Color Rules for Small Spaces 2013 Ideas from HGTV

When it comes to coloring your apartment, it's definitely okay to go outside the lines.

By : Anne Krueger

True or false: An all white color palette will make an apartment look larger. False! This is a common misconception of small-space design, along with the idea that less furniture makes an apartment feel larger. Instead, carefully placed furnishings and carefully chosen color can create an inviting space with style way beyond its diminutive size.

The number one color rule for a small space? There are no rules  really. If you want your apartment to look like your favorite Pucci scarf, do your thing. The goal should always be to make your rented space personal and appeal to you. Having said that, the experts who deal with color and interior design all the time do know a thing or two. Here are their tips and tricks.

Choose Sharp Colors

One of the best ways to expand a space is with very clear colors, says designer Mark McCauley, ASID, author of Interior Design for Idiots. "Choose a palette of sharper colors as opposed to duller ones. Sharp as in bright chintzes mixed with colorful plaids or really hot reds and electric blues, yellows and greens (with plenty of air between the pieces). Color combinations with negative space in between will enhance the space's clarity and openness."

Color Unexpected Accents

Bring splashes of color to a radiator, the inside of a bookshelf or a windowsill to bring excitement and depth to a room. If you're lucky enough to have a foyer or hall, paint that a dark color and ease into a lighter shades in the living room, which will make it feel more spacious by comparison.

Create a Focal Wall

While some designers frown on the idea of painting one wall a different or deeper color than the others, it can work wonders in a small space, says designer and actress Libby Langdon, a contributor to HGTV's Small Space, Big Style. "Don't be afraid of bold colors," she says. "Sometimes a darker color on one wall can make it recede, making the space look larger."

Connect Spaces With Shades of Color

Just as different wall colors can divide your apartment into different work areas, different shades of the same color can unite all the rooms, as can a pattern that's repeated. "In a small space, in particular, these little touches the pillow that matches the lampshade fabric, the style of the mirror that echoes a side table can all add up to a cohesive space," McCauley says.

Get Spicy in the Kitchen

Apartment kitchens are a great place to use color, says kitchen designer Jason Laudau of Amazing Spaces, LLC (www.amazingspacesllc.com) in New York. "Hang up the china you never use it saves space, adds color and glams up the kitchen," he says. "Or be very bold and paint the walls a trendy color. Red is hot!"

Go Bold in the Bathroom

Sure, something pastel in the peachy-pink palette will look great in the bathroom especially when you look in the mirror and see your rosy complexion. But for major affect, increase the bodacious scale. That's what designer Ron Marvin www.ronmarvin.com (www.ronmarvin.com) did in his New York City apartment bathroom that's painted a rich, chocolate brown.

Vamp It Up

Beautiful faux finishes and specialty techniques can add a lot of character to a small space, says designer Dawn Burns-Pratt, ASID. "Painting the ceiling a darker color and extending the same color down the wall about 14 inches, or using metallic stripes in that same space with a chair rail and lighter color below looks terrific and expands the appearance of the space," she says.

Add Color That Travels

The wonderful thing about color is that it's a really cheap way to decorate, and it can be added in non-paint ways, says designer Alice Fakier, this year's HGTV Design Star runner-up and host of Ask Alice on HGTV.com. "Apartment dwellers can get color on their walls by painting big canvases, hanging fabric or using wall decals," she says. And when you're ready for a larger space? You can take your color with you and go.

Stretch It With Stripes

Draw the eye up with a wall of colorful stripes, says Langdon. Or paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls to make it seem airier.

Don't Forget Black

Whatever colors you choose for your small space, add one object that is black, says designer McCauley. "The black item  say, in a torchere lamp or a frame  will help ground the space and clarify the other colors. Try it, it works!"

Experiment With Color
Before you start slapping paint all over the blank canvas that is your apartment walls, consider these "baby-step" options.
 Experiment with 2 ounce samples. Many paint companies, including California Paints and Benjamin Moore offer them. That's enough paint to cover a 1’ by 2’ area, which should give you a good idea of what your chosen hue really looks like. Make sure to view it in natural and artificial light.

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Dental Clinic Interior Design By YLAB Arquitectos

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2013 Colorful Rugs

If your bedroom needs a pick-me-up, a splash of color should do the trick. Get inspired by these beautiful, brightly hued bedrooms from Rate My Space and Designers' Portfolio.

By : Shannon Petrie

New Take on Traditional

The pattern on this rug by Company C is inspired by wrought iron gates. It's also available in persimmon which features brown, yellow, orange and rust. Both look beautiful paired with solid furnishings in coordinating colors. 

Island-Inspired

Bring the relaxed feel of a beach vacation to your home with Company C's Bermuda collection. This rug takes plaid to a new level with bright colors like kiwi, marigold and coral. Pair it with coordinating bedding for an overall tropical feel.

Not Your Grandmother's Floral

If you're not a fan of traditional florals, go bold with oversized graphic flowers in a mix of modern colors. Start with a rug like this by Surya, and your room's color palette is chosen for you.

A Symphony Underfoot

The Serenade Rug is a lovely mix of scrolls, florals and flourishes in green, blue, periwinkle and citron. This rug by Company C would be at home in a traditional or contemporary setting.

Instrument of Fine Design

The trumpet vine is the star of this rug in a mix of modern colors. Rug by Company C.

Circle Back

Surya teamed with Country Living magazine to create this rug and others in the collection. White, circular vines add an interesting shape to this colorful, eye-catching rug.

Go Coastal

You don't have to live in a beach home to sport this sea-inspired rug by Jaipur and Coastal Living magazine. "Schooled" would make a strong design statement in any home.

Decorating Porches Ideas For Summer 2013

Whether it's a four season, three season, enclosed, or sunroom, your porch can become an inviting and relaxing gathering spot or at home getaway with a few simple design tricks. Ready your outdoor spaces for a fun filled summer of grilling, patio parties, and relaxing.
Get inspired by these creative ideas for adding personality and practicality to your outdoor living spaces.
I hope you like it ........... Enjoy !!!

This sunny screened porch welcomes visitors with an eclectic collection of furniture and accessories. The cozy seat cushion atop the wicker sofa provides the perfect spot for relaxing. A trunk turned coffee table offers a surface to place a tray of drinks as well as a hidden storage area for blankets and spare pillows.

A small skylight above the seating area in this indoor porch welcomes views of the sky. The wood paneled ceiling treatment draws the eye upward and emphasizes the skylight. Screened windows prevent unwanted critters from making their way inside without disrupting any views of the outside.

In this sunroom, simple, mission-style furniture gets a dose of personality thanks to a handful of colorful decorating touches. In one corner, a blue-painted chair contrasts the look of the other dark wood furnishings. A graphic area rug beneath the coffee table adds a splash of whimsy and helps ground the seating arrangement.

Striking orange accents add warmth to this indoor porch. Geometric print throws on the armchairs tie expertly in with the orange painted table and benches. The blue gray shutters hung in one of the windows help cool down the warm orange hues.

Styles collide in this unique, rustic-meets trendy sunroom. A dramatic stone fireplace surround and furnishings of weathered wood convey down home comfort. Accents of mint green, such as the painted ceiling beams and upholstered sofa, incorporate of-the-moment style.

A narrow screened porch off the back of this home provides a summery dining spot for the whole family. The red painted chairs along the sides of the dining table add a splash of color to the neutral space. Screens on all of the windows act as barriers that help keep out unwanted critters and crawlers.

Wicker furniture is often a staple of outdoor living, however, these sleek lined pieces look anything but ordinary. A sisal rug beneath the seating arrangement helps define the area. The two sided fireplace adds warmth and light when the sun goes down.

Reclaimed wood ceiling beams, wrought iron accents, and stone flooring convey old-world style in this sunporch. French doors along one side of the room welcome visitors from the inside. On the opposite wall, heavy curtains can be thrown open to welcome fresh breezes or closed if the space ever feels chilly.

A four-season porch design for casual entertaining is enhanced by equally casual furnishings. Adirondack chairs are an always-welcome classic, perfect for lounging. In this space, the design was adapted into a sofa, which easily accommodates two people. An infusion of red, white, and blue in striped motifs creates a nautical look that exudes summer style.

An infusion of airy cottage style is the perfect complement to the flood of natural light that fills a window-lined enclosed porch. Mimic the look of a classic cottage front porch by installing beaded board on the ceiling. For full on cottage style, use plenty of wicker accessories, flowers, and soft, bright colors like the frothy aqua on this dining room set. If you're enclosing an open-air porch, create continuity by using the same trim and window styles in the enclosure that's in the rest of your home.

This screen porch is a breezy spot to spend spring, summer, and fall days. A light stain on the porch floor, white furniture and walls, and a wood table provides a neutral backdrop. Bright accents on the pillows, vases, and candelabra fill the space with color. For updates on a budget, limit bold colors to accessories. They are less expensive than large pieces of furniture and easier to update when you crave a change.

This stacked stone fireplace not only adds warmth to the screen porch, it also acts as a privacy screen, partially blocking the view from the outside into the porch addition. To give your porch substance, add in architectural millwork, such as these the simple pilasters with columns.

This screen porch gets a punch of color from bright furniture and accessories that can withstand the elements. Colorful outdoor grade wicker chairs and zippy vinyl lamps that mimic paper party lanterns pop against the white walls and window treatments.

Make the most of a small porch with slender furniture. A small bistro table-and-chairs set adds functional seating to this home's casual porch, while not overwhelming the tiny space like a larger set would.

Give your porch a boost with a little bit of paint. Revive worn chairs with a few coats of paint in a bright hue. Or try painting your door a striking color. Black paint turns this ornately trimmed door into a worthy focal point.

Add the functionality of a dining room to an enclosed porch with a few basic furniture pieces. Start with an intimate round table and comfortable chairs, then incorporate a sideboard, credenza, or buffet. A versatile piece of furniture like this one adds storage as well as a place to set up food and drinks for a porch dinner party.

2013 Summer Living Room Decorating Ideas from BHG

Colorful decor and easy projects give this living room a showstopping summer look.

All it took to give this room a summer makeover was a few splashes of color and creative furniture rearranging.A new yellow and seafoam green color scheme brightens walls and accessories using clever and affordable tricks.
Sectional seating is nothing if not flexible. Simply reconfiguring the pieces creates an entirely new look. Summer is full of visitors, so foster conversation by turning two sections to face each other. Add a table where guests can place drinks and snacks.
Carpet tiles are a fun and practical alternative to an area rug. Different colors or motifs can be arranged and rearranged in creative designs. This cream and seafoam green checkered pattern adds a dose of color to the floor. Applying a new color scheme to a neutral room can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, find one inspirational piece to guide your redesign.
For this living room's summer look, a graphic green and white tablecloth served as the jumping-off point. Thanks to curtain clips, tablecloths became the room's curtain panels.

Solutions to Make a Small Home Livable 2013 Decorating Ideas

Living with limited space can be a challenge. See how these homeowners streamlines and uses smart storage to make tight rooms livable.

Double Duty

When space is at a premium, turn seating into storage. Here, a banquette located across from the kitchen island houses small appliances and dog food beneath the cushioned seats.

Perfect Pairing

Even small homes can live large, thanks to smart furniture choices and use of space. When space is limited, keep scale in mind and find furniture that isn't oversize. A glass coffee table and sofa and chairs with exposed legs do the trick in this tight living room.

Expand the Space
Mirrors reflect light, which will make a space feel larger than it is. This living room is filled with dark, rich finishes, but the space is anything but cavelike thanks to large windows which let in lots of natural light and plenty of reflective surfaces, such as this mirror above the fireplace.

Crisp and Clean
Creating storage in a small kitchen can be tricky. Designing a storage smart island such as this one is the perfect way to maximize a tight space. And the centered pulls add a nice personal touch by making the cabinet doors look like old fashioned bins.

Lighten Up
The amount of light is always important in a small space. In the dining room, shades that close from either the bottom up or top down allow flexibility in both light control and privacy. The padded window seat offers another comfy spot to read or relax .

Display Cabinet
A dining room hutch can hold storage overflow from the kitchen. Items not used every day, such as serving dishes and linens, can be housed in a dining room hutch to make space for kitchen essentials in cabinets. Glass doors provide depth and allow you to display your finest dishware. Also, the all white walls of the dining room reflect sunlight and make the space appear larger.

Cozy Den
The same principles used in the living room are applied in the narrow den to create an inviting space. Shades of white and gray, plus a mirror above the sofa, reflect light, and appropriately scaled furniture comfortably fills the space. Consider placing a sleeper sofa in a den so it can double as a guest room.

Literary Arts
When wall space is limited, even books can serve as artwork. Here, stacked rather than upright books serve as pedestals and artful backdrops for a few favorite pieces in the den. Also, the light color painted trim and ceiling create the illusion of height in a tiny room.

Relaxation Station
Window seats maximize the functionality of small or awkward nooks. The bed and dresser in this bedroom take up most of the floor space, but a window seat tucked into a narrow nook adds a comfy seating area. Topped with a thick cushion and soft pillows, the master bedroom window seat becomes the perfect place to read and relax. And the pop of bright pink upholstery adds a nice contrast to the subtle hues of the rest of the room .