Check out this amazing basement/den makeover

I think we can all agree that the photo below is a pretty common, albeit horrible den. Well, Southern Living featured the makeover of this den into a living room/craft area over the holidays. I think it turned out great, and is a great example of efficiently using the space you have.

The before....
The after! (Click on the image for a larger view.) Notice the narrow bookshelves on either side of the fireplace which offer storage that didn't even exist before - a perfect example of making the most of your space. A couch instead of chairs offers more seating and cozies up the room. Large baskets under the console at the back of the chair create storage, and the table acts as a desk when needed. Shelves on the wall create a pretty gallery space.

A pretty wreath hung from the bookshelves.

A corkboard displays invites and cards.


What do you think of this makeover?

via Southern Living

Read More

7 Great Basement Design Ideas

Do you have a big, cold, wasted basement under your house? If you do this, this is a great opportunity to turn something exciting in this space and in some cases even free up more space upstairs. Basement design ideas are as good as you want. The more you of your imagination, the better ideas come along. Here are 7 time tested basement ideas that add to your home and can make it an exciting place to live:

1) basement home theater - or maybe just a big TV room ifChoose. With the proliferation of inexpensive LCD flat screens now. this basement design idea is one of the most popular. When you turn your basement into a movie / TV room, you can also several great speakers and have a great movie experience whenever you want. It can even save money on movie tickets!

Buy 2) Basement Workout Room - More and more people, treadmills, weight sets, and are elliptical machines and what better place to spend it than in the basement. What is the room beautifullyand you have your own gym!

3) Basement Workshop - If you get out for adequate lighting and doors, the things in space and a basement workshop could be right for you. Working in your basement during the cold winter months would be much nicer than in the cold garage.

4) Basement Bar / Entertainment Room - If you have not maintained enough space to be upward, consider moving the party down. This is a good idea for some smaller houses. If you put in aMini-kitchen, basement and fun furniture are ready to celebrate!

5) Basement Office - Many people need to move home in the modern world of work and the office down to the basement is a great idea to separate work from play. A basement office, there's also just a bedroom or in the cave, where the office was.

6) Basement Game Room - Put a pool table and table tennis and a big TV and you have yourself a game room for everyone to enjoy. Adding a pinballMachine really contribute to the atmosphere of the game room!

7) Guest Bedroom - Turn your basement into the guest room and given a room on the first floor for himself. This will work best if the basement has a bathroom and shower, of course.

Read More

Glamorous and pretty inspirational rooms from....Ikea!

Ikea's styling gets better and better. I love looking through their magazine for inspiration on how to better organize and create functional living systems. I was really impressed with the new 2010 magazine and the great rooms they shot. Here are some of my favorites. Which do you like?

Pretty and white, but still lived in

I love how this room shows that you don't need to always use pretty decorative boxes. Clear plastic containers are no fail, and even I use utility shelves in my office. For a busy lifestyle and tight deadlines nothing beats it. And this image shows that it can look nice as well.

Oh how I would love to have a daybed in my office...I'm just afraid that I would use it as a "sleep all day" bed


Amazing storage and workspace!



Isn't this bedroom glamorous?



All images via Ikea

Read More