Quick Questions - Stuck for Ideas

by Charlotte
(Website Editor)

A couple of quick question and answers, from readers who were stuck for ideas.

Take a look at their questions, and what we had to say...

Then ask your own question...

Or help someone else, and answer their questions and queries, too...

Help for a dark and narrow hallway

by mary
(ireland)

Have a Narrow short hallway- has 7 solid pine varnished doors off it, has oak flooring, white ceiling, a dado rail that is placed halfway up the wall that is currently varnished.

Should I paint the dado rail in a cream/white gloss to brighten it up?

I do not want to paint the doors I am thinking of painting the door surrounds in a cream/ white paint to brighten it up to match the dado rail.

I think I will paint the ceiling white again and and use a warm beige on the wall.

Should I wallpaper the lower section of the wall below the dado rail?

There is not much natural light in the hallway.

Comments:

Hi Mary

Yes, I think painting your woodwork - dado rail and door surrounds in white or cream is a good idea. It will brighten and 'freshen' the feel in your hall.

We have done something similar in our own house, painting the dado rail in white (it was painted in brown when we moved in) and the door surrounds too (previously varnished) but kept the doors themselves as 'wood'.

It is always a good idea to keep ceilings white - especially for rooms like hallways, where you want to keep the feeling light and bright.

Warm beige sounds lovely for the walls - but do keep it pale to keep your room from feeling too dark or small.

If you fancy wallpaper under the dado rail, then go for it - I do think wallpaper under dado rails is a good look. You could keep it all fairly neutral, choosing a slightly darker beige tone for the wallpaper underneath (keeping the top part of the wall paler stops the upper walls from seeming to 'loom' in on you). Or you could go for a really bold color, pattern or design - this can look very striking - but do bear in mind that it will most likely make your hallway feel a little smaller and 'busier'.

I wish you happy decorating with your hallway - all sounds a good decorating plan - so good luck!

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Making a temporary house feel like home

by Yogeeta
(India)

hi there, right now i am staying in a small house which has a drawing hall cum dinning hall with 2 bedrooms attached.

i need some great ideas of decorating my drawing hall and my master bedroom.

since, we move on transfers its difficult to make a permanent setting for the things in home. so accordingly, i need advice.

also, i would like to use plants in decorating my home.

hoping to hear from you.

Comments:

Hello Yogeeta

I understand how frustrating it is when you want to make your house your own, but can't make permanent changes.

However, don't worry, as there is lots you can do to get the look you want.

Using plants is an excellent idea, as these can be used as 'accessories' and 'decoration' in the room, yet are always changing, and you can take them with you when you move. I always think lots of plants look great in any home.

You may not be able to paint or wallpaper the walls of your home, but you can buy or create large paintings on big canvases, sheets or chipboard/MDF.

These can be painted in bright colors of your choosing, decorated with patterns, wallpapered etc. You could also hang decorative fabric wall-hangings to personalise your home.

Bedding, curtains, cushions and throws can be taken with you too (even if you don't have your own furniture) so invest in these to put your own stamp on your home, and be able to take it with you when you move.

For a small home, light colors and glossy, shiny textures will give a lighter and more airy feel. Use mirrors to bounce light around your home.

Don't forget though to choose some accessories, paintings etc in stronger, accent colors to express your personalities and allow your house to feel like your real home.

I hope this has given you some ideas for your home makeover and you can transform a place to stay into your home.

Good luck with the plants and the decorating

Best wishes

Charlotte

Inexpensive, bright and trendy makeover

by ishwariya
(india)

i want to re do my room....i dont want it to be expensive .

it should be bright and trendy.

please puhlease advice

Comments:

Hello Ishwariya

If you want an inexpensive makeover, paint is probably your best option, as changing accessories and furniture can soon start to work out quite expensive...

A lovely bright paint will give a colorful, cheerful and fashionable feel to your room.

Trendy colors at the moment are hot colors like yellow, orange and fushcia pink, lime green or cool, bright blues and turquoises.

You can use a color on its own for maximum impact, or mix a few together, for added 'zing'. (check they match and you like the effect with tester pots first).

These are fanatastic bold colors, so you may want to use them only on an accent wall (rather than all over) so that you don't completely over-power your room.

Mix with pale neutrals for a fresh, open feel to your room, (or if your room is quite small).

For a larger room, consider mixing with darker neutrals, for a more sophisticated feel, but do be aware using darker colors will make your room feel smaller and darker (although the bright colors would brighten it up).

You can add accessories in your chosen bright colors, if your budget permits!

Get some more ideas about choosing colors, here...

...and when you are ready to start, read through the interior design checklist

Good luck with your room makeover, do let us know how you get on, and which colors you choose...

Charlotte :o)

Living room wood color help

by Fatima
(Beirut, Lebanon)

Can you help me choosing the best wood color for a dark grey couch with purple pillows please?? and what colors shall i use for the tv stand that best matches with the fabrics?? can I use dark brown wood or black is preferable??? Thank you

..............

Comment
By Charlotte

2 November 2011

Hello Fatima

Thank you for your question. I actually think the nicest wood color with the grey and purple would be a pale color with yellow tones.

This would contrast nicely against the purple.

However, if you'd like a dark colored wood, I think out of dark brown or black, black would be preferable.

Black would likely give quite a modern feel (depending on the style). Is this what you want?

If you'd like something more traditional, dark brown wood is always a good choice.

Don't worry too much about what 'goes' and choose what you like the best, as blacks and browns are neutrals, which means they go well with most colors anyway.

I hope that helps.

Good luck with your decorating.

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Ideas for using wainscoting

by Lynda
(Crystal Lake IL)

Do you still decorate using Wainscoting? I am thinking about using it from the floor up about 4 feet on our finished basement walls. From 4 feet up to the ceiling is dry wall. The ceiling is also finished in dry wall with recessed lighting.

...........

Comment
By Charlotte

4 October 2011

Yes Lynda, you can still use wainscoting. Think about if you'd like a panelled design, or tongue-and-groove style.

You could use real wood, or an MDF panel. You can stain, varnish or wax, or paint in white/cream or a complementary color to your room - so you've got lots of options.

Good luck with your decorating.

Charlotte :)

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