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It is a fact that home renovation projects can boost the value of your home. However, not all homeowners can upgrade their homes with a flick of their fingers. This is due to various reasons, especially when it comes to budget. We know that materials and labor costs these days are not a joke. Worry no more as there are many ways to upgrade your home without going into debt or breaking your savings. Read on to know some of the interesting ways to increase the home value with DIY projects.

Give your walls a new look

It is common to have scratches, dirty paint, outdated colors, and fading wallpaper. These can be remedied with a little style, creativity, and a few cans of paint. Choose a neutral color scheme such that it can unify the whole house. This scheme can likewise be appealing to potential buyers. 

Update your fixtures

Some fixtures need to be replaced or updated. Switch plates, outlet covers, curtain rods, light fixtures, and doorknobs. Old ones tend to be boring and with a little spending, the overall appearance of the room may be different and lively. Be smart in purchasing these items. No need to choose the expensive ones as they may have the same quality as those cheaper items. You still need to do some research, though, so that you may not end up buying the wrong items. 

Ceiling fans

Want to cut down on your electricity consumption? Install ceiling fans as these are good alternatives to air conditioners. Ceiling fans also reduce heating costs b circulating warm air await from the ceiling. 

Improve the window treatments

Replace vertical plastic blinds, paper shades, or horizontal aluminum blinds. These are no longer in trend and don’t add value to your homes. Use plantation shutters, wooden blinds, or drapes. Neutral colors are the best choice, especially if you are planning to sell your home.

Restore hardwood floors

In many instances, older homes have hardwood floors hidden underneath the carpet or any floor covering. If you have squeaky floors then you have wooden floors. If you are still not sure, pull up your carpet and check. Before revealing them, there is a good chance that you need to refinish them to restore them to their original state. This is cheaper than installing new flooring. 

Paint or stain kitchen cabinets

You could buy new cabinets and save money by purchasing prefabricated cabinets and installing them yourself. White cabinets tend to brighten the kitchen and never go out of style. To do this, you need to remove all the hardware from the cabinets, including the doors. Clean them so that dirt and grease will not ruin your work. In doing so, you may also want to upgrade the bathroom cabinets as well. 

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your home does not have to be expensive. It does not require hiring contractors or other experts. These days, there are many ingenious ways to boost your home without spending that much. As a result, the value of your home may likewise be improved for future buyers or even for your own satisfaction.

Sushi anyone? Many people have loved this dish and there is something into it that makes it comforting and pleasurable. A Japanese restaurant is never complete without sushi and other signature dishes. However, there is more to a Japanese restaurant than just the food. In addition to the menu and service, the overall appearance and ambiance of the Japanese restaurant are important. All of these factors complete the Japanese restaurant experience that will take you to the Far East with a snap of the finger. Planning to start your own Japanese restaurant business? Here are some interesting ideas that will help you with your brand.

See and feel the ambiance

The culture and tradition of the Japanese have greatly influenced the aesthetics and architecture of Japanese homes and restaurants. By principle, the Japanese-styled interior revolves around uncluttered and clean living, sticking to order, balance, love for natural beauty, and ancient costumes. 

If you have watched Japanese tea ceremonies and other traditions, you will fully understand and appreciate the interior of every Japanese home and restaurant. Japanese restaurants have that relaxing touch that will make you enjoy your food more. 

Starting the Japanese restaurant business

Starting a Japanese restaurant is quite challenging but rewarding. Think about the different factors that need to be considered and incorporated to be successful in the business. Examples are the location, market for Japanese cuisine, and available resources, especially the budget. Be sure that you have devised a marketing and business plan. You will also need to hire professional staff members, such as experienced Japanese food and sushi chefs, interior designers or decorators, and servers. 

Characteristics of a Japanese restaurant

Achieving an authentic Japanese restaurant is not that hard, especially if you are a fan of Japanese food and culture. Some elements distinguish a Japanese restaurant from other Asian restaurants. In terms of the interior appearance, Japanese culture has respect and love for nature. As such, the interior appearance should reflect this passion. Bring nature in with traditional plants such as bamboo and bonsai. Palm and orchids work well with traditional plants. The important thing is that you make the restaurant look natural, green, and simple. You can enhance the look with wooden elements around the restaurant. 

In addition to plants, water is another important element that will boost the Japanese appearance of your restaurant. The sound of water has a calming effect and can evoke a tranquil room environment. 

Adding shoji adds to the beauty of the interior. Shoji is a Japanese screen that slides back and forth. This is used as a replacement for doors to save up space and likewise allow natural light in the room. The screen is usually made up of fine translucent paper found inside a wooden grid. 

The entry or “genkan” is also an important concept of Japanese culture. Guests are greeted in this area while shoes are taken off and replaced with indoor slippers. Add shelves in the entryway to store the shoes and remember that this should look simple and made up of wooden elements. It should be uncluttered and the furniture pieces are mostly low to the ground. In many instances, floor cushions are used instead of furniture pieces. 

Japanese restaurant interior designs also have a minimalist appearance. Remember that the restaurant should always be clean, uncluttered, and simple. Use culture-inspired furniture pieces, made up of wood, clean-lined and modern. When it comes to lighting, it is recommended to have angular and modern lighting. These help in imitating Japanese-styled lanterns.

For centuries, Oriental decor has influenced Western decor. The Asian-inspired decor is basically based on Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions. The Oriental decor is basically not confined to any one country or culture and spans centuries. The decor can highly be ornamented, with carved surfaces and bold color, or simple lines, free of ornamentation with soothing neutral tones. 

You can choose from the various elements when creating your own Oriental-inspired home interior. What important are the balance and clutter-free features of your home?

Characteristics of Oriental design style

The Oriental decor is broad in the sense that there are many countries with their own decor style. The decor evokes an image of serenity and calmness. The style greatly helps people who are in a fast-paced kind of lifestyle. The decor style can be successfully achieved by ushering in harmony and balance. Precision and clear thought allow you to do away with unwanted additions. 

The Oriental decor is greatly inspired by the colors of nature and often mimics scenic landscapes and colors to suit the interior. With these, it is recommended to keep the backdrop in neutral colors. The backdrop, as much as possible, must be soothing and offer a relaxed and laid-back ambiance. 

The decor is popular for having vibrant accent hues that stand out when placed in a calm and neutral setting. Combining a soft neutral backdrop with exquisite golden tones creates a majestic room. A hint of gold can create a trendy and fashionable statement as well.

Balance is an important element when you want to achieve the Oriental decor in your home. What you need is the right harmony of colors, textures, and elements. Natural stone decorations, wooden floors, bamboo blinds, and some organic textures will do the trick.

Water is another great way to create an Oriental atmosphere in your home. The sound of flowing water in your rooms, as well as the exterior, can create a welcoming and calming mood. A pond is one way to achieve this style, and this can be the focal point of your room.

Just like in any other interior style, lighting can greatly influence the overall appearance of your home. It adds to the visual and accentuates the theme. Examples are hanging paper lanterns, sculptural lighting installations, and a few candles. 

Organic and sustainable materials are highly recommended to achieve the Oriental style in your home. Smooth polished stones, sustainable bamboo blinds, intricately woven tatami mats, and potted plants and shrubs will bring nature into your home. 

Oriental decor in your rooms

Oriental-inspired rooms must be natural, serene, soothing, calm, and Zen. Many rooms, which are Oriental-inspired, bring the outdoors inside through the use of natural materials and the colors of nature. A minimalist approach is also one of the features of the design style. 

In order to achieve the Oriental decor in your room, certain things need to be considered, such as natural color palette, simplicity, bringing nature indoors, and the incorporation of nature-themed wall decor. 

Oriental decor in the backyard

The backyard is fun to design with Oriental decor. As long as you achieve and incorporate the elements for the design style, you will be able to achieve the desired output. Keep in mind that Oriental decor is also nature-inspired, incorporating the elements of nature such as water, earth, plants, and colors. A Japanese garden is one of the perfect examples of an Oriental-inspired backyard. The garden is composed of a koi pond, a Zen garden, bamboo, plants, shrubs, and others. Looking at this type of garden is truly calming, refreshing, and rejuvenating. You will love this kind of backyard and will surely enjoy staying and contemplating it. This is highly recommended for people who want to go home to a place where they could relax after a stressful day at work or school. 

Bring the beauty of China to your restaurant and enliven the history and culture that have captured the attention of the world. Over the years, Chinese decor has been associated with its culture and tradition as well as with nature. It is known that China is one of the oldest cultures and civilizations in the world, along with the Egyptians. Geographically, China has the biggest land area on the continent. Throughout the country, many homes and establishments have been designed that captured the interests of many countries, including their neighboring Asian countries. Chinese restaurant interior design is being loved in the hospitality and restaurant industry. Here is some info about the style that you will find interesting and may want to incorporate into your restaurant, especially if you are planning to start one. 

The Chinese – styled restaurant

Chinese restaurants have gained popularity over the years for many reasons. They are relatively affordable and offer a mixture of dishes that many people adore. Surprisingly, with the large number of customers being served every day, Chinese restaurants are among the most efficiently managed. 

When it comes to food, there is nothing more comforting than eating noodles with the aroma of fried garlic and ginger. Although the Chinese restaurant industry is booming, there is still the threat of the fast-food eateries that are preferred by many people, especially those who are in a hurry. If you want to offer authentic Chinese-styled food with the right ambiance, then you also need to take into consideration the interior design style. It should reflect the food being served and establish the brand of your restaurant. 

The interior design style of a Chinese restaurant

The interior of a Chinese restaurant is one of the unique designs and not much talked-about as Minimalist, Scandinavian, Rustic, or Mid-Century. However, the style never went out of style and is considered to be a powerful design, especially when associated with the country’s history and culture. 

When talking about the appearance of a Chinese interior design style, you will usually imagine bold red and black furniture pieces, dark lacquered wood, tones of red, black, and gold, and dimply lit lanterns. A successful restaurant is usually characterized by great management, a harmonious dining environment, and an impressive interior appearance. The mixture of both traditional and modern elements is what makes the Chinese restaurant design style extraordinary.

On business and psychology of Chinese restaurant design

If you are going to look at various magazines and books, you will see that various elements and styles define a remarkable Chinese restaurant interior. Just like in any design style, you choose the element that best suits your taste and those that can give your customers a memorable dining experience. As a restaurant owner, you invest a lot of time and money to make the restaurant become a perfect location for dining and conversations. This is why the restaurant’s interior is important to attract more guests. Words spread fast these days, and the experience one guest had can influence others. So if you are planning to start a restaurant business, never forget to have a fantastic interior design, in addition to the food and service.

While the food that you serve is the main attraction of your restaurant, the design will give a welcoming ambiance that will help boost your business. The overall appearance of your restaurant is of utmost importance to attract more customers and ensure their loyalty. Here are some tips on how to transform the appearance of your restaurant and increase your revenue.

Define your style, concept, and theme

There is a big difference between entrepreneurs who are starting with their restaurant business and those who already have one. Start with an idea and work your way through to the decoration. For, instance, a Japanese-themed restaurant focuses more on simplicity, minimalism, and traditional accents. You may want to add natural elements, such as wood, bamboo, and plants will enhance the theme and design. Italian restaurants are bolder with red and white checkered tablecloths and rustic walls.

Captivating entrance

If your restaurant is located in an area with heavy foot traffic, then you need to do something to invite them. In addition to the impressive interior, decorating the entrance is vital to increase the number of your customers. Make the entrance pop with murals or neon signages. Use glass so that passers-by can take a peek at the interior. Bold colors can catch the attention of the neighborhood, especially those who are looking for a place to dine. 

Choose the right colors

Colors are known to convey messages and emotions. In color psychology, various colors have their effects on room atmosphere and overall design. Ask experts for their recommended colors according to the theme and concept. The best colors for the walls of the restaurants are shades of red, brown, green, orange, yellow, blue, and purple. Be strategic in adding them so that they will not become an eye-sore. You may have seen that fast food restaurants use shades of red or orange as these hues can stimulate the appetite and make food look more sumptuous. Fine dining restaurants are quite different and the use of earth tones like browns promotes a relaxing and calming vibe. 

Focus on the design layout

The layout of the restaurant is important to create the right ambiance. Start with the layout of tables and chairs as this can help create a cozy and welcoming vibe. If you have a bar, check out the stools and bar table that you will add. The colors and style must blend with the overall theme and concept. If you are planning to create a sports bar or already have one, make the television the center of attention. Add sports memorabilia and posters to enhance the restaurant theme. Add games like football, darts, or pool to attract more customers. 

Use the right lighting

Light can set a mood that cannot be achieved by any other decor. When designing restaurants, properly plan the lighting so that you will successfully achieve the perfect atmosphere. Red lighting can attract more customers and stimulate hunger. Adding candles and diffuse lighting can add a romantic and intimate vibe. 

Good aroma, good vibe

The smell also has a great impact on the restaurant atmosphere. Invest in scented candles as these may have dual purposes. In addition to making the room smell enticing, candles can add a romantic vibe. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans can likewise be a huge come-on to customers, especially if you have a coffee shop. 

Use music and ambient sounds

A restaurant is not just about the taste and smell of food. You may want to create a more comfortable and inviting mood with music and ambient sounds. You may choose from a wide range of music and sound genre depending on the concept and theme of your restaurant. 

Focus on details

A good restaurant interior focus on the importance of details. If you are short on space, add elements that will create a visually larger room. Examples are mirrors, indoor plants, folding tables, and bar stools.

The sea is one of the popular images in books and movies. It is also a great idea to give any living space the ambiance of the sea. As such, your home will have a beach-like atmosphere that is perfect for the summer. In addition to the ambiance, you can use beach posters to personalize your rooms. Experts believe that the decors that you display in your home are reflections of who and what you are. Moreover, the sea has many meanings that have been recorded throughout the years. Read on to learn more about the sea and why it is great to have that beach ambiance in your home. 

The symbolism of the sea

For many centuries, images of the sea can be found in different forms. These include literature, art, poetry, film, theater, and music. Artists have different interpretations of the sea or ocean. Some may see it as a hostile environment because of the various creatures living in them. Different countries have their respective mythology about popular sea creatures. Examples are the Kraken in Norse mythology and you have probably seen this creature in some popular Hollywood films. 

Dreams about seas are associated with the emotional state of mind. Going to the beach is fun and exciting, and this is one of the most awaited activities when summertime begins. Beaches in dreams represent you being sporty and energetic. It may also mean that you want to experience a new adventure and leave the dull and boring life.

Beach posters for a refreshing vibe

Over the years, posters have been used by homeowners and designers as wall coverings. These wall decors hide any imperfections of the walls. In addition to covering the flaws, posters add value and beauty to any living space.  

These days, many poster companies create prints with fun and exciting designs. The poster designs help in achieving the interior style that you want for your homes. Interestingly, some of the favorites are images of beaches, seas, or oceans. These designs come in different themes and styles that are perfect to be matched with any interior design style. 

Displaying beach-themed posters is just like creating a paradise in your home. Imagine yourself having a vacation at one of the beach resorts in your country. Though the display of beach-themed posters may not be the real deal, you will be creating wall art that will serve as an inspiration to others. 

A touch of nature through the use of posters is also a great idea to make any living space look and feel more inviting and relaxing. Wall art that depicts the sea can be an impressive view while reading or studying in your bedroom. They may also help you concentrate while doing your nightly yoga or meditation.  

Final thoughts

Beach-themed posters are some of the best decor items that you can add to your walls. They have a natural beauty that can help you achieve a paradise-looking room interior. You can also add matching decor elements such as water, stones, and sand. The incorporation of tropical plants can also enhance the beach wall art making it the focal point of your home. 

In the old days, people are satisfied with displaying their photos on picture frames. Although this is still the trend these days, you can still make it look amazing with some creative and fun ideas. As such, your home will have a cool statement that may serve as an inspiration for others. Read on to learn more about how to be more ingenious in displaying your photos. Who knows, you can be one of the trendsetters in wall decoration. 

Create a photo wall

Creating photo walls or gallery walls is one of the great ways to display your family photos. With this method, you will be able to capture and preserve memories in your home. Many homeowners prefer having the gallery wall in the living room. The truth is, it can be done in any room. Whether in the bedroom for a more private appeal or the dining room so that you’ll have a conversation starter before you dine with your guests. Photo walls do their job in making the wall look fantastic and likewise in creating a nostalgic room atmosphere. 

Use standing frames

Who says that photos can be displayed only on walls? Standing frames are made from different materials such as wood, bamboo, and metals, such as copper. With these, your photos will have a completely different and interesting way of displaying. 

Magnetize them

Photos are not just exclusive to be displayed on social media. You can easily turn those photos into magnets to display in your kitchen. Choose the photos, install magnets, and display them however you like on your refrigerator. 

Mix photos and art

Your photos are not the only ones that need to be displayed for exceptional wall art. Other decors can be added such as art. And when we say art, it does not have to be those expensive ones. You can display the art of your kids to have a more personalized wall design. It is recommended to have framed personalized art so that the wall can represent who and what you are. 

Arrange the photos 

The arrangement of your photos can be in different ways. Be creative and have the family photos arranged in various shapes. You can display them in a heart-shape arrangement or even in a collage-type appearance. 

Numerous photos in a print

Gather dozens of your favorite photos and arrange them in block-style in one print. It is better to have the photos in the same size. Display it over the sofa or in a bare hallway for instant wall art.

Nature-inspired display

Bring the outdoors inside with a rustic display. Get a piece of wood or a stick, attach pieces of rope and fasten mini clothespin for the pictures. Decorate it with ornaments and other items. The photos must be of the same size to make the wall art look cohesive and cool.

Poster prints

Have your photos in print. This is one way to personalize the walls and many experts recommend having the posters in frames. 

Create a gallery vibe

If you want to have that gallery look then use floating frames. These are acrylic displays with screws in brass finish for an elevated look. With these, you can have a modern appeal with your photos on the display.