Installing Bathroom Wallpaper

Choose vinyl-based wallpaper for the bathroom.

Fresh wallpaper can give your bathroom a whole new look and feel. Today's wall covering options offer a wide range of colors and designs to choose from. With the right tools, a good eye and a steady hand, you can hang new wallpaper in your bathroom in a weekend. It helps to have an assistant if you will be installing the wallpaper on the entire length of the wall.

Instructions

1. Choose your wallpaper, keeping in mind the moisture and humidity levels in the bathroom. Special wallpaper, manufactured just for bathrooms, offers a vinyl-base that resists warping, peeling and damage from moisture (see Resources below).

2. Strip all old wallpaper and prepare the bare wall for papering. Avoid papering over old wallpaper as it will bubble and create an uneven surface. Scrape, sand and fill small holes with wall spackle. The wall should be smooth and free from any debris or old nails and screws. In addition, roll sizing on the walls in a thick layer, allowing it to dry before you begin. This ensures easy paper removal later.

3. Begin in the middle of the longest wall. Using the plumb bob, make a mark at the top of the wall and one at the bottom. Pop a chalk line between the two marks. This gives you a perfectly vertical line. Measure the amount of wallpaper you need for the first piece and cut a section at least 4 inches longer.

4. Spread wallpaper paste thickly on the back of your first piece if your wallpaper is not pre-pasted. If it is pre-pasted, you can skip this step and roll the piece loosely right side out and place it in the water tray. If you don't have a tray, the bathtub, filled with a few inches of lukewarm water, will suffice. Let the paper soak for 30 minutes and then carefully pull it out of the tray.

5. Fold the wet paper so the glue-side sticks together. Set it aside. Allow the wet wallpaper to "book." This process allows the glue to soften, making manipulation of the paper easier when it's on the wall.

6. Unfold the paper and hang it from the top edge, making sure the edge of the paper lines up with the chalk line on the wall. Use the wallpaper smoother to brush any bubbles out with long soft strokes, working from the middle of the paper outwards. Match any pattern lines at this time.

7. Check the alignment of the paper again. Wet paper is movable for a few minutes, allowing you to adjust it. Try to work out most of the bubbles. If a few tiny ones remain, carefully stick a straight pin into the bubble and press the air out.

8. Repeat this process, working your way around the room. When you come to a corner, cut the wallpaper strip so only 2 inches wrap around the corner. Apply this piece and then use the plumb bob again to hang the next piece right in the corner. The new piece will overlap the old piece. This gives the corner a finished look. Spread extra paste on top of the 2-inch strip.

9. Leave the bottom and top excess on until you hang three or four pieces, then go back, hold the straight edge along the ceiling and the baseboard, and carefully cut the excess off with the utility knife. If the wallpaper buckles, wait a few more minutes.

Tags: chalk line, first piece, This gives, your bathroom, your wallpaper

Refurbish Old Dining Room Chairs

Make old dining chairs look new while retaining a vintage look.

If you have old dining chairs that are still functionally sound, you can refurbish them to give them a fresh or even antique look. Normal wear and tear causes the original finish to fade and expose the bare wood underneath. This makes the dining chairs unsightly, and they may even look out-of-place with the table or other decor. With just a few items and some common hand tools, you can refurbish your old dining chairs and give them new life.

Instructions

1. Spread dropcloths over the floor in an area that is well ventilated, such as a detached garage, and place the old dining chairs on top of the dropcloths.

2. Squirt a little liquid degreasing dish soap into a bucket and fill with warm water. Throw a sponge or two into the bucket, allowing the sponges to absorb the warm, soapy water.

3. Clean each dining chair thoroughly, then rinse out the bucket and refill with plain water. Wring out the sponges until all the soap is gone, then rinse and wipe down each dining chair with plain water and let air dry.

4. Put on rubber gloves and drip a little mineral spirits onto a clean cloth. Wipe down each dining chair liberally, until the bare wood is completely exposed. In addition, use a steel wool pad to get the old finish off the wood. Let the mineral spirits evaporate off the dining chairs.

5. Abrade each dining chair with 120-grit sandpaper to remove any of the old finish that may be left and to rough the surface. Sand in the same direction as the wood grain as much as possible.

6. Wipe down each chair with a tack cloth to clean the surface. Brush on a coat of gel stain with a paintbrush. Let the gel stain set for 10 to 15 minutes, then use clean cloths to wipe away excess gel stain. Rub over the remaining gel stain with clean steel wool to prep the wood for the finish.

7. Apply a coat of polyurethane or varnish to each chair using a paintbrush or clean cloths, to finish. Let the polyurethane or varnish dry for about four hours or as long as directed by the manufacturer before using your refurbished dining chairs.

Tags: dining chairs, dining chair, each dining, each dining chair, chair with, down each, bare wood

Decorating Ideas For Glass Dining Tables

Glass tables give a room an open, airy aesthetic.

Partial and full glass tables provide a flat area surface like no other. The delicacy, shine and transparency of glass lends a modern, sleek touch to a room's visual design. Decorating with and around glass tables presents both challenges and opportunities when it comes to tying the glass's texture in with the rest of your room's decor.

Lighting

Take advantage of the reflective translucency of a glass table by using it to display lights. At the most basic, decorate the table with light decorations, such as decorative lamps (like lava lamps or salt lamps) or candle holders. For a more permanent fixture, or for seasonal decorating, attach string lights to the edge of the table.

Sculpture Props

The transparency of glass tabletops makes them an ideal choice for times when you want both the aesthetics of a sculpture and the usefulness of a flat surface. Purchase or build a glass table for which the legs or prop is a sculpture, abstract or recognizable. Common designs of this type include wagon wheels, large driftwood trunks or simply nontraditional wooden props, such as curvy panes of wood or asymmetric shapes.

Glass Ornaments

Decorate the surface of your glass tabletop using the complementary textures of small glass ornaments and containers. Place glass vases, small picture frames or ornaments on the table or on surfaces close to it. To keep this design from looking too cluttered with similar textures, add some contrasting materials to the mix, such as flowers in a vase or a cloth runner between the table and glass ornaments.

Glass Panes and Mirrors

Tie the shiny glass surface of your table into your room decor by arranging its position in relation to other glass surfaces. Items like mirrors, glass window panes and doors and even glass shadowboxes or picture frames provide similar textures. Place these types of items in proximity to your glass tabletop; position them so that they're close enough to be seen in the same frame of vision but spaced out enough that you can see some of the reflective glass surfaces from wherever you are in the room.

Tags: glass ornaments, glass surfaces, glass table, glass tabletop, picture frames, room decor, similar textures

What Kind Of Builtin Bookcase Build For The Bedroom

Built-in bookcases create an impressive and organized book display.

A built-in bookcase is not reserved just for small rooms that require space-saving furniture options. Any room can benefit from built-in furniture, as it utilizes the wasted space found in . You can choose from dramatic wall-to-wall designs and designs that incorporate seating, to cozy designs that surround your bed in a world of literature.

Wall-to-Wall

A floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall bookcase is a fantastic focal point in any room. Using a free wall to dedicate to your bookcase creates a clean, uninterrupted look. If the furniture or size of the room does not allow this, then use the wall that features the door, taking the books over the top of the door as well as either side. Avoid positioning this type of bookcase on the window wall as it will block light. For extra fun, create brightly-colored covers for your books and create a colorful pattern when you display them, transforming your book collection into a huge piece of wall art.

Diagonal

A diagonal bookshelf displays book in a neat and organized fashion but with a bit of a twist on the standard style of shelving. This style is a great choice for younger people. The shelves of a diagonal bookcase cross in a lattice pattern, creating diamond-shaped cubby holes, where the books are displayed in stacks. This style of bookcase can be used in the same way as a wall-to-wall bookcase, or in smaller spaces such as either side of a chimney-breast, either side of the bed or below the window.

Incorporate Furniture

There are two ways to incorporate furniture into a built-in bookcase. The first is to build a wall-to-wall style bookcase around existing, free-standing furniture such as the bed. Ensure you leave enough space above the head of the bed to allow space to sit up and read without hitting your head on the shelving. The second option is to build a seat into the bookcase. It doesn't have to be fancy; simply allow enough space to place a beanbag into the floor of the bookcase. This creates a cozy little nook, ideal for children.

Funky and Alternative

For something really different for a kid's room, simply remove the neat, uniform aspect of the bookcase. Think diagonal bookcase with a further twist. Shelves are placed within a rectangular frame, but in an irregular, erratic pattern. The shelves crisscross back and forth within the frame, with several different shelves intersecting each other. This creates a range of diagonal shelving and cubby holes, all in one bookcase.

Tags: either side, built-in bookcase, cubby holes, designs that, diagonal bookcase, enough space, style bookcase

Size A Light Fixture Over A Dining Room Table

The dining room chandilier is a focal point for the room.

Selecting d cor for any room is a challenge. When it comes to lighting fixtures, the challenge is not simply in the d cor itself but also in the symmetry of the fixture to the furniture and the height of the ceiling. The dining room presents a particular challenge, as many homeowners want to select the perfect chandelier for that room as opposed to a run-of-the-mill light fixture that is flush with the ceiling. When it comes to selecting the perfect chandelier for your dining room, you need to measure and prepare before running off to the store.

Instructions

1. Select a chandelier based ceiling height. The length of the fixture should be proportionate to the height of the ceiling. Generally, a chandelier should be equivalent to 2 1/2 to 3 inches for each foot of a room's height. For example, in a dining room with 8-foot ceilings, the best choice would be a chandelier no larger than 20 to 24 inches high. In a home with 10-foot ceilings, the dining room can accommodate a fixture between 25 to 30 inches tall.

2. Size the width chandelier to the table top. You can create excellent symmetry in a room by selecting a chandelier that is half the diameter or width of the tabletop. For example, if a rectangular table is 52 inches wide, a chandelier that is 26 inches wide would be a suitable choice. For circular tables measuring 72 inches in diameter, a chandelier should be no wider than 36 inches.

3. Size the chandelier based on the distance from the base of the fixture to the tabletop. A chandelier will be most aesthetically pleasing if the base of the chandelier is 30 inches higher than the tabletop.

Tags: dining room, chandelier that, chandelier based, chandelier should, height ceiling, inches wide

Redo Your Bedroom For $100 Or Less

Bring a bistro table to the bedroom for a cute and functional work or makeup area.

Create a dream bedroom without a nightmare price. Spend your imagination, not your savings creating a bargain makeover. Add a splash of color and repurpose old furnishings to create a cozy corner. Toss in some colorful linens for a fresh-look bedroom that costs less than $100 to create.

Instructions

1. Clear the clutter in your bedroom. Get rid of tired, old furniture and put away anything that isn't used every day.

2. Pick up a tired bedroom with a fresh coat of paint. Brush on two colors; add a darker accent color behind the headboard, while painting the other walls a neutral color. Because this is a sleeping space, use soothing colors.

3. Choose a corner in your room for a reading chair. If you do not have an extra chair on hand, search thrift and yard sales to find a chair for $20 or less. "Shop" around your home for a chair that can find new life in the bedroom.

4. Add a compact bistro set to the room if a chair isn't enough. Find a used set to refinish or an off-season clearance set to add a practical work area to the room. Paint a metal or wood set to complement the room.

5. Shop for an inexpensive comforter to toss on the bed. A new comforter adds a pop of color without a big investment.

6. Add a colorful houseplant or two when you redo your bedroom. Plants soften the look of the room and contribute to healthier air. Pick easy to care for plants suited for the light your room gets during the day.

Tags: your room

Decorate A Guest Bedroom And Bathroom

Provide a clutter-free space for your guests.

A guest room should be decorated to make your visitors feel comfortable and welcome. Providing an uncluttered neutral space for your guests to stay in will give them an "at-home" feeling. Before your guests arrive, remove all of your own belongings, leaving behind only a beautiful room to which your guests can add their personal belongings and feel as if they are meant to be there.

Instructions

Guest Bedroom

1. Choose a neutral paint color to apply to the walls of a guest bedroom. Neutral colors are easy to coordinate with many different fabrics and colors for the bed linens and decor.

2. Add decorative pillows.

Decorate the bed with luxurious bed linens. Use a sheet set with a high thread count and a coordinating comforter or bed spread with a simple pattern. Add several color-coordinated decorative bed pillows on top of the bed to make it feel inviting.

3. Make extra blankets and sheets available to your guests and show them where they are kept.

4. Provide a closet with available hangers for your guest to store their personal clothing. Place an empty chest of drawers in the room to give your guests a place to store their more intimate items. Make sure all flat top surfaces, such as the dresser, are cleared of your own items.

5. Include at least one nightstand in the room that will complement the bed nicely. Place nothing more than an alarm clock and/or a lamp on the nightstand.

6. Dress the windows of the guest room with long floor-length drapes or sheers in a color that coordinates with the bed linens and walls.

7. Place fresh seasonal flowers in a small vase on top of the chest of drawers.

8. A mirror can make a room brighter.

Hang a few simple pieces of art work on the walls. Add a mirror; this will not only help to brighten the room but will also provide the guests a way to check their appearance without having to use the bathroom mirror.

Guest Bathroom

9. Remove all of your personal belongings from the guest bathroom.

10. Clean the bathroom, including the tub, toilet, sink, mirror, floor and walls.

11. Keep towels availble in the guest bathroom.

Add fresh clean towels to the guest bathroom that coordinate with the colors you used in the guest bedroom. Add a shorter version of the curtains you used in the bedroom to a bathroom window. Choose a complementary color for the shower curtain.

12. Make your guest feel at home.

Provide soap and other toiletries such as shampoo and body lotion for your guests to use in their own bathroom. Add a mini vase of fresh flowers or a colorful potpourri jar to any cabinet space.

Tags: your guests, guest bathroom, chest drawers, coordinate with, decorative pillows

Install A Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Installing a bathroom exhaust fan is a project that can take a few hours to complete. The result is a properly ventillated bathroom that can be steam and odor free. The bathroom fan not only removes unwanted smells, mold and mildew, it can also reduces dander, dust and allergens.

Instructions

1. Determine what type and model bathroom exhaust fan will be needed for the project. Some common models come with allergen-reducing filters; others are simple, utilitarian systems that only serve as fan-powered vents.

2. Find an area of the bathroom that offers a clear and definite route for venting. Most models found in home improvement stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot mount either in the ceiling or in the exterior wall of the home.

3. Cut the hole in which the exhaust fan will be mounted. Use a small handsaw or a reciprocal saw to cut an opening following the template tracing included with the bathroom exhaust fan. Cut a 1/8-inch in from the template edge. This allows room to remove more material if needed.

4. Look over the wiring leading to the bathroom main light. This is where you will wire in the exhaust fan. Connect the exhaust fan wiring to the house wiring following the wiring schematic provided with the fan.

5. Install the ventilation duct provided with the unit. The duct must run from the bathroom exhaust fan to a roof soffit that leads outside.

Tags: bathroom exhaust, bathroom that, exhaust will, provided with

Repair A Single Handle Bathroom Faucet Drip

fix your dripping faucet

Dripping single-handle bathroom faucets are not only annoying, but they can waste gallons of water every year if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to save money by fixing the drip yourself. If none of these steps work, the faucet itself probably needs to be replaced. Before you begin working on your single-handle faucet, cover the drain below with a cloth to keep small parts from falling in if you drop them.

Instructions

1. Turn off the water valve controlling the bathroom faucet you will be working with. For sinks, this is usually in the vanity cabinet under the sink. Bathtub water valves are generally located behind the faucet. In newer homes, there is an access panel in the closet behind the bathtub. For an older home, you may have to cut through the drywall around the bathtub in order to access the water supply valve. It may be easier to shut off the main water supply to the home in this case.

2. Turn on the faucet slowly to drain the system. Pry off the cap on top of the faucet handle with a flathead screwdriver. Loosen the nut inside the faucet so you can access the internal parts. Use needle nose pliers to gently remove the rod inside the faucet. Inspect it for mineral deposits caused by hard water. Wipe the rod down with white household vinegar to clean off these deposits and improve the flow of water through the faucet. Replace the rod if it appears cracked or extremely worn.

3. Inspect the washer seat, washer, o-rings and seal for worn spots or cracks. Take the old parts to the hardware store when you are purchasing replacements to make sure you get the proper sizes.

4. Install any replacement parts that were purchased in Step Three. Slide the rod back into place and tighten the locking nut. Press the cap onto the top of the faucet handle until it locks back into place. Turn the water back on, reversing the process you used in Step One. Remove the cloth covering the drain and test the faucet for leaks.

Tags: back into, back into place, faucet handle, inside faucet, into place, Turn water

Extend A Dining Room Table

Extend a Dining Room Table

If you will be hosting a large dinner, such as a holiday meal, having a party or just have extended family visiting, you'll likely need to extend your dining room table to accommodate the extra guests. It's not as festive to break up the party into separate eating areas or scatter people among rooms to eat with plates in their laps because your dining room table isn't long enough. Extending a dining room table is simple, especially if you already own the matching leaf (or leaves) that will blend in with the existing finish. Often, you can still purchase additional leaves from the retailer if your table is still in production or is a standard size and finish. If you can't, there's still an easy way to extend the dining room table and make sure everyone eats together.

Instructions

Extend a Dining Room Table With a Leaf

1. Unlock the dining room table, if applicable, and pull the dining room chairs away from the table. Then, stand at the far end of the dining room table with your helper at the opposite end.

2. Pull your end toward you while your helper pulls toward them until the dining room table splits to reveal a gap large enough to insert a dining room table leaf.

3. Slide the dining room table leaf into the gap, securing it in place according to the manufacturer's instructions (many dining room tables use a corresponding hole and peg system for securing the leaf).

4. Push the dining room table back together from each end until the dining room table leaf is fully integrated. Reposition the dining room table and put the chairs back in place.

Extend Your Dining Room Table Without a Leaf

5. Find a small table that is the same width and height as your dining room table (a folding table works well). If you don't already own a table that will work, you can rent, borrow or purchase one.

6. Move the chairs away and then move the dining room table to make room at one end of the dining room for the extra table. Push the extra table firmly against the exposed end of the dining room table.

7. Spread a long tablecloth over both tables so it looks like one long dining room table and put the chairs back.

Tags: dining room, dining room table, room table, dining room, dining room table

Teenage Girl Bedroom Paint Ideas

Teen girls can define their space with paint colors.

Teenage girls often express their changing interests by modifying the look of their personal space. While many young women can't afford to buy new bedroom furniture, they can add paint and accessories that reflect their style. Let her experiment with bright colors, stenciling and murals.

Modern Paint Ideas

Primary colors add a dash of energy.

To create a funky, eclectic effect, teenage girls can paint using vivid colors. Short sections of wall, such as dormer walls, can become architectural accents when painted in intense hues of apple green, orange or fuchsia.

Artistically inclined teenage girls can try their hand at executing small murals or using stencils. Baseboards can be painted to resemble fields of daisies, and ceilings transformed into miniature replicas of the Milky Way.

Romantic Paint Ideas

Pink walls aren't just for young girls.

Teenage girls whose tastes run towards the romantic can complement frilly furnishings with paint in delicate tones of white, pink, butter yellow, pale red and claret. Paint trim in shades of off-white or sable, or cover it with Chinoiserie-style patterned wallpaper. Antiqued finishes can spotlight romantic furnishings. Match a lacy canopy bed with furniture in a crackled or distressed finish.

Paint for Sophisticates

Buttercream-colored walls make this room a tranquil haven.

Teenage girls who prefer a serene, sophisticated look can try deep eggplant, burnt umber, smoky green, slate or ecru. These colors pair well with wood, stone and bamboo furniture and accessories.

Glamorous Paint Ideas

Classic coral paint pairs nicely with white furniture.

Teenage glamor queens can try paint in shades of lipstick red, pea green and teal. Punch up the drama with trim painted in gold or silver. And it's hard to go wrong with classic pairings such as chocolate and robin's egg blue, or coral and black.

Tags: Paint Ideas, Teenage girls, teenage girls, with paint

Organize Children'S Stuffed Animals In The Bedroom

Get your child's stuffed animals off the floor.

Stuffed animals are favorite childhood toys, but if they are left lying around, they can easily overwhelm a room. If your child's stuffed toy collection is getting out of hand, organize the toys in the child's room. Giving the stuffed animals a place to stay keeps them off the floor and bed, and makes the room look tidy.

Instructions

1. Install a toy hammock across a corner of the room. If your child would like his toys close at hand, place them in a corner near the child's bed. Sling the hammock at a height that is low enough for the child to reach.

2. Store the toys in a toy cage, or even in a real cage that has never been used or has been well cleaned. Call this cage the "zoo," and tell your child her stuffed animals need to live there when she is not playing with them.

3. Fix an adhesive hook to the wall, and hang a long cord from it. Attach the stuffed animals to the cord using plastic clips. This keep the stuffed animals accessible and in view, but off the floor.

4. Install a shelf along the wall. Depending on the number of stuffed animals your child has, this shelf may run the entire length of the wall. This shelf allows the stuffed animals to be arranged in a decorative fashion.

Tags: stuffed animals, your child, child stuffed, your child stuffed, child stuffed animals

Install Carpet In A Bathroom Around A Pedestal Sink

Pedestal sinks sit on top of a pedestal that is not bolted to the ground.

Installing carpet is relatively straightforward. Tack strips are nailed to the subfloor near the walls, an underlayment is stretched from wall to wall, and the carpet is set on top of everything. The tack strips hold the carpet in place with small nails protruding upwards. Installing carpet into a room with existing fixtures can be difficult. Doing so in a bathroom that houses a pedestal sink is not as difficult a job as working around cabinetry. You remove the pedestal sink and install the carpet directly beneath the fixture.

Instructions

1. Disconnect the water lines using an adjustable wrench to unscrew the connection. Disconnect the drain pipe from the sink using a pipe wrench to unscrew the retaining nut attaching the trap to the drain pipe. Unscrew any retaining nuts connecting the sink to the pedestal using a screwdriver or adjustable wrench as necessary.

2. Lift the sink straight up off the pedestal. Lift the pedestal off the floor. Set both to the side.

3. Hire professionals to install the carpet or install the carpet by yourself. Cut the carpet when installing it near the location for the sink to open up any holes necessary for pipes coming up through the floor. Cut the carpet with a utility knife from the wall to the pipe and press the carpet down around the pipe. Installing a tack strip directly behind the location of the pipes provides added stability to the carpet.

4. Place the pedestal back in position over the carpet. Reattach the sink to the pedestal and reconnect each drain pipe and water pipe that was disconnected originally. Tighten all connections properly.

Tags: drain pipe, adjustable wrench, from wall, install carpet, Installing carpet

Plan A Bathroom Guidelines

The bathroom is usually the smallest room in the house, yet it is also one of the most important. Most people can function fine without a spare bedroom or separate dining room but can't imagine living without a bathroom. Designing a new bathroom can provide your family with updated fixtures and a newer, cleaner place to shower, bathe and prepare for the day. Planning the construction of a new bathroom accordingly is an important step in ensuring that the process goes smoothly.

Instructions

1. Check with your local building regulations to determine if you will need a permit for the remodeling or building of your new bathroom. If so, submit the appropriate paperwork and acquire your permit well before you begin any other work on the project.

2. Make a detailed floor plan of your existing bathroom or the space you will be working in. Mark doors, windows, electrical outlets and wires and existing pipes on your plan. Also, include the existing fixtures and their measurements.

3. Create a second floor plan detailing what your new bathroom will look like. Clearly mark the pieces you will be installing. For a half bath, you may only need a sink and toilet. For a full bath, your plans may also include a tub, shower stall or both. Be sure to include the placement of lighting fixtures and new pipes.

4. Examine the floor of the space that you are working on. If you are remodeling an existing bathroom, looking underneath the floor ahead of time can help you determine what you want to install. You may find a fine hardwood floor that you are willing to seal, finish and keep.

5. Select the new pieces that you would like to install in the bathroom. Check their needs as far as piping and other fixtures. Measure each item carefully and refer to your written guidelines to ensure they will fit.

6. Choose flooring, paint, tiles and mirrors for the bathroom. Measure the tiles and flooring pieces and compare with the measurements of the room to make sure you have the appropriate quantity and size.

7. Begin installation according to your written plans, but be prepared for unexpected setbacks, especially with wiring or plumbing. If you are doing the project yourself, keep the number of a professional nearby in case you need a more experienced hand.

Tags: existing bathroom, floor plan, your bathroom, your written

Dehumidify A Bathroom Without An Exhaust Fan

Excessive moisture in your bathroom could cause mildew.

If your bathroom does not have an exhaust fan, you can expect a heavy mist inside the bathroom when you take a shower. An exhaust fan pulls this moisture out of the air and prevents it from sitting on the walls. If you continue to use your bathroom without removing the moisture, you will likely start seeing mildew growing in various places. During the summer, you can simply open a window, but in the winter or if you do not have a window you can open, you must take other measures when you are taking a shower.

Instructions

1. Place a small-capacity portable dehumidifier in your bathroom. Position the dehumidifier a safe distance away from the shower to avoid any possible electric shock. Plug the humidifier in. Because the humidifier is portable, you do not have to route a drainage hose. The dehumidifier has a basket that holds the liquid.

2. Turn on the dehumidifier directly before you turn on your shower water. There is no need to run the dehumidifier before you start the shower.

3. Allow the dehumidifier to run for a period of 20 minutes after your shower to allow the dehumidifier time to clear out the room.

4. Pull the basket out of the dehumidifier after you turn it off, drain the water into your shower drain or toilet bowel, and then reinsert the basket into the dehumidifier.

Tags: your bathroom, your shower

Make A Basement Bedroom Nice

Privacy from the rest of the house is a major benefit in having a basement bedroom.

When you are paying for a whole house, there is no reason to allow livable space to go to waste. Create the master bedroom of your dreams or make a guest room that will spoil and pamper visitors. With a few decorating tips and tricks, you can turn your dark, dank basement into a luxurious, cozy bedroom suite.

Instructions

1. Put up screens or bi-fold doors to separate your bedroom space from a work shop, washing machine, boiler or any other eyesore you wouldn't want in your bedroom.

2. Paint your basement to freshen up the walls. If you have a sub-ground basement with few or no windows, a light color paint is the best way to help brighten up the space and make the most of the light you do have.

3. Install window treatments to provide privacy. If your basement is sub-ground, gathered sheers will help prevent passersby from seeing in but still allow the light to come in. Full-length curtains can give the illusion of full-length windows in the room so that it can feel less like a basement and more like any other room in your home.

4. Put in carpeting, if possible, to keep your basement from feeling so cold and hard. If carpeting is beyond your budget or not possible due to occasional minor flooding, use full, thick area rugs to achieve the softness.

5. Select furniture that will suit your room's situation. If the ceiling is low, don't get furniture that will be too tall and might be difficult to maneuver down there. If your basement occasionally has leaks or minor flooding, get furniture that is on legs and made of materials that can survive it, such as wood primed with a sealer. If your basement lacks closets, get furnishings with ample storage.

6. Hang a large mirror on one of the walls. This will create the illusion of space and depth, especially if you are lacking windows. In a windowless room, a large mirror will take their place and make the room seem more balanced and open because it will bounce the existing light around more.

7. Bring in several lamps to layer your lighting. Many basements have overhead fluorescent lights, which can be hard on the eyes, so you might consider getting a torchiere or table lamp for general lighting if you are going to spend a lot of time in the room. Use a light that has three levels of brightness so that when you want softer, atmospheric lighting, you can dim it. Get a good, bright, adjustable lamp for reading or task lighting. Consider a nightlight so you don't have to navigate in the dark should you get up for something.

8. Make your basement bedroom feel comfortable and pretty like any room in your home. Put bedding and throw pillows on the bed, hang artwork on the walls and put out accessories that give the room style, such as potted plants, a vase or statuary.

Tags: your basement, furniture that, that will, basement bedroom, furniture that will, large mirror

Ideas For A Tile Bathroom With White Subway Tiles & Border

Warm colors soften a white tile bathroom.

Subway tiles have a long rectangular shape like a brick and are installed one row at a time. Each row usually is offset from the row above and beneath it. If your bathroom has white subway tiles and tile borders, you can spruce up the room with carefully chosen colors, lighting, hardware and cabinetry. White subway tiles are bright and fresh, but some earth-tone accessories can warm up your room design.

Wood Cabinetry

To detract from the stark white subway-tiled walls and border, add wood cabinetry to the bathroom design. Choose hardwood that has a soft warm vibe like maple, birch, or natural oak. Avoid wood cabinetry that is too dark like ebony or walnut if you don't want your bathroom to have a black-and-white effect.

Modern Hardware

Select modern hardware that complements your white subway tile and border. For a contemporary look, choose a brushed nickel towel rack or a shiny silver-framed sink mirror. To harmonize with a rustic or country motif, opt for wrought iron handles or knobs for your cabinetry. Select a stainless steel showerhead and sink faucet for a streamlined, stylish look.

Earth-Tone Accessories

Add earth-tone accessories to the bathroom design to contrast with a crisp, cool white subway tiles and border. Choose soft plush decorative towels in chocolate brown, mocha or deep gold and place them in visible areas in the room. Purchase a sheer brown or tan shower curtain that has a solid uniform color, a simple stripe or a small pattern. Add a cushy throw rug to the center of the room.

Warm Lighting

Incorporate warm lighting into your bathroom design by using 40-watt or 60-watt soft white bulbs in your light fixtures. Avoid high-watt halogen or fluorescent bulbs that make a white bathroom feel stark and cold. If you have a vaulted ceiling, purchase a brushed nickel or wrought iron chandelier with low-watt exposed bulbs. Place candles around the bathroom and install a dimmer switch for your overhead lighting. If you have a large bathroom, you can install recessed lighting in the ceiling.

Tags: bathroom design, your bathroom, bathroom install, brushed nickel, subway tiles, white subway tiles

Place An Area Rug In The Bedroom

Place an Area Rug in the Bedroom

A bedroom should be designed as a refuge from the world. Area rugs can add a level of cozy warmth that bare floors do not provide. Bedrooms that contain wall-to-wall carpeting can also benefit from an added area rug. Area rugs give visual clues about the importance of a particular area of the room and can be used bedside, across the room at the foot of the bed, as a focal point in the center of an open area or as a way of delineating a seating or work area within the room. Rugs can be purchased in standard sizes or can be designed to custom fit any location in a bedroom.

Instructions

1. Examine the bedroom and its furniture layout and decide where the rug will best service the occupant(s).

2. Measure the chosen rug area with a tape measure and record the dimensions.

3. Use paper to outline the area rug on the floor before settling on a size. Use a tape measure to place a sheet of notebook or copy paper where each corner of the rug would be.

4. Choose an area rug that fits inside the measured dimensions. Area rugs look best when bordered by the original flooring by 6 inches to 1 foot.

5. Place a rug pad beneath the area rug in bedrooms with hardwood or tiled floors. Choose a pad that is the same thickness as the rug for even wearing of the carpet.

Tags: Area rugs, Area Bedroom, Place Area, Place Area Bedroom, tape measure

Make A Bedroom Wall Unit

To help keep a bedroom clean, storage is a must. This storage can be in the form of shelving wall unit. Build a wall unit for your bedroom to fit whatever needs you have. Make shelves of different heights or build around other structures that might be in the room, such as dressers or heating elements. Bedroom wall units can take up an entire wall or be built to fit in a small area of wasted space.

Instructions

1. Measure the area where you want to put the wall unit. Measure how wide you want the wall unit to be as well as how tall. Go all the way to the ceiling to get the most use of the space you have. Take into account any unmovable objects that you have to work around such as radiators.

2. Draw out what you want you shelving unit to look like. Use graph paper and draw the shelves in scale. This will be helpful when it comes to deciding how much lumber you need to purchase. Include not only the width of the shelves but also the number of shelves you want in the unit.

3. Cut the pine to the lengths you need for the side pieces. Depending on the width you want your unit, you may want to build it in sections that you can attach together later when they are all complete. This also helps if you want a large unit and would not be able to put it all together and then move it to the location you want.

4. Use the saw to cut the pieces for the shelves.

5. Lay one of the side pieces on your work surface. Measure and mark off where you want to place the shelves. Set the other side piece next to the first one and transfer the marks in the same positions so the shelf will line up square. Use a level to double-check your markings.

6. Stand all the shelf pieces of pine on their ends on your work surface. Place one of the side pieces of top. Use your marks to drill screws through the side into the shelf to hold it in place. Use about three screws per shelf.

7. Flip the unit over carefully. Get a couple of friends to help if necessary to keep the screwed-in shelves from tearing the wood. Repeat the last step to attach the other side to the unit.

8. Repeat all the steps to make any remaining sections of the wall unit. Stain or paint the units as desired.

Tags: wall unit, side pieces, your work surface, other side, pieces your, side pieces your, want wall

Pick Paint Colors For The Bathroom

While you don't entertain in your bathroom, it's still a room in your home you and your family use, as well as your guests. Because the bathroom is one of the most visited rooms, you want it to have a neat appearance that matches with the style of the rest of your home.

Instructions

1. Look around your bathroom. For bathrooms that have natural light through a window or skylight, you can consider a darker color for your paint. But for bathrooms without windows, especially small bathrooms, consider using a lighter color of paint on the walls to prevent the "closed-in" feeling that can occur with dark walls.

2. Decide if you're going to pick paint colors based off of current or future accessories. If you have a theme in your bathroom and you want to continue with that theme, choose colors throughout your theme to consider matching your paint to. Choose floor rugs or bath towels that you want to keep in the bathroom and add coordinating colors on your list of paint to consider.

3. Visit a paint store. Browse through sample paint chips to begin narrowing down color choices.

4. Bring sample paint chips home. Choose your top three to five color choices and bring the paint chips home. This allows you to hold the sample paint colors up against window treatments, towels, as well as your permanent fixtures (bathtub, toilet and sink) to see how the colors will go in your bathroom.

5. Paint small sections with your top choices. If you still can't decide on a final paint color choice, paint your final selections on your wall. Buy a quart of paint in each of your final colors and paint a section measuring two feet by two feet on your bathroom wall. View your painted sample patches in different lights, night and day to see the overall match.

6. Pick your paint colors. Choose the paint color that's also available in the sheen or type that's needed for your bathroom (semi-gloss or eggshell are recommended for bathrooms due to moisture control and ease in washing).

Tags: your bathroom, paint chips, paint colors, sample paint, your paint, chips home, color choices

Pick Paint Colors For A Dining Room With A Chair Rail

Pick Paint Colors for a Dining Room With a Chair Rail

Chair rails are aptly named--they're installed to prevent the wall from being bumped when diners push their chairs back from the table. Nowadays, they are often installed in dining rooms as decorative accents, and they provide the opportunity to pick some fun paint color combinations. While the traditional and safe advice is to paint the wall below the chair railing a darker version of the upper wall color, you have several other options for paint schemes.

Instructions

1. Pick colors you love, rather than fashionable colors, or colors that looked good in somebody else's home. Realize that you already know which colors resonate with you. Trust your instincts, look around your home and note the colors and combinations that you have already chosen.

2. Take a digital color photo of the dining room in natural light. Not only does this allow you to mentally stand back and see how the room looks, you can upload the photo to a free color visualizer tool, which allows you to digitally manipulate the photo and "try on" color combinations.

3. Choose a deeper color that matches another element in the dining room, such as the table runner, upholstery or throw rug. This helps pull the room together, especially if you choose more vibrant colors.

4. Choose colors that flow from one room to another. Avoid sharply contrasting colors--such as pale cool blue in a kitchen, and warm deep red in the adjoining dining room--unless your decorating style is already colorful and eclectic.

5. Pick different shades of the same color for a more classic effect, such as deep brown below the chair rail, and a lighter tan above it. For a slightly more dramatic and cozy look, paint the darker color above the chair rail. This can make the dining room feel more intimate, and often provides a better background for artwork.

6. Use complementary colors for more impact. Pair cranberry red with milky brown or deep forest green with dusty pink.

7. Visit a paint store and pick out as many free paint swatches as you like. Take them home so you can see them in the context and light of your dining room. Purchase quarts or testers of your chosen colors and paint samples on the walls before you make a final decision.

8. Don't forget the ceiling by leaving it plain white. Consider a lighter version of one of the wall colors, a complementary color, or even a very deep color. Rosanne Dunkelberger, editor of Tallahassee Magazine, suggests giving the same amount of thought to picking a ceiling color as your wall color and regarding the ceiling as a "fifth wall."

Tags: dining room, below chair, chair rail, Chair Rail, color combinations, Colors Dining, Colors Dining Room

Prepare A Dining Setting

Add elegance to your table with correct place settings.

Preparing a dining setting helps you make your guests feel welcome at your table. Table settings add order and beauty, making a properly set table a pleasurable place at which to dine. Etiquette expert Emily Post advises, "The basic rule is: Utensils are placed in the order of use, that is, from the outside in." Whether you're having an evening meal with family or hosting a dinner party, a proper dining setting enhances the enjoyment of the meal.

Instructions

1. Dinner plates always go in the center.

Set the dinner plate in the center of the place setting. Dinner plates are typically 8 to 10 inches in diameter. You can go as formal or as whimsical as you like, depending on the setting. Formal settings feature fine china and porcelain, while an outdoor picnic would incorporate paper or plastic plates.

2. Dinner and salad forks go to the left of the dinner plate.

Set the dinner fork on the left-hand side of the plate. If you're serving a salad course, set the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. Dinner forks are longer than salad forks.

3. Knife blades face the dinner plates.

Set the dinner knife on the right-hand side of the dinner plate, with the blade facing toward the plate. A steak knife may be substituted for the dinner knife.

4. Arrange the spoon on the right-hand side of the knife.

Position the spoon on the right-hand side of the knife. If you're serving a soup course, set the soup spoon to the right of this teaspoon.

5. Water goblets and wine glasses are set above the dinner knife.

Arrange water goblets and wine glasses directly above the dinner knife, on the right-hand side of the place setting.

6. Napkins add both practicality and design to place settings.

Fold an ironed fabric napkin in half lengthwise. Starting from the end, roll up as tightly as possible. Slip a napkin ring on, and snugly fit it in the center. Place the napkin either to the left of the outermost fork or in the center of the dinner plate. A folded napkin or napkin in a napkin ring is an essential part of each place setting.

7. White tablecloths are classic and chic.

Add color and protection to your place setting with a tablecloth. You can also frame your settings on placemats. Tablecloths and placemats prevent scratching and protect dinnerware. Switch patterns with the seasons or to emphasize a dinner party's theme.

Tags: dinner knife, dinner plate, place setting, right-hand side, above dinner, above dinner knife, center dinner

Decorate A Bedroom Romantically

Decorating your bedroom for a romantic atmosphere is a process that involves choosing paint, wallpaper, bedding and draperies. Remember to take your partner's taste into consideration. Model your room after a luxury hotel or your favorite bed and breakfast to capture the romantic feel you're after.

Instructions

1. Define what a romantic room looks like to you and your partner. You can do this by clipping pictures from magazines of bedrooms you consider romantic and have your partner do the same. Look for photos of luxury hotels and bed and breakfasts.

2. Evaluate the photos you've chosen as your favorites. Chances are good you'll find a pattern. They may be monochromatic in color, or they may be filled with flowers, overstuffed furnishing and lots of pillows. Knowing what style to go in will make the process much easier.

3. Decide on a color scheme that fits the style you've selected. Consider the other colors you've used throughout your home. While you want a romantic look in the bedroom, you also want to make sure it works with the rest of your decor.

4. Purchase bedding and draperies first. It's typically recommended you purchase them at the same time to make sure they'll work well together. For a classic look, stay monochromatic and choose shades of one color. For a traditional B&B look, choose multiple patterns that use the 3 to 5 colors.

5. Select high thread count sheets for a luxurious feel. Purchase plump pillows and consider using lace or satin sheets. These options will add romance to your bedroom regardless of the decorating style you've chosen.

6. Paint or wallpaper the walls in a color that matches or compliments your decorating style. Add pattern for depth and sophistication.

7. Decorate your bedroom with soft artwork and choose lighting that can be altered to suit the mood. Consider installing dimmers or wall sconces for indirect lighting. Scatter candles, potpourri and family photos in heirloom frames around the room.

Tags: your bedroom, your partner, bedding draperies, decorating style, make sure

Installing A Bathroom Sink Faucet

Installing a Bathroom Sink Faucet

Things to Consider

Installing a bathroom sink faucet is a project that doesn't take much time at all. However, there are some things you may want to consider before running out to purchase the faucet. First, see how many holes your sink has for the faucet and buy one that will either use them or cover them. Think about is the color of the faucet verses the color of the drain trim. If the new faucet doesn't match you may want to replace the drain piece along with the faucet.

Removing an Old Faucet

Turn off the water at the supply valves under the sink or just coming out of the wall. If you are first taking off an old faucet, keep a bucket under the valves as you unscrew the hot and cold water supply lines at the faucet as there will still be water in the lines. Then you will need to unscrew the nuts holding the faucet in place with a basin wrench. Take the faucet out and clean up the area from the old faucets.

Installing the New Faucet

Some faucets come with a gasket that will seal the new faucet to the sink, others tell you to use plumber's putty. Either place the gasket on or place plumber's putty on the bottom of the new faucet and set into place. Do not be afraid to use too much putty as you want it to seal all the way around and the extra will just squeeze out. Tighten the nuts under the faucet to secure and align it, then clean up the extra putty. Place some Teflon tape around the water inlet fittings to ensure a tight fit to the hoses and attach the hoses. Make sure to put the tape on in the same direction you will be screwing on the hoses. Take the aerator off the faucet and turn the water valves back on. Check for leaks and allow the water to run for a few minutes to clear out anything that could have been in the faucet. Place the aerator back on and your new faucets are finished.

Tags: Installing Bathroom Sink, plumber putty, sink faucet, that will, water supply

Install Subway Tiles In Bathrooms

Use the same colorful glass tiles in subways on your bathroom walls for a look that's different from typical ceramics.

Glass subway tiles are clear, easy to clean waterproof tiles that are generally larger than typical ceramic tiles. Rectangular, as opposed to square in shape, some subway tiles give a translucent brick-like appearance to walls, allowing you to apply them like pavers for an appearance not normally associated with bathroom walls. They mount in place much as ceramic tiles, with a dry-set mortar that has a special additive which helps the smooth non-porous glass bond to the wall. Because they're made from glass, subway tiles are available in a large variety of colors, making your new tiled surface easy to blend into an existing decorative pattern.

Instructions

1. Examine the walls where you'll be setting the tiles for any cracks. Fill the cracks with drywall compound, stuffing it into the surface of the wall with a putty knife then scraping along the surface of the patch with the edge of the putty knife to level it out. Wait about two hours for the compound to dry enough to work with then sand it smooth so that it is flush to the surrounding wall with medium-grit sandpaper.

2. Clean the surface of the wall with a pH-neutral cleanser and a sponge. Go over the surface of the wall with the sandpaper, if there's paint present, to remove the paint gloss for better adherence of the tile adhesive. Wipe the wall down with a damp cloth to remove any sanding residue.

3. Measure the length and width of the wall then use these measurements to set up a test pattern of the subway tiles on a clear surface. Use as many full tiles, as possible, to create your pattern and estimate the amount of tile cutting needed to complete the installation.

4. Mix a white dry-set mortar in a large bucket, following the manufacturer's instructions for the amount of water to add. Attach a paddle bit to an electric drill for mixing the mortar until it's the consistency of peanut butter. Add an acrylic add-mix to the mortar, following the packaging instructions for the amount to add by the weight of the mortar used. The add-mix will aid in bonding the non-porous glass of the subway tiles to the mortar.

5. Spread the mortar onto the wall, beginning at the bottom center of the wall and covering about 2 square feet of wall space, with a 3/16-inch notched trowel. Use the flat edge of the trowel to spread a 1/4-inch layer of mortar in place then drag the notched edge of the trowel through the dry-set to raise ridges.

6. Spread a light layer of dry-set onto the rear of the tiles then press the tiles onto the wall, working upward and then left to right. The extra dry-set layer ensures that the ridges in the mortar will not show through the glass of the tiles. Use tile spacers at the edges of each tile to create joints about 1/8-inch wide. Remove any mortar from the front of the subway tiles immediately by wiping it away with a damp cloth. Continue to place the tiles onto the surface in 2-foot square sections until you reach a light switch or an edge where a partial tile is necessary.

7. Shape tiles to fit around light switches by snipping through the tiles with tile nippers. Cut the tiles needed for the edges with a tile cutter.

8. Wait 72 hours for the mortar to dry.

9. Remove the tile spacers. Push grout over the tile faces into the joints with the edge of a grout float. Move the grout over the tiles and into the joints at an angle with the float to avoid displacing the existing grout. Wipe the tile faces clear of grout with a damp sponge. Wait two hours then clean the tiles of grout residue by wiping them with a lint-free cloth. Place a bead of caulk around the edges of the tiles, especially along any area that meets a moisture-rich surface, for example, a bathtub or sink. Smooth the bead of caulk in place with a fingertip moistened with water.

Tags: subway tiles, wall with, surface wall, surface wall with, with damp, bathroom walls

Install A Bathroom Exhaust Fan & Vent

Exhaust fans keep your bathroom smelling clean.

Bathroom air vents with fans move moist air from the bathroom to the outdoors. Installing a vent not only helps reduce foggy mirrors and that "always wet" feeling, but helps reduce mold and mildew that can make you and your family sick. The easiest and cheapest way to install a bathroom exhaust fan and vent is up through the ceiling where there is an existing light fixture, and then out through the wall.

Instructions

1. Remove the bathroom light fixture. Take out the screws that hold the light fixture in place. Pull down on the light fixture until it is free from the ceiling. Unscrew the two electrical connectors that bind the wires from the light fixture to the electrical system. Set the light fixture aside, out of the way.

2. Enlarge the hole. Read the instructions that come with the vent/fan unit to determine the size of the hole you'll need in the bathroom ceiling. Use a framing square to draw a rectangle in the ceiling around the existing hole left by the light fixture. Cut out the rectangle with the jig or drywall saw

3. Attach the duct to the vent/fan unit according to the manufacturer's directions.

4. Attach the vent/fan unit. Push the vent/fan unit, with attached ducting, up into the hole. The ducting goes in first. Secure the unit against the ceiling joist, using screws provided with the unit. Affix the vent/fan cover, making sure it clicks into place.

5. Attach the wiring to vent/fan unit, using electrical connectors from the light fixture--black to black, white to white.

6. Cut a hole in the siding from the outside in, using a jigsaw. Make the hole just big enough for the duct and cap.

7. Install the ducting. Pull the ducting from within the ceiling space and attach it to the vent/fan unit, using the screws provided.

8. Install the duct cap. Apply sealant to the duct cap and siding wall. Screw the duct cap into the siding wall, using metal screws.

9. Turn on the shower and leave it running for several minutes with the fan running to test the system. Go outside and see if air is being expelled.

Tags: light fixture, vent unit, electrical connectors, from light, helps reduce, screws provided

Pick Colors For A Living Room And Dining Room Combo

Choose a single decorating scheme for a dining and living room combo.

To create a calm and cohesive space, treat the dining and living room combination as a single room. Proper planning can help you highlight the best features of the room. Judiciously choosing coordinating colors will tie the space together and leave you with a designer look.

Instructions

1. Acquire a color wheel. They're available online or in a paint store. The color wheel is your guide to finding the shades that will work best in the space. To treat the space as a single room, it's particularly important to be careful about the colors you introduce. A good place to start is by looking at the color of your sofa, the largest piece of furniture in the living room. Make it the color focal point around which you make all other decorating decisions.

2. Choose a paint color for the walls. Opt for a complementary shade, the hue directly across from the color of your sofa on the color wheel. For instance, if your sofa is medium teal, the color across from it on the wheel is sandy beige. Choose a analogous shade, a color directly next to teal on the wheel. In this case, it would be green or blue. Another option is to go with a monochromatic shade. Decorating in a monochromatic color scheme involves using lighter and darker shades of teal. The final option is to use a neutral shade, a color that works with nearly every color and helps make the space feel larger. Brown, tan, cream and egg-shell white are examples of neutral shades.

3. Implement the 60-30-20 rule that designers use. This rule states that for a room to achieve a balanced color palette, 60 percent of the space should be covered in a primary color. In this case, it will be your walls. Thirty percent of the room should consist of a secondary color, found in the furniture fabric, drapes and area rug. The final 10 percent should be an accent shade that you introduce through accents such as table place mats, lampshades, flower arrangements and artwork. In the case of a space with a teal sofa, the walls might be light brown. Accents in a deeper shade of brown or a blue of similar intensity to the teal sofa would work well.

4. Layer in furnishings. It's easy for a dual-purposed space to look "busy." To prevent this, layer in one detail at a time and stop when you have balance. This may consist of a few pieces of art, throw pillows that match the dining room chair covers and a single candelabra. The adage "less is more" is especially true when decorating a dual-purpose space.

5. Edit the space. Even after you've carefully layered furnishings into the room, stand back and decide whether there's anything the room can do without. If you like an item but it doesn't fit into the space, use it in another room or store it for later use.

Tags: color wheel, living room, your sofa, across from, color your, color your sofa, dining living

Paint A Bedroom Camo

If your children love the military and everything related to that subject, giving them a camouflage room is exactly what they need. Before anything else, you need to focus on the walls. Painting simple camo in the room is not as difficult as it may sound. With several different colors to choose from, you cannot only focus on the design itself, but on the colors your children are inspired by and love.

Instructions

1. Choose which colors you are going to use for the camouflage design. You can stay within original camo colors, like different green hues and browns. If the room is for a girl, pick a darker purple color and lighter shades of pink and grey.

2. Using your stepladder, tape off the top of the walls where they meet the ceiling. Unless you want an entire room of camouflage, you will need the tape as a guideline that signals when you have reached the top.

3. Paint the walls of the bedroom in all one color. Choose the lightest color that you will be using in order to give the room a solid base coat before painting the camouflage.

4. Stencil on your own camouflage shapes with a pencil. The whole point of camouflage is to blend in and have no clear shape, so feel free to be creative with the sizes and shapes of your design.

5. Paint within the stenciled shapes, and vary the colors so no two shapes are touching with the same color.

Tags: your children

Bedroom Ideas On A Budget

The cushions for these chairs were made from sheets that coordinate with the room's bedding.

Have the beautiful bedroom of your dreams without breaking the bank. Turn your bedroom into a comfortable and soothing retreat. A visit to your local mass retailer like Walmart or Target and a bit of ingenuity are all that are required, and your budget will remain intact.

Think Sheets

Flat sheets are a decorator's dream. Whether purchased individually or in sheet sets, they can perform many more tasks in your bedroom than simply covering your bed. Hem the bottom of flat sheets so a curtain rod can slip through and create custom curtains. Make throw-pillow covers from the excess or the fitted sheets. Cut remnants to insert into photo frames for custom art. Buy a coordinating comforter for an ensemble that only looks expensive, but actually was quite a bargain.

Sitting Area

You needn't have an enormous bedroom to create a cozy, peaceful retreat. Incorporate a sitting area in your bedroom that is perfect for reading or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee or glass of wine. Purchase an inexpensive trunk or wooden toy chest and paint it in a color that coordinates with your comforter or bedspread and other bedroom accessories. Purchase a flat sheet in a solid color that matches the bedding but contrasts nicely with the paint color. Buy a large bag of cotton batting.

Use spray adhesive to stick a thick layer of the batting to the lid on the chest. Cover with the fitted sheet, tucking the ends underneath the lid and fastening with a staple gun.

Use the chest as a comfortable seat, illuminated by a floor lamp found at a yard sale or thrift shop. Use some of your leftover paint from the chest to update the lamp if needed. Store miscellaneous items inside the chest and sit on the comfortable top to enjoy a few quiet moments of your own.

Creative Headboard

If you'd love to have a headboard but can't manage the expense of a bed frame that features one, create your own for about $20. Purchase two full length back-of-the-door mirrors for about $10 each. Turn them horizontally and nail them; one above the other, where an actual headboard would be. Most of these mirrors come in black trim. You can mask off the mirror and spray paint the trim if you'd prefer a different color.

The two mirrors serve as a unique and stylish headboard and effectively alter the look of your entire bedroom for a minimal cost.

Tags: your bedroom, chest comfortable, color that, paint color

Choose A Bedroom Style

When it comes to bedroom styles, the sky's the limit. Follow these steps to choose a bedroom style that suits you best.

Instructions

1. Decide on the kind of message you want the room to send. Do you want a warm and cozy feel or a bright and energizing color scheme? Making this decision is the first step in decorating.

2. Choose a bedroom paint color that sets your desired mood of the room. Figure out whether you'd like a modern, traditional, creative, or romantic bedroom, and base your paint choice color on the energy you'd like the room to put off.

3. Pick complimentary bedroom furniture set. Considering the bedroom wall color, and your need for functionality, choose bedroom furniture that compliments the style you're aiming for.

4. Choose a style of curtains. Bedroom style can be accentuated with curtains. Funky, playful, lacey, or plaid; it's up to you, just don't let this detail slip through the cracks.

5. Decide what kind of flooring you'd like. Carpet tends to keep a bedroom style looking warm, while hardwood floors are stylish and easy to clean.

Tags: bedroom furniture, choose bedroom

Keep A Restroom Clean At Work

Hiring personnel to maintain the bathroom each day is one way to keep the work bathroom clean.

A dirty bathroom at work can reflect negatively on your business if clients (or potential clients) go into the bathroom and see a mess. It could cause them to think that the business is poorly run. Routinely reminding employees of the need and their responsibility to keep the restroom clean and that they will be held accountable will increase the odds that the bathroom will be a pleasant and hygienic for everyone.

Instructions

1. Educate employees on their responsibility to keep the restroom clean. Adults know that it is their responsibility to clean up after themselves, but many do not. Inform employees of your expectations regarding bathroom cleanliness at staff meetings, in the company newsletter or via email as needed. Staff sometimes need to be reminded of their obligation and put on alert that you, as an employer, are holding them accountable.

2. Keep cleaning supplies (e.g., cleaning solutions and gloves) in an accessible location. Occasionally, a staff member may make a mess or have a personal hygiene issue in the bathroom. Encourage employees to keep the bathroom clean by keeping cleaning supplies in an easy-to-reach location. If employees have easy access to cleaning supplies they will be more likely to clean up after themselves. This also eliminates any embarrassment a staff member may feel in asking for cleaning supplies.

3. Establish an anonymous reporting system. Sometimes despite all the rules, warnings and assistance that are provided, employees still refuse to keep the bathroom clean. In this instance, it is necessary to have staff members help you to identify the culprit(s) so that you can address the matter with them in private. Often, once a person has been exposed and confronted about being messy in the bathroom, the behavior will stop because he knows he is being watched. Tell your staff that your door is open if they want to report violators of the clean bathroom policy and that their identity will be kept anonymous.

4. Install automated toilets, soap dispensers and air dryers. Toilets that automatically flush, soap dispensers that limit the amount of soap used and brief, but powerful, blow dryers all contribute to keeping the bathroom clean because they reduce the materials that employees use in the bathroom and work independently of the user.

Tags: bathroom clean, cleaning supplies, their responsibility, after themselves, bathroom work, clean after

Men'S Bedroom Colors

Combinations of neutrals, such as black, white and brown, create calmly masculine bedroom decor.

Men's bedrooms needn't look bleak in order to convey their masculinity. Rich neutrals and saturated tones also evoke a manly atmosphere. Even pastels can work for a man's bedroom, as long as they derive from complex, muddied shades. To maintain a masculine feeling in your bedroom's decor, eschew delicate or fussy furniture in favor of sturdy, well-made pieces. Bold graphic art or handmade items make for strong, vigorous decor accents.

Black & White

A black and white bedroom feels instantly, classically male. This color scheme works well with sleekly masculine furnishings in materials like leather or raw linen. It also blends seamlessly with any technology present in the room, such as stereo systems or computers. Combine off-white walls with glossy black baseboards, windows and doors, or paint an accent wall entirely in black for a bold, minimalist look.

Brown & White

For a neutral effect, combine cream-colored walls with brown trim. This color scheme functions for both masculine and gender-neutral bedrooms. Accent with black, gold, orange or beige tones. Brown walls with white trim will have a more dramatic effect. Use this color scheme to enhance Asian-inflected decor, or to set off vivid pieces of art.

Blue & Brown

Shades of blue and brown naturally complement rustically masculine decor schemes. Navy tones harmonize well with wood furniture and molding, while beige or burnt sienna trim keeps rooms feeling earthy and balanced. Ice blue walls keep bedrooms feeling crisp and serene, especially when accompanied by accent paint in burnt umber or dark chocolate.

Mustard & Gray

Mustard and gray make an excellent pair, evoking a British elegance that never strays into the feminine. Use these colors in combination with bold stripes, sturdy antique furniture and gracefully worn Oriental rugs, or implement this pairing to complement confident modern decor. Dove gray walls backed by mustard trim impart a sense of serenity, while mustard-colored walls balanced by slate gray trim create energetic interiors.

Red & Gray

Rescue deep red from luridness by the addition of pearly gray trim, while light reds look fantastic when paired with deep blue-grays. Accent red and gray color schemes with dark yellow or orange-gold furniture and fabrics. Red and gray color schemes especially set off rooms with lots of wood, black furnishings and stone. Use them in combination with handmade pieces, plaids, herringbone patterns, Navajo rugs and polished cottons.

Green & Orange

Pale spring greens become instantly masculine when matched with dark orange trim, while antique olive tones are kept from feeling too sedate by the addition of dusty oranges. This pairing contributes an eclectic atmosphere; it accommodates busy prints, overstuffed bookcases and plentiful plant displays. For a more old-fashioned look, pair dark green walls with pale, orange-inflected beige accents. This combination works well with mature country-style furnishings, such as checked fabrics, houndstooth patterns, flannel and Mission-style furniture.

Tags: walls with, color scheme, well with, bedroom decor, color schemes

Peel & Stick Bathroom Floor Tiles

Peel-and-stick tiles afford homeowners a quick and inexpensive means of replacing their old bathroom flooring and giving the entire bathroom a fresh, new look. A fairly simply do-it-yourself project, the task does involve taking some accurate measurements and cutting the peel-and-stick tiles with a razor knife. While not a job for first-time do-it-yourselfers, it is something that most anyone can learn do. With two pairs of hands, the job should take just a couple of hours to apply the peel-and-stick tiles to a moderately sized bathroom.

Instructions

1. Using an all-purpose cleaner, thoroughly wash and rinse the floor onto which you'll be applying the peel-and-stick tiles. Allow to dry at least an hour before proceeding.

2. Begin laying the peel-and-stick tiles in the center of the bathroom floor. Start at the wall farthest from the bathroom door. Measure the width of the room and fit the middle of the first tile to the point determined to be the center of the room. Peel the backing from the first tile and adhere it to the floor. Apply pressure to the tile for about 30 seconds before laying the second tile down.

3. Continue the tiling process all the way to the bathroom door. When the last tile is about to be laid, measure the distance from the previous tile to the threshold. Apply this measurement to the tile with a light pencil mark. Peel the backing from the tile and begin to apply it to the floor, asserting pressure to the back of the tile. Once you've determined that your measurement is accurate, cut away any excess tile from the last piece in the row, using the razor knife or Xacto knife. Press the edge of the cut tile firmly after cutting away the excess.

4. Repeat the process with additional rows of tile until the entire floor is covered.

5. Go back over each tile one last time, pressing firmly with your hand or foot to ensure proper adhesion.

Tags: peel-and-stick tiles, away excess, backing from, bathroom door, first tile, Peel backing

Partition A Restroom

Adding a partition in a restroom allows for multiple users at once.

Adding a partition can change the aesthetics of a restroom completely, adding privacy, and allowing for greater use. With a partition, generally separating the toilet from the wash area of the restroom, two can use the bathroom at the same time. For this reason, a restroom partition is particularly useful in a smaller home with few bathrooms. However, in any size home, a partition is a nice addition.

Instructions

Determine Location and Size

1. Determine where you want the partition in your restroom and what size it should be. This can be done most effectively by using graph paper and making a scale model of your bathroom. That way, you can experiment with different size partitions on paper until you determine the correct size. Write down the length and height of the partition. When decided, mark the partition out on the floor with a permanent marker. Remember that partition heights can vary and don't have to reach all the way to the ceiling, depending on the amount of privacy that you desire.

2. Build the partition wall on the ground first and then lift into place nailing two 2-by-4's together on the outside for strength. Place the base 2-by-4 down first (length) and screw the long (height) 2-by-4's into the base at 8-inch intervals. When done, place the topper 2-by-4 on top and screw into place.

3. Stand the partition up and line it up with your markings on the floor. Depending on the size of the partition, you may need help. Once in place, hold it and screw into the floor and wall. When done, if partition reaches to the ceiling, screw into the ceiling.

4. Cut the drywall to fit the partition walls using the razor blade cutter and a straightedge. Cut one side first and bend the drywall to break it, then flip it over, cutting the other side. Screw the drywall onto the partition using drywall screws, ensuring the screws go into the studs.

5. Tape the drywall at the seams and the corners using drywall tape. Once the tape is set, use joint compound and a metal drywall knife to cover the seams. Use light coats and let dry, keeping them as smooth as possible. After several coats, smooth over rough spots with a clean, dry rag dipped in water. Let dry completely. Once dry, paint wall.

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Top Paint Colors For Children'S Bedrooms

Top Paint Colors for Children's Bedrooms

Decorating your child's room should be a cooperative project, with a combination of parent and child input to reach a scheme everyone is happy with. If you are decorating a nursery, you will have the first and last word regarding your choice of paint colors, but you will find that every child, from toddler to teen, will have an opinion on the colors you choose to define his or her personal space.

Super-Charged Pastels

When your child graduates from the crib to a bed, he may want colors that are bigger and better as well. According to one home design center, the top five selling children's room paint colors posted by a major paint manufacturer included grape ice, apple green, Jamaican aqua, sailor's sea blue and baby pink.

Sophisticated Shades for Girls

For little girls, popular Parisian-style decor adds a touch of sophistication that can be both fun and enduring. Lavender, white or pale pink walls provide a canvas you can embellish with French toile pillows, damask print bed clothes and whimsical accent pieces such as an Eiffel tower miniature, French poodle wall prints or a border of Fleur de Lis.

Bold Solids for Boys

For boys, bold colors such as navy blue and true red are popular paint colors. To avoid overwhelming a small space or darkening the room with these strong shades, paint one or two walls with the bold color and the remaining walls with a strong contrasting color, such as yellow or white. Another hot trend is combining paint colors for a Swedish look, using baby blue, white and minty green, and continuing the theme with simple, natural wood furnishings and lightly stained hardwood flooring.

Two-Color Painting

Striping your paint is a cutting edge look in children's room decor. Using a bold shade and a pastel shade of the same color, paint one or more walls of your child's room with vertical stripes that are 2 to 4 inches wide.

Paint Colors for Going Green

If your child is an environmentalist or loves the outdoors, today's popular earth colors may suit her fancy. Leaf green, organic tan, natural buff, golden hay and desert brown are all great choices for an earth-friendly, warm and environmentally correct children's haven. Paint a flora-and-fauna-filled mural on one wall, or a leafy tree twining onto the ceiling for a room your child is sure to love.

Tags: your child, paint colors, child room, Children Bedrooms, children room, Colors Children