Blog Posts by House Beautiful Magazine

Could your living room use a makeover? There's no need to redo the entire room or splurge on a new sofa. Just add a decorative pillow (or three), and you'll change the look of the entire space. Go ahead and keep that old couch!

1. Build a Collection Around a Theme
"Textiles can change the entire feel of a room. This collection has a well-traveled look, and the colors are happy. A wild mix only works when there's balance - pairs, and colors of equal intensity. Black anchors the other colors, and the throw makes it all cozier." -Ellen Hamilton
Related: 12 Romantic Bedrooms



2. Try Texture
"There is nothing more beautiful than creams and whites. But when all the shades are similar, you need a mix of textures to keep it visually interesting. This is a luxurious, soft feeling. You want to sink into the pillows, or throw a few at someone." -Barbara Westbrook
Related: 20 Decorating Secrets


3. Put Together a Pairing
"To keep a look clean, I like to work in pairs, with patterned pillows in

Need to perk up the palette of your home? Opposite colors are key to creating stunning, dramatic rooms. "Good color schemes always have complementary colors to keep them from being too obvious," says designer Tom Scheerer. Look to the color wheel when picking the perfect shade: Pair purple with yellow, blue with orange, and red with green. While not for the color-shy, these color combos are guaranteed to really show off a space.

Related: 101 Easy Makeover Ideas for Every Room

1. Orange and Blue

Try out opposite colors using low-commitment accessories like pillows. "You should always use color in a way that gives you flexibility in the future," advises designer Melissa Warner. In the living room of her West Hollywood rental apartment, she chose orange wool pillows by Judy Ross to perk up a blue vintage sofa reupholstered in Yoma's Savanna velvet.

Related: The Year's Hottest Color

2. Red and Green

This living room in Richard Norris and Mark Leslie's Alabama home pairs

You may not be walking down the red carpet, but you can still throw a swank soirée that evokes the timeless glamour of Tinseltown. Combine a classic black-and-white color theme with these retro-chic accessories, and you're guaranteed to have a blockbuster affair.



1. Shiny Cocktail Tray
Inspired by the facets of sparkling gems, this shimmering, mirrored tray brings a touch of polish to any party. Mirage Tray, 17" DIA, $80. Z Gallerie.
Related: 101 Easy Makeover Ideas





2. Sexy Retro Apron
You'll be in the starring role - and keep your party outfit red carpet-ready - when you flaunt this flirty apron. The Lady's Apron, 28.5" L 29.5" W, $32. Anthropologie.
Related: The Best Hostess Gifts





3. Art Deco Napkins
Classic stripes bring a couture touch to otherwise plain paper napkins. Stripe Border Black and White Beverage Napkins, 5" x 5" folded, $5 for 20. Plates and Napkins.
Related: The Hottest Color of the Year





4. Feather Centerpiece
Add drama - and conjure up the glamour of 1920s

Want ideas that go beyond the clichéd bouquet of roses? These simple decor tips are sure to spice up the holiday and your home.

1. Flaunt Skirted Furniture
Skirted furniture can really help beautify a bedroom-or any space. Besides a bed skirt, like the one in designer Melissa Rufty's New Orleans home, try throwing a tablecloth over a side table in the entry or even invest in a skirted chair for the living room. Either way, a single piece of furniture where the legs aren't visible will up the romance factor.
Related: A Stunning Hollywood Regency-Style Apartment



2. Forget the Roses
A dozen roses are pricey and predictable. Instead, seek out one single bloom that's sure to make a statement, then float it in a beautiful bowl. This magnolia looks stunning all on its own.
Related: Colorful Kitchens



3. Choose a Chandelier
Want to make your dining room really dreamy? Consider updating the lighting. It's a small investment that will bring big results. (If you're not experienced with wiring,

Want to perk up the color palette or personality of your home but don't want the hassle (or cost) of an entire renovation? Just a few little touches around a room can yield big results. Here are fast and easy tricks that will pull together the whole look of your home.


1. Go seasonal.
Be inspired by the weather outside. "We love using objects seasonally, like bringing out the white pottery when spring arrives. The important thing is to have different levels of things to notice in a room," says Healing Barsanti Home co-founder Patricia Healing.
Related: Spring Decorating Ideas




2. Pile on the pillows.
Swap out pillows in the living room to add touches of color and pattern. They're an easy way to transform the entire look of a space, and they're a lot less of a commitment than painting an entire room. "Pillows are one of the easiest and quickest ways to experiment with color," says interior designer Sheila Bridges.
Related: 6 Simple Ways to Refresh a Sofa


3. Focus on your favorites.
Be

Tired of the same old kitchen, but don't want the hassle (or price tag) of an entire renovation? These fast and easy updates take the room from make-do to magnificent.

1. Refresh Your Cabinets

An easy way to update cabinetry is by painting the insides a contrasting color, like architect Gil Schafer and his color consultant, Eve Ashcraft, did in this western Connecticut home. You'll be sure to enjoy the unexpected detail every time you reach for a glass, or you can even try removing cabinet doors to get the look of open shelves.

Related: 101 Easy Makeover Tips You Can Do Now

2. Add Table Lamps

Placing table lamps on your island or dining table makes your kitchen feel like a room, not a laboratory. Designer Robert Stillin did this with Visual Comfort's Column lamp to make the 2009 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year feel more cozy.

Related: Easy Solutions for Small Kitchens

3. Try a New Gadget

You don't have to invest in brand-new

Resolved to clean up your act this year? Tackle one room at a time with these easy tips on how to organize and declutter your home.

1. Entryway

Keep the foyer uncomplicated. The simplest entry halls, such as this one by designer Peter Dunham, provide a place to temporarily set packages down and some seating for pulling off foul-weather gear.

Related: 20 Decorating Secrets

2. Office

Add tall shelves to take advantage of all available space. This office by architect David Mann also functions as a library, where custom shelving units provide enough space for books, photos, and decorative pieces.

Related: Perfectly Organized Home Office

3. Closet

Get creative with storage options. Interior designer Melissa Warner converted a spare bedroom into an office. She wallpapered the sliding closet doors, giving the room instant color and patterns - and a place to stash supplies.

Related: Closet Cleaning Tips

4. Living Room

The bedroom is supposed to be where you relax, unwind, and get a good night's sleep. But with today's multitasking lives, your bedroom could be collecting more clutter than hours of beauty rest. Here's how to determine if your space needs simplifying - plus solutions to nix the clutter. Want more organizing ideas? See our New Year's Resolution Tips for Every Room.
1. Problem: Your TV rules the bedroom.
Solution: As severe as it may sound, a television doesn't belong in a well-ordered bedroom. It brings with it remote controls, DVDs, cords, and other mess-producing items that counter the main purposes of the room. Bedrooms should be a cozy space for decompressing, like this serene master bedroom by designer Ginger Barber.
Related: Beautiful Designer Bedrooms


2. Problem: Your closet door won't shut.
Solution: It's time to start editing. Expert organizer Julie Morgenstern recommends first starting on paper. Ask yourself, "What are my favorite clothes?" When considering