For most people, the living room is an area they use to gather with anyone who visits their home. That means that the living room is an important part of the first impression you make on guests. The design decisions you make for your living room will help make a positive impression and create a welcoming feeling.

The Wall Color

Choosing a wall color is always the most important choice you make in a room. This is because wall color will set the tone for the space and help you to make the other design decisions for that area. Colors greatly influence the feeling of a room, so you want to choose colors that promote a welcoming environment. Lighter colors are often great options that give you the most room to play around with your other design choices. Some colors like red and orange bring energy to a space while light blues and greens can promote feelings of peace and relaxation.

The Furniture

Once you have your wall color chosen, it’s time to choose furniture pieces to complement the space. Without furniture, your living room isn’t usable or comfortable for anyone who visits. In addition to adding function, furniture is a critical part of interior design. Some people prefer to choose furniture options to match the style of the home, for example, using mid-century furniture if they live in a mid-century house. Other people prefer a more eclectic style, mixing and matching furniture pieces to create a look they love.

Lighting

The way you like your space will also influence how it feels for both your family and visitors who come by. It’s a good idea to have overhead lighting that can brighten the room generally, but you also want smaller light sources throughout the room. Lamps can bring a level of intimacy into your living room that you cannot accomplish with overhead lighting. Having a mix of light sources at various heights and of various sizes can make it easier for you to get the right lighting to fit each situation.

When you put effort into creating a beautiful living room, you will see the difference in your home. Your living room can be a place to gather with people you love and new friends. And by focusing on creating an inviting living space, you can ensure that all of your guests feel welcome inside your home.

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Once you've purchased a new home, there are many things to consider. Among them, how you're going to furnish your new living space. With so many different styles of furniture, it can be a little tricky to figure out which one you want to use. Here are some of the styles you could potentially incorporate into your new home.

Contemporary

As the name might suggest, contemporary-style furniture consists of furniture pieces in the style and trends that are currently popular. Because of this, it's a pretty fluid style. It’s constantly changing and developing as new trends become popular. This can make it a tricky style to nail. At the moment, it's heavily based on the mid-century modern style, though it tends to be less severe and more flexible in its execution.This style often heavily utilizes neutral colors, accentuated by bold pops of color. Straight, clean lines may be interspersed by sweeping, curved lines. This furniture style is great for people who want to keep up with the latest trends and don't mind changing up their furnishings frequently.

Modern

Though modern and contemporary are often used interchangeably when describing furniture and interior design styles, there are differences between them. The confusion exists in part because modern furniture designs are currently heavily influencing contemporary trends. Modern furniture is much less flexible as a style though. It tends to have something of a minimalist style, favors smooth surfaces, and utilizes wood and metal as the material base. Lines tend to be straight and clean, with almost a utilitarian feel to them.

Coastal

If you live in a coastal region, using coastal-styled furniture could be a good option for furnishing your home. Even if you don't live in a coastal climate, this style can be great for creating a light, breezy atmosphere in your home. Slightly differing from nautical or tropical styles, these furniture pieces often feature light colors, such as whilte and blue, creating a light, comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Natural materials such as wood, whicker, and rope are commonly used to make different coastal furnishings, which help emphasize the natural elements of coastal regions. Weathered furniture pieces can help bring the feeling of the coastal climate into your home.

Mission Style

Mission style furniture started in the 1800s and grew in popularity beginning in the 1900s. It gained its popularity in part due to how different it was from the extravagance of the Victorian era, in addition to its handcrafted appearance, which differed from the mass produced pieces common to the Industrial Revolution. Mission-style furniture emphasizes straight, clean horizontal and vertical lines, rectangular shapes, 90 degree angles, and highlights the natural grain of the wood. Though it tends to have a handcrafted appearance, it may be made using both machine and handworking techniques. If you want to cultivate a functional, practical, and simple look for your home, mission-style furniture may be a good option for you.

Country

Comfort meets practicality with country-style furniture. The specifics of what may qualify as fitting into the country style may vary somewhat depending on the region. "Country" can be a broad term for furniture styles that can encompass more specific styles such as rustic style, French country style, American country style, and cottage style. Even coastal can sometimes fit under this umbrella. Regardless of the more specific style, country furniture should create a relaxed, homey atmosphere. These pieces tend to use natural materials and are often left unfinished or are weathered to some degree. One of the defining characteristics of country furniture is that it often tends to be somewhat mismatched. This can be great for homeowners who haven't put together a thoroughly matching set of furnishings for their home. If you want a cozy, relaxed feel to your home without having to worry about keeping your furnishings perfectly matched or in perfect condition, country furniture might be a good choice.

Scandinavian

Initially gaining popularity in the middle of the 20th century, Scandinavian focuses on functionality, minimalism, and simplicity. It was originally developed in the countries of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway. Thanks to the longer, harsh winters common to this region of the world, a certain degree of warmth and comfort is a commonly defining characteristic of Scandinavian furniture pieces. This is also why this furniture style often incorporates more lightly toned woods, such as birch, spruce, and pine, and natural, lightly-colored fabrics. It's a way of brightening the room during dark winter seasons. 

Minimalist

If you have limited space in your new home, or if you're trying to downsize your belongings, choosing to furnish your home with minimalist-style furniture may be a really good option for you. Minimalist furniture focuses on efficiency, functionality, and saving space. Some of these furniture pieces may offer secret storage spaces to help their owners make the most of the living space they have. Multifunctional furniture options can also work to your advantage here. When choosing minimalist furniture, keep in mind that every piece should have a purpose and should work in concert with your other pieces.

Vintage

Vintage furniture is typically anywhere from 30-100 years old. Once it's over 100 it isn't considered vintage anymore. At that point it becomes an antique. Other period styles, such as retro, can fit into the vintage category, making this furniture style another option for homeowners who like to play with mixing and matching furniture items. Aside from the age of the furniture, to be considered vintage the piece of furniture should be an example of the best characteristics that defined the specific period it comes from.

There are lots of different furniture styles to consider when making decisions about how you want to furnish your home. Which style works best will depend on the look you're trying to cultivate within your home. Just be sure to take your own comfort into consideration in addition to your style preferences when choosing a furniture style for your home.

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The good thing about bathrooms is that most of them are small, and their small size gives the homeowner an excuse to splurge. Because of this, a breathtaking bathroom can give the impression that it cost far more to renovate than it did. Here are some tips on giving your bathroom a more luxurious look:

Glass Shower Doors

Few things say bathroom luxury better than glass shower doors. They make the room elegant, and, according to Desert Empire Mirror & Glass, they can create the illusion of a bigger bathroom. Glass shower doors can be framed, semi-framed or frameless. Framed shower doors have glass panes fitted into a metal frame that runs on a track. Frameless showers have a sophisticated, floating look, and semi-framed doors have metal around the structure that actually supports the door. Glass for these shower doors can be clear, pebbled, frosted, etched, hammered or have an interesting design that resembles raindrops.

Add More Lighting

In lots of bathrooms, there is a fixture in the middle of the ceiling and maybe Hollywood lights around the medicine chest mirror. This is fine, but according to House Plans Helper, there are many other lighting decisions you could make to transform your bathroom into the envy of the neighborhood. Consider an old-fashioned crystal chandelier or sunken lights arranged in the ceiling in a way that resembles a constellation or a grouping of stars. Make those lights around the medicine chest mirror dimmable or replace them with lights that mimic natural daylight if they are too yellow or too blue. If the bathroom doesn’t have a window, consider adding one if that’s possible. Few things beautify a bathroom like natural light.

Add Luxurious Fixtures

Though you might not be in the market for a solid gold toilet seat, don’t rule out gold faucets or even gold towel racks. In a space as small as a bathroom, they won’t cost as much as you think. Other things that can add a touch of luxury to the bath are a footed bathtub, a rainfall showerhead fitted with LED lights, and maybe even a shower stall with body jets or steam. Don’t be afraid to turn your bath into a five-star spa.

Floaty glass shower doors, beautiful lighting and deluxe fixtures can make your bathroom one of a kind that is no longer just utilitarian but rather a place you and your family and friends want to linger in.

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(BPT) - The latest trends in home decor reveal a desire for a feeling of tranquility and calmness, perhaps as a response to today’s overly busy and distracted lifestyles. From Marie Kondo’s decluttering craze to a return to natural materials in home design, everyone is looking for a way to create a peaceful, less hectic inner space. When it comes to home decor, less is definitely more.

How can you tap into this yen for a little more Zen?

1. Simplify your design strategy

When revamping your room to create a more minimalist effect, choose a limited color palette, meaning one to three colors at most. Select mostly more muted or neutral colors, though you can use one vivid color in a piece of furniture or art to grab the spotlight.

Let the textures of the materials that you use for the floors, walls, ceilings and furnishings — whether they are natural wood, stone, ceramics, glass, tile, fabrics or canvas — create the room's visual interest instead of yesterday’s too-busy colors and patterns. Choose a couple of contrasting textures, like glass and reclaimed lumber, or woven fabric and stone, to highlight in the room for the best effect.

2. Declutter your spaces

Decide what items you really want and need to be in each room and get rid of the rest — or find a way to store it neatly, preferably out of sight. One of the greatest visual clutter culprits today comes from technology. It's hard to know what to do with the mass and tangle of cords from all the latest gadgets, power strips and chargers everyone uses in their homes.

To streamline the technology you use for viewing TV, movies and more, a product from LG Electronics USA can solve your cord clutter problem and turn your living room into an amazing home viewing theater. The LG CineBeam AI ThinQ 4K Laser Projector (HU85LA) creates an impressive 90- to 120-inch cinematic screen by placing it just 2.2 to 7.2 inches away from the wall, needing no complicated installation. With its streamlined and compact design, the state-of-the-art projector incorporates LG's ThinQ AI and has the Google Assistant built-in so you can control your compatible smart home devices with just your voice.

3. Choose furnishings with clean lines

When you're selecting new furniture for your minimalist rooms, look for high-quality, standout pieces designed with clean lines, with no fussy design details or busy patterns. Don't acquire more furniture than the room really needs. Chances are you can do without all those end tables and extra chairs.

Make one exceptional, stylish piece of furniture be the focal point for each room, and don’t over-furnish or over-decorate the space around it. Then avoid the urge to smother the couch or sectional with tons of blankets and throw pillows. Let the furniture speak for itself.

4. Streamline artistic expression

Instead of filling every wall with pictures, choose just one accent wall, eliminating excessive decor elements around it. Let one work of art dominate that space, reducing any competition for attention.

The LG CineBeam Laser Projector can display a chosen photograph or work of art on your accent wall. With 8.3 million pixels, it delivers impeccable precision and detail at four times the resolution of full HD, along with incredibly vibrant color reproduction. It works without the need to darken the room around it, using gentle light that produces clear images without any harsh brightness.

5. Leave plenty of open space

Resist the urge to fill every corner and surface of the room with ornaments and knickknacks. It's the open space, unencumbered by any visual clutter, that creates the feeling of calm and tranquility you're craving.

And if you're lucky enough to have a great view out the window, install only simple, streamlined window treatments — or no window treatments at all — to highlight that view.

Minimalist decor is all about making careful choices and choosing the best quality furnishings and decor over quantity of items. You can turn any room into a beautiful showcase that you'd be happy to entertain and live in, with some thoughtful decision-making. To learn more about improving your home technology, visit LG.com.

Give Your Home a Modern Makeover

(Family Features) Even if your home has seen a generation or two of living, creating a contemporary new look may not require a full-scale renovation. The key to creating a more modern feel is all in the details.

Many of these elements can be tackled one by one so you can transform your home into the modern marvel you desire on a timeframe and budget that fits your lifestyle. If a contemporary home is your ultimate goal, start with these key features to create a more modern look.

Lighting
Dingy lighting and dim rooms are the antithesis of modern design. A contemporary space is airy and bright, and the lighting fixtures often help set that tone. Replace outdated fixtures with modern alternatives that boast sleek lines and finishes. Add more fixtures, including table-side task lighting and floor lamps, to brighten a room with limited natural light. Have some fun with the lighting by incorporating colored or textured globes that allow the fixtures to become focal points of contemporary design rather than functional afterthoughts.

Windows
When it comes to curb appeal, windows play an essential role in the overall aesthetic. Old, outdated windows are a tell-tale sign of an aging home, so when you’re planning for a modern exterior upgrade, be sure to include the windows as part of your plan. An option like Milgard Trinsic Series vinyl windows offers an expansive viewable glass area and a narrow frame to help you embrace modern home design. Not only do they provide even sightlines for clean, unobstructed views, they’re manufactured for maximum durability and energy efficiency and require little to no maintenance.

Walls
No matter the color, a freshly painted space simply feels new. For a true contemporary style, honor simplicity in design and keep colors on the lighter side. However, don’t be afraid to introduce a pop of color in the form of a bold accent wall or even wallpaper that makes a statement. A good rule of thumb: maintain a simple palette of no more than three shades to incorporate a truly minimalist, modern atmosphere.

Doors
The entry and exit points to your home are more than functional features; think of them as a canvas for making a bold design statement. For the patio, consider a sleek and contemporary door with a frame profile so narrow you’ll hardly know it’s there. For example, Milgard offers a contemporary Trinsic Series sliding patio door with the maximum available viewable glass area and an optional narrow handle that blends seamlessly into the frame to lend a modern flair. The doors are also ideal for low-maintenance living; the durable vinyl frames don’t absorb moisture or require painting. 

Hardware
Even the smallest details matter when it comes to contemporary design. You may not need to replace or update your cabinetry, but you’ll most likely want to select hardware that fits a more modern motif. Avoid weathered and overly polished finishes in brass or nickel, and opt instead for selections like matte black, gold and copper, which are all well-suited for contemporary kitchens. Don’t be afraid to mix and match for a bit of an eclectic look, such as different pulls for the upper and lower cabinets or a unique style for drawers.

Explore more contemporary design ideas for your home at Milgard.com.

Refresh Your Space

5 steps to simplify your next paint project

(Family Features) A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your home. Whether you’re revamping a main living area or freshening up your home’s curb appeal, some planning and preparation, plus the right painting tools, go a long way toward helping you achieve a professional-looking finished project.

Execute your paint project flawlessly with these tips and tricks from Jennie Kitchen, product manager, Valspar Applicators at The Sherwin-Williams Company, Consumer Brands Group:

Step 1: Choose Your Color
Selecting a color can often be the most difficult part of a paint project. While browsing through all the colors can be overwhelming, a resource like AskVal.com offers a variety of tools to help you select the perfect shade. You can also have paint chips delivered to your home for free, allowing you to see how they look in your space.

Step 2: Pick Your Tools
Every paint project is unique and may require different tools depending on the size of your space and type of paint you choose. However, there are a few must-haves for nearly every project such as brushes, rollers, roller frames, an extension pole, a paint tray with liner and rags.

“The quality of your paint rollers and brushes is just as important as the paint you use,” Kitchen said. “For a smooth finish and easy application, I recommend Valspar’s line of applicators and accessories, which are now available at Lowe’s and work well with all paints and stains. Our quality painting tools make it easy for DIYers to bring their projects to life.”

Step 3: Prep Your Space
Start by removing all of the furniture or pushing everything to the center of the room and covering it with a drop cloth or plastic sheet. Remove outlet and switch covers, and clean dirt, dust or grime from the walls using a microfiber duster or vacuum attachment. Don’t forget to lay drop cloths, tape off trim and fill in any small cracks or holes.

Step 4: Apply Your Paint
Start at the top, beginning with the ceiling, and work your way down to the walls and trim. A tool like Valspar’s Wall and Trim brush is ideal for most interior painting projects. Its thin, tapered design provides ultra-clean lines when cutting-in around windows, door frames and molding.

When you’re ready to roll, start at a corner of the room in a 2-by-4-foot section at the top of the wall. Then roll downward into a narrow V shape, filling in any unpainted areas as you go.  Once you are done with the top section, move down and repeat until you’ve reached the baseboard.

If you’re painting standard height ceilings or taller, it’s helpful to use an extension pole. For a seamless finish, it’s important to always keep a wet edge and let the weight of the loaded roller do the work. Some pressure can be applied as the roller cover starts to run out of paint, but if you hear a “sizzling” sound, that means it’s time to reload with more paint. To finish, use the roller and roll straight down all the way across your walls. 

Step 5: Clean Up Your Mess
Remove tape while the paint is drying to avoid paint peeling, remove drop cloths and then rearrange furniture. Between paint projects, always clean brushes with soap and water, but don’t leave brushes soaking in water. Always save the package, known as the keeper, to help the brush retain its shape.

Find more tips and tricks for your next paint project at valsparpaint.com/applicators.

Bring New Life to Your Kitchen with Color

(Family Features) Just as filling your plate with colorful foods is typically good for your body, filling your kitchen with color can be good for the soul. In fact, color is an important element in interior design not only for its aesthetic value, but also because it can shape perceptions and emotions.

“Color is powerful – when you walk into a room, you can instantly feel its subconscious effect on your mood, your heart rate and even your appetite,” said color trend expert Janice Fedak. “That’s why it’s important to choose colors that ‘speak to you,’ express your unique personality and truly make you feel at home.”

The experts at Elmira Stove Works offer these design tips, which take into consideration the psychology of some of the most popular colors for the kitchen.

Red
A strong, vibrant color, red is often associated with passion, pride and strength. In the kitchen, bold pops of red can command attention. Red is a perfect hue for appliances – both large and small – and also works well in a patterned backsplash or on decorative items such as canisters and cookware. Consider red “crystal” grout instead of traditional white grout for tile to create an unexpected look.

White
Associated with clarity, cleanliness and purity, this “non-hue” promotes a sense of order and can provide the ideal backdrop for other colors and design elements. For a streamlined kitchen, pair white countertops with a white tiled backsplash and cabinetry. For a more relaxed but still fresh look, introduce a few colorful kitchen accessories or paint an accent wall in your favorite hue.

Blue
Soothing, calm and reminiscent of the sea and the sky, blue evokes feelings of health and well-being. Adding this naturally relaxing hue to the kitchen, which is often the busiest room in the home, can transform the space into your own personal retreat.

One way to bring blue into the kitchen is through 1950s-inspired appliances from Elmira Stove Works in Beach Blue, a hue that takes its cue from days spent lazing by the pool or at the seashore. From refrigerators and ranges to microwaves and dishwasher panels, retro appliances can bring a fun, welcoming vibe to kitchens.

“Color – whether bold or on the subtler side – can really make a kitchen come alive,” said Tony Dowling, vice president, Elmira Stove Works. “Appliances are a great way to introduce color while also creating the foundation for the rest of the space.”

Yellow
One of the happiest colors on the spectrum, yellow is a lively hue that represents youthfulness and joy. It can inspire reflection and creativity, lift spirits and encourage optimism. Use yellow in your kitchen to bathe it in year-round “sunshine,” especially if your kitchen doesn’t get a lot of natural light or could use an extra dose of warmth and cheer.
Black
Although it has a reputation for darkness and mystery, black is also associated with sophistication. Think of a black-tie affair, where the dramatic attire and decor create an upscale atmosphere. Black design elements can lend that same sense of elegance to your kitchen. Appliances are commonly available in black, but you can also incorporate black through tilework, granite or marble countertops, or an eye-catching porcelain or soapstone sink.

“Whatever colors you choose for your kitchen, the most important thing is to trust your intuition and to wrap your kitchen in hues that make you feel good,” Fedak said.

Explore more colorful ideas for your kitchen at elmirastoveworks.com.