• By Candice Olson

It's important to make your home both stylish and livable. There is one word that designers either love or hate: function. Personally, I love it. I really believe you can have the right balance of both style and function.
The one thing you need to do when embarking on a design project is to be realistic. Think about this question: How does your house have to work for you and your family? If you're like me with a young, busy family full of kids and pets, you should never have anything white in your house unless you're sure the material is stain resistant.


However, you can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you're a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you're a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef's dreamy (and stylish) gas range.
It's important to know what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and home, so don't choose colors, fabrics or even materials that won't work for your family, children or pets. Be realistic about what you can and can't live with because there are some things you might love the look of, that are very stylish, but just aren't practical with a Great Dane. For example, I absolutely love the look of white Carrara marble countertops, but they can be stressful in a kitchen because they stain so easily, especially by red wine or coffee. You don't want to always be on high alert for spills, or be the crazy lady saying, "Don't touch the counters!"


That's not to say if you have a busy lifestyle with kids and pets, you can't have a gorgeous, stylish home. Companies have caught on and now function can be stylish, too. For instance, there are great-looking, durable fabrics that are made to handle extreme wear and tear. Some are even made with Teflon. Sometimes you might pay a little more for a high-performance material that looks great and can stand the test of time. Be smart about it, and if you get a light color sofa (or you had one before the kids came along), consider having a slipcover made that's in a dark, machine-washable fabric.
If you have a hectic home life with lots of activity, think about your choices and always go with the most durable materials you can find. Or tell you kids to stay in their rooms until they're old enough to go to college.

• By Candice Olson

It's important to make your home both stylish and livable. There is one word that designers either love or hate: function. Personally, I love it. I really believe you can have the right balance of both style and function.
The one thing you need to do when embarking on a design project is to be realistic. Think about this question: How does your house have to work for you and your family? If you're like me with a young, busy family full of kids and pets, you should never have anything white in your house unless you're sure the material is stain resistant.


However, you can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you're a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you're a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef's dreamy (and stylish) gas range.
It's important to know what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and home, so don't choose colors, fabrics or even materials that won't work for your family, children or pets. Be realistic about what you can and can't live with because there are some things you might love the look of, that are very stylish, but just aren't practical with a Great Dane. For example, I absolutely love the look of white Carrara marble countertops, but they can be stressful in a kitchen because they stain so easily, especially by red wine or coffee. You don't want to always be on high alert for spills, or be the crazy lady saying, "Don't touch the counters!"


That's not to say if you have a busy lifestyle with kids and pets, you can't have a gorgeous, stylish home. Companies have caught on and now function can be stylish, too. For instance, there are great-looking, durable fabrics that are made to handle extreme wear and tear. Some are even made with Teflon. Sometimes you might pay a little more for a high-performance material that looks great and can stand the test of time. Be smart about it, and if you get a light color sofa (or you had one before the kids came along), consider having a slipcover made that's in a dark, machine-washable fabric.
If you have a hectic home life with lots of activity, think about your choices and always go with the most durable materials you can find. Or tell you kids to stay in their rooms until they're old enough to go to college.

If  you want to kick back in comfort and style in your bedroom, this collection of inspiring upholstered headboard designs offers beautiful function, touchable texture, and surprising versatility.
You can find ideas on how upgrade your existing  Bedroom , I hope you like it . Enjoy !


An extra-high headboard and luxurious folds of fabric create a sense of grandeur in this bedroom, making the room feel bigger. European pillows, which are oversize and square compared with standard pillows, emphasize the height of the headboard.


Add style to a plain wall with an extra-high patterned upholstered headboard. The blue and green flowers on this print are the perfect complement for the whimsical bedroom and make a statement on the light blue walls.



Go bold with a chic black headboard. Wide bands of color are repeated motifs in this room on both the drapes and the black upholstered headboard, drawing the eyes upward and raising the visual height of the ceiling. A big round mirror in a chunky frame can add sparkle and a sense of expanded space to a small room.


A crisp white linen-covered headboard, generously tufted with dozens of fabric-covered buttons, lends subtle texture to a streamlined bedroom. Its rounded corners soften the linear geometry of the wall treatment, pinstriped linens, mod Lucite lamp, and mirrored side table.


A classic four-poster gets fresh and modern thanks to a wrapped-headboard treatment that maintains the simple lines of the original piece. The fabric, a cotton-linen print featuring parrot tulips, injects color and life into the softly whitewashed space, providing the room with a vibrant focal point.


Too many patterns in a small space can feel claustrophobic. Here, a pretty purple geometric fabric draped over the headboard is all the design needed to create a bright and happy vibe. For a quick change, switch the fabric for a new one and get instant results.


Unbleached linen partners with richly stained walnut planks for an elemental, almost Zen-like headboard. The expansive unit is actually two pieces: a wall treatment with three pop-out fabric squares and a king-size headboard whose slipcover can be easily removed and laundered.


In this airy loft bedroom, a headboard covered in lime green and ivory striped fabric fills the wall with a graphic, beachy appeal -- perfect for the gridded floral duvet and red pillows with green pinstripes below.


Layers of touchable texture mix and mingle around a basic natural-linen headboard. The vintage hooked wool rug framed and hung above the bed inspired the collection of pillows, including quilted silk, tufted cotton, and crewelwork pieces.


Mocha tufted-silk upholstery on a wraparound painted headboard gives this sleeping space a cocoonlike feel. The simple texture of the fabric-and-wood frame contrast with the linen's woven details and the grass-cloth-covered walls.


Tone-on-tone harlequin-pattern silk influenced this headboard's angular shape as well as the room's shimmery color scheme. Crisp linens and a Lucite lamp take their cues from the silver diamond shapes, while the fringed trim, custom-pleated shade, and sharkskin-wrapped side table connect with the fabric's ivory portions.


Relying on one pretty floral for the walls, upholstered headboard, and shirred details, this bedroom feels layered yet pulled together. Spring green fabric piping and delicately embellished bed linens contrast with the print's sweetness and lively color.


Generous padding, ivory linen upholstery, and painted nailhead trim update an ornate rosewood bed while preserving its graceful shape and intricate details. Red-and-white toile -- vintage and brand-new pieces -- provide color and pattern.



The shape and dimensions of the cabinet doors flanking this contemporary room divider/headboard unit inspired its grid of six upholstered rectangles. Clad in creamy Italian leather, the rectangles add natural color and warmth to the sleek silver bedding and white lacquer cabinetry, keeping the modern aesthetic approachable.



Curvy in all the right places, this custom headboard takes its design cues from the undulating shape of the bedside chest of drawers. Piping detail gives the piece the look of a tailored mat and frame, while a simple bed skirt in the same yellow-and-silver damask extends the refined yet contemporary look to the floor.



Add drama to a bedroom with opposites. Here, a simple monochromatic color scheme for the bedding stands out against the bright blue patterned walls, creating a rich contrast. The white-and-brown upholstered headboard takes center stage in this bedroom. Solids and patterns coexist to create a formal yet fun design.



Blend rounded lines with straight edges. The circular pattern on the headboard and bed skirt creates a striking effect with the rigid lines of the square headboard. The result is an eye-appealing balance that makes a big impact in this room.



Drape a bold-color fabric across a simple white headboard for an eye-catching effect. Here, the burgundy fabric on the headboard ties together the burgundy in the throw pillow and books. An antique mantel aligns with the windows to visually expand the space and provide storage on high.