2014 Tips for Open Living Spaces Decorating Ideas

Dreaming of a casual room that blends cooking, dining, and living? A kitchen living room combo starts with a basic idea: Love your layout. These all encompassing spaces fuse style and function for fabulous rooms that flow together seamlessly.You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

This living area's signature style was born out of a desire for an all encompassing space. A nature-inspired color scheme helps the sitting, dining, and cooking areas blend seamlessly. Area rugs and furniture are arranged to create task-oriented zones within the open room. Here, the sofa separates the kitchen and living area.

Family, friends, food, and fun are the main ingredients in a casual dining-living room combo. A cooktop in the island opens the floor for conversation with guests or family members while meals are being prepared, whether they're seated at the counter or in the adjacent living or dining areas.

Serving Up Efficiency : Designed to accommodate a busy lifestyle, the kitchen area is packed with function. The L-shape layout of the kitchen creates distinct prep and cleanup spaces. The large farmhouse-style sink and dishwasher are positioned on the far wall, which keeps the cleanup space from crowding out the prep area. An expansive island includes additional prep and storage space. A blend of traditional and open cabinets corrals dishware and serving pieces.

A Place to Gather : A dining table and an artful chandelier mark the transition between the cooking and living areas. Because the eating area is more distanced from the other zones, it works equally well for casual gatherings and quiet dinners for two. A high ceiling with exposed-wood beams makes the area seem more spacious.

In Good Company : Good looks and practicality are equal partners in the space's decor. Furniture is arranged to facilitate conversation and togetherness. Modern comforts such as slipcovered furniture and swiveling armchairs contribute to the overall warmth of the room and are ideal for lounging around or watching TV.

Island Time : With its generous size and prep sink, the kitchen island is suited for multitasking. The space can also double as an extension of the dining area or a place to do homework. A wall of windows coaxes plenty of light into the cooking area.

Casual Dining : Sophisticated style mingles with kid-friendly ideas for an open living space that suits the whole family. A freestanding dining set paired with the window seat makes this breakfast nook highly functional. A vintage-style bench features a modern mix of fabrics and storage drawers for seldom-used linens and extra cookware.

Entertainment Central : The real fun begins when the family gathers in its favorite hangout spot. A big coffee table for parking laptops, floor pillows for comfy seating, and a TV make the living room a well loved entertainment hub.

Easing Traffic Flow : Every space counts in an open living area, and a smart layout is essential to keep everything running smoothly. The main sink, oven, and range are within a few steps of each other, easing the work flow from prepping to serving in the kitchen.

Living Large : Ushering natural light into the kitchen, a glass panel door provides deck access and visually expands the room. Tall overhead cabinetry and light fixtures emphasize the kitchen's height. Cherrywood knobs and leg detailing give the white cabinets a warm, traditional look.

Rethink Existing Space : An area rug defines an intimate living space within the open room. Practical, pretty furnishings are used to ensure a smooth transition from the kitchen to the living room. Fun accents in bright colors relax the space and bring in a welcoming, casual vibe.

Transitional Aesthetics : The homeowners wanted handsome surroundings but needed them to be family oriented. Unusual pieces, such as colorful upholstery and a fun accent table, give the family room the personality it deserves. A cozy furniture arrangement yields a flexible family room ideal for relaxing, and the TV can be viewed while prepping in the kitchen.

Use Like Materials : Clever storage and a streamlined style look right at home in this kitchen. The homeowners kept the room's original cabinets, which feature a professionally applied aniline dye on the upper set and a few glass inserts. The modern, clean lined design used in the cabinetry and wood floors repeats in all the major living spaces to create a unified look.

Double Duty : New windows and built in cabinetry turn this dining area into an airy work space for the family. Outside of meal times, the table is a place to color and craft. Bench seating beneath the window is piled with pillows for a comfy spot to read.

Clean Living : Slivers of space were put to work to make the most of each living zone. By thinking vertically, the family maximized its storage potential in the kitchen. Matching units on both sides of the dining room window serve as dynamic display areas. A long window seat includes pullout drawer storage that makes cleanup easy for kids.

Smooth Transition : The entire wall between the dining room and living room was removed and rebuilt to define the function of each space. A two sided fireplace was installed, providing a visual link between the dining room and living room. A beverage center tucked into the new fireplace wall incorporates cabinets, freeing up storage space in the kitchen.

Flexibly Furnished : Large openings and the two sided fireplace connect the dining area with the living room, where comfy furniture and durable fabrics welcome family game nights. The new fireplace features a slab of bluestone for cozy fireside seating. Portable furniture, such as large stools, can be moved around to accommodate day-to-day activities. Built-in shelves in the living room provide display areas.

2014 Comfort Breakfast Nook Decorating Ideas

Large or small, breakfast nooks are a perfect way to make the most of extra space in or near your kitchen. You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .. Engoy it !!!

Consider borrowing square footage from spaces adjacent to your kitchen to create a new breakfast nook. A separate eating area gives diners a place to sit out of the cook's way.

Minimal window coverings keep this breakfast nook bright and sunny. Soft yellow cushions, pillows, and painted chairs add to the room's happy feel.

Mismatched chairs and table are unified with a coat of white paint and slipcovers sewn from dropcloths. The bench is a repurposed bifold door, painted in a crisp blue. Accessories complete this kitchen's cozy nook.

A modern table and chairs set, pendant lighting, and wall decor put a stylish spin on a traditional breakfast nook. Keeping the walls white in both this space and the kitchen creates a cohesive look and ties the rooms together.

Natural light highlights the details in this breakfast nook. White walls and window details provide a beautiful backdrop for the dark table and chairs. Green seat cushions add a pop of color to the mostly neutral color scheme.

Like many others, this nook takes advantage of windows that provide natural light and great views. Low, comfortable benches keep the nook casual and comfortable.

The little details of this breakfast nook tie the room together. The patterns on the seat cushions and rug add style to the room. The black pendant light and white table and chairs provide contrast to the nook. These simple details complement each other and create a cohesive look. A nearby china hutch stores overflow from the kitchen, such as infrequently used linens and dishes.

Bay windows are a perfect spot for a breakfast nook, especially when the space sports curved walls like this cottage nook. A built-in bench hugs the curves of the window to provide extra seating. In an oversize space like this one, consider a table with leaves, which gives you the flexibility to adjust your dining accommodations based on your seating needs.

When creating a unique and fresh dining space, keep in mind that things don't need to match perfectly. This nook mixes a Victorian table with modern chairs a look that's just the right blend of traditional and contemporary.

At one end of the kitchen is a breakfast area, where the family enjoys most meals. Upholstered chairs rest on legs in the same dark-stained wood as the table and curtain rod. Fabric shades on the chandelier repeat the yellow that appears on curtain and chair fabrics.

Breakfast nooks result from the practical transformation of small, seemingly useless spaces. Previously an awkward corner, this space is now a convenient and purposeful area. Not just a place to sit down and grab a bite, the nook also boosts storage with shelves above and drawers below.

It's easy to turn a window seat into a breakfast nook just add a table! While the chairs are optional, they come in handy when guests arrive. Corbels on both sides of the window turn this space into a quaint alcove. A chandelier adds the perfect touch of shabby chic elegance.

Attention to detail allows a breakfast nook to fuse seamlessly with the design of the rest of the kitchen and the home. Subtle elements in this space, such as the lantern light fixture and the bowlike bench design, connect with the home's maritime theme.

A splash of cool colors and the addition of furniture turned a butler's pantry into this vibrant breakfast nook. The table and banquette bench were custom-built to match the homeowners' kitchen chairs. The room's accessories spoons, pitchers, and plates add cottage touches.

A breakfast nook provides an easy opportunity to recycle and reuse. Repaint a table from your basement, add some extra throw pillows from a guest bedroom, and you've got the key elements of a new nook.

To unite your kitchen with an adjacent dining nook, use similar decor elements in both spaces, but also consider treatments to make each space unique. Here, the blue from the island is repeated on the cushions on the nook bench, and the dining chairs are the same style as the barstools. The beaded board of this nook runs up the wall, distinguishing the area from the rest of the kitchen.

2013 Small Modern Apartment Decorating Ideas from BHG

A trip to the homeowner's closet provided the design inspiration for this small modern apartment.The statement making patterns, timeless silhouettes, and fun accessories found in the wardrobe were translated into this home design for a look that mixes classic with modern, and sophisticated with fun.

Spring 2013 Centerpieces and Table Settings New Ideas

These beautiful Easter-inspired centerpieces and table settings are perfect for any spring get-together. Mix-and-match our creative ideas for your Easter table or use them as inspiration to create your own display.