The powder room is often the most overlooked room in the house when homeowners are considering home improvements or renovations. That’s completely understandable considering your half bath isn’t necessarily going to translate into dollars when you sell your home. In fact, bathrooms are often the least likely rooms to add value to a home.

However, that doesn’t mean that you should completely neglect that downstairs lavatory when freshening your home. Instead, it means that you have to get creative so you can provide a welcoming space for you and your guests. The good thing about these DIY decor ideas is that they won’t force you to break open your piggy bank and they are all easily undone if you change your mind (or decide to sell your home and want to create a more neutral space)!

7 Powder Room DIY Decor Ideas

1. Paint the Ceiling

One super easy (and cheap) way to pump up the volume on your decor in the bathroom is to paint the ceiling a bold color. For extra points, paint wide stripes to make a smaller room appear larger.

2. Metallic Touches

Metallic accents can easily add visual interest to a drab powder room. Some simple ways to add metallic flourishes include adding metal accessories (like metal baskets and curio shelves), stenciling metallic designs on the walls, or creating wall art using metallic paints. 

3. Clever Vanity

If you are super handy, visit thrift shops or estate sales to source a cool cabinet to repurpose as a vanity. An antique or vintage cabinet can really add some character to an otherwise boring bathroom.

4. Statement Wallpaper

While statement wallpaper can overwhelm a small half bath, covering one accent wall with a bold-patterned wallpaper can take a room from mundane to insanely awesome in no time (and for very little money).

5. Mirrored Wall

By the same token, create drama that is easily removed if you decide to move, by artfully creating a mirrored wall. Instead of one mirror above the vanity, add mirrors to fill the entire space behind the vanity up to the ceiling.

6. Black and White

What if you rent your home and can’t paint the walls, drill holes in the wall, or make other semi-permanent to permanent changes? Go for a dramatic look and add black and accessories and accents. Why have white towels, when you can go with black ones?

7. Interesting Artwork

Are you a collector of art, knickknacks, and other curios? Consider displaying them in the bathroom. Why display your postcard, snow globe, or art print collection in the living room when you can put them on show in the bathroom? It’s a sure way to make certain your artwork and collections will be noticed.

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Decorating with red sometimes gets a bad rap, but going bold with red can really make your space pop.

While you don’t want your home to look like the “Red Room” from Twin Peaks, decorating with red can add instant drama and vibrancy to your space. But just like with the perfect red lipstick, shade does matter. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but one word of caution with decorating with red: thoughtfully choose your shade of red–particularly when investing in paint, wallpaper, or other permanent changes. If you are taking the leap and plan on repainting, consider taking a look at ECOS Paints for environmentally-friendly paints.

Great Color Combinations

If you are worried about your home coming off like a bordello in an old western movie, pair it with other colors to help modernize things a bit. Some great colors for decorating with red are pink, white, navy, orange, turquoise, and cream. Avoid greens lest you’re a die-hard Christmas fan. Whether your decorating style is more classic or more modern, you can’t go wrong with a dynamic color combination.

Red Accents

As with any decor changes, the best way to dabble is with adding accent pieces. Pillows, wall art, lamps, throws, poufs, and other home decor accents are an effortless way to add any new home decor look you are into without breaking the bank. With red accents, you don’t need to be afraid to go bold and be dramatic!

1. Pillows are a smart way to easily add pops of color or pattern without redecorating or spending a fortune.

2. Go for some drama in the bedroom with vibrant red bedding like this organic linen bedding set that’s just perfect for cooler temperatures.

3. Decorating with red is as uncomplicated as adding a patterned red rug like this bamboo striped area rug. A really great rug can really tie a room together- just ask “The Dude”.

4. Another great way to add color is with functional throw blankets.

5. While is may be more of an investment than some pillows, add some bold personality with a vintage Mid-Century red sofa like this one.

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Get inspired with these ideas for bringing a painterly watercolor effect into your home.

There’s something super chill and zen about watercolors. Whether you are into realism, abstractism, impressionism, pointillism, or any other kind of “ism,” watercolor evokes a sense of whimsy and of being a free spirit. And don’t think that the watercolor effect is just for the canvas–it’s possible to decorate your space with the lightness and color that is watercolor. Read on for some inspiration and DIY ideas for adding the watercolor effect to your home.

DIY Watercolor Effect Ideas

1. Watercolor Throw Pillows

One easy way to add color of any kind is with throw pillows. By using a fixative medium it is possible to actually paint with watercolor paints on fabric. For the how-to, check out this tutorial that lays out what you will need and how to do it. Don’t be afraid to  come up with your own design though!

2. Watercolor Wall Art

Turn your talents (even if they are limited like mine) toward making some DIY watercolor wall art. Pull out your trusty watercolor paints and your imagination to make some pretty prints for your space. If you think you can’t paint, think again. You can use stencils to guide your hand or stick to simple geometric shapes. Here’s a handy tutorial for making colorful word art with watercolors.

3. Watercolor Bunting

Let your creativity guide you in making a watercolor bunting for a fun space that needs a little color (like over your desk). One clever idea is to paint coffee filters with watercolor paints and tie them to Bakers’ twine. This tutorial can offer you some inspiration.

4. Watercolor Napkins

By the same token as the throw pillow covers, it is easy to add a watercolor effect to your dinner napkins. While you could use watercolor paints and a fixative medium, you can also use acrylic paints with a medium to get the look of watercolors. Check out this tutorial for the how-to.

Watercolor Goods to Buy

5. Ink Splatter Removable Watercolor Wall Mural

One super easy way to add any home decor trend to your space is with a removable wall decal like this stunning watercolor wall mural. This would work great even if you live in a rental.

6. Watercolor Duvet

And don’t forget about the bedroom when thinking about where to add a calming watercolor print. This gorgeous duvet cover is available in twin through king sizes.

7. Watercolor Forest Blind

One creative way to add the beauty of watercolor is with these eco-friendly roller blinds. Combine the noble beauty of a watercolor painting and make a statement with window styling.

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Listen up, nature lovers, you don’t have to give up the outdoors just because the weather turns less seasonable. Instead, get creative and bring the natural world inside with some simple natural DIY projects to create nature-themed interior spaces.

9 Natural DIY Projects to Bring the Outside Inside

1. Driftwood Sconces – Turn a piece of driftwood into a candle holder by attaching votive candle holders to a piece of driftwood and hang on the wall. You can affix hardware clamps to the driftwood to hold the candle holders.

2. Twig Centerpiece – The next time you have to go out to collect branches from the yard after a windy day, bring some inside to create a natural DIY centerpiece. Add twigs to a vase along with greenery for a lovely seasonal centerpiece.

3. Fern Stencils – Collect fern fronds on your next walk in the woods to use them for some DIY natural decorating. They can be used as a stencil for your next painting project for everything from wallpaper and wall art to painted furniture pieces.

4. Dried Botanical Framed Art – By the same token, fern fronds and other botanicals can be collected, dried, and framed to create gorgeous art from some of nature’s best beauties for some easy, natural DIY.

5. Painted Pinecones – If you or your neighbors have any pine trees, then you have a ready supply of pine cones to collect and use for DIY projects. They can be spray painted and hung from hooks with ribbon in lonely corners in your home. Or collect them in a burl bowl on the coffee table.

6. Dried Flowers Mobile – This spring and summer, grow and collect flowers to dry and use to create a stunning dried flower garland. Simply tie and hang dried bunches of blossoms from their stems using twine or ribbon.

7. Burlap Curtains – Add some natural textured textiles by hanging raw burlap as curtains. Burlap can set the right textural tone if you are trying to create a nature-themed space.

8. Found Object Collection – Collect nature’s treasures like tiny pine cones, river stones, found feathers, and more and display your collection like they are priceless collectibles. Use a typesetter’s tray to display your collection on the wall or display them under a glass cloche on the coffee table.

9. Nature-themed Mason Jars – Wrap sisal twine around mason or other upcycled jars to create functional and lovely vases, pencil cups, utensil holders, or fill with succulent plants to create open terrariums.

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If you are new to the world of decor and design inspiration, or just need some new outlets to eat up more of your free time, we have a delicious roundup of some of our favorite decorating blogs to get you started. Make certain to clear your schedule for the time being, because you are going to be occupied for a long time catching up with these sites. Pretty soon, these sites will become your regular haunts.

No matter what your living arrangements are–from a tiny house to penthouse–getting inspired to decorate from your favorite decorating blogs is the cornerstone of the decor and DIY design world. Before the Internet, decor and design junkies had to find their inspiration at the hands of the latest issues of the big design and decor magazines, but these days inspiration is more immediate. Thank goodness!

Home decor, design, and DIY inspiration are just a click away no matter your personal style and taste!

Drool-worthy Decorating Blogs

1. A Beautiful Mess – Run by sisters Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, A Beautiful Mess blends a lovely mix of decor, food, fashion, and DIY that will keep you occupied for a long time.

2. Brit + Co – This site features a heady mix of all kinds of lifestyle topics including DIY and decor. The site boasts that it connects readers with makers, designers, chefs, and inventors to build a community of creativity.

3. City Farmhouse – City Farmhouse combines the sensibility of a city home with the practicality of a more suburban location. It’s a charming take on the journey of making a stylish home that doesn’t break the bank.

4. Nesting Place – Nesting proves that renters don’t have to sacrifice style–it’s possible to create a wonderfully decorous space and comfortable space even when you don’t own your own home.

5. SF Girl By Bay – After ten years, Victoria Smith’s blog continues to be one of the best and more inspiring design and decorating blogs around. This is an original tastemaker’s blog.

6. The Makerista – This blog provides a practical approach to how to decorate your space in a thoughtful and stylish way.

7. La Dolce Vita – Looking for someplace to just look at the pretty pictures? Look no further than this site run by a couple of interior decorators. It’s less of a practical how-to for us everyday folks and more of a fantasy of how we would decorate when we win the lottery!

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Beautiful Terrace Image via Shutterstock

The post 7 Drool-Worthy Decorating Blogs You Simply Must Read appeared first on EcoSalon.

Bring form and function together with DIY bookends you make yourself.

Bookends are a dual purpose home decor item. They are really quite helpful in holding up books, and they can also add a little pizzazz to otherwise plain bookshelves. You can even use them to create little vignettes on your coffee table or mantle. And they don’t have to cost a lot of money either–especially if you make your own DIY bookends.

Need a little inspiration? Read on for some easy ideas for how to make your own DIY bookends using stuff you might already have in your home.

7 Simple Projects for Making DIY Bookends

1. DIY Terrarium Bookends – Turn mason jars, or other glass jars, into living, breathing bookends and also add a little greenery to your space. Making your own terrarium is super simple, just follow the steps in this easy terrarium tutorial.

2. DIY Brick Bookends – Regular paving bricks are versatile and very functional bookends–they can even support heavier coffee style books. The bricks can be covered using fabric or paper, painted, stenciled or left natural for simplicity’s sake. The pictured ones are decorated with painted pop art designs. Image: FancyBrick

3. DIY Concrete Bookends – If you are looking for another study alternative, try making concrete ends to support your stacks. Here is an easy tutorial for making concrete bookends utilizing a plastic mold and added felt dots to protect the shelf. Image: mhoch3design

4. DIY Beanbag Bookends – Believe it or not those beanbags you learned how to make in camp can actually come in handy for holding up your books. If you don’t remember exactly how it’s done, here’s a simple how-to. These would be ideal for a kid’s room. Image: ColoringTheirWorld

5, DIY Thrift Store Knick Knacks – Turn fun and funky thrift store finds into functional bookends by mounting them to blocks of wood and spraypainting them. Use a monochromatic palette or get crazy and alternate the colors. Image: robinseggvintageNC

6. DIY Diorama Bookends – If you are a nature lover, consider making your own diorama bookends inspired by some of your favorite natural places. Here’s a fun tutorial that shares one technique for making dioramas. Image: heidis bridge

7. DIY Pipe Industrial Bookends – Have leftover metal or PVC pipe from a plumbing project? Repurpose it into bookends for both form and function’s sake. Here is a tutorial for a project that shows one technique for the how-to. Image: TheCleverRaven

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The post 7 Cool Ideas for DIY Bookends You Can Make appeared first on EcoSalon.

In a bold move, Pantone, the leader in forecasting color trends for decades, chose not one but two colors as the Pantone Color of the Year 2016. It also did an about-face from the deep and earthy Marsala from the Color of the Year for 2015 and chose to go softer for 2016 with Rose Quartz and Serenity.

It’s a brilliant color trend move and one that promotes balance. Rose Quartz is a gentle color that evokes compassion and composure. Serenity is an airier color that conveys a sense of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times. While both colors are quite nice, neither color is all that earth shattering on their own, or worthy of the Color of the Year distinction, but when paired together the impact is truly sublime.

The selection is an admitted symbolic one that acts as a color snapshot of our changing culture. It also seeks to provide an antidote to our modern day stresses by promoting mindfulness and fulfilling our yearning for reassurance and security. Pantone’s color selection also attempts to show how gender lines are becoming blurred in fashion and color coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity.

“Joined together Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace,”  Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute said in a statement.

You may not see much of these colors now (they are the forecast colors for 2016 after all), but pretty soon you will see them everywhere–from home decor to fashion. In the meantime, here are some pretty Color of the Year finds.

Offbeat Rose Quartz and Serenity Color of the Year Finds

Colorblock Color of the Year Pillow

Image: JillianReneDecor

Restless Photographic Print by Alicia Bock

Image: Pottery Barn

Metallic Placemats

Image: West Elm

Triangle Art Print

Image: MossAndTwigPrints

Octopus Nautical Art

Image: AdamsAleArtPrints

Serenity and Rose Quartz Merino Wool Yarn

Image: Zanetto

Color of the Year KitchenAid Mixers

Image: KtchenAid

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Image: Pantone

The post Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2016 is Not One But TWO Colors! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who doesn’t love copper accents in the kitchen? There is something about copper that makes it an even more inviting decor choice in the kitchen.

We all know copper has its advantages for cooking in the kitchen, like superior heat conductivity for one, but copper accents are also a popular decor choice. It can help to make your kitchen a more warm and inviting space, which is what we want after all, amiright? We spend so much time in the kitchen cooking, entertaining, and cleaning up that is should be a place that no one should mind hanging out in.

From traditional to more modern copper accents, we have some wonderful copper finds to add color and warmth to your kitchen space.

Creative Copper Accents for Your Kitchen

Copper Flatware – We love this festive and modern copper-topped painted flatware set. Flatware is the perfect way to incorporate an accent without being too in your face. It’s also lovely enough for entertaining and practical enough for everyday use since it is dishwasher-safe.

Copper Kitchen-Aid Mixer – While technically not made from copper, this Kitchen-Aid mixer in “Copper Satin” is a fun and ingenious way to add some copper color to your kitchen. We love it!

Copper Canisters – For a more traditional take, try this hammered copper canister set for storing flour, sugar, coffee, and other ingredients you want to have at hand. These will brighten up any kitchen counter-top.

Copper Cups and Pitcher Set – Copper cups are a must-have when serving Moscow Mules, but they are really wonderful for serving any beverages that you want to serve super cold. And that’s not to mention how gorgeous a copper set would look on your table or wet bar!

Copper Coffee Maker – Why settle for a boring black coffee maker when you can have a copper one instead?

Copper Tile Accent – Get creative with your copper accents by adding some glitz and glam with this stunning copper tile. We honestly cannot get enough of this look!

Copper “Diamond” Pendant Lamp – Think outside the box with this modern take on the copper pendant lamp. It’s super fun and quirky!

Copper Plated Chairs – Place these around your kitchen table for a refreshingly modern way to add copper accents to your kitchen. They are sure to be a real showstopper!

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Image: Copper Pots via Shutterstock

The post Quirky Copper Accents to Add to Your Kitchen Space appeared first on EcoSalon.

Try these simple bedroom decorating ideas to create your private oasis!

For many of us, our bedroom spaces are sacred places. If your bedroom could use a little freshening, read on for some easy bedroom decorating ideas to make your bedroom your own private retreat!

No Headboard, No Problem

Create a cool, calm and serene space from which to arise every morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world (or at least your corner of it). No headboard is required though.

• Create the illusion of a headboard by painting a mural of a “faux-board”, like as seen in this project.
• Affix repurposed shutters or wooden doors to the wall to give the effect of a headboard. Estate, yard, and thrift sales are the best places to look for shutters and doors.

A Private Affair

You may also want to consider adding a bit of privacy to your boudoir. All the better for binge watching Netflix in bed all day.

• Drape gauzy curtains from a hula hoop hung from the ceiling around your bed that you can open and close as you see fit.
• DIY a folding privacy screen from bi-fold doors that you can decorate to match your decor.

Writing on the Walls

Among bedroom decorating ideas, what you do with your walls is a pretty important decision.

• To give you the illusion of an airier space, only the paint the walls 3/4ths of the way up with your color. Then paint the ceiling and the rest of the wall white. This will make your ceiling appear taller.
• Add special text to your walls. You can paint walls with chalkboard paint, use text stencils and/or paint your favorite poem, song lyrics or book passages on your walls.

Hide It All Away

When deciding on what bedroom decorating ideas to focus on, one key idea is to keep clutter at bay by dealing with clutter before it happens. That means storage is king.

• Create under the bed storage by repurposing drawers from old dressers. Just beware the cats may like them too!
• It’s hard to relax with all those unsightly tech cables hanging off your bedside table. DIY your nightstand to hide those cords away by drilling a hole in the top and back for the cords to poke through. Or for extra points, turn an old book into a clever docking station.

Finishing Touches

Sometimes it is the little things that set the tone for your quiet space.

• Print out your favorite Instagram pics and create a heart wall mural like this one.
• DIY a glittery faux feather garland to add serenity to your space.

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Image of cozy bed via Shutterstock

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Home decor ideas to embrace the Greek trend of 2015.  

One of this year’s top decorating trends is the Greek or Mediterranean look. The trend chiefly focuses on two aspects of home decor: color and pattern.

For color the emphasis is on what is often referred to as Greek blue, and whether the inspiration for it is the flag of Greece or the color of the Mediterranean, it’s a strong, vibrant, very pretty, feelgood blue.

As far as pattern, the Greek Key pattern is the dominant trend. The Greek Key pattern is an ancient pattern often seen as an architectural element or a decorative border on textiles.  It’s a repeating pattern of a motif that which resembles a key.

Retailers and DIY-enthusiasts are both getting in on the action, so if you are fan of the trend, here are some home decor ideas to embrace it in your home.

7 Home Decor Ideas to Embrace the Greek Trend

1. Greek Key Overlays – Overlays are lightweight decorative fretwork panels that can be added to stair risers, dressers, corners, mirrors and more to add decorative flourish. The panels work perfectly on the front of stairs!
2. Greek Key Drapes – The Greek Key pattern is ideal for adding a decorative border to curtain and drapes. It adds a very elegant touch to any room, but works really well in a bedroom.
3. Greek Key Curtains – For the same effect, but without the expense, here’s a DIY no-sew version of Greek Key curtains. It really doesn’t get much easier than that.
4. Greek Blue Painted Furniture – Bring an old wooden piece of furniture back to life and on trend by painting it Greek Blue. One favorite is Greek Blue chalk paint from Annie Sloan.
5. Blue Bottles – Repurpose blue bottles as vases to add pops of blue to your home. Cobalt isn’t exactly the same as Greek Blue, but cobalt bottles are available from any winemaking supply store.
6. Painted Ceiling – Add serenity and color to your bedroom by painting the ceiling Greek blue. Painting the ceiling is a simple way to make a big impact on your home decor.
7. Throw Pillows – Finally, adding throw pillows is the super easy way to add any trend to your home without making permanent changes to your decor. You can even make your own covers to place over your existing pillows.

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