By now, many of you have finished making your holiday gift list and some have even completed your shopping.  With only 19 days left in the 2011 calendar, now is the time to look a little further into the future and start jotting down your wish list of home improvement projects. Taking the time to plan now will help in prioritizing and budgeting each project on your wish list.

 

Start by looking around your home to identify rooms or spaces that you are unhappy with.  Write down the room or space, and next to it describe what you feel is wrong with it. Maybe it's the lack of color, lighting or personality in your space, or it may be that the space just does not feel very inviting.

 

Next, write down the items that you would like to change in that space (i.e. painting, accessories, new lighting, upholster or replace furniture).  If you have magazine pictures, paint or fabric swatches place them all in a large folder or envelope and label it "2012 Home Improvement Projects Wish List".  You can use these pictures and swatches for inspiration when working on your project or share them with your contractor to help explain the vision you have for your space.

 

Finally, take the time to set a budget to help determine your deadlines. Start by looking at each project, on your list, and writing down your best GUESS as to what the project will cost to complete.  Another approach is to write down how much it is that YOU are willing to spend on each project.  Knowing how much you're willing to spend can help guide your choices as you start working on your project. 

 

 Next, and this is were honesty is key, write down how much you can afford to spend each month on home improvement projects. If all your projects will not fit within your annual budget, then weigh out the pros and cons of doing it now or putting it off another year. With today's economy, it is wise to avoid going into debt to accomplish everything on your wish list.

 

Taking the time to create a  plan will empower you in accomplishing your home improvement goals. The key is to stick to your list and not waiver from your budget.

 

Area rugs are multifaceted. They can be decorative, functional or both.

Selecting the right rug for you is totally dependent on your needs.

 

When using an area rug for decorative purpose, select a large rug that will fit in the middle of the room's layout. This works best for living rooms where furniture are positioned for entertainment and conversation. Make sure that the rug is large enough to allow at least 1/3 of the front end of your furniture to rest on it. The style and color you select should be based on the decor of the room.  Avoid trying to match colors exactly; this effort is usually useless since different fibers take on color dyes differently.  If you have a monotone decor try matching just enough to give the room uniformity.  And if using multiple rugs in the room, instead of using the same size and/or pattern, experiment with coordinating colors, styles, sizes and shapes that will add interest to the room.

 

There is no limit to what can be done when you decorate using area rugs.  A living room rug can be one of the most important factors in decorating your living room. The right rug can determine the colors and accents, colors and tones, style of furniture and the overall aesthetics of your living room layout. It can become the center, the main factor that ties the whole room together.