I’m one of those people who spends hours watching all manner of home decorating shows on cable TV.  It’s a great way to get ideas for my dream home.  So is clipping pictures from magazines.

But recently, when I was trying to search for a paint color I wanted to try, I also found another fun tool, which was the room painter at Glidden’s website.  There are three ways you can get inspiration for color choices.  You select a “mood” to help you; you can click on a certain palette and go from there; or you can check out their top ten room combinations. I chose a fuschia accent wall, with soft mauve surrounding walls.  Really pretty.

Then I wondered what other virtual trouble I could get into, and I searched out some pretty cool stuff.

One site let’s you “dress up” your room.  There are activities and “games” for adults and kids alike.  Grown-ups might be more inclined to click on Ikea’s link to build a virtual room, where teens can choose one of several games that allow you to switch out furniture, window and wall treatments, and even select a poster of Robert Pattinson for the wall.

For the more seriously-minded, Room 328 offers an online tool in which you not only build a virtual room, but connect with professionals–it seems to be a real way to get the ball rolling with a renovation project.  Better Homes and Gardens offers a similar tool, but it has been recently upgraded, so you’ll want to be sure you have the latest Flash Player software on your computer.  Both sites require you to create a free account to get started.

A quick Google search also yielded several links to free home design software, including formal blueprints and basic interior design as well.  So let your computer be the first ingredient for your next room recipe–and have fun!

Last 5 posts by KellyThacher

• O Tannenbaum . . . - December 23rd, 2009
• Lighting a Candle - December 22nd, 2009
• All For Show - December 21st, 2009
• Faking it with Flowers - December 20th, 2009
• Color Clinic - December 19th, 2009

Author: Kelly Thacher

Kelly has been a writer since she was in grade school where she received early recognition for her Young Author's project. Magazines like Home Entertainment, Luxury Consumer Electronics, Vertical Living, Luxury Home and the Robb Report were happy to have Kelly's editing talents on various projects. A series of career twists and turns has offered her invaluable experience in journalism, magazine and book publishing, and fiction writing.

Kelly Thacher has written 30 articles for us.