Handy Storage and Organization Tips for Renters

There are a number of smart and design-savvy ways to clear the clutter from your space and add storage, and it just takes a few clever tricks (and maybe a weekend) to get it together.

  1. Add under-bed storage. Whether you use store-bought shoe boxes or even wood palettes, adding storage underneath the bed is a great way to get shoes, clothes, and even books out of sight.
  2. Tackle the closet. Don't feel limited to the two or three clothing bars in your closet. Add your own temporary shelving, shoe racks, and other storage items from the local home goods store.
  3. Add additional bathroom storage. Create your own storage by hanging shelves or even investing in an affordable over-the-toilet storage system.
  4. Use double-duty living room furniture. Instead of letting clutter take over your living room, use furniture that doubles as storage. Try an antique chest as a coffee table or a sofa with hidden storage inside.
  5. Add a kitchen island. Adding a simple kitchen island is an affordable way to create more room for cooking.

7 Storage Ideas Worth Considering [PopSugar]
12 Big Ideas for Creating More Storage Space in Small Apartments [Rental Living]
8 Decorating Tips for Renters [Lowe’s]

How to Make Your Childhood Favorite Wall Art Look Chic and Grown-Up

From band posters to ticket stubs, you likely had quite a few things hanging on your wall as a child or teen. While these items hold a lot of nostalgic charm, they don't exactly translate into stylish decor — or do they? Here are a few ways to give your (or even your child's) favorite wall hangings a chic flair.

  • Band or movie posters. Show off your favorite pop culture interests without giving your home a dorm room feel by framing them in high quality, neutral frames. Choose ones in natural wood, white, or black to coordinate with any decor style.
  • Personal photographs. Easily update your favorite photographs by thinking outside of their usual sizing. Instead, send them to a professional printer to have them printed in a variety of sizes, and then use them to create an eclectic gallery wall.
  • Polaroids. If you still have a few Polaroids hanging around (or if you own a modern instant camera), invest in some wire hanging systems. These wires come equipped with clips designed especially for hanging photos.
  • Ticket stubs and other memorabilia. If you're partial to holding on to keepsakes from concerts, plays and vacations, display them in a shadow box. Create your own unique collage, and then frame it in one of these gallery-style frames.

Blank Wall, Blank Slate: How to Transform a Wall into a Focal Point

Plain, bare walls are blank canvases just waiting to be filled with accessories or décor. Hang almost anything on your wall and your space will instantly feel homey and more personal. Follow these tips to bring some life to your bare walls.

  • Use a variety of different patterns or colors of washi tape to create a custom design on your wall. This is great because you can easily switch it up if you get bored of the same design and want to switch it out for something new.
  • Add an oversized photograph or piece of art that is almost as big as your whole wall.
  • Hang or lean a large mirror with a detailed frame to your wall. They make a really strong statement and can make your room feel larger.
  • Frame a large chalkboard to write messages on, display photos, or to write recipes. You can even use unique frames or frames to match the rest of your framed photos on your wall to bring the whole look together.
  • Give your wall an elegant touch by hanging a large, oversized clock.
  • Add character to your wall by hanging modular shelves. Not only do the shelves look great, they also provide space for more decor. Use them to display your photos, vases, candles, books, or more.

​25 Ways to Dress Up Blank Walls [HGTV]
http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/how-to/g451/blank-wall-solution/?How To Decorate A Large, Blank Wall [Elle Decor]
Wall Decor: How To Fill Your Blank Walls [Style At Home]

Everything Green is New Again With These Cool Ways to Display Houseplants

Instead of the usual terra cotta pots and windowsill planters, why not try displaying your houseplants in a new and innovative way? If you're feeling a bit blue about the current state of your in-home greenery, try out one of these fun and stylish ways to show off your plants.

  • A hanging air plant. Air plants are truly unique, as these spider-like greens require absolutely no soil to grow. Because of this, it's easy to display them just about anywhere you like! Search the web for hanging ceramic planters that dangle from the ceiling to display your air plants.
  • A framed wall hanging. Love succulents? Rather than displaying them in the usual pots, line a picture frame with chicken wire and moss and grow a succulent garden right on your wall.
  • A zoo of planters. If you're a fan of all things fun and whimsical, create your very own "zoo" of clay plant pots. Browse stores or websites for planters in the shape of animals (you might be surprised just how many you find!) Fill them with succulents, cacti, or small plants and arrange the whole gang on a tabletop or sunny shelf.

Planters [Etsy]
20 Unforgettable Indoor Plant Displays [Decoist]

How to Curate and Design a Catalog-Worthy Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are certainly not new things in the design world, but if you have yet to try out this simple DIY decor idea, now might be just the time. Spice up any bare wall in your home at 95twenty using these inspirational tips for curating and designing a gallery wall that even the pros would admire.

  1. Decide on a shape. First, think of what type of shape you’re going for. Are you looking for something structured and symmetrical that uses frames in all the same sizes, or something wild and eclectic filled with mix-and-matched frames?
  2. Choose the frames. Visit your local thrift store to pick up a variety of frames in all shapes and sizes to create an artistic gallery wall. If you’re going for a more structured style, visit a craft store and hunt for bargains on frames in the same styles and sizes.
  3. Create your own art prints. Get creative with the prints that will go inside the frames. Print out your own Instagram photos, change old family photos to black and white for an antique look, or simply cut out images that you love from vintage art books.
  4. Create a map. Finally, map out the shape of your gallery wall using painter’s tape before hanging the frames themselves. Once you find the perfect shape, hang them using a device that’s easy to remove.

Create a Frame Gallery [Pottery Barn]
How To Hang Your Gallery Wall [West Elm]
How to Create the Perfect Gallery Wall [Architectural Digest]

Two HGTV Shows to Flip Out About

Flipping a home involves purchasing an old, usually run-down property and, with a bit of elbow grease and a whole lot of hardwood floors, turning it into something that turns a profit. If this entire process sounds fascinating to you, you’ll simply flip over these two HGTV programs dedicated to flipping houses.

Rehab Addict
Pint-sized contractor Nicole Curtis packs a huge punch with the houses that she flips on HGTV's Rehab Addict. The show follows Curtis as she lovingly scoops up dilapidated homes in Detroit and Minneapolis and transforms them into something that anyone would be proud to live in. Unlike many home renovation shows that center around granite countertops and other trendy design details, Curtis aims to preserve the historic details and original character of every home she renovates. After watching her plead her case to city officials and argue with her own quirky family, you’ll be hooked on this entertaining HGTV show!

Flipping the Block
If you have a bit of a competitive streak, you’ll love HGTV’s competition program Flipping the Block. This brand new eight-part series features four teams of contractors and home renovation experts as they compete to re-do identical condos and see which one sells for the most money.

Apartment Decorating 101: Tips Every Renter Should Know

While you may not be able to tear down walls or add new countertops in your rental, you actually have a lot of options for decorating your home. As long as you have bit of creativity and a vision for your space, you can achieve a look that works for you. Here are just a few decorating tips that every renter should know.

  • Add storage. To avoid clutter, add your own storage by using affordable bookshelves, dressers and shelving units.
  • Change the hardware. In a rental, anything that you can change back to the way it was before when you move out is fair game for changing. That means that you can add fun drawer pulls, bathroom hardware, and removable wallpaper.
  • Freshen up the window coverings. Dress your windows in breezy curtains, bamboo blinds, or privacy-enhancing drapes.
  • Hang art. One of the fastest and easiest ways to really add personality to a space is by hanging framed artwork on the walls. Just make sure to use temporary adhesives if your landlord doesn’t permit nails in the wall.
  • Add rugs. Colorful rugs brighten up any room in the home, and they feel soft underfoot!

The 10 Commandments of Rental Decor [The Everygirl]
11 Decor Ideas That Will Change Your Rental Apartment [HuffPost Home]
5 Easy + Affordable Decorating Tips for Renters [Design Happens]

Curtains 101: How to Choose and Install the Right Window Treatments for Your Apartment

One of the fastest, most fail-proof ways to breathe new life into your home's decor is by swapping out your window treatments. Here are a few smart ways to help you choose the perfect curtains for your apartment and install them to best suit your specific space.

  • Choose the right size. When choosing curtains or drapes, go for something that is approximately 2 to 2.5 times the width of your windows. As for the length, make sure that they touch the floor when you hang them at the top of the window (or slightly above).
  • Keep it sheer. Unless you want to use your curtains for privacy, it’s best to go for something sheer so that you don’t block natural light.
  • Choose high quality hardware. If you have the extra funds, choosing a pricier type of curtain rod can make all the difference. This creates a more luxurious look, and you may find that the rod stands up to daily use a bit better than cheaper options.
  • Hang them high. Most interior designers recommend hanging your curtains all the way at the ceiling instead of just above the window. This creates a dramatic, catalog-worthy look and adds the illusion of height.
  • Add Roman shades. If heavy curtains aren’t your style, add Roman shades in a color that matches the rest of your room instead.

8 Window Treatment Ideas [Apartments.com]
Decor PSA: Hang Curtains High & Wide [Apartment Therapy]
Ask a Designer: How Do I Choose Window Treatments? [House Beautiful]

How to Choose the Right Throw Pillows for Your Home’s Decor

Incorporating throw pillows into your bedroom or living room is a cheap and easy way to update a home’s decor, but with the overwhelming number of options, it may be intimidating to choose the perfect ones. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best throw pillows for your space.

  1. Consider the size. Are you purchasing throw pillows for a standard-sized couch or your king-sized bed? The size of the space makes a big difference when choosing the perfect pillows, so be sure to consider sizes before purchasing. Eighteen-inch square pillows are best suited for a bed or sofa, while oversized pillows of 24 inches or larger create a more lounge-style feel in a living room.
  2. Choose a color scheme. Black and white throw pillows create a mod effect, while bright shades of pink, green, or blue liven up a drab space. Even if you plan on purchasing patterned pillows, stick with one singular color scheme for a designer-worthy look.
  3. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Get creative by mixing and matching different sizes, shapes, and patterns. If you stick to your chosen color scheme, it’s easy to pull off a more eclectic look.
  4. Add pillows in unexpected places. Toss some large, cushion-style pillows on the floor, add some in a window nook, or place one on a desk chair for a cozy feel.

Decorating With Throw Pillows [Real Simple]
Tips On Choosing Throw Pillows [Décor Love]
How to Choose Decorative Pillows for the Living Room [Overstock]

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