On the surface, minimalism might seem simple and straightforward, but in reality, this approach to interior design can be highly complex and nuanced, making it difficult to master. Many a time, homeowners will abandon their dreams of creating a truly minimalist living environment simply because they don’t understand the key concepts that make minimalism work, it’s foundation, and its uniqueness. It’s easy to make a minimalist setting look too empty, monotonous, or uninspiring, and that’s because minimalism is not so much about the absence of décor as it is about its strategic implementation.

Today, let’s delve deep into minimalist interior design, and explore the key concepts that you can use to make minimalism work in your home by bringing form and function together. Here’s what you need to know.

Elevate functionality by decluttering

The first key consideration that affects both the form and the function of a room you need to know about is flexibility. Minimalism might not be the absence of décor per se, but it certainly is the absence of clutter, which invariably elevates the flexibility and maneuverability in the room, while at the same time elevating its aesthetic appeal. This is why your first job is to declutter your living environment thoroughly.

There are two main ways to declutter: getting rid of your stuff, or storing it in concealed storage spaces. Before you start putting everything in drawers and hollow ottomans, though, be sure to get rid of as much extraneous décor as you can. But instead of simply throwing stuff away, be sure to see if someone might make use of the things you no longer use, and donate these belongings to charities. You can even try to sell some pieces online if you’re parting ways with something of material value.

Discover beauty in simplistic forms

Minimalism relies heavily on complementary as well as contrasting shapes and forms, which can make it quite difficult to successfully mix and match décor elements. Oftentimes, the look and feel of the room might continue to seem like it’s cluttered simply because the shapes of the furniture, architectural elements, and the amenities are at odds with each other. This is why a good idea would be to stick to the basic shapes such as squares and rectangles, complemented by common lines such as horizontal, vertical, diagonal, crisscross lines, and curved lines.

You can use circular or elliptical shapes for your focal points, which we will touch upon shortly. Sticking to these basic shapes and lines will allow you to frame the design of your stylish living environment and unify the minimalist look and feel, all the while setting a beautiful foundation for the complementary accents. With the foundation comprised of these essential elements, you will also be able to bring in truly captivating focal points later on, which will give every room its unique aesthetic appeal and bring the minimalist design to life.

Bring the space to life with floor accents

To make the minimalist design truly shine, you need to make every room unique in its aesthetic appeal, but without cluttering the space with extraneous décor element. One of the best ways to do that is to bring a vibrant floor accent into the mix, such as an ornate rug in the seating area, or a cozy standing spot underneath the kitchen island. It’s important that the rug doesn’t interfere with the minimalist setting, yet that it frames that area of the room.

Over the years, creative companies have perfected many styles of carpets and improved their look and feel to fit every interior design approach, such as the popular Miss Amara NZ that offers minimalist-friendly rugs in monochrome designs, jute styles, and classic looks that go with everything. It’s important that you choose a pattern that complements the shapes and lines we mentioned previously, but the shape of the rug itself is allowed to stand out – such as a circular carpet underneath a square-shaped seating area in the living room.

Use colors strategically

People often think that the minimalist color scheme consists of black and white colors, and while it is true that the foundation of the room should be as neutral as possible, that doesn’t mean that you can’t play around with some vibrant color options. You just have to use strong colors strategically and place them in the inner parts of the space.

What this means is that minimalism comes to life with pure white and off-white walls that, for example, will allow a beautiful marble floor or slab to shine in all its glory. Once you have the foundation in place, you can use vibrant colors for your pillows, blankets, and other throws on the furniture to give every piece its unique flair. And speaking of uniqueness, let’s move on to the focal points.

Introduce a focal point in every room

Finally, keep in mind that every room deserves to have a striking focal point that will tie the whole minimalist look together. Now, a focal point can be anything from a grand focal wall in the dining room, to a lush potted plant in the corner of the living room, or a set of vibrant paintings over the fireplace – it all depends on your personal taste. When it comes to focal points, you are free to let your imagination take the reins, but keep in mind not to overdo it. Instead, make sure to stick with one such feature per room.

Minimalism is not just about the aesthetic appeal of a clutter-free interior, it’s also about the functionality and comfort it brings to your home. With these design tips in mind, you will be able to bring a beautiful minimalist living environment to life imbued with happiness and zeal.

Member Guest Post: 

Lana Hawkins

Have you ever been to a luxury hotel? If you have, you most definitely noticed that the bathrooms at these hotels are really amazing. Who knew that so much design and style could be implemented inside a bathroom?! Luxury bathrooms have a lot of amazing elements that make them super comfortable and beautiful. I, for one, have been obsessed with upgrading my bathroom to make it look amazing after I saw a luxury bathroom, and who wouldn't want their bathroom to appear luxe and lavish. 

Now, adding some of the big stuff like a hot tub might be a little expensive, but there are a lot of other areas where an upgrade can really make your bathroom look amazing and inviting. There are a lot of easy and amazing ways in which you can make your bathroom look super luxurious and amazing.  

      Upgrade the Walls

You should start from the basics, one of the main elements of a bathroom or any other room that affects its style and design is, of course, the walls. You need to add a little more style and design to the walls of your bathroom. Neutral colors that are soothing and calming are the way to go for the paint of the bathroom walls. 

You should also consider adding some elegant tiles to your walls. There are a lot of amazing options for tiles in the market, choose some in a neutral color that are in contrast with the rest of the installments in your bathroom. You can also add some artwork to your walls to make them look more amazing and add an extra design element to your bathroom. 

      Add Large Mirrors

A very distinct feature that you may have noticed in luxury bathrooms is that they tend to have very large mirrors. These mirrors have a lot of functionality when it comes to the design and style of your bathroom. First of all, the large mirrors make your bathroom feel bigger and more spacious than it actually is. The mirrors also improve the lighting of the bathroom and add a lot of style and design to it. Also, this is a fairly inexpensive upgrade that can significantly improve the look of your bathroom. 

      Improve the Lighting

The lighting is one of the most important design features that can make or break the design of a room. Even if you have the most elegant decor and the best-designed room, if they aren't properly lit, they can feel uninviting. The same concept applies to your bathroom. You need to put some effort into the lighting fixtures of the bathroom because a simple overhead light is just not going to work. Add multiple LED ceiling lights and also look into adding some pendant lights in front of the large mirror to help you in your makeup or grooming. 

Like any other room, a luxury bathroom also needs to have a balance of natural and artificial light. If your bathroom already doesn't have one, you should add a window. You can use one-way glass or some decorative glass on the window to make it look more elegant. If you have a window, you will also need to add some window fixtures. Elegant looking blinds that are in contrast with the paint and other elements of your bathroom are the best option in my opinion.    

      Add Some Luxury Accessories

Now, if you are upgrading your bathroom, you will need to add some luxury accessories. This phase of the upgrade depends a lot upon your budget. If you have the budget, you need to go for some amazing luxury items like a hot tub or a walk-in shower. But if you are a little low on budget, then don't worry; there are a lot of amazing luxury accessories that you can add to your bathroom on a budget. 

One easy and affordable luxury upgrade that you can easily install yourself is a new showerhead. There are a lot of amazing options available in the market. You should also get some other elegant looking accessories for your bathroom like a stylish and elegant soap dispenser, trashcan, toothbrush holder and soap holder. You should also buy some good quality shampoos, conditioners, soaps and body wash as these products are also essential luxury accessories. You can go to HomeAddons to check some amazing products and their reviews. 

      Add Some Decorative Soaps and Candles

After you are done with the larger upgrades, you should also add some small elements that will complete the look of your bathroom. Start by buying some decorative soaps and displaying them on your sink counter. These soaps can add a lot of color to the design of your bathroom, and they can also add an amazing fragrance to the place, which is essential for the luxury feel. 

You should also place some scented decorative candles in your bathroom. You can light the candles while taking a bath to fill the place up with an amazing scent. These candles also contribute to the rich color pallet of your bathroom. You should also place some amazing decorative towels in the bathroom for a luxury feel.  

      Add a Stone Counter to the Sides of Your Sink

Another very common design feature that can be seen in almost every luxury bathroom is countertops on the sides of the sink. Many normal bathrooms don't have any countertops on the sides of the sign, and they are missing out on a lot of advantages. 

Firstly, these countertops make your bathroom look amazing and luxurious, but they also have a lot of utility. They can give you a lot of extra storage space in the bathroom if you create drawers and cabinets under the countertop. You can also place a lot of extra items on these countertops. You can place your decorative soaps and candles, and you can also keep all of your toiletries and accessories on the countertops. Sink side countertops are an essential design feature that you should add to your bathroom if you want the luxury look and feel.    

About the Author:

This post is written by Andrea Smith. She loves traveling, home decorating and hanging out with her friends. She is currently a student of Interior Designing at the California Arts School. She regularly writes blogs at https://homeaddons.com/.

Sometimes, decorating your home may feel a bit too complicated and overwhelming, especially with so many “rules” that you’re supposed to stick to. But, the secret of the most beautiful interiors is finding a home décor that is to your own preference. In case you’re not sure what to do, here are some tips about decorating myths that shouldn't be ignored.

1. The Ceiling Should Always Be White

You have probably heard numerous times that regardless of the color of your walls, the ceiling should always be kept plain white. Well, that’s simply not true. Certain wall shades such as bold yellow or deep green don’t match well with a stark white ceiling at all – especially if there are no other white elements in the room. That said, don’t hesitate to opt for other, more complementary shades for your ceiling that actually match the walls and furniture effectively.

2. Never Mix Patterns and Prints

Another well-known decorating myth says that you should never mix different prints and patterns in your interior. And, as you can probably guess, this isn’t necessarily true at all. These days, eclectic décor style is gaining in popularity and if you know how to pair your prints and patterns, you can easily introduce them in any room together. Don’t hesitate to let your creativity and personality shine through your décor just because there’s such an outdated decorating myth going around.

3. The Chairs Should Always Come in a Matching Set

Completely false. What’s more, different styles and types of chairs can look especially well together. Of course, there should be one common element to unify them, but you’re never limited to specific sets. The same goes for your sofa, armchairs and ottomans. It’s true that it was common to buy these items in matching sets in the past, but in this day and age, it’s more effective and interesting to effectively pair items that differ from each other, especially when seating arrangement is concerned.

4. Dark Colours Aren’t Fit for Small Rooms

It’s very common to hear that small rooms should always be painted in light and neutral colours to create a visually bigger space. However, that’s not entirely true. What creates the visually bigger space is the use of one unified colour for the entire room. In that respect, you can freely use darker shades such as deep green, blue or burgundy; the point is to choose one shade that feels most pleasant to you personally. Whether it’s dark or not doesn’t have any merit at all.

5. Décor Pieces Should Match

Now, this myth definitely doesn’t make sense. If you can have furniture of different styles you better believe that you can feature decorative bits and bobs as well as artwork of different style, too. The only thing that you need to remember here is that the décor you want to use makes you feel happy. And you can still find a way to match them in your own creative way. That said, if you like how the dark forest print looks next to the marble geometric art piece, go for it! And if you like how the marble tray pairs against a wicker plant pot, feel free to arrange them that way. This is definitely an aspect of your home where the only one to set the rules should be you.

6. Never Use Outdoor Elements for Indoor Décor

The separation between the outdoors and indoors has been clearly made, but you don’t really have to honour that separation for absolutely every single décor element. For instance, climbing plants can look especially charming and whimsical in any interior – they are not reserved for your yard only. Furthermore, you can always use timber cladding for your interior design if your goal is to create a warmer, cosier, and more cabin-like personal environment. Also, if it matches your decorating style, feel free to play with wicker for your indoor furniture as well, and maybe even stone structures such as tall statues for a striking focal point. In the end, your home is your canvas.

7. Don’t Mix Different Metals

Using metal finishes for your hardware and other surfaces is really popular, especially since you can choose between different kinds of metal as well as mat and glossy coating. In general, gold and copper are warm tones while silver and nickel are considered to be cool tones. And, as you probably already know, the myth states that you should never mix these metals together. Well, if you want to add more dimension and glamour to your personal space, you can do exactly that!

8. Keep Your Art High Up

A very common decorating myth states that you should always place your art pieces high up. It’s said that your other decorative elements such as flower vases and similar should never obscure your art. Well, the truth is that this can look rather awkward and impersonal. Feel free to move that art down. It should be at least at your eye level. Also, there’s nothing wrong with other decorative elements covering a corner of your artwork. This can actually look a lot more endearing and personal compared to keeping everything at a safe distance.

9. Scatter Cushions Should Always Be an Odd Number

It’s really strange that this particular decorating myth has gained so much momentum. In reality, you don’t have to obsess with odd numbers or any numbers for that matter. When it comes to scattering cushions and other decorative elements that you want to group, use as many as you want. It really doesn’t matter whether there are 2, 9 or 20 of them; if you find the number satisfactory, there’s nothing else to think about.

You’re decorating your own home and, in that respect, the only rules that you should be following are your own. Obviously, it’s important to know what you want to achieve both looks- and functionality-wise, but that doesn’t mean that you need to let old decorating myths limit your creativity.

 Guest post: Kevin Jefferson

Designing a home that looks glamorous and expensive doesn’t necessarily mean swapping all your furniture for state-of-the-art pieces. On the contrary, all it takes is learning how to work with what you have and adding some luxe elements in order to create a glamorous vibe. Here, we’re laying out six essential tips to help you revamp your living space and make it look more luxurious.

Declutter your living space

Before you start with redesigning your home, you need to get rid of all the things that create clutter. Be it old clothing, broken accessories, and that dress you bought one size smaller as a way of motivating yourself to lose weight – they all need to go. Whether you choose to donate your things or sell them online is up to you. Decluttering plays a major role in creating spaces that are sophisticated and chic, where the accent is on simplicity and scarcity of displayed items. Try using the now popular KonMari method of decluttering, if you haven’t already – it’ll free up so much space in your home, allowing you to proudly display those things that truly bring joy to your life.

Be marbleous – implement elements with marble pattern

There is something about marble that just makes people lose their marbles – its sleek design and elegant splashes of colors can elevate the look of any room and make it feel classy and refined. No wonder so many homeowners are deciding to include the marble trend into their homes, one way or another. Some go bold and include marble pattern on larger surfaces such as countertops and desks, while others decide to go for something subtler. If you fall into the latter category, there are several ways you can incorporate marble into your living space without going over the top. Stationery like notebooks and stickers are a great way to make your office desk look chic while incorporating marble wall art in your living room will give it a luxurious flair.

Add fabulous wall mirrors for a grander feel

Just like metallics, mirrors are a great way to add a luxe flair to your space and enhance the visual interest of the room. Mirrors are a rather inexpensive way to give your room a grander feel and they’re one of the tricks interior designers use to create an illusion of spaciousness. Mirrors play with our perception, and when placed strategically, they can have a significant impact on how the room looks. They’re a quintessential tool in decorating luxurious spaces and are often used in smaller homes to make them appear larger. Go for oversized wall mirrors to add a glamorous, jewel-box effect to your living room and opt for the large, ornate wall mirror above your bed to add some bling to your bedroom, too.

Choose a glamorous palette for your living space

What colors you choose for your living space largely depends on the emotion you want to convey. Because neutrals are such calming colors, many homeowners decide to paint their walls in white, beige or gray. All these colors infuse the space with serenity and bring an aura of sophistication, and they look especially good when paired with metallics. Some classic color and metal combinations you can use for creating luxurious spaces are gray and platinum, black and white with copper accents, and blush pink combined with golden tones. Gold is especially useful for adding glamour to an otherwise plain space – just by adding a silk or satin throw pillow, a lamp and some candle holders in golden hues, you can make your home look sophisticated and refined.

Replace your old tapware

If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to make your home look stylish and modern, consider replacing your old tapware. Leaking faucets and worn and torn shower heads are an indicator of neglect, and they can make your home look dated and unkempt. Consider giving your tapware a makeover – switch your old taps for something new and modern. Taps with a rounded design and a stylish brushed gold finish are always an excellent choice while opting for square chrome shower heads can really give your bathroom a luxurious vibe. Give your sinks and showers a whole new look by opting for Phoenix tapware – choose from a wide range of premium quality tapware and choose the model, color, and style that best fits your interior design style.

Spruce up your home with a variety of textures

Textures play an important role in designing spaces that are visually appealing, and they’re a great way to bring an extra dimension to your decor. Introducing a variety of textures is the time-old trick that professional stylists use to create balance and harmony into any room, regardless of its design style. Apply this trick by varying the materials in your living space – a couple of faux fur throw pillows and a sheepskin rug will soften the materials such as stone and leather. The same effect is achieved by adding luxurious, velvet curtains and a placing a soft, knit blanket over the sofa. Incorporating a variety of textures will add character to your living space and make it feel cozy and inviting.

Turning your home into a stylish oasis is easy – use these six tips to revamp your home and give it a luxe flair.

Guest post by: 

Chloe Taylor 

We all want the best for our homes. After all, it's where your whole family creates memories together, and where you can find comfort and peace from life outside the four corners of your home. Every once in a while, an interior idea pops into mind to bring more life to our abodes and turn it as our dream spaces.

Not to mention those fixer-upper shows that inspire you to get moving and bring new interior changes to your home!

Decorating can be expensive, but thanks to the concept of DIY, you don't need to break the piggy bank to spruce up your home. With a little handicraft and creativity skills, you can achieve the look and vibes you want for your home. We've gathered these 8 easy DIY home projects for your home project inspiration:

Living Room

DIY Wooden Couch Sleeve

Inspiration from Ugly Duckling House

These wooden couch sleeves are the perfect substitute for end tables if you don't have space left. They're also not fixed, so whenever you're not going to use them, you can easily slide them off and set aside.

Instruction:

1. Measure the width of your couch's arms first. Then, measure how long you'll want the couch sleeve to be.
2. Get your measuring tape and mark the wood according to the measurements from Step #1. Cut the wood until the preferred size is achieved.  Note: It's ideal to allow at least one extra inch on your measurements to make sure the couch sleeves fit perfectly on your couch without hassle.
3. Glue the sides and clamp them together to secure the bottom pieces.
4. Stain and poly away!
5. (Optional) You can also use some pin nails for extra security.

DIY Round Hairpin Leg Coffee Table

Inspiration from Delia Creates

This DIY coffee table project won't need many materials, and it's easy to make. But don't let the simplicity fool you. This coffee table would surely add a homey vibe to your living room!

Instruction:

1. Stain the table top according to the color you want. Let it dry completely.
2. Sand the table top first, then apply the clear coat next.
3. Once your table top is completely dry and ready, turn it upside down and start measuring a square for the hairpin legs. Ideally, the top corners are 4-5 inches away from the edge. Mark the holes with pencils for easier reference later.
4. Screw the legs on the underside of the table. Place a split ring locking washer to each hole of the hairpin legs and screw tightly for extra security and durability.

Kitchen

DIY Kitchenware Pegboard

Inspiration from Tasty

Got plenty of kitchenware but don't want to install those bulky cabinets for storage? Try installing this kitchen tool pegboard instead!

Instructions:

1. Place the pegboard in a wide, unoccupied wall, and mark the top and bottom holes at both ends and the middle part. Once marked, put the pegboard aside.
2. Drill the marked places by 1/4 inch, then insert wall anchors on the holes and hammer them.
3. Grab your pegboard and insert the screws on the top and bottom holes you've marked in the first step. Insert 8 washers for every screw.
4. Drill the screw until tightly secured in the wall anchor.
5. Insert pegboard hooks and start hanging your kitchen tools!

DIY Pullover Pantry

Inspiration from Tasty

No space left in your pantry shelves for some of your pantry items? Try this genius DIY pullover pantry! No more hassle with the puzzle of what fits where.

Instruction:

1. Measure area between fridge and the wall, then measure the boards with this dimension.
2. Start placing the racks depending on your preferred distance. Once you've placed the racks, drill holes on the sides and secure with screws
3. Drill holes on the corners of your top boards, then place and hammer the screws.
4. Place your pegboard at the back of the cabinet and screw the corners.
5. On the bottom part, place four trolley wheels on all corners and drill holes for the screw.
6. Measure your dowels on the racks of your pullover pantry, and cut the excess parts. Then, put wood glue on both ends and place them per rack.
7. Sand your makeshift pantry and paint
8. Place the handle on one side of the shelf, then start placing your pantry stock.

Bedroom

DIY Hanging Closet

Inspiration from Shutterfly

Lessen the space your closet takes with a DIY hanging closet. You can easily see how many items of clothing you have, even plan out what you'll wear for the day while lying on bed. It's also a plus point for interior design too.

Instruction:

1. Determine how long you'll want your closet to hang (do you want it low or hanging a little high?). Mark the points where you'll want the hooks to be.
2. Cut the rope/twine according to the length you want. Be sure to allow extra inches for tying the branch and onto the hooks.
3. Paint the branch to match the color of your walls. If you want to retain its wooden color, skip this part.
4. Go back to your marks and install the hooks on your wall.
5. Tie up the other ends of the ropes to the branch, then the other ends to the hook.

You can also pin some thumb tacks or push pins for your jewelry and other accessories!

DIY Guitar Shelf

Don't throw that broken or out-of-tune guitar yet! The body of the guitar could be a great makeshift shelf for your or your kid/s' small bedroom items.

Instruction:

1. Remove the strings by turning the tuning keys loose, then pluck the prongs out.
2. Clamp the guitar first into a wall to keep it from moving while defacing the guitar. Then, use a hand saw to create a cut on the side of the guitar. Cut on the bottom part of the top black paint on the side.
3. Use chisel or a screwdriver to pry the face once you've cut enough room with the hand saw.
4. Start measuring where you'd like to place your shelves and the depth of the guitar. Cut the wood according to these dimensions.
5. Place the boards inside the guitar with wood glue. Once dry, drill holes in the side for the screws.
6. Sand the guitar to smoothen the surface, then paint with whatever color you prefer.
7. Drill your guitar shelf on the wall, or hang it with a guitar hanger.

Bathroom

DIY Window Medicine/Toiletry Cabinet

Inspiration from Craftsman Drive

If you have a window pane on your storage, probably after a renovation was done at your home, you can repurpose that extra window as a medicine/toiletry cabinet for your bathroom.

Instructions:

1. Measure all sides of your window, and mark measurements in your boards according to the length and width you prefer from the window pane.
2. Once your boards are all cut up according to your preferred sizes, you can place and nail them in the frame of the window. Clamp all boards together to secure them.
3. Install boards between the frame boards for the racks. The distance of each rack depends on the height of the items you'll place in the cabinet.
4. Place ¼-inch- Veneered thick MDF on the back of the cabinet.
5. Assemble the hinges between the window and the board frame.
6. Drill a hole large enough for the knob on the muntin.
7. Add the last touch of aesthetics with a combination of "rustic" paint and stain.

Outdoors

DIY Bench

Inspiration from Buzzfeed Nifty

Have that quaint, quiet spot on your backyard for admiring your garden or getting some fresh air with this cheap DIY bench!

Instruction:

1. Remove the "seat" part of both chairs. Then, grab your wooden planks and measure and mark the length for cutting.
2. Saw the front part of the chairs, but don't throw them yet! You'll use it as a support for your bench later. Remove the remaining parts of the chair until the back part of the seat is the only left
3. Mark the areas where the support piece will be attached, then attach the piece by drilling screws.
4. Place the boards on the bottom and the part where the seats used to be and secure with screws. Once done, turn the almost-done bench on its side and assemble the back support of the bench.
5. Sand the whole bench, then paint with the color of your choice

This is a Guest Post

Marie Pierre

Marie has always been one to spend hours tinkering her home. By making easy, DIY changes here and there, she aims to make the home a perfect place to relax, to spend time with her family, and to create lasting memories. She blogs at Home Awakening hoping to inspire others to do the same.

Stylish living room design: tips and tricks 

by Sarah Jessica Smith 

The living room has always been the center of anybody's home. It deserves its name for sure, as it's the place where we spend most of our lives when we're not at work or outside. It's the room where the family gathers, relaxes and have fun. It is also the room where we entertain our guests, too. So, it's safe to say that it's usually the room to which we pay most attention to when it comes to decoration and renovation. Create your own stylish and unique living room by following these tips:

1. A focal point to attract and amaze

You need a spot in your living room where most guests will look at the moment they walk into the room. It needs to be different than other areas of the room, with eye-catching features or items. It's possible you already have a focal point in the room - it can be a fireplace or mantle. In case you don't, create it yourself. You can use an oversized mirror, a large and appealing painting or even a piano. Once you have the focal point, it will be easier to decorate the rest of the room around it, according to its vibe, colors, and style. That way, everything will contribute to the impression of a cohesive, comfortable space.

2. Color palette as the mood enhancer

You probably already know how different colors affect our mood in different ways, so be very careful when it comes to the choice of colors. You can choose to go all monochromatic or opt for three colors max. In case you want only two colors to be dominant in the room, think of complementary colors combination. Whichever combination you choose, the goal is the same - to produce a seamless effect of colors that give out the vibe you want and create the mood you're aiming at. When you move on to choosing the furniture and decorative items, always keep in mind the color palette you opted for.

3. The walls and ceilings - create an astonishing frame

Living room walls and ceiling get a lot of attention for a good reason - they represent the frames that form the most important room in a home. Therefore, you should spend some quality time planning their decoration. The thing with them is that they sometimes need significant renovation. However, it doesn't have to be a nuisance - as it's stated by Precision Planning company, decoration professionals aim to turn your renovation vision into reality as quickly as possible. There are many professionals out there who can help you to achieve your go in having a great home.

So, you can let your imagination go wild when it comes to wall coverings and treatments. The point is to express your personality and style of the room here. The great thing about walls is that there are so many materials and options to be used here. You can choose to go chic through wallpapers that are now popular more than ever. You can achieve elegant, ever-lasting modern look through marble or granite tiles used to form any shape you want on the wall. Just make sure you avoid usual mistakes when cleaning marble. In short, take your time and explore your options with the walls - you can follow current trends or you can opt for a classic look.

4. Perfect ambiance with the help of the lighting

Choosing the right lighting can be quite a challenge. However, the hard work will definitely pay off. The best is to go with different sources of lighting, meaning you should include overhead lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. That way, you will have all the aspects covered - lighting up the whole room, reading a book in the corner, having a romantic evening, highlighting beautiful items. The next step is to find the light sources that fit into the style of the room and even add to its aesthetics.

5. Paradise for your feet

Floor covering can be a statement on is own. make sure your choice is also comfortable for your feet, as you need to be completely relaxed in your living room. You can get a wall-to-wall carpet in a vibrant color or a neutral hardwood floor that gives out warmth and comfort. You can also consider more unexpected options, like stone tiles or ceramic tiles that create an interesting effect.

Final words

Creating a perfect, stylish living room that reflects your personality and can also amaze your visitors will probably take some time. Decorating it to fit your vision completely is an adventure that you should enjoy every step of the way. Pay attention to every detail and don't rush the process. Only then will you eventually manage to get your dream living room.

Guest Blogger

Sarah Jessica Smith is a young blogger from Sydney. She is in love with life and all the things that can make her daily routine easier. She loves to write about home improvement, lifestyle, and all the small things that make life such a great adventure.

You don’t have to be a professional designer in order to make your bedroom look like one from the interior design magazines. All it takes is some knowledge, patience, time, and effort. So, to help you bring your bedroom to the next level, here are seven things you should know.

Choose a theme

For starters, you should come up with a theme for your bedroom. It can be a time period, location, or simply a design that you like. Once you come up with the theme, you should choose the larger items according to it – your bed, lighting fixtures, rugs, etc. Other, smaller accessories can stray a bit from the main theme, or they can simply be neutral.

Moreover, to make the bedroom more elegant, you should try to find the balance between the design elements. That means that your main color should cover about 60% of your bedroom, second color 30%, and the remaining percent should include accent colors. The same goes for patterns and prints – you can mix them as much as you want, but there should be one primary print or pattern.

Introduce marble into your life

Marble has become quite popular this year; you can find marble bracelets, iPhone cases, purses, and even bow ties. It has become a symbol of elegance, class, and luxury, so why not add it to your bedroom as well? For example, you can hang some stunning marble artwork on the walls, or you can introduce a marble nightstand or a simple marble wireless charging pad that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

No matter which marble piece you choose, though, you can rest assured that it would instantly transform your entire bedroom.

Light it up

If you want your bedroom to truly be elegant, make sure your lights are not too strong. You should have more than one lighting source, and you should know how to layer the sources correctly. It would allow you to set the brightness of the lights depending on your mood or occasion. As for the fixtures, you should think about getting a luxurious chandelier, a few sconces, and maybe a couple of lamps for some late-night reading. Moreover, the fixtures can also help you spice up your bedroom – there are many abstract, unusual, and shiny lighting fixtures that would fit any style. Also, you should let in as much natural light as possible during the day.

Set a focal point

It’s safe to say that the bed is the most important element in the room. No matter whether it is big, small, cheap or expensive – it can serve as a great focal point. All it needs is an eye-catching headboard. So, choose a headboard with an unusual shape or some other notable feature, but make sure it fits the overall theme of your bedroom. Moreover, to make your bed truly draw attention, there shouldn’t be any clutter. The accessories you have should all be complementing your bed, like minimalistic photos or mirrors that match the color palette.

Add stylish furniture pieces

If your bedroom happens to be a bit larger, and you have some unused space near the window, think about adding a comfy chair, a small table, and perhaps you could also introduce one of those beautiful Turkish rugs that can increase the comfort level of the entire room. Besides boosting the visual appeal of your room, such a setup could be very practical as well. It could serve as your reading nook, a place for your morning coffee, or a small workstation for those late-night work projects.

Upgrade your night table

Night tables are a pretty important part of every bedroom. However, most of them tend to become a bit cluttered with all the little things we leave next to our bed. So, before you do anything with your nightstand, you should first declutter it. Get rid of anything you don’t need, and try to change the habit of leaving things on it – you don’t need anything except a glass of water, lamp, your favorite book, and maybe a scented candle or a vase with some flowers. Next, think about replacing the hardware on the table – crystal or brass can be a great option for a luxurious bedroom.

Add greenery

Last but not least, one of the best ways to upgrade the visual appeal of your bedroom is by introducing more greenery. Besides the fact that plants can purify the air inside, they can also help you emphasize the accent colors. No matter whether you choose a large fern to place in the corner or small potted flowers you can arrange on your shelves, adding a few plants can greatly boost the appearance of any room.

Your bedroom is not only the room in which you sleep but also a part of your home, and being so, it reflects your sense of style just as much as any other room. So, consider the listed tips, and your time spent in this room will be more enjoyable than ever before.

For more on interior design guides. 

Guest Writer

Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Besides all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.

When we first created the minimalist marble wallet, we knew there would be several concerns about the functionality, weight, and fragility.

This is why we would like to go into further details and address these common concerns.

Functionality

Minimalist wallets are built to keep just the important cards and some cash so it's convenient for you to just take it and go. 

Compared to bulky wallets in your back pocket, your lower back will thank you for using minimalist wallets.

The lumpy wallet that you sit on is actually a huge long-term health problem for your back! The minimalist wallets are slim, so it won't affect your back when you put it in the back pocket and sit on them. Plus, most people keep it in the front pocket anyway.

The cutouts designed by the MIKOL team is not just for aesthetic appeal, but also functionality.  Either end of the cutout allows users to easily push up the credit card and pull out the one they desire.  Becuase of the elastic band, you can easily flip through which card you would like to use.  That band also allows you to slip in some cash that you may need to use.

Weight

This was a major issue when we first started the company.  People had this notion that marble must be heavy, or that we weren't using real marble. Of course, overtime through proper education and customers experiencing our products were they able to realize what technology could bring to the world.

For those of you who are not aware of our ultra-thin marble processing technology, the marble we produce is as thin as a credit card.  

The natural marble and granite pieces we produce are roughly 1mm thick. Traditional marble and granite slabs that most people are accustomed to are 20mm thick.  That is why marble traditional is very heavy.  Most people have seen thin metal or steel sheets, so they know it can be light. But, it's the same concept. If you increase the thickness of the metal or steel 20x, that piece will become heavy as well.

Fragility 

This was definitely a major concern as well.  However, because the first item we introduced were marble iPhone cases, they had a PU protector.  Therefore, it seemed to have eased most people's concerns. The marble notebook journals, naturally thought it wouldn't be dropped as much.

A bigger challenge came with the touch marble business cards that were really a hit for us.

What we found out, was that these were giveaway products, so again, it was a concern but people were able to overcome them more easily.  And after using our products, they learned how durable it was.

Minimalist wallets made out of real marble is the biggest obstacle in education for us. 

Wallets are handled all the time. They tend to be dropped, tossed around, and comes with a lot of wear and tear.

The good thing about our minimalist wallets is that it's made out of real marble. So it won't wear out over time such as traditional leather wallets.  The color becomes darker and more beautiful as you use it since the marble soaks up the oils in your hands everytime it's used.

Now! The ultimate question is will this marble wallet break or shatters when it is dropped!  Instead of describing it to you with our own words, we decided to make a quick clip and demonstrate it! 

Please comment and let us know what you think.  Or if you have any other concerns that we can help answer.

The art of minimalism dates back centuries. With our cluttered, sensory-overloaded modern world, it’s no wonder minimalism is finding a resurgence. There are several reasons it’s a fantastic way of life to embrace. Less in your closet or on your desk brings a natural state of peace to your environment. It’s easier to think in a place that has less clutter, the same way it’s easier to concentrate in a quiet setting than a loud rock concert.

Think of the stuff around you as noise. The less you surround yourself with unnecessary knick-knacks, the less “noise” exists in your space. Minimalism also makes finding things more manageable and cleaning your desk or home a breeze. There are several ways to incorporate minimalism into your style.

Clear House Clear Thoughts

A clean home and desk allow for clearer thinking. Have you noticed how much better you feel after thoroughly cleaning a room? The practice of minimalism in your house or workspace not only clears out metaphorical baggage to allow in new ideas, but it also lets the pieces of décor you genuinely love shine. When your home is cluttered, even the most beautiful artwork can get lost in a mess. Remove the unnecessary and watch how your favorite artwork radiates more beautifully on your walls.

Charging wires also seem to be everywhere with the mass of technology around us. So, why not invest in charging devices that both declutter and look amazing on their own? Finding small ways to beautify what is typically considered an eyesore is a crucial component of minimalism.

Timeless Style with Minimalist Fashion

The same goes for your sense of fashion. When you overdo your style with too much makeup, jewelry, or an excess of accessories, it’s hard to focus on one piece or one part of your look. However, if you select a few statement items such as well-tailored clothes and a classic bracelet, it lends your appearance a more elegant vibe. You’re also more likely to get compliments on those hand-selected accessories when your outfit has less clutter. The people with the classiest looks historically styled their appearance around clean lines, high-quality threads, and a couple of superb pieces of jewelry and accessories.

How to Start Adding Minimalism to Your Style

Don’t know where to start? As minimalist lifestyle expert Marie Kondo outlines, there are some fundamental ways to start tidying up your life. First, take your time. It might take months to declutter your life thoroughly. Set aside a chunk of time each week, put on soothing music and get in a donating frame of mind. As you move through each room or closet, pay attention to how much joy every item you touch brings you.

Whether it’s clothing, jewelry, or an item on a shelf think about three factors:

·         Have you used it in the last five or six months, or will you use it in the very near future?

·         Is it a nostalgic item that has sentimental value?

·         Does it bring you great joy when you look at it, wear it, or pick it up?

If you can say no to all three, get rid of it. Getting rid of stuff can be a great way to make a little side money if you decide to sell your unwanted items. Alternatively, give them to charity. You’ll feel good about donating everyday clothes, a suit that doesn’t quite fit anymore, or a lamp you don’t love, but someone else can’t afford. With each week, go through another area of your home, closets, or office. Within a month or so, you’ll feel the freeing sensation of minimalism. When you decide to invest in something new, you’ll likely realize you will have a more conscious sense of your ideal style.

Guest Post: Jane Sandwood

Wireless charging pads aren't really a new technology. If you remember many years ago, Starbucks had them already in their stores where you have to plug in an adaptor to charge on their pads. And it was incredibly slow!

Samsung actually had it long ago as well.

But it wasn't until the tech trendsetting company Apple finally jumped on the bandwagon with the iPhone X and iPhone 8 wireless charging capabilities that this category finally took off!

While your phone will work just fine with the wired charger it comes with, I'm sure you have experienced the craziness with too many wires.  Also from a decorative standpoint, it just doesn't look that great even though we have gotten used to it over the years.

That's why we are so excited to be introducing our new line of real marble wireless charging pads that come in Nero black, Carrara white, and emerald green.

Apple truly inspired us with beautiful designs.  Tech products used to focus more on being functional.  When Steve Jobs came back to Apple, he made sure tech products were functional and attractive.  Now the iPhones have become "fashionable".

With a similar approach, we want tech accessories to be functional yet beautiful.  Our design team is so happy that Apple introduced wireless capabilities because charging pads will change our living space entirely!

Most people have experienced messy wires before, especially living with multiple people. 

Our marble wireless chargers will fit into your home, office, even travel seamlessly.  No more plugging and unplugging those cords.  Just place it on top of the charging pad to charge, and take it off anytime you need to use it.  

And when you aren't using them, they still look beautiful! A charger that is part of your home decoration!

These marble wireless charging pads are great for your office desk, living room side table, nightstand and make charging your phone as simple as putting it down on a surface.

The charger capabilities: 

• Built-on over-voltage, under voltage, and short-circuit protection provides ultimate safety for your smartphone.
• Compact, space-efficient design that fits in the palm of your hand.
• LED indicator to notify the user when the device is in charging position.
• Charging popular smartphone models such as iPhone 8, iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, Note 5, Google Nexus 6, headphones, smart watch, smartphone, headset, and any Qi-compatible device.

And like most of our products, we have engraving capabilities if you want to label your charging pads.  

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