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Clutter Cramping Your Style? Here’s How to Get It Under Control!

August 25, 2015 by

So you might not be the neatest person in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you have to deal with clutter cramping the style in your apartment. There are a number of smart, simple ways to de-clutter your space without spending hours cleaning every day. Here are just a few tips for managing the mess.

  • Think function, not fashion. Sure, that matching furniture set might look great, but that doesn’t mean that it actually works in the room. Having too large furniture (or even too much furniture) is a surefire way to make a room look cluttered. Downsize to maximize your space.
  • Create a place for everything. Go through your home and make a note of everything that doesn’t have its own designated space, from the stack of mail to your everyday beauty products. Invest in small bins or drawer organizers where you can toss things to keep them out of sight.
  • Add shelving. Keep things off of the floor by adding shelving anywhere that clutter frequently accumulates. Add attractive bins or boxes that you can put things in.
  • Spend a few minutes. Take a few minutes before bed each night to make one final sweep of your home, putting things away and getting organized. Waking up to a tidy house will make you want to get in the habit of de-cluttering.

Clear Clutter and Take Control of Your Life [All You]
Clutter Control in 10 Steps [Family Circle]
25 Ways to Clear Clutter [Style at Home]

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Check Out These Creative Uses for Wallpaper

July 21, 2015 by

If the thought of adding wallpaper to your home makes you cringe, you may want to rethink your opinions on this seemingly outdated wall covering. There are a number of creative uses for wallpaper that have nothing to do with your walls, and don’t worry: there’s no outdated paisley print here.

  1. Line a bookcase. If you have a hand-me-down bookcase that’s a bit of an eyesore, dress it up with a fun, colorful wallpaper backdrop. Simply remove the shelves and stick on a solid or printed wallpaper that goes with the rest of the room’s decor.
  2. Line drawers. Instead of lining your drawers with plain old drawer liners, get a bit more creative by lining them with leftover wallpaper.
  3. Dress up a dresser. Cover an entire dresser, the sides, or just the drawer fronts to bring a bit of color and a pop of pattern to your bedroom.
  4. Transform tray tables. If you want to add chic side tables to your living room but you’re on a bit of a budget, make over affordable tray tables using wallpaper. Simply stick the wallpaper to the tops of the tables, then create an attractive vignette using books, a lamp, or a few romantic candles.
  5. Frame it. If you have a very small amount of wallpaper that you love, turn it into a piece of DIY art using a simple, store-bought frame.

12 "Off the Wall" Places to Put Wallpaper [Bob Vila]
Unexpected Uses for Leftover Wallpaper [Real Simple]
9 Unexpected Ways to Decorate With Wallpaper [Good Housekeeping]

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Easy DIY Home Decor Projects You Can Complete in a Day

June 23, 2015 by

If you want to give your home a quick makeover, you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of ways to make a big impact in just a few hours. Here are just a few simple DIY projects that you can do in one day.

  • Make over your drapes. By simply switching out your window treatments, you can let more light into your home and make a room feel more elegant. Choose bamboo blinds, floor-length sheers, or panels in a light color scheme.
  • Create a foyer. If your home doesn’t have a designated foyer, you can create one yourself by simply adding some sort of seating, a mirror, and a console table to your doorway.
  • Hang mirrors. To create the illusion of more space in a room, add a mirror in a strategic spot. Hang one at the end of a hallway or directly across from a window.
  • Create a coffee table vignette. To make your living room feel more polished, add a stack of books, a bright green plant, and an elegant candle to your coffee table.
  • Build a bar cart. Everyone loves a classic bar cart, so create your own by re-doing a vintage find from your local thrift store. Then top it with pretty glasses and your favorite spirits.

11 Foolproof Decorating Tips [This Old House]
10 Simple Rules for Foolproof Decorating [Real Simple]
Foolproof Formulas for Home Decorating [Southern Living]

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How to Add Organic Touch to Your Home’s Decor

May 26, 2015 by

Going organic doesn’t end at the grocery store. In fact, there are a number of different ways that you can incorporate organic elements throughout your entire home. Here are just a few great ways to add a natural touch to the decor in your living space.

  • Create a nature-inspired vignette. If you admire something beautiful on your morning walk, such as a unique branch or a particularly interesting stone, add it to a stack of books on a tabletop to create a flawless vignette.
  • Create stone hot pads. Glue smooth, flat stones to the surface of simple kitchen hot pads to keep your countertops protected from hot pots and pans.
  • Choose natural rugs. Soft, organic materials like jute and hemp look beautiful when woven into a rug, and they’re much friendlier on the environment than synthetic versions.
  • Create organic centerpieces. The next time you host a dinner party, fill a ceramic vase with foraged tree branches or add pine cones to a clear bowl for a unique centerpiece inspired by the outdoors.
  • Change up your drapes. One of the simplest ways to bring the outdoors in is by allowing as much natural light as possible into your home. Switch out heavy drapes with soft, sheer panels to maximize the light.

Decorating with Natural Elements [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Simple Ways to Bring the Outdoors Inside [Freshome]
Decorating with Natural Elements from Natural Kitchen and Home [Pinterest]

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Three Awesome Craft Ideas for Washi Tape

January 27, 2015 by

Washi tape is beloved by craft enthusiasts because it’s easy to use, comes in a number of adorable patterns, and is completely temporary. If you want to incorporate washi tape into your crafting, here are three fun DIY projects to get you started.

Washi Tape Shelf Edging [Aunt Peaches]
This is possibly the simplest craft project that you’ll ever do. In just minutes, you can make a plain old bookshelf look chic, feminine, or even a bit edgy by simply applying washi tape to the front of each shelf. Just choose the pattern that best suits your design scheme and start sticking.

Washi Tape Switchplates [Crab and Fish]
Improving your home with washi tape is easy, especially if you seek out forgotten decorating possibilities such as updating your lighting switchplates. The hardest part about this project is lining up the pattern so that everything looks uniform, but the process is still incredibly easy—even the most novice crafter!

Giant Geometric Washi Tape Jewels [Curbly]
These giant geometric washi tape jewels aren’t for the faint of heart, but they are a whole lot of fun for fans of home decor with a bit more personality. Make a few jewels in different colors, or use neutral washi tape to create a more subtle effect that still has a whole lot of bling.

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Helpful Tips for Cleaning Leather and Suede

December 23, 2014 by

Suede leather items like shoes, bags, and wallets are beautiful and last a very long time, but they’re also quite expensive. Because these items are so valuable, it’s important to take great care when cleaning them. Here are a few tips to help you properly clean suede.

Take precautions. One of the best ways to protect your suede leather belongings from staining is by treating them before you even use them. Stains and waterproofing sprays for suede can be purchased from your local shoe store. By carefully applying them to your purse or shoes before wearing, you can shield them from rain, food stains, and even stains from your own hands.

Brush away scuffs. Instead of attempting to remove scuffs with wet or damp cloths, use a dry, soft brush meant for suede. Gently yet firmly brush back and forth to remove dried mud, scuffs, and other debris.

Properly remove stains. If your suede items do become stained with oil (and they likely will), don’t panic. Simply sprinkle the stain with baby powder or cornstarch and wipe it away gently once it becomes oily. For wet, non-oily stains, blot away the moisture with a clean cloth, then use a suede brush to restore the texture.

Save Your Shoes & Purses! How to Clean Suede and Leather [iVillage]
How to Clean Suede [HowToCleanStuff.net]
How do I Remove Stains from Suede Leather? [AboutHome]

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3 Tips for a Perfectly Packed Suitcase

August 26, 2014 by

We’ve all been there before: You go to pack for an upcoming trip and quickly realize that your belongings far exceed the space in your suitcase. Whether you’re trying to conserve space in the car or you don’t want to pay the outrageous airport baggage fees, there are a number of benefits to using a smaller suitcase. Here are a few tips to help you pack like a pro.

  1. Roll it up. By folding each article of clothing in half and then tightly rolling it like a burrito, you can dramatically save space in that overcrowded suitcase. Even better, the rolling technique ensures that your clothes will stay wrinkle-free until you unpack them at your destination.
  2. Check the weather. Don’t fill your suitcase with bulky sweaters if you don’t have to. Checking the weather at your destination ensures that you’re prepared for anything, and it means that you won’t pack unnecessary things that you don’t wear. If possible, wear your bulkier clothing items on the plane.
  3. When in doubt, shrink wrap. If you’re going on a long trip where you simply can’t afford to leave things out, investing in space bags that vacuum your clothes together is a great option. These bags are available at most home goods stores, and many cost less than $20.

How to Pack a Suitcase [Travel and Leisure]
5 Ways to Pack Your Suitcase Way More Efficiently [Gizmodo]
Pack Your Suitcase as Efficiently as a Flight Attendant [Lifehacker]

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