It is difficult to really pin down what man decor is. Guys are a diverse bunch with a wide range of traits and attributes. Labeling an entire gender with a certain personality is a dangerous habit.

However there are certain things which in our society are stylistically male. Not a firm scientific decoration, these are more a philosophy, a set of intrinsic notions which give us a common artistic playground upon which to work. Some things just seem girly, and some things seem male. It is as obvious as the difference between pink and blue.

Defining male decorating preferences is really a matter of understanding the psychology that we expect from this gender. Male décor is, by its very definition, not female décor, and therefore its essence is going to be comprised of the difference between the minds of the two.

One of the things society thinks of men, is that they are more functional than women. While females appreciate beauty, guys like things that work. In fact common conceptions state that men are actually annoyed by useless decorative touches.

This means that one of the key elements of guy decorating would be to choose function over form. A delicate coffee tables made from flowing strips of stainless steal will lose out to a sturdy work table made of oak.

Another manifestation of this trait is the male trend to decorate using their hobbies and interests. Sports accessories, toys, models, these are the favorite accessories of a manly room. Meanwhile flowers and incense stands, candles and lace, objects which create atmosphere and little else, those are generally considered more feminine in their nature.

Another aspect of male décor is that guys are generally larger than women. This means they need more room to be comfortable. They need to be able to stretch out, and feel like the world around them is proportionate to their size.

One of the most stereotypical pieces of guy décor is the recliner. Often this is the only furnishing which is big enough to fit a man’s body comfortably. Able to lean back and stretch out, they can generally support the majority of a tall guy’s size, in a comfortable and relaxing way.

Size and function trends collide in other aspects of guy decorating. Men tend to like big dressers, big beds, big shelves, and big drawers. This is both because the imposing size matches them, and because these objects tend to do their jobs better. Bigger containers hold more. Bigger beds comfort more. Bigger dressers are generally stronger and more durable.

Men also tend to like different colors than women. Guys tend to be drawn to darker and more earthen colors. Red, brown, black, and green are traditionally masculine, and in some shades have a distinctly male feel.

While these trends may hold true for some males, every guy is different. What is important when creating a space is that you take the desires and preferences of everyone that inhabits it, male and female, and find out where your tastes overlap. Compromise in decorating is the art of creating a symphony from many different visions.

Decorating a space is a personal and sometimes painstaking endeavor. For the novice who decides to plunge ahead with a DIY project, there are many cable television shows that cater to every area of decorating and design that can offer helpful and insightful tips. But, what about the neophyte who wants to attempt decorating a space in their home for the very first time and require more guidance than an HGTV cable show can offer? For them, decorating can be a daring and daunting undertaking. Often, the most intimidating part of decorating for a beginner is choosing a paint color. Just imagine how overwhelming it must be to venture into a paint store and see hundreds of colors available (with the most creative names, I might add). Sure, the pros make decorating look easy; and to a pro it is. But for the amateur who desires a personal blueprint of sorts to get them started, there are basic tips that can be followed to point them in the right direction. Following is a brief overview of basic key areas to consider when attempting a DIY interior decorating project for the first time.

Determine the style for the space:
Resist the urge to jump right in. Begin by asking yourself a few questions about the space.

What will I do in the space? How do I want to feel in the space? Who else will use the space on a regular basis?

If necessary, ask other members of the family the same questions. The answers to these queries will help to decide if the space is to be decorated formally or casually, for instance. Of course, there are other styles to be considered. The style chosen will determine many of the subsequent decisions such as the type of furniture placed in the room, the fabric chosen, as well as the type of window treatment that is installed, to name a few.

For example, the casual style typically has simple details, textured elements and lots of horizontal lines. The furniture tends to be large in scale and upholstered or slip covered. Whereas the formal style is inspired by period homes with elaborate architectural features and special attention is placed on symmetry and lines.

Choose the colors for your space :
As previously stated, this can be a great source of angst for the DIY decorator. Color has the ability to evoke emotional responses in people so consider the style and mood of the room and choose the color accordingly. For instance, red is a stimulating color well suited for family rooms. Green, on the other hand, is a calming color that would be a good choice for a space dedicated to relaxing. Because there are countless colors to choose from it is helpful to utilize what professional decorators call the rule of three. That is, use only three colors, excluding neutrals, in their various values, intensities, and textures to avoid a space that is overwhelming with too many colors that may or may not be complimentary.

Generally, the stronger or primary color is used for the accessories or perhaps an accent wall. Once a few colors are identified, preview them on small, inconspicuous parts of a wall so it can be observed in all types of lighting. Lighting will change how the color appears. Also, remember that paint always dries darker and seems more intense when an entire wall is painted as opposed to a small test area.

Pay attention to the paint finish. The shinier the finish, the easier it will be to clean. These high gloss finishes are perfect for high traffic areas like baths and kitchens. Good sources of inspiration for a color scheme are an area rug, fabric, or art piece to be used in the space. Select three colors from your inspiration piece and use them in the space.

Choose fabrics carefully:
The style you choose to decorate in and the purpose of the space will strongly dictate the kind of fabrics you choose. For instance, if you are decorating a family room that has a southern exposure in the casual style, fabrics that do not stand up to constant use (perhaps by children and pets) would not be a good choice. Additionally, a space that receives a great deal of sunlight would make using silks and other delicate fabrics prone to fade not cost effective options.

Be budget minded:
No matter which style you choose, always shop within your means. If you have to choose between an expensive piece of art and an economical sofa for the living room, purchase a really good sofa first. The sofa will need to withstand years of use. It would be wise to invest the larger part of your budget on a soundly constructed sofa that will end up saving you money in the long run. It is far easier to obtain budget friendly accent pieces that are aesthetically pleasing to balance out your décor. In time, those accent pieces can be replaced with more expensive ones, if necessary.

Choosing wall art:
Be creative when it comes to adorning your walls. Think outside of the box and consider a wrought iron sculptured piece or a wall vase with quality faux flowers cascading down. If you are putting together a gallery of photos, use the same color or metal finish frames as not to detract from the subject matter. Remember to measure twice to avoid turning your newly painted walls into Swiss cheese. Whatever you hang, the center of it should be between 62 – 65 inches from the floor.

There are a myriad of other factors to consider during the decorating process, such as implementing the elements of design, balance, harmony. The finished product should be both stylish and functional. Many of my fellow decorators enjoy consulting on DIY projects. I also enjoy assisting someone in the creating of their space. The bond that is established with a DIY client is as strong as when I take on a project on my own with little to no input from the client. It is rewarding to see the look of satisfaction on the face of someone who has embarked upon a DIY project and emerged on the other side with a space they can be proud to have decorated themselves. While it may be less stressful to hire a professional interior decorator, it is can be very gratifying to do it yourself. For those who feel up to the challenge, these basic guidelines will help immensely.

©Rena Bullard 2009
This article may be reprinted, in its entirety, with copyright information.

The Contemporary Home Furnishing style is unmistakably sleek, hip, funky, and chic. By taking up a contemporary look for your home, your décor will end up being simple yet bold. There are essentially no rules to follow when using a contemporary theme, just a few basic guidelines: clean lines, neutral elements, bold color, art, and sculptured furnishings. By using these guidelines, contemporary decorating can easily be modified to reflect your personality.

In order to jump start your thinking for contemporary home furnishing there are a few things you need to keep in mind.. The color palette in a contemporary interior can be anything from a mix of neutrals, to black and white, to the use of bright and bold color. Black is often used to ground and define a contemporary room. Walls and windows look best with pastel paint colors or bold paint colors depending on what suits your personality. Make sure not to go into color overkill when decorating a room. For example, if you paint the walls a bright color, stick to neutral and simplistic furnishings and accessories. However, if you choose a basic color for walls, you can then add color into a room through the decor.

Furniture

Once you have chosen a color scheme for your room, you can begin on the interior. The most important part of the contemporary home furnishing is furniture. Contemporary furniture generally exhibits clean, smooth lines. Popular contemporary furniture includes glass and metal coffee tables, smooth leather chairs and polished wood chairs, and low beds with simple, straight headboards. Keep furniture details uncluttered. Skip bedskirts and table linens that are frilly or pleated. Tassels and fringe are too much for a contemporary look. Furniture legs look great exposed and in chunky, solid shapes. Pillows add a burst of color and texture in clean geometric shapes.

Lighting

Lighting is exceptionally important in a contemporary interior. Look for unusual fixtures with sculptural interest, clean lines, and accents of bold color or metallic. Install recessed lighting or track fixtures to wash walls with light. Nickel and glass pendant lights go great in a dining area, and look to add fluorescent lighting in the kitchen. Neon lights are also a great way to add a contemporary look to your lighting decor. Polished steel lamps with long and bendable necks and polished steel fixtures are also a great lighting accent.

Accessories

In straight contemporary interiors it is most effective to have a few large accessories well placed. Give each piece breathing room by establishing a zone of empty space around it. In choosing your accessories, there are wide variety of options such as abstract glass sculptures, primitive art and sculptures, area rugs with geometric patterns and bold colors, abstract mirrors, and glass and steel display shelves.

More Tips for Contemporary Decorating

Flower arrangements should be large, dramatic and follow simple shapes. Try to find contemporary containers and vases that will add to the sculptural look.

Plants will add a burst of life to a contemporary room. Make sure they are big, with interesting or colorful leaves. Place them in simple pots or baskets. Uplight them from the back and underneath. Cover the dirt with smooth rocks, bark chips, or colorful marbles.

Glass, metal, stone, and wood will all fit well into a contemporary interior. However, avoid a cold looking room by adding shots of warm colors and providing textural interest in fabrics, upholstery, rug, or accessories.

It often comes a time when you feel that you feel the need for a change and the first thing that pops up your mind is decorating. So how do you know which style suits your house better? Is it contemporary or rustic? What you need is a great interior decorating tip that will help you throughout the process and turn your house into the dream home. The top 2007 interior decorating tip has to do with fantasizing, originality and the return to nature.

If this New Year’s resolution is redecorating your house here’s a good interior decorating tip: use a theme. Whether you choose to give your house a contemporary look, or keep to the rustic style, this year’s interior decorating tip almanac says that your house needs a personality of itself and choosing a theme for the rooms will make it more original and modern. You could use a professional interior decorating tip and choose a Bugs Bunny decorating theme for the nursery or a more traditional style for the dining room. But the essential is that you use this interior decorating tip with good taste and creativity.

But this new interior decorating tip strategy also refers to the outside look of your house. You can’t have a polished contemporary looking house that, on the outside, appears like a shipwreck. There are many brilliant ideas to choose from and an ABC of the interior decorating tip, ranging from embellishing your front door with a colorful doormat to making a statement about your personality with the use of color. Accordingly, you could find as a valuable interior decorating tip painting your house in the contemporary hues (cinnamon apple pie and cocoa brown) or, if you choose the rustic way, the back-to-nature color palette: yellow, soft greens and dark brown.

The contemporary style will let you innovate a lot, while the rustic counterpart will bring out the tranquility allure and natural feel. Another top interior decorating tip is that your home must be in harmony with your lifestyle. So, if you’re an active, playful and busy person who loves having friends over, you should probably pick this interior decorating tip: choose the spacious, airy and modern contemporary style. Likewise, if comfort defines you and you enjoy sitting on the sofa with a good book, the interior decorating tip to suit your character is choosing the rustic, many plants’ plain wood and mahogany furniture style for your house.

In conclusion, there is no single interior decorating tip, but several to choose from. What is important is that your house says a thing or two about yourself and that its exterior and interior are compatible. And remember, as long as you follow the mentioned interior decorating tip strategy above, you will soon be dreaming about many decorating possibilities. Because all it takes is some courage, time and a good interior decorating tip.

Copyright © 2007 Joel Teo. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author’s information with live links only.)

If you are ready to start on an interior decorating venture but you have a limited budget, there are ways to achieve a special look in a room that only looks expensive. Keep in mind that decorating a room involves more than carrying in furniture, hanging pictures on the walls and adding a lamp or two.

Because you want your room to be attractive as well as functional, you need to take time to plan and learn as much as you can about design and decorating principles. Books, articles, online research and design television programs are all good sources for budget decorating information. Start with these inexpensive home decorating ideas that can be used in any room of your house.

You can save money by mixing and matching colors and textures. For instance, bed linens can be found in individual packages that can be coordinated for a pleasing visual effect. Adding ribbon trim to an inexpensive pillow will give the bed a more luxurious touch. Another way to achieve a coordinated look is to add a fabric trim to the top of plain curtains to tie together the look of the room.

An idea for inexpensive artwork is to scour flea markets, garage sales, and used-book sales for old botanical and insect books, postcards, and advertisements. Use ready-cut mats and discount store frames to create economical artwork to use in any room of your house. Poster art is also an attractive, inexpensive way to add interest and appeal to your rooms.

While shopping for artwork, look for good deals on mismatched chairs that can be used to achieve a relaxed, informal feel or can be used as an accent piece in a more formal room. Look for chairs that vary in size, style and decorative appearance.

By the way, if you are anxious about the idea of painting a whole room, make things easier by adding color to one accent wall. This allows one wall to become the focal point while at the same time saving you time and money on additional paint.

7 Decorating Mistakes:

Toilet rugs – Hate to see them down! They should all be replaced with a pretty area rug or gorgeous textured rug that feels great to walk on barefooted. Never skimp on the details. Fear of color – In one fan deck from your local paint store, there are over 1000 colors to choose from. Being bold and choosing one is better than a house full of white and beige that feels as if you have walked into a hospital ward. Painting is the cheapest way to transform any room(as long as you are the one doing the painting) and it makes the biggest bang for your buck Outdated accessories- We all get attached to stuff. That doesn’t mean it has to stay around FOREVER. Every store you walk into, from Target to Ukrop’s, has home accessories. Don’t get tied in a decorating rut because your old accessories don’t go with a new look. Pick up some new accents and it will all start to come together. Tacky couch covers – There has yet been created a readymade slipcover that looks good. Custom slipcovers and reupholstered furniture is the only way to change the look of an existing piece. If recovering isn’t an option or the piece isn’t 8 way hand tied, kiln dried or hardwood frame, then replace it with the best you can afford. Sentimental furniture doesn’t have to be ugly! Pushed back furniture – Every piece of furniture in the room has been pushed to the back wall and everyone has to shout to have a conversation. This is the way most of us arrange our furniture. If the sofa can fit a table behind it that will give dimension to the room and a place to put some lamps. The chairs should be between 5-6 feet from the sofa. Pieces can be angled off the wall and this creates a cozy space for relaxing and entertaining. Fake flowers – Not all of us can keep a plant alive. Fresh flowers, an indestructible house plant or beautiful, silk, tropical tree goes a long way in making your home inviting. Again, buy the best you can afford and don’t buy unless it fools the eye. Improper lighting – I hate to use my over head light. The only time it comes on is when my husband has started to hyper-ventilate because he can’t find the remote. There are 3 types of lighting, overhead or ambient(see previous comment!), task lighting and accent lighting. Kitchens need a lot of light because of the different task we perform there and the amount of time we spend doing them. Under cabinet lighting shows off granite beautifully and some sconces enhance artwork or cabinetry. Be creative and BRIGHT.

I am sure there are many other mistakes but I don’t want to overwhelm anyone. Happy Decorating!

Interior decorating? You can do it yourself. This is not rocket science. With some thought and planning you can achieve professional-looking results. The number one and most important thing to understand is that you can create a magnificent and well-designed interior no matter what your budget. You can improve the ambience of any room in your home without spending a fortune. Interior decorating DIY is easily accomplished even when you have little or no money to spend. Sometimes, it involves simply rearranging the items and objects in your home.

With that in mind, you MUST set a budget when decorating, or you WILL spend too much money. Interior decorating is fun! In order to set an appropriate budget, review both your finances and your vision, room-by-room, in order to arrive at your best guesstimate. If you need assistance with establishing a budget for your interior decorating ideas, there are many resources available on the Internet. Or, you may want to refer to the resource listed at the end of this article. After you create your budget, stick to it and you will create the home of your dreams.

You do not need any experience as an interior decorator to improve the look and feel of your home. Most people know instinctively how to improve the looks of their homes. And the great thing is you can generally achieve your vision while working within your budget. Like most people who have tried interior decorating DIY, you will probably be able to achieve the look you want without going broke.

In addition to the sheer fun and excitement of changing the look of some rooms, you will inexpensively increase the value of your home. Simply find an interior decorating guide on the Internet or in your library. Then use the simple tools and techniques suggested in the interior decorating guide to create a happier more prosperous living environment. You do not have to spend a lot of money to create a superior interior for your home. Some of the most beautiful homes are designed and decorated with simple, practical, and beautiful objects. If you already have an interior decorating idea, a simple online search should produce a variety of suggestions for implementing your idea.

Most of the tips, strategies and tools provided in interior decorating guides are for people interested in decorating rooms without spending a fortune. Some decorating tips cost nothing to implement and some require several hundred dollars. Pick out the tips that align with your budget and you will find it easier than you ever imagined to design the interior of your home easily and completely.

Everyone has a different interior decorating idea. The steps outlined in an interior decorating guide apply whether you live in an apartment or duplex, small home or large home, office, or anywhere with a room that requires a make-over. Read your guide thoroughly so you can create a realistic blueprint for success when planning to decorate your interior on your budget. Interior decorating DIY (do it yourself) is not as difficult as it may seem. Take action. Obtain an interior decorating guide. Implement a simple decorating project to enhance one room. You CAN do it yourself!

Designing your humble abode can be very hard. Most of the time, you would need to hire interior decorators who present you with designs on what they could do for your homes. But these may take lots of time and money. Through the improvements in technology, you can find a quicker and easier way to design the layout of your home. Decorating your home can now be done simply with the touch of a button through virtual interior decorating.

What is virtual interior decorating?

Virtual interior decorating allows people to design the layout of their own homes without spending too much money on professional decorators. In fact, you may no longer need to hire one, for you can already design your apartment or home by yourself, simply by purchasing interior decorating software. Not only does it save you money, since you will be in charge of your plans, you also do not need to hire the services of an interior decorator for this phase of work.

This software is also very helpful for professional interior decorators because their ideas will be visualized easier by their clients. Through the magic of virtual reality, you can now have a sense of what your future home will look like before the designer begins the actual construction work.

Aside from generating you room or home in a virtual environment, you can also send pictures of the room you wish to change to professional interior decorators and they will then super-impose or create digital sketches of their ideas on them. This may give a clearer picture of what you can expect from your room or house instead of relying on simple descriptions or plain sketches.

By using virtual reality as a helpful tool for interior decorating, you can now easily and conveniently design the house of your dreams at a very affordable price.

You are generally not allowed to do much major interior redecorating when you rent an apartment. Renting a home affords more opportunity to change the interior decor, depending on the personality and preferences of the homeowner. Landlords who do not want to see major modifications done to their property may place strict restrictions. However, there are some homeowners who would absolutely love it if you improved the house’s interior. The latter type of owner may allow the renter a lot of freedom in their decorating options.

As a Renter, How Much is Too Much?

If you are renting a home, think about your budget before doing anything. They say that renting is flushing your money down the toilet … spending a lot of money on improvements is like flushing your money down several toilets. You get nothing back other than improved living conditions or perhaps a grateful landlord who benefits from your money and work.

Some homeowners may allow the renter to make minor decorating changes such as painting the walls, hanging up pictures or installing decorative shelving. Extensive decorating work such as installing new flooring, putting in windows or knocking down walls might not be considered acceptable by some homeowners. Some homeowners might approve of this type of extensive work so long as the work is to be done by a someone other than you, such as a professional contractor. The bottom line, however, is why on earth should you invest money and time in making major improvements to someone else’s property when you receive no tax or other benefit? You are better off making do with minor interior decorations and improvements and saving your money for a down payment on your own property.

Before Spending Money on Redecorating Your Rental Home, Check with the Homeowner

Reading and understanding your lease is the first thing you need to do. There may be specific prohibitions about painting or other activities in the contract. It is unlikely that the lease will spell out each and every possible type of improvement or redecorating activity, so check with the landlord before making modifications to the rental house. It is a good idea to get a written approval by the homeowner of your interior design plans.

If It Is Unclear What You Can Do, Don’t Do It

As a renter, if you’re not sure whether you can perform a specific decorating activity and you are unable to reach the landlord, it’s best to not make any changes. Spending money on interior improvements to a rental home may backfire on you, especially if the landowner asks you to undo the changes.

Some Quick Decorating Tips

Regardless of whether you are renting a home from a homeowner who permits a lot of changes or is very restrictive, there are some quick things that you can do to upgrade the home decor. Best yet, you can keep these improvements and make a bit of money from them at a yard sale before moving to your next home (preferably, the one you buy) instead of spending a lot of money that will not benefit you in the long haul.

RUGS – If the tile or carpet in the rental home is stained or just plain ugly, cover it up with throw rugs or area rugs.

ART AND PLANTS – If the wall decor is hideous and you’re not allowed to change the wallpaper or paint, hide it with some nice artwork. Large, leafy houseplants like Ficus trees add a touch of class to a home and can cover otherwise ugly spaces.

DECORATIVE FURNISHINGS – Attractive furnishings can change the look of a rental home. An affordable option is a futon. Mix and match your furnishings with futon covers, available in a variety of colors and patterns that can change the look of a room. Spice your futons up with some colorful throw pillows and the room will take on a whole new appearance. Futons are excellent furnishings for small, cramped rooms. Use them as a couch or chair by day and a bed at night.

LIGHTING – The right lamps can create a sense of ambiance and draw the eye toward art or other features in the room instead of the defects. Traditional lamps, canister lamps or tree lamps can be used to direct light. Just plug them in and don’t worry about having to change the light fixtures or having to install dimmer switches.

You home bar is a place that is not only used by those in the home but also those who visit the home. Though the bar is not a necessity for a home it is a really great way to use otherwise open space. If you intend on using this space a lot the decor is very important. Therefore, having the right plans and techniques when decorating the bar can prove to be of great asset.

If you have a certain theme to the decor in your home you may want to decorate your bar along the lines of the rest of the house. Of course, it is not a rule that you have to decorate your bar along the same lines as the rest of the house. If you would like you can decorate your bar totally different from the rest of your house. If you use your bar as a place to relax and enjoy yourself you may want to use calming colors like blues and greens to set the calming mood.

When decorating you may want to include things for entertaining such as a stereo system and a television for all those big football or hockey game parties. A stereo system can really make your bar a great place to hang out, people love music when they are sitting around a table or bar talking. A television, as long as your budget allows it, can also be a great addition to any home bar.

Of course no bar is complete with a few different types of drinks. Therefore, when decorating your plans must include a cooler or refrigerator fit for a bar to keep your drinks cold. Some people even install a sink in their bar. This is very convenient so you do not have to carry glasses back and forth to wash.

You should also include glassware into your design. You can get many styles of glassware. This is a good idea to consider since everyone will not want the same things to drink. When choosing accessories for your bar, such as coaster, you can keep the same color scheme and get things to match.

Another very important aspect of decorating your home bar is lighting. Lighting is important because it sets the mood. There are many choices as far as lighting goes. For example, track lighting and recess lighting are very good for a bar like atmosphere. Recess lighting seems to be the most popular because of its neat and tidy installation.

Lighting that can be adjusted is another great idea for your home bar lighting. If you are entertaining a big crowd you may want the lights to be bright so that everyone can see what is going on around them. If you are sitting alone or with a close friend or significant other you may want your lighting to be dim to create a romantic or calming atmosphere. A home bar can be an excellent place to relax or entertain.