Lifestyle


Your bathroom is ready for a major overhaul. Where do you begin? You know which tub you want. The shower is uncertain. You saw a great vanity you'd love to have. The old tile floor looks terrible, yet you don't know how you want to replace it. You want the commode moved but you don't know if that's possible ... the list goes on. You may want to consider hiring a professional to help with the project.

 
While many housing markets across the country have seen flat or even declining real estate prices, people are spending more than ever to redecorate their homes. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your home redecorating budget.

 
When Todd Imholte signed on with a Hopkins, Minn. company that makes and sells wallpaper murals, he never guessed his job would have "global" impact for thousands of American school children. Yet once a year, Imholte, the president of Environmental Graphics, spearheads the updating of the company's top-selling product of all time - its World Map mural.

 
Many elements must work together to create a remarkable room. There is the color scheme, furniture, decorations, and of course, the rug on the floor. Don't overlook the significance of the one thing that could tie the whole room together! Shopping the Internet for rugs opens up a new world of opportunities.

 
The nip of fall is in the air and you may soon be looking for ways to ward off the emotional chill that winter can bring to your home. Short days and overcast skies can cast a shadow over even the cheeriest home décor. Everyone wants a room with a view, but not everyone can afford to move to a great location or install picture windows throughout their home. A wall mural can turn virtually any wall in your house into a great "view."

 
In some ways, decorating a baby's room couldn't be easier. The room's primary occupant really doesn't have much to say about the décor. Enter the teen years. Now, she hates the pink carpet and floral curtains you thought were precious beyond words. He's into Japanese anime, and your clever pirate theme makes him want to walk the plank.

 
The crib of your dreams is purchased, assembled and in place. Tiny clothes, burp clothes, bath towels and diapers are stored in a new dresser/changing table. All the nursery needs now is the baby - and a few accessories to add the finishing touch.

 
Decorating the nursery is not just about getting one major chore out of the way before the baby arrives. The nursery's décor makes a statement about the relationship the parent hopes to cultivate with the child - warm and loving, fun and stimulating, soothing and secure.

 
Whether it's extra bedroom space, a new den, a playroom or just a quiet spot to call your own, finishing the basement is one of the greatest ways to improve cramped living. However, a basement has a few unique characteristics that must be considered to ensure that the space functions well for your needs.

 
Blank walls in need of a makeover almost always beg the question: What color to paint? But before trotting off to the paint store for color strips and tester cans, consider a new alternative: wallpaper. Because one of the oldest home décor products - around since the 1600s - has been reinvented.