When you want to update your home, certain changes provide the most dramatic improvements. By simply improving your floors, painting, and replacing your light fixtures, your rooms will have the look you want.

Consider the following factors when making your lighting decisions.

Start with a budget. Count the light fixtures you want to replace, and look into cost. If you can replace them all at once, then you can save with only one electrician visit. However, it’s more important to find the right fixtures. If needed, take your time.

Does your home feature a consistent look and style? If so, look for a family of fixtures that work well togther and complement your home’s style. More variety in home design means you can choose different types of fixtures to suit each room’s design. This photo provides a good example of a fixture that makes a real impact in a room. The style, proportion and position open the space and take full advantage of the vaulted ceiling.

Do you have specific lighting or other needs from your fixture? Some rooms will do better with a ceiling fan. Remember that you can add other lamps for special needs such as task lighting. Bathroom lights can also include ventilation or heat.

The final consideration is your personal taste. Remember that you will see those fixtures every day for a long time. Pick lighting that you will enjoy looking at every time you walk into a room.

Choosing wall décor for a modern style room requires a minimalist approach. However decorating with a “less is more” attitude can be a challenge. Your wall decor selections will receive more attention, simply because there is less to look at in the space. Therefore it is very important to keep some key factors in mind while making your selections. Wall décor should be in proportion to the wall and in proportion with other elements within the setting.

Keep in mind the following:

1. Mirrors: Mirrors can make any room appear larger. To avoid ending up with a bleak or desolate appearance; make sure that the view being mirrored is a pleasant one. Before hanging the mirror lean it against the wall or furniture and take into consideration the mirrored image. When selecting an appropriate mirror, for a modern space, opt for a sleek frame with clean lines. Frameless mirrors in an interesting geometric shape also look great in this type of setting.

2. Paintings: Abstract artwork compliments and enhances a modern space for various reasons. The subject matter is simple and does not conflict with minimalist furnishings. Bright colors and various textures add warmth and interest to the space. An abstract painting can become a perfect accent or finishing touch you were searching for.

4. Sculptures: All too often Modern style decorating proves unsuccessful and feels cold and institutional. This occurs because the room is simply too stark; it lacks variety of texture(s), contrast and natural elements. Using different materials in their “raw” appearance can add natural essence and comfort that people look for in a room.

Happy Decorating!

Choosing wall décor for a modern style room requires a minimalist approach. However decorating with a “less is more” attitude can be a challenge. Your wall decor selections will receive more attention, simply because there is less to look at in the space. Therefore it is very important to keep some key factors in mind while making your selections. Wall décor should be in proportion to the wall and in proportion with other elements within the setting.

Keep in mind the following:

1. Mirrors: Mirrors can make any room appear larger. To avoid ending up with a bleak or desolate appearance; make sure that the view being mirrored is a pleasant one. Before hanging the mirror lean it against the wall or furniture and take into consideration the mirrored image. When selecting an appropriate mirror, for a modern space, opt for a sleek frame with clean lines. Frameless mirrors in an interesting geometric shape also look great in this type of setting.

2. Paintings: Abstract artwork compliments and enhances a modern space for various reasons. The subject matter is simple and does not conflict with minimalist furnishings. Bright colors and various textures add warmth and interest to the space. An abstract painting can become a perfect accent or finishing touch you were searching for.

4. Sculptures: All too often Modern style decorating proves unsuccessful and feels cold and institutional. This occurs because the room is simply too stark; it lacks variety of texture(s), contrast and natural elements. Using different materials in their “raw” appearance can add natural essence and comfort that people look for in a room.

Happy Decorating!

Many decorating advice books recommend reviewing magazines with photos of beautiful rooms for ideas, or visiting model homes. These are good suggestions, but really anything can inspire a room.

How about taking a chance by using a completely unrelated idea or theme to create a room? The bathroom in the photo was inspired by an afternoon of fun when a family played at creating oversized bubbles.

Looking at photos later, this mom decided to capture the images when she redecorated the family’s guest bathroom. Color, shape and shine combined to create a space that clearly echoes the balloon photo shown.

The half-globe sink started the process, reflecting the bubble theme in both shape and material. A circular mirror continued the imagery. Colors came from the bright glossy wall as well as towels and flowers. Shiny faucets and fixtures in chrome kept a bubble’s sun-touched look in the space.

Long-term goals for this bathroom include a back wall of glass tiles to strengthen the theme. Budget limitations postponed that part of the plan for a few months. You don’t have to finish every element at the same time. Sometimes a step-by-step plan works better for schedules and budgets.

Do you have a bathroom that’s due for remodeling? The small size almost gives you permission to be more daring with your decorating plans. Have some fun and create a memorable room by capturing a memory such as this one!

On the surface, this kitchen is alright if a bit dull, but look beyond the obvious – the floor is just not a fit. The light shaker cabinets allow the black countertops and appliances to really pop. Then the flooring, with its total lack of contrast with the cabinets, removes any chance of excitement in the design.

This kitchen had another opportunity to add a surprising element with the backsplash, but instead it’s just the same white as the inside of the glass-fronted cabinet, taking the energy right out of the room. Every kitchen deserves some drama, and this one was definitely short-changed.

Instead of what we see here, imagine the space with a black and white tile floor in a checkerboard pattern and a bright backsplash in an orange and red mosaic of contemporary glass tiles. These simple changes would turn this room into something that would make guests stop and stare instead of just walking past, waving at the cook on their way to the living room.

Why not go a little wild in your kitchen? You’ll be glad you did!

The first thing to notice about this lovely buffet has to be the way the style matches the space’s design personality. When you walk in and see this room and this table, you can immediately recognize the host’s casual, comfortable country design style.

Every element on the buffet complements every other element in the room. The rustic table fits perfectly into the space and serves as just the right space to set up a buffet. Notice the wrought iron candelabra, with a simple style that connects well with the room. Simple serving dishes and casual serving pieces are supported by a denim napkin, adding just the right touch or softness to the display while keeping that amazing wood top exposed to view. Flowers would be a nice touch, but the table may be too small – so the host has placed a rich fall display on a side table.

A couple of functional changes would be a good idea. Instead of placing the silverware and napkins on the plates, wrapping the forks in napkins and placing them in a glass or pitcher would make it easier for people to grab their serving pieces before they select their food. When you plan a buffet, even a small one, think about managing traffic efficiently so lines stay short. Other than this minor detail, this rustic buffet demonstrates a design style that is as appealing as the food.

For many people, party planning stops after inviting the guests and setting the menu. One more step in the process can move your party from nice to memorable – designing your space to complement your party.

Fresh flowers offer the best starting point. Inviting, easy, and inexpensive, they give you the best bang for your design efforts. Visit your local grocery or warehouse store and select one or two bouquets of similar flowers – either type or color. If you have color in your linens, look for flowers that will work well with them.

If arranging flowers seems challenging to you, go for very simple. Let the flowers determine the design. In this picture, just two stems join a handful of oranges to make an elegant and simple arrangement. Use any hard fruit or vegetable or even objects such as stones or marbles to hold the stems in place and add to the design.

Scatter your flower arrangements throughout your home. If your vase collection is limited, use any glassware you have to hold flowers. Whether you choose a casual approach or more design-focused, fresh flowers tell your guests that you spent some special time thinking of them and planning for their welcome.

Are you a Food Network fan? How about Home and Garden TV? If you enjoy both, consider what would happen if the two channels merged. It would be interesting to see what some of the celebrity chefs would do about decorating.

Bobby Flay has such a distinct style in clothes, personality and food, it’s easy to put some ideas together that would suit him. Living in New York City, his high-rise condo would shine with ebony wood floors. The rich dark tones fit perfectly with his taste – an eclectic mix of vintage mid-century modern and some contemporary pieces.

Flay’s spicy cooking approach can be matched with bold colors. A vivid red tailored sofa sits across from the open kitchen. Several rich yellow chairs sit to one side, with a golden wood asymmetrical coffee table straight from the 1950s linking everything together. Orange pillows and several orange glass bowls bring the room together.

The bright colors echo in the bright red wall behind Bobby’s kitchen countertops, a bright stainless steel to match the pots and pans hanging above. What’s Bobby making tonight? Something from the grill to feed the friends who will be dropping by soon. The space matches the food and the chef – spicy and cool at the same time.

Are you a Food Network fan? How about Home and Garden TV? If you enjoy both, consider what would happen if the two channels merged. It would be interesting to see what some of the celebrity chefs would do about decorating.

Bobby Flay has such a distinct style in clothes, personality and food, it’s easy to put some ideas together that would suit him. Living in New York City, his high-rise condo would shine with ebony wood floors. The rich dark tones fit perfectly with his taste – an eclectic mix of vintage mid-century modern and some contemporary pieces.

Flay’s spicy cooking approach can be matched with bold colors. A vivid red tailored sofa sits across from the open kitchen. Several rich yellow chairs sit to one side, with a golden wood asymmetrical coffee table straight from the 1950s linking everything together. Orange pillows and several orange glass bowls bring the room together.

The bright colors echo in the bright red wall behind Bobby’s kitchen countertops, a bright stainless steel to match the pots and pans hanging above. What’s Bobby making tonight? Something from the grill to feed the friends who will be dropping by soon. The space matches the food and the chef – spicy and cool at the same time.

For fans, HGTV and the Food Network have a lot in common. They’re both channels that provide insights to help you decorate and cook better. The connection has grown stronger recently when a major food firm hired several of HGTV’s celebrity decorators to “design” sandwiches for clients on various condiment commercials.

What do you suppose could happen if this trend continues? It would be fun to see what various Food Network chefs would come up with as ideas for decorating.

Let’s start with Paula Deen. Her southern country style would be a great fit with warm heart pine flooring. The glow of wide planks in a rich golden brown matches the color of fresh-made flapjacks and maple syrup, and pine flooring looks more like home with a few spills and small scratches from her dogs’ paws.

The rest of the room is all about comfort and food. Some open shelves could hold her cooking staples, while a big round kitchen table with old-fashioned cushioned ladder back chairs would hole the whole family while giving table space for all the great dishes she whips up regularly. Finish up with some deep upholstered furniture with a variety of country-style patterns, just made for napping when you’re full. With a room like that, let’s hope Paula will invite us over soon!