Feng Shui, the 4,000 year old Chinese practice of arranging our homes to be in harmony with the earth’s energy (chi) so we are balanced with the forces of nature, can be a surprisingly useful tool for making kids feel comfortable in their bedrooms and well rested after a night’s sleep.

Just applying a few Feng Shui principles can make a child’s bedroom feel restful, considerably warmer and more secure.

Colour

The walls of your child’s bedroom and the soft furnishings that you add should be in relaxing colours. Neutral naturals such as blue, light pink, light yellow, beige, peach and green are all calming. Avoid using energising colours like red, dark blue and bold yellow as these are too stimulating for a bedroom. Bright colours are good for playrooms but bedrooms need to be more subdued.

Furniture

Be careful not to cram too much furniture into a child’s room, especially if the space is small anyway. Use furniture that is on a small scale so that your child does not feel dwarfed by their surroundings. Place the bed headboard against a solid wall but avoid positioning it under a window. Also try not to place the bed under skylights, beams or shelves full of books and games.

Lighting

Always provide enough light by using lamps and light fittings. Natural lighting is also important so throw the curtains wide and let the sunshine in. Also, open the window regularly to allow fresh energy into the room. Make sure that your child cannot reach the open window if they are in the room by themselves or without adult supervision.

Linen

Bed linen should be soft and soothing to the child. Brightly coloured sheets are a no-no. Try soft blues (not cold blues) or tone the colour to the paint on the walls. If you would like to add a splash of brightness during the day, throw a cover on the bed that you remove at night.

Possessions

A child’s bedroom should be kept simple and clean. Limit the toys and books that are kept in the bedroom and remove unnecessary clutter. Store out of season clothes and donate items that are not being used or have been outgrown. Keep the bedroom floor clear of objects as energy needs to circulate the room. Also be sure to clear out the space under your child’s bed frequently to prevent the “sticking” of energy. You are aiming for a room that your child can feel focused and energised in. Too many objects create distractions and stifle the space.

Four Items to Add:

Place a hanging crystal in the window – it will reflect colours over the room.

Buy a good quality bed, preferably wooden.

Stick stars on the bedroom ceiling to create a night sky effect.

Positioning a family photo near the bed reminds children of their loving family.

Four Items to Remove:

Never keep rubbish in the room. Place the waste basket outside.

Don’t allow a phone in your child’s bedroom.

Nocturnal pets make too much noise at night to be in a bedroom. Fish tanks should also be removed.

Computers, games consoles and televisions do not encourage quality sleep. At the very least place these devices in a cupboard or behind a screen at night time.

Stella Winstanley is the producer of a children’s bedtime story CD that is specially designed to relax youngsters and encourage restful sleep. Visit dreamtimetales.com dreamtimetales.com for more articles on helping children sleep better and tips on how to improve their bedroom.

To create an unbelievable looking cowboy western theme room all you need to do is follow six easy steps. Is there work involved? Of course there is but the work is both fun and rewarding and you’ll be amazed how great your room looks when you’re finished.

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is come up with a wall color scheme that you like and has a western feel to it. There are various ways to do this and here is one great way that always works. Go to your local library or look online for cowboy western photos. Have a look at the bar rooms, the old hotels, the western scenery and so on. Why? Because you’ll find some great looking wall color schemes. Some will be two-tone while others have a single wall color. This is a great way to start your brainstorming and come up with a fun and unique wall color for your cowboy western room.

Step 2

Next you’ll want to come up with a floor style. Deciding on the type of flooring you want in your cowboy theme room really depends on exactly where that cowboy western room is located. For example if it were in your basement game room then a checkered floor with earth tone ceramic tiles would be what you want.

If it’s in a different part of your home like a home office or bedroom then you’ll want to look into hardwood or laminate flooring. The key to a great looking country western floor is the country western look and feel. With a dark hardwood floor you get that look and feel for a price. If you want something cheaper then laminate can and does replicate hardwood very well and is much cheaper.

If you already have flooring down and don’t want to change a thing then you can always look into western style rugs to place around the room. That way you’ll have a great western look and feel and not have to tear up and lay down a new floor.

Step 3

The third step is fairly easy and very fun to complete. Now that you have painted your room using a country western flair and are finished with the flooring you can start to cover your bare walls.

Step 3 is all about finding the perfect western posters, prints and artwork to hang in your cowboy western room. Whether you’re going for a cowboy theme, a bar room look and feel or just a general western style adding posters and pictures is fun.

One of the best places to find these types of prints are at local second hand stores believe it or not. Sometimes you can find original pictures or posters and that is always fun and they will look great in your western theme room. If you’re not into second hand stuff then besides going all out at the local country western theme store have a look online first. Check out some internet auction sites as you’ll find a large assortment of western wall hangings to add to your room.

Step 4

Now it’s time to add western lighting to your room. This is a major part of creating a great western theme room that’s both fun and functional.

There are various ways to bring western lighting into your room. The first way is to add a couple vintage western lanterns to your tabletops or bar. These add to the overall western look and feel. Next find a wall sconce or two with cowboys or bulls. For low lit situations these are truly beautiful and a must for your country western room.

To actually bring light into your room you’ll need something bigger like a chandelier or pub lamp / swag lamp. Whether you go with an antler chandelier or one that’s rustic looking it’ll do the trick. Swag and pub lamps are good for game rooms. And country western themed table lamps are great for just about any room in your home.

Now you almost have a complete country western room with only two steps to go.

Step 5

So you have the lighting done but what good is it if you don’t have anywhere to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. So Step 5 is all about adding country western furniture.

Here’s where personal comfort comes in. There is some great looking western furniture made from wagon wheels. Personally I love that look but comfort wise it’s probably not the best choice. Basically any type of furniture that has a brown tint to it would work in your western theme room.

But if you want something more western then go with hand carved or log furniture. You’ll give your western room an outdoors feeling and that is always fun and unique.

Step 6

Step 6 is all about finishing off your Great Looking Cowboy / Country Western Room. How do you do that? You do that by adding the best, the coolest and the most unique western accessories and decorations you can find. This is where you imagination comes in handy.

Look for things that will enhance the overall western experience for friends and family. For example look for little things like a cast iron bottle opener or boot spurs. Add in a neat “Weather Rock Forecaster” for fun. Add an antler clock and if you’re making a western game room add some vintage looking “wanted posters” and whisky bottles as decorations. Basically use your imagination and your western theme room will be the best in the state.

Now depending on how much time you have, creating your country western theme room could take anywhere from a week to a year. But don’t rush it, take your time and enjoy the process. It may end up being a lifelong process of continually adding and subtracting neat western items. But that is the joy and fun when creating a theme room. Now you know the six simple steps to get you started so why wait? Start Today!

Visit our game-room-decorating-ideas.com/cowboy-theme-room.html Western Theme Room Pages to learn more about creating a fun country western theme.

Find Fun game-room-decorating-ideas.com Game Room Décor Ideas and useful information on creating a game room for the whole family right here.

I’ve had a futon for several years now and I have to say it has been one of my all-time favorite pieces of furniture. Of course, I have couches and chairs, but my futon is a perfect fit for me. I know many others who are also big futon lovers as well. I can remember that it wasn’t that long ago, actually less than 20 years ago, that futons weren’t even remotely as popular as they are today.

Today, it has become quite common to find specialty futon outlet stores around the country that sell futons as a stand alone item. One of the bigger ones are the “Futon World” stores that have become a big hit on the west coast. The growing popularity with futons, and futon slip covers in particular, aren’t only something that is happening out west. You can get futons and futon slip covers through mail order catalogs, online websites, in addition to stores like “Futon World”. This gives everyone the ability to buy futons, futon mattresses, accessories, as well as futon slip covers, regardless of where they live in the world.

Buying a futon slip cover to go with your new futon really makes very good sense when you stop to think about it. When you spend good money on your new futon you want to take care it the best you can. Having a slip cover on hand will go a long way in keeping your new piece of furniture looking new for years to come.

I have seen many people who take any new furniture for granted and don’t even think about trying to keep it looking new by protecting it. Futons can be fragile at times if you aren’t careful. By simply having a futon slip cover protecting it, you won’t have to worry when Uncle Joe comes over for the football game and decides to eat his bowl of chili on your new futon. Of course, most spills are caused by accident, but people just don’t realize what they are doing at times. The last thing you want happening is a big mess on your futon mattress.

Make no mistake, a futon is still very durable, but they do have their limits when it comes time for everyday use. A futon mattress will only stand up to so much before giving out. That’s why a futon slip cover makes a great choice in protecting your new furniture.

Another thing that a futon slip cover protects against is tears. If you get a small tear in any piece of furniture, from a chair to a sofa, you know how it can quickly turn into a major issue. A futon slip cover provides a way to prevent this from ever happening.

You can find out more about allaboutslipcovers.com/Futon_Slip_Cover.html Futon Slip Covers as well as much more information on all types of slip covers at allaboutslipcovers.com AllAboutSlipCovers.com

The arbors are nonetheless one of the great ideas that you can opt for especially if you want to redesign your backyard or garden. Garden arbors are not at all expensive and difficult to purchase. After all, why would you not prefer getting garden arbors when in fact they are not there to dominate the entire scene in your garden but will simply allow you to convert a small space into a really attractive area? Take note of this, garden arbors are sure to be appealing to your guests that you will likely find them gathering in that sort of space in your garden during the whole time of their visit.

Arbors can be uniquely used to permit the dominance of wine and grapes in the area. But these days, garden arbors are usually utilized to decorate and beautify both the indoor and outdoor spots in your home. Garden arbors may be the most perfect solution for you especially if your house only caters to a very small space for the garden.

The garden arbor can be situated to the area that is closest to any exit point that originates from your house. Thus, you can let it appear that there is a small but lovely sitting bend in your garden. It is not peculiar to note that people would love to sit outside even if their house is just a step away from the garden. There are times when all you want to experience are peace and quiet after a long busy day and the garden can be your place of solitude.

Garden arbors can be real standouts in the area if you only know how to work on the area really well. You may employ ceilings atop the garden arbor. You may likewise plant beautiful and scented flowers around the arbor that will allow a sort of frame to be bordering it. With garden arbors surrounded by flowers, you can have your friends hanging around doing some picnic on the garden while being on a real lovely spot.

Another great idea that you may do with garden arbors is to set them up in an isolated place in your backyard. This can be the perfect place for you to be in especially when all you want is to be away from the stressful condition of the outside world. You may read a book, reflect on things, or take a nap. You can even get into a serious heart to heart talk with a loved one.

Daniel Roshard is an interior designer fascinated by outdoor architecture, currently studying outdoor design. Daniel writes articles about home improvement and landscaping. You can read his latest work on arbor.advice-tips.com/ Garden Arbors at arbor.advice-tips.com arbor.advice-tips.com

As parents we all remember the day our children were born, then they become toddlers (remember the terrible 2’s) oh yes, then the next stage is the kid stage (toys, messes, kids will be kids) then right before becoming an adult is the rebel teen stage, mom and dad no nothing ( you remember don’t you?) they have all grown up and have their own minds and we can only hope we have taught them right so now they can go into the world and make a name for themselves and become whoever or whatever their heart desires.

So why not start it off right with a teen bedroom makeover. Your teen’s bedroom makeover , should express their style and their personality. We have to allow our teens to express themselves and let them be proud of what they have done to their bedroom. It may be the first time you and your teen has had so much fun if you work as a team. Let your teen make the design choices for their bedroom makeover , even if you would have made different design choices or if the choices of color are not your cup of tea, just remember it’s their refuse, it’s their get away, it’s their bedroom.

Your teen has grown up and his or her life is changing and their bedroom makeover should express who they are. Every teen needs a little more pizzazz in the bedroom. Your teen’s needs have changed, they will need a place to study and space to entertain friends, so certain changes have to be made.

Your first step in the bedroom Makeover teen is your style design . . . What do you like? This will be your style, is it clean and modern, cool beach bum surfer, retro, traditional, exotic eastern design, whatever your style is, whatever your taste is, just go for it. If you are not sure what your style is, shop around, you are sure to find something that catches your eye and go from there.

Next check out your furniture, is it still in good shape, maybe you can just paint it or you can re stain it, as long as it’s still good just refurbish it, as this is the main piece in your bedroom makeover. Do you have a desk or a hard writing space to do homework and study? If not buy one, you will definitely need this. Do you have a comfortable chair? You will also need good lighting.

Now you have to get down to the nitty gritty and start your bedroom makeover, paint the walls to go with your new design. If the carpet or floors are in good shape, just buy a throw rug to ground the room and add color, then comes the accents, don’t go overboard just keep within your design style and colors, buy just what will be used in the room and a few highlighted accents to add drama. The Windows treatments are next just stick with your design style and colors. Extra Large pillows or cushions are great when friends are over, for just hanging out or playing video games. This gives everyone a place to sit and when not in use they will stack nicely in the corner. Just let your teen express their style and personality in their bedroom Makeover teen, and as always have fun with it…

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Decorating your home is surely fun and an exciting experience, but it can also be difficult and frustrating, especially if you did no prior planning. It becomes much easier to shop for home decor items if you know what you are looking for. Shopping at a home decor store can be a good place to start.

Though a home decor store can be an overwhelming place in terms of selection, if you know the theme and color schemes of the room you are shopping for you are likely to find what you are looking for with less time and effort spent. Your planning should include not only the list of items to purchase, but the design of the room and the spaces that you are looking to fill.

Take an inventory of the belongings you already have to determine what to keep and what to move to another room. Magazines and books can give you a good idea of what you like, and help you to determine your personal style before you begin. Take the pictures with you when you go to a home decor store, and talk to the associates to see if they offer what you are looking for. Remember that color is important, so consider your chosen palette as you shop at a home decor store.

It is a good idea to compare the price of an item that you like by shopping at multiple home decor stores. Head out for home decor stores that offer sales and bargains first of all. And don’t let the large selection take your focus away from the item you originally came in for. Instead, stick with your predetermined list to avoid ending up with a cluttered and mismatched room.

Online Home Decor Stores

Many people today simply don’t have time to go from store to store to find the perfect accessory. This is why online shopping can be extremely beneficial. You have all the items and prices from different home decor stores at your fingertips, so you can search 100 home decor stores instead of just the few that are in your neighborhood.

Consider shipping cost when choosing something from an online home decor store: a great online deal may turn to be not that great at all, if you add on the shipping charge. In this case, it is still less expensive to buy the item at a brick and mortar home decor store if the shipping costs are higher than the item itself. Look for coupons or savings from online sources to help offset the price of shipping.

Don’t forget to revise the return policy of the store before you decide to buy an item. Many retailers charge return fees for shipping and restocking if you send a purchase back to them. A candleholder that may look great in a picture may not be the right height or color once you get it home, so take measurements and do your research.

And most importantly, enjoy yourself while shopping in any home decor store – after all, you are doing it for your home sweet home!

For more information on homedecordiscussion.com Home Decor Store check out homedecordiscussion.com homedecordiscussion.com . You’ll find loads of tips and techniques plus you’ll find answers to questions many others in your situation have asked before. But Hurry! For a limited time you can get your very own copy of our award winning homedecordiscussion.com/free.html Home Decor Software at absolutely no cost.

In addition to granny, a granny flat can contain some dire pitfalls for a new owner and anyone involved in the sale of such a unit. It’s one more thing for real estate professionals to be concerned about, because the consequences of having an apartment declared illegal or closed down can be disastrous to the purchaser, who may seek compensation from Realtors, home inspectors or anyone who didn’t issue all the appropriate warnings.

Any separate unit with its own cooking, eating, sleeping, and sanitary facilities in a detached or semi-detached house or a rowhouse is classified as an “accessory dwelling unit.” It doesn’t matter whether it’s a basement apartment for rent or a unit to accommodate a family member or a nanny.

In Ontario it’s been a roller-coaster ride for home owners in recent years. In 1994 the New Democratic government changed the law so that municipalities could no longer ban basement apartments. In May of 2001 the Conservative government reversed the rules and it’s expected that many cities will once again use zoning controls to block new accessory dwellings in the years ahead.

Strict fire regulations are now in effect, and any existing apartments that were occupied in November of 1995 are permitted – as long as they meet the new fire code. There’s also a new registry system, so officials can monitor compliance – and new penalties that are stiff enough to take seriously (fines of $25,000 or a year in the slammer!)

Before closing deals involving basement apartments or duplex, triplex or any other multiple dwellings, agents should ensure that their purchasers have obtained written confirmation of whether or not apartments are registered, and have been inspected and found to conform to the fire code.

Realtors can be faced with angry, disappointed purchasers because under the new rules an illegal or non-conforming apartment is easy to detect and easy to shut down – and may be costly for the new owner to renovate, to keep it operating.

To get a granny flat certified in Ontario requires inspections by the local Fire Department and by the Electrical Safety Authority and possibly another by a local Ontario Building Code Official. In most cases, at least some renovations or repairs are required. Even if no renovations are needed to meet the fire code, fees alone can be a few hundred dollars.

Some areas of the Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.8 can be difficult to address, especially if the apartment was added as an afterthought in a typical home. For example, ceiling tiles and wood paneling in a basement apartment may be combustible and not meet with current requirements. These items may have to be removed or covered and owners are sometimes ordered to install a sprinkler system.

A professional home inspection cannot certify a self-contained apartment, but a knowledgeable inspector can identify the magnitude of renovations necessary to meet the new regulations. He can also be used to alert the prospective purchaser that the unit entails additional responsibility and additional liability.

As for what steps a Realtor should take if the home includes a granny flat, notifying the prospective purchaser that it may be subject to regulation is definitely at the top of the list. In Ontario that would seem absolutely necessary to avoid a charge of non-disclosure. In other jurisdictions it might just be prudent to do so, but better to err on the side of providing more information than less.

Fines and other legal consequences of not meeting the law are just the most obvious problems facing an owner of a unit that is not certified. Having to toss the tenant out is also obvious. But consider that insurance coverage or insurance claims may be denied, mortgages may be denied or nullified, and a tenant that is injured may have grounds for a civil suit.

Not all jurisdictions are as tough as Ontario… yet. But a Realtor can meet his or her professional obligations and avoid getting tangled up in a lawsuit just by issuing a caution. And it’s worth doing so, whether your client is the vendor or the purchaser.

A self-contained apartment can add real value to a home, especially if the purchaser wants to have a family member near, but not too near, or if the purchaser requires rental income to offset mortgage payments. Indeed, it’s the very reason some people buy such a property.

Copyright Gil Strachan – All rights reserved.

Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit allaroundthehouse.com allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.

allaroundthehouse.com/hrb.htm “The Home Reference Book”
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won’t find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It’s the first tool you should have around the house!

Wood furniture has long been a staple of home decor for thousands of years. In fact, probably since the beginning of human history. Today’s wood furniture can add class and style to any home if implemented the right way. Read below to find out some great new trends in wood furniture that you should be considering for your home.

First, I want to talk about one of the hottest trends in wood furniture right now: multi game tables. These are usually 5-piece table and chair sets that can convert to different games or an elegant dining room set. These sets will convert to a poker table with cup holders, chip trays, and a fancy casino style felt. Take the top off the table and you have yourself a great bumper pool table. Most sets will come with billiard balls and cue sticks also. Put the top back on and you have an elegant, classy dining table that no one would ever expect to have so much fun with. The chairs are usually comfortable, upholstered arm chairs. Check this new wood furniture trend out online.

Second, the other really hot trend in wood furniture right now is home bar furniture. You can buy a pre-built home bar that will integrate seamlessly into any room of your home. You can put it in the finished basement or game room. Most home bars will come with two barstools and some of them will even have an optional wall unit with wine racks and storage compartments. There are great styles and different options to choose from. Check this one out online too!

Lastly, the third trend in wood furniture is home office furniture. New home office furniture sets are being unveiled that offer better organization and usability for the busy home professional. These new designs are focusing on matching existing home decor instead of bringing a work environment into your home. The goal, of course, is to make the home office more of a living space in your home, than a work place. You can get sets that include a desk, office chair, and an organizer for very cheap. Match your existing decor with contemporary or traditional pieces and make you home office a more relaxing, productive environment. The key is to buy home office furniture that is very pleasing to your senses.

A great place to find these new wood furniture trends is online. Just search the web and you will find great sites that offer these furnishings at super low prices. Happy hunting!

Written by: Maxine C, Webmaster and promotion specialist, officeandhome.net/wood_furniture.html” target=”_blank Visit OfficeAndHome.net for Wood Furniture. Maxine enjoys writing articles about officeandhome.net Furniture, interior decorating, and home and garden to provide content for other’s websites, as well as to promote her own ideas and website.

Since the bathroom is where you do some of the most intimate activities in your life, it is all very well to have it redecorated where you can find comfort and familiarity. Sense, sensibility and some practical ideas are what you need for redecorating your bathroom.

1. Determine the extent of changes you would like

It is important to decide early on the scope of your project. Remember what people say about how a little planning goes a long way?

Never mind if the ideas you have for your bathroom redecoration does not go along with your budget, yet. It is still helpful to have a definite plan.

If you are just renting out from an apartment, here are several inexpensive and fun bathroom redecoration ideas:

1. changing the shower curtain

2. changing or putting window curtains

3. adding some interesting bathroom accessories

4. putting up detachable cabinets

5. changing the lighting fixtures

You can take these items once you move out.

If you are in a new house then you could concentrate on having investment pieces or cosmetic changes in your bathroom. Figure out how long you want to live in your new home. You may set your redecoration project according to how much you would like to invest on the house.

2. Define your preferences regarding decorating style.

For the novice decorator, do not follow some outrageous decoration ideas you see from trendy magazines. You will find that it is more inexpensive and long – lasting if you opt for simple and efficient decoration style that reflect you and your family’s taste.

Whether you choose traditional, country, modern or contemporary bathroom style, the outcome must show who you are. You do not need to find a professional decorator either, you are the boss and in terms of coming up with redecoration ideas for your bathroom, you can decide.

It is also up to you in the matter of ways and means of bringing out your ideas to life.

It is up to you whether you like your redecoration to be permanent or temporary. If you choose a temporary redecorating plan, it may be fun for you can easily adjust it according to your mood or the changes of the season.

While traveling, be open to new and fresh redecoration ideas. There are no limits to redecoration ideas for the bathroom, as long as you have the zest to do it.

To learn more

Laminate flooring adds class and style at a fraction of the cost. If you would like to have the look of a real wood, but not the price tag then laminate flooring might be an excellent choice of flooring material for you to consider. This article will look at some of the finer aspects to choosing laminate flooring for your next flooring project.

Laminate Flooring Does Not Stain

Laminate flooring is treated in a way that will resist most common stains. If you have a real wood floor then you will be subject to stains, fading, dents, and other problems. Laminate flooring avoids most of these nasty problems, yet still gives you a wonderful look and feel.

Laminate Flooring Is Durable

You will find many grades of laminate flooring. Your kitchen, entry ways and other high traffic areas should have at least 9 mil flooring material installed. You can go with 6 mil laminate flooring material in lower traffic areas of the home or spare rooms.

You do not always need to buy the top of the line in laminate flooring material to get a great flooring product. Most manufactures make very durable laminate flooring products that are made to last for many years.

Laminate Flooring Styles Are Endless

The colors and styles you have to choose from make laminate flooring the perfect choice for developing a theme in a particular room. Many bathrooms will come off shining with pride when you match the laminate flooring style with the theme of the room.

If you have a kitchen design in mind you may consider laminate wood flooring to accent the kitchen. Often time people must look twice to see if the laminate wood flooring is real or not. Laminate wood flooring also looks very nice in great rooms and other den style rooms.

flooring-solution.com/laminate-flooring.php Laminate flooring is an excellent choice of flooring if you are considering buying and selling fixer upper homes for profit. Laminate flooring will give the home a new fresh look and still leave some room for profit. You can also install many laminate flooring products yourself and save a bundle in installation fees.

For more information on flooring try visiting flooring-solution.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful flooring tips, advice and resources to include flooring-solution.com/laminate-flooring.php Laminate Flooring and more.