Home Decorating Tips: Color Suggestions for Small Bedrooms

Colors have special meanings and some colors may be best for one occasion but can be tacky or inappropriate for another event. Even in simple tasks such as signing your name, most people will not use a red pen for their signature. So for special events like weddings or birthdays, your choice of wedding colors or birthday colors should be appropriate. The color black may be best for a formal business occasion, but that color is considered inappropriate for a joyful celebration such as a wedding or a birthday.

For rooms, especially if you have a small room, you can create the appearance of a larger space also with the use of the right color. There are indeed colors that can make your room feel even smaller, but there are colors as well that can make your room appear bigger.

The use of light colors, pastel colors, or natural hues is best for small rooms. Light colors such as light blue, soft yellow, or light green can make your room appear bigger than it really is. This is because these colors are naturally associated with nature, and when people think of nature, they first and foremost think about wide open space, and the same illusion happens to your room. Light colors will open up you space and a white ceiling can improve the visual height of your room. Same with the concept of opening up the room, a white ceiling can make your ceiling appear that it is farther than it really is.

Monochrome is also suggested because the use of two or more colors in your room can make the walls look small. They can see the exact size of each area (because of the division) and it lets them see the real size of your room.

For a flowing look, use the same shade as that of the walls if you are to paint your floors as well. This can make your room feel as one and the division or partitions between them will be invisible. What will be obvious is that there is only one color present and the lightness of this color creates an illusion of more space.

The use of the right color can make you achieve great results without having to tear down your bedroom wall. This is a great way to make your room bigger and at the same time the pastel, light, or natural tones can make you feel relaxed inside your own bedroom.

Tricks for a Fog-free bathroom Mirror

A fogged mirror is what you get every single time you step out of the shower. Not a problem with the bedroom or living mirror or even small mirror compact favors on display on your table top, but because of the steam and moisture generated by the flowing water in the bathroom, you get to see fog cover the whole bathroom mirror after you shower.

There are simple and easy ways to combat fog in the bathroom and keep your mirrors as free as a whistle. You can place a towel over the mirror and let it absorb the moisture before it reaches the surface of the mirror. Simply cover the mirror with your towel or you can place clips on the sides of the mirror to hold them up. Be careful though not to cause cracks in the mirror and to handle them carefully so you will not injure yourself.

Alternatively, you may want to try using the same anti-fog cream you use on your car on the mirrors in your bathroom. They work pretty much the same and you do not have to purchase a separate anti-fog cream for bathroom mirrors. Remove the dirt and grime from the mirror by wiping it off with a clean piece of cloth or a paper towel and let it dry. Next, apply the anti-fog cream on the mirror and ensure that the whole mirror has been covered. Let it dry and after a few minutes, you can shower and not have to worry about fogged mirrors.

If you want an alternative solution, you can use shaving cream to fight the fog. First, you need to clean up the mirror by wiping it clean so the anti-fog substances can cling completely to the mirror. After cleaning, apply a small amount of shaving cream on a piece of cloth and carefully apply over the entire surface of the mirror.

After you shower, you can see that any of these three tricks will work wonders and keep your bathroom mirror fog free. It is such a nuisance and a little of a pet peeve to see fogged up mirrors and it will definitely be a refreshing new change to your day when you start facing the bathroom mirror and see that it is fog-free even after you shower. Instead of spending time clearing up the fog, you can now do something about it and actually prevent fog from forming on your bathroom mirror.

Advice on How to Properly Hang Frames

Photo frames showcase wonderful memories that you will want to relieve over and over again, and some people also have framed art work and collections that truly reflect their style. These frames look best when arranged on walls. Smaller frames such as children themed frames or picture frame favors you receive at parties will work well on table tops. However, medium to larger sized photo frames will work best when hanged against the wall.

Here are some tips and advice on how to make the frame arrangements as beautiful as the framed art or photos in your home.

You can try out different layout styles first and foremost. Consider the number and sizes of the frames that you have before putting nails up in the wall. The frames are generally placed in the middle. Aside from the aesthetic appeal, frames should not go past the edges of the wall for safety reasons. You can try the chosen outline by using paper or cardboard to represent the frames. You can place tapes on the edges and this is the time where you can place, remove, and experiment among different lay outs.

Have equal distance between the frames. It will be too distracting if the frames have different spaces and it will look like as if the whole lay out is flawed. Consider the lighting too and the position of the window against the wall as well. The light reflecting from the lamps at home and the sunlight from outside the window will reflect on the glass frames, making people look away from the frames instead of looking at them.

Be mindful of items that are hanging low such as chandeliers or lamps as they can obstruct the view. The frames should be just above eye level so people can see them comfortably. Before pitting nails, use markings to determine where the nails will be placed. Remember that if you pound away and then later change your mind or make a mistake, that hole and the chipped paint will cost time and money to repair.

You can be more creative with your choice of frames and colors but make sure that the sizes and colors complement each other. The frame style, whether wooden or contemporary, and color should also complement the photo or image being framed. These are basic and simple suggestions that can make a huge impact with how you carry out hanging frames in your home.

How to Distinguish Glass from Crystal

They look the same, but are they really? While the price difference will probably give it away, there are other differences that put crystal on a higher standard than glass. They both look gorgeous but glass items are far different than crystal items – and it really is beyond what the eyes can see. Crystal items are made into more decorative items while glass tends to be more usable and practical. This is because of the composition and the difference between the two. While these materials can be interchanged, note the difference between the two and understand why crystal may at times be best. However, at times, glass will also prove to be its beautiful and less expensive counterpart.

For some countries, the difference lies in the chemical and lead composition of the item. A certain percentage will make the item fall into the glass category, while for some countries the item will be considered crystal.

It’s more than meets the eye as the sound produced by tapping the rim of an item can tell you whether it is glass or crystal. A ringing sound is produced by crystals while a more solid thud sound is produced by glass. Crystal reflects a color prism while light that passes through glass breaks and bends. Another visual distinction is that crystal tends to be thinner than glass. It is far more difficult to blow a thin glass than thin crystal. However, due to lead composition, crystal tends to be heavier despite its thickness, and glass items are generally heavier that their other shiny counterpart. Upon closer look at the rim and surface of the item, crystal casts a smoother and finer edge compared to glass which apart from being thick, tends to be less smooth and consistent.

Glass and crystal items will always impress people. Any item, whether a crystal wine glass, a glass paperholder, or crystal favors, is never out of place no matter what theme you have in your room or office. There are differences when it comes to composition and value, but nonetheless, they both look beautiful with the way they shine and how clean and sparkly they look. People will continue to love items made of glass or crystal. It will always be one of the favorite materials when choosing home or business items – whether decorative or practical. These items will withstand the elements and will last for many years.

How to Make a Caramel Frappuccino at Home

Special-order java beverages have turned from an occasional treat to daily necessity for lots of Americans. Perhaps one of the most popular beverages in coffee houses all over the country is the Caramel Frappuccino. However, a middle-sized Frappuccino can cost $4 to $5! At those prices, your java addiction can put you in the poor house! To protect you from both tasteless java and a severely reduced savings account, read on for quick and easy directions for preparing your very own Caramel Frappuccino.

Items required:
1/2 cup of strong just-brewed java
1/2 cup of milk
3 tbsp of sugar
2 cups of cubed or crushed ice
3 tbsp of caramel syrup
Whipped topping

Make your coffee in your regular manner. But, prepare the brew at least a third stronger than you generally enjoy it. Café Frappuccinos are created with espresso, and pouring it on ice will thin the coffee.

Then, pour the brew into a blender. Mix in the milk, the sugar, cubed or crushed ice, and the caramel. The caramel syrup you enjoy as a topping for your ice cream sundaes will do the trick wonderfully. Next, blend all of these things until you get a similar texture as a malt.

Drain the blend into a glass and enhance with whipped cream. Voila! You have created your personal gourmet Caramel Frappuccino!

The most obvious of the benefits of making your Caramel Frappuccinos at home, aside from the money you will save, is that it allows you to manipulate the ingredients to your preferred taste. If you enjoy a stronger coffee flavor, make the brew stronger. You won’t want to merely add more weak coffee in the mix, because that will just further dilute your drink. You may want to use less of the sugar or use skim milk as opposed to the full fat milk the majority of coffee shops use.

Another thought is to make your coffee beverages in advance. If you will not have moments to make your Frappuccino in the early hours before you leave for work, you can start the coffee the night before. Just stir the mixture but leave out the ice, then leave it in the fridge till morning. Before you leave for work, pour the blend over fresh ice. The consistency might be a bit thinner, but the deliciousness should be the same!

Keep brewing your special Caramel Frappuccinos yourself, and you won’t ever need to stop at another coffee shop for your addiction!


Criss White is a freelance writer for wedding, baby, and various topics. For coffee wedding favors or more articles, visit Bridal and Wedding Favors.