Friday, March 29, 2024

Learn How to Manage Clutter — Not Hide It!

If you find yourself tucking away all of that extra clutter every time you clean your home, you may wonder how you can get rid of it for good. Instead of managing the clutter in your home, these smart, space-saving tips will show you how to control your clutter by getting rid of it completely.

  • Take an assessment of your clutter. Where do you notice clutter the most in your home? Is it in the junk drawers in your kitchen, the entryway area or your bedroom closet? Make note of those places where clutter always seems to accumulate so that you can focus the majority of your energy there.
  • Invest in storage systems. If the current storage systems in those areas just aren't working, it's time to reevaluate them. If clothes are always tumbling off of the shelves in your bedroom closet, add some affordable plastic drawers from your local home goods store; if you're always tripping over shoes in the doorway, add a stylish shoe rack.
  • Get rid of clutter-prone areas. Those junk drawers that are always overflowing? Get rid of them! If you don't have that go-to spot for disposing of those unused items, you'll be forced to really think about where they go — or if you need them at all.
  • Make it a part of your routine. If you don't usually think about where to put certain items, you might want to start. A big part of keeping a clean home is developing clean habits, so before you toss those shoes or that extra junk mail aside, take pause and deal with it right on the spot.

Revamp a Lampshade with these Fast and Easy DIYs

Finding just-the-right lamp to match your decor can be tricky. Why not get creative and style your own? All you need is a simple base and a shade of any kind that you can revamp. Follow these fun tips to create the lamp you've been dreaming of.

  • Using fabric to cover your lampshade is a beautiful and affordable way to revamp your lamp. All you need to do is make yourself a template with newspaper and cut it out to perfectly cover your lamp. Then, cut your fabric to match your template. Use fabric glue to place it on and you've got a unique, beautiful shade.
  • Line your lampshade with gold using liquid gold leaf paint and stained glass foiling tape. Make sure to use a lampshade with a plastic lining so the liquid leaf doesn't seep through the shade. Use a foam brush to paint it on and put a clear topcoat on so the paint doesn't tarnish.
  • Use spray paint to create a unique pattern on your lampshade. All you need is the paint and a fun stencil to use as a pattern. A chevron pattern can really transform your lamp and can go well with any kind of decor.

How to Transform a Lamp Shade with Fabric [Just a Girl and Her Blog]
Lampshade Decorating [Plaster & Disaster]
4 Creative Ways to Do a Lampshade Makeover [Bob Vila]

Redecorating? Here’s How to Get Gutsy with Color and Design

Bold style and colors can transform your home to make it feel more fun and happy. If you’re looking to liven up your home and really make your space more exciting, follow these tips for some inspiration.

  • Use a large, oversized reflective object, such as a light fixture, to assert dominance on everything else in the room.
  • Experiment with design objects and put them out of their element. Something like placing a rug on the wall can really make a statement.
  • A patterned piece of furniture can be a great addition to your space. Something like a floral pattern on a sofa or polka dots on a chair can make an impact.
  • Turn one wall into a modern piece of art. Even using a simple splash of color on one of your walls can make a huge difference.
  • Use a patterned light switch plate instead of the plain old white ones for a fun little pop of color.
  • Instead of filling a vase with flowers, use a large leaf with a unique shape.

12 Bold Color Tricks to Try in Every Room [HGTV]
22 Ways to Be (a Little) More Daring With Your Decorating [HGTV]
Daring Decor Additions: Take Your Design Up A Notch With These 5 Striking Style Ideas [Apartment Therapy]

How to Make Any Space Feel Like Home

Making your space feel like a home can be a little overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be difficult. All you need to do is add your own personality to your space and make it feel more cozy. Follow these tips to make your space feel more comfortable and homey.

  • Decorate your space with people and places that you love and with items that have meaning to you. Use artwork that features places or maps of places that have a special meaning to you and your family.
  • A simple positive message can have a way of making you feel good and really bring up your mood. Use art that features a quote or phrase and hang it somewhere where you will be sure to see it every day.
  • Place a lot of throw pillows on your couch or bed. These will always make you feel nice and cozy. A throw blanket can give you the same effect as well.
  • Add a rug or two to your dining or living room area. A rug will make your space feel more complete and less empty or bare.
  • Add a lamp on your bedside table or on your desk to add a little bit of light to your home. If your space is too dark, you will never achieve that cozy feeling.

8 Ways to Decorate With Love and Meaning [Houzz]
8 Ways to Make Your House More Homey [Home Garden Vibes]
Decorating Tricks to Make Your New House Welcoming and Cozy [Freshome]

How to Give Your Bathroom a Spa Makeover

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spa in the comfort of your own home? Your bathroom is a private, quiet space and it’s where you go to take a nice relaxing bath or shower to de-stress. All you need to do is add a few more elements to create your own spa atmosphere at home. Use these hacks and tricks to give your bathroom a spa makeover.

  • Use minimal decor and a clean, simple style to achieve a serene and spa-like setting.
  • Soften your lighting and get a relaxing feel by installing lights with dimmer controls.
  • Create a barrier, such as a dramatic shower curtain or large plants, to make yourself feel a bit transported
  • De-clutter your bathroom by keeping your toiletries well organized or hidden.
  • Keep your bath salts and soaps in attractive containers. The presentation of everything will really make a difference.
  • Invest in a towel warmer or use towel-warming bars.
  • Use lavender or jasmine scented candles or oil diffusers. Aromatherapy is a huge part of a spa atmosphere.
  • Create a playlist of relaxing and meditating songs to play while you’re soaking in the tub.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas: 5 Ways to Make Any Bathroom Feel More Spa-Like [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa [Popsugar]
10 Affordable Ideas That Will Turn Your Small Bathroom Into A Spa [Improvenet]

These Online Retailers Sell Hip Kids’ Furniture That’s More Stylish Than Most

If the idea of a kids’ bedroom that’s cluttered with toys isn’t exactly what you have in mind, you may be wishing for kid-friendly furniture that’s a bit more functional. These stylish online stores specialize in children’s furniture and decor that’s more minimal than most, but it’s still cute enough to appeal to your favorite little ones.

The Land of Nod
With mid-century modern designs and soft, neutral colors, all of the furniture at The Land of Nod is just as appealing to caregivers as it is to the kids. Here you’ll find well-made wooden cribs and bedframes, bedding in whimsical patterns, and smart storage solutions with an eclectic edge.

IKEA
Everyone’s favorite Swedish home goods store is an equally great resource for fun, quirky children’s furniture. If you’re looking to furnish your little ones’ rooms on a budget, this is the place to go for complete furniture sets and even colorful rugs that double as board games.

Hip Kids
With a name like Hip Kids, it’s apparent that this online retailer sells children’s furnishings that are truly stylish. Shop wooden play kitchens, kid-sized teepees, and smart storage solutions that they’ll actually want to put their toys inside.

How to Create a Chic and Stylish Bar Cart

Bar carts are the types of finishing touches that add a major pop of designer flair to any room in the home. From the living room to the dining room, adding a well-curated bar cart will really give your home the type of 1950s style that is right on trend. Here are just a few tips for creating a truly chic bar cart.

  1. Start with the perfect cart. Scour flea markets and thrift stores for an authentic vintage bar cart. If you can’t find one there, try purchasing one at an affordable furniture store or even using a small three-tiered bookshelf.
  2. Choose your spirits. The types of spirits that you add to your cart really depend on your personal preferences. Investing in three or four bottles of common spirits like vodka, gin, and bourbon is a good place to start.
  3. Add your glassware. Next, invest in new or secondhand sets of wine glasses, low tumblers and martini glasses. You may even want to add decanters to fill with mixers or to trade out unattractive liquor bottles.
  4. Add the accessories. Fill a glass jar with stirrers, add a small cutting board for slicing lemons and limes and even add stacks of mixology books for the finishing touches.

How to Style a Bar Cart [The DIY Playbook]
How To: Create and Stylize the Perfect Bar Cart [Guest of a Guest]
Assembling the Perfect Bar Cart [Primer Magazine]
How to Style the Perfect Bar Cart for Any Party [HGTV]

What’s Your Interior Design Personality? Find Out Here!

Are you partial to chic, modern furnishings, or is your interior design style more of the cozy, vintage-inspired variety? Knowing exactly what types of furnishings you like best will make it much easier for you to decorate your home at Riverfront Heights. Here are a few great online quizzes that will help you to zero in on your specific interior design personality.

What’s Your Decorating Style?
This quiz from Coastal Living asks a series of very abstract questions about your lifestyle, your drink preferences, and even your preferred clothing style to help you figure out your interior design style. It also makes recommendations for decorating ideas once your results are in.

Style Maker Visual Quiz
Take this visual quiz from Stylish Home is best for visual learners, as it shows you a series of photos in order to help you determine your home decor preferences. Instead of simply asking you what types of furnishings you like, it actually shows them to you to help get a more accurate response.

Decorating Style Quiz
Better Homes & Gardens offers this fun mix of visual and word-based questions regarding your decor preferences, your personality, and your unique needs. Once you complete the quiz, it offers a general idea of your home decor personality.

How to Breathe New Life Into Old Wooden Cutting Boards

Your pricey cutting board looked so rustic and professional when you first bought it, but after years of slicing, chopping, and quick wipe-downs, it’s looking a bit worse for the wear. Instead of investing in a newer model, use these smart tips for breathing new life into your current one.

  1. Wash with soap and water. While you likely don’t usually wash your cutting board with soap and water, you’ll want to do it now to remove any bacteria. Try to move quickly so that the water doesn’t soak in.
  2. Buff out scratches. Use a medium-grade sandpaper to buff out scratches from the surface of the cutting board. Go over it again with a very fine sandpaper to smooth the surface and take it back to its original texture.
  3. Create a mineral oil and beeswax mixture. Microwave one cup of USP-grade mineral oil with 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax. This should only take about 45 seconds.
  4. Oil the cutting board. Rub this mixture into your cutting board by hand. Rub with the grain, then let it sit for several minutes before wiping the excess with a clean cloth.
  5. Dry the cutting board. Allow your cutting board to dry overnight, then give it one last wipe-down with a dry cloth.
  6. Add a beeswax topcoat. Rub just beeswax into the surface of the now-oiled cutting board to create a glossy finish.

How to Refinish a Kitchen Cutting Board [Homeguides]
How to Revive Old Cutting Boards [The Shabby Creek Cottage]
How I Refinished My Grandma’s Old Dough Board [Brown Eyed Baker]

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]

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