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how to: add style to your home

Is your home just crying for a makeover? Whether you're looking to do a total redecorating job, need help merging your styles, or just want to give a room a little pick-me-up, you're in the right place with our expert decorating advice. Choosing your decor style can be tricky territory for newlyweds, especially if you've never lived together and your home styles aren't entirely in sync. But even if you've been sharing your space for a while, choosing your decor style means incorporating both of your needs. So where to begin? If you're starting from scratch or looking to redecorate, you need to think big. Luckily, we've got expert decorating advice on key rooms, from 5 tips for a luxurious living room to 6 secrets for a sexy bedroom. Have a question about more specific home styles? You'll find stylish solutions to all your questions, from best bedding options to doing over your bathroom. Or do you just want ideas for easy (and inexpensive!) decor fixes? Spice up your living space with our tips on budget bedroom makeovers, easy decor tricks, and displaying photos and art. We've also tracked down fabulous decor finds to suit all different home styles, including shabby-chic favorites, decor picks on a budget, and colorful kitchen accents. And check out style how-tos on everything from dressing up your mantel and arranging your coffee table with flair to creating beautiful blooming arrangements and using feng shui. With our expert decorating advice, choosing your decor style is simple.

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How to Improve Bad Rental Lighting

Sometimes, rentals mean bad lighting. Here are a few tips on how to make the best of the situation.

You get what you pay for, and sometimes with rentals, that means bad lighting. Make the best of it with these tips.

  • Invest in light fixtures that you’ll be able to keep for a long time -- long after this particular bad lighting situation. If you purchase a hanging fixture that would normally be hardwired, you can have it adapted to a plug for just a few bucks. Then hang it wherever you like and keep the apartment (read: ugly) overheads off.
  • One great option: architects’ drafting lamps, which are extremely flexible. Face them downwards for reading or romantic lighting, or flip them up to bounce light off of the ceiling and illuminate the entire room. You can either go the floor lamp route and get one with a weighted base, or find one with a clamp to use on a table edge or shelf.
  • A cheap option for the ceiling is giant Japanese paper lanterns. Fit them over ugly landlord light fixtures to totally transform a space.

Nestpert: Kevin Lichten, AIA is a founder and principal of LichtenCraig.com, a New York architecture and design firm.

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