How to Make Furniture

Making furniture can be a very creative as well as good brain taxing activity as it requires to deal with a lot of mathematics and finer nuances for cutting and carving of materials. Most common form of material used for making furniture is the wood. However, nowadays, wrought iron and PVC furniture are also gaining popularity. How to make furniture is a question that has many answers. What with the 'do it yourself' (DIY) and 'make your own furniture' kits coming up in the market. All of us, at least once in our lives, should learn to make furniture and make one for our homes because it stays as a remembrance.

You need not be a carpenter or sculptor to know how to make furniture because it requires simple common sense and skills that can be honed by starting with small furniture items. Experience, of course, matters everywhere. You can start with making simple and easy woodworking projects or small items like the bedside or tea table or a kennel for your pet, a small tree house that can be placed in the backyard for your kids to play, etc. We will see how to make your own furniture in the following paragraphs.

Steps to Making Furniture

Tool Kit
The first and foremost step to making furniture is getting the 'tool kit' ready. Tools for furniture making are enlisted here.

    Saw
    Pencil
    Hammer
    Measuring Tape
    Nails
    Screw Driver
    Drilling Machine, etc.

You can either buy these tools or if the thought of 'how to make furniture' has just caught on to your fancy, you can get the tool kit on rent also. And it is also advisable to decide what piece of furniture you wish to make and then have a look at the tools that will be essential for making that particular item. Because although, the tools mentioned in the above list encompass most of the items, there may be some special tools like pliers, wooden clamps, etc., which some woodwork projects might require.

Furniture Building Plan
The second in line comes the furniture-building plans. Furniture building plans are nowadays easily available on the internet and that too for various home furniture, for example, table, chairs, TV stand, beds, drawer sets, kitchen furniture items, wardrobe, mirror stand, etc.

A furniture-building plan consists of all the details necessary for knowing how to make furniture. Most of the free furniture-building plans on the net, give the details of the best wood to make furniture with for various items as well as the exact plans with all the specifications of measurements and the process also.

Wood
If you wish to make a wooden furniture item, what you need to know is the final look of the item. As far as the common and important factor in any creative project goes, it is a must to visualize the item you are going to make. The importance of the material used, wood, in this particular case, is the key thing that will enhance or mar the look. For example, selecting a plywood for making a mirror stand simply will mar the entire piece as compared to using the teak wood. So, it is necessary to choose the material for making furniture carefully and after giving much thought to it. This is a tip that applies for how to build furniture too.

Once you are thorough with some woodworking you can experiment with different furniture making ideas or woodworking ideas for your bedroom or the kid's room or even make a mantle piece for your drawing room.

Using these guidelines you can easily learn how to build custom furniture. Hope this article helped you in knowing how to make furniture and inspired you to make your own furniture.

How to Arrange a Room

When you buy a new house, or you move into a dorm or an apartment, there's always a question about how to arrange the furniture in a room. There are many different shapes and sizes of these rooms and arranging the home furniture, setting up all the gadgets, and adding other accessories to them can be quite a confusing job. Irrespective of having a big or small house, it is equally a difficult job, as you have to invest a lot of time setting up each room. But don't worry, there are innumerable ways of doing this as well, and a few of them are put together in the paragraphs below, just for your information! So, keep reading if you want to know how to arrange a room to make it look as beautiful as ever.

Ways for Room Arrangement

As mentioned above, there are many rooms in a house which have to be arranged in a particular manner when you are going to live there. Every house has a kitchen, living room, bedrooms and bathrooms, that have their own typical ways of arrangement. However the main arrangement in any home is that of the furniture as it occupies the most amount of space around the room. Then you can have the other accessories like bean bags, indoor swings, potted plants, etc. Thus, if you want to find out how to arrange a room, take a look at a few tips for the same mentioned in the paragraphs below. These tips are on how to arrange a room with furniture, and are also according to each room in the house.

Living Room

• Since the living room is usually the main rooms in the house, people like to make it look more attractive than the other rooms. Therefore, it is preferably easy to arrange a living room as there can be many living room decorating ideas incorporated in it.
• First of all you need to measure the living room appropriately and then make sure your furniture is going to be a well fit around the room. If you have to make new furniture, these dimensions are required.
• If you have a large living room, you can first arrange the sitting furniture like couches, chairs, sofas and a coffee table, to create a spaced out conversation area. If you want to arrange a dorm room, all you have to do is place the bed, a computed table and a cupboard.
• While arranging living room furniture, make sure it is such a way, that the fireplace, television or any other focal point is surrounded with it. Leave space for doors, windows and moving space around the room.
• If your living room is spacious, divide it in two areas, if not use every wall to accommodate your belongings. After you have found out how to arrange living room furniture, you can place the other necessary items.

Kitchen

• There's not much arranging to do in this room of the house, as there is built in furniture installed. Cabinets are already present and don't need arranging. But you can some extra cupboards for storing your expensive china and glass.
• If your kitchens are large in size, you can divide it into a cooking area and an eating area, where you can place the dining room furniture.
• Make sure you place your electronic appliances like the refrigerator, microwave, blenders, coffee machines, etc. close to the switchboards. If the kitchen is small, don't make it overcrowded, as you will need moving space around the countertops.

Bedrooms

• Bedrooms are a very easy place to learn how to arrange a room. Your bedroom furniture consists of beds, a computer or coffee table, a couch or some chairs, wardrobes and closets, a dressing table, etc.
• Just like the living room, you can first measure the space in your bedroom and then accordingly arrange all these accommodations.
• While thinking about bedroom decorating, place the beds somewhere close to the walls, away from the windows and doors. Have the dressing table placed at one corner of the room or inside the walk in closet. Create a reading space or conversation area, if you have a large bedroom, by dividing the room.
• Make sure you use each furniture in an appropriate manner, with order and symmetry in every part of the room. Don't stack anything, as the rooms look very clumsy and crowded.

With these great tips on how to arrange a room, hope you have found out what kind of arrangement you would like to have. However you decide to have it, make it look attractive with ample space around it.

Ideas for Creating Your Own Breakfast Nook

Breakfast nooks had traditionally been popular seating corners in homes. Over a period of time, they faded away. However, just as all fashions tend to revert in cycles, so have breakfast nooks. They now form an indispensable part of modern homes. The popularity is rising so fast, that many patrons of this idea are looking out for specialized craftsmanship in making breakfast nooks. However, if you want to design your very own breakfast nook, then I have some popular ideas for you.

Must have Breakfast Nook Ideas

Location
Like I said before, breakfast nooks need to be inviting as this is where you have the first meal of your day. I suggest that breakfast nooks should be set up right next to your kitchen or dining room window. Alternately, they may be set up in any room where you will feel comfortable to welcome your guests. Ideally, breakfast nooks should have a small private corner and at the same time they should be very close to the kitchen, making it easy to serve food.

Direction
Why place your breakfast nooks in some shady corner of your home? Ideally, the place should be such that some brilliant morning he 's rays come flooding in when you are seated for breakfast. In such a case, the best directions for breakfast nooks should be the east, south-east or north-east. If you are not lucky enough to get such a direction in your home, then go in for a space that is equally airy with plentiful light.

Colors
They say warm colors boost your appetite. So some of the best colors for a dining place can be in shades of yellow, red and some white. However, if you wish to use colors that contrast or complement colors with the rest of the decor, then there is no stopping you. Some of the most brilliant ideas have been created out of experimentation. If you happen to have a garden outside the window adjoining the breakfast nook, then some of tcolors to use might be pastel shades of green or floral designs. You may also opt for some really appealing wallpaper for your breakfast nook.

Furniture
There is no limitation when choosing the perfect furniture for a breakfast nook. Choose furniture ideas that make your breakfast nook stand out and at the same time, something that blends with the rest of the room. The breakfast nook will naturally have a breakfast table and chairs. You may divide the seating arrangement into chairs as well as cushioned seating at a bay window if your home has one. If you wish, you may add small cabinets under these bay window seats to store your breakfast dishes. In case, your breakfast nook is not positioned near a window, then you might erect a special rack behind the table to display your favorite things. E.g. If you happen to be a bookworm, then use the rack to display some of your most precious books especially coffee table books. If you have a hobby of collecting candles or crystal art, then the rack is the most ideal place for it.

Lighting
It is ideal to go in for a dim lighting above the table in case you plan to use this nook in the evening as well. If your table top is made of glass, then add some lighting just below the glass top and see the effects of glowing table top. In such a case, you need to use lights that do not generate a lot of heat lest the glass feeling too warm to your arms. Also, the light should have a soft calming glow to help avoid irritation to your eyes.

Music
Make sure to add some space for your music system at the breakfast nook. This will help you enjoy your breakfast while listening to your favorite music.

Accessories
Just a plain breakfast nook is not enough. You need to add some accessories to it to make it personalized and appealing. It is important to remember that accessories for breakfast nooks differ from those at breakfast bars. Some of the most common accessories for a breakfast nook include curtains, cushions, vases, flowers, hanging flower baskets, table linen, picture frames, fruits baskets, bells, etc.

Remember, there is no fixed format for creating breakfast nook. It is ultimately supposed to be a treasured corner of your home, a place that reflects your personality and tastes. The central idea is to create an inviting and cozy atmosphere at the nook. So go ahead and experiment with as many options as you like.

Decorative Wall Accessories for Homes

It hardly needs to be said, but we all know that your home is a reflection of who you are. That being said, a well decorated home would imply that you take ample interest in it, while one that is plain looking would state the opposite. It is also true that a lot of people do not like excessively decorative houses or rooms in general. It is in situations like these then, that a single statement accessory could do the trick. On the other hand, those who like going all out, can feel free and go as far as they'd like to with their creativity. There is however another set of people, ones that like going unique and enjoy incorporating their signature style into all that they do. Irrespective of which amongst these is your style, you will find that there are home decor accessories aplenty, when it comes down to it. The number of stores you could turn to, if you are looking to purchase, are also found in abundance. Whether it is Pottery Barn or the "go-to" store, Target, there is more than sufficient for you. So, while we are at this topic of home decorating ideas, shopping for accessories, and the likes, why not take a closer look at the whole thing.

Decorative Accessories for Homes

When considering home decor ideas, you would observe that the plethora of accessories that is available is almost overwhelming. There are wall accessories galore. Right from something such as an indoor wall fountain for your living room to maybe even some 'glow in the dark' stick on stars for the ceiling of your kid's bedroom, there is more to find than would ever occur to you. Here's a bunch of wall accessory ideas that you could maybe opt for.

Mirrors

A conventional, yet unconventional option for wall accessories are mirrors, and that is the first of many suggestions that we have for you. Made from innumerable kinds of materials, and available in a variety of textures too, mirrors most certainly are an interesting accessory to opt for. Apart from adding a certain aesthetic value to a room, an ornate mirror could also help give a room a larger appearance, thus acting as the perfect wall accessory for a small room. On similar lines, fancy clocks are also worth some consideration.

Paintings or Wall Hangings

Next in line for wall accessories are paintings. For most people, these are perhaps the most common option anyway. Something that works well in coherence with the room, or maybe even something abstract, doesn't matter what you pick, a nice painting can really adorn a room well. If paintings aren't quite your thing, there is also the alternative of picking a wall hanging instead. Wall hangings made of metal or wood, could be used in a number of textures with either a paneled or plain look.

Tapestries

This is one option that may not suit everybody's taste buds. But for those who are willing to experiment with something new, tapestries make for a very interesting wall accessory. There are also innumerable patterns to choose from when it comes to wall art like this. Interesting prints such as abstract prints, Indian prints, floral prints, portraits and landscapes are some of the options that are normally available when picking tapestries.

Picture Frames

Amongst things that have been most commonly used by people so as to liven up spaces, picture frames have always been a popular choice. It is true that there is nothing that can you give you a certain feeling of warmth as that of having pictures of family and loved ones around the place. While conventional frames are one option, what you could also opt for is a collage made up of some of your favorite pictures ever. This would act as one of the nicer wall accessories for bedrooms too.

Wall Sculptures

A great option for a large living room, selecting an ornate wall sculpture is a really good idea. All it would take is some looking around, and you would find much more than you had bargained for. Apart from checking out the multitude of home decor stores that there are all around the place these days, looking and shopping for these sculptures online is a really good idea too. In any case, since they are available in a variety of patterns, colors and materials, you could just find something that looks like it was custom-made for your room.

Framed or Unframed Art

Art isn't necessarily everyone's thing, but for those who love it, what better way to do up a room than using some great pieces of art. What's amazing in a situation like this is that a single piece could also do the trick. Easy access to some really good looking work, along with reasonable prices only makes it easier to decorate your home, without burning a hole in your pocket.

Wall Candle Holders

A lesser thought of objects as a decorating item, but one that actually makes for a really pretty one at the same time are wall candle holders. What helps greatly with this option is that they serve a dual purpose. Not only do they make for a brilliant way to accessorize those bland walls, but they also help set the mood when some lovely soft lighting is what you're looking for.

Vinyl Wall Art or Decals

Not quite fancy in the typical sense of the word, decals or even vinyl wall art for that matter, are one method to add some life and character to a room. Vinyl art such as ones with prints like damask, or paisley are a good way to go. For those of you that like having an inspirational quote or two stenciled, or maybe even a print of your favorite city, go right ahead and opt for it, if that's what works better.

Fancy Chalkboards

This isn't one of the options that a person would consider as fancy accessorizing, but it most definitely makes for one of the best wall accessories for kitchens. It could be used for several purposes too. Whether you would like to list out your grocery list and other odd things that need to by picked up on your next trip to the grocery store, or jot down an idea for a recipe that you would like to try, or maybe even leave a little note for someone at home, there is a lot that a fancy little chalkboard could do for you.

Those were a few suggestions that you could opt from, but feel free to go beyond that too. It's true when they say that your walls tell a story about you, and give people the best idea of the kind of person that you are. Make sure you do justice to that reflection of yourself, and allow it to reveal all that you are.

How to Frame a Mirror

"So are all the mirror mirrors on the wall, for you to take a glance at 'em all!"

Many people have their own ways of including different facets when it comes to decorating their living room or bathroom vanities. The most common thing to notice in many people's bathroom is a fixed large wall mirror over the sink. I have that too in my own house. Or boastfully a large over-mantle mirror in the living room, like an old country style furniture. A mirror with frames does add grandness and functionality wherever its placed. But there are times when the frames of these mirrors are terribly wearied. This is mostly due to the presence of environs like heat and water elements that scavenge on the mirror moldings. This gives a dull appearance to the overall looks of a bathroom design. So, now the issue of improving the looks rises up. Expending money on experts can be a bit vexing. So how about DYI (do-it-yourself)! Once if you learn how to frame a mirror to its newest form, probably spending a great deal of money on a complete renovation wouldn't even be required. In some cases, mirrors that are without a frame needs to be framed up too.

Mirrors come in different shapes and sizes. Your bathroom might have a small-sized reflector or possibly a large-sized even. The procedure for any size is going to remain the same and so are the techniques. For now if you consider you have to frame a large mirror in your bathroom, read below and learn all the skillful ways to frame a wall mirror. Note that there wouldn't be any need to remove the mirror from the wall in the time of action. So let's see the materials we will need in doing that.

Tips on How to Frame a Mirror

Materials Required to Frame a Large Mirror

    Wood Molding
    Wood Glue
    Wood Putty
    Tape Measure
    Miter Saw
    Small Nails (finish)
    If using Foam Molding (will require a double-sized tape)

How to Frame a Mirror: Instructions

    In the first step of how to frame a mirror, hold up your mirror with the help of the mirror clips. Use a clip that stays behind the mirror. The reason being is that the moldings have to rest in a proper position, so clips shouldn't be a hindrance during the process.
    Now measure the four sides of the wall and add to it 1/8''. Keep noting the measurement of each of its sides.
    Next, you can either create a wood or a foam molding of your own choice or purchase a ready-made decorative one from the market. If you plan to purchase it from the outside, give the exact measurements of your corner mirrors, to the store keeper, so that he could miter the molds appropriately.
    Bring home the moldings for fastening it to the mirror. In case if the moldings are plain and simple, and you desire to paint them, you could idealize that option before fixing the chunks.
    Once the paint is dry, start your work with the bottom piece and use wood glue to fix the molding to the mirror. Also use finishing nails at the ends of the reflector which aren't touching the walls quite yet.
    Next comes the sides of the mirror. Screw the moldings to the sides and try not to overlap it on the top of the mirror. Hammer some nails to fix the same.
    Top with the final molding that would be fixed. Repeat the entire procedure the same way.
    Just when all the four sides of the mirror are installed, take a glance at the mitered corners. You will notice little gaps between the molding and the mirror. Use wood putty to fill those voids.

et voila ici..! You are ready with your pretty mirror decorations to glance at! Now that you have learned to frame a mirror on the wall, let's glance at some techniques to create a molding by yourself.

A mirror in the bathroom does look eye-appealing and attractive for a number of reasons. But how about transforming those draggy sheets of glasses into a custom finish appearance? Framing a mirror with molding will justify this excitement. So here is the simplest procedure of how to frame a bathroom mirror, rather I should say how to frame a mirror with molding to rekindle those looks on that wall.

Framing a Bathroom Mirror with Molding

First Half Method: The first treatment in the lesson of how to frame a mirror, is to check on the measurements of the reflector. Do it from corner-to-corner. These counts would be used to build the inside of the molding pieces. Now that the moldings are going to be cut at a 45 degree angles, naturally there would be long and short measurements in each piece. The longer end must extent beyond the normal length of the mirror at the desired 45 degree angle. Note down these measurements somewhere safe. Now using a miter saw and safety goggles, cut the moldings to the measurement size that you have noted down. Ensure to cut the molding's backside to gain a clean appearance. Do the cutting job at once with the utmost attention; this helps saving scrap during construction.

Second Half Method: The moment you have the 4 molding pieces cut, put them together and check for the accuracy on the mirror. Use a sandpaper or coping saw if the joints do not fit fine. Most of the time the corners are irregular in its shape. Make use of the construction adhesives and apply it at the bottom, sides and top of the mirror. Also, pick one molding, say the top one and apply a drop of the adhesive on it. Place that piece on the wall mirror and press it till the adhesive gets excessively sticky. You can punch in some finishing nails too. Similarly, tack together the remaining three crown moldings and fix them in the same fashion. Once all the corners are stuck well and the adhesives have dried up, if you find any gap in the entire framework, punch in some wood putty to fill the void. Let the wood putty dry out awhile. Using a caulking gun, bead slight caulk trims into the gaps and smoothen the moldings with your fingers. In case you have applied too much of caulk, wipe it immediately with a sponge. This procedure is one of the elementary method to cast a mold and fix them around your plain, dull bathroom mirror. Once the caulk dries up, you can paint the molds to your desired colors which matches your bathroom decor.

Hopefully with these extensive, minute detailed explanations and techniques on how to frame a mirror, by now it must be half way under construction. Well if that's the case, keep up with the good work!

How to Make Your Guests Feel at Home

Most of us have a spare room in our homes, which gets converted into guest rooms upon impromptu arrivals. However, a guest room cannot just be a guest room. Just as you feel welcomed when you enter a hotel room, your guest needs to feel the same too. Little things that add to the convenience and comfort make the guest feel cared for and looked after. Making your guests feel at home requires some thought and planning. Although it isn't much of an effort, you need to keep in mind certain details to make their stay as comfortable as possible. Here are a few things that will make the guest room as comforting as your home.

How to Prepare a Guest Bedroom

Clean Linen
Bed sheets and clean curtains are the first things that we notice when we enter any guest room. A clean set of linen makes a good impression on the guest. It speaks volumes about the simple sense of hygiene and cleanliness. Additionally, it makes the room look good too. Use light-colored sheets as light colors make the space look bigger than it actually is.

Fresh Toiletries
Using someone else's soap or a shaving kit is a big turn off. If you don't do it, do not expect your guests to do it either. Buy a fresh set of toiletries for the guest bathroom. This includes shampoo, conditioner, scrubs (as disposing a loofah would be expensive), toothbrushes, soaps and shower gels. See that the bathroom is washed, sanitized and free of odor. You can keep a few fresh flowers too, to make the bathroom smell nice.

Well-made Bed
A crisp bed with soft bed covers and a warm blanket will give your guests a much-needed good night's sleep. After a long journey, a well-made bed seems like the perfect way to make your guests feel at home. A comfortable bed is especially a great savior for overnight guests on a break journey.

Functioning Fixtures
If you have a heater, AC, fans, TV or any kind of fixtures in the guest room, make sure that they are functioning properly. A non-functioning AC on a warm night can be very irritating. Similarly, all other electric gadgets need to be in order before your guests arrive. Adequate lighting is another important aspect one needs to keep in mind while making a guest room. Besides the wall lighting, keep a nightstand to help out a nocturnal guest.

Laundered Towels
Nobody likes to use wet or stained towels. Providing your guests with laundered towels is a crucial part of making them comfortable. Getting soft, washed and fragrant towels are not difficult to find. Hand them over to the nearby laundry and you shall have them delivered to your home before your guests ring the bell.

Pair of Slippers
It gets uncomfortable to walk on floors that are extremely cold or dusty. Also, wearing slippers keeps the feet clean and prevents any kind of foot infection. Take care of this aspect, by providing your guests with a pair of slippers.

Dustbin
Most people forget to place dustbins in guest rooms. Many a time, this accessory is overlooked too. However, a dustbin in the guest room is very important as it keeps the room clean and saves your guest's efforts to look for a dustbin all around the house to dispose the waste.

Something Special
Besides the aforementioned, walk an extra mile to make something special for the guests. If you know your guests well, then cooking their favorite meal, making their room in their favorite color, planning a nice dessert treat or catching up on movies that you've wanted to see together will truly make your guests feel at home. Small gestures that touch the nerve indicate your love and courtesy towards your guests. A good room is what any hotel can provide, but a personal touch can only be felt at home!

    Stocked Up Bar
    Adult guests would surely enjoy a round of drinks after a long day of travel. Ask your guests in advance about their favorite brands and stock up the bar in the room. Relaxing with a drink is a classic way to call it a day!
    House Tour
    Take your guests around your house and show them the way you've done it up. Showing them the place that means the world to you, will surely make them feel important.
    Bookworms
    Some people cannot fall asleep without a book. Pile up interesting novels, magazines and journals for these bookworms. You could even ask them which book they would like to read, to make it even more special.

Making your guests feel at home is no big challenge. While making the guest room as comfortable as possible, think of the things you would yourself need while staying outside your house. Answer each question with honesty and you'll have the perfect room for your guests!