Lifestyle & Trends - Home Decorating

Lower costs make now a great time for a bathroom remodel

Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up. If so, you're part of the re-energized remodeling market. For the first time since 2006, home-improvement spending is up, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Read More

Create a playful kid zone on a budget

Nothing better sums up kids' personalities than their favorite spaces: their bedrooms or playrooms. And in today's design-conscious society, there's no limiting the ways you can create inviting, kid-friendly spaces that reflect your children's personal tastes while encouraging imaginative play and creativity. Read More

Sticking to a budget? Tips for affordable and easy home upgrades

Living on a budget is the norm, rather than the exception, in the current economy. Whether you're trying to entice potential homebuyers or just want to give your living space a quick spruce up, here are a few tips for making a big impact in the look of your home without breaking the bank. Read More

Put a little personality in your outdoor entertaining

Warm sun-drenched days and cool starry evenings can inspire the host or hostess in us all. It's the perfect time of year for easy outdoor entertaining - to reconnect with family and friends at a backyard barbecue, neighborhood block party or rooftop soiree. It's also a time to show off your unique style and personality without the pressure of planning an elaborate sit-down dinner. Read More

Tips for keeping your home's office organized

You don't have to run a business from your home to need a home office. In fact, it's one of the most common uses for spare rooms - a place where bills can be paid, homework can be done and schedules can get organized in a quiet setting. Here are a few tips that can help you get your space organized. Read More

Easy crafts update your fall wardrobe and home fashions

As fall arrives, our world changes to a place decorated with vibrant colors and filled with the tastes and abundance of the harvest. And as the season changes, it's only natural that we crave some changes of our own. Whether you want to update your wardrobe with some new looks for the cooler weather, or warm up your home with some stylish new decor, it's good to know that you can make changes without breaking the bank. Read More

Help kids get back into the swing of school with simple room updates

There's no avoiding the return to school. But parents can help kids ease the transition by creating an environment that's comforting -- and conducive to learning at the same time. If your child is struggling to adjust to going back to school, some simple changes in her bedroom might help make the move less difficult. Read More

Create a kids room that inspires learning and creativity

As the cold weather approaches, kids spend less time outdoors burning off all that wonderful energy. There's an easy and inexpensive way to turn any room into an environment that fosters your child's learning and creativity. What's even better: You are very likely to think, "it's too quiet in there," while the kids play intently in their new space. Read More

Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion

Do you love the idea of entertaining, but feel like getting your home ready for a social event requires too much time and attention? Not to worry, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your home is always ready to host guests and they may not be as difficult to accomplish as you think. Read More

Feathering your nest: top ways to add warmth to your home in the fall

Just as animals use the fall to prepare for winter, now's the perfect time to transform your home into a cozy nest where your family and friends will love to gather. Ginny Bean, publisher of Ginny's catalog, suggests the following simple decorating touches to add seasonal warmth. Read More