Turning your attic into a room is a great way to expand your home without the added expense of an addition. An attic can pose many challenges when it comes to creating a spacious and comfortable area. Most attics have limited light and feature slanted ceilings and walls that make them feel cramped. However, the trick is to work with your attic’s features rather than fighting them.
Paint colors can affect the way we see a particular space. Wall colors, for instance, can change how we perceive a room’s size and shape; how should you choose and use colors to achieve the effect you want for your home?
Lighter and cooler colors generally tend to recede so they appear farther away. Darker and warmer colors, on the other hand, advance so they appear to move towards us. This basic color concept can be used to paint rooms so they appear larger or smaller, change the room’s shape, and hide the ugly features of the home.
The eyes stop at lines where the color changes and this makes the edges and size of the room more apparent. Lighter colors allow your eyes to travel continuously around the space so this gives the effect of a room appearing larger.
Using different colors make it easier to see boundaries and this can make small rooms appear smaller. You cannot easily see boundaries when the same color is used creating an illusion that the space continues.
If the room is very large, a ceiling with a darker color than the walls can make it appear lower and thus make the room feel cozier. If a space makes you claustrophobic, then paint the ceiling a lighter color to raise its apparent height and make the room feel more spacious.
Painting the two short walls in a long room with a shade darker than the main wall color will make the room appear more of a square shape. For those with large, bare walls, you can break up the space with molding above and below. Paint the bottom with a darker color than the one above to ground the space.
If you have features in the room that you do not want to look at, have these “eyesores” painted in the same color as the walls. This would make them blend in and become less noticeable.
For rooms with lots of angles and architectural features that you want to downplay, try painting all the surfaces the same color.
University Painting can provide you with the house painting services you need to change the size, shape and appearance of your space. Contact us to set an appointment for a free estimate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.