1. Get some inspiration from Bauhaus styles.
The mid century style was developed by architect Walter Gropius but it was speculated that the Bauhaus design was a major inspiration to the same. And so, in designing your home, consider cubed patterns, open floors, and steel colour palettes that mute and subdue edginess in style. You can have cubed patterns for your choice of furniture while having floor plans which are more open and spacious. There is a need to be simple and elegant so be careful not to go overboard. Steely palettes can be your main theme but be careful not to be too monochromatic. Mid century modern is really all about colour, so make sure you add some vibrant hues in your home to counter the steel palettes.

2. Explore organic oriental styles.
The mid century modern design in homes is primarily post-war in characteristic. Therefore, post-war approaches to traditional design are very common. Japanese designs, organic displays, as well as deluxe furniture of leather and steel are found in abundance within mid century modern homes. Leather furniture in either beige or grey is a common piece in mid century modern designs. It looks elegant and classy against bright colours. Other oriental designs that can blend with your beige palette are bamboo designs: depicted in steel or in painting or bits of the bamboo itself utilized in a furniture style but with a modern touch.

3. Select simpler materials such as steel, plywood, aluminum, and some synthetics.
Since there weren’t really a lot of supplies for furniture materials during the post war period, most of the chosen materials were those readily available and relatively simpler. Some modern designs focus on a fusion of these materials, say plywood and aluminum together, while the others kept to one material alone such as steel, for example.

4. Gravitate towards rich colours and patterns.
There was an unwritten movement after the war wherein people simply wanted to turn away from the dark, horrific events and simply took to cover the grim memories with splash of radiant colours. Mid century modern designers made collaborations that were empowered by both colours and curves. Patterns were playful and promising. Although this type of design lies on the other end of the spectrum – as opposed to the simplistic ideals of Bauhaus designs – it is still one of the primary options that you can pursue if you want that mid century modern design. The stricter rules of the home design is specifically dictated by the “mid century” guidelines, but since there is the aspect of modernity, you are still pretty much given free hand as to the colours, patterns, and pieces that you can include in your home.

5. Incorporate light and natural surroundings into your design.
Having the natural surroundings as part of your home design can be naturally refreshing. Bring light into your home and welcome the airy atmosphere. Modern designs have often been associated with spacious and airy setups. You can incorporate this idea into your living room space. The trick is to personalize your home design. You already have material suggestions and style ideas. All you have to do is to put them together in balance. The colour white is also popular among mid century modern designs especially when matched with glossy finishes of floor plans. You can buy unique furniture that will give your home an airy, spacious feeling as well as an artistic appeal.

Author’s Bio

Liza is a home décor blogger with a passion for both old and new furniture. Her home is an eclectic mix of antique pieces and modern sofas. She loves sprucing up any room with live plants and mirrors.

Here’s how to transform your office into a beautiful space you’re happy to be in, in just five easy steps:

1. Walls

Look at the walls in your office. Are they bright and inspiring or dull and drab? Your office is a great place to display favorite paintings, family photographs and even collectibles. Paint the walls in a light hue of a color that you adore. Is purple your favorite color? Try painting the walls in a light lilac or dusky lavender. Do you love green? Try a wall color of light olive or dusty mint.

By painting the walls in favorite colors, you’ll immediately find the room to be comforting. The walls will also give you a great starting off point for the rest of your décor!

2. Flooring

Carpeting is nice but doesn’t make for a great choice in the home office. With all of the moving you do, having flooring that your chair and modular furniture can glide over is a better option. Look for flooring made of bamboo or tile; add a few small throw rugs to create warmth and depth.

3. Décor

When you decorate, hang items on the walls and place objects on shelves in odd groupings. The best interior designers will tell you that small groups of three or five are more pleasing to the eye than items grouped in pairs. Consider lining the windowsill with colorful bottles or glass vases; they will catch the light, lending a beautiful sparkle to the room.

Choose paintings for the walls that pull from the color you’ve painted with. Alternately, turn your favorite photos into art; black and white photographs look stunning in any room and, when matted properly, can also give a look of elegance.

4. Furniture

Mix old pieces with modern ones. Do you have a favorite, over-stuffed chair in your family room? Pull it into your office and use it for those times you aren’t tied to your desk. Mixed with modern pieces, vintage furniture can make your office look chic and inviting. When buying new pieces, be sure to look for modular furniture that is multifunctional and efficient.

5. Lighting

Any room in which you read, type or work should be well lit. If you have ceiling lighting, add a floor lamp and a desk lamp. If your room lacks light from the ceiling, consider an extra floor lamp. Hanging a mirror opposite from your window will reflect sunlight and give your room an open, airy feel.

Turning your home office into a place you are happy to work in isn’t difficult. If you are looking for more inspiration, visit these websites:

- HGTV: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/creative-sophisticated-office/index.html
- Real Simple: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/home-office/makeover-home-office-00000000040873/index.html
- Apartment Therapy: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-after-a-calm-creative-office-makeover-curbly-166417
- Pretty Handy Girl: http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2010/08/home-office-makeover-from-dark-and.html
- The Inspired Room: http://theinspiredroom.net/2012/02/23/the-home-office-makeover-inspiration-board/

Any of these sites will be more than able to give you both inspiration and tips for turning your home office into the room of your dreams!

Author’s Bio

Amanda Peters is an interior designer and writer who understands the importance of having a keyboard tray to add comfort to those working on the computer.

The popularity of learning from home is growing. With single parents going back to school and continuing their education, learning at home is convenient and cost effective. Just as important as it is to choose the right college or course is to choose the right furniture to help you succeed in your e-learning experience. With home office furniture constantly changing, there are many new options for the at home student that can offer organization and comfort. Here are a few of the popular designs available for your home:

Executive Desk:

If space and funds are limited, an executive desk may be the choice for you. With simple lines, compact design and enough space to add organizational shelving and containers, it will be sure to keep your studies in order. You can add more storage with an organizer hutch or shelving.

L-Shaped Desks:

Some home students don’t have the luxury of a home office. The design of an L-shaped desk allows you to utilize a corner of your room to use as an office. With more surface area than an executive desk you can add more organization and versatility.

U-Shaped Desk:

This style is a bit bulkier but offers a large array of styles. You can choose one with a hutch, with or without drawers, small or large, wood or metal. The choices are as vast as the space you get. If you have a dedicated room for the office this would be a great center piece that will keep you feeling and working like a professional.

Office Chairs:

There are hundreds of types of office chairs available these days. From traditional to contemporary, choosing the right chair is almost as hard as choosing the desk. It is however more important. The chair is where you will be spending countless hours studying, writing papers, and learning everything you can.

When choosing an office chair you want to take into consideration the comfort, style, and functionality. A high back chair on casters is the preferred chair for the at home student. Depending on your taste you can choose from leather back, or mesh back chairs. If you prefer staying cool and allowing more air to circulate you may want to choose the mesh backing to avoid feeling confined and smothered. It is not suggested to choose a chair that makes you too comfortable, you may just fall asleep and get nothing done.

Continuing your education is an important step towards securing your future and providing for your family. When deciding which classes to take, which school is right for you, and which method is the best for you to succeed, take into consideration the furniture that you will be spending all of your time in. Think about the organization you will need, the comfort you deserve and the tools you require to succeed.

Clean desk and working environment

If you have a clean and tidy office area then you’re more likely to be better organized as a person. Being able to find something quickly and easily will most definitely help towards improving productivity and your state of mind. Filing cabinets, baskets, trays or drawers are simple additions that can help give a home to key documents in your office. Consider investing in some contemporary office furniture to help set the mood for your workstation. You can also soften the feel of your office by having photos, plants or other items that will offer a positive influence on your mood.

Comfortable seating

Consider your choice of seating. Your chair needs to be comfortable and able to provide the correct level of support needed for the long periods that you may be spending sitting down during the course of the day.

• For an ideal seating position your feet need to be placed flat on the floor with your thighs pointing slightly downwards. Your lower legs and hips should be positioned at little over 90 degrees from each other.
• Your lower back needs to be well supported and be in contact with your chair. This will ensure you have good lumber support which is paramount for being comfortable.
• Finally, make sure your neck and shoulders are in a relaxed position with your lower arms at right angles or slightly more open so that your wrists are straight when at your keyboard.

Lighting

Lighting is another important part of any office. If possible, during daylight hours try to get as much natural daylight as possible. This will help to avoid the feeling of being shut away. If artificial lighting is required, try to opt for adjustable lighting or several different light sources in order to create a mood in the office. Also consider the settings on your computer monitor. Make sure they are set correctly. If they are either too bright or too dim then you could be giving yourself unnecessary eye strain which in turn will add to your stress levels and fatigue.

Free from distractions

In order to be able to work efficiently it is important to be free from distractions. Music may be good to work to, but it could easily cause a distraction as can background noise such as a television or unnecessary telephone calls. To remain productive throughout your day you need to stay focused and organized.

Author Bio

Scossa are a leading UK furniture shop based in Preston, Lancashire who offer a wide range of contemporary office furniture, desks and office chairs to help add that wow factor in any office environment.

What Fits Your Needs

First, you should choose the dining room set that is right for your needs, whether you are looking for a more formal or casual setup. Of course, you’ll want to first find the quality table that best suits your long-term needs. In smaller areas, a round dining table may be more appropriate, so as to not overwhelm the space and still be comfortable. Larger areas can accommodate a more traditional rectangular dining room table. If more seating will be necessary occasionally, purchase a table with extra leaves. Fine wood tables provide a traditional look, while glass ones give off a more modern impression. The coordinated chairs can be designed from fine wood or upholstery, depending on personal taste and care requirements.

Embellishing the Dining Area

With careful planning, a dining room can set the unique ambiance for that perfect meal by including proper accents. Think of the window treatments that are best suited for your dining room. For formal areas, heavier window treatments are the norm, though lighter ones may be used in a more casual setting. Deeper hues of paint provide a more elegant impression, while neutral colours exhibit a sleek appeal. Formal dining rooms look elegant with a high end rug placed under the table to add a designer touch. These should be approximately the same size as the table and not distract from the composition of the dining chairs. Also decide on the table settings that will aesthetically compliment the colour and décor of the room in general. Proper lighting is essential to set the mood, which can be achieved with a stylish chandelier with a dimmer switch. Candles and flowers work great as centerpieces for the table, while framed art or mirrors are always a nice finishing touch.

Other Accessories to Consider

To complete their dining picture, you may also want to consider wall units to compliment the formal setting. Buffets and hutches are perfect for storing fine china, silver and crystal. They can also be used to create displays in your dining room that will accent central furniture pieces. Wall units can be open or have glass doors, if desired. Many allow for lighting to provide emphasis on special focal points. One may choose to use these to exhibit fine dining ware, art, literature, collectables, treasured photographs, floral arrangements and more. Wall units make an especially nice addition for dining rooms with large, bare walls or high ceilings, adding just the right touch of warmth and variety to complete the total dining experience.

Amanda is a writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA. She has a passion for interior design and dining room furniture.

No Couch Allowed

The thought of not having a couch in the living room causes some people to panic. We’ve all had living rooms with the couch as the focal piece of furniture for decades. It is ingrained into our subconscious. It is just the way things are supposed to be. Remember interior design is about knowing the rules so that you can successfully break them from time-to-time. So get couches out of your plans… if you dare.

Instead of a couch, this approach is going to rely on several smaller chairs and benches. It may seem like a radical change but that is OK. You will get used to the idea soon enough. You can even map this out on a piece of paper to get an idea of how it will work. Choose a style of wooden or rattan chairs that will fit in with your overall colour scheme as well as a bench that will comfortably seat two to three people. How you lay the room out is up to you. You will probably want to purchase some cushions for the chairs and bench to make them more comfortable.

This type of living room design makes it easy to change things around in a flash. The lack of a couch will take some time to get used to, but it will pay off big time when you get the bug to rearrange the furniture. With no couch in the living room there will be no tendency to fall asleep in front of the television or for the kids to slouch around in the living room being lazy.

This approach may not be for everyone, but if you like to rearrange furniture frequently, this could be the most mobile living room layout you have ever seen.

A Fresh Coat Of Paint

When you moved into your apartment, there’s a good chance that a fresh coat of white paint was on the walls. If you want some more colours on the walls, a new coat may be in order. Be sure that your landlord will allow you to do this before you splash up some new colours. You don’t want to break any rules, especially if you just moved in. If you are allowed to do this, pick a nice lively colour for your living room. White walls can get tiresome; don’t be afraid to add some colours to perk up your new living room.

Think Smaller When Buying Living Room Furniture

Many times people that live in apartments try to shove too much furniture in the living room. Your living room is probably where you will spend most of your time, so take every effort to keep the room open and comfortable. Instead of a huge sectional or large couch, choose a small love seat and a few chairs. This will keep your living room from becoming too crowded with furniture. Instead of a coffee table, try bringing two, smaller end-tables together and covering them with a nice piece of fabric. This allows you to rearrange the tables in a flash and create some extra space when you have company.

Above all, make the apartment a reflection of your personal style. Never go beyond the limitations of your lease, though. A little creativity and choosing furniture that will not overcrowd the living room will allow you greater flexibility in setting up your first apartment.

A Basic Barnyard Layout

A good and simple way to start out painting the room is to think of three colours: blue, green, and red. Blue for the skies, green for the fields of grass, and red for the barns and buildings. An easy first step is to pick a nice, bright green and paint the entire bottom half of the walls with this colour. You can get wavy and wild as this will be the rolling hills of this little farm. After you have that complete, do the upper half in a brilliant sky blue. You know have the landscape complete.

Get Artistic With The Rest

Depending upon your level of artistry you can then begin to fill in the details. Place some white clouds in the sky. Draw a big red barn on one of the larger walls and colour it in a rustic red. Then have fun with the animals. You can choose to paint the animals by hand, use stencils, or buy some large decal animals. Place some fun little scenes around the walls to pump up your child’s imagination.

You can go as simple or extravagant with the barnyard theme as you want. You can find a bed with animal designs, or even add some fun toys for barnyard prompts. Your child may outgrow this room when he or she gets a little older, but have fun with it now while they are little. They’ll be older before you know it and wanting to paint their walls black and hang up pictures of teen idols. Take the time you have now to make their room a fun place where they want to spend time and play. Have fun!

Go For The Big Screen

The centerpiece of an entertainment room has to be a big plasma, or LCD screen TV. Prices on these sets have gone down in recent years, so you should be able to find some good deals. For an optimal entertainment experience, don’t go smaller than a 42 inch screen. This is on the smaller end for a really decked out entertainment room but it will work. Be sure to get a wall mounting kit to keep from having to set up a huge entertainment center because they are a huge waste of floor space that your entertainment room cannot afford to spare.

Bring In The Gear

Get all the peripherals hooked up to the TV. Bring in the home theatre system, the gaming systems and the computer. If you know how to hook electronics up get the PC hooked into the TV too. Get all the entertainment gear into place. Avoid the urge to bring in an entertainment center, utilize small tables or desks instead. A really cool idea is to hide the gear away in a closet that is set aside for clothing. Store your electronics gear in there instead. You can purchase simple all-in-one infrared systems with a control eye to ease the use of your gadgets.

Easy On The Furniture

Keep furnishings very basic and sparse. Two good theatre style chairs and a beanbag chair or two for visitors is plenty. It’s a good idea to have a few extra beanbag chairs available to bring in for company. Beanbag chairs are comfortable, easy to move, and provide a great retro feel to your entertainment room. By the time you’re done with this room, it may become the hotspot on the weekends for your friends and family.

Desert Colours

For the walls you want to get a sandy, tan tone. Look at some desert pictures and remember to take some with you to the store in order to pick out the right colour. Put up a base coat on the walls and use a dry sponge as the coat begins to dry. The sponge will add some texture to the walls to make them pop a little bit. You can go dark or light with the tan colour, just make sure that it puts you in a desert state of mind.

Rattan or Bamboo Furniture

For a real desert feel choose rattan or bamboo furniture. There are some very stylish designs in these materials and they will be the perfect addition to your desert themed room. A nice touch on the chairs is to get some deep, rusty coloured cushions for comfort and to add some deeper, richer tones to the room.

Top It Off With Some Authentic Desert Life

When you think of the desert, you probably think of cacti. These plants are easy to take care of and will really put your living room over the top. You can get them in many varieties and sizes. Consider safety when you get these plants. If you have little ones running around, you may want to choose some non-sticking varieties that won’t hurt anyone.

Put your own spin on the finishing touches to your desert room. Buy some art work that fits in with the theme as well as your own personal style. One fun thing to do is to buy some clear glass vases and fill them with sand, then place them on tables and shelves to finish of your desert themed room. You’ll have your own personal desert paradise without having to worry about filling up a canteen to stay hydrated.

Choosing the right living room furniture is a simple way to make your guests feel comfortable and welcome in your home. Choosing the right living room furniture is not as difficult as you may think. However, choosing the right living room furniture is the key point in making the room timeless.