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Clean Up the Air in Your Apartment With These Purifying Plants

September 15, 2016 by

Not only do houseplants add a burst of green color and life to your space, they also clean the air and keep things feeling fresh. If your home could use a bit of purifying, here are some of the best plants to do the job.

  • Aloe. Many people know that aloe is great for your skin, but did you also know that the plant is good at purifying the air? This spiky plant clears chemicals from the air from many common household cleaning products, but you'll want to make sure that it gets plenty of sunlight to keep it healthy.
  • Rubber tree. With its large, dark green leaves and its rubbery texture, the rubber tree is very attractive and durable. It also eliminates toxins from the air, which makes it a great plant for stuffy spaces.
  • Peace lily. Looking for a flowering plant that will also clear the air? The peace lily is the one to choose! It has a beautiful, white flower on top of a long, green stem, and because it does well in the shade, it's a great choice for a room that doesn't get a lot of sunlight.
  • Bamboo. Bamboo is one of the very best plants for purifying the air and absorbing toxins, especially benzene and trichloroethylene. This particular plant requires a lot of water, however, which means that it's best for experienced plant owners.

10 Best Houseplants To De-Stress Your Home And Purify The Air [Huffington Post]

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Speed Through Household Chores With These Cleaning Shortcuts

June 16, 2016 by

The faster you get your cleaning done, the more time you’ll have to spend time with friends and family. The trick to quick cleaning is to have a system and to stick to it. Set a time limit for each room and you’ll be finished before you know it. Follow these tips for quick and efficient cleaning!

  • Keep up with daily cleaning tasks to help maintain your home's tidiness. By doing simple tasks every day, the cleaning will be much easier and not be so overwhelming.
  • Use a tote or bucket to keep all your cleaning supplies in. You can bring this from room to room and you won’t need to waste time searching for the supplies you need.
  • Use a vacuum to clean all of your floor surfaces. You should also use an extension cord for the vacuum to allow you to reach multiple areas without taking the time to keep plugging it in.
  • On your shower walls and door, use a squeegee after every use. This will prevent soap scum and water spots later on.
  • Focus on what you are cleaning and cut out anything that might distract you, e.g., your phone and the TV!

13 Tips to Help You Speed-Clean Your Home [Better Homes and Gardens]
Clean Your House in Less Than an Hour [Woman’s Day]
Speed Cleaning: Tips For Fast & Efficient Housekeeping [The Inspired Room]

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How to Create an Inspiring Home Office

May 19, 2016 by

Whether you work from home or you simply need a quiet space for catching up on emails, many people value having a designated home office space. This area should inspire you to do work free from the clutter of everyday life, and these organizational tips will show you how to create a workspace that promotes productivity.

  1. Use only functional furnishings. If you have a desk that is far too small, switch it out for something larger that you’ll actually use. The same goes for that uncomfortable chair and the rest of your outdated home office furniture.
  2. Add framed photos. Frame a few photos that inspire you, whether they’re works from famous artists or simply clippings from your favorite magazines. Create a gallery wall of eclectic frames that you can look at when you need a boost.
  3. Block out distractions. Whether that means switching your office into a different room or simply adding a room divider, it’s important to create a space that is free of distractions.
  4. Find the view. If possible, position your home office in an area with a window so that you can gaze outside as you brainstorm.

Stylish Home Offices & Decorating Ideas [House Beautiful]
10 Tips for Designing Your Home Office [HGTV]
7 Tips for a More Productive and Inspirational Home Office [The Real Estate Book]

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How to Choose the Right Furniture for Your Apartment

May 5, 2016 by

Purchasing furniture is a big investment, and for most people, it’s something that requires a little bit of planning. If you want to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck on furniture that really suits your space at Metropole, there are some simple rules to follow. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing new furniture.

  1. Measure everything. You always want to measure your space before purchasing large furniture pieces such as a sofa or an area rug. Measure the entire room first, and then determine how much of that space you want the furniture to fill. Finally, take a measuring tape with you to the store and measure the furniture before purchasing.
  2. Consider the doorway. Be sure that you can fit the furniture through hallways and into the apartment itself before purchasing.
  3. Think of its uses. Will you use your sofa mainly for watching television, or will it be a gathering space for large groups of people? Keep the functionality in mind before making any furniture purchases.
  4. Choose high-quality materials. You might be okay with purchasing bargain furniture for your first apartment, but if you really want your furniture to last, it’s best to pay a bit more for high-quality construction. Look for pieces made with real wood, and if it’s a sofa, inspect the seams and cushions to test their quality.

How to Determine Furniture Proportion to a Room [SF Gate]
Choosing the Right Size Sofa: Four Key Questions to Ask Yourself [Apartment Therapy]
Choosing the Right Furniture [Moving.com]

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Fun and Easy Spring Craft Ideas for Kids

April 21, 2016 by

The springtime is known for its long, rainy days, and on those afternoons when you’re stuck in the house, you’ll likely need an activity to keep the little ones occupied. Here are a few fun and creative craft ideas that offer hours of entertainment for your budding artists.

Tissue Cherry Blossom Tree [marthastewart.com]
Instead of hanging their artwork on the refrigerator, why not create a craft that you can use in your home decor? This chic cherry blossom tree sculpture is perfect for the springtime, and it’s also simple enough that the kids will have a great time piecing it together. Let them gather branches from outside, then get to work gluing pieces of pink tissue paper in the shape of delicate blooms.

Painted Canvas Bags [parenting.com]
If you’re looking for a craft that’s both beautiful and functional, this painted canvas bag is the ideal choice. Simply purchase plain canvas bags from your local craft store, set the kids loose with fabric inks and brushes, then use the completed bags at the grocery store or even for their school books.

Faux Tie Dye Spring Flower Window Display [momto2poshlildivas.com]
Because real tie-dyeing may be a bit to complicated for young children, this unique craft is a great alternative that produces similar results. Once your child is done, you can hang the colorful flower in a window for all to see.

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Where to Shop Unique Art and Wall Decor for Kids’ Rooms

December 17, 2015 by

Your kids' bedrooms should be the most fun rooms in the house when it comes to decorating, and that means that you likely want to keep them as colorful and creative as possible. If you’re looking for wall art designed especially for the little one that will add some flair to their bare walls, these are three great places to shop.

Minted
This hip wall art retailer has an entire section of its site devoted solely to art for kids. Expect to find minimal prints of cute quotes, personalized designs with your child’s name. and watercolor paintings of animals, crayons and other sweet scenes.

The Land of Nod
The Land of Nod is a favorite amongst stylish parents with a flair for all things mid-century modern, and its selection of kid-friendly art is just as adorable. It includes handmade weavings and tapestries in bright colors and soft neutrals, as well as framed prints, fun maps, Periodic Tables, and other educational prints.

Etsy
If you’re looking for something truly unique, Etsy has a number of sellers who create their own handmade art just for the little ones. Simply search for children’s art to discover the best the site has to offer.

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How to Spruce Up a Windowsill

October 22, 2015 by

Do you have a bare windowsill in your home that’s just begging for some decoration? Here are a few great ways to spruce up that unused space, no matter how large or how small it may be.

  1. Make a garden. Gather some plants in attractive pots and arrange them all over your windowsill. Choose plants that do well in bright light, as the windowsill will likely fill with sunlight during the day.
  2. Create a reading nook. If your windowsill is large enough, create your own reading nook using some comfortable throw pillows and a stack of books. Add attractive bookends to make your own miniature library.
  3. Fill it with candles. Add candles in varying heights to create a romantic effect that even looks beautiful from the outside of the house.
  4. Use it as extra storage. On a wide window ledge, add small storage boxes and use them to hold those extra odds and ends.
  5. Add picture frames. Frame some family photos in frames that stand up on their own and line them up across the window’s width.
  6. Start a crystal collection. Many people think that crystals add good energy to a room, and your windowsill is a great place to display your budding collection.

6 Ways To Decorate & Dress Your Window Sills! [Homedit]
10 DIY Window Sill Displays [Top Dreamer]
10 Fabulous and Cheap Ways to Decorate Your Windowsills [Small Room Ideas]

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Where to Shop Double-Duty Furniture Pieces That Won’t Break the Bank

September 17, 2015 by

Adding furniture pieces that can play double-duty with multiple uses is one of the best ways to maximize space in a rental, but these types of versatile, multipurpose items can be difficult to find if you’re on a limited budget. Here are a few great places where you can shop multipurpose furniture items that won’t break the bank!

Beds from IKEA
The Swedish design staple is consistently a go-to for smart, functional furniture that’s still really stylish. If you’re looking for a bed with a built-in dresser, a comfy futon with hidden blanket storage, or even trundle beds for when unexpected guests stop by for the weekend, you’ll find it all for affordable prices at IKEA.

Wayfair’s Storage Ottomans
Add a chic storage ottoman to get your living room mess under control when you shop the vast selection from Wayfair. You’ll find small, round ottomans with hidden storage compartments that are perfect for studio apartments, as well as spacious storage benches that are better suited for larger living areas.

Wayfair’s Apartment Storage Solutions
From lift-top coffee tables that double as desks to multipurpose room dividers with decorative shelving on the sides, Wayfair is home to a number of creative apartment storage solutions that you might not have even considered.

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Stylish Storage Solutions for Arts and Crafts Supplies

July 23, 2015 by

Whether you’re an avid crafter or your children are often doing art projects at home, you know how difficult it can be to find storage space for all of those paints, markers, fabrics, crayons, and other supplies. Here are just a few stylish ways that you can keep your arts and crafts supplies neatly organized until your next DIY project.

Mason Jar Storage System [redtri.com]
Turn your storage solution into an art project in itself. This colorful DIY idea involves covering old mason jars in fun, pattered washi tape, then using those jars to store everything from markers to paint brushes and even loose buttons.

Kids’ Craft Apron [www.bhg.com]
If your child has trouble keeping his or her craft supplies together while doing a project, you can make this simple apron as your next family art project. Simply take an old gardening apron, use the belt to tie it to the side of your child’s crafting table, and fill the spacious pockets with all of the essentials.

Hanging Storage Bins [apartmenttherapy.com]
Screw a metal rod from any home goods store into your wall, then attach S-shaped hooks and hang bins in all sizes from each hook. You can use these to keep your art supplies within reach but off of your tabletop.

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How to Style a Sofa With Pillows

June 18, 2015 by

Tossing some throw pillows onto your sofa seems like a no-brainer, but if you want to create a designer-worthy look, it requires a little effort. Here are a few genius ways to choose the right pillows and arrange them on your couch in the most flattering way.

  1. Create symmetry. Begin by choosing two anchor pillows in a pattern or shade that matches the rest of your sofa. These will go on either end to create a balanced effect.
  2. Mix and match. To avoid a drab look, choose a few more pillows in varying shapes, sizes and patterns, keeping in mind the main color that ties it all together.
  3. Add texture. Add at least one textured pillow in a fabric like faux fur, cable knit, or velvet.
  4. Use odd numbers. Most designers agree that using an odd number of pillows is usually best, as it helps you to create a lived-in look that is easy to rearrange again and again. Line them up across the whole sofa, or add more on one side and less on the other.
  5. Think of the sofa’s usage. If your sofa has to accommodate a large number of people, choose smaller pillows or use less of them. If it’s more for show, feel free to go wild with pillows.

9 Pointers for Perfectly Styled Pillows [Houzz]
Throw Pillows: 4 Tips to Style Your Sofa [HuffPost Home]
Tips On Choosing Throw Pillows [DécorLove]

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