your basement. These simple steps will help you get started:

Clear out all boxes, furniture and stored items from your basement and throw out what you don't need.
Vacuum and wash basement walls, floor and ceiling.
Check your entire basement for any mold or mildew, and scrub any affected areas with a solution of bleach and water in equal parts.
Have your basement checked for water leakage problems. If you need waterproofing or a pump installation, this is the time to do it. Simple humidity can be controlled with a dehumidifier.

Finishing Your Basement

Now you are ready to begin actually finishing your basement so that it can function as comfortable living space. Here's what you need to do

Insulate: Adding blanket insulation to any unfinished walls, ceilings and floors will help the room feel warm, cozy and dry. Be sure that the paper backing faces inward when you staple insulation against your joists.
Add plumbing: You'll be much happier in your new room if you don't have to head upstairs every time you need a restroom, a glass of water, or a sink to wash your hands before having a snack. Incorporating plumbing for a kitchenette, wet bar or even a powder room makes for a truly homey family area that will do double duty as a shelter during severe storms.
Examine your electrical needs: Be sure your basement electric wiring is up to code and you have enough outlets and power to run all the electronics your family loves. You may need to upgrade your electrical service or add more outlets to this area.
Update your lighting: Now is the time to install beautiful, stylish basement lighting to brighten the area.
Finish walls and ceilings: Cover cold, gray concrete walls and unfinished ceilings with drywall, plasterboard or drop ceiling panels. Fill any seams with small trim pieces or putty. Be sure to cut holes for your outlets and switches.
Install flooring: Warm up the harsh, painted concrete floor of your basement by installing friendlier flooring. Stain-resistant carpeting is warm and cozy if you're confident about total basement dryness. Otherwise, choose a floor that wipes clean easily.
Divide your space: If you want your basement space to function as separate areas for laundry, office, family room and powder room, you'll need to install additional internal walls/doors, or at least privacy curtains.

Creating Your Family Room

Once your basement is prepared and finished, you're ready for the fun part: Designing your living space. To create the perfect family room, consider:

Walls: Get just the right look and color for your walls with paint or wood paneling.
Seating: You'll need lots of comfortable seating to accommodate friends and family. Be sure to get at least one couch or loveseat and some chairs such as recliners that work for relaxing, watching movies or listening to music. Stain resistant fabrics will free you from worrying about spills.
Tables: Don't forget to add coffee and end tables so you'll have a place to put down drinks and snacks.
Storage: Think about attractive shelving to store your movies and music, and cabinetry for any media electronics. Don't forget about pantry furniture to keep chips and other non-perishable snacks handy. You'll also probably need some additional storage units to keep other items you need to store in the basement out of sight.
Electronics: Your family will appreciate you having the latest stereo equipment, gaming systems, flat screen TV and DVD player in the new room. You may also want to have an extra computer in this space.
Luxurious Convenience: You'll have the family room everyone wants to visit when you add a refrigerator, sink, microwave, wet bar, and small bathroom.
Guest accommodations: If one of your sofas has a pullout bed, your family room can double as a guest room.
Traditional games: If you have the space, add a pool table, ping-pong table or foosball set for some more active entertainment.

Family Room Tips

To make sure your basement family room project goes as smoothly as possible, consider these basic tips:

Check local codes to make sure everything you plan is legal.
Unless you are highly skilled with the more dangerous and technical aspects of electrical and plumbing work, consider hiring a licensed professional for your safety and success.
Before hiring professionals, check their records with the Better Business Bureau.
Never pay the professionals you hire in full until the work is completed to your satisfaction.

Generations of Fun

Converting your basement into a family room changes dull, ugly space into an attractive, useful place for your whole family to enjoy. When your kids grow up, you may even find they come back time and time again with their own kids to spend time in this wonderful room you created.

How To Design A Multipurpose Guest Room

You want a comfortable space to offer out-of-town guests, you need a home office, you want a playroom to keep the kids busy and you would love a den where the family could spend time together, but you only have one room to provide all those functions? That's a common dilemma in today's home, but with a little planning and attention to organization, you can design your hybrid room to serve all those purposes.

Office Space

Even if you don't work entirely from home, you would probably benefit from a designated home office. A space to use your computer, store files, pay bills, and work on correspondence makes organizing easier, as well as prevents your kitchen table from becoming heaped high with paperwork.
You can convert a standard closet into a useful office quite easily.

Remove the sliding doors, and install folding doors, or simply hang a curtain rod and cheerful curtains that slide to one side while you are using your office, and then pulled shut to hide it from view when you are done.
If the closet space does not have electrical power, have it wired to provide good lighting, and at least two outlets.
Hang a small fixture to light your work area. Pick a small chandelier, a stained-glass fixture, or something bright and colorful to make your new office a welcoming spot.
Create a desk by using a couple of two-drawer filing cabinets for the base, and a board or countertop for the working surface. Measure carefully before purchasing these, to be sure you don't pick cabinets that will stick out too far.
Install shelves above the desk area, with plenty of crates or baskets for storage.
A comfortable chair with wheels that can be rolled up to the desk is a must.
Complete your set up with organizers for pens, a stapler, tape, a dry-erase board for quick notes, and a small trash basket, and your home office is ready to go.

Couch for Sleeping

The most obvious need in a guest room is a spot for your guests to sleep. A regular bed is impractical in a hybrid guest room, as it takes up too much space. A better choice is a sleeper-sofa that pulls out to a bed, or a daybed that is a couch by day, bed by night. Be sure to purchase a good quality mattress whichever you choose, so your guests can get a good night's sleep.

Choose a couch with a durable cover that will hold up to heavy use if your hybrid room will also be serving as a playroom or den.
Keep a set of nice linens and comfortable pillows to make up the bed for your guests.
Make the pullout bed more comfortable with a memory foam mattress-topper.

Provide Storage

Guests need a place to store clothes while visiting, and a dresser not only provides drawers for their use, but can also be used as a television stand.

Position the dresser so the TV can be viewed from the couch, allowing your family to curl up and watch a movie together, or your guest to enjoy watching the news while in bed.
A storage trunk with wheels makes a great table, can keep toys and other items out of view, and is a convenient spot for your guests to set their suitcase for easy accessibility.

A playroom needs storage for toys, and an armoire is an excellent choice for your hybrid room. Select an armoire designed for clothing, with drawers, shelves, and a hanging bar inside.

Store the children's toys inside when the room is not in use by a guest.
Empty the toys out during a visit, so your visitor can hang their clothes on the hanging bar inside, and use the shelves.

A shelving unit with baskets is the perfect answer for providing storage for toys and clutter, and allows you to quickly remove the baskets to make room for your guest's belongings.

Large wicker baskets are great for storing the videogame controllers and accessories that will most likely accumulate in your hybrid room.

Little Touches

Little touches make a big difference in a guest room. You want your visitors to feel welcome and be comfortable.

Position a small table with a lamp near the sleeping area, so your visitors can turn the light on or off without having to get out of bed.
Hang a full-length mirror on the wall so your guests can check their appearance before heading out for the day.
Set some books or magazines on topics that you know interest your visitors on the side table.

Lack of space doesn't mean you have to turn away out-of-town visitors, nor does it mean you can't have a functional, attractive home office. It just means you need to pay attention to details, and plan a room with an eye for versatility. You truly can have it all.

Create A Home Arts And Crafts Room

If you enjoy creating scrapbooks, decorating photo frames, wrapping presents, making jewelry and a variety of other crafts, having your own home arts and crafts studio is the perfect way to pursue your hobbies. Design a fun, inspirational, well-organized and fully stocked space for all your materials, designs and finished crafts.

Pick A Space

Before you can begin creating your very own arts and crafts room, you must select the area or room you will place it in. If you have a spare bedroom, den or office space available, these make great rooms to dedicate to your crafts. If you don't have a full room to spare, find a corner or wall in a guest bedroom, den, family room or bedroom where you can set up your materials. You will need enough room for:

A table or desk.
A comfortable chair.
Shelving, Chests or sets of moveable drawers for craft storage.
Side tables or wall shelving to display finished work or set down work in progress.
Room for any friends or family members who also enjoy working on arts and crafts with you.
Desk and floor lamps for added lighting.

Design To Inspire

Because this room or area is designed specifically for creativity, it must inspire creativity itself. Neutral walls, muted floors and poor lighting will only stifle your creative instincts, and reflect poorly on the potential of your crafts. Create a room targeted to inspire and excite using colors, fabrics and lighting.

Pick your favorite color to paint the walls, even if it is non-traditional. If bright green inspires you, do it. If you do not have an entire room for your crafts area, try hanging photos, paintings or wall art incorporating your favorite color.
Replace drab carpet flooring with colorful laminate if possible. Any paint, glue or other materials spilled can be easily cleaned up, and the various colors and patterns available in laminate will make one of the largest spaces in your crafts area that much more intriguing.
Include any artwork that inspires you. Hang photos of your favorite city, paintings by your favorite artist, or crafts by other hobbyists who inspire you.
Install ceiling, desktop or floor lighting to increase visibility. Use fun or intricately designed fixtures to make lighting decorative and functional. Not being able to adequately view your projects will hinder your progress and creativity.

Organize

Once you have selected and designed your arts and crafts space or room, it's time to install proper organizational tools and furniture. Crafts and materials can easily pile up, become damaged or lost, so keeping your area neat with adequate storage can seriously increase your productivity and the room's aesthetic appeal. Depending on your budget and available space, consider purchasing some of the following:

Small plastic drawers for markers, paints, chalk, etc.
Drawer dividers for very small materials like beads, buttons, stickers and more.
Floating shelves to display completed crafts and keep safe from damage.
Paper sized shelving units to keep craft paper from being torn or bent in drawers or folders.
Storage cabinets for larger items like sewing machines, hot glue guns, fabric staplers, etc.
A dedicated desk or table for creating crafts, separate from where they are left once completed, or set aside to be finished later.
Trash cans to immediately dispose of unwanted materials.
White boards or chalk boards to keep track of ideas and inspirations while you work.
Cups to store pens, pencils, highlighters and other utensils needed frequently.
Hooks to hang scissors, pliers and other tools.
A first aid kit for accidental cuts and scrapes while working with craft tools.

Select Your Materials

Depending on which crafts you enjoy the most, your arts and crafts room will need to be stocked with a variety of materials ready to support and design whatever you like. Painters should have a large supply of brushes in various sizes, paint colors, palettes to mix paint on, paper, canvas and easels. Jewelry makers should have a wide selection of beads, jewels, metal clasps and wire, string or chains to create their designs. Scrapbook lovers should always have a large supply of paper in various colors, stickers, glue and various accessories to decorate their pages. One of the biggest hindrances to creativity is missing a material you need, and having to stop your work.
Designing your own arts and crafts room takes time, space, organization and the proper materials. Design the room to inspire your work, and use colors you love, combined with inspirational photos, artwork or crafts. Stock your crafts area with all the materials you'll need, and your arts and crafts room is ready to use.

How To Design A Wine Cellar In Your Home

Collecting fine wines has become widely popular all around the world. If you have an interest preserving your fine wines for just the right occasion, you may want to consider adding a wine cellar to your home. Wine is very sensitive to environmental conditions such as:

Humidity
Light
Temperature

Your wine cellar will provide the perfect conditions for wine to keep and age beautifully, protecting your investment.

Understanding Wine Cellars

All wine cellars fall into one of two basic categories. Passive wine cellars do the job without any human intervention. They are rooms that naturally have a constant temperature, no heat sources and usually sit below ground level. Climate-controlled wine cellars, on the other hand, have built-in equipment that controls the temperature and humidity of the room.
Since most people aren't lucky enough to have an area in their home with the perfect environment for wine, adding a wine cellar generally means building one that is climate controlled. In any case, wine does best under these conditions:

Cool:With temperatures between 55 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dark: With as little heat-producing light as possible
Humid: With levels between 55 and 75 percent humidity

You can build a wine cellar anywhere in your home. Keep in mind, however, that if the conditions in your chosen space are very different from the optimum conditions for wine storage, your costs to control the environment will be higher. To save money, you may want to choose the part of your home with conditions closest to those you'll be maintaining in your cellar.

Parts of a Wine Cellar

What do you need to build a wine cellar? Effective climate-controlled wine cellars should contain these basic components:

Climate control: Your wine cellar will probably need some type of cooling system and a humidifier.
Doors: To get in and out of your wine cellar, you'll need a door of course. Good choices to maintain your wine's environment include most insulated doors without any sort of window that would let in light or heat. Wooden doors aren't suited for wine cellars because they don't provide enough insulation.
Flooring: Slate, stone, tile or other hard surfaces are good for maintaining your wine cellar's climate. Soft surfaces such as carpeting are considered a poor choice.
Lighting: Even though you want to keep your wine cellar dark, you'll need enough light to find and store your fine wines. Since light produces heat, a dimmer switch will allow you to use only as much light as you need. Be sure to turn off the light when you leave your wine cellar.
Wine racks: You'll need racks to store all your bottles of wine properly.

Creating Your Wine Cellar: What are the options?

Once you've decided a wine cellar is right for you, the next step is to explore your options for adding one to your home. For those skilled at carpentry and construction, building a wine cellar from scratch is a satisfying and cost-saving option. A DIY project also allows you to customize your wine cellar to make it truly one-of-a kind.
Wine cellar kits are a nice option if you don't want to tackle the entire construction task on your own. A variety of kits are available that will help you create an elegantly finished wine cellar.
If building your own wine cellar sounds more daunting than exciting, hiring a contractor may be the right choice for you. Depending on your skills, you can have your entire wine cellar built for you, or perhaps have it roughed out and finish it yourself with kit plans and materials.

Enjoying Your Wine Cellar

A wine cellar is an elegant addition to any home and it will help keep your fine wines in peak condition. Depending on your budget, you can create a small, simple cellar or something much more elaborate. Either way, you'll always have just the right wine on hand for a special occasion with the confidence that it has maintained its taste and value for your enjoyment.

How To Design A Luxury Laundry Room For Your Home

You may only use your home’s laundry room to do chores, but there’s no reason not to enjoy the latest technological advances in cleaning and entertainment in a well styled environment. Use this guide to create beautiful and luxurious home laundry rooms that may help make this home chore a little less tiresome.

Appliances

The laundry room is focused on two key appliances: the washing machine and dryer. While you may think there isn’t much know about these two household appliances, new luxury models can do more than a simple soak and tumble. Expect to spend anywhere between $800 and $2000 per machine, depending on size, brand and features.

Front loading washing machines are a popular feature in luxury laundry rooms, as they require less water to function, come in large, high capacity sizes, and frequently use a high-style glass door making your laundry visible during the wash.
High-end washing machines now offer a range of features beyond basic soaking. Look for machines that can steam clothing, engage automatic temperature control which adjusts to the clothing’s needs, delayed start times for fresh laundry when you arrive home and digital, touch screen controls for a wide range of laundering options.
Luxury dryers also offer a wide array of options, making drying your clothes easier and more efficient.
Look for dryers with moisture sensing controls to adjust the level of heat, a tumbling feature to fluff clothing after it has finished drying, steam to prevent wrinkling, digital controls for plenty of drying options and drum racks to hold shoes or other objects you wish to dry without tumbling noisily inside the dryer.
Others appliances you’ll want to keep on hand in your laundry room are an iron and a sewing machine for quick repairs. Having a well-stocked laundry room with these items within reach will make repairing and preparing clothing simpler and easier.

Accessories

Accessories help make a nice laundry room as helpful as it is beautiful. Try including some of these items in yours:

Install a fold out ironing board onto a free wall near your laundry machines. Rather than lugging out a heavy board each time you need it, having one permanently fixed to the laundry room will make ironing an easier task (and one you’re less likely to avoid!)
Lighting is important in this room, but it doesn’t need to be boring or industrial. Many luxury laundry rooms actually feature chandeliers in the center of the room. Sconce lighting and recessed lighting also adds style and functionality.
Shelves are very important in a laundry room, and installing high quality wood shelving above and adjacent to your laundry machines can help keep clothing organized throughout the laundering process.
Drawers and cabinets built into wall storage units in a luxury laundry room help keep detergent, fabric softener and other laundry accessories out of sight. Using kitchen cabinet worthy wood paneling makes them as stylish as they are functional. Some laundry rooms even cover the laundry machines themselves with large, matching cabinet doors.
Just like many kitchens feature over-sized drawers for trashcans, install one or several to hold laundry baskets out of sight.
If your laundry room is large enough, place a stylish table at the center of the room. You’ll have plenty of space to fold and sort laundry.
Install a tension rod between cabinets to hang dry clothing.

Design & Style

Install a small flat screen television above your laundry machines to provide entertainment while you wash, dry and fold your clothing. Having your favorite shows or movies to watch while you work is sure to make the task go by quicker.
Wallpaper or bold paint is an easy way to give your laundry room a luxurious feel. Pick your favorite colors and/or patterns to line the walls and make your time spent doing laundry feel a little more fun.
Stone and tile are beautiful ways to dress up the wall behind and above your laundry machines. Much like a kitchen backsplash, design a stone or tile mosaic or solid wall to add elegance to the room.
Tin ceiling tiles can also be used in place of stone or tile for beautiful wall décor, or on the ceiling as intended.
Flooring should always be slip resistant in the laundry room, as water and liquid can easily spill here. Avoid anything slippery like marble, but do look for elegant stone or tile flooring options in a shade that compliments your wall color. Use large area rugs to keep your feet warm while doing laundry during cold winter mornings, and help prevent slips.
Decorate counter and tabletops in your laundry room with photos, apothecary jars, plants and vases, much like you would in other rooms of the house. These high-style pieces will help further the elegant feel, and allow you to add personalized style to your laundry room.

How To Design A Home Library

Perfect for anyone with a love for books, an in-home library provides the convenience and the luxury of enjoying your collection in comfort and style. Formerly found only in large and extravagant homes, personal libraries are becoming more popular in the average family home. While having a separate room entirely dedicated to your collection of books is the best way to create an in-home library, it is not always necessary.

Select A Room

To begin the process of designing and creating your home library, first pick the location within your home where you would like it to be. Rooms you do not plan to use for any other purpose work best. Some good locations to set up a library include:

Spare bedrooms
Dens
Living rooms
Studies

Do not build a library in basements, as they can become damp or flood and damage your collection of books. Further, avoid creating a library in rooms with excessive sunlight, as this too can damage books. The best locations are dry, but kept darker than the average room to prevent fading.
If you do not have a spare room to dedicate solely to the library, consider dedicating one wall of your living room, den, bedroom or study to a single, large bookshelf. While the entire room won't be designated to your books, having one expanse of wall designed around them can be nearly as impactful.

Furnishings

Once you have selected the room in which you will place your library, the next step is creating the perfect arrangement of functional and stylish furniture. Every home library should include the following:

Large wooden bookcases, arranged along two to four of the room's walls
Large reading desks to spread out reference books and paperwork
Comfortable reading chairs to enjoy your favorite books in
Side tables next to every chair or couch
A library ladder for tall bookshelves

If you rent your property, it is a good idea to only use freestanding bookshelves rather than installing recessed ones. If you own your property and are free to renovate as you please, recessed shelves offer the storage of full sized bookshelves without encroaching on the size of the room.
For rooms only partially dedicated to your personal library, purchase a single large bookshelf to place against one wall of the room, as well as a comfortable reading chair in one corner.

Accessories

Once the large pieces of furniture have been purchased, installed and arranged, it's time to select the perfect accessories and decorations for your home library. Adding these final touches will not only add function, but classic library style to your home collection. Accessories can even be customized to the theme of your architectural and interior style. To decorate your home library, include:

Table lamps on the reading desk and any side tables
Floor lamps to provide lighting anywhere else it's needed in the room
Area rugs to add color and texture to these typically all wooden rooms
Artwork or collectibles meaningful to you
Candles, if kept far away from bookshelves
Plants add greenery and life to these sometimes stuffy rooms

Book Arrangement

Now that your room has been chosen and decorated, it is time to arrange the books. It is easy to forget how visible your collection will be, allowing the books to actually become part of the library's décor. While some people choose to arrange their book collections by the Dewey Decimal Classification System or the Library of Congress Classification System, another popular way to organize your books is by appearance. Consider grouping your collection by color or size. Shelves of single colored books create an artistic sense, while arranged scales of small to large books give an edgy feel to your library. Other ways to organize your books include:

Chronologically by the date you purchased them
Prioritized by read and unread
Grouped by the frequency of their use
Alphabetically

Creating and designing your own home library requires a passion for reading, and a little style. Pick comfortable, functional furniture to compliment the room and provide the perfect space for enjoying your books. Add lamps where needed, rugs to supply color and plants to liven the room and your own home library is complete.

Sunroom Designs & Decorating Tips

Easily confused with enclosed patios, sunrooms are additions to a home that allow you to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the surrounding landscape without actually being exposed to the weather conditions outside like strong winds, high humidity and rain showers. Sunrooms are typically attached to the side, or the rear of a home, and they mainly consist of transparent walls and roofing, allowing for a great deal of sunlight to pour into the room.

Sunroom Designs

The main purpose of a sunroom is to allow inhabitants to enjoy the outdoors, without actually having to be outdoors. To accomplish this, sunrooms are typically designed with a multitude of windows, or transparent walls, doors and roofing. Common sunroom designs include:

Curved roof sunrooms
Straight roof sunrooms
Cathedral roof sunrooms
Conservatory style sunrooms

Sunrooms are commonly perceived as outdoor rooms, so most homeowners tend to separate them from the rest of the home's interior. It's common to see a sliding door or French doors separating the sunroom from the rest of the home. This is due to the thin, transparent structure of sunrooms that do not offer much insulation or shelter when dealing with inclement weather. However, it is possible to integrate a sunroom with another portion of the home, like the living room, to allow for more natural lighting to enter the room. This also creates a nice little nook where you can enjoy the sunlight.

Construction Materials

Sunrooms can be purchased as prefabricated structures made to your specifications and installed to your home, or they can be constructed on site. The sunroom walls, doors, roof and eaves are typically made of:

Aluminum
Wood
Vinyl clad aluminum
Glass

While a glass roof is quite common to allow for sunlight to enter the room at all angles, some people might prefer a solid roof to allow for a more enclosed feeling. Wood construction will allow for a nice transition between the indoors and the landscape outside the home, while white aluminum or vinyl cladding allow for a bright, vibrant feeling to match the natural light pouring into the room.

Types of Flooring

Although a sunroom is still considered indoor space, its flooring needs to be able to endure outdoor weather conditions like rain, dirt and constant exposure to the sunlight. While carpet is still a possibility, more durable flooring is recommended like:

Hardwood
Ceramic tile
Marble tile
Porcelain tile
Stone
Wood laminate
Stamped concrete

Furniture Ideas

Wicker sofas, chairs and ottomans
Pronged tables
Wood benches and chairs
Wooden picnic tables
Glass coffee tables

The most common furniture you would see in a sunroom would be garden or patio type furniture. Wicker and wood designs are the most prevalent, because they draw in the beauty of the landscape, while giving one the feeling they are immersed in nature and the outdoors. However, don't feel limited to this type of furniture.
It is not out of the ordinary to use a sunroom as another room for the home's interior, or an extension of a living room or bedroom. If you wish to have a leather couch and a TV in you sunroom, so be it. Make it your own design, and fill your sunroom with any furniture of your choosing. Just remember, it's called a sunroom for a reason. Overexposure to the sun's rays is not only bad for your skin, it's also bad for the skin of that leather couch.

Sunroom Decorating Tips

Think of colors and décor that transition well between the interior and the exterior of the home. Bright colors and floral décor can complement the garden and landscape outside of the sunroom.
Plants make great decorations in a sunroom because they bring out a natural effect, and will get plenty of much needed sunlight.
Area rugs work well in a sunroom that usually has a harder, more durable flooring surface like tile or wood. Place a rug under your sofa and other seating for added indoor comfort.
A ceiling fan with a built in light can be used to allow for proper ventilation and air circulation, while providing some extra lighting, just in case the natural lighting is insufficient.
Portable heaters and air-conditioning are quite useful in sunrooms, which typically lack proper insulation.
Think of installing blinds for those times when you want a little privacy or you might want a little more shade from the sun. Wooden, or bamboo blinds work well in sunrooms because of the natural feel as opposed to fabric window treatments that are better suited for interior rooms.

Other Sunroom Ideas

Create a children's play area by installing an indoor jungle gym. That way, your kids can still enjoy some outdoor play, even when it's raining outside.
Install an indoor pool or spa, or both, if you'd like! A sunroom will allow you and your family to enjoy some water recreation and leisure, no matter what the weather is outside.
A sunroom is the perfect place to setup an indoor garden. Your plants will get adequate sunlight from the sunroom's design, and you will be able to enjoy doing some gardening indoors.

Design an Exercise Room You’ll Want to Run To!

Let's face it - it's tough to find the motivation to exercise. Regardless of how much energy you have, how comfortable your new sneakers are, or how great you want to look in your bathing suit this summer, getting started is more than half the battle. Help your home exercise room help you! If you want to get excited about working out, make your home exercise room a place you want to visit. Follow these tips to love the space you break a sweat in.

Buy equipment you're going to use:

If you're going to invest hundreds of dollars in large exercise equipment, be sure that you will use it more than once. Think about your go-to machines at the regular gym. Do you spend a lot of time on the treadmill? Do you dominate the elliptical? If so, these should be the machines you invest in. Many companies will let you test equipment for 30 days before you purchase it; use this to your advantage.

Utilize easy free-standing equipment:

Free weights are a must have in a home gym. They allow you to increase the difficulty of your work out without too much effort. Give yourself a 30-pound range in your free weights. This way, you start out easy and build up to more resistance. Other easy, affordable home exercise equipment includes:

Jump ropes
Yoga mats
Medicine balls
Resistance bands
Exercise balls
Aerobic step bench
Adjustable weight lifting bench

Paint with vibrant colors:

Your home gym should get you excited. Paint your walls in bright and energizing colors that will get you pumped. A bright blue or green will create a calm vibe without being boring, while a bright red or orange will set you up for consistent determination and drive.

Proper floor padding:

Don't neglect your feet when you're planning out your home exercise room. Floor pads will reduce the amount of shock and stress you inflict on your feet, legs, back and neck. They also allow you to opt out of sneakers when you're doing floor work, or working with the free-standing equipment.

Add wall mirrors:

Mirrors can be your best friend and your worst enemy when you're at the gym. They make you very aware of both your form and appearance. Although you might not want to watch yourself sweat, mirrors will prevent you from stretching and exercising incorrectly, therefore limiting the chance of personal injury.

Include proper ventilation:

Don't forget about fresh air when you're working out. You want to make sure that you don't neglect your breathing. If you've got windows in your home gym, leave them open. If you don't, set up a ceiling or floor fan to keep the air fresh, and to help you cool down. Leaving the door to your gym open will encourage cross ventilation throughout your house.

Bring the outdoors to you:

Another way to create a fresh flow of air in your home gym is to add a few plants. Plants create their own oxygen in your space, and increase the quality of air when you're doing all that huffing and puffing. Ask your nursery which plants are easy to care for indoors and create the most oxygen in an enclosed space.

Get a TV:

If you have the space, set up a television in your home gym. You can include video-guided exercise routines to your list of activities. These are great if you're looking to target a specific set of muscles that you have a hard time toning on your own, or if you're looking for a specific amount of time with consistent hard work. It's much easier to break a sweat when you're being told what to do.
A TV will also allow you to watch your regular programming without having to sacrifice your time for exercise. You'll be amazed at how many calories you can burn on the treadmill while you have your favorite show or movie on to distract you.

Don't forget the music:

Music is definitely a bonus to any workout. It's energizing and makes your workout fun. Set up a music station and create a playlist to get pumped up! This is the perfect time to throw on that loud dance music you love so much, but are always too embarrassed to blast in the car. A small table or stool for a portable radio is sufficient, or you can go all out and set-up a full sound system with integrated speakers on the walls of your exercise room.
Design your home exercise room to increase your physical productivity. You know yourself, and you know what it takes to keep you motivated. Decorating a space is a lot like setting up a consistent workout routine: you only take away what you put in to begin with.

Foyer Decoration Ideas For Every Home

Your foyer is the first thing people will see when they enter your home. You want to make sure that you pull out all the stops during the design process. At the same time, you want the space to be warm and inviting to guests, and homey and familiar for your family. When it comes to the foyer, it is all about striking a balance between being a gracious host and designing a comfortable home.

Make a Bold Statement with Paint

To differentiate the foyer from the rest of the house, try something different with paint. You can use a totally different color than the rest of the house. The only thing you need to remember is that your foyer will set the tone for the rest of your design aesthetic, so keep your main themes in the back of your mind.

Let in the Sun

Most foyers have great access to sunlight - use this to your advantage. If you have large windows in your foyer, keep them open and bright. They will attract attention to the details you included in your design process, and make your foyer warm, bright and inviting.

Include Wall Art or Family Photos

If you love including personal touches in your design, don't be shy to include some family photos in the foyer. If you've taken professional family photos, show them off in the entrance of your home. Photos of your kids and pets are a great idea, since it will probably be their belongings that litter the floor of your foyer. Wall art is also a great idea. If you're looking to make good use of your wall space, pick a bold piece of art that incorporates your color scheme.

Greet Your Guests with Nature

Think of the foyer as a transition room that separates the indoors from the outdoors. With this in mind, don't be afraid to sprinkle a bit of nature throughout your foyer design. Plants that are relatively low maintenance, and require little feeding and watering are a great addition to the corner of your home's entrance.

Avoid the Daily Clutter

The foyer is a high-traffic zone and can easily fall victim to the clutter of personal items. Make sure you avoid using it as a drop off spot for bags, coats and shoes, unless you already have proper storage space for these items. You don't want your guest to be greeted by last week's lunchbox and an old pair of socks.

Tie it All Together with a Floor Rug

Often overlooked, the floor rug can lend a lot to your overall design aesthetic, especially in a small space like the foyer. Purchase a rug that includes some of the more understated colors in your paint, wall décor and furniture. It is a sophisticated way of tying together elements that otherwise would appear disparate.

Play with Entrance Seating

Since the foyer ends up being the meeting point in your home, it might be wise to incorporate some seating. A bench or a small loveseat are both appropriate for this type of space, and will allow your guests and family a place to sit and wait for you when you're applying that last bit of lipstick or straightening your tie.

Make Use of the Ceiling

A great addition to any foyer is a chandelier. Since the ceiling is often high, and the space is often abundant, the foyer is a great place to add some real sophistication with a classic light fixture or chandelier.

Don't Forget the Usual Entrance Décor

While it's great to be unique in your design aesthetic, don't be afraid to incorporate the traditional entrance elements as well. Don't underestimate the power of familiarity; you want your guests to feel right at home. You can't really go wrong with a coat rack, umbrella holder and an old-fashion welcome mat.
The foyer is a great area to play with. It allows you to have a very specific design aesthetic in a concentrated space. There are two things you should remember before you begin your foyer design: it will set the tone of your house, but no one will linger for long. With these factors in mind, you can feel comfortable making well thought out, but bold choices, and strike that perfect balance in your foyer.

Mudroom Decorating Ideas & Tips

Mudrooms aren't your typical room. They're an odd size-small, but not quite small enough to be just a laundry room. They're an entrance, but not one you want people to see. They serve a purpose, but what exactly is it? Truthfully, a mudroom is a multipurpose room that gives you extra storage, a place to stash cumbersome winter gear, and an area to track in mud, ice and dirt before it finds a way onto your white carpet. Follow these tips to make the most of your mudroom.

Storage, Storage, and More Storage

Storage is the cardinal rule of mudroom design. Since it's usually a small space that is packed with many items, it is important to keep it organized and neat. Invest in a large shelving unit that affords lots of places for pullout baskets and cubbies of all sizes. Make sure your storage keeps clutter hidden. It's essential that the space looks clean, so it's not overwhelming. If you have a smaller mudroom, make sure the unit also has a cabinet for coats, or a space that's big enough to install hooks for coat storage. If your mudroom has plenty of square footage, mount multi-purpose hooks along the wall, and lots of them. If this seems like too much to do by yourself, buy a pre-made mudroom locker at an organizational store. It may cost a bit more, but be worth it in the end.

Keep it Easy to Clean

It's called a mudroom for a reason. Chances are it will get muddy. Real muddy. Make sure the floor and surrounding area is ready to withstand anything. Floors should be linoleum, tile or waterproofed wood. Avoid carpet at all costs. Choose a color or color combination that won't easily show grime. Alternate large black and white tiles for a fun retro effect that's easy to wipe clean.

Make it a Place for Pets

If you have pets, especially dogs, a mudroom is a great place to make their own. Install a pet door to give them easy access to the yard, and place their food and water inside on a placemat. That way, any mess they make will be brought through the mudroom, which is easy to wipe clean, instead of your home. Put your cat's litter box in the mudroom to keep smells away from gathering areas, and make litter easy to clean from the floor.

Give it Warmth

One of the best feelings is stepping into a toasty room after braving the elements. Since mudrooms are small, they are easy to heat, and they easily become an inviting space after a trip outdoors. Buy a small, energy efficient space heater to warm up your mudroom quickly. Place soggy boots and other wet items near the space heater to dry them out. However, be careful to not cover the space heater for safety reasons.

Make it Kid-Friendly

Kids are often the messiest members of the family, so what better place to store their toys than the mudroom? Utilize low storage for children's toys, sports equipment, and other items that are likely to get messy outside. Designate areas for them to throw their dirty clothes and shoes so that you don't have to follow the muddy tracks to their hiding place.

Seating is a Must

A mudroom is the perfect place to put on and take off your shoes, coats and other winter accessories, so it's essential to have ample seating. As a rule of thumb, provide enough seating for two full-grown adults. The easiest way to accomplish this is with a simple, water-sealed, wooden bench. If you don't have room for a bench, two stools or chairs placed in separate areas of the room are fine, as long as they are not upholstered.

Make it Rustic

A mudroom doesn't have to be fancy or plush. In fact, it's downright impractical because a mudroom must be easy to clean. As a result, your best decorating idea is to keep it rustic. Use bare woods and dark colors for a mountain cabin theme. Make your mudroom echo Provence with white wainscoting, bright colors and lots of light.

Install a Sink

If there's one big project that absolutely must be done in a mudroom, it's installing a large potting sink. This is an easy place to rinse off dirty items and messy kids. It also provides a cleaning "epicenter" for your mudroom, which will most likely need to be wiped down quite often. If you have a green thumb, a potting sink will also come in handy to contain your gardening mess.

Keep it Light

Make sure your mudroom has lots of light-natural or otherwise. Chances are it's pretty small, and pretty chock-full of stuff. This can lend itself to a claustrophobic feeling. One way to avoid feeling cramped is to fill it with light. Install at least one large overhead light, and several wall-mounted secondary lights. Wall mounting will add to the décor, as well as save floor space.
Don't have a mudroom? Make one. While mudrooms are typically found in homes where the climate is chilly, they're useful just about anywhere. Mudrooms are a good idea in beach houses, mountain getaways, or homes with large backyards where the outside is prone to making it's way in. If your house did not come with a mudroom, apply these tips to a laundry room, entryway, or little-used hallway to achieve the same effect.

8 Tips on How to Decorate a Loft

A loft apartment is similar to a loft in a normal home in that it is an open space directly under the roof of the building. Loft apartments are typically large, open living spaces made from a section of an industrial building that has been converted for residential use. Another type of loft apartment is a two-story unit with an open bedroom section on the second floor that is separated from the rest of the unit by a ladder or flight of stairs rather than a wall and closed door. If you've decided on living in this type of residence, you've been handed one of the most unique design opportunities a person can get. Here are a few quick tips to help you decorate your loft apartment. Have fun with it!

1.Define Your Space

When you go without walls, it's sometimes hard to tell where one space ends and where the next one begins. For loft apartments, make sure that you properly define the space that is allowed for your guests, and the space that is restricted to only you. Start by determining how much of your bedroom you want to reveal to your guests. If you don't want to give your guests a full view of your living quarters, try to block your bedroom section with makeshift walls made from furniture, or Japanese-style sliding walls.

2. Be Playful with Paint

Since you have such an open floor space, you don't need to feel limited when it comes to choosing paint. You can opt for lighter colors, or go bold with dark and vibrant patterns. Whatever you choose, you do need to keep in mind that your space will be seen from other parts of the house, and you have to at least maintain some sort of cohesiveness with the other elements of design. If you can see your bedroom from your living room, make sure that the paint doesn't clash. Get to know your color wheel!

3. Placing Your Bed

To give yourself a bit of privacy and security, try placing your bed against the back wall of your loft. Not only will you prevent yourself from taking a tumble into the downstairs abyss, but you will also keep your most intimate part of your bedroom from public view. You can also place your bed in a corner section of your loft for added security, and to make your bedroom area feel less open.

4. Make Bold Statements with Your wall décor

Not only are you decorating the walls of your bedroom, you're decorating a focal point of your entire residence. Guests will have a panoramic view of your entire living space, so you want to make sure that you equip your walls with some seriously stunning décor. Don't be afraid to make bold choices. Hang a huge vintage poster of your favorite band, or a large photograph of your favorite city's skyline. You certainly have the room for it, so think big!

5. Make a Statement with Your Floor

One of the great things that sets a loft aside from any other type of residence is all that open floor space! Chances are your loft will be equipped with some pretty neat hardwood floors. Make them your own by adding a floor rug to accent your walls and your furniture. Choose a pattern that plays well with your paint. Use multiple rugs of different colors and styles to separate different sections of your loft.

6. Window Treatments

Chances are, if you have a great loft, you have some great windows to go with it. Another great thing about lofts is they almost always have an incredible view. Ditch the clumsy blinds, and dress up the windows with curtains that will frame that awesome view.

7. Give Yourself Some Privacy

You will undoubtedly get tired of people getting a look into your most intimate room in the house. Set up a screen in the corner of your bedroom area where you can change. You don't want to have to run into the bathroom every time you change your pants, or get ready for bed. There's no reason a loft can't provide some privacy too.

8. Choose the Right Furniture

Lofts definitely have a much more contemporary feel than other types of space. If you want to play up your loft, choose furniture that fits the style. Go for a contemporary steel look, or choose darker wood pieces to accent the inherent style of your loft. Avoid unfinished wood grain; you run the risk of having a room that looks less like a loft and more like a model home.
Consider yourself lucky, you have one of the coolest types of rooms around. If you want to make sure that your loft is exactly what you want it to be, keep the empty space in mind. There is no space saving to worry about in a loft apartment. Instead, you need to think about how you can utilize all that free space to make your loft apartment feel cozy and cool at the same time.

7 Tips on How to Decorate a Studio Apartment

A studio apartment is basically a residence with a single room meant to serve multiple functions, but primarily as a bedroom. They are either a single unit in an apartment complex, a separate addition to a single family residence, or a separate building or floor in a multi-family residence like a duplex. A studio apartment can be both fun and challenging to decorate. First and foremost, you need to keep in mind that you're working with one very large space. You get to choose where one room ends and where another begins, so make the most of it. You also need to remember to not crowd your studio with too much furniture. Here are 6 tips to help you decorate a studio apartment:

1. Separate the Space

Before you do anything, you need to determine where the boundaries of your space are. As easy as it is to let your guests feel at home in your room, you don't want to feel like your territory is being encroached upon. Make sure you arrange your couch to separate your bedroom area from your living room area. If you have a couch and a loveseat, it's a good idea to set them up in an L-shape, so they can act as substitutes for missing walls. Use paint to define your space as well. Paint the walls of your bedroom a different color than the walls of your living room, and utilize clever wall dividers like wallpaper strips, Japanese-style folding walls and chair rails.

2. Make Storage Your Best Friend

A studio apartment is the last place you want your clutter to show. If you have clutter piling up in your living area or bedroom area, it will be seen from anywhere in the apartment since it's...one room! Since you don't have a lot of space to work with, use storage that doubles as furniture like ottomans and tables with removable tops. Beds designed with built in shelves, cabinets and drawers are also a good addition to a studio apartment. Stackable storage bins allow you to get the most out of closet space.

3. Be Kind to Your Kitchen

Don't let the mess in your kitchen overrun the living portion of your studio. You want to make sure that you clean your kitchen as often as you can, and that you maintain the garbage flow. It's much easier to let a dirty kitchen get the best of you in a studio apartment, than it is when you live in a much more spacious environment.

4. Buy a Sofa Bed

If you plan on having guests over, a sofa bed is practically a must-have piece of furniture for a studio apartment. This way your bedroom can double as a living room, and you won't have to divide the room into two separate sections. Sometimes, cramming a couch and a bed into the same room is impossible with smaller sized studio apartments. Another alternative would be a futon that could be folded into a couch for when you have guests over.

5. Use Floor Rugs to Your Advantage

If you have hardwood floors, you can use floor rugs to separate your space. Two large floor rugs in different colors will act as makeshift borders between sections of the room. They will also prevent your hardwoods from getting too dirty with all the foot traffic they will see.

6. Use Mirrors to Enlarge Your Space

Mirrors are your secret weapon in small spaces. Hang your mirrors in places where they maximize the look and feel of your place. Large mirrors are they way to go. They open up walls completely and make it appear as though your space is double the size.

7. Build Up

Often times, the open air space of a studio apartment is overlooked. Stop thinking two-dimensionally and start living three-dimensionally. The square-footage of a studio apartment accounts for the size of the floor space, but doesn't take into account the amount of space above the floor. Utilize as much of that space as you can by stacking as many things as you can. Get those plastic storage bins and stack them to the ceiling. Remove the bottom bunk from a bunk bed and use the bottom section for more storage or living space like a small desk. If you have vaulted ceilings in your studio apartment, that's even more space you can work with!

Bottom Line

More than anything, living in a studio apartment requires you to be a bit of a magician. You need to be able to transform one type of space into another, and make almost every item in the apartment multi-functional. Make sure you're aware of how much space you have and utilize every spec of it. If executed correctly, a studio apartment can feel like a normal apartment with doors and partitions for every section of living space.

15 Home Gym Essentials on Any Budget

From bad weather to the high price of gas, there are plenty of reasons to skip your workout and avoid going to the gym. While you’ll still need the motivation to workout, creating a home gym is the best way to stay fit without needing to hop in the car or even leave your house. Even on the smallest budget, you can use essential gym equipment to create the perfect workout routine at home. With modern updates on classic exercises, there's no limit to what you can stretch and flex, and that includes your dollar. Here are some of the greatest in-door exercise tools, on a budget or not.

Strength Training At Home

Lower Budget

Kettlebell
The latest craze in at-home exercise is the kettlebell, a high-intensity strength and cardio device that can burn up to 400 calories in just 20 minutes. Shaped like a small metal ball with a handle attached, the kettlebell comes with a variety of options for routines and exercises, making it versatile and convenient. Purchase one or several in a range of weights for a lighter or heavier workout. With its small size, you can store it easily under a side table, inside a decorative trunk or bench, or in a living room cabinet. (10-pound Kettlebell, $21 with DVD.)

Rubber Resistance Bands
Rubber resistance bands are great tools for toning those hard-to-reach back, hip and inner thigh muscles. Acting like large rubber bands, resistance bands feature a handle on each end to allow the user to pull and stretch them, working their muscles against the band’s resistance, and mimicking the effects of lifting weights. Look for braided band models, which typically work the best due to their sturdiness. Purchase bands in a range of resistance levels to increase or decrease the intensity of your workout. (Braided Xertubes, $22 each.)

Dumbbells
Classic and simple, dumbbells are easy to use and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and textures. Lighter dumbbells are perfect for easy storage and working smaller muscles like triceps, while heavier dumbbells are ideal for larger muscles, particularly biceps. The perfect exercise tool for beginners, these handheld weights are easy to find in-store and online, and don’t require technical knowledge of large workout equipment. Select a set with non-slip grip to prevent accidents while exercising. (5-lb Neoprene Dumbbell, $6.)

Kettlebell

Dumbbells

Resistance Band

Higher Budget

Contour Weights
These strapped weights are extremely popular for people practicing agility and strength, and are frequently used while walking or jogging. Like soft, fabric covered dumbbells with hand straps, these weights conform to the shape of your hand, and are typically easier and more comfortable to hold on to. (Contour Weights, $12 and up.)

Clutter-Free Dumbbells
This modern twist on a classic exercise tool is perfect for people who prefer cleanliness and order. With one item, you can own the equivalent of an entire set of dumbbells. Simply slide individual weight discs on or off the bar handle to increase or decrease the dumbbell’s weight. (Stamina's Versa-Bell, $74 per weight.)

Suspension Trainer
This versatile concept is perfect for the advanced at-home exerciser, featuring a strap that attaches to a doorframe, goal post or other sturdy object, and handles for your hands or feet. Using gravity and your own body weight, lean against the straps for calorie burning resistance. The seemingly simple device has over 300 possible exercise combinations, and it comes in a training professional’s package that includes an instructional DVD and handbook. (TRX Suspension Training Pro Pack, $182.)

Cardio Exercise Equipment

Lower Budget

Jump Rope
By spending just 10 minutes using a jump rope, you can burn 110 calories. If you add weight to the handles, then you can also sculpt your arm muscles in the process. When using a jump rope indoors, just be sure to have at least a 9-foot-hight ceiling. Also, jumping rope is a high-impact exercise, so be careful if you have muscular or bone issues. (Reebok Adjustable Speed Jump Rope, $20.)

Incline Step
At-home step-bench products are unique in that they offer an incline exercise on a flat surface, alleviating common joint strain that comes with traditional incline exercise machines. Simply step up onto, then back down from, the plastic step, mimicking the workout of climbing stairs. This small, portable device is great for any combination of exercises and routines, and can be used while watching TV, or using the DVD that comes with it for customized strategies for targeting different muscles. (Reebok Incline Step, $50 with DVD.)

Gliding Discs
These simple products, which can be used at home or even at the gym, are great for low-impact workouts that won't strain your joints. Simply stand with one foot on each of the plastic disks and slide around for a unique and easy exercise experience. The disks help target several underused muscles in the legs, including the inner thighs. The sliding action allows you to perform more graceful, precise movements, helping to create long, lean muscle. (Gliding Discs, $23 with DVDs.)

Higher Budget

Exercise Bike
Unlike bike models of gyms past, modern stationary bicycle machines don't require you to hunch over the handlebars, causing poor posture and a strained back. Newly designed seats are becoming increasingly comfortable, and many come with handles at the base of the seat, allowing the user to sit up straight. Stationary bikes are great for garage gyms and are an easy way to enjoy your favorite movies or television shows while working your quadriceps, calves and glutes. (Vision Fitness R1500, $599.)

Elliptical Trainer
These machines are great for no-impact training, burning tons of calories and allowing you to reverse directions for even more muscle work. Often compared to the sensation of running through sand or water, the elliptical offers the benefits of running without the side effects of heavy impact on your joints. Unlike stationary bikes, elliptical trainers are usually sleeker and take up less floor space, making them ideal for a large living space or den workout. (Nautilus E514, $728.)

Treadmill
This classic exercise machine has been revolutionized in recent years, providing low-impact, shock-resistant cushioning to allow safer and more comfortable running during your workout. High-quality treadmills are great at-home additions, and many come installed with iPod docks for easy access to your music and entertainment library. (Horizon Fitness T203, $999.)

Exercise Bike

Elliptical Trainer

Treadmill

Extra Accessories

Lower Budget

TrainerBall ($30)
Exercising on a stability ball works more abdomen and back muscles than a typical exercise, speeding up the process of firming and toning your belly. As a bonus, the ball has the moves printed right on the side, making it easier for beginners to enjoy the process as much as experts.

Higher Budget

Beamfit Activity Beam
Simple and easy to store, the Beamfit Activity Beam can be used while standing in your kitchen or during your other strength and flexibility workouts. Standing or sitting while trying to balance on the beam targets your core, improving stability and making you feel more balanced on your feet.

CycleOps Magneto
Don't let the weather outside deter you from your bicycle routine. With the CycleOps Magneto Trainer, you can turn your regular bicycle into a stationary indoor cardio machine that will even provide progressive resistance, increasing in difficulty as you pedal faster, without having to shift gears. Cheaper and smaller than a full sized stationary bike, this workout accessory makes creating a home gym simpler and less expensive.
Creating your own home gym is easier than you think with these essential workout tools. From simple resistance bands to shock absorbing treadmills, you can easily find the perfect piece of exercise equipment for your home and budget.

10 Items No College Dorm Should Be Without

Shopping for your dorm room accessories can be one of the most exciting aspects of moving away for college. The thrill of a fresh start in a new place, paired with the anxiety of leaving home for the first time, makes whittling down the "must haves" all the more vital. The basics, like a bed, desk and lighting, will be provided for you. But it is up to you to determine what is essential, and what you can afford to leave behind.

Bathrobe - Not only will you be sharing a tiny bedroom with another person, but you will also be sharing a bathroom. With little to no privacy in your new digs, a bathrobe will provide you with the comfort and security that your threadbare towel can't provide. It will also serve as an additional source of warmth on the nights maintenance forgets to turn up the heater.
Power strip - If you have ever been faced with the unfortunate task of trying to plug multiple devices into one power outlet, then you will understand the benefits of providing yourself with a power strip. You can charge your cell phone, power your computer, light your desk lamp and play music, all without unplugging your roommate's alarm clock.
Flip-flops - For the sake of sanitation, flip-flops are great idea for dorm living. Since several people will be using the bathroom in a day, it's a good idea to make sure you protect your feet from the shower floor. Although most dorm bathrooms are cleaned multiple times a day, it is better to be prepared. They're also great for running across the courtyard to get yesterday's lecture notes, or down to the cafeteria to grab a quick bite to eat.
Air freshener - Chances are that someone is going to burn popcorn in the hallway microwave, or accidentally forget to remove their leftovers from the refrigerator. Since most colleges have a no-candle policy, it's a good idea to keep a bottle of odor neutralizing air freshener on hand to cover up any unpleasant odors.
Tool kit - Your dad won't be on call to fix the jammed gears on your bike or to help twist the faucet with the broken handle. Having a tool kit, loaded with the essentials, will make the repairs run smoother. A pair of pliers, a screwdriver, a hammer and a roll of duct tape should be enough to cover your bases. If you're prone to tears, then it wouldn't hurt to also throw a sewing kit into the mix, for any emergency mending.
Fan - For the most part, your dorm will be a temperature-controlled sanctuary. On the occasions that you find yourself starting to sweat through the night, though, break out your fan. You can mount it on your night stand, or leave it plugged in on the floor. Regardless of the location, you'll be thankful for the breeze.
Mini fridge - Some schools don't allow their students to bring their own appliances due to dorm-wide safety regulations. If your school doesn't have a policy like this, then it is a good idea to invest in a mini refrigerator. You can store snacks, beverages and quick alternatives to breakfast. Some schools regulate the size of the refrigerators allowed in dorm rooms, so consult your student handbook or an online list of dorm policies before you make your purchase. Most students sell their mini refrigerator when they move out of the dorms, so it is a good idea to try and purchase one second-hand from another student to save money.
Over-the-counter medication - If you've ever woken up on the sick side of the bed, with no quick fix or readily available relief, then you understand the importance of a well stocked medicine cabinet. You just need the basics: aspirin, cough syrup, cough drops, antacid and a traditional first aid kit. This will save you from an unnecessary to trip to an off-campus drug store.
Dishes - Regardless of whether you've signed up for an on-campus meal plan, dishes are a wise addition to any dorm room. They will prove themselves handy if you order takeout, or choose to eat a quick meal before class. You don't need a full dining room set, though; two of each item should suffice.
Something that reminds you of home - Although the first year of college is a time of independence and personal growth, all students feel the occasional pang of homesickness. Have at least one sentimental reminder of home or family on hand to ease yourself into your newfound freedom, but don't bog down your dorm with the trappings of home. You don't want your belongings to smother you, and you don't want to risk a roommate accidentally throwing away something of emotional value.

Moving away to college should be one of the proudest and most exciting experiences of your life, so have fun with it! Make a shopping list, and research the best prices online before you hit the stores. Infuse your dorm room with your personality, so that it truly feels like your home away from home.

Home Bar Design and Decorating Ideas

Have you ever thrown a cocktail party and wished you had something better than a fold-up table or kitchen counter to serve as a makeshift bar? Sure, any open tabletop or counter could serve all your cocktail and refreshment serving needs, but they don't have the elegance, aesthetic appeal and aren't as fun as an actual home bar.

So, if you have some spare time, free space in your home, a couple of cases of alcohol, a garage filled with building materials and a couple of friends who are willing to trade a couple hours of labor for some beer, why not build a home bar for your home today? Here are some design tips and decorating ideas.

Home Bar Decorating and Essentials

The best way to decorate your bar is to model it after some of your favorite bars. If you fancy Irish pubs, adorn your walls and bar counter with the appropriate décor and use lots of green. Here are some ideas for décor and home bar essentials:

Kegerator: have your own beer tap. It's basically a small refrigerator with a tap on top.
Small refrigerator: for storing ice, fruits and cold drinks like beer bottles and cans.
Cocktail kit: for mixing, pouring and serving.
Glassware: get glassware souvenirs whenever you travel to give your home bar some character.
Neon bar sign: every bar needs at least one.
TV: helps to keep your guests entertained.
Dart board: get the plastic kind with rubber tipped darts to avoid unwanted holes on the wall.
Liquor: wouldn't be a bar without your favorite whisky, gin, vodka, wine, beer, etc.
Bar stools: if you want your guests to have a place to sit.
Bar sink: very useful.
Pub signs: go all out and make them personalized for a classy touch.
Mixers: for the fancy drinks.
Blender: for frozen drinks and anything that needs to be, well, blended.
Bottle opener: to open the beer bottles.
Wine opener: to open the wine bottles.
Sports memorabilia: show your team spirit.

The great thing about a home bar is that you can keep adding new items and décor overtime. You can also do a full revamp on your bar's theme if you grow tired of it, or if you need to switch things around for various occasions.

Home Bar Location Ideas

Selecting a prime location to set up your home bar is the first step. If you plan on having a bar counter, and shelves behind the counter replete with all the liquor and mixers you would find in a real bar, you're going to need the right amount of space. You'll also want an open area where guests won't have to crowd around for a drink. One of the convenient things about a home bar is that you don't have to deal with the crowded and cramped space of a real bar.
Here are some possible bar locations:

Living Room or Family Room: If your home has both a living room and a family room, chances are you don't actually need to use both for day-to-day living. Honestly, how many rooms with couches does your house need? In fact, the terms "living room" and "family room" are often used interchangeably because many people don't know or can't tell the difference between the two. Why not have a living room and a home bar instead of a living room and family room?
Dining Room: Do you really use the dining room for formal dining? If you need a place to entertain, wouldn't a home bar serve the same purpose? If you're not using the dining room for anything special, make it into a home bar, or just convert a portion of the room into a home bar, in case you want to keep that antique dining table.
Bonus Room or Loft: If you have a bonus room, then make a home bar the real bonus!
Garage: Many people don't even use their garage for what it was meant for, which is for car storage. People often convert their garage to workshops, home offices or an additional room. Here's an idea, make your garage a home bar. Cocktail spills aren't nearly as difficult to clean as oil leaks.
Backyard: Backyards are often used to entertain guests for home BBQs, garden parties or pool parties. Why not add an outdoor bar for entertaining on such occasions?
Basement: The basement is a great place to create a home bar. You can control the noise level, there is usually a lot of space to work with, and there aren't any antique items and expensive flooring to worry about getting damaged.

You obviously don't need to convert an entire room or area of your home into a home bar if you are planning on building something small. Just make sure there is adequate space for your counter, storage for your liquor and your bar patrons, also known as house guests.

Tips for Hiring Someone to Build the Bar

Once you've selected the perfect spot for your home bar, it's time to break out the measuring tape to get an idea of the amount of space you'll have to work with. These measurements will be important for buying materials to build the bar, or for the contractor you'll be hiring if you don't wish to build the bar yourself.
Some tips for hiring a contractor to build your home bar:

Hiring a professional can be expensive. Look through your address book and contact any friends or family who are handy with a saw. Depending how much you are willing to spend, and how fantastic you want the bar to look, you can get away with some amateur woodwork if you don't feel like spending a fortune.
Buy the materials yourself before hiring someone to put it all together. You can cut costs by doing some smart shopping, or you can accompany your contractor to the hardware store and buy the materials on the spot to avoid any unwanted "mark-ups."
Get the large items like refrigerators and sinks before the contractor starts building. The contractor can build around these items for proper fitment.

Home Bar Design Ideas

If you aced your woodshop class back in high school, and feel relatively competent in building your own bar, here are some bar design ideas to think about:

L-shaped bar: just like it sounds, it's a bar with a counter in the shape of the letter "L." Allows for more people to sit at the counter and more cabinet space behind the counter without having to stretch across an entire room.
Back bar: looks similar to a china cabinet or bookshelf. Glass cabinets for liquor to be displayed adorn the sides of the bar, with the lower cabinets for storing items. There is an opening in the center of the bar for mixing drinks.
Corner bar: fairly simply design structure that is typically placed in the corner of a room, requiring only a solid counter to be fabricated for serving bar patrons.
Straight bar: similar to a corner bar, except the counter is typically longer and positioned in the middle of a room instead of in the corner.
Portable bar: relatively small and sometimes comes with rollers, which is great for mobility and transport.

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Front Door and Frame

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Make Use of the Ceiling

Stairway Banisters

1. Gyms that fit your space

2. Low cost vs. high end

3. Weight plate machines

4. Resistance machines

5. Cardio machines

Preparing Your Basement

Finishing Your Basement

Creating Your Family Room

Family Room Tips

Generations of Fun

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Provide Storage

Little Touches

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Design To Inspire

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Understanding Wine Cellars

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Creating Your Wine Cellar: What are the options?

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Book Arrangement

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Types of Flooring

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Sunroom Decorating Tips

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Buy equipment you're going to use:

Utilize easy free-standing equipment:

Paint with vibrant colors:

Proper floor padding:

Add wall mirrors:

Include proper ventilation:

Bring the outdoors to you:

Get a TV:

Don't forget the music:

Make a Bold Statement with Paint

Let in the Sun

Include Wall Art or Family Photos

Greet Your Guests with Nature

Avoid the Daily Clutter

Tie it All Together with a Floor Rug

Play with Entrance Seating

Make Use of the Ceiling

Don't Forget the Usual Entrance Décor

Storage, Storage, and More Storage

Keep it Easy to Clean

Make it a Place for Pets

Give it Warmth

Make it Kid-Friendly

Seating is a Must

Make it Rustic

Install a Sink

Keep it Light

1.Define Your Space

2. Be Playful with Paint

3. Placing Your Bed

4. Make Bold Statements with Your wall décor

5. Make a Statement with Your Floor

6. Window Treatments

7. Give Yourself Some Privacy

8. Choose the Right Furniture

1. Separate the Space

2. Make Storage Your Best Friend

3. Be Kind to Your Kitchen