Tag Archives: IKEA

Decorating With Window Shades

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Many people think that window shades have nothing to do with interior design and fashion. This is because when shopping for window shades many consumers believe that they should go with the first type of shade that actually fits the window. This is a little big like putting the cart before the horse. The result is often pedestrian plastic Venetian slats in the children’s bedroom (more suited for an office) and rustic folding door type window shades in the bathroom (more suited for a kitchen.)

The point is that when it comes to choosing window shades you don’t have to make your various rooms look like a bad renovation from a cheap landlord. Here is a run down of which shades look best with different types of decors.

If your décor is Italian neo modern, then Venetian blinds are your best choice of window coverings. There is no point in decorating your home with sinuous curving couches and sleek lamp fixtures only to ruin the effect with ratty looking rattan blinds or roll down blinds for Ikea. Lateral Venetian blinds suit the Italian neo modern look the best. The vertical ones just look tacky.

If your décor has an Asian or Mediterranean flair then bamboo slatted or roll down venetian blinds can look fantastic. These types of window shades also suit rooms that contain rattan or teak furniture. Roll down blinds made of rice paper with minimal designs on them also add oomph to oriental or Asian décor.

If your décor is Rustic, Mission or Country in style then you are best to avoid plastic Venetian blinds altogether. Mission furniture plus Venetian blinds equals the white trailer trash look. You are much better off to opt for drawstring style window shades made of bunched or draped fabric. Wooden shutters that are hinged so that they open like cupboard doors also flatter more rustic looks.

Aside from décor you should also keep in mind the function of the room where the windows for. For instance blackout roll down shades may help you sleep by blocking out all of the light. In this case attractive sheer curtains or swags can also be hung to conceal the black roll. A roll down shade is also better for a children’s bedroom as drapes are easily pulled down and tiny fingers can get trapped in the slats of Venetian blinds.

However given the fantastic designs that are available on the market that are available for sale there should be no reason at all to have to conceal a roll down shade with drapes or sheers. Roll down shades are offered in thousands of exciting colors and motifs and there is definitely a roll down shade that is perfect for every décor. You can buy light pink or blue roll down shades to decorate a nursery, burgundy and gold ones to decorate an office or a library and ones boasting gingham or culinary motifs to decorate a kitchen. Given that roll down window shades are so abundant and inexpensive there is absolutely no excuse to have boring or mismatched window shade treatments in your home!

How to Decorate a Home Office Space

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If you have a space at home that is specifically dedicated to work, working from home seems more attractive. The idea is to create an office space that is really productive.

First of all start by decide one corner of your living room as the designated workspace area. Avoid bedrooms as seeing your work clutter at night could prevent you from sleeping.

Your first step is to buy set of computer table and a comfortable chair and put it in such a way that your back is towards the wall. Select a corner that has enough light but not so much that there is going to be a lot of reflective glare on your computer screen. Put your desk, cabinets and counters to create an L-shape. This saves space and looks more professional.

On fact one f the biggest challenges with a home office is lighting. You should get a horizontal surface such as a desk and doing it in such a way that you don’t get glare from your reading back into your eyes. I f your light source is coming from in front of you, it will bounce off what you are reading and go into your eyes. It is best to two sources. One from the right and one from the left that cross from the side so, that way the reflections go away from you as you read a glossy magazine for instance

Set up shelves and a file cabinet behind your chair, within easy reach. Try not to put your head directly below any overhanging shelves as that is not only dangerous but according to Feng Shui (the rules of object placement to attract positive energy.) Then set up counters for other equipment such as printer, fax, scanner and personal computer.

Interesting lighting figures can be great. Try using glass shades or paper globe shades (like the ones you can get an IKEA.)Decorate your office by adding clocks, pen stands and your very own personalized coffee mug.

Since this office is also your home try to blend in the décor by using cushions and curtains that match with the décor in the rest of the living room area.

To keep it looking neat make sure you keep the wires around your computer and technology hidden. You can buy compact tubes that hide them or you can ask an electrician to put them through the walls. Since your space needs to be clutter-free, buy some good storage for all your files and documents. The less cluttered your office the more inclined you will be to spend some time in it!