Interior Design | University Painters

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Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

19 January 2018

Signs That Mean Your Bedroom Needs A Makeover

Your bedroom is the place where you relax and unwind but it may be time for you to update your room if you no longer feel the zest it used to have. Here are some of the things you need to check out to see if it’s time for a room makeover:

Clutter

Has your bedroom become a dumping ground for old books and magazines, worn-out clothing items and virtually useless collections? Clutter can prevent you from relaxing in what should be your sanctuary at home, so take time to declutter and get rid of things that are no longer useful.

Windows

A gloomy room can deflate your spirits so consider lightening things up if your room is on the dark side. Go for sheer curtains instead of blackout blinds. Adding a new curtain pole may help improve the look of your room.

Beddings

It may be time to buy new pillows if you are sleeping on old and flattened ones. Plump, new pillows are not just beneficial to your health. They can also make your bed look more enticing. Consider accessorizing your bed using cushions and throws to make it look more inviting.

Furniture

Worn-out and old-fashioned furniture can be expensive to replace but there are other ways to give them a new life. Give the old furniture some love with sanding and re-painting. You may also want to replace the old knobs and handles.

Lighting

You can update you room by simply changing the lights. Ceiling lights can brighten up a dull space as well as serve as an attractive feature. Feature mirrors are a great way to reflect light in your room.

Flooring

Threadbare carpets are an eyesore. Rugs are an inexpensive option instead of re-carpeting if you are on a tight budget. For your worn floor boards, check if they are suitable for sanding, varnishing, or painting.

Peeling and faded wallpaper and paint can drag down the look of your room so if these characterize your walls, it is time to get decorating. A feature wall using a large piece of art or wallpaper is a great way to modernize your room. Neutral colors on your wall will allow you to make easy changes when your mood strikes.

Should you decide to give your room a new color, avoid sloppy painting jobs by entrusting this work to an experienced professional. Contact us at University Painters for a free estimate of the painting jobs you have in mind.

Regular Post

Written by Josh Jablon

31 December 2017

Mistakes To Avoid When Decorating A Small Space

Many homeowners, particularly those who live in densely populated urban cities, no longer decorate sprawling and multi-room houses but rather more compact apartments and condos. Packing a stylish punch into a limited space though is possible as long as the following mistakes are avoided:

Using Too Much Furniture

Space is crucial when you live in a small house or apartment. Do not allow the limited number of square inches to define your home though. One of the common mistakes that people make is having too much furniture in a small space. You may have to skip having two side tables for your sofa.

In a small space, everything is more visible so choose pieces of furniture that do not weigh down the room. Armless sofas and chairs are examples of this type of furniture. You may also go for versatile furniture or those you can use for multiple purposes. Bookcases, for instance, can be used for displaying art pieces as well as storage for your books. The ottoman can provide extra seating or serve as a coffee table.

Using Curtains With Dominant Designs

Experts advise against using heavily colored horizontal patterns or large flowered prints because these designs tend to dominate a room and create a feeling of less space. Go for curtains in the same color or lighter shade than the wall to provide consistency.

Do not place the window treatments at the top of the window frame. Instead, suspend them from the ceiling to give an illusion of a higher ceiling.

Shying Away From Color

Do not allow yourself to fall into the idea that everything needs to be white or neutral. While neutral colors are wonderful for small spaces, you are not limited to using neutrals.

Neutrals can make small rooms look more spacious because of their simplicity but do not assume that any neutral color will work great in your small space. A neutral color that is too muted can make your room appear small and dark.

If you love color, don’t hesitate to incorporate them in your home. Instead of taking the all-or-nothing approach, consider painting one wall a rich shade you love. Pastels are great for painting and decorating small rooms.

Do hire an experienced painting service contractor with keen attention to details to paint your home. University Painters takes pride in providing professional painting services for small spaces like condominiums since 1986. Contact us today to get an estimate for a painting job.

Design, Paint Colors

Architectural Design, Armless Sofa, Art Pieces, Compact Apartment, Curtain, Displays Art, Interior Design, Much Furniture, Provide Extra, Shies Away, Small Spaces, Space Decorations

Regular Post

Written by Josh Jablon

19 April 2017

Interior Decorating Done Right: Tips to Freshen Up an Old Look

Decorating an older home to give it a more modern appeal doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can freshen up an old look by using a few simple interior decorating tricks. Here are some tips to help you add a modern and fresh feel to your older home.

Neutral Walls

Paint walls in a neutral tone, such as beige or light gray. Neutral wall colors make a room feel fresh and can create the visual effect of being larger. Besides, if you stick to neutrals you can change your accessories quickly and easily to create the style you want to achieve.

Declutter

If you visit some grandmothers you’ll soon notice their older-style homes are filled with clutter. There are ornaments on shelves, vases on tables and benches, pictures hanging on every available wall space, and various pieces of unnecessary furniture in living rooms. Giving your older home a modern appeal could be as simple as removing any clutter from rooms to help avoid them looking as though your grandmother still lives there. Think about adding one or two poignant ornaments or a bold piece of art on one wall to create a statement instead. Make a focal point rather than filling the space completely.

Natural Light

Lots of older homes are notorious for having heavy, dark-colored drapes over the windows. Aside from being outdated, those drapes can make a room appear smaller and reduce the amount of natural light entering the space. Replace outdated drapes with lighter colored window coverings. If you want to stick with drapes, choose a lighter color that won’t fade quickly, but can still be drawn back to let light in without making the room seem small.

Update Outdated Fixtures

The fixtures and fittings in your home can be a tell-tale sign of age, so it pays to think about updating them. Dated light fittings and discolored light switch plates can drag down your efforts to refresh the home, so replace them with modern alternatives that match your décor whenever possible.

Choose the Right Shelving

Displaying some of your favorite decorations or ornaments on shelves can be a great way to add character to an older home. However, solid shelving units created from dark timber can make everything seem dated. Consider replacing those dark shelves with airy display units instead. Choose shelving with an open back or perhaps even glass shelving to increase the sense of space in the room and add a gallery-style charm that is ideal for older homes.

Fresh is Best

Some older homes can have a musty or stale odor that can make them feel more dated than they really are. For some, a myriad of problems could contribute to the odor. Others may simply be suffering from lack of airflow or ingrained odors in carpets or rugs. Add a few drops of essential oil to some baking soda and sprinkle the mixture lightly onto carpets or rugs to eliminate bad odors. A combination of baking soda, water, and a couple of drops of essential oils or doTERRA products in a spray bottle can also help cleanse bathrooms and leave a fresh aroma behind.

There are plenty of simple ways to update an older home. Be objective about the house and its current condition. Then make your decorating plans accordingly and you’ll find it much easier to achieve your goals.