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Get in the Fall Spirit With These DIY Home Decor Projects

October 6, 2015 by

Fall is just around the corner, and you can't help but want to make over your home in shades of red, brown, and orange to celebrate the changing seasons. If you want to add some fall flair to your home without spending a fortune, you'll love these unique fall decor craft ideas.

Autumn Leaf Candle Holder [Country Living]
Use a simple mason jar and the first fallen leaves to create this autumnal candle holder. Use a bit of decoupage to attach the leaves to the sides of the jars, then watch as they light up against the flicker of a candle inside.

Newsprint Covered Pumpkins [paintedfurnitureideas.com]
Add a vintage look to the usual fall pumpkins by covering them with black and white newspaper. All it takes is a few minutes of gluing and a couple hours of drying to achieve this chic, understated look.

Metallic Acorns [twoityourself.com]
Acorns are everywhere come fall, so why not bring them inside the home for a touch of rustic decor. This project involves drying the acorns, painting them with a metallic spray paint and filling a clear lantern with the now-shimmering acorns. Display the finished project on your coffee table or a wall shelf to help welcome the autumn season.

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How to Control Entryway Clutter

October 2, 2015 by

Are you one of those people who walk through the door and drop everything right in the entryway? If you answered yes, you might be looking for ideas for controlling clutter in this high-traffic area. These simple tips will show you how to control all of those shoes, bags, keys, and other essentials that tend to accumulate right inside the front door.

  1. Add hooks. Whether you have an overflowing hall closet or no closet at all, adding simple hooks somewhere that you can easily reach them makes it much simpler to store your jacket, scarf, keys, or purse when you enter the house.
  2. Add bins. For your shoes, add a few large bins or one long, low bench where people can store their shoes without them amassing a large, unruly pile. You can usually find this type of storage containers at the flea market, thrift store, or any home goods store.
  3. Try out a locker. For more serious storage, hunt for a row of vintage lockers that will keep everything in place (and also create a cool, industrial look).
  4. Add a key hook. If you frequently lose your keys, try adding another, smaller row of hooks where you can easily store them every time you come home.

Entryway Ideas [Martha Stewart]
5 Tips for a Clutter-Free Entryway [PopSugar]
Organizing Your Entryway, Hall or Mudroom [Dorothy the Organizer]

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Must-Know Tips When Shopping for Antiques

July 24, 2015 by

Want to start antiquing but not sure how or where to begin? Learn what to look for, how to maximize your budget, and more with these helpful tips.

  1. Know the lingo. Did you know that by law, an item must be more than 100 years old in order to be called an antique? If a store labels an item “vintage,” “collectible,” or “antique reproduction,” it’s not a true antique.
  2. Get a price guide. If you’re shopping for very specific items, consult a price guide before setting out to the store to ensure that you don’t overpay for your antique treasure. These even take specific variables into consideration, such as the part of the country and the condition of the piece.
  3. Ask questions. If you’re still not sure about an item, ask the store owner about how he or she determined its authenticity, if the store carries reproductions, and how long they have been an antique dealer.
  4. Make sure it works in your home. Even if you find a real gem for a great price, it’s not worth much to you if it doesn’t work in your home. Be smart about the size of the antique and how much use you’ll get from it.

Shopping for Antiques [Federal Trade Commission]
A Beginner's Mini Guide to Buying Antiques [Houzz]
Secrets for Finding Bargain Antiques [About Home]

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Apartment Decorating 101: Tips Every Renter Should Know

July 10, 2015 by

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]

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Interior Design 101: Decorating Tips for Beginners

April 17, 2015 by

So you didn’t go to school for interior design? No big deal; you can still transform your home into a designer-worthy space using just a few simple tips. These handy tricks will show you how to inject a stylish, inspiring look into any room in your home.

  1. Use symmetry. If you’re unsure of how to arrange the furniture in a room or hang frames on a wall, simply keep the idea of symmetry in mind. Symmetrical rooms are more pleasing to the eye, so try adding two sofas facing one another to help balance your living room.
  2. Consider the scale. Be sure to choose furniture in a size that fits your specific room. Choose large, overstuffed items for more open rooms and compact, apartment-sized furniture in smaller spaces.
  3. Choose a focal point. If the majority of your furniture is fairly plain, invest in one statement piece as an accent. Try a colorful chair, a large, framed painting, or an ornate rug.
  4. Use color to your advantage. Choose the color scheme of a room based on what type of emotion you want the room to convey. For example, use soft, soothing tones to encourage relaxation in a bedroom.
  5. Mix new and vintage pieces. While a room full of thrift store furnishings may look mismatched, using all brand new furniture looks impersonal. Combine the two styles for a designer look.

Top Interior Design Tips for Beginners [Bliss at Home]
Interior Design 101 [Visual.ly]
What are Some Interior Design Tips for Beginners? [Wise Geek]

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Add a Splash of Green to Your Apartment With These Easy-Care Houseplants

April 3, 2015 by

There’s no better way to breathe new life — quite literally! — into your apartment than by adding a few lush, green houseplants to every room. Even if you don’t exactly have a green thumb, these low-maintenance plants will last for years with minimal care.

  1. Pothos. The pothos plant is one of the most common houseplants, and you’ve likely noticed its trailing stems filled with marbled green leaves in many offices and homes. Aside from its beautiful appearance, this plant also requires little light, minimal watering, and even helps to remove toxins from the air.
  2. Aloe. Spiky aloe plants do best in direct sunlight on a windowsill, and because they prefer dry soil, they’re perfect for the forgetful indoor gardener.
  3. Jade. This succulent plant is one of the most interesting in appearance, as it contains thick, rubbery leaves that grow across criss-crossing branches. It also has a very long lifespan of a decade or more.
  4. Snake plant. The snake plant, also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” is an affordable alternative to pricey floor plants, as its long, snake-like leaves grow upright in a unique and attractive way. It requires little watering, and it doesn’t mind low sunlight.
  5. Fiddle Leaf Fig. Although it can be a bit finicky, few plants make as much of an impact as the stylish, trendy fiddle fig. If you keep it in bright sunlight it can even grow as high as the ceiling.

24 of the Easiest Houseplants You Can Grow [Better Homes & Gardens]
The 15 easiest indoor house plants that won't die on you. [Today Home]
Easy Houseplants [This Old House]

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Have Some Spare Time? Check Out These Popular Shows on HGTV

February 13, 2015 by

If the phrases “hardwood floors” and “granite countertops” get your heart racing, you’re sure to love HGTV’s endless list of entertaining home design programs. Here are two of the network’s most beloved shows that make for hours of weekend binge watching.

House Hunters International
Have you always wondered what it would be like it live in a villa in Barcelona or a centuries-old apartment in Paris? House Hunters International follows equally adventurous house hunters as they give into their wanderlust and move thousands of miles away from home. The show explores all corners of the world and gives you a taste of the local culture, as well as the local real estate market.

Love It or List It, Too
This remake of the popular Love It or List It features the same competitive edge with a duo of new hosts. Love It or List It, Too follows a family who is tired of their current home as they decide whether to renovate what they already have or move somewhere entirely new. Realtor Todd competes with designer Jillian as he attempts to find the couple a new house, and Jillian attempts to re-work their current one.

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How to Keep Your Furniture Looking Like New

December 2, 2014 by

Purchasing furniture is one of the priciest investments that you make in your home, so you likely want to keep it looking as good as new. Follow these smart tips for preventing stains, rips, and other signs of wear and tear on your new furniture.

  1. Invest in high-quality pieces. First and foremost, investing in good quality furniture is one of the very best ways to ensure that it keeps its original look for years to come.
  2. Protect your fabrics and upholstery. When you first purchase a new rug or upholstered sofa, pay a bit extra to have a professional administer a protective coating to repel stains.
  3. Flip sofa cushions. By flipping your sofa cushions monthly, you can distribute the weight from frequent use to multiple parts of the cushion.
  4. Minimize eating in the living room. If you’re already trying to break this bad habit, just imagine a food stain on your brand new sofa for a bit of extra motivation.
  5. Tackle stains immediately. Whether it’s on a rug or the sofa, the most important way to prevent permanent staining is by addressing it immediately so that it can’t sink into the fabric. Read the care instructions on your furniture or rugs when you purchase them so that you know exactly how to remove that red wine stain before it inflicts major damage.

How to Keep Your Furniture Looking Like New [WikiHow]
4 Steps to Keep Your Furniture Looking New [Apartment Therapy]
Keep Your Sofa Looking Like New in 3 Easy Steps! [Shofer’s]

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How to Host Your Own At-Home Wine Tasting

September 12, 2014 by

Few things are more enjoyable than sipping a glass of wine with your closest friends. Hosting a wine tasting is a unique way that you can do just that, and it enables you and your fellow wine lovers to sample some wines that you may have never tried before. Here are a three tips for pulling off a successful at-home wine tasting.

  1. Choose a theme. Choose a theme for each tasting in order to cover all of the different types of wines, such as a Chardonnay night or an afternoon of Pinot Noirs. Tell each of your guests to bring a bottle from a different part of the world, a different year, or a different brand.
  2. Prepare the glasses properly. You don’t need to invest in expensive wine glasses, but be sure to provide one glass for each person. Fill the glass an inch below its equator. After tasting one type of wine, rinse the glass with the type of wine you’ll be tasting next in order to rid the glass of traces of the previous wine.
  3. Serve snacks. Provide small snacks like cheese, crackers, or delicate cookies to help guests cleanse their palates in between wines and provide some sustenance throughout the evening.

How To Have The Perfect Wine Tasting At Home [HuffPost Taste]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

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Apply These Easy Decorating Tips to Your Child’s Bedroom

August 8, 2014 by

It’s important for your little one's bedroom to be a reflection of his personality, but you want the room to look nice, too! If you’re searching for some fun, affordable ways to decorate your child's room, these creative tips can help.

  1. Add a gallery wall. If your son or daughter is a budding artist, encourage him or her to paint a few pictures on a variety of different paper sizes. Frame the artwork in colorful frames and hang them in a group to create an eclectic gallery wall that your child will be proud of.
  2. Restore hand-me-down furniture. It seems silly to invest in expensive furniture that the kids will outgrow in a few years, so give that old dresser a fun facelift instead. Sand down the existing paint or stain and paint it your child’s favorite color.
  3. Add removable wall decals. Most home goods stores today sell wall decals in a variety of different styles, so let your child pick the one he or she likes best. They’re a fast way to add personality to the room, and they dress up the wall without painting.
  4. Mix patterns. From throw pillows to rugs, mixing patterns based on the same color scheme creates a funky look while still coordinating perfectly.
  5. Invest in simple storage. Things like low dressers and cubed shelves with removable bins keep the room organized, and they’re simple enough to encourage the kids to put away their own toys.

Affordable Kids' Room Decorating Ideas [HGTV]
10 Decorating Ideas for Kids' Rooms [HGTV]
Decor Ideas for a Kid's Room [Real Simple]
DIY Kid's Room Decor Ideas [Babble]

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