The television industry has undergone a lot of changes in recent years, and TV’s are becoming more advanced than ever before. Many consumers have purchased big-screen televisions and receipt years as prices have gone down substantially. Television manufacturers are looking for new ways to boost sales and keep people coming back for more. Sometimes this includes partnerships between prominent gadget manufacturers and bank lenders with the best credit cards. Other times it requires innovations that border on gimmicks. One of the new technologies that has made a splash in recent months is the transparent LCD television. What exactly is this type of TV, and should you buy one for your living room?

What is a Transparent TV?
This type of television is a device that you can see through. When it’s sitting there, it basically looks like a piece of glass going up from a base. When the TV is off, you can see right through the middle of it as if you were looking through a window. Then when the TV powers on, the image appears on the screen, and it looks just like a regular TV screen. The glass has lighting built in that lights the screen when you turn it on.

How They Can Be Used
Many people are buying transparent televisions as a way to create a focal point in a room. Having a transparent television can be a good conversation starter, and help create something interesting in the room that gets people’s attention.

Some television manufacturers are actually working on a transparent TV that doubles as a window. You have the television installed just like a window, and you can see out of it when you want. The sunlight works to provide the back light for the TV. When you’re watching television at night, the TV has built-in lights that provide lighting. This provides you with a more energy-efficient television, and something that is really interesting for your home.

Other Uses
The window TV can also double as a computer monitor, and connect to the Internet. This way, you can check in on social networks, shop, read personal finance articles, and play music. The TV also works like blinds so that you can block out the light coming in the window if you want.

Whether you think transparent televisions are cool or tacky, they are definitely something that will become more common in the future. The decision to buy one will be up to you and your personal budget, but you have to admit that the idea is unlike anything else out there.

With so many styles of bed on the market today, it can sometimes seem a daunting task to choose just one. When choosing a bed you should address what it is that you actually need from the piece of furniture in question.

For example, are you looking for a luxury bed to create a centrepiece in a large room? Do you wish to invest in a bed that utilizes space efficiently? Alternatively do you wish to make a fashion statement with the likes of a futon? Or is your bed there simply to provide you with a comfortable, supportive night’s sleep? Whichever option you choose, you can guarantee that there is a style to suit your every need.

The classic two-person bunk bed is probably the best space saving option as it encapsulates two people in one area. The bunk bed utilises height rather than width, which means you have the rest of the room to play with. There are now several variations of the bunk bed available; these include the likes of futon styles and also loft versions.

Loft beds are a great option for a smaller room, as you are able to utilise the space underneath the bed to your advantage. This space could be used for the likes of a seating area, a cupboard or storage. Many children’s rooms contain the above option and parents tend to place a desk beneath the bed. This space is a great option for a child, as he or she will feel like she has her own grown-up space to do her homework in!

Bunk beds are available in a huge range of different styles and materials. Many of the modern versions are available in metal, whilst the more traditional styles come in the form of pine or other painted or varnished wood.

As long as you team the style of the bed to the rest of the room, everything will generally tie in stylishly together.

It doesn’t take much to brighten up an outdoor space/garden. Just a little thought, planning and execution can transform your place and provide a real atmosphere. From outdoor furniture to a new paint job, a few small tweaks here and there can provide a major difference,

When people put so much time, effort and energy into planning and maintaining the inside of their house, often the outdoors get left behind. But with a bit of work here and there, you can have something that is quite special. This will allow you to enjoy the outdoors.

First and foremost is some garden and patio furniture. Finding the right pieces can provide an atmosphere that is inviting and warm. You should begin the quest for the right furniture by searching for a material that will work with the vibe of the area. It could be wood, metal or plastic.

You also need to factor in that the furniture could be sitting outside and exposed to the elements. Should this be the case, you want something that is going to hold up and not get too easily damaged by rain and wind.

Obviously you have to work around a budget but the reality of the situation is that you can buy some amazing things that are cheap and some awful pieces that are expensive. So look around and find something that besides looking good is also cost-effective. You will want something that is going to blend with the existing color scheme so bear this in mind.

It’s amazing how some small things can have such a major impact. Something like a hammock can create a special vibe where people just want to relax and chill. If you have young kids, a trampoline could prove a real focal point.

Pieces of art work such as sculpture have the ability to attract the eye and be a real conversation starter. Lamps can look good and will also provide light.

In terms of furniture that is going to be good at being resilient to the elements you have teak and wrought iron.

Don’t be afraid to use color. You can have colorful pillows, cushions and furniture in order to create a fun and relaxing aesthetic.

One mistake people make is to only worry about the day. You want quality lighting so that your fun can continue once the sun goes down, especially in summer. Buy some decent lighting so that you can still entertain once it’s dark. You don’t want the mood to be dampened because the light isn’t that good.

If you are outside, you have the option of using plants and trees to create a vibe. Flowers and plants can contribute to a setting that makes people comfortable. On top of this, trees that are going to provide shade are going to be valuable especially in the summer. What isn’t good is a lot of leaves all over the ground, so you may want to avoid trees that are going to shed leaves everywhere.

Outside you may have to choose between grass, concrete, tiles or some other flooring? You could pave it and use some paving paint. What you go for depends on the rest of the area. There are pros and cons to each of the options so it depends on your circumstances.

Painting the walls never fails to hurt. Feel free to give the paint job a bit of a touch up.

Many people forget about the outdoors and the area is neglected. You can make it something special with just a bit of time and effort.

Whether you are sleeping in, working or just chilling out, the bedroom might be the part of the house in which you spend the most time. This is also the most personal room of your home and the way you have furnished and decorated it mirrors your personality and should inspire a welcome and warm feel.

A romantic decor is often a popular choice to bring a warmer atmosphere to a room as it reflects this sense of peace and tranquillity. It is also very easy to bring some romance to a room by simply placing small additions throughout the room. Below are 10 creative tips to give you inspiration and turn your bedroom into a gorgeous romantic getaway that will bring peace and calm when you walk through the door.

1. Colour theme: Pale and pastel colours to get a successful romantic look. You can choose from a large palette of soft shades, from dusky pink and lilac through to lemon and periwinkle blue. You can also combine two colours that go well together, like cream and soft green, but most romantic decors tend to be produced with one colour associated with small sophisticated additions to keep an uncluttered feel.

2. Bed: The choice of the bed is important as it will generally make the main statement in your bedroom. Romantic style bedrooms are generally furnished with large sized dramatic beds that give a presence to the room, such as four poster beds and large ornate wrought iron bed frames.

3. Headboard: Considering the space most of us have to work with, a four poster bed is sometimes not the best option since this is an imposing piece of furniture. Complementing your bed with a headboard is then a great alternative, it will bring texture if you choose an upholstered or tufted model, plus they come in a large choice of rounded shapes. For example a Cavendish shaped headboard with rounded corners will add the right touch of romance to your bed.

4. Linens: White, smooth and soft fabrics such as silk and satin not only have an incredible feel to the touch but will add the right amount of luxury your bedroom needs to look cosy and romantic. You should choose soft and luxurious fabric for your bed linen and add some plush and fluffy pillows on top to create the best effect.

5. Nature: Floral additions are an important aspect of romantic decoration. They can be designed on a delicate fabric, featured in your wallpaper pattern, framed in a piece of artwork or simply arranged in a delicate bouquet. Animals such as birds and butterflies are also extensively used to create a romantic mood.

6. Feminine objects: Place feminine accessories throughout the room, such as perfume bottles, shiny jewellery and romantic articles like scented candles and feathers. These small additions will radiate a very relaxing atmosphere.

7. Mirrors: Mirrored objects are quite common in romantic decorating themes as they bring light. Hanging a framed mirror on the wall behind your bed or attaching small panels of mirrors on your walls will definitely add a touch of romance to your décor and liven up the natural lights creating interesting effects to work with.

8. Voiles: Draping voiles and lace panels do a great job at finishing a romantic style. You can wrap your four poster bed with light voiles or arrange a voile panel up at the head of your normal bed. Complementing your windows with long and light curtains that let the sunshine through is also a great idea to make the room cosier.

9. Light is the element you need to consider as there is no better way to set up a special atmosphere and add a touch of romance to your bedroom. Banish harsh lightings and instead go for light bulbs that soften the light. For a greater effect, you can go for a decorative lamp that filters the light to other colours such as soft red.

10. Accessories: The romantic style is often associated with accessories such as candles, fresh flowers vases, black and white picture frames, art deco pieces of furniture, decorative plates.

There are a lot of great ideas out there to create a romantic mood in a bedroom; accessories usually do a large part of the job so you can let your imagination wild. A word of caution though: keep it sophisticated but small in order to not clutter the space with too many additions.

About our Guest Blogger:
Camille is a home furniture enthusiast and is happy to share her decoration ideas with the community of interior design lovers. Camille is writing on behalf of Wedo, an online retailer specialising in stylish headboards for beds and bedroom furniture.

Gone are the days when kids just hummed nursery rhymes and put up with the things that we gave them, including their bathrooms. Now, children are more creative, imaginative and choosy about their things and their space, even their bathrooms. They know exactly what they want and why.

For parents, it’s a challenging task to build or create bathroom for your kids, with the mood and decor that would match their children’s ideas and still be a well designed room in their home.

With that in mind, here are a few ideas to consider when designing a child’s bathroom:

- Consider the mood of the space; it is needless to say that it should be be cheerful and peppy. After all, it is for the kids!

– Make it a great place for your kids to exchange moments of sharing, talking, splashing water. Make it fun filled, with bold themes and color. They tend relate more with colors, patterns and images that communicate with them. It’s the place from which they start and end their day, so keep the tone and emotion positive and lively.

– Give them a well-planned storage area for every little thing, right from toiletries to towels and a lot more that can be part of the their realm. Arrange it with soft texture and tidy organisation tricks that send intelligent, yet cute messages across.

- Make everything accessible to them. Stepping stools are a perfect addition and use low mounted racks for towels. Use the space beneath the sink for shelves to neatly store their bath toys. Sinks could be mounted low, so that it’s reachable for your kids, along with a mirror on the wall. Make the mirror fun with one that is shaped into a cartoon character, say – a Mickey Mouse or other character your kids love. Remember, this idea infuses the sense of independence in them and gives you a break!

- Spruce up the decor and the accessories with personality. Add the perfect selection of towels and accessories that are colorful with fun shades and images. Linens like towels, curtains, and floor mats should be colorful and can have images of animals, fish or frogs in true colours will keep them company in the bathroom. Images of the sea, boats and ships could create an aquatic ambiance for them.

- Don’t forget necessary accessories like towel rails, toilet paper holders, and soap dishes. These too can be found in different themes and colors.

- The floor and the walls can be made of design tiles, in bright festive colors and hues. Decorations on the walls can include things like funny vinyl stickers and creative wall tiles. Pull together the design with sketches, murals or wall art.

In a nutshell, your kids’ bathroom can be functional and be a playful space, so have fun with it and make it enjoyable for them to explore to the fullest!

A slick kitchen design means more than a trendy colour theme and stylish unit faces; it requires the incorporation of modern and convenient appliances that will not only improve the overall appearance of your kitchen but that also makes life easier for you.

Essential to most kitchens are, for example, a dishwasher, blender, kettle and toaster. There are many of these on the market that can compliment your current kitchen style, or even mask the appliance, such as dishwashers and fridges with unit doors to conceal the practical elements behind closed doors.

The smaller appliances that remain on display come in a range of classy designs including smooth curves or modern geometric lines, chrome, colourful material or with a retro feel, all dependent on your kitchen’s look and your own taste.

In recent years, coffee machines have become de rigour, and are more and more frequently being shopped for. Though coffee has been around for longer than tea has in this country, the influx of coffee chains throughout high streets has led to a nationwide addiction to café quality coffee, and as such the market for coffee makers at home has rocketed.

These allow you to recreate your chosen style of coffee, be it cappuccino or espresso, in the comfort of your own kitchen. Such machines are very stylishly presented, to suit the type of consumer who is likely to be interested in making fresh coffee. Coffee machines have become synonymous with a sophisticated home.

Debenhams is a good place to start when looking for such a product; they stock well-renowned coffee maker brands such as Gaggia, Nespresso and Magimix, as well as offering a Morphy Richards range, an affordable brand. Other names nestle alongside these, as well as their own range.

Depending on how much you want to get in the spirit of it, there are simple coffee makers through to café-style ranges, including extras such as grinding machines. A very cool addition to any kitchen.

Whether you want to hide that desk you have in your living room, create a little privacy area or make an office for your kids to study, you can easily do it even if you don’t have an extra room available. You don’t really need much space or a lot of furniture and supplies. With the range of home office furniture available, it’s easy to make use of a small space. Generally, a small desk, comfortable chair and of course, a gorgeous lamp to spice up the area is about all you need. Small cubicles are so easy to create anywhere in the house that if you have several people in your home, everyone can have their own private getaway to do homework, read, study, pay bills or simply escape!

Closet

The easiest way to create an office is with a walk-in closet. Yes, closet space can be hard to give up but if everyone can move their coats out of the hallway closet then you’re all set. Paint the area white or another light color and make sure there’s proper lighting. Closets offer a great deal of privacy. There are plenty of small desks available and you can even hang a cork board, calender or whatever else you want on the walls. The best part is, any mess is hidden with the door!

Under the Stairs

Many homes with multiple levels, have a cubbyhole under the stairs that is the perfect private area to turn into an office. Treat it the same way you would a closet and if you want a little extra privacy, buy a nice screen or hang a tension rod and a curtain to make yourself a door.

Corner of the Room

If the other two ideas just aren’t an option, section off a corner of a room and create a desk area. You can either make yourself a fabric room divider and hang it kiddie-corner or use two so your office area is square. Alternatively, you can use a room screen here as well. This is really ideal in kids rooms or dorms, especially if two people are sharing a space. A little privacy goes a long way.

Everyone needs their own personal space, a place to put their belongings that they know will be safe and things won’t get moved around. Of course, this can often turn into a mess so hiding these areas is always a great idea!

If you haven’t tackled your landscaping yet because you think it’s not in your budget, you should know there are a few tricks you can use that are very inexpensive. You shouldn’t feel as though you have to splurge and buy everything all at one time either. Adding a few things here and there every week or every other week is often easier than paying for one big shopping spree.

Rocks and Stones

Borders, garden walkways and walls can be pretty expensive when you purchase commercial products. If you scout around and always ask permission, you’ll often find old bricks from structures that have been torn down that you can use for this purpose. Sure, they may be old but they have character! You can create walkways and even mock patio areas with stones and rocks as well which you can also often find for free.

Native Plants

You will find that native plants are not only traditionally inexpensive, they require less care. This means that you’re not having to water so much or buy fertilizer. You can often obtain seedlings or seeds from friends, family and neighbors if you ask around. Native plants traditionally resist disease and insects better as well. Keep in mind, the more plants, shrubs and trees you have, the less grass you have to maintain!

Experiment with Containers

If you do want to experiment with pricier plants, use containers for growing and place them around your landscaping. This will allow you to control and maintain them easier. Should you find that they do well in a certain location, you can always transplant them.

Make Use of Hedges

Hedges can outline your property, offer privacy and act as a sound barrier. Not to mention, those that stay full year round can help reduce your heating costs by blocking the cold winter wind when they’re strategically placed properly.

With some forethought and a little planning, it is quite easy to create a fantastic bedroom space from a loft environment. Loft spaces lend themselves very well to roomy and spacious bedrooms which be easily designed to be relaxing and stylish at the same time. Most people want their bedrooms to be of a tranquil and serene atmosphere but this does not mean that they also need to be boring! With a few well-placed pieces of furniture, appropriate window schemes and effective use of colour you can transform your loft into an enviably stylish and relaxing space.

Begin by choosing a colour scheme that promotes ambience and relaxation. The way to do this is by either picking neutral, earthy tones which can be complimented by colour accents in furniture and soft furnishings, or, by choosing one wall to make a bold statement upon and then subtly picking up on these tones in the landscape of the room. Take this further by turning your attention to the window scheme. Light, bright atmospheres are great for bedrooms and can be easily created by using Velux window blinds from Itzala. They are a sleek and modern way of decorating a loft window and are available in a huge selection of styles and designs to compliment any window!

Match the cool and modern look of your Velux window blinds by investing in some stylish pieces of furniture to enhance the look of the room. Start with a grand and unique bed frame like a sleigh bed to add glamour and comfort to the room. Embellish this with some retro-style bed covers and pillows for effortless chic. If you have gone with a neutral blind then go crazy with the soft furnishings as a muted backdrop is perfect for bolder furniture and dramatic fabrics. Alternatively, if you have chosen one of the many bolder and outlandish Velux blinds styles, then balance this with softer, earthy looking decor and furnishings.

The really fun part then begins with picking out all the extras! Lamps, bedside tables and lockers, shelving, chairs, cushions, throws, wall hangings and indoor lighting can all work together to create a stunning and cleverly designed bedroom that not only promotes comfort and relaxation, but looks stylish and cool at the same time. There are also tonnes of storage solutions and handy multi-functional furniture pieces you can invest in to reduce clutter and give your belongings a home fit for a king. The only problem is, you may never want to leave!

As mentioned in a previous blog post, buying a bed is a large and significant purchase. The core tips discussed for choosing a bed will be remain the same and will do so for the foreseeable future.
However, unless you are lucky enough to live in a home with a spacious bedroom, the bed itself will take up a significant portion of the room. During the day this space is commonly unused. Wouldn’t it be great to transform bedrooms so they are truly multi-functional?
After attending a recent exhibition in the UK, we were presented with an innovative space saving bed which allows a bed to glide into the ceiling at the touch of a button. This opens up a number of functional uses for the room. At night it can remain a place to sleep but during the day it could be:
• A play area for your children
• A home gym
• An office
• A home cinema!

It’s certainly a cost effective solution compared to building extensions to your home or even moving home if you think your family has ‘outgrown’ it.

What do you think? Would you consider something like the Sleep Space system? Do you prefer traditional space saving ideas?