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Create a Cozy and Comfortable Dining Area in 5 Easy Steps

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The dining area of a house is often a neglected area of the home, even when cleaning your home. It is so simple to arrange that you barely think about it when planning the home’s decor. After all, what does it really need? A table and a few chairs. Sounds simple enough, so that’s why many people don’t spare a second thought when organising it.

Here you’ll find a few simple tips for creating a cozy and comfortable dining area. These changes might not seem like they’re making a big difference at first, but when you and your family or your guests sit down for a nice dinner in your dining room you’ll notice that it feels much homier and more inviting.

  1. Use lighting to set the mood.

Lighting helps sets the mood for a good dinner. For instance, if you’re having a nice family dinner, you want standard room lighting (about 60 watts incandescent, and 13 watts for an energy efficient fluorescent bulb), but if you are having a romantic dinner, you’ll need a dimmer incandescent bulb of about 25 watts. If you’re having a dinner party gathering with friends, go for a brighter light to help keep the room energetic. (Tip: you might want to hire someone to clean your carpet before inviting guests over under a really bright light!)

Create a Cozy and Comfortable Dining Area in 5 Easy Steps1 (Small)

  1. Add cushions.

Don’t immediately assume that your chairs are comfortable for everyone. Add a sitting cushion to every chair. You might even buy a seat cushion that has both a back and bottom for the ultimate comfort.

  1. Experiment with tableware.

The tableware you use in your dining room can really make your dining area look inviting and attractive. Buy a few different table sets and take out new pieces for every special dinner. Mix and match your tableware (including utensils, plates and napkins) to create interesting combinations.

  1. Make a few quirky changes.

Add decorations to your dining area that will add to the mood. Try a heavily scented seasonal candle, or a flower pot with an exotic flower as the centerpiece on your table. Make thematic changes in the décor when you are inviting friends in and make use of all the décor-related gifts you have ever received from them. The items you add to your dining room will probably be conversation starters.

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  1. Experiment with different table covers.

Your table covering is like a canvas for your dining area. Choose table cloths of varying styles, designs and colors to complement the room’s décor. Choose your table coverings depending on the holiday or time of year—for instance, for Thanksgiving you might get a tablecloth designed with leaves or cornucopias.

The next time you get your home and carpet cleaned, use these five easy tips to re-organize your dining area in time for your next big dinner with family or friends.

Guest Post by Heather Roberts

3 Simple Ideas to Spruce Up Your Living Room

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Every spring I like to spruce up my home by adding pops of color and new furniture that has sleek and useful designs. Just adding a new lamp, chair or table can completely change the look of your room. Here are a few key pieces that I believe will add class and style to any living room’s decor.

Cappuccino Round Accent TableCappuccino Table

I love the modern design of this cappuccino table.  It will fit in perfectly in a living room where you already have plenty of furniture.  It provides an extra table to place your laptop, iPad, coffee cup or book during hours of leisure.  You can even place the table in an open corner and adorn it with a lovely bouquet of flowers.

Cylinder Shaped Lamp

Cylinder LampI really like the cylinder shape of this lamp because it is small enough to fit into any corner.  It is tall and sleek.  You can even add colored bulbs for a more interesting night time effect in your living room.  It’s affordable enough to purchase two or three to position around your room.

Yellow Zig Zag (Charlie Brown) Throw Pillows

Yellow Zig Zag PillowsIf you need a pop of color in your living room, try these yellow throw pillows. They’re designed with an attractive zig zag pattern that looks similar to Charlie Brown’s shirt! Yellow is the color of happiness, so if you want to brighten up the atmosphere these are a good choice.  You can even transition the pillows to your outdoor patio furniture and with the UV protection on the fabric, you don’t have to worry about the fabric fading.
Consider these simple ideas to spruce up your living room. The goal is to have a place where you can feel relaxed and joyful, and have everything at your fingertips.

Tips for Decorating with Contact Paper

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If you want a new look in your home, try adding subtle pops of color to your home decor. If you don’t want the extra fuss of painting and all that goes with it, have you ever tried contact paper? Contact paper is easy to use and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It’s as easy as peeling off the back and applying it wherever you want. Best of all, it’s not permanent. You can always just peel it off and try something new. Here are some fun and easy tips for decorating with contact paper.

41z1nfxabBL– In the living room, create one “faux wallpaper” accent wall with contact paper. Measure the wall’s length and width to ensure that you purchase enough contact paper.

– For the kitchen, apply contact paper to reface your kitchen cabinets. This is a quick and simple way to make your kitchen look more modern and colorful. Carefully use a box cutter to make straight cuts when removing excess paper.

– Add contact paper to the backsplash behind your sink in the bathroom to make it more appealing and colorful.

– In the bedroom use contact paper to give a pop of color to your night stands. Apply an attractive pattern to the top of each stand. Make sure to remove any dust so that the paper adheres properly.

Have fun decorating with contact paper this weekend!

Posted by Eve