Home Decorating Magazines
Aspire to Inform

I love to browse through home decorating magazines and I think you will agree they are one of the best ways to get the creative juices flowing and to start getting ideas for any home improvement project you are contemplating.

These publications are many and offer a wealth of information on a wide variety of interesting topics, including how to articles, new product reviews and glossy photographs of the beautiful home interiors that give us a great inspiration when thinking about doing some redecorating.

Half of the time I just look at the photographs!

While some interiors may not appeal to you, the ones that do may be just the motivation to help you get started on that remodel or to simply recreate the “look” yourself in your own space.

You can glean much from these resources every month, one of which is color. Being able to see rooms in different wall colors and fabric combinations, some of which you may not have thought of can be a big help and inspiration. I think it is an area many of us may find difficult.

Other benefits are learning new and unexpected ways to use your accessories or ways of hanging your art, an artful approach to table settings, how to get and stay organized or working with a small space.

A lot of times there will be resource pages in the back listing where you can purchase items featured.

There are a wide variety to choose from. Some offer a range of topics, while others choose to stick to one niche like the kitchen or bath. So, if you are working on a particular project at the moment you may want to focus your reading to those that specialize.

Achieving the Look

Not too many of us have the unlimited decorating budget that some of these rooms would require. Instead, use them as an inspiration tool to recreate the look or take even one idea.

That’s the fun part anyway, taking a little away with you and juxtaposing what works for you and making it your own look.

Pay visits to the consignment stores, flea markets and garage sales. Even the sale or “scratch and dent” corner of your favorite home decorating store.

Some of the pieces you find may need some cosmetic attention like a coat of paint or new upholstery, or you may need to compromise on the exact size of the mirror say.

Keep an open mind. Instead of wallpaper, faux painting can still achieve elegance. So go ahead and tear out those pages and get to work!

There are many different home decorating magazines to choose from. Here is a very abbreviated list of some of the more popular ones and a brief description.

offers great ideas for your home with down to earth information about renovating, room make overs, gorgeous kitchens of the month, and gracious entertaining and table-settings.

is a stylish, magazine with high end interiors and informative articles and great ideas that influences on the art of interior design.

Traditional Home: is full of insightful design ideas with examples or traditional-style interiors, architecture, antiques, cuisine and new products.

is dedicated to the tradition of American home and family life.

Architectural Digest: is the premier interior design magazine and takes you inside the world's most beautiful homes of both contemporary and classic styles.

The problem can be which one to get?

Each of them has their own niche and may cater to a certain style but all of them are inspirational and fun to look through.

Find them in the check out lanes at your local grocery store or the box stores like Target, Kmart or Walmart, but the best place is the bookstore. They have a much more extensive selection.

The library will let you borrow past issues to take home to read or you can read the current issues while in the library.

Once you find a few home decorating magazines that you particularly like, the most cost effective way to purchase is with a subscription. Many times students will sell subscriptions to earn money for class trips, so you can help out a young person at the same time.

Besides when you come home from a tiring day at work, they are waiting for you in your mailbox!

Many of these home decorating magazines publications also have their publications on line.

I personally like to hold the printed pages in my hands and devour every page of what I'm reading. Not to mention the photos are better.

Do you have a favorite? Which ones have the best photos, or the articles and design tips? Do you have a subscription or do you pick them up periodically? Share your opinions!

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