Sagging, Scratching and Tearing — Oh My! Don’t Let These Common Problems Ruin Your Furniture

Whether you recently invested in a brand-new sofa or you've had your furniture for years, everyone wants to keep their furniture in top condition. Here are some smart tips that will prevent sags, tears, and other common furniture issues in your home.

  • Flip your cushions frequently. To keep your cushions from getting too flat, make sure that you flip them frequently. You can use this trick on chairs, sofas, and anything else with a removable cushion.
  • Turn your mattress. Prolong the lifespan of your mattress by flipping it every six months or so. This will help to keep the springs in place and avoid placing weight on the same spot every night.
  • Keep wood furniture away from heat and sunlight. Wood is very durable, but when it comes to sunlight, things can start fading fast. Try to arrange your hardwood furniture so that it's not in the path of direct sunlight, and avoid placing wooden pieces near a heater to prevent warping.
  • Take coasters seriously. You may think of coasters as a bit of an annoyance, but when it comes to preserving the life of your wooden tables, they're actually very important. Keep a few coasters on hand so that your cold beverages don't make rings on wood surfaces.
  • Only use oil soap for wooden furniture. Cleaning your wooden tables and chairs with any old cleaner may damage their surfaces. Instead, always clean these pieces with oil soap diluted with equal parts water.
  • Dust frequently. It may look harmless, but dust can damage the inside of your rugs, sofa cushions, and on top of wooden shelves and tables. Make sure to take cushions outside and give them a good beating to shake out the dust, and frequently dust wooden pieces using a gentle feather duster or an old rag.

Caring for Furniture [HGTV]

How to Host a Dinner Party — Without a Dining Room

Don't have a traditional dining room table? You'll be happy to know that there are still a number of other ways to have your friends over for dinner. Here are a few smart tips for hosting a dinner party even without a dining room.

  • Think buffet-style. Avoid the sit-down feel right from the beginning by serving your food buffet style. This not only embraces the lack of a traditional dining room, it even makes it more fun.
  • Plan the menu accordingly. Since you don't have a large table, you'll want to avoid a really formal meal. This isn't the time for prime rib and multiple sides; rather, it's the perfect opportunity for a taco bar, a heaping bowl of pasta or dress-them-yourself burgers.
  • Embrace your outdoor space. If your rental comes equipped with its own private outdoor space (or even a shared outdoor area), it's the perfect opportunity to take your meal al fresco. Bring along a tablecloth, a few candles for ambiance and some recyclable plates that don't require much clean-up.
  • Take it to the floor. Toss some comfortable throw pillows around your living room and instruct your friends to gather around the coffee table.
  • Turn it into a theme night. If you're worried about the informal feel of eating on your couch with guests, turn your dinner party into a cozy theme. Pop in a movie for a laid-back movie night, or grab some board games for a dinner-party-turned-game-night.

Where to Shop Host and Hostess Gifts Online

Going to a party in the near future? It’s polite to bring a gift for the host or hostess, but it may be difficult to decide what to give. Luckily, there are a number of fun and affordable websites are packed full of great ideas that anyone will love. Here are three of the best places to shop for host and hostess gifts online.

Uncommon Goods
This foodie-friendly website is filled with gift ideas perfect for any avid entertainer. From self-chilling wine glasses to sets of unique salts and pizza cutters in silly shapes, these unique items make great host or hostess gifts.

Mark & Graham
If you’re looking for a gift that’s a bit more personal, Mark & Graham offers many items that can be customized with the recipient’s initials. Add etched initials to the side of a set of goblets, a copper ice bucket, or even trendy Moscow mule mugs, or create your own complete set of stylish barware.

Terrain
For the host with more romantic tastes, Terrain’s selection of pressed flower sachets, bottleneck vases, and enamel candlesticks are truly a delight. You’ll also find decorative candies and bottled cordials that are a bit more affordable for those on a budget.

How to Add Mid-Century Modern Flair to Your Apartment at Avana Sterling Ridge

Mid-century modern furniture is having a major resurgence, with everyone from your best friend to your local coffee shop getting in on the trend. If you love the teak woods, clean lines, and hairpin legs that mid-century design is known for, these simple tips will show you a few easy—and affordable—ways to incorporate it into your own apartment.

  1. Think of wood first. While it may be tempting to buy that imitation wood table at your local discount furniture store, to create a true mid-century look, you’ll want to use as much real wood as possible. Teak, walnut, and oak are some of the most popular styles from this era. If you’re on a tight budget, even replacing one or two pieces with a real wood piece will make a big difference.
  2. Go for geometric patterns. In terms of textiles, think bold, geometric patterns combined with subtle tweeds and pops of mustard, rust and teal.
  3. Update the lights. Go for a dramatic arc floor lamp or a shiny bronze desk lamp, or even switch out your kitchen’s light fixture with an oval-shaped hanging pendant.
  4. Switch your sofa. If you can afford it, invest in a low-profile sofa with clean lines and slim legs. This is a surefire way to create a mid-century look with one statement piece.
  5. Add art. Finally, add abstract art with bold colors as the finishing touch.

10 Easy Ways to Add a Mid-Century Modern Style to Your Home [Freshome]
Mid-Century Modern Style Decorating [Wayfair]
Add Midcentury Modern Style to Your Home [HGTV]

How to Get the Most Storage Space Out of Your Refrigerator

Organizing your fridge doesn’t just keep things in their right place, it also lengthens the lifespan of the foods inside. Here are a few smart ways to get the most storage space out of your refrigerator.

  1. Start by going through your entire refrigerator and throwing away anything that is past its expiration date. Wipe out the shelves and drawers and prepare to put things back inside.
  2. Consider your storage and see where you can add more. If there is a particularly large shelf, purchase additional shelving or bins from your local home goods store.
  3. Organize food items by size, leaving the larger items in the back and the smaller ones in the front so that you can easily see everything at first glance.
  4. Place the vegetables in the designated vegetable drawer, as this is often a so-called “crisper” that is designed especially to keep delicate vegetables fresh.
  5. Only store condiments on the door, as this is the warmest part of the refrigerator and can cause other items to spoil.
  6. Store raw foods, such as meats, on the bottom shelf so that they don’t contaminate other items.

Fridge and Freezer Organization [The Container Store]
The Best Way to Organize Your Refrigerator [The Kitchn]
How to Store Food in the Refrigerator [Real Simple]

How to Keep Your Apartment’s Entryway Neat and Clutter-Free

Instead of dropping your bag, shoes, jacket, and keys on the floor in front of your door, use these tips for creating a neat and clutter-free entryway.

  • Add hooks. Invest in some sturdy, attractive hooks and install them just to one side of your door. Larger ones can accommodate jackets and coats, while smaller ones are perfect for hanging a scarf or purse.
  • Add seating. Many people like to add seating where guests can sit to take off their shoes. Consider a compact bench with storage underneath to maximize your space.
  • Place a basket near the door. To avoid clutter around the doorway, add a small basket or decorative tray where you can toss your keys, mail, and other small items.
  • Consider the lighting. Do you often come home to a dark apartment at night? If so, you might also want to add a standing lamp to light the way when you enter the door.
  • Finish with a doormat. A doormat is essential for wiping muddy feet and keeping guests from tracking dirt through your home. Choose one in a bright color or with a witty greeting.

Maintain an Efficient, Orderly Entryway [Better Homes & Gardens]
Makeshift Mudroom: Tips to Keep Your Entryway Clear [Storage Pros]
11 Super-Organized Entryways to Clear the Way for Guests [Porch]

6 Tips for Decorating a Bookshelf

Bookshelves can be more than just a place to organize your library. The shelves can also double as a way to express yourself and your passions. Here are six tips to help you create a bookshelf display that's as unique as you are.

1. If you have a childhood toy or a memento from a vacation, place them around your books to make an interesting narrative. This will keep your display personal, while also creating a conversation piece.

2. Make sure that there is cohesion to your placement. Keep animal figures one shelf and flower vases on another for the best results.

3. Use an empty photo frame to bring color and shape to a bookshelf. Pick up a few old frames from an antiques shop, add a coat of paint, and you’ve got a great new look. Arrange a few frames together to create a bold focal point.

4. Placing mirrors along the backside of your bookshelves gives off a cool, modern vibe. It also deepens the look, make the room seem a bit longer and lighter.

5. If you have great pieces of artwork but are short on wall space, placing piece in between books can be an interesting way to dress up a room. Eyes will happily move between the books and the pictures, curious for what else to find.

6. Don’t forget about the top of the bookshelf. Utilize the top for bigger objects that won’t fit anywhere else, like paintings or sculptures.

Decorating tips for shelves and bookcases [HGTV]
Tips on Decorating a Bookshelf [Overstock.com]
22 Ways to Arrange Your Shelves [Real Simple]
Decorating a Bookcase [Its Overflowing]

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