Area rugs can make a room perfect, providing the exact warm touch that makes your home come alive, but unless you know how to preserve the quality of your carpet, it will end up looking really ugly in some time. That is why I give you these easy tips to have in mind when time for cleaning your area rug comes.

Tip number one: If your rug is not too big or heavy, you should consider taking them to a cleaning facility. This will not only put your rug into expert hands, but will also save you money by avoiding having them cleaned at your own house.

Tip number two: In order to save some money, you can alternate professional cleaning with do-it-yourself cleaning; however, always follow the rug manufacturer cleaning guidelines, and make sure you are using quality cleaning products. Too much shampoo and too much water will definitively damage your carpet, so use them wisely. Also, pay special attention to place furniture back only when your rug is 100% dry again; wet carpets will have the furniture-shaped marks forever.

Tip number three: If any liquids happen to be spilled over your rug, pour fresh water on it immediately, in order to dilute the spill right away. Then, use paper towels to dry the carpet. If the stain remains, you can safely use a soft brush, but remember to always do the brushing from the outer limits of the spill to the center of it; that way you will avoid spreading the spill even more.

Tip number four: No matter how many people do it: hanging your carpet and spanking it with a stick or broom will not only clean it inefficiently, but will also damage the fibers of your rug, thus reducing its durability. The best way to get rid of your carpet’s dust is vacuuming. If done in a detailed, methodical way, it will not only eliminate the dirt; and revive the fibers as well.

I hope these tips help you keep your rug spotless and as good as new.

Tamara Williams is a Successful Author and Contributor to Area Rugs providing shag rugs, oriental and many more tips on find the best deals online.

Do your walls seem dull and uninviting? Do you long for a cozy, welcoming room? Consider decorative wall painting techniques, such as sponging, ragging, stenciling or stamping. Even if you have no experience, you can brighten even the dullest room quickly and cheaply with one of these easy decorative wall painting techniques.

Before painting your room, pick out a color scheme for your walls. When you chose your paint, remember that many painting techniques use two shades of one color. If you are using one of the techniques that does use two shades of color, you can pick a darker color than you normally would chose for your base color, since the lighter top color will make the final result much lighter.

To sponge or rag a wall, paint on your base color and let it dry thoroughly. Then, dip your sponge or rag into the lighter paint color and sponge or drag the lighter color over the base coat until you are satisfied with the effect. If you are unhappy with your final result, you can repaint any areas that you don’t like with the base coat. Once the repainted area is dry, repeat the faux painting technique.

If you are considering using a decorative painting technique such as stenciling or stamping, you may just want to create a wallpaper effect by stamping or stenciling a simple design over your base coat. However, you may want to go a step further with your project and use stencils or stamps to create a faux brick or stone wall. You don’t need to be an artist to create one of these faux finishes. Just follow these simple steps. First, paint the walls with the color you chose for the mortar between the bricks or stones. Once the base coat is dry, stamp or stencil your bricks or stones over the base coat. Once the brick or stonework is dry, spatter a bit of the darker color over your faux art to give it depth and make it appear more realistic.

Creating faux effects such as making your walls look like they are made of plaster or suede can also really make your room stand out. You can easily learn how to create these seemingly difficult finishes at your local paint store. Paint bases that automatically give a suede or textured effect to the walls are a shortcut that even artists use to create fun finishes.

Finally, no matter which decorative wall painting technique you choose, remember that it is just a few layers of paint. You can always redo the finish on your walls as you learn more about the art of decorative painting.

This article was provided courtesy http://www.interior-painting-ideas.com where you can find tons of information on faux painting and interior painting ideasand techniques.

Set the stage for your beautiful room decor with a smart flooring choice. And no matter what flooring material you choose, it should be serviceable for your lifestyle.

Cleanability, durability, longevity and moisture and allergen resistance are the hallmark of good flooring. Flooring sets the tone for the look and feel of a room.

But beyond appearance, the choice of flooring material should be based on how a room is used. For example, a room in which there is persistent foot traffic needs a hard floor whereas the kitchen floor needs to be soft on the feet while you dish out a gourmet meal!

Which brings us to the fact that there are two main types of floors: raised floors that are wood framed, and floors built on concrete slabs.

Choose the right flooring option.

One just has to go through interior decoration catalogues to know the wide choice of flooring options available today. And there choices aplenty! Laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring, cork flooring, vinyl flooring, rubber flooring, tile flooring, armstrong flooring, pergo flooring and what-have-you!

Choose with care.

Always take expert opinion. And see how a carefully planned floor can add style and value to one of the country’s finest homes - yours!

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher

http://www.a1-interior-design-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

Decorative plates are often overlooked when decorating a home. Yet, it’s the details that really make the elements of a room come together—and decorative plates are a detail present in most rooms. While there are decorative plates that are solely functional in purpose, most have the potential to add to the ambiance of a room. Think about the following wall plate options:

Cover your decorative plates in wallpaper that matches your wall for an understated elegance. You can also use this method to hide outlets on walls that display art.

Wood decorative plates are perfect for a room with a country or colonial flair.

Metal decorative plates come in a variety of textures and materials. Metal wall plates enhance contemporary, Victorian, and rustic decor.

Porcelain decorative plates complement shabby chic, bathrooms, and some Victorian design.

Mirror decorative plates can be used on mirrors, mirrored walls, or even as an eclectic detail in a uniquely decorated room.

Match your decorative plates with cabinets, doorknobs, and furniture hardware. With the wide variety available, you can also tailor them to table lamps and other light fixtures. Since wall plates come in all shapes and sizes, you can match them to the curves of your furniture placement. Matching will cleverly enhance featured pieces in a room without distracting from their appeal.

In addition to decorative plate style, you may want to consider changing the switch itself. Dimmer switches are available as dials, slides, touch pads, and combinations of each. The ability to adjust lighting in each room of your home provides you a way to highlight specific room features or set the appropriate mood.

Decorative plates, often taken for granted, are a versatile design element. They can be romantic, sophisticated, sleek, or fun. First decide what you need your decorative plate to do for a room, and then shop for it as seriously as you would shop for furniture, wall coverings, or carpet.

About The Author

Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart (http://www.onlinediscountmart.com). Please email the author and include an active link to this website if you’d like to use this article.

marketing@4intrepid.com

You can add some splash to your kitchen without spending a lot of money by applying a simple wallpaper border for a backsplash. You can get a pretty good bargain on borders in the closeout bin at your wallpaper store or home improvement center, but make sure they have enough of the border to go around the area you want to cover as these bargains are usually close outs and you might not be able to get more!

Since most wallpapers come pre-pasted, applying the border is easy. A backsplash area is usually pretty small so this project can be done in an afternnon. When selecting your border, think about your overall theme or color scheme of the kitchen. You want to pick something that complements it and, of course, pick one that is washable so that you can easily remove all the "splashes" that occur during normal kitchen activities.

To prepare your wall area for the wallpaper border, clean the wall thoroughly first. You can just wash them with soap and water but make sure you get any gunk or grease spots off. If there are any big holes in the plaster, you might want to patch them, but little holes are OK and the border will cover them up nice! Remove the coverings to any light switches or electrical outlets.

Measure out your wall paper so it is a couple of inches longer that the actual size of the backsplash and cut. Apply the paper to the wall per the manufactuers instructions. If your paper has a pattern, make sure you match the pattern on the cut edges in corners or where you couldn’t use the continuous roll. Butt the bottom of the border up against your counter. If there are any windows or moldings in the area you are papering, you will want to overlap any paper that is against them. Make sure you smooth the paper out with a wet sponge or wallpaper brush to remove any bubbles and wrinkles. After putting the border up, take a wet sponge and smooth it out to the edge – always move the sponge from the paper to the wall so that the edge doesn’t buckle up. Make sure the edges have enough paste on them so that they don’t peel back after it is dry.

Cut off excess paper around any moldings, window and in the electrical outlets and switches.

Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can learn more about wallpapering and decorating your kitchen on a budget.

Paper fabrics are an easy way to enhance your home, with the large variety of styles and colors available today; wallpaper has become one of the most fun parts of the wall covering business.

Hanging wallpaper can give any room a new look with a completely different style. The array of different wall covering patterns can drastically change a room from old and outdated to modern.

The wall surface should be clean, dry, and free of grease, mildew or other stains. Mildew can be cleaned with a solution of two cups of bleach per gallon of water. Mildew stains should be sealed with a good quality stain killer/prime.

Loose paint must be removed from the wall. Apply a coat of primer prior to the installation of wallpaper. Any wall irregularities should be corrected with drywall compound or any other wall repair materials.

Decide on a budget at the beginning of you project. If your money is limited, decorate your rooms one at a time. Buy items that will have the most dramatic effect on the room first. Keep a scrapbook of decorating ideas, wallpaper samples, colors, and wall covering schemes, etc.

Buy wallpaper, fabric and wall coverings for their practical as well as decorative effect. Remember walls can be one color or pattern, ceilings another. To mix textures in a room, make sure there is a common denominator, like a common color.

Before cutting, examine the wallpaper material to make sure the pattern and color are correct. When hanging an entire room, choose the place where the partial strip will butt against a full strip, Choose a short area of wall to place the mismatch, like over a door or window that is not on the focal wall.

You are now ready to hang your first piece. Apply the wallpaper so that one edge is exactly vertical and aligned with your plumb mark. Leave the bottom fold and work with the upper part of the sheet. If you are working at an inside corner, wrap one- inch overlap into the corner.

Use a wallpaper brush to work out any bubbles, stroking the brush inside to the outside to push the air out. Start at the top and work your way down the paper. Be sure you stay aligned with your plumb mark as you work with the brush. After the upper part is smooth, release the bottom fold and position, using the palms of your hands. You will trim the paper after the next sheet is hung.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com Wallpaper and ideas to showcase your homes.

Laminated flooring can be a frugal solution to flooring problems. We all love the look of genuine hardwood floors, but apart from the fact that they’re very expensive, homeowners can’t do anything but love it.

Laminated flooring comes in an overwhelming array of colors. You’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice. Of course, like anything else, there are names that you should look for in laminated floors. They include Kronotex, Pergo, Wilsonart, Uniclic, Mannington and Formica.

There are different kinds of laminated flooring design. Some laminates slot together, like tongue and groove, and others need to be glued in place. They are also harder wearing and longer lasting that solid hardwood because they give slightly and are therefore less prone to shock damage.

Laminated flooring is just so easy to take care of, a quick wipe over from time to time is all it needs. No oiling and no scrubbing are needed. Installing a laminated floor does take a little experience. If you’ve never done it before, do enlist the help of a professional.

When you pick laminated flooring you can enjoy the choice of every exotic hardwood floor effect that every existed. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can install a beautiful, stylish floor with laminated products.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com Laminated flooring and ideas to showcase your homes.

When it comes time to put in a new floor, carpet, wood, tile and stone all have their advantages. Vinyl flooring is easy to keep clean and in good shape under the toughest conditions, but best of all, it’s relatively easy to install.

There is a variety of vinyl flooring materials on the market today and the techniques used to install them. Vinyl flooring is made by pressing various fillers, such as ground- up cork and wood dust, along with pigments, into a binding material, usually linseed oil and resins.

Explores the different patterns, colors, styles, and choice available for vinyl flooring. It makes an attractive, reasonably priced choice for kitchen, bathroom and laundry room floors. Most manufacturers today have more than 300 styles of vinyl flooring to choose from.

You can easily update your entire room by installing new vinyl flooring. Vinyl not only wears well and resists water; it also cushions the feet more than tile, hardwood, or laminate.

Self-adhesive vinyl tiles are easy to work with. Make sure the floor is clean and dry and lay out the tiles before attempting to stick them down. Don’t start along a wall since the wall may not be perfectly straight. Start near the middle of the room and work to the sides, this will produce a uniform appearance.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com Vinyl flooring and ideas to showcase your homes.

An inspirational poster can really inspire us!

Its benefits to us are based on scientific principles of how our minds work. Almost every inspirational poster has both images and words. Once in a while, one may just have words, but when that happens, the words are usually done in a very artistic way.

Different parts of our minds respond to words and to images: generally, the left side of the brain is more logical and word-oriented, while the right side of the brain is more global and image-oriented. So an inspirational poster can easily speak to us in two different ways.

Another principle that allows inspirational posters to help us is that of repetition. The more we are exposed to something, the more it can affect us. Advertising works on this principle, but here we’re talking about how we can use posters to help ourselves. When you get a new poster, at first you may stop and look at it a lot, but over time you become more accustomed to it and probably pay less attention to it. But even when you walk by it and glance at it with your mind totally on other things, the message of the inspirational poster is registering in your mind.

An amusing example of this once happened to my sister-in-law. Someone gave her and her husband an attractive poster that said something like "Caribbean Vacation" on the bottom and had a photograph of a beach scene. She put it up in a hallway in their house. A few months later, they happened to win a one-week vacation to a Caribbean island. Everyone laughed about the coincidence, but I guessed that it might have been more than just coincidence. They had a great trip, by the way.

Inspirational posters come in a variety of themes. Many draw on images of physical courage, while others have a more spiritual or religious message. I suppose you could call them motivational posters. And who couldn’t use more inspiration?

Rosana Hart writes about many popular poster categories at her website http://www.infoandhelp.com/posters/ and a selection of inspirational and motivational posters can be seen there.

There is literally thousands of different colors, different patterns even different types of wallpaper. How do you know which color, or which pattern will suit it’s surroundings the best? Read on, and you will have a good idea!

Color / Pattern - This for the most part is a personal chose; However there are simple things you can do to choose a color/pattern that will actually work. If you like the hot pink wallpaper and the rest of your house is done in marble I would recommend shying away from your personal preference and going with something that is going to last and add value to your home not take away from it. There are several guides that can help you pick colors that match it’s surroundings and that fit in. A simple rule is choose like color’s and tones. For example if your thinking green, and the opposite wall is maroon. Choose a green that is the same tone as the maroon. Don’t pick like glossy shiny green, when the maroon is a dull light shade.

Types - Several different types of wallpaper exist, and a lot of this choice is going to depend on it’s application, and your budget. For example Vinyl wallpaper is very durable and is perfect for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms as it can be scrubbed, and will not hold stains. Vinyl-Coated Wallpaper is just like Vinyl Wallpaper however it is not quite as durable and will hold stains. Can you see how the difference between these two styles is going to make a big difference in placement. You might think that having a really expensive custom wallpaper in your kitchen is desirable but when your toddler flings some spaghetti sauce on it, and it stains, you are going to be wishing you had chosen something more practical.

This is only meant to be a rough educational guide on wallpapers. There are several aspects of wallpapers that I didn’t cover. I recommend talking to a professional at a wallpaper store, when it comes time to re-decorate your house. Make sure to ask lots of questions as wallpapers will last time if chosen wisely.

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Wallpapers Area, which is a great web directory and information center on wallpapers and related topics like wall finishing’s and covering.