Interior decorating has always pushed the boundaries and mixed the unexpected together to create a cohesive, interesting room. A new trend on the horizon mixes natural with man-made for a unique style in any room. Mixing wood and metal together in décor, furniture and the design of a room is popping up more and more often creating, functional, visual spaces.

Dark wood and dark metal. Light wood and light metal. Or a mixture of all these kinds comes together for a blend of textures and tastes that is sure to catch the eye. As a whole, wooden floors can be used as the basis for this design. Homes or offices that have old or new wooden floors lend themselves perfectly to this trend. Industrial ceilings and exposed metal is the perfect match for this type of floor. Past the floor and ceiling, adding to this design is fairly simple too.

For example, instead of traditional leather or fabric couches, metal-framed furniture plays off of the flooring and creates this interesting, on trend, balance. On a light wooden floor, light silver metal can make the room feel more open, sleek and modern. On the other hand, a dark cherry or mahogany floor with dark gray or even near-black metal promotes warmth and depth. However, there are so many more combinations than that. All different tones and hues of wood flooring and metal furniture can be mixed together depending on budget, room and personal taste.

But this of course isn’t the only way to bring wood and metal together. This can also be done just in the furniture itself. A lot of buildings have carpet instead of wood flooring, but they can still take advantage of this trend. Metal bases with fabric or leather cushions are become more prevalent in furniture stores and especially online. Chairs with metal legs and upholstered seats along with metal coffee tables that feature a wooden top can all be added to a carpeted room.

Side tables with wood tops and metal legs can add these elements to a room. In a bedroom, a wooden bedframe can exist alongside a metal dresser and vanity. A room that is painted with dark colors or has a dark design might match well with darker metal and wood. Whereas a lighter room, like light blue or gray, could be the perfect fit for light wood and metal furniture.

If you like the ideas of this trend but still aren’t sure about changing your flooring or furniture, you still have another option. You can find, purchase and utilize décor that adheres to this trend – or you can make décor that’s inspired by this trend. Metal finished frames are a great start, for elements like branches or knotted wood. A framed piece that features actually pieces of wood not only adds interest but texture to a room. Shiny or dull metal vases with bouquets of long wooden branches are another idea for on top of a dresser or side table. These vases can be moved, changed season to season and of course aren’t a permanent design decision.

All of these types of décor, frames, vases and branches can be purchased at almost any home good or department store. The more popular this trend becomes, the more accessible these types of items will be. But some designers like a more hands-on approach, especially when it comes to such a natural element.

A great example includes glass candleholders in which the candle sits in the middle and the glass surrounds it like a vase. These can be found in all different sizes and a relatively inexpensive. Taking these candleholders and painting them a metal tone brings in the more industrial side of this trend. Then, after finding small twigs, the twigs can be glued horizontally around the entire candleholder. Since they are not all perfectly straight, the metal background will be seen behind them. All in one piece of décor, metal and wood is mixed and also brings in the element of heat and fire by lighting the candle.

The best thing about this interior decorating trend is that it can be a whole room or just a few pieces of décor. The variety of wood or metal materials and objects on the market are various and plentiful. If you want something lighter or darker, bigger or smaller, there is sure to be something out there for your taste. The hardness of metal and warmth of wood mix together to compliment existing designs or create a whole new one.

When it comes to flooring in your home, it can be very difficult to choose the perfect style and design to create a modern and stylish look. Tiles are a great option when deciding the type of flooring to choose for your home.

Tiles are not only durable for busy and high traffic areas but are also extremely versatile with endless options of colour, design and size available.  Below are a few tile options that will help you create that modern and stylish look you have always wanted.

Faux Wood

Floorboard look tiles will give your home a contemporary and natural timber look. Available in a ceramic and porcelain tile, faux wood mimics the warmth and modern look floorboards give. Whether you like a thick timber look, slim look, grey in colour or more the earthy tones, your options are endless.

Opting for faux wood allows you to keep the floorboard style by using a material that is much more durable, lasting you longer than any average floorboard would. With faux wood tiles becoming a fast growing trend all around the world, these tiles are easily accessible and available at many tile stores.

High Gloss

High gloss tiles are classy and sophisticated, giving any room a chic and modern look. A light tone, high gloss tile is not only striking but also simple, allowing you to enhance your space with bold furniture. Choosing light colors will create an illusion of space and give your area a new dimension.

Those that prefer a gloss tile with character, opt for a textured design tile. Marble texture is a popular look, which can be recreated using a porcelain tile, which is less expensive than marble. White tiles with grey marble streaks are a very popular modern look, making your home look classy and stylish, creating a high end and contemporary appearance.

Mosaic

Mosaic tiles are available in many different sizes, shapes and colors, which will allow you to choose the right style to create a modern look. Small mosaics are great to use on walls, borders and as a feature tile in your kitchen and bathroom.

Mosaic tiles also allow you to use colors and textures, permitting you to be more creative. Whether you want minimal colour or a large burst of brightness, mosaic tiles will give your room a chic look that will draw attention.

If you are looking for a mosaic tile for your floor, opt for something a little larger. This will ensure that you do not make your room look too busy and confined. If you are looking for something a little unique creating a modern statement, opt for hexagonal tiles. Choosing a large hexagonal tile, dark in tone will make your room look like a honeycomb. This contemporary look is paving the way for diverse designs, which will definitely get everyone’s attention when they walk through your home.

Large Tiles

Choosing a large tile will not only mean less joins and grout, but will give your area a dramatic effect. Dark colors are extremely popular when opting for a modern look and make your area look bigger than what it seems.

Choosing the right tile can give the effect of polished concrete due to the minimal lines and grout used. This can be achieved by purchasing porcelain tiles that have been created to give you the look and feel of polished concrete by using certain tones and textures. Opting for grey tones will also help create the concrete effect to its maximum capacity.

Compared to carpet and floorboards, choosing a tile may not be as warm. Floor heating is available, however it can be extremely expensive, especially if you have large areas. If it is not in your budget, adding beautiful carpets and rugs around your home will give your home warmth, still allowing you to choose a modern and stylish tile.

Your options are endless when choosing a tile for your home. Not only will they be durable, but you will also be able to create so many different modern looks just by choosing diverse tiles. Take your time to look at many different designs, colors and textures. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, as being unique will create a modern and stylish look for your home.

Human beings are prone to making mistakes, a quality that we all share regardless of race, gender, background or nationality. However, it is possible to learn from other people’s mistakes and avoid wasting time by repeating the same mistakes.

When decorating your home, it is possible to hire an interior décor expert or to research on the best décor practices and trends and adopt them. However, if you do not avoid the following mistakes, you will end up in despair, and have to spend a lot of money correcting or learning how to live with your mistakes.

1. The temptation to work without a budget

The opportunity to decorate your home might not come very often, which is the reason people tend to get carried away buying everything that attracts them. Remember that décor items do not come cheap, and the professionals you need to help you arrange all of them in perfect harmony come at a cost. To avoid the mistakes of overspending and collecting items that you will hardly use, sit down with a décor expert and come up with a reasonable budget.

2. Not having the room dimensions when getting furniture

Many people make the mistake of assuming that the best furniture in the store will serve its purpose in their home, regardless of its size. If your room is too small for the furniture to fit in comfortably, then you have made a costly mistake. Having an extremely large room with tiny furniture is also another mistake that you can avoid through simply taking time to compare the room dimensions with the furniture you want.

3. Going wrong on the lighting

Lighting is an area that many people go wrong, since it can complement a room or just spoil your whole décor. Lighting is thought of in two forms, natural lighting and artificial lighting, and understanding the dynamics in each room is important as you consider your décor. One mistake that most people make with lighting is that they make it so bright, that it gets uncomfortable and results in a headache. Another mistake is having very dim lights, resulting in a darkness that will not only hide the beauty of a room, but one that will cause people to strain, feel gloomy, and lead to discomfort.

4. Not having a focal point in your living room

A focal point is important to have in the living room, since it attracts people’s attention and creates a form of balance in the room. It is possible to have several focal points, as long as these points leave a statement on people’s mind. Most focal points are conversation starters or even icebreakers. How well you think through them or organize them will determine just how effective they will be. The mistake here is to not have a focal point.

5. Designing your home in a rush

Most homeowners are always in a big hurry to finish their décor and enjoy living in their beautiful homes, a desire that is rational. However, most experienced designers advise homeowners to take it slow and appreciate their décor coming to life with time. The mistake that most people make when they rush through the designing is that they end up with items that fall out of place, and others that become irrelevant with time.

6. Picking your paint before picking your décor

Your room décor is very important and is most likely far more expensive than your final coat of paint. Make a decision on the exact color of your furniture, the color of your light fixtures, the color of the focal point and finally paint the walls using a color that will blend with all the other colors perfectly. Test different shades of your most desired colors and take time to decide on what you will settle for.

7. Poor photo placement on the walls

Most homeowners hung pictures of themselves and everyone else in the home on the walls, which is a very good thing. The problem comes in when people place their photos very high up making it hard for shorter people to see them, or placing the photos too low leading to the observers developing back pains. To protect yourself from falling into the above trap, make sure to place any photos, paintings, or wall hangings at a level that all observers are comfortable.

8. Not involving the sense of smell

A complete home décor should engage an individual on all levels. In addition to making sure the walls, the furniture, the lighting, and the focal point are just right; make sure to invest in some flowers or plants to add beauty and smell. Plants have a way of refreshing the air and giving life to a décor, something that you should think about to have that perfect finish.

Metallic accents seem to be forever popular, and for good reason. Incorporating brass or copper into your home design adds some rich color, without it feeling too flashy or opulent. Here are some ways that you can add metallic accents to your home design.

A great way to incorporate warm metallic accents into your home is lightshades. If you have a very large, high ceilinged open plan room you could use large metal dome lightshades. Warm copper lightshades especially can make a large space like this feel more homely. In a smaller room you could try a smaller, stylistically shaped lightshade, which can make a wonderful center piece for a small room. Warm metallic lightshades will also give the light coming from them a rich metallic tint.

If you have a warm wooden bench top, a warm metallic fixture will compliment it very well, particularly a brass one. Warm metallic accents and warm woods complement each other very well, and with a lot of people moving towards warm wooden bench tops, a brass fixture is a great way to incorporate a metallic accent into your kitchen.

Copper kettles are another popular way of adding copper into the kitchen – they look wonderful, and what’s more, copper is an excellent heat conductor, so it makes great kettles.

A much more subtle way to use metallic accents is in small things like cutlery. Stainless steel may be the cutlery standard, but using copper or brass will look great when they’re set at the table. If you use a simple white table cloth, warm metallic cutlery can add some rich color to the table, or if you have a wooden table those will of course look great – warm wood and warm metal are as great a match here as everywhere else. Although cutlery will usually spend most of its time in a drawer, it’ll still look great when you bring it out for dinner parties, or you could keep it out in a jar or something of the like on your bench top.

Copper flashing (very thin sheets of copper metal) are a relatively inexpensive way to incorporate very large amounts of copper into a room. It can be used to cover furniture such as cupboards, creating a beautiful centerpiece from a potentially very inexpensive piece of furniture. You could also use copper flashing on something such as the back of a kitchen island, which would again complement a warm wooden bench top very nicely.

You could also use a metallic room partition/divider, which you could make by covering a partition in flashing. Room dividers are great for breaking up large open spaces, and one made from copper or brass is another great way to incorporate a large amount of a warm metal into a space. This one would work particularly well in large spaces, and is another way to make these spaces feel more homely, as you’re dividing it into smaller spaces, and making it feel warmer at the same time.

If you want your house to really stick out from the rest, you could use copper siding. It can obviously be expensive, but copper siding does last two to three hundred years, and will make your house look really quite spectacular. You could use it just on your roof, which would look especially good on a warm wooden house, or you could go all out and do the whole thing, walls and roof. Or you could of course find a balance in between – there are plenty of ways to go about it.

If you want to add a smaller accent than covering your entire house in copper to the exterior, you could use a warm metallic letter box. You can get beautiful copper, brass, or copper and brass letterboxes, either intricately patterned, or in more simple designs. Letterboxes are an easy way to add a small accent to the front of your house.

There are of course many, many more ways you can use warm metallic accents. You can use them for just about anything – from brass range hoods to copper chairs. Metallic accents can be used in any kind of space – they contrast simple modern spaces well, and they complement more traditional spaces equally well. So if you’re looking for a way to add something more to your space, whatever it might be, try incorporating some copper or brass, whether it’s just a little bit like a kettle or cutlery, a bit more like a light fixture or tap, or by going all out and covering furniture or your entire house in copper.

Your kitchen is one of the most trafficked rooms in your home. You will prepare meals there every day. You will entertain there. You will spend a lot of time with your family and your friends there. It is important that your kitchen not only provides the functionality that you need but also makes you and your guests feel at ease.

If your kitchen was not ideal when you moved in, or if your needs have changed over the years, you can easily get what you need from a remodel. Exploring current design trends can help you get some ideas about what you might like or to provide inspiration that can help you fill in a missing piece for what you already had in mind.

Here are a few top design trends for kitchens to consider for your remodel this year or next:

Gray Finishes

You don’t have to completely remodel your kitchen to get a whole new look. You can repaint the walls or repaint your cabinets, and you’ll feel like you have a new kitchen. White has been the color of choice for a few years now, but grey is edging it out. Plus, it can hide stains better.

Choose a light grey for a more neutral look or a dark grey to make a statement.

Colored Sinks

Stainless steel has long been the most popular choice for kitchen sinks because it matches any decor and it is easy to clean. However, you can have a little more fun with your sink and make it a player in your design scheme by choosing a color for it. Hues like green and blue will stand out, and they can provide a nice accent against a white or neutral palette.

Make sure you choose a sturdy material for your sink so that you don’t have to sacrifice quality in favor of the fresh new look.

Apron Sinks

Rustic charm is in fashion now. Farmhouse style, or apron, sinks are very trendy right now. These are stainless steel sinks that are set in to the counter top. The edge of the sink basin is revealed at the side of the counter. You can purchase these in a variety of colors, and the cast iron construction ensures that the sink can take a beating without suffering in appearance or performance.

Bold Fixtures

Even updating your fixtures can make a dramatic difference to the look of your kitchen. Don’t settle for simple knobs and pulls. Consider oversized handles, artistic or glass knobs, and ornate designs. Pair new hardware with a fresh coat of paint on your cabinets and drawers, and you’ll have a whole new kitchen.

Continuous Design

In many homes, the kitchen is a completely separate entity from the rest of the house. The design is unique to the room. However, not all kitchens are tucked away behind closed doors. If you have an open floor plan, you might want to consider creating a continuous design in which the look of the kitchen matches the look of the rest of your home. The walls are painted the same, and the cabinets and fixtures are in the same finish as the trim in the rest of the home.

Casual Eating Spaces

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and many families spend more time there than anywhere else. Create gathering areas for your family outside of a formal dining event. A breakfast nook or kitchen bar are perfect choices. Your family can gather for snacks, casual meals or just time together. You can meet there to talk after school, to review the day at work, or just to enjoy a few minutes while you grab a snack or have a drink.
With an island, you can combine the benefits of a casual eating space with additional area for food preparation and storage.

Every year, new design trends are introduced for kitchens that can help you learn new ways to improve the look of your kitchen, as well as to improve its functionality. This year’s trends can help you plan your remodel just before the holidays or for the new year.

Whatever you decide for your remodel, you will greatly increase the value of your home, and you will enhance your family’s enjoyment of the space. You’ll also make it a lot easier to prepare meals and to entertain guests. Search through these ideas and start planning the kitchen of your dreams for next year.

Your bedroom should be a cozy oasis away from the world. You can retreat there to relax and rejuvenate at the end of each day.

Your bedroom is also a reflection of your personal style. There are many ways to get the same functionality, but the design you choose shows off your unique personality. When you go to your bedroom, you should feel like you are completely at ease — like you are in a space that is uniquely your own.
With so many design options available, you may have a hard time choosing. Your tastes may not be singular, and many decor schemes may appeal to you. Reviewing current trends can help you get some ideas to make your bedroom feel like a special place.

Here are a few top trends to consider for your bedroom makeover in 2015:

Monochromatic Color Scheme

Black and grey may seem like gloomy colors, but when you combine black, grey and white in the right pattern, you can create a stylish decor scheme. You don’t need to go to extreme measures, like painting your walls black. Instead, consider white or soft grey walls with black furniture or accents like a black vase or a black rug. The idea is to use the colors in a complementary manner.

Imagine a room with soft grey walls, a black and white rug in a Greek key design, simple floral silhouettes in black and white on the walls, bedding in grey and white stripes and vases of fresh white flowers. Experiment with the ratio of colors and the different shades to create different looks. Just changing out key accessories can also make a big impact.
Upholstered Headboards

Upholstered headboards are very popular right now, and they create a sophisticated look that can elevate the decor of the whole room. You will be amazed at the difference simply changing out your headboard can make.
You don’t have to buy a whole new headboard to get this look. You can cover your current headboard with foam and fabric. If your headboard features bars or lattice work, you can use a simple piece of plywood as the base for your new, upholstered headboard.

An upholstered headboard can be made of plain fabric or patterned fabric, and it can be the same size as the old headboard, or it can be large enough to touch the ceiling. You can create separate upholstered panels that come together to make the headboard, or you can include buttons and tufting. Each option you choose will have an impact on the final look.

Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Everything old becomes new again. The popular wisdom in fashion is that if you simply hang on to an item long enough, it will become popular again. The same is true for furniture.

Mid-century modern furniture has made a big comeback in the last couple of years. This furniture — popular during the 1950s — features clean lines and simple designs. It is similar to Danish furniture. Options include low-lying beds with simple headboards, plain boxy dressers, and simple night stands. Take a look through an Ikea catalog and you’ll see plenty of options.

Floral Wall Art

Floral prints never seem to go out of style. Right now, floral wall art is a hot choice for bedroom decor.
Don’t think that your choices are limited to gaudy, frilly displays. You don’t have to choose Victorian-style oil paintings. Modern floral wall art can include silhouettes, geometric patterns, and even simple line graphics. Wall art can include traditional paintings, screen prints, graphics, or even vinyl decals.

You can choose a large print that covers the whole wall, or you can choose a series of postcard-sized prints that you put together in a collage-type display. As with many other bedroom trends, you have a lot of options to customize the style to match your personal tastes.

While you don’t want to chase trends to design your home, you can review yearly trends to get a few ideas about how to decorate your space to make it feel more like your own. You can adopt one of the trends for your space, or you can adapt it to suit your needs.

These design trends can make your bedroom feel more stylish and inviting. Consider trying out one of these decorating options in your room this year. You’ll makeover your space and feel like you are living a life of luxury. Your bedroom will feel like a haven away from the world.

Christmas is upon us once again and you definitely want to make your house the perfect place to spend the holidays. Modern decor makes life a lot easier with simplicity and style. You can quickly turn a dull, uninviting house into an inviting home with creative decorating ideas for Christmas.

In this post, you will learn a few stylish Christmas decoration ideas you can use as inspiration to decorate your home this holiday.

The Christmas Tree

Let’s start with the Christmas tree, the almighty, unmistakable symbol of the festive season. The Christmas tree has its own magic and is usually the centerpiece of a home’s Christmas décor.

If you celebrate the holidays the traditional way, then probably it is never Christmas unless the tree is the classic evergreens – fir, cedar, or pine trees.

That said, there are many awe-inspiring artificial Christmas trees worth checking out. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and are typically made from plastic or aluminum. You can choose from a range of custom color palettes so your tree will smoothly blend with the rest of your interior décor.

Decorating the Mantel

The mantel is another key focal point of your home’s Christmas décor. Like the tree, a well decorated mantel captures the magic and essence of Christmas and for many families, it is the point of convergence when unwrapping Christmas presents. Red, green and white are the classic colors for decorating the mantel.

However, with a few tweaks and some clever accessorizing, you can give your mantel a modern, stylish look that gives your house a coolly festive feel. For instance, an all-white ensemble of marshmallows strung around a nylon filament creates an inviting wintry look around your mantel. It is a simple yet elegant style that manages to create a holiday mood around the house with ease.

Depending on the accessories you choose, it’s easy to achieve a modern look using classic colors and decoration ornaments. For instance, instead of hanging plain red stockings above the mantel, use green ones adorned with white or multi-colored embellishments. A mix of green and red embellished stockings can also give your mantel the edge.

To complete the festive look, line the top of your mantel with white tinsel and complete the look with multi-colored balls placed on top, rather than the more common red color pops. Better yet, swap brightly colored geometric shapes for balls or color pops. The point is to experiment with colors and shapes to disguise the traditional red and white look.

The Dining Room

The eating area is doubtless a special place at Christmas so you need to create the right holiday mood for your family. Start by replacing your ordinary cutlery and tableware with Christmas dining crockery and dinning sets. There’s a wide variety of Christmas decorated dinning sets with countless color combinations. The color scheme in your house should determine the color combinations you choose.

In addition, there’s a whole range of table accessories, ornaments and decorations you can use to adorn your dining table. As with all traditional Christmas décor, rich reds, greens, and plain white are the primary colors for festive dining room décor. Feel free to experiment with more colors. Gold decadent textiles are popular for table tops and runners, for instance.

If you want a style that is more modern and elegant, a neatly dressed table with a towering centerpiece will liven up your dining room. A floral topiary (or any greenery detail), a bunch of roses embellished with fresh fruit, a nicely decorated pine cone, or shimmering metal ornaments can all make for a stunning table centerpiece.

If your dining room is spacious, adorn your windows with ribbon or floral wreaths to create a warm festive atmosphere. Wreaths are traditional Christmas decorations so they shouldn’t miss in your Christmas décor.

The Outdoors

Turn your backyard into a coolly festive space with sparkling white lights and paper lanterns on trees and mini lights on the fence. Festive decoration for the outdoors is mostly about lights and Christmas greenery. They add beauty and bring your garden to life with the al fresco Christmas mood.

If you don’t have space constraints, you could add a decorative Christmas tree in your garden, complete with white or multi-colored lights.

Wrapping Up

Preparations for the festive season are starting to take shape and you should be thinking about how you are going to decorate your home this year. Hopefully these ideas will be handy if you’re stuck in a bit of creativity rut.