| When people go on vacation, they enjoy the time spent with family and friends away from the stresses of the office. The lazy days are filled with sightseeing, lounging, eating good food, and soaking up all that life has to offer beyond the cubicle. We remember these fantastic days through photographs, videos, souvenirs, and stories. Why not bring some of your favorite vacation memories into your home décor so that they surround and comfort you for years to come? |
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| Creating a sandy beach effect |
Many people around the world love vacationing near the ocean. The cool breezes, salty air, and briny culture are excellent for raising spirits. Bring this same level of levity and bright cheer to your home. Collect sea shells, driftwood, bottles of sand, and beach memorabilia during your travels. Seek out light colors and bright patterns in your paint and aesthetic coverings.
Beach homes are generally light and airy. If you don’t have much window space, recreate the effect using large lights and bright bulbs. Place light-framed photos or paintings of the beach on the walls, and stay away from dark, dense fabrics like corduroy and silk. Use as many white or cream accents as possible, and utilize wooden furniture instead of wrought iron pieces. For tabletops and shelves, fill vases with sand and small shells. Place a planter with long-stemmed beach grass in your home for a dune-like effect.
Be sure to incorporate the design into your everyday life. Look for beach-themed salt and pepper shakers. Keep an eye out for outlet covers with pictures of starfish. Make sure your welcome mat has a picture of a big fish on it. And, of course, don’t forget to use some beach effects into your yard to make “shore” it pleases each and every seafarer! |
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| Creating a snowy paradise |
Perhaps you prefer powdery snow to grainy sand. Turn your home into a gorgeous chalet and bask in winter’s delights all year round. Begin by searching for comfortable, heavy fabrics like wool and velvet. Make sure these feature heavily in your designs. Faux bearskin rugs are cozy, and fireplaces are a must. If you cannot afford to build a real fire place, create a fireplace effect by installing a mantel and placing an intricate tea-light screen where the roaring fire would be.
Paint your walls dark colors like burgundy, evergreen, and navy to give your place a cozy atmosphere. Use mostly lamps for lighting, and install warm bulbs to further warm the room. Dark woods and patterns will help make your home look like Aspen in no time. |
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| Creating a forested lodge |
Log cabins are a great place to get away from every day life. Their seclusion is unparalleled and their simplicity is often romanticized. Transform your home into a wilderness retreat with these tips. First, make sure your windows have a view of the great outdoors by planting evergreens and other trees nearby. Try to keep the view intact using simple muslin valence curtains that offer sweeping views of the outdoors.
Install paneling and hardwood floors that complement one another. All furniture and cabinetry should be wooden, and all linens should be simple but plush. Keep a basket of pinecones in the corner and consider trimming your mantelpiece with pine boughs. Photos of pets are extremely welcome here. If you have a large sum of money in your decorating budget, why not invest in a cascading natural fountain to bring the sounds of the stream to your very own living room? |
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| Creating a metropolitan ambiance |
| Perhaps you’d rather have a chic home that combines the glamour of Manhattan with the urbanity of Queens. Utilize a lot of cool colors and modern approaches to capture the ambiance you crave. Steel appliances and fixtures are a must. Sleek fabrics like leather and silk should be used for all furniture pieces. There should be an overabundance of large, clunky lamps available with bright bulbs. Consider creating a brick façade along several walls to bring that unfinished urbane atmosphere into your life. Glass tabletops, tall chairs, and tiled floors will complete the feel. |
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| Creating a tropical retreat |
When traipsing through the Amazon, you might find yourself right at home. Use frills, vivid colors, and relaxing pieces to give your home a tropical feel. Turquoise and sunny yellows are the staples for any tropical room, though lush houseplants (such as ferns or palms) will bring some much needed green into the design. Use bamboo and dried grass to accent your walls, and draw on the spiritual side with voodoo prints and Caribbean masks. All of the elements should be fun and relaxed, and sharp corners should be avoided at all costs.
Install a bar in your recreation or living room for easy party access. Make sure your kitchen is light and breezy. Curtains should be made of bright fabrics lazily suspended from bamboo rods for an elegantly simple look. And bright, beautiful fish are a must-have pet for any house that strives to become a true tropical paradise! |
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| Creating a desert oasis |
The deserts of the American southwest are renowned for their interesting style elements. Turquoise, faded red, and adobe colors dominate the landscape. Cacti and tumbleweeds are the most popular vegetation. Try to mimic the colors of the sand in your home’s décor to achieve this effect. Look for southwestern-influenced pieces to adorn your home, including Native American blankets, cattle skulls, and bruised, battered pieces of wood (perhaps from fence posts). Plants should be minimal, though a mini-Saguaro cactus is a must.
Surround your ranch with a handmade fence to go above and beyond. Replace your lawn with stones and sand, but keep a spiny tree outdoors to remind you of the harsh desert conditions. Wildlife should feel welcome here, though in reality, they may be sparse. Turn your pool area into a lush oasis of leafy plants and blossoming flowers. And make sure your tiles are mud-red adobe to match the feel of the desert landscape. |
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| Creating a country feel |
Finally, many Americans love the ambiance of a country home. It reminds them of lazy Sunday afternoons on a porch swing, watching the fireflies go by while sipping lemonade. The sentiment is comfortable and unparalleled in terms of joy. To create a country look, purchase American woods like oak or maple for your cabinetry and furniture. Adorn the windows with checkered curtains. The walls should be plain and simple, though you can decorate the kitchen walls with old appliances like hand mixers and whisks.
Outfit each bed and sofa with a handmade quilt. There should be plenty of extra pillows, and the colors should be comfortable and relaxing. Do not worry if the fabrics do not match perfectly. Part of the joy of country living is in savoring life’s little imperfections from time to time. Add small touches everywhere you can, such as trimmings on the mantel to figurines on the windowsills. Use flowers and trees to make your yard homey without seeming too exotic. Visit country fairs to buy crafts and other decorations for your home and yard. |
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