Kitchen Decorating Ideas That Won’t Break Your Budget!

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport 3 Comments

Do you need help with Kitchen decorating ideas? When you walk in your kitchen does it just feel cluttered and uninviting? With a few decorating tips, I will help you turn your kitchen in to a room you love to walk into. The kitchen should be the happiest room in the house. It is where families and friends seem to gather the most. So why not make it something you are proud of, and want to show off?

Kitchen decorating ideas from Jennifer Decorates.com

I am going to be brutally honest about what makes a kitchen UNAPPEALING; clutter and just plain messiness. I read an article years ago from a professional organizer and housekeeper which she titled “A Clean Sink”.

She believed if nothing else got done before you went to bed, go to bed with a clean kitchen. I adopted that rule and have never looked back. There is nothing like getting up in the morning and coming into a spotless kitchen.

So having said that, if your kitchen is really cluttered, your first assignment is to get rid of the clutter. We can’t begin to talk about kitchen decor ideas, until we get your clutter out of the way.

Eliminate any extra kitchen appliances that you don’t use. Try not to keep many appliances out on your countertops.

So, why talk about cleanliness and order when you want to talk about kitchen decorating ideas? Because elimination is always the first step before you begin to decorate.

Look at your counter-tops– are they cluttered with too many appliances, jars, papers, and knick-knacks?

So, STEP 1 is to de-clutter and eliminate what does not have to be on the kitchen counter top!

Kitchen Cabinets

If replacing your kitchen cabinets is not in your budget, consider painting your kitchen cabinets. I have actually painted mine twice! I know, I got the same reaction from my husband.

One of the best improvements and CHEAPEST investments I made in my kitchen, was adding molding to the cabinets. I bought a small miter box, and figured out myself how to cut the molding. And, yes, it took me quite a few cuts to get it right, but I did it! Then I used some quick-drying extra strong wood glue. Huge impact-little cost! I know this falls under “DIY Projects”, but I had to share this simple idea!

Keep it Simple

Remember simplicity is key when decorating a kitchen. Keep out only a few appliances, and preferably ones that are new and attractive to the eye.

Purchase attractive jars to put dry ingredients in! One of my jars holds coffee beans! Use one large plate on a pretty plate stand to place in the corner. Just keep your accessories simple, clean, and neat.

A clutter-free kitchen is a happy kitchen.

Kitchen Window Curtains

Even the kitchen window curtains don’t have to be fussy to make this room look fabulous. Especially when it comes to the window over the sink. You don’t need a whole lot of curtain because you don’t want to lose your natural light. Want to learn how to make these exact kitchen window treatments? Come watch my Youtube video “DIY Kitchen Window Curtain“.

Here is my short and fun video all about accessorizing kitchen counter-tops. Come watch!

Kitchen decorating ideas really are pretty basic. Just have fun!

Living Room Curtains

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

Living room curtains can make all the difference! They add warmth and softness to a room. Whether your style is formal or casual, curtains add the final touch.

Beautiful curtains are on the top of my living room decorating ideas. So, whether you have custom draperies made, or purchase ready-made panels, choosing the right curtains, and installing them correctly will turn your room into a cozy and comfortable living space.

You can choose a simple swag valance, or long draperies. Drapery panels that are stationary and frame a window give so much depth to a room.

When choosing long panels, you always want to consider hanging them about 6″-12″ above the top of your window frame if space allows. This adds more height to your room, and shows off your drapery hardware.

Drapery Hardware and Hanging Drapes

Let’s talk about drapery hardware and hanging draperies for a minute. Drapery hardware can be very expensive. Depending on your style, elegant looking drapery hardware is a must. It really shows off your drapes.

One little trick I use to save money when I am going to use long drapery panels, is cutting the wooden pole down to 18″ – 20″. You can buy a 96″ pole from the home improvement store. You will be able to get four cuts, whether you cut your rod 18″ or 20″. That will do two windows, if you are putting panels on both sides of your windows.

Next, you will need to drill holes for your finial screws. Make sure you choose a drill bit that is the same size as the screw in your finial.

Instead of a rod pocket, putting your long drapes on rings really shows off the pole and finials. This is very easy to do! If you have cut your rod down to 18″ – 20″, purchase 5 rings for each panel. You will also need drapery hooks.

Take your drapery hook and slide it into the back of the panel, making sure it doesn’t poke through to the front. Also, make sure you have inserted it far enough down to not show at the top.

You will want to space your five drapery hooks evenly across your panel. Then simply hang your drapery hooks through the eye of your rings!

Okay, here is one of my FAVORITE drapery hardware ideas I’ve discovered! I was looking in a craft store and found these metal finials. They were in the section where you find cabinet hardware!

These particular metal drapery finials cost me $3 a piece! (half off, of course!) The tops unscrew, so you can place your drapery rings on, then attach the finials back on and hang your drapes!

Valances

Another option for living room curtains is to have long panels, and add a valance to go over them. With this choice, your hardware doesn’t show.

Bamboo Window Coverings

If having fabric draperies is not for you, then opt for bamboo window coverings. I love them! They are easy, elegant, and compliment many different decors.

Living room curtains don’t have to be extravagant and over-the-top. Just choosing window treatment ideas that reflect your style, and adds some softness to a room is all you really need.

Kids Bedroom Ideas

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport 3 Comments

Ideas to Help You Pull Together a Great Room!

Do you need some kids bedroom ideas? Are you at a loss where to begin? Well, no worries! This page will help you get started on your way to creating a fabulous room! I’m glad you’re here!

Everyone remembers what their bedroom was like when they were a child. I had a pink room, with pink curtains, pink wallpaper, and my bedspread was pink with large daisy flowers. It was an over-the-top “girly-girl” room! But, I loved it, and it was a room that made me feel comforted, happy, and safe. And that is what we want to create for little special someone.

So, let’s get started creating a room for your little one. Whether you are looking for girls bedroom decorating ideas or boys bedroom decorating ideas, applying a few good design principles is all it takes to create a room your child will love!

Theme

Deciding on bedroom themes that you and your child both agree on can sometimes be a little tough! A child’s imagination can dream up a room that can be way over the top. And sometimes, as parents we stifle their creativity with our own agenda. A balance needs to be created so both of you are happy.

When deciding on a theme, try to focus on a theme that can have a longer transitional time. For example, a child who is wanting a certain cartoon character at age 4, will probably not be interested in that same character at age 6.

Functionality

When it comes to helping kids stay organized, implement a plan ahead of time and it will help guarantee success. Think about easy kid’s storage ideas that your child can do by themselves. Baskets are a fabulous way to help them stay organized. If they are too little to read, then label the baskets with photos of what items you want in the basket.

It is always smart to research “storage ideas for kids room”. If your room is on the small side, consider purchasing 4 drawer plastic bins and put them on the floor in the closet. This is what I used for my son’s socks, underwear, and shirts. Label all the drawers for your child to be able to organize easily.

Make sure your child’s room is safe by having electrical outlets covered, long drapery cords tied up, safety hinges on chest lids, and nonskid backings under rugs.

Kids Furniture

Nowadays, furniture companies are really focusing on the idea of transitional furniture. Cribs that can later be turned into a twin bed, is an excellent investment. One of the first things you need to consider is the room’s space. How many pieces of furniture do you really have the space for, and what is most important? Planning is important when considering kids bedroom ideas.

Children love to have sleep-overs! So, if your space allows, a double bed is a good idea. If you don’t have the space, you could purchase a bunk bed, or a trundle bed.

A small desk is always a good idea if you have the room. This is definitely a transitional piece of furniture!

Purchase a tall, long mirror for their room. Even if your child isn’t old enough to dress themselves, a mirror is an entertaining toy to every munchkin.

Visit a flea market for unique furniture that you can paint yourself. Add unique character to the room without spending a lot of money! This is what truly makes kids bedroom ideas unique and individual!

Kid's bedroom decorating ideas from Jennifer Decorates.com

My husband and I made this headboard for a special little cowboy!

Kids Room Wall Decor

There are a lot of different ideas that you can do to add color and character when deciding on kids bedroom decor. Removable wall art is so popular right now! I love it! You can just about find it anywhere! It can be wall words, to illustrations of flowers or sports. Just don’t go overboard. Mix and match the design of this room.

Hand-painted, unframed canvas is always a great idea. And, one even better is for you to purchase a canvas, paint, and brushes, and let your child create their own canvas! If you are looking for easy kids craft ideas, this one is perfect. They have an afternoon of fun, and then end up with their own personal wall art.

Check into a local muralist and see what ideas they have about wall murals for kids.

Kids Window Covering

When it comes to kids bedroom ideas, I personally don’t like everything to match perfectly. After you decide on your theme, then you should have an idea of what colors you want to use. Mix and match different patterns. If you can’t find the exact comforter, or bedspread, purchase a solid color, and put your color and design in the pillows and the bed ruffle.

Make an easy swag curtain for their room. Or again buy a solid color valance and add embellishments like ribbon with a hot glue gun.

Have fun with the fabrics, and don’t stress about everything being a perfect match!

Okay, there is your starting point for kids room decorating ideas. Just click on one of the links below for boys bedroom decorating ideas or girls bedroom decorating ideas and get even more specific gender related ideas.

BOYS BEDROOM IDEAS

GIRLS BEDROOM IDEAS

Need ideas for a sports themed room?

Nautical Boys Room

The sky is the limit when it comes to finding kids bedroom ideas. Just plan ahead, read about painting tips before painting a bedroom, plan out your fabrics and furnishings, and have a good time. Enjoy every moment. I promise they truly don’t stay little very long!!!

I hope you enjoy these kids bedroom ideas!

Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Make your guest room inviting and peaceful!

Hello friends! I would like to share some guest bedroom decorating ideas with you that I think are easy and fun to do! My middle son is getting an apartment, and the boy’s room is now MINE! So, turning it into a peaceful retreat for my guests (or me) was a fun journey!

Okay, before we go on I will show you the before photo. I must say my daughter, (our last chick left) was very upset over the change. I honestly felt kind of bad. For a minute or two.

Before and After

Please note, the popcorn ceiling. Yes, I learned how to remove popcorn from the ceiling, and it is not a fun project. I also removed the 17 year-old wallpaper. Again, not an easy project!

Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas That are Essential

Making your guests feel welcomed is not just about having the best guest bedroom decorating ideas. It is about learning to create a room that is calm, peaceful, and relaxing. I researched a lot of different small bedroom decorating ideas because this room is pretty tiny!

My number one essential priority is having a guest room that is uncluttered! If your guest room serves a dual purpose, such as a home office, make sure everything is in order when your guests arrive.

Make a comfortable bed! Who can resist a bed made with soft linens and fluffy pillows?

If room allows, have a chair in your guest room.

Provide necessary items such as a make-up mirror, toiletries, and an alarm clock for your company. Add a small vase of flowers to make them feel extra special.

Easy Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas

that are budget friendly!

I like to mix and match my bedding. I find that you can save a lot of money this way. My quilt came from T.J. Maxx, and the charcoal colored pillows came from Target.

This simple bed skirt is from the Rachel Ashwell line at Target.

The details make all the difference in bedroom makeover ideas. Adding a smaller pillow in the front of your larger pillows is like adding jewelry to your outfit. It just completes the look.

My guest room is small. So when I happened upon this little vintage dresser I was thrilled!

The shop owner had already painted this piece, and added special hardware.

A large mirror is a must for your guest room. I found this one at our local T.J. Maxx store. I’m not sure what I would do without that store!

I got really really lucky, and was given this antique headboard from a client. I love it. This headboard was full size. I purchased a queen size bed for our room. Instead of figuring out how to make the headboard fit the queen bed, my husband just attached the headboard to the wall!

If room allows, add a chair for your guests. This little chair was a flea market find for $15. I painted it white and added a pillow that probably applies more to me, more than to my guests.

Gray and orange, how pretty! This is a room I decorated for a special client.

This is a beautiful guest room of an acquaintance of mine. I absolutely love the light fixture!

Keeping Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas Simple and Charming

When choosing your guest bedroom decor, keep it simple. I found this vintage style clock at Target.

Don’t over-complicate your guest bedroom decorating ideas. Stick to the important essentials, and you can’t go wrong!

Dining Room Decorating Ideas

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Turn your dining room into an inviting space!

Dining room decorating ideas can be pretty straightforward and not difficult to implement. The difficult part is not letting this room become your dumping station. Most people tend to use their dining room as either an office or an extra playroom.

However, once you spend the time and money to decorate and design this room, keeping it clean and neat really becomes a whole lot easier. You walk through with a feeling of peacefulness, rather than having your sub-conscious whisper, “You need to clean up this room”. It truly is one of the best ways to bring peace to your home and heart. So, before you start any dining room decorating ideas, turn on some music, fix a cold drink, and go clean.

Whether you are decorating a small dining room or a large dining room the basic rules are the same. Let’s go step-by-step and layer by layer to help you decorate your dining room beautifully and elegantly!

Now you may be wondering why aren’t we talking about paint colors first? Well, because there are certain furniture finishes that actually clash with different paint colors. So, if you don’t already have your furniture, you need to start with your furniture choices first.

So, what makes this room pretty easy to decorate? Well, for one thing, your dining room furniture choices aren’t difficult. Table and chairs are the first obvious choice; then you have to decide whether you want to go with a hutch or a buffet.

Some rooms may allow for another piece of furniture, but this must be chosen wisely. You do not want to overcrowd the room. If in doubt, leave it out.

Buffet or Hutch? I typically lean toward a buffet. With a buffet, you can add extra lighting by using two buffet lamps. You have the opportunity to do more accessorizing, and if you have a smaller dining room, a hutch tends to shrink the room.

Painting Your Dining Room

Choosing interior paint colors for any room can be one of the most difficult decorating choices to make! The paint needs to coordinate with your flooring and your furniture choices. And, that little tiny square paper sample that you come home with from the home improvement store never looks quite the same once it is painted on your wall.

My number one advice to clients is always, GET A SAMPLE! Even if you have to purchase several samples, it is worth it. Buy some $.50 foam brushes that you can throw away, and paint your samples on several pieces of cardboard. Next, tape them up on all four walls. Why? Light hits every wall differently, and your paint color will look different on every wall.

Leave it up for a day and evening, and really spend some time looking at it and pondering about which paint color really speaks to you.

My personal preference is to have a subtle color on the walls, and then have my drapes and accessories the “pop” of color in the room.

Dining Room Window Treatment Ideas

Now, let’s talk about window treatment ideas. When choosing your drapery style for this room, look for fabric that has colors that complement the wall color. Using two long panels to flank the window doesn’t overpower the room but gives it overall softness and elegance.

For the hardware, I cut a large wooden rod down to 18″, then drilled a hole for the finial. Not only did it save money, but I really like the look.

The dining room is the one room where I do like to have fabulous drapes. My top dining room decorating idea would be making sure your window treatments compliment and accentuate your furniture. Window treatments make a world of difference!

Accessorizing Your Dining Room

If you decide to go with the buffet, I love a floral arrangement on the buffet between two buffet lamps. Another dining room decorating idea is to have some sort of candle arrangement on the dining room table. Have only one floral arrangement in your dining room.

Try to choose a floral arrangement that pulls out some of the colors from your room.

I’m sure you have been in an expensive interior decor store and priced floral arrangements! I know, I gasp every time! So, here’s the thing, you can make your own silk flower centerpiece. Don’t be intimidated! My page on making your own arrangement is step-by-step and is an easy floral arrangement for a beginner. Just be patient and keep working with your flowers, and I promise you will be able to make a stunning centerpiece!

I love buffet lamps. Buffet lamps are one of my favorite dining room decorating ideas! I always put a 40-watt bulb in them to keep a low ambient light. When deciding on your lamps, take both the base of the lamp and the shade into consideration.

A rug under the table adds warmth and beauty, as well as protection for the floor. Just remember to purchase a rug large enough to pull a chair all the way out from the table.

If your budget allows, splurge on a beautiful light fixture! I recently purchased this light fixture, and it made a world of difference! I won’t even show you a photo of what I used to have!

If you are changing your light fixture, it would be an easy time to add a medallion to your ceiling. You can buy these unfinished at any home improvement store.

Well, what are you waiting for? Make your list, “Dining Room Decorating Ideas”, and get started! Just be sure to send me a dinner invitation!

Be sure to send along any dining room decorating ideas you have finished in your home!