5 Simple and Economical Ways to Decorate Your First Apartment Or Dorm

It is an exciting day when you go off to college or move into your first place. I remember fondly my little apartment with barely enough space to fit my twin mattress and single foldable chair. I was all of 19 years old and decorating was not on the top of my to do list at the time.

With going to school and working my budget was very tight. I think I just used some poster putty to hang posters up that I found at the local bookstore. It worked for me at the time.

Now that I am older I am still a thrifty shopper but I am also more creative in the ways I decorate our apartment. Our budget has always been limited but I have learned to use what I have access to like magazines, repurposed fabric, natural resources like pine cones and twigs as well as dollar store finds. I must admit though I still use posters and poster putty to decorate my boys room and even my creative inspiration wall.

Just because you are young and on a budget does not mean your apartment has to look like it is starving. Get rid of the bare wall syndrome and give one or more of the following ideas a try.

1. Printable Art

Printable Art is an easy low cost solution to the bare wall syndrome many young college students face. Sites like IndieFixx.com offer the Feed your Soul program which encourages you to smile and enjoy art even in a rough economy.

2. Dollar Store Finds

For a couple of dollars you can purchase 3 - 5 wooden picture frames at your local dollar store. Use items such as printable art, a nice piece of fabric, pictures of friends or family, and even your own art work to bring color to your walls.

3. Second Hand Fabric Bunting

You can find some of the greatest vintage fabric prints at thrift stores. I usually find them in the linen department. Once you find the fabric make a bunting to hang across a bare wall. You don't even need to sew it, just use fabric glue instead. You will need some binding or ribbon to adhere the triangles to and even that can be purchased at some thrift stores.

4. Decorative Vinyl Wall Art

With vinyl wall art you can decorate an entire wall without having to permanently alter your apartment or dorm room. You can purchase them online at etsy.com and amazon.com or if you are artistically gifted, just print some off using vinyl sheets from your local office supply store.

5. Potpourri Sachets

Decorating an apartment or dorm does not always mean putting something on the wall. Try making some sachets and placing them in a basket on a table or counter. You can make them square, rectangle, or even mix the shapes up a bit. Choose material to complement your style and as in the case of the bunting, try using thrifted material. You can still get by without having to sew these too. Just glue 3 sides and wait for them to dry. Add lavender or potpourri and glue the remaining side closed.

I hope you are inspired by these simple and thrifty ways to bring life and color into your little space. Be mindful in the colors you choose and the purchases you make. You do not have to be a rabid consumer to live a beautiful life.

Sale Slimfast Online Panasonic VIERA Hdtv Best Buy Netbook Sale

How to Decorate With Kitchen Curtains

If you have a plain or neutral kitchen you can really have fun choosing some great kitchen curtains and using them as a starting point in your kitchen design and décor.

1. Decide whether to go for Warm or Cool Colors

If your kitchen is mainly white, black, grey or stainless steel then choose cool colors in your kitchen curtains - they are the bright pure shades as well as all shades of blue and purple as well as pure white, black and grey.

If your kitchen has been based on natural shades such as terracotta, wood, beiges and creams then you are looking at warmer colours - mustards, sandy shades, oranges, browns and dusky greens - nothing too sharp or bright even in the yellow and green ranges such as acid lemon or lime green.

2. Select a Fabric with a Pattern

Choose your curtain or curtain fabric to match the desired color range, style and mood of your kitchen. For best results make sure there are several colors or shades of a single color in the fabric.

If you want a contemporary look go for a modern plaid, multi-stripe or an abstract pattern. Floral is good for a country look. For a retro kitchen try and find curtains or fabric which would have been used in that era (even if it would not necessarily have been used in the kitchen).

3. Pick some Colors and Have Fun

Tie your kitchen design together by picking out two or three colors from the fabric for your kitchen accessories. Here are some ideas

Upholster your kitchen chairs (or add some cushions) in a plain fabric to match one of your colors.
Buy a large platter in one of those colors and leave it on display or put some matching china in a glass-fronted cabinet.
Make sure your kitchen towels, apron and oven gloves coordinate too.
Don't just have everything matching in an unimaginative way (like having everything in red) - play with the colors in your curtains.
Maybe use the same colorful fabric in a tablecloth and keep a (colored) jug of complimentary flowers on the table too.
Hang some pictures on the walls in the general color theme too - though you may want to avoid hanging anything too expensive in a kitchen where steam and grease will eventually spoil it.

Once you get started I'm sure you will find lots of ways to coordinate your colors and you will often spot new items when you are not looking for them - try and carry a sample of the curtain fabric with you when you go out.

Panasonic VIERA Hdtv High definition DJ Headphones

Decorate with Nature

Less is more, keep it simple. Let nature be your muse when decorating your home. Home décor inspired by nature is practical, easy, and elegant. It adds freshness to your living environment in a design that is not only decorative but spiritual. Think of the feeling you get when you watch the first spring trees blossom, smell the fresh cut grass in the summer or the moist air after a rainfall. Do you enjoy walking through crunchy leaves in the fall with crisp air flowing all around you? Perhaps you're best contented with sitting by the fire sipping hot chocolate watching a peaceful snow falling silently through the window. Decorating with nature, is taking these feelings, memories, and moments we share with the seasonal changes and putting them into our home.

Take nature walks when the weather is nice. Gather pine combs, acorns, interesting branches or rocks. These can be displayed on a mantel, shelf, or table. A nice wooden bowl filled with green apples, bright oranges, lemons, ornamental squashes or mini pumpkins can be lovely. You can also fill it with dried flower petals, or nuts in their shells for added richness.

Always keep a few houseplants. Many varieties are easy to care for and rewarding to nurture. Become acquainted with your local plant nursery or garden shop and have an associate recommend plants taking your lighting, climate, and lifestyle needs into consideration. If you have pets or small children in the home make sure plants are kept out of reach and are safe.

Grow herbs inside your home. Many culinary herbs grow well in pots in south or west facing windows. Try growing English lavender or lemon verbena in your bedroom. Not only will they provide a lovely scent, you can snip the ends of these herbs and add them to your bathwater for a luxurious retreat.

Consider growing an outdoor garden. There are many kinds to work with. You could have a garden that attracts butterflies and birds, or you might prefer an edible garden. Even a small flower bed can be rewarding to your home. Consider growing flowers that are recommended as cutting flowers and you can bring them inside and enjoy fresh bouquets all season.

During the spring, when flowering trees are at their best, cut a small branch and bring it into your home. Display in a glass pitcher or large vase filled with water. It won't last long, but will scent your home wonderfully. This is perfect as a centerpiece when you are entertaining friends and family for a day. Large clear glass containers can be filled part way with water. You can sprinkle flower petals and float some votive candles for an attractive centerpiece in lieu of flowers bouquets.

Consider adding natural fabrics within your home. Egyptian cotton sheets will look and feel refreshing on your bed. Angora or mohair pillows or shams can dress up a bed or a sofa. Linen tablecloths or placements can transform your dinning table. Enjoy silk valences on your windows. The possibilities are endless. Remember bathrooms decorated with fake looking sea shell soaps? Take a contemporary spin on this old idea. Display seashells, bleached sand dollars, or sea glass you collected on a walk by the beach or during a vacation. They will remind you of a happy time when you see them in your bathroom--yet they will look classy.

Pamper yourself with good soap in the bathroom. Try to buy homemade soaps that smell rich with scents of nature, and look equally appealing. Many natural food stores or farmers markets carry such soaps. If you enjoy crafts, consider making your own soap. Good soaps always make good gift ideas. Make sure you leave some in your guest bath, so they will feel indulged during their visit.

Collect interesting stones or pieces of wood during your family vacations or travels. Display them creatively in your home. They will enhance your décor and you will have good stories to tell about each. Colors that showcase nature are also the trend when it comes to decorating. Popular reds the color of watermelons or Chinese red inspire confidence, even a good dose of eccentricity. Don't be afraid to have at least one room that is bold. Red is the color of blood and fire. It represents energy, vitality, and passion. Orange is another popular color. Shades that resemble apricots, pumpkins, or butternut squash work well. Orange demands attention, yet does so in a way that emphasizes warmth, balance, and excitement. Another popular pairing is that of regal chocolate brown (the "new" black) with a sky or bird's egg blue. This is especially elegant for bedrooms, studies, or bathrooms.

Finally, your home décor should say something about your personality and interests. Its also a place to showcase ethnicity, cultural background, or family heritage. Books and other reading material tell a lot about a person. Display them like a badge. Consider keeping a few books or nice looking magazines (such as gardening magazines) on your coffee table for a decorative touch. All of these can be intermingled with nature as a basis for decorating style. Your home does not need to be overmatched. Current trends are giving way to more creative diversity--a melting pot of styles coming together. Start adding nature to your home today.

Best Buy Netbook Sale

How To Decorate Your Dinner Table In A Way To Impress Your Guests

When you invite guests to come to your home to share a meal with you, setting an attractive table is as important as serving good food. Your table setting is the first thing that your guests will see and can actually influence their appetites. This is why you should chose your setting carefully, based on whether the dinner is to be casual or elegant.

If you are having a formal dinner, then using a cream colored, linen tablecloth with matching cloth napkins is great for this type of dinner. You an accent it with a crystal or gold vase filled with flowers. Be sure to use a low vase, so that your guests' views of each other will not be blocked and you can use a large one for the center of the table and two small matching ones at the end. Candles also add a touch of elegance. Instead of using typical candle holders, considering using votives that you can set in bowls of water. Floating scented candles are another way to add grace and elegance to your table. If you prefer a modern type of elegance, then forget about using your grandmother's china and purchase some of the newer dinnerware that uses colorful geometric shapes.

If you are having a casual dinner, then consider using brightly colored tablecloths and napkins. They add festiveness to the table and can be complimented with floral arrangements that match the colors that you use. You can buy utensils that have colored stems and glasses in colors to match. There are many casual place mats that are attractive and affordable. They will not only add a since of style to your place setting but will protect your table cloth as well.

Themed dinners such as those served at holiday time, can be especially fun to decorate for. There is lots of dinnerware and utensils that have holiday themes and you can even band miniature Christmas tree ornaments together to make attractive compliments to your table. Red and gold are great colors to use for these dinners and don't forget to break out the punch bowl for eggnog. If wine is going to be served, use crystal stemware.

How you serve the food is also important. You should have pitchers of water at each end of the table and serve the appetizers first. Once they have been eaten, clear the table to make room for the main dishes. Replace soiled napkins and refill the water pitchers.

Your desert should be as inviting as the main course. Consider peach cobbler or a chocolate layer cake. Always have a sugar free alternative in case one of your guests can not eat food that contains sugar.
Be attentive to your guests and engage them in conversation. Make them laugh and they will appreciate you even more.

Sale Slimfast Online